Description

ROCHESTER HIGH STREET TQ 7468 SW and TQ 7468 NW 7/131; 9/131 No 97 (Richard Watt's Charity or 24.10.50 Poor Travellers House) GV I Charity hostel for poor way-farers, now a museum with living accommodation above. Founded in 1586 by Richard Watts 'for a nights' lodging for six poor travellers not being rogues or proctors (ie lawyers)' and superceded when the larger almshouses were built by the Watts Charity in 1858 on Maidstone Road (qv Reference 11/175). Half timbered, 1586, refonted in Portland stone in 1771, but along the old lines; much renewed in 1604. The front range with (originally) one large room to each floor, subdivided to make a 2-room plan with central corridor, probably in 1604 when a rear stair turret (that cuts across a former window) and (at leat) one brick rear stack were also added. The remarkable survival is the storeyed late C16 rear wing with 3 rooms to each floor to house the poor travellers which, with its open gallery, seems to be modelled on contemporary coaching inns. 3 storeys. Front: symmetrical 3 bays, each under a coped gable with renewed stone finial. The centre bay projects very slightly above ground floor. Gables linked by parapet; moulded cornice; prominent plat band between each floor. Roundel in central gable wall containing heraldic achievement. 2-light windows with mullion and moulded surround, plain sill, the casements with diamond leaded panes. Below each window, a depressed panel in the form of an apron, most of them containing texts. Central doorway with moulded cornice, the wooden door surround with double ovolo moulding, considerably renewed. rear elevation of main range: stair turret (of 1604) gabled, with one 1st floor sash window: 2 large external stacks with set-offs and tumbled brickwork, one largely C19 but possibly replacing an older stack. The rear wing (into which the 1604 stack intrudes): brick and framing; roof slope (Kent tiles) continues as a catslide over upper gallery of 5¼ (originally 6) half open bays, the part bay blocked by stair turret with lath and plaster infill between uprights, the whole supported by 4 large posts (chamfered with run-outs) which divide the lower external corridor. All rooms (except those closest to the main range, altered when stair turret and stack inserted) have 2-light casements with stanchions and lift-off hinges in ovolo moulded surrounds. The interior of the 'poor travellers' rooms are very simple, with chamfered ceiling beams, unembellished brick fireplaces, and some early ironwork. The main range with framed ceiling of 6 panels, the beams chamfered and stopped (to ground and 1st floor): 2 rear fireplaces, one C17 with bake oven. Left-hand gable with blocked 4 light ovolo moulded window. Roof: diminishing principals, one truss with braces, and trenched purlins. Cellar with rubble wall that may be early.

Listing NGR: TQ7437668497

External Links

• Wikidata Q17533198

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Recommended Books

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  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover