Transcript

of

Tom Putt Apples

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VII, (1912-1913), Exeter: James G. Commin. 1913, p. 99.

by

J.M.M.

Prepared by Michael Steer

“Tom Putt" is a traditional variety of dual purpose apple, often used as a cider apple, originating in Devon. It was also known as Ploughman, Coalbrook, Marrowbone, Thomas Jeffreys and by many other local names. The apple is associated with Combe House in Gittisham. The apple Tom Putt was supposed to have been named for an 18th-century landowner, Thomas Putt of Combe, who died in 1787 and was nicknamed "Black Tom".[Putt, a barrister, is reputed to have perfected the variety and is also said to have won prizes for his fruit trees at agricultural fairs in Honiton. However, older growers in Somerset, according to Harold Taylor in The Apples of England, told a story that the Putt commemorated by the apple was a rector, Rev. Thomas Putt of Trent, a nephew of Thomas Putt of Combe. It is possible that "Black Tom" Putt first developed the variety and subsequently gave a tree to his nephew. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 65. TOM PUTT APPLES (VII., par. 25, p. 47; par. 37, p. 64 ; par. 38, p. 64). - The clergyman in question was the Rev. Thomas Putt, the rector and also lord of the manor of Gittisham, near Honiton. He was a descendant of the Sir Thos. Putt, Bart, (created 1666), who was Recorder of Bradninch 1710-1721. He lived at Combe House, a mansion in Gittisham which for nearly 200 years was the residence of the Putt family, and is now the home of Richard Marker, Esq., whose uncle, the late Rev. Henry William Marker, received it on the death of the Rev. Thos. Putt about the middle of the first half of the last century.
                                                J.M.M.