The Pest House
Built in 1758 as a smallpox isolation hospital and later divided into two dwellings. It was reached by a narrow footpath from Tilkey Road, there was no track to get a vehicle up there. It was the home of my mum's side of the family and where I first stayed in 1950. At that time the fields behind it were down to grass and home to the Bouchiers Grange herd (or 'Bells Farm' as we knew it). It then had no electricity - so the poles shown here show that this photo dates from the 1960's when a supply was first laid on. When my Great Grandfather first moved into the house he was shepherd for the Marks Hall estate and the house then belonged to Thomas Phillips Price.
'Popsie', my grandfather, disliked the name Pest House, so to all of us it was the 'Red House'. They had 10 children and they all lived in the right hand part of the house. My Great Grandmother and later My Great Aunt Flo lived in the left side.
The by-pass now runs behind.
Date; Mid 1960's
Ref; 102/05
Built in 1758 as a smallpox isolation hospital and later divided into two dwellings. It was reached by a narrow footpath from Tilkey Road, there was no track to get a vehicle up there. It was the home of my mum's side of the family and where I first stayed in 1950. At that time the fields behind it were down to grass and home to the Bouchiers Grange herd (or 'Bells Farm' as we knew it). It then had no electricity - so the poles shown here show that this photo dates from the 1960's when a supply was first laid on. When my Great Grandfather first moved into the house he was shepherd for the Marks Hall estate and the house then belonged to Thomas Phillips Price.
'Popsie', my grandfather, disliked the name Pest House, so to all of us it was the 'Red House'. They had 10 children and they all lived in the right hand part of the house. My Great Grandmother and later My Great Aunt Flo lived in the left side.
The by-pass now runs behind.
Date; Mid 1960's
Ref; 102/05
Also in: Market Hill
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Comments
By Amelia: My mother lived in the Pest House growing up and I would love to know more about the house. I have been doing some research on my family tree and I believe that my Great Great Grandmother and Aunt lived there. They were called Ada and Florence Gray. The house was in my family for generations. It would really help if I knew who wrote about the Pest House on this website because it mentions a Great Aunt Flo - which could be Florence Gray maybe.
Amelia I have responded - perhaps check your junk mail. Or email me at trevordisley@gmail.com