Monument record 2020/1/1 - Lea Old Hall

Lea Hall was held by Abbey of St Werburgh at Domesday & had land for 3 ploughs (1). Part of township in C13 formed part of estates of Abbey of St Werburgh's master cook. Mesne manor held family who took the local name. These Lees held manor until temp Queen Elizabeth. After Dissolution in 1579, it was granted to Glaseors of Chester. Webb described Lea as 'a fair house and fine demesne and hath been the mansion for some descents of the Glasiers'. Inventory with will of William Glaseor in 1588 lists a parlour, chamber over it, inner chamber,gallery with a middle, formost & a 3rd chamber under it, a maid's chamber, a kitchen, 2 ox houses & a milk house (2). Hall composed of timber framework with interstices filled with brick resting on stone foundation. Approached by a stone gateway & stood within garden of present Lea Hall (1). Pulled down many years ago (3). Suggested as poss DMV but no evidence (4).

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 2/384 (Book). SCH1389.

<2> Chester Courant, 1878-1990, The Cheshire Sheaf, 39/43-4 Bennett J H E 1944 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH3105.

<3> Sulley, P, 1889, The Hundred of Wirral, /99-100 (Book). SCH3174.

<4> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 6/A.418 (Index). SCH1000.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ37SE4/1964 (Index). SCH2487.