Easdon Farmhouse

Details

SX 78 SW
4/8

MANATON
Easdon Farmhouse

GV
II*

2 cottages, formerly farmhouse. Probably early C16, modified and then extended
later C16/early C17, then converted at a much later stage, probably C19 into 2
cottages. Rendered granite rubble walls, 3 granite rubble chimneys with drip-
courses, axial one is rendered, gable end chimney to wing has granite capping
stones. Slate roof with gable ends.
Complex development of plan, slightly obscured by conversion of house into 2
cottages. Originally 3-room and through or cross-passage. Evidence of internal
jetty at higher end of hall suggests that hall at least was originally open to the
roof. The original roof structure does not survive which makes it difficult to
assess whether the jetty is an original feature or whether it was inserted and the
house initially only had low partitions. The inner room has remained unheated and
its very rough beams and small window opening suggest that it was used for storage.
The hall fireplace lintel and ceiling beam have different stops but probably both
date from late C16/early C17. At the same time that the hall was ceiled a newel
staircase was inserted into its rear wall but it has since been removed/blocked.
Probably in the early C17, at a slightly later date to the ceiling-in of the hall,
a rear single cell wing was added behind the inner room and the upper end of the
hall. Few features are visible in it, although a large fireplace probably exists,
so its purpose is unclear. Probably when the land was appropriated by another
farm the house was converted into 2 cottages : the left-hand one comprised the
heated lower room and the through passage which was widened to form a larger room
and the rear door blocked if it originally had one. In the right-hand cottage the
plan of hall, inner room and wing is preserved intact.
2 storeys. Asymmetrical 3-window front, 4 windows on ground floor. All 2-light
C20 casements with glazing bars except for ground floor right window to inner room
which is single light, C19. Centre left ground floor window probably occupies
position of original passage doorway. Right first floor window above inner room is
half dormer. To right of centre is early C20 gabled porch rendered with
weatherboarding in gable and C20 plank door. Similar door to left of centre. C20
casement windows to inner face of wing and C20 plank door on either face of wing.
On rear face of main block in the angle with the wing is a bulge in the wallmarking
the position of the newel staircase. Rear of main range has C20 glazed doorway to
left of centre and C20 casement windows.
Interior of left-hand cottage much altered and no original features evident. In
right-hand cottage, hall and inner room preserve many of their early features. The
axial fireplace would originally have backed onto the through passage. It has a
straight wooden lintel, is chamfered with straight cut stops and unchamfered
granite jambs. There is an oven on the right hand side with arched opening, brick
floor and stone walls and roof. Its iron door and frame are still in situ. The
hall floor is of granite slabs. There is a heavy cross beam with deep chamfer and
hollow step stops. At upper end of hall is a plank and muntin screen, the muntins
are chamfered with diagonal cut stops which cone fairly high up to take a bench
underneath. Although the original bench or brackets do not survive there is a
horizontal groove on each muntin marking the position of the bench. The original
doorway is at the left-hand end of the screen and its 3-centred arch and jambs are
chamfered with diagonal cut stops. Above the screen is an internal jetty with
joists projecting circa 12 inches into the hall which are curved at the ends with
chamfers and stops. The inner room is unheated and has rough axial beams less
substantial than in the hall. The screen has only a rough finish on this side. A
thick wall between the hall and the wing signify that it was a later addition.
Roof renewed in C20, trusses bolted together.
This house is important not only for the high quality of its features, particularly
the screen and internal jetty, but also for their state of preservation and value
in indicating the intermediate phases of modernisation in the development of the
late medieval house.

Listing NGR: SX7277481858

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

84943

Legacy System:

LBS

End of official list entry

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