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Summary

A group of three large rectangular structures and associated enclosures and outbuildings situated on the left bank of the River Swincombe to the east of Whiteworks (see also MDV6369). The easternmost measures 6.2 metres by 3.5 metres and has an entrance in the southeast side. A recess in the northern corner probably marks the site of a chimney and an inscribed date stone of 1758 is situated near the east corner. An archaeological field survey of the site in 1995 identified two phases of occupation, the earliest, either medieval or early post medieval in date, represented by the two westernmost structures functioning as tin processing mills; the presence of wheel pits and possible buddle indicating stamping was one of the functions. In the mid 18th century, as indicated by the date stone, the easternmost building was constructed and the two western ones refurbished for habitation. Outbuildings and enclosures were also added. These smallholdings were probably created for tin workers associated with nearby Whiteworks Mine.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Walling remains of a Bronze Age settlements north-west of Fox Tor Farm, as well as medieval or later streamworking, open cuts and tinners' buildings

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX67SW54
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 443395
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67SW/96
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX67SW54

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ENCLOSURE (Constructed, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BUILDING (Constructed, XVIII - 1735 AD (Between) to 1775 AD (Between))

Full description

Haynes, R. G., 1966-1969, Ruined Sites on Dartmoor, 137, Plan (Un-published). SDV150434.

A furnace house 18 feet by 10 feet. Furnace clearly visible. Wheelpit fed by a leat. Also a subsidiary building and an irregular enclosure 65 by 35 feet.

Fox, A., 1969, Swincombe Survey, 14, plan (Report - Survey). SDV250998.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1970/1977, SX67SW54 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV214942.

(28/08/1970) SX 624711 Enclosures associated with tinning. At least three huts and some wheel pits. One hut has a crudely inscribed date "1758".
(08/08/1977) SX 62477117, a triangular enclosure perhaps associated with tinning, with the remains of a building on the north side of internal diameter 6.0 m by 3.5 m and walls 0.7 m thick and maximum height 1.6 m probably a tinners hut. One stone has a roughly inscribed date '1753'. At the north west corner of the enclosure is a small enclosure or remains of a hut 2.5 m by 1.4 m. See photograph.
All Surveyed at 1:10 000 on PFD.

National Monuments Record, 1976, NMR SX6271, 2 (Aerial Photograph). SDV214945.

Photograph taken on 22nd April 1976.

Greeves, T. A. P., 1980, A History of Whiteworks Tin Mine 1790-1848, 11 (Article in Serial). SDV237485.

Greeves, T. A. P., 1981, The Devon Tin Industry 1450-1750: An archaeological and historical survey (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV351371.

Site visited on 8th August 1977. Three enclosures and buildings are described by the Ordnance Survey. This structure is not a blowing house.

Hemery, E., 1983, High Dartmoor, 361-2 (Monograph). SDV249702.

The site comprises an upper enclosure and house ruins, the latter containing a waterwheel fed by a leat, and a chimney set against the bank. The second, lower blowing house is known locally as Sam Parr's House.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Visible on aerial photograph and recorded at SX62497118.

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

At SX 62487118 is a rectangular building measuring 6.2 metres south-west to north-east by 3.5 metres with an entrance placed centrally in the south-east side. A recess in the nothern corner probably marks the site of the chimney and an inscribed stone lies near the east corner. A small sub-rectangular field lies immediately south-east of this structure and at SX 62487117 in its north-west corner lies an outbuilding measuring 2.4 metres north to south by 1.5 metres with an entrance in the north-east corner.

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit, S. Probert (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

(24/05/1995) Centred SX 624712. A group of three large rectangular structures and their associated enclosures and outbuildings are situated on the left bank of the River Swincombe 1km E of Whiteworks. They lie in an E to W line along the foot of the tinners cliff marking the N edge of the streamworkings in the Swincombe valley (see record MDV6369).
At SX 62487118 is a rectangular building measuring 6.2m SW to NE by 3.5m with an entrance placed centrally in the SE side. A recess in the northern corner probably marks the site of the chimney and the inscribed stone mentioned in authorities 1 and 2 lies near the E corner. A small sub-rectangular field lies immediately SE of this structure and at SX 62487117 in its NW corner lies an out building measuring 2.4m N to S by 1.5m with an entrance in the NE corner.
The field evidence suggests two phases of occupation in this area. In the later Medieval or early post-Medieval periods at least two of the structures, at SX 62387114 and SX 62427115, were probably in use as tin processing mills. The two wheelpits and the buddle at the western structure would confirm that stamping was taking place though there is no evidence in the form of mouldstones to indicate smelting operations. At a later date, probably in the middle of the eighteenth century, as alluded to by the inscribed stone, the eastern building was constructed and the two western structures were refurbished for habitation. The outbuildings would probably have been added at this date as would the adjacent enclosures. It would seem likely that the smallholdings so created were occupied by workers in the tin industry which at that time was flourishing at Whiteworks Mine 1 kilometre to the west. Whiteworks possessed its own stamps and sources quoted by Greeves (1980) state that ore was taken to Calenick in Cornwall for smelting.

Ordnance Survey, 2020, MasterMap 2020 (Cartographic). SDV363413.

Rectangular building with enclosure to the south shown on modern mapping.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8146 - Royal Commission Survey at Down Ridge and Swincombe
• EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project
• EDV8423 - Duchy Farms Project

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