Historical houses

One of the nice things about an old house is that it will usually have a bit of history if you go looking for it.

Having safely got the annual MOT for the car out of the way, on a whim she and I went off heading for the county records office.

Researching the new house was the objective though quickly I decided that "new" is not the word. We had spent a few years researching local houses so we knew a few shortcuts, we had placed Penole in history in 1750 and found it on the original OS map of 1809. But I was quite blown away to find a reference to our new house dated 1625 and named on the OS map of 1809. Thats damn old even for round here!!

This refers to the site rather than the house though. It would be incredibly rare for a house locally to be built in stone before about 1800. That said it has the most incredible blocked off inglenook fireplace which is screaming to be restored

Interesting though the house is older than the village which only came into being with the arrival of the railway and it's brief history of having a station.

My wanderings round the site have convinced me this was once a water mill but something didn't quite add up. Now I have found the 1909 map that makes reference to a saw pit so maybe we are talking a wood mill.

A saw pit is an interesting feature, basically a hole in the floor with two people on a big two person saw. This has found it's way into everyday English, the poor sod in the pit being showered with shavings would be the underdog. Whilst his companion breathing fresh air would be the top dog. The "dog" being the frame on which the tree would be resting.

Of course management has her own take on this, with her hobby in the trees, according to her the underdog would have the easier job as they would be able to use their weight to pull the saw down whilst the top dog actually has to use muscle to pull the saw upwards.

But all in all a very good day.

Next stop will be Aberystwyth and the national library.

Not this week though.

R