See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

‘The Ockery’ cottage was built c.1805 (probably by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt) and demolished c.1925; the nearby barn built in 1808 survives. The buildings formed part of the smallholding leased from the Duchy of Cornwall by the Kistle family for much of its early history.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57SE/173

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• COTTAGE NON SPECIFIC (Built, XIX to Early 20th Century - 1805 AD to 1925 AD (Between))

Full description

South West Heritage Trust, 1838-1848, Digitised Tithe Maps and Transcribed Apportionments (Cartographic). SDV359954.

'Oakery' is marked on the Tithe Map (plot 179), with barn to the north side of the river.

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

'Oakery' is marked on the late 19th century historic map.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

Unchanged from previous map depictions.

Brooking-Rowe, J., 1905, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt and Princetown, 473 (Article in Serial). SDV237567.

'The Okery' is another of the oldest houses in Princetown. According to local legend, it was built to house two French commandants, but the author disputes this. He is certain the house was built by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt in 1809. Described as having an un-English appearance (and compared with the Plume of Feathers) with foreign influences.
Author states the house has since been altered out of all recognition.

Stanbrook, E., 1991, A Dartmoor Legend: Two French Generals at the Ockery, Princetown, 3-6 (Article in Serial). SDV363590.

The Ockery (or Okery / Oakery) was once a pretty thatched cottage built in the style of a Swiss chalet, but has now been reduced to foundations. Investigation of the myth surrounding the idea that the Ockery was built for French officers (disputed) or that two generals Rochambeau and Boyé stayed there. Author discusses the connection of the generals and their connections with Devon, concluding that it is possible they stopped overnight at the Ockery (perhaps in 1811), which may have formed the basis for the legend.

Greeves, E., 2020, Ockery Barn, Princetown (Worksheet). SDV363589.

‘The Ockery’ cottage was built c.1805 and demolished c.1925, but the barn built in 1808 survives alongside the clapper bridge just below the road bridge. The buildings formed part of the smallholding leased from the Duchy of Cornwall by the Kistle family for much of its early history.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.