Monument record 2259/1 - Higher Roughwood Saltworks

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Twigg G 09/02/1990 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

The probable site of the salt works built in 1692 by Roger Wilbraham of Nantwich. These later became Roughwood Saltworks (see CHER 2259/2) which moved to a new site along the Trent and Mersey Canal soon after 1775. Brine probably continued to be pumped in the area and Roughwood is known to have had a steam engine before 1800. The field name 'Engine Field' recorded in the 1838 Tithe Award probably reflects this (see 5).

<2> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Collens J 1990 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Probable man-made terraces lead down to the stream and an area of disturbed ground marked by nettles in the centre of the area may have been the site of buildings or structures associated with salt working.

<3> Calvert A F, 1915, Salt in Cheshire, p.72 & 140 (Book). SCH2917.

<4> Twigg G D, 1994, Salt Working In Cheshire, p.10-11 (Report). SCH2919.

The potential sites of the Old Roughwood Works in the valley bottom are now covered by the railway embankment from 1851. There is here an "Engine Field" and a "Wich House Field" recorded on the tithe awards (see 5 & 6). Engine Field does contain a brine spring which could well be the site of the brine pit.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 44/2 c.1841 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The tithe award records an Engine Meadow.

<6> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 12/2 1840 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The tithe award records a plot as "Part of Wick-house Field". This is c.60m south of Engine Meadow (see 5).

<7> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Twigg G, 17/11/1995 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Chance observation of a series of drainage ditches cut into the surviving part of Engine Meadow revealed no significant remains which could be associated with the salt works.