Disused Farmhouse in Yard to North of Farmhouse on East of Settlement

Details

ST STEPHENS BY HIGHER TRUSCOTT SX 38 NW LAUNCESTON 9/150 Disused farmhouse in yard to north of farmhouse on east of settlement 10.5.88 II

Disused farmhouse. Probably late C15 or C16, partly remodelled in the circa late C16 or early C17. Stone rubble. Corrugated asbestos and rag slate roof with gable ends. Remains of brick shaft to axial stack and rebuilt brick shaft on left hand end. Plan: The house has a 2-room and through passage plan with the larger hall on the higher right hand side, heated by an inserted axial stack backing onto the passage and with a newel stair adjoining the fireplace, rising against the side of the stack to provide access to the first floor chambers. It is uncertain whether the lower left hand room is heated although the chamber above is heated by an end stack. The house appears to have originally had a 2-room and through passage plan with the hall open to the roof and heated by an open hearth, the remains of sooting surviving on both blades of the truss and on the purlins. It is uncertain whether the smaller right hand room was originally open to the roof as the roof structure has been replaced. It is probable that the lower left hand room and passage if not originally floored, were floored in the circa later C16 or early C17, the thick cross wall on the lower side of passage continuing up to the first floor and higher side of the passage probably originally with a hall screen. The only surviving part being the partly remodelled doorframe. It is possible that the first floor chamber was slightly jettied into the lower end of the hall. . In the circa early C17 a cross wall containing a hall stack was inserted on the higher side of the passage, replacing the earlier screen and the hall was probably ceiled then or shortly after. The adjoining newel stair is probably coeval, providing access to both chambers and possibly replaces an earlier stair which would have provided access to the chamber above the lower end. Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 2-window front elevation with several straight joints in the masonry. Entrance to left of centre with a 2-centred chamfered possibly Polyphant stone arch which is slightly lopsided. Stone rubble buttress directly to left with remains of probable C19 window frames to windows which light the ground and first floor. To right the wall breaks forward and contains the newel stair with a shallow hall bay adjoining. There is a 1-light casement to the left of the projection, which lights the upper stage of the stair. This window has thick circa early C18 glazing bars. To right a 2-light casement lights the ground floor of the shallow hall bay. Interior: Through passage flanked by thick cross wall on lower side and inserted cross wall on higher side which continues up to apex and contains hall stack. The early timber door frame into the lower room is chamfered and was probably remodelled in the C17 from a shouldered or segmental arch to a square headed frame. The floor joists over the lower end have been partly plastered but there appears to be a single heavy chamfered cross beam resting on the cross wall and end wall and unmoulded joists, morticed into the beam. In the chamber above the lower end the timber chimney-piece has a probably C18 multiple moulded mantleshelf and C19 surround. The niche adjoining the chimney-breast contains what appears to be the remains of a gard- robe. On the right side of the passage, the early chamfered timber doorframe into the hall may be the only remains of the hall screen; the frame was probably remodelled in the C17 from a depressed ogee arch. The hall fireplace is partly blocked but has chamfered granite lintel and jambs and the ceiling is plastered. The doorframe to the stair has been partly covered by a C19 frame but appears again early and was again probably partly remodelled in the C17. The newel stair has later timber treads over the original stone rubble stair with slate treads. Roof structure: The roof was only partially visible. However, the roof structure above the lower end appears to have been replaced probably in the C18 and the earlier C18 trusses have been paired with circa C19 trusses. Above the hall the roof structure has been altered, the feet of the principals appear to have been truncated and the apex has been altered. Below the ceiling the blades have been grained and the holes for the threaded purlins have been covered over and above the ceiling the roof structure is only partly visible. However, the roof structure is soot blackened and in part fairly encrusted. The truss appears to have had a diagonally set apex with 2 tiers of threaded purlins which have been reset and now rest on the backs of the principals. There do not appear to be mortices for a collar. Near the feet of the blades are two small holes which have been covered over. This house was disused at time of survey (1987). Although in need of repair care should be taken if any work is undertaken.

Listing NGR: SX3017485701

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

68044

Legacy System:

LBS

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