Tonge Hall, Tonge Hall Close, William Street, Middleton, Rochdale, Lancashire: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers
Author(s): Robert Howard, Alison Arnold
Dendrochronological analysis undertaken on 41 of the 45 samples obtained from timbers in different parts of Tonge Hall produced a single dated site chronology comprising 38 samples with an overall length of 239 rings. These rings were dated as spanning the years AD 1449–1687. Interpretation of the sapwood on the dated samples indicates that the roof, first-floor frame, and structural timbers of the hall range, as well as the roof and stair timbers of the cross-wing, were all cut as part of a single programme between AD 1589–1614. A ground-floor fire place bressumer of the hall range has an estimated felling date of AD 1609–34, while the timbers of a first-floor partition wall have an estimated felling date in the range AD 1640–65. The latest dated timbers are the floorboards of the crosswing attic, which have an estimated felling date in the range of AD 1697–1722.
- Report Number:
- 43/2014
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 39
- Keywords:
- Dendrochronology Standing Building
