Porter'S Farmhouse

KELVEDON HOLLOW ROAD TL 81 NW (south side) 5/239 Porter's Farmhouse

GV II

House. Circa 1600, altered in C18 and C20. Timber framed, plastered, roofed with handmade red plain tiles. 4 bays facing SE with stack to rear of right bay, and C20 single-storey extension beyond. C20 crosswing at left end, extending to rear. C18/19 lean-to along rear of main range, forming a catslide with the main roof. 2 storeys and attics. 3-window range of C19 casements. C20 door in C20 pedimented doorcase. Built as a lobby-entrance house, but internal stack demolished. Jowled posts. All arched braces to tiebeams removed. Edge-halved and bridled scarf in rear wallplate. Some original wattle and daub infill in rear wall, enclosed by lean-to extension; also some hardwood weatherboarding, similarly enclosed. Chamfered axial beams with convex and lamb's tongue stops. Original clasped purlin roof with straight and curved wind-bracing. On ground floor, in second bay from right end, early C19 corner cupboard with reeded jambs, semi-elliptical arch, and elaborately profiled shelves. In next bay to left, early C18 pine corner cupboard with 2 single-panel doors; C18 butterfly hinges on the lower door, introduced cockshead hinges on the upper door. 2 C18/early C19 battened doors on first-floor landing, another in unlit attic. Most other internal doors are Victorian 4-panel. Moated site. Conveyances from 1588 onwards in Essex Record Office, and lease and release of 1769 in the possession of the owner. Sale catalogues of 1784 and 1913 record that the house was associated with a farm of 138 and 152 acres respectively. Part of the manor of Felix Hall. A photograph of this house before renovation is in B.L. Kentish, Kelvedon and its Antiquities, 1974, plate 17. RCHM 4.

Listing NGR: TL8339019270