Description

ST STEPHENS BY HIGHER TRUSCOTT
SX 38 NW LAUNCESTON
9/150 Disused farmhouse in yard to north
of farmhouse on east of settlement
10.5.88
II

Disused farmhouse. Probably late C15 or C16, partly remodelled in the circa late C16
or early C17. Stone rubble. Corrugated asbestos and rag slate roof with gable ends.
Remains of brick shaft to axial stack and rebuilt brick shaft on left hand end.
Plan: The house has a 2-room and through passage plan with the larger hall on the
higher right hand side, heated by an inserted axial stack backing onto the passage
and with a newel stair adjoining the fireplace, rising against the side of the stack
to provide access to the first floor chambers. It is uncertain whether the lower
left hand room is heated although the chamber above is heated by an end stack.
The house appears to have originally had a 2-room and through passage plan with the
hall open to the roof and heated by an open hearth, the remains of sooting surviving
on both blades of the truss and on the purlins. It is uncertain whether the smaller
right hand room was originally open to the roof as the roof structure has been
replaced. It is probable that the lower left hand room and passage if not originally
floored, were floored in the circa later C16 or early C17, the thick cross wall on
the lower side of passage continuing up to the first floor and higher side of the
passage probably originally with a hall screen. The only surviving part being the
partly remodelled doorframe. It is possible that the first floor chamber was
slightly jettied into the lower end of the hall. .
In the circa early C17 a cross wall containing a hall stack was inserted on the
higher side of the passage, replacing the earlier screen and the hall was probably
ceiled then or shortly after. The adjoining newel stair is probably coeval,
providing access to both chambers and possibly replaces an earlier stair which would
have provided access to the chamber above the lower end.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 2-window front elevation with several straight
joints in the masonry. Entrance to left of centre with a 2-centred chamfered
possibly Polyphant stone arch which is slightly lopsided. Stone rubble buttress
directly to left with remains of probable C19 window frames to windows which light
the ground and first floor. To right the wall breaks forward and contains the newel
stair with a shallow hall bay adjoining. There is a 1-light casement to the left of
the projection, which lights the upper stage of the stair. This window has thick
circa early C18 glazing bars. To right a 2-light casement lights the ground floor of
the shallow hall bay.
Interior: Through passage flanked by thick cross wall on lower side and inserted
cross wall on higher side which continues up to apex and contains hall stack. The
early timber door frame into the lower room is chamfered and was probably remodelled
in the C17 from a shouldered or segmental arch to a square headed frame. The floor
joists over the lower end have been partly plastered but there appears to be a single
heavy chamfered cross beam resting on the cross wall and end wall and unmoulded
joists, morticed into the beam. In the chamber above the lower end the timber
chimney-piece has a probably C18 multiple moulded mantleshelf and C19 surround. The
niche adjoining the chimney-breast contains what appears to be the remains of a gard-
robe.
On the right side of the passage, the early chamfered timber doorframe into the hall
may be the only remains of the hall screen; the frame was probably remodelled in the
C17 from a depressed ogee arch. The hall fireplace is partly blocked but has
chamfered granite lintel and jambs and the ceiling is plastered. The doorframe to
the stair has been partly covered by a C19 frame but appears again early and was
again probably partly remodelled in the C17. The newel stair has later timber treads
over the original stone rubble stair with slate treads.
Roof structure: The roof was only partially visible. However, the roof structure
above the lower end appears to have been replaced probably in the C18 and the earlier
C18 trusses have been paired with circa C19 trusses. Above the hall the roof
structure has been altered, the feet of the principals appear to have been truncated
and the apex has been altered. Below the ceiling the blades have been grained and
the holes for the threaded purlins have been covered over and above the ceiling the
roof structure is only partly visible. However, the roof structure is soot blackened
and in part fairly encrusted. The truss appears to have had a diagonally set apex
with 2 tiers of threaded purlins which have been reset and now rest on the backs of
the principals. There do not appear to be mortices for a collar. Near the feet of
the blades are two small holes which have been covered over.
This house was disused at time of survey (1987). Although in need of repair care
should be taken if any work is undertaken.

Listing NGR: SX3017485701

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26613357

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  The Shredded Chef: 120 Recipes for Building Muscle, Getting Lean, and Staying Healthy
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy