Early to mid 19th century stable and cart shed, Roundbush Farm (EHER 81694)

An early to mid 19th century 'carthorse stable and wagon lodge' which was built on the site of an earlier timber and thatched range. It is divided in two, with a stable for up to 12 horses in the north end and a cart shed in the south end. The south end was originally open-fronted to the west but has since been enclosed. The north end was later used as an 'overflow' cowshed and the internal stable bays were rebuilt in the 20th century. It formerly abut the late 18th to early 19th century oat barn (EHER 81693) to the north.

January 2001. Heritage assessment. An early to mid 19th century 'Carthorse stable and wagon lodge'. This does not appear on the 1829/30 estate map, nor on the 1846 Tithe Map. They both show a, now demolished, long building in a similar location, but clearly detached from the oat barn (EHER 81693). This demolished range is described in the insurance valuations of 1822 and 1825 as a timber and thatched range consisting of 'cart[horse] stable, piggeries, nag stable and waggon lodge', all adjoining. By 1845, however, this east range is referred to as 'Carthorse Stable and Wagon Lodge, B[ric]k and Sl[a]t[e]d', obviously describing the present building. This coincides with the rebuilding of the chaise house range across the yard (EHER 81688) during the same period. The fact that this building is described in 1845, but not shown on the Tithe Map of 1846, seems inconsistent but can be explained. The Tithe Map appears to be an exact copy of the 1829 map and whilst parishes were allowed to use existing estate maps as tithe maps if they were of sufficient detail and quality, they were supposed to update them. The Maldon area surveyor, R. Baker of Writtle, was generally very conscientious, but here the substitution of one east range of buildings for another in only a slightly different location evidently escaped his notice. It made no difference at all for tithe purposes. The 1873 map shows the present building. Like EHER 81688, this range is of Flemish bond brickwork with a shallow pitch timber framed roof designed for slate. Its north end, which was the working horse stable (as opposed to the nag stable), is open framed where it butts up against the oat barn. It was originally designed to have three bays each side of a much narrower bay enclosed by part-brick, part-timber partition walls and with a window facing into the yard. There were two stalls per bay, making twelve horses altogether, six each side of the narrow chaff room. The north end was later used as an 'overflow' cowshed, and for young bulls. The bulls pushed over the original brick division, which was rebuilt in concrete during the 20th century. To the south of the stables, the same building continues as an open-fronted cartshed facing west. One decorative cast iron bracket, linking the centre post to its tiebeam, survives. It is reported that initials and a date, perhaps J H L 1906, were found incised into a brick in the internal wall which divides the north and south ends. It is now covered up, as this south end has been heavily altered: the open front has been enclosed with glazing and the walls are plastered. Behind the cartshed, to the east, the maps show a long narrow 'pond', which was brick-lined and used to wash off the horses' feet (EHER 81669). The maps and documents give a date range of 1830-1845, which is consistent with the style. The initials and date probably record an alteration or repair. <1> See photos <2>.