For its size, Brampton Bryan is a very well documented village, with many records of all kinds stretching back hundreds of years. Many of these mention farms and farming and give a clear picture of the importance of agriculture in the past.

In 1595, farmer Richard Bebbe of Brampton Bryan made his Will. His was plainly a mixed farm, as he left horses, sheep, heifers & bullocks to his two daughters.

In 1615, a glebe terrier was written for the parish of Brampton Bryan. This was a list of the land and property in the village belonging to the church. It gives a clear idea of agriculture before the Civil War. Wheat was grown; sheep, cattle & horses were grazed on pasture. Geese, pigs and chickens were kept. Hay was harvested and stored next to the 'cow house' at the Rectory for winter feed. Milk was used to make cheese, and bees kept for honey. One crop that has now completely disappeared from the parish is flax. Whether this was used at this time to produce linen is not clear. Later the flaxseed was ground at the Oil Mill to make linseed oil.

In October 1854, the Hereford Times reported the case of Richard Watts, a blind man who was so poor he needed financial help from his local parish to survive and feed his family. Two parishes, Knighton and Bucknell, could not agree who should pay his support. A court case followed, with many witnesses. The report gives a fascinating insight into how farm workers were hired at local fairs.

Naturally economic conditions in Brampton Bryan followed the fortunes of agriculture elsewhere in the country. In 1871, a meeting of farm labourers took place in the village, at which they complained loudly about their pay & working conditions. Many wished they could emigrate to America.