Description:A number of documents in the Sutherland Papers tell us about the properties which were built on Barlaston Glebe land. During 1834 these properties underwent extensive renovations. A document entitled ‘Specification of repairs to the House and Buildings at Barlaston Glebe’ dated 6th October 1834 describes these repairs in detail, telling us about the design and construction of properties in Barlaston in the early nineteenth century.
The document refers to repairs which were carried out to ‘the Brick Work’ in the house. The pantry and chimney shafts were ‘to be taken down & rebuilt with good nine inch Brick work’. The roof of the pantry was also to be repaired with ‘new timber’ where the old timber was ‘found decayed and to be covered with Tiles’.
The main roof of the house and also the roof on the out buildings were ‘to have the old thatch stripped off & to be rethatched with a good coat of clean and thrashed wheat straw’. The ‘Specification’ suggests that the roofing and ceilings were in need of repair, describing the rafters as ‘in a bad state’. These were also to be ‘restored’ and ‘New Weather Boards’ were to be put in the ‘Gables’.
All of the window frames in the house were ‘to be new and to be glazed with good Glass’. Two of the outer doors were to be ‘restored’ with proper hinges and fastenings and ‘the door from the living room’ was also to be repaired with ‘proper hinges and thumb latches’.
The flooring in the house was also going to be renovated. The ‘Back Kitchen’ was to have its floor taken up and ‘relaid with new blue paving Bricks in sand’. The dairy and pantry were also to be re-floored similarly, and ‘the walls lime washed white’.
Repairs to the boiler and sink are listed, alongside new plastering in the bedroom. The ‘part where a clock has been fixed’ was ‘to be altered’. Outbuildings including the barn were also to be repaired including the ‘Hay rack’ and a ‘new pavement’ for the ‘Cow House’. A new cart house was also planned.
This document tells us a great deal about the house and out-buildings which were constructed on Glebe land in Barlaston. The description of the renovations planned for the properties provides an insight into the interior and exterior design of houses built during this period.
Due to conservation restrictions this document could not be imaged for the Online Learning Resource. It is, however, still available to view in person at Staffordshire Record Office.