The 1690s is certainly the correct decade - the old barn (now demolished) that belonged to the house also had a datestone bearing the same initials and a date of 1704.
ooo its all very interesting and the only info the owner has on the house is what he reads here so the more we can find the better! i wonder if the date stone from the barn will be knocking around the house or garden? i will ask and have a mooch when im next there!!
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
If it turns out to be the 6th August I'd like to come and lend a hand - can't do heavy lifting, but have done a fair bit of decorating prep etc in my time. Looks like there's a LOT of work to be done - and the pictures were fascinating. The cellar looks like some sort of art installation...!
Who wants to 'in' in a few weeks time? We just confirming with Roger. the 1st or 2nd Saturday in August- Rudebox Plusone T.C Rocks Bezzy and The Flapjacks Greenwood
Well, it's anybody's guess! The following is the offical text from the listed buildings Heritage Gateway, which as you can see says 1627, but in the book it refers to, compiled in 1975, the text reads "House built of coursed rubble and dated 1621 over the door.." Personally I think it's 1621 because the first and last digits of the date are clearly the same and it can't be 7627!
SJ 39 SW WALLASEY LIMEKILN LANE (west side) 3/48 The Old House 20.5.52 - II B House. Lintel inscribed: "W M/1627" (William and Mary Bird). Stone with slate roof. 2 storeys with attic, 3 bays. Coped gables with kneelers. Single-chamfered- mullioned windows of 3 and 5-lights with label moulds to ground floor, 3:2 + 2:1-light windows to 1st floor. 2 gabled 2-light dormers. Entrance has large inscribed lintel with label mould. Returns and rear similar. Rear has brick, but that to right partly of stone. Interior not inspected but described in E. Mercer, English Vernacular Houses, pp 142
I think that it's unlikely that the date is 1621 for the reason I've already mentioned - the old barn that belonged to the house apparently bore an identically-styled datestone bearing the date 1704, and it's unlikely that two such similar carvings would have been done over 80 years apart (for drawings of the two house plates - albeit not very good ones - see Woods & Brown The Rise and Progress of Wallasey, p163). I think that what appears to be the bottom stroke of the '2' is actually just a damaged area where a chip of sandstone has weathered away. If you look at the following photo you can see that there's an equally deep area of damage next to the top of the '6', though this one isn't so obvious on Rocks' photo.
I used invert colours on both pics and as Marty says it looks like horizontal damage on the nine, i think it shows better on Rocks pic that it not a 2.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
I agree that 1691 seems to be the most likely interpretation of the date, which fits in well with a date of 1682 for the marriage of William and Mary Bird, if that date is correct.
What the date 1691 actually refers to, however, is a different kettle of fish as 'house plates' such as this are notoriously difficult to interpret. It's unlikely to be the original date of construction, as stylistically the house appears to me to be more early- to mid-17th century. It may refer to a major rebuild or renovation, or, alternatively it may relate to some long-forgotten family event, such as the birth of a first child. We'll probably never know.
On a more positive note, I have found some documentary evidence connecting the name of William Bird with the house in the 17th century, which I'll post as soon as I get the relevant scans sorted out. Keep watching this space...
marty you should add your name to the list to help out so you can come and see the date stone for yourself, its an interesting story isnt it? my dad said sometimes the date stones arnt done the same time as the house too, it could have even belonged to their previous house and they stuck it above the door when they moved in haha glad your trying to find stuff out thanks
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
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