A scion of the wealthy Hopcraft family of Evenley. His grandfather had done rather well out of the Evenley Enclosure some fifty years before and in 1829, Barnett John Hopcraft, was appointed sole Commissioner for the Brackley Enclosure.
This was the last unenclosed territory in a considerable local area. The seventeen surrounding parishes, excepting Greatworth enclosed in 1634, had all been enclosed by private Acts of Parliament between 1734 and 1808. Hopcraft's expenses were fixed at 3 guineas a day for the first three years and two guineas a day thereafter. I make that to be approximately £3,500 for the first three years, and £5,500 for the second seven years. £9,000 in all which would have made Mrs Bennett faint clean away. In ten years time Hopcraft's son was farming over 300 acres in Halse, while the main branch of the family, having done 'well' out of the Evenley Enclosure had amassed a 500 acre plus farm estate in Evenley. Plus ca change, see Baroness Mone, et al.