In 1872, the Government of the day instructed the Local Government Board to compile a list of Owners of Land, from one acre in size upwards. The return was compiled from rating returns, and gave the name of each landowner, the place, size of land and gross estimated rental from the land, as an indication of value. The return covered all of England and Wales, excluding the Metropolis (London). Separate volumes covered Scotland and Ireland. At the time, it was known as the 'modern Domesday'. The Preece entries from the England and Wales return follow below (there were no entries in Scotland or Ireland)..