Silkstone help please

[tillymintoid]

One of my ancestors, Joseph Avis, moved to Throstle Hall Farm sometime in the late 1850's, early 1860's. The only information I can find about the farm is that it is where the victims of the 1838 mining disaster were initially taken.
What I can't work out is why Joseph would have moved from his occupation as a butcher in Hoddesdon (Herts) to being a farmer in Yorkshire, with no apparent links to the area.
I'm assuming he was a tenant farmer rather than the owner.
Does anyone know if any old records of the farm still exist, or where I could find out more information?
Thanks in anticipation 
Jackie

[Rena]

I don't know the exact answer but I can offer a suggestion.  Coincidentally I have a 'butcher' in one of my lines but when you look at his inventory of land he owned and fields he rented with lists of cattle, pigs, sheep in each field listed plus some horses, including a 'Lyon Horse' (whatever that is!  unless it was bred in Lyon, France) you begin to realise that not everything is what it seems.

Herefordshire is renowned for its cattle and somewhere there's a website which shows the ancient north/south and east/west cattle trails all leading to and from that county. I should imagine that your ancestor saw a business opportunity and grabbed it.  Most probable was new industry in the area around his new farm or a new canal/railway line leading to a port so that he could export his livestock.  1860's (and probably beforehand) there was a war in Europe which we were involved in so was there a big barracks nearby?  I once went inside a big warehouse in Hull 1950's which I was told could house 4,000 live cattle for export would you believe?  In the 19th century Hull had a large tanning industry, maybe your ancestor also wanted to be nearer an outlet like that where his hides would be made into shoes, boots and furniture, etc. and also factories which would make use of animal hooves (glue factories).

Looks like you have a bit of research on your hands 

Good luck,
Rena