James Barton

James Barton is a farmhouse, now a private dwelling, with origins in the medieval period. It was substantially altered between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the west wall was rebuilt in the 18th century, and it was restored in the late 20th century. The exterior is rendered cob, with a rubble west wall and rear additions, and a thatched roof hipped to the right, incorporating double Roman tiled outshots at the rear. Originally an open hall house, the plan evolved into a three-cell and cross-passage layout with an added room at the west end, and a gabled stair turret to the rear, along with three outshots. The two-storey, four-bay facade has late 20th-century 2 and 3-light casement windows. At ground level, it features two windows on either side of a roughcast gabled tiled porch with a 20th-century door and a French window in the end bay to the right. The interior, which was not inspected, is reportedly characterized by jointed cruck trusses, indicative of the original open hall. The open hall was ceiled between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, with a 4-panel hollow chamfered compartment ceiling to the right of the narrow cross passage, as well as a chamfered lintel and moulded stone jambs to the fireplace. Documentary evidence identifies the house as existing by 1510, when it was held by copyholders of the Dean and Chapter of Wells. The name "James Barton" originates from Joshua James, who held the copyhold in 1763.