Monument record 719/0/1 - Condate - Roman cinerary urns, Winnington Hill

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p.254 (Book). SCH2878.

'In digging for the foundations of Mr …'s house (Oakleigh) in 1838 numerous cinerary urns were found together with horse trappings and a number of Roman coins'.

<2> Thompson, F.H., 1964, A History of Cheshire. Volume Two: Roman Cheshire, p.254 & 257, 1836 (Book). SCH2862.

1838 - During digging for the foundations the house, 'Oakleigh', on Winnington Hill, numerous cinerary urns were found, together with horse trappings and a number of Roman coins. The coins went to Warrington Museum, where they have been mixed with others. One coin in possession of owner's son, a lst brass of Titus. Two of the cinerary urns, still containing their cremations, are in Warrington Museum and are of early second century date.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ67SE3 (Index). SCH2487.

Finds at SJ 6528 7397

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, Vol 1, p.199, Petch D F, 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, Site no.47, Record Card and Site Visit Record Form, 25/10/77 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

'In digging for the foundations of ... (Oakleigh) in 1838 numerous cinerary urns were found together with horse trappings and a number of Roman coins'. (Watkin, p.254)
Vaudrey communicated a further discovery shortly after this to Watkin: 'a mound was levelled at the top of Winnington Hill, in forming pleasure grounds to a house then being built by the late (owner) several cinerary urns, and bronze implements for the toilet, were found. I have a small black urn which was dug out in my presence this contains nothing apparently but earth.' Other finds given to the owner.

Land use - hotel grounds and car park ('Grey Parrot' hotel)
Comment by field workers (Brown and Ferguson), dated 25/10/1977 - 'No sign of burials, possibly confused with Roman urns from Oakmere'.
Additional information - Owner of house in Oakmere grounds referred to Northwich Library, where only references are to Roman finds lost in the 18th century, some in Warrington Museum.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ67SE4 (Index). SCH2487.

Field investigator (J.H.White) comments dated 29/09/1961:- Mr …, Hill View Farm, Winnington said that the present 'Oakleigh' was built about 50 years ago. He remembered the previous house, of the same name, which was on the same site. He indicated the extent of its former gardens which are centred at SJ 6523 7398. No trace of a mound was found in this area.