The Abbey (Junior School)

Details

1. CHURCH STREET 1852 (South West Side)

No 27 (The Abbey) (Junior School) TM 2748 3/65 25.1.51. TM 2648 2/65

II*

2. C16, built on the site of the Priory of the Austin Canons of Woodbridge, which was suppressed in 1537 and leased to Sir Anthony Wingfield in 1538. At his death it passed to Sir John and Dorothy Wingfield in 1547. In 1564 it was sold by the Crown to Thomas Seckford, subject to the life interest of Dorothy Wingfield, after which it passed to the sole owner- ship of Thomas Seckford. The date on the Seckford coat of arms over the south porch is 1564, but this may have marked the latter event, and the buildings have been erected between 1547 and 1564. The Abbey remained in the Seckford family until 1673. During the Commonwealth it was occupied by John Hope, Colonel of the Horse in the army which besieged Colchester. In 1673 it passed to E North and in 1771 to Thomas Carthew and after several other ownerships it has returned to a collateral branch of the Carthew family. Very extensive alterations and additions have been made from time to time mainly in period reproduction with the addition of sundry pin acles and other embellishments to the old work. The building is 2 storey with gabled dormers. The main feature of the old work is the 3 storey porch and room over. The gables have brick pediments and as with other brick moulding and mullions etc are stucco finished. The Porch has triple superimposed orders, over a semi-circular arched doorway, the ground floor Doric with fluted pilasters and panelled pedestals, moulded brick entablature, and above on the 1st and 2nd floors, plain brick pilasters, crowned by brick pediment in gable. There are 4 original gabled dormers. A moulded brick band stucco faced of the early work remains, and there are 3 modern bays along the south front. A portion of the original building shows on the north front and indications of 2 gabled wings now filled in between the modern additions. The original staircase remains. The south porch door is of C18 but a contemporary door is fitted to the frame and fanlight as also in the modern porch, but both may have been acquired from elsewthere. A brick moulded 4-centre arch leads to the cellar on the south front.

Listing NGR: TM2709449046

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

284631

Legacy System:

LBS

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