Remains of a possibly 19th century building, land rear of 16 High Street (EHER 49869)

Trial trenching in 2019 recorded the foundations of a post-medieval building which is documented on the Tithe map and OS maps. It was reported to have been fire damaged which presumably lead to its demolition. A small finds assemblage was also recovered.

December 2019. Trial trenching. In Trench 1 foundations from a post-medieval building recorded on the Tithe map, OS maps and reported as fire damaged in newspapers and a lease document were extant. A gravel foundation with a single stone in situ was uncovered adjacent to a dump of brick, stone rubble. Pottery from the dump provided dating evidence of 16th-18th century activity, the date of the High Street buildings. Three residual sherds of medieval pottery and one sherd of Roman pottery were also recovered. In Trench 2 the stratigraphy corresponded to that of Trench 1. In the Tithe map and Tithe aware of 21st January 1848, No.16 is designated as 95 (10 perches of buildings and yard) and is occupied by John Pretty the landowner. Later Thomas Greatorex traded as a harness maker and saddler from the property. On Sunday 24th March 1893 a fire, recorded in the Essex Herald and Chelmsford Chronicle, broke out in the neighbouring property of No.18 burning it to the ground with the exception of the shop to the front but also taking with it two bedrooms and an attic room in the property of No.16. The bricks uncovered in the evaluation showed evidence of urning and ash deposits. <1> Note: The mapped polygon may be illustrating the extent of the original building but it is unclear.