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Summary

Former medieval merchant's house between Higher and Lower Streets, used as the second Guildhall from the 15th century, demolished in the 19th century.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX85SE/232

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HOUSE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD (Between))
• GUILDHALL (XV to XIX - 1401 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Lewis, W., 1853, Dartmouth (Record Office Collection). SDV341437.

A Deed of 1480 transfers ownership to Dartmouth Corporation who used it as a new Guildhall. It also housed the Council Chamber and Quarter Sessions. It fronted onto Lower Street and had access to ground floor cellars via a narrow lane (Dark Lane) passing through and under the house, and opening into a court in Higher Street. In the 14th-15th century the cellars served as the town prison, but this use seems discontinued by late 15th century.

Ordnance Survey, 1855-1895, First Edition 1:500 Town Map (Cartographic). SDV338879.

'Oxford Slip' shown. Map object based on this source.

Pistono, S. P., 1979, Henry IV and John Hawley, Privateer, 1399-1408, 147 (Article in Serial). SDV341074.

Hawleys Hall was the largest mansion in Dartmouth in the early 15th century extending from Higher to Lower Street. It served as Dartmouth's second Guildhall for 384 years.

Smart, I. H., 1991, The Many Ancient Guildhalls of Dartmouth, 18-26; figures 2-3 (Article in Serial). SDV340290.

Merchant's house, formerly the house of John Hawley (1408), later used as the second Guildhall in Dartmouth. The watch house was transferred to the modern gaol in St Saviours Square in 1855, and the Guildhall building was demolished in 1864. In 1871 carved wall panelling and the Mayor's chair were bought by the Mayor who installed them in Tudor House. The Guildhall was demolished to make way for Newcomen Road by 1868. Once formed house of John Hawley (1340-1408). Thomas Newcomen used the northern part as his workshop. Part became the town Watch House in 1836. Map object based on this source.

Smart, I. H., 1995, The Newcomen Road, 16-17 (Pamphlet). SDV341366.

'Guildhall' shown on 19th century map extending from Lower Street to Higher Street just to the north of Oxford Slip. Map object based on this source.

Ordnance Survey, 2013, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV350786.

Map object based on this source.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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