Monument record 4660 - Site of the One House

Site of residence known as "One House." A house is believed to have been sited here since the 12th century. The first mention of the One house is around 1166 when Richard de Davenport was created Master Forester of Macclesfield Forest by Hugh II of Chester.Various rights were given to him and he was given a Tenement described as "Anhus" in Rainow.(1),(2)
(Hugh II, 3rd Earl of Chester 1147-1181 born at Gyffylliog near Ruthin, variously spelt as Cyveilog and Kevelioc). (5)

One House is known to have been rebuilt in 1703 and an Inland Revenue Survey of 1912 describes the property as of "Quaint Design situated in its own grounds and Ornamental Gardens" . This survey lists all the rooms and outbuildings as follows. "Built in the 12th Century (statement of owner) Quaint design. Situate in its own grounds and ornamental gardens, capital situation, Elevated position, 954ft above sea level, comprises Entrance Hall, Dining Room, Excellent Drawing Room, Old Drawing or Morning Room, large Domestic Kitchen and Sculleries, Servant mans Room, larders, Pantries, China and Silver stores, 8 bedrooms, Drying Room, Bath Room and Smoke room with Balcony, Lavatory and WC. Whole Place is cellared, three stored tower Buildings used for store, artesian well, supplies at the residence with wind pump, Four horse stables, Chop House, Coach House, Saddle room and Trap shed. All Stone built Ivy covered, Grey slated roof. Comfortable residence in nice order and repair. Large Kitchen Garden. Quantity of Good trees, Chiefly Sycamore."(3)

The 19th century Historian, Ormerod refers to this property as follows: "In 5 Hen VII. Ralph Davenport, esq. demised to John Hulley, for a term of years, a parcel of land called the "One Howse, in Raynowe,which is referred to as follows:] In the southern part of the Township is another ancient stone Mansion, called the ONE HOUSE, which for many generations has been the residence of the Hulleys" He also suggests that these Hulleys may be a younger branch of the Hoghleghs of Taxall, one of 9 families which held lands by Forest Service in Macclesfield forest in the reign of Edward the first. (4)

The property was demolished in 1939. All that remains of the 8 bedroomed house with stables and a three storey tower building are the gateposts, cellars, underground oven, walled garden and "Jenny wheel" used to pump water from an Artesian well.The water was raised by the action of a mule or donkey attached to a wooden plank, walking around a central spindle. (2),(3).

Photographs of the house prior and during demolition published in (6). Also a list of tenants and owners from the 12th century onwards.

<1> Women's Institute, 1974, The Story of Rainow (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH5162.

<2> Hulley, Ray, 2001, The History and Hulley Families of The One House, Rainow near Macclesfield, Cheshire (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH5175.

<3> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Hulley, r. 2007 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

<4> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester (Book). SCH1389.

<5> Husain, BMC, 1973, Cheshire Under the Norman Earls, /90 (Book). SCH3881.

<6> Hulley, Ray, 2015, The History and Hulley families of The One House of Rainow near Macclesfield, Cheshire (Book). SCH8557.