Early to mid 19th century century farmhouse at Hoe Mill Barns (EHER 81967)

An early to mid 19th century farmhouse first depicted on the Woodham Walter Tithe map of 1844. It stands in its own plot on the high ground to the south of and overlooking the farm complex. The farmhouse is fairly typical of its type and time; square plan villa-style with white rendered brick walls, sash windows and low-pitched slate roof.

October 2007. Heritage assessment. The farmhouse stands in its own plot on the high ground to the south of and overlooking the farm complex. The farmhouse is fairly typical of its type and time; square plan villa-style with white rendered brick walls, sash windows and low-pitched slate roof. ‘Hoe Mill Barns Farm’ is mentioned in the Land Tax Register for Woodham Walter in 1749, owned by William Royce. Late 18th century mapping (Chapman and Andre’s map of Essex, 1777) fails to depict the farm but does show a mill, labelled as ‘How Mill’, see EHER 40099. It seems likely the reference is for a farm or storage barns connected to the mill. The Woodham Walter Tithe map of 1844 shows Hoe Mill and Hoe Mill Farm, complete with farmhouse. The Tithe Award (D/CT 411A) shows a fairly large, mainly arable holding of approximately 90 acres, one third of which is grazing land. Plot 108, ‘the homestead’, is owned by John Faithful Fortescue, a prominent local landowner, and rented to Robert Tweed, tenant farmer, with a tithe of £27 payable to the Rector. There is however no obvious link between the mill and the farm which bears its title, apart from its proximity. In the early 19th century the Blackwater was canalised and a new mill built further upstream. Unfortunately, the origins of Hoe Mill Farm remain unknown. It is possible it was established as a tenant farm, as part of John Faithful Fortescue’s estate, against a backdrop of early 19th century enclosure and advances in agriculture improvement, although there appear to be no specific records of its establishment. The layout utilises a planned form around a single square yard, enclosed on all sides, with a barn, granary (EHER 81964), stables (EHER 40856), chicken coop (EHER 81966) and two other buildings, including a small possible cattle shed that no longer stands. Cart entry into the yard was in the north-west corner from the lane and by foot from the farmhouse. The buildings are predominantly timber framed and weather boarded with plain tile roofs, their historic fabric and form virtually unaltered. <1>