Cherry Tree Cottages/Chestnuts
CHERRY TREE COTTAGES and CHESTNUTS
Two cottages appear in the Hall Place Estate (lot 14) 1870 Sales Particulars) and are described as a pair of cottage dwellings, under one roof, brick and tile, with gardens, situate adjoining the field comprised in Lot 12 – they are not named, but located where Cherry Tree cottages are. At that time let to yearly tenants, Thomas May and Charles Wilson (5 rooms each). They also appear on the 1841 Tithe Map, as owned by William Smith (Hall Place, Step-father to Thomas Farmer Baily) and occupied by Thomas May and others.
In the 1872 Drainage Map and Report, it says that they belong to Mr Morley and tenanted by Mr Wilson and Mr May. Their state is described: “Guttering in bad condition and at the West end only, downpipe discharging into tub and over-flowing on to ground. A sink at 38 (i.e one of the properties) is connected with the new system by an old drain. A pump here also, and two common privies. The report also describes the pond that is near Cherry Tree cottages: “pond, near 38, has an old overflow into ditch. A junction left to connect this pond with new drain, passing through it, so that the water may be emptied out if necessary. A gulley has recently been fixed to take the overflow from this pond.
In 1913 they were part of a Deed of Transfer between Leigh United Charities and Lord Hollenden (Samuel Hope-Morley). Hall Place took ownership of the 3 vestry cottages in the garden at South View from Leigh United Charities (which were subsequently pulled down by the estate), and Cherry Tree Cottages were transferred to Leigh United Charities and are still rented out by the Trust. At the same time, Samuel Hope-Morley agreed to build another cottage near there – this was Chestnuts. At the time (1911/12) Dr Fraser suggested that the state of the road leading to the cottages, the water supply and the smell from the slaughter house by the cottages should be dealt with. Lord Hollenden agreed that he said he would bring what pressure he could on his tenant who ran the slaughter house and also suggested that the medical Officer of health should see that the nuisance was abated. He also agreed to make good the road right round the Green on condition that the RDC then took it over and kept it in repair. And he would help with the expenses if Leigh United Charities laid on water to the cottages. All went ahead and the new cottage, Chestnuts, was built.
Chestnuts was sold into private ownership by Leigh United Charities on 30 March 1988, but the two Cherry Tree Cottages are still rented out by Leigh United Charities.
Joyce Field (May 2021)