Building record 297/1 - Priestland, Whitchurch Road

<1> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.III p.306 (Book). SCH3228.

Preiestland- first documentary reference dates from 1180 and there are frequent references between 1180 and 1220. A family with a local surname held the place under the de Caveley family, who held the prior of St John of Jerusalem, but the hospitallers would hardly be called priests and the place-name probably alludes to some earlier ownership.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 56788 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Barn late seventeenth century. Oak boarded timber frame with corrugated metal sheet roof. Three truss bays. Sandstone plinth. Fairly close timbers, single middle rail, long tension braces. Plain board doors. Carved gable end finials.

Interior: Trusses with tie beams, collars and queen posts. Original purlins with wind braces and ridge tree. Paired struts to gable end apexes.

<3> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 56787 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Farmhouse, early eighteenth century with alterations and additions. Brown brick, in Flemish Bond, with slate roof. Two storeys, three bays. Sandstone plinth. Slightly recessed sashes with glazing bars, stone sills and skewback heads. Replaced oak doorcase with fluted pilasters, panelled lining, nine-Panel door with fielded panels, rectangular transome light and open pediment. Saw-tooth course at eaves. Gable end stacks.

Interior: Panelled linings to windows, six panel doors, eighteenth century or earlier sandstone mantel with carved angels and mouchettes. Early deep bevelled beam and timber framing studs laid flat and used as joists, also exposed softwood beams and joists. Oak floorboards.

<4> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.II p.255 (Book). SCH1389.

Priestland Green: owned by the Bulkeleys of Bukeley (assuming the local name of Prestland) from a very early period until it’s sale in 1603. The prior of the order of St John of Jerusalem had lands in Bunbury and Prestland during the reign of Elizabeth I.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 76/2, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the house with a long north-south orientated building and the seventeenth century barn (see 2) to the north. Described as house buildings, yard and gardens.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5558, 1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the house with probable gardens to the south and south-west. A building is depicted to the immediate north-west of the house. This building, along with the barn and the long building help define a probable yard area, which includes a further building on the western side. To the east is an orchard.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ5558, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

The building on the eastern side of the possible yard is probably a pigsty.

<8> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, CPE\UK\1935 no.3343, 17/01/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.

A U shaped range of buildings has been constructed to the west of the barn.

<9> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, HSL UK 73 60 Run 23 no.1668, 16/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

There are few trees visible in the (former) orchard area.

<10> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Land Line and Master Map Vector Maps, 02/03/2022 (Maps and Plans). SCH4491.