Monument record 11354 - 19th century courtyard housing at Hamilton Place

Archaeological investigations at Hamilton Place in 1992 and 1994 encountered evidence of a series of low status terraced houses built around a central courtyard known as Herbert's Court. The Court was a typical example of low status, slum dwellings of the mid 19th century, many of which have since been destroyed in the early 20th century to make way for modern redevelopment. The houses were small - the ground floor of each measured 5m by 4m and appears to have consisted of a single room. Running water was communal, through a single water pump in the courtyard while sanitation was only added in the late 19th century with the addition of a small toilet block in the courtyard. (7)

<1> Chester Archaeology, 1992, An Evaluation Excavation at 12 Hamilton Place, Chester, May 1992, R2097 (Client Report). SCH4103.

<2> Archaeological Services, 1995, Chester 12 Hamilton Place 1995 Assessment Report, R3127 (Client Report). SCH6195.

<3> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1992, Chester Archaeology Service Newsletter (Newsletter). SCH6006.

<4> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1996, The Past Uncovered (Newsletter). SCH6013.

<5> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 2001, The Past Uncovered (Newsletter). SCH6028.

<6> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1993, Annual Review 1992-1993 (Newsletter). SCH6049.

<7> Matthews K J, 1999, Familiarity and contempt. The archaeology of the modern (Article in Monograph). SCH7080.