Building record KCC 108 - Vale Farm

Vale farmhouse is a timber-framed and thatched building of the late-16th and early-17th centuries that forms part of an historic farm complex together with a contemporary threshing barn and an exceptionally small 18th century stable. Although it reflects the standard layout of its period, with a central hall flanked by a parlour and service room, the building is unusual in that each of these elements is formed by separate structures that were rebuilt at different dates within a single generation. This process illustrates a rapid increase in national expectations of domestic comfort, with the parlour apparently built first to accommodate the single new fireplace at the high-end of a medieval open hall. The hall was rebuilt soon afterwards with a fashionable new ceiling of chamfered and broach-stopped joists, and the narrower service bay was then added probably to replace a detached medieval service outbuilding. The roof was largely destroyed in the recent thatch fire but the walls retain evidence of diamond-mullion windows with at least one complete example surviving in the parlour chamber and others possibly hidden by later plaster. The present chimney represents an enlargement of the mid-17th century which preserves three original fireplaces and a series of branded names that can be associated with 18th century tenants. While such brands are occasionally seen on chimney lintels elsewhere it is rare to be able to identify their owners. In this instance the name R BACKHOVS on the wooden chimney seat must belong to Robert Backhouse who acquired the tenancy of the farm in circa 1749 and S? NEWSON on the lintel probably relates to his father-in-law Samuel Newson. The history of the property is also unusual in that it was formerly known as Trust Farm and according to early-19th century descriptions had been owned in trust by the parish officers ‘from a remote period’ for the repair of the medieval church of St Peter in Carlton (which was united with Kelsale in 1884). The Ipswich branch of the Suffolk Record Office holds a book of treasurer’s accounts from the 19th century and it may well be possible to research the farm’s earlier history in the parish records (S1)

2021: Evaluation trenching for a replacement dwelling and cart lodge at a site where a fire damaged house of late 16th- early 17th century has been demolished did not reveal any original floor levels or finds of any date with the only earlier feature being a shallow pit which did not contain any finds. (S2)