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Summary

Two granite pillars, one bearing the date 1687, originally identified as mid-18th century tollgate posts, more recently interpreted as the 17th century gates to the town marshes.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1325401: Two Granite Pillars circa 6m west of Nos.11 and 12 The Plains

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• GATE PIER (XVII - 1601 AD to 1700 AD (Between))

Full description

English Heritage, 07/06/2014, Two Granite Pillars, circa 6 metres of Nos 11 and 12, The Plains, Totnes (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV356412.

Completed assessment of the two pillars to consider whether its entry should be revised in their new location.

These two pillars in the centre of Totnes had originally been identified as two of the three former tollgate piers which stood adjacent to the tollhouse on Totnes Bridge, erected by Totnes and Bridgetown-Pomeroy Turnpike Trust in 1768. However, the appearance of the pillars does not entirley accord with historic photographs and pictorial representations of the tollgate piers which show one large central stone pier and two outer timber posts. More recently, an alternative hypothesis put forward is that these were the gates to the town marshes, the entrance of which was originally located near to the area between Dartmouth Inn (Grade II) and the Methodist Chapel (Grade II), The Plains. The carving on the pillars have been identified as the town coat of arms and the date 1687.

In 1978 the pillars were located next to the Town Mills (Grade II), Coronation Road, moved to this site at an unknown date. They have more recently been relocated to opposite the Wills Cross on The Plains.

English Heritage, 08/07/2014, Two Granite Pillars, circa 6m west of Nos.11 and 12 The Plains (Correspondence). SDV356852.

Following completion of the assessment and having considered the recommendation of English Heritage, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has decided to amend the entry for Two Granite Pillars on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Bluesky, 2006 - 2007, Bluesky aerial photographs 2006 - 2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV341189.

Google, 2013, Google Streetview (Website). SDV350787.

The two gate pier evident and are located in front of 11 and 12 The Plains.

English Heritage, 2013, Listing and Designation Online Application: 2 Toll Gate Piers, Totnes, SX 80564 60444 (Correspondence). SDV352661.

English Heritage have received an application to amend the entry for the 2 Toll Gate Piers, Totnes, on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

English Heritage, 2013, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV350785.

Possibly 1768. Granite gate piers taken from the toll gate at the west end of Totnes Bridge (qv) when the tolls were discontinued in 1881. The high, square central pier of the original double gates is carved with the Civic Arms of Totnes (Castle and Key) and retains some of the original iron lock fittings; the pier cap now broken off. 1 of the 2 outer piers. also square, is also preserved. It is inscribed "68". The other, lost, pier would presumably be inscribed "17" to give the date of the erection of the Toll-gate

English Heritage, 2014, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV355683.

Summary of Building
Two granite pillars, one bearing the date 1687, originally identified as mid-C18 tollgate posts; however, more recently interpreted as the C17 gates to the town marshes.
Reasons for Designation
The pair of C17 granite pillars which stand on The Plains, in the centre of Totnes, is listed at Grade II, for the following principal reasons: * Architectural interest: constructed in granite, they each retain carved details on the shafts including a date and the Civic Arms of Totnes; * Historic interest: they add to the history of the town’s development; * Group value: it has interest as part of a group of historic street furniture in Totnes, including the nearby obelisk in memory of the C19 British surveyor William John Wills (Grade II).
History
These two stone pillars in the centre of Totnes had originally been identified as two of the three former tollgate piers which stood adjacent to the tollhouse on Totnes Bridge, erected by Totnes and Bridgetown-Pomeroy Turnpike Trust in 1768. However, the appearance of the pillars does not entirely accord with historic photographs and pictorial representations of the tollgate piers which show one large central stone pier and two outer timber posts. More recently, an alternative hypothesis put forward is that these were the gates to the town marshes, the entrance of which was originally located near to the area between Dartmouth Inn (Grade II) and The Methodist Chapel (Grade II), The Plains. The carvings on the pillars have been identified as the town coat of arms and the date 1687.
In 1978 the pillars were located next to the Town Mills (Grade II), Coronation Road, moved to this site at an unknown date. They have more recently been relocated opposite the William John Wills Monument (Grade II) on The Plains.
Details
Two granite pillars, one bearing the date 1687, originally identified as mid-C18 tollgate posts; however, more recently interpreted as the C17 gates to the town marshes.
MATERIALS: granite with iron fittings.
PLAN: two pillars, each with a square cross section.
DESCRIPTION: two granite pillars. The northern stone is inscribed with the Civic Arms of Totnes, consisting of a castle and a key motif on two faces. The top of this stone appears to have been damaged. The southern stone is inscribed with the date 1687. All the carvings are worn. Both pillars have the remains of iron fittings.

English Heritage, 2014, Two Granite Pillars, Totnes, Devon (Report - non-specific). SDV356853.

The list entry for the pair of C17 granite pillars which stand on The Plains, in the centre of Totnes, listed at Grade II, should be amended for the following principal reasons:
* Accuracy: the relocation of the pillars means that the list entry address should be changed to reflect
their new location;
* Clarity: the present list entry should be updated to articulate their special interest in line with current
practice.

See report for full details.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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