Monument record 7758 - Higher Hayward

<1> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 52/2 c.1844 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The tithe map for Blakenhall depicts three buildings at this location. There is one rectangular building, one L shaped building to it's north and a smaller building. The buildings are labelled Higher Hayward. The accompanying award records the owner as General Sir John Delves Broughton and the tenant as George Goodall. It is described as a homestead and garden.

<2> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

It's possible that this farmstead is depicted on this map as an unlabelled building/s to the north of Deadman's Den. It would appear that Deadman's Den is an earlier name for The Den Farm (see 1), which in turn became Higher Den (see 3).

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7348, 1876 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The L-shaped building depicted on the tithe map (see 1) has been reduced in size. Two new buildings forming an L shape define a possible yard area to the north of the farmhouse. To the immediate west of the farmhouse is a new farm building. They are connected by what appears to be a series of pens. The farm is now labelled Lower Den. The Den Farm is now labelled Higher Den.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7348, 1898-1899 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

There are two new buildings to the west of the lane.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7348, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

All the farm buildings east of the lane and the farmhouse have been demolished. A new farm complex (Den Farm) has been constructed c.200m to the north east.

<6> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R 02/03/2016 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

A document of c.1614 in the Blakenhall township chapter in Ormerod (see 7) makes mention of a Haywode. As this site is located in this township, they may be one and the same. The sub square platform visible on the LiDAR data (see 8 & 9) may have been created by the demolition of the farm. However, it's regularity suggests that it may be a deliberately constructed platform on which the farm was built. The material for the platform possibly derives in part from the sand pit to the immediate north west of the farm.

<7> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, v3. p514 (Book). SCH1389.

Thomas Smyth of Chester, merchant (the purchaser of so many considerable estates in this neighbourhood), recovered against John Roope, esq. 4 mess. 4 gardens, 50 acres, a wich of six leads, and 2 Is. Sd. rent, in Blakenhall, Godweneslegh, Haywode, and Wich Malbank, 6 Hen. VIII. m. 13d.

<8> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Kehoe T, 15/02/2016 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Environment Agency LiDAR (see 9) available for this area shows a distinct sub square platform where the farm was located. Aerial photography shows many linear cropmarks and soil marks in the surrounding area.

<9> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, SJ7348 2m composite (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

<10> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

Depicts a cleared area, possibly associated with the construction of a pipeline, passing through part of the site.