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Summary

Late 15th century former farmhouse, with 17th- and 20th century alterations. Built as an open hall house, it appears to have remained open to the roof until 1653. This house preserves some good quality 17th century features and an interesting development of plan whilst also retaining evidence of its earlier origins.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1308730: HAMMETTS

Other References/Statuses

• Old Listed Building Ref (II): 91289

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• HOUSE (XV to XVII - 1450 AD to 1653 AD (Between))

Full description

Department of Environment, 1989, Woolfardisworthy (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV15502.

Hammetts.
House formerly farmhouse. Circa late 15th century altered probably in 1653 and modernised in late 20th century. Rendered stone rubble walls, possibly incorporating some cob. Gable-ended asbestos slate roof. Brick stack at left gable-end. Large 17th century coursed squared rubble axial stack with dripmoulds and tapering cap.
Plan: originally probably 2-room-and-through-passage plan, lower end to the left. Built as an open hall house with central hearth, divided only by low partitions. The house appears to have remained open to the roof until 1653 - a date in the plasterwork of the hall - when it was floored and a stack inserted into the hall backing onto the passage. A high quality chamber was created above it. The lower room fireplace is probably coeval although since altered. Evidently the lower room had a more functional purpose than the hall which became more of a hall/parlour. At the rear of the hall is a winder staircase in a projection and adjoining integral dairy at its higher end which are both part of the 1653 remodelling. In the later 20th century the hall was subdivided and a passage created to its rear, a detached shippon adjoining the lower room was converted and a small linking range built.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 4-window front of late 20th century 2-light small-paned casments apart from a small earlier 20th century leaded-light casement at centre on 1st floor. The 2 ground floor windows to the right have 17th century stone hoodmoulds over them.
To left of centre is probably original chamfered stone doorway with segmental arch and diagonal stops. Twentieth century plank door with glazed panel. At left-hand end is short connecting range with converted shippon projecting from end of it. At rear left-hand part of house projects for staircase with a further projection for dairy at left-hand end.
Interior: lower room has chamfered and unstopped cross beam. Replaced lintel to open fireplace which has cloam oven in side. Room to right of passage, formerly hall, has fireplace with ovolo-moulded and ogee-stopped lintel. On the end wall of the room beyond is a moulded plaster cornice with the date 1653 and initials PPIH.
At the centre is a small plaster shield and to either side are plaster fleurnus. Stone winder stairs in projection at rear around solid core. There is only a thin partition between stairs and adjoining dairy. 1st floor fireplace over hall also has ovolo-moulded wooden lintel with fillet and ogee stops. In the roof-space there is evidence that there was formerly a plaster barrel ceiling over the 1st floor chamber at the higher end.
Roof: one original roof truss survives just to the higher side of the hall stack apparently with curved feet which are now boxed in. The truss is of heavy scantling with mortices for a removed collar and a small yoke at the apex which the principals extend slightly above to clasp the ridge. A little below a 17th century collar has been halved on with dovetail joints and there is a similar collar lower down. The original timbers are smoke-blackened; 1 other truss at the higher end has a lapped crossed apex and is probably later 17th century. Twentieth century trusses over the lower end and rafters throughout.
This house preserves some good quality 17th century features and an interesting development of plan whilst also retaining evidence of its earlier origins. Other details: LBS number 91289.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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