Building record 2185/1/5 - Millbrook Cottage, Tower Hill

<1> Historic England, 2011, The National Heritage List for England, 1329952 (Web Site). SCH6528.

Formerly two poorhouse cottages now a house: late eighteenth century with twentieth century alterations. White-washed coursed squared buff sandstone rubble. Kerridge stone-slate roof, stone ridge and four stone chimneys. two-storey, four-bay front. Two-light twentieth century wooden casements under original rough stone lintels. Two doors (one blocked) also under rough stone lintels. Brick structure oversailing on cast-iron columns to rear. Was the village poorhouse until 1856.

<2> Leigh, R, 1996-2025, Welcome to Rainow (Web Site). SCH9779.

Millbrook Cottages were gifted to the parish in the eighteenth century for use as a poorhouse for those residents of the parish incapable of looking after themselves. Non-resident women in receipt of poor relief were obliged to take on jobs at the poorhouse. From 1834 this was the refuge for all aged, infirm or imbecile in the Macclesfield Poor Law Union. In 1841 there were thirty-one residents and conditions were intentionally poor. It was closed in 1841, though continued in use on an ad hoc basis until 1856.