Having researched my family tree ( Brereton), I know that the family have been farmers going back many generations. Thomas Brereton and Martha Hughes of Harthill, my 2 x great grandparents, were farmers, as was their son Edward and the generations following him. However when you look back to the generations before Thomas and Martha the occupations become less clear, but I have found a document dated 1722 that sheds a little light on the subject, namely the Last Will and Testament of Sandford Brereton, son of Jonathon Brereton and Maria Sandford.
The writing and terminology are quite difficult to read, but basically he leaves a life interest in all his goods and chattels to his loving wife Lydia and £30 (equivant to approximately £4000 today) to each of his children Sandford, Hester and Thomas on reaching 21 years of age. The rest to be shared on Lydia's death.
But the interesting thing is that the will reveals that Sandford is a victualler in Stapeley. The brewing equipment in the brew house is listed amongst other goods in the valuation dated 1723.
A nice glass of beer makes a change from a nice? glass of milk at the end of a hard days' work!!