Pond Cottage

TL 51 SW MATCHING HOUSHAM TYE 3/8 Pond Cottage

GV II

Cottage, C16, altered in C18 and C20. Timber framed, mainly weatherboarded, W elevation infilled with C20 brick and frame exposed externally, roof thatched. 3 bays aligned E-W, aspect N. Axial chimney stacks at E end, C18/19, and at E end of W bay, C20. Lean-to sheds at both ends. Single storey with attics. S elevation, 3 C20 casement windows, swept. dormer with casement window. Roof half-hipped at W only. Some framing exposed internally. Jowled posts, curved tension bracing trenched to inside of studs, all original tiebeams intact. The W elevation is of interrupted tiebeam construction, with an unglazed window of 2 diamond mullions at tie level, all in situ and exposed externally. There is original wattle and daub visible where covered by a lean- to shed to the W and wattle and daub is reported to be present in the wall between the middle and E bays. Roof altered, with 2 smoke-blackened rafters re- used. The N elevation of this building is well illustrated in the Walker map of 1609 (Essex Record Office D/DU 25), and this clarifies its development. In 1609 it comprised 3 bays with a chimney stack in the middle bay, the E bay of one storey and approximately 1 metre shorter than at present, the W bay in 2 storeys from the outset. The lower room was lit by windows to N and S (it is significant that Walker illustrates the N window slightly lower than the other 2), the upper room lit by the window in the W elevation which is still present beneath the half-hip. At some later time, probably in the C18, the central chimney stack was demolished to increase interior room space, floors were inserted in this and the E. bay, and the stack was rebuilt externally at the E end. Subsequently the building was extended eastwards by approximately 1 metre to bring this stack into the building and to use the space to each side. The alterations to the wallplates are fixed with forelocks. In the C20 a small chimney stack was built in the W bay and the floor was rebuilt at a higher level to compensate for subsidence or rising ground levels. The present N door occupies the position of the middle window illustrated by Walker, but the evidence of it is still apparent in the structure. C20 windows occupy the positions of the other windows shown in the Walker map.

Listing NGR: TL5074310908