Trehudreth Millhouse

Trehudreth Millhouse

House, probably early 17th century or earlier. Constructed from granite and local stone rubble with a slate roof featuring gable ends and a lower roof over a range on the right side. The building has a moulded 17th century granite stack on the left hand gable end, and a stone rubble axial stack with a moulded 17th century granite shaft positioned between the 2-storey range on the left and the single storey range on the right.

The original plan of the building is uncertain, and it is likely the remains of a larger house. The ground slopes downwards to the right. The house follows a 2-room and through-passage plan, with the higher left hand room heated by an end stack and the lower room on the right heated by an axial stack backing onto the passage. The lower end is single storeyed and has been partly rebuilt; however, a first floor blocked doorway and at least 2 lines of weathering on the right hand gable end of the 2-storey higher end on the left suggest that the lower end was once 2 storeys tall.

The left hand 2-storey range has a stair projection for a timber newel stair (possibly replaced in the 19th century with wooden treads) on the front towards the lower side near the front entrance of the through passage. The roof structure above both ranges has been replaced in the 19th and 20th centuries. The original plan may have been a 17th century 2-room and through-passage arrangement with an early 17th century entrance and through passage in place; the left hand hall heated by an end stack and the right hand kitchen by an axial stack with a cloam oven. Possible service rooms were added on the lower right hand gable end, rebuilt in the late 20th century. Alternatively, the house may possibly have been of a 3-room plan, continuing to the right with a large inner room on the left heated by an end stack with stairs up to a chamber above; what is now the right hand kitchen was originally the hall, heated by an axial stack on the higher side, with the through passage and lower end originally on the lower side of the right hand range, now demolished. This would suggest that the early 17th century entrance arch to the present through passage has been reset.

The house faces north west towards a small mill. There is evidence of an earlier track to the rear suggesting that the house may have been re-orientated, originally facing south east. The asymmetrical north west front displays a 2-storey range on the left and a single storey range on the right. To the left is a 2-light casement on the ground floor, a rectangular stair projection lit by a 20th century 1-light casement, and a 20th century stone rubble porch with a resited and reset 14th century freestone chamfered arch. An early 17th century 4-centred chamfered granite arch leads to the entrance, featuring pyramid and stepped stops, with a 3-light mullion window above (mullions now removed). To the right, the single storey range has been partly rebuilt with 2 straight joints on the front and 20th century extensions to the right on the site of an earlier building. The rear elevation features a 19th century entrance to the through passage and 3-light casements on the ground and first floor of the 2-storey range. The eaves appear to have been raised on the rear, and there is some evidence of the eaves having been raised on the front as well, though this would predate the stair projection and 17th century 3-light mullion window on the front and may be the result of partial rebuilding or repointing.

Interior

The through passage has a thick cross wall with an axial stack on the right hand side of the passage and a partition on the left hand side of the passage, now removed. The ceiling beams above the passage have been replaced. The ceiling beams in the left hand room are of a characteristic 17th century wavy type with chamfer and scroll stops. The ceiling beam closest to the newel of the stair has an ornate jewel and straight cut stop. The fireplace appears to have been altered in the 19th or 20th century with a deep narrow opening. The newel stair is of deal with some reused oak, in a projection built partly on top of a large salting trough (locally known as a kieve or trendle). The first floor fireplace has granite jambs and a chamfered timber lintel with a straight cut stop on the left and an ogee stop on the right. An early 17th century or earlier oak doorframe leads from the passage into the right hand room, featuring a segmental arch and morticed jambs. The fireplace backing onto the passage has chamfered granite jambs and a cloam oven. A partly blocked opening adjoining possibly originally housed a stair or smoking chamber.