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Summary

Approximately 12 hectares of tin streamworks alongside the upper reaches of the Cherry Brook and its tributaries, extending north from SX 633769 to SX 625786 and SX 629787.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthwork remains of medieval or later tin streaming along the Cherrybrook north of Powdermills

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX67NW183
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 883828
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67NW/138
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• STREAMWORK (Constructed, Early Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1066 AD (Between) to 1901 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1951, RAF 540/483, 4048 (Aerial Photograph). SDV262763.

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

Greeves, T. A. P., 1983, Middle Merripit Survey Drawing, parish file (Plan - measured). SDV321106.

(-/2/1983) Tin streamworks visible on stream leading in to Cherry Brook. Of Medieval or post-Medieval date.

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

Streamwork not clearly visible as such extending along both branches of Cherry Brook. Visible on 1951 RAF aerial photograph.

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

(19/07/1989) Approximately 12 hectares of tin streamworks alongside the upper reaches of the Cherry Brook and its tributaries, extending N from SX 633769 to SX 625786 and SX 629787.
North of the Powder Mills working is confined to a narrow band alongside the Cherry Brook and a tributary. The stream banks have been cut back and deepened (as much as 3m depth) and these are numerous, amorphous heaps of discarded gravel and silt, as well as linear channels and banks.
Inside the Powder Mills enclosure at centre SX 62777747 there is much working alongside a tributary draining marsh to the W.
The most extensive workings lie E of Powder Mills Cottages at centre SX 63057700. Here are very ordered channels and linear upcast banks and numerous amorphous heaps. the S boundary of the streamwork is marked by a prominent scarp up to 2m deep, revealing the degree to which the ground surface has been lowered.
There is a documentary reference to tinworking in 'Charbreke Combe' in the 17th century (Greeves, 1981); in all probability this is the upper reaches of the Cherry brook.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV8645 - Powder Mills and Gawler Newtake, Duchy Farms Survey
• EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project
• EDV8423 - Duchy Farms Project

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