Cleaves

Cleaves, formerly known as Chaddlehanger, is a farmhouse now in dual occupation located in Lamerton. The building dates to 1585, probably built as a new house for a minor gentleman, possibly William Grylls, as evidenced by a coat of arms. A 17th-century rear wing was added later, followed by alterations in the 19th and 20th centuries. At the time of survey in June 1985, a wing to the right was under construction.

The building is constructed of rubble, partly rendered, with granite dressings and hipped slate roofs. The rear wing and porch are cement-washed, while the central range is covered with asbestos slates and has a ridge stack at the former gable end to the right.

The original plan probably comprised three rooms and a through passage with a staircase to the rear left, fronted by a two-storey porch. A probable original stair tower was enclosed by the later 17th-century rear wing. The passage has since been widened and a 20th-century stair inserted, obscuring earlier features. The hall was probably originally to the left of the passage; the inner room has been removed and the subsequent evolution is uncertain.

The two-storey front elevation is dominated to the left by a two-storey porch with hipped roof, lacking evidence of a front window to the room to the left of the passage. The porch entry features a two-centred arched chamfered granite door opening with pyramid stops, with attached right and left base of column bearing moulded bases for quadruple shafts—probably removed from the Church of St Peter. A dripmould runs over the opening. The 20th-century door has strap hinges, and an inner opening with a half-glazed door displays the date 1585 and a shield with helmet above. The bay to the right has a plinth with a ground and first floor six-light 20th-century window. A rendered two-storey addition to the right contains ground and first floor three-light stone chamfered casements, a two-light dormer, and a hipped roof.

The left return has a roof hipped to the right, ground floor 20th-century six-light window, slate hung above, and a two-light casement at first floor. The slightly lower rear wing to the left is unrendered, with a glazed door to the right, a small two-light casement, and a two-light granite mullion window chamfered with three-pane lights and hood-mould. Under the eaves are a two-light and three-light casement, both with timber lintels. The right return features one two-light casement at ground floor and two at first floor, a pitched roof porch built up with the rise in ground level, a French window, a three-light casement, and two hipped dormers.

The rear elevation, unrendered, has a 20th-century lean-to at ground floor level. An internal courtyard is formed by two rear wings, enclosed by a rear curtain wall approximately four metres high. In front of the stair tower projection, the first floor has a three-light casement with timber lintel. The wing to the right has a single-storey 20th-century addition in the angle to the rear lean-to. At ground floor is a 19th-century two-light casement with timber lintel, and two two-light casements at first floor of irregular size and spacing, each with two panes per light. To the right are three rows of pigeon holes with slate perches. The end of the wing has an external stack without chimney and a small lean-to with door. A taller 20th-century two-storey wing to the left has a French window, a two-light casement at ground floor, and a three-light casement at first floor. The rear of the curtain wall has a flight of ten stone steps leading to the upper ground level.

The interior features a wide entrance hall with no original rear door opening, open to first floor level with a 20th-century landing. The room to the right has a fireplace with timber lintel and granite jambs, mostly blocked, and the front wall was rebuilt after collapse, resulting in removal of a mullioned window. The room to the left of the passage contains no early features. A two-centred wooden chamfered doorframe opens to the rear left room, originally the site of the staircase; the rear room in the wing was remodelled in the 20th century. At first floor, the centre rear window has deep splayed reveals, and the window in the room over the porch has a hollow-chamfered mullion. The roof was not accessible for examination.