Monument MPM1612 - Paulsgrove House

An original 17th century building with later additions, including an early-19th century extension. Paulsgrove House was demolished in December 1970 to make way for the M27 motorway.

An archaeological investigation carried out prior to its demolition in 1970 revealed an almost intact c.mid-17th century rectangular stone building, 'sandwiched' between outbuildings to the north and an early-19th century yellow brick extension to the south. The original stone building was constructed using chalk rubble in clay and mortar, and had a black and white 'chequerboard' effect external facing of squared limestone blocks and squares of struck flint. Moulded brickwork used for the window casements and door frame surrounds had been covered in hard white plaster in order to give the appearance of cut stonework, suggesting that brick had been used as a cheap alternative to masonry. The house was divided by an internal wooden partition which extended from the ground floor to the roof. This separated the important front rooms of the house on the south side, entered via the front door and lobby, from an outshoot containing service rooms to the rear (north side). A square double-sided fireplace appeared to have been placed centrally between the east and west rooms, with a staircase probably situated to the rear. The service rooms in the outshoot included a dairy or cool room, half of which had fallen out of use during the 18th century. The other half of this room had been re-excavated for use as a coal cellar and then a soakaway, probably in the late-19th century.

Alterations made to the original 17th century structure during the early-19th century included the refacing of the stonework on the east wall in brick, and the widening and remodelling of a doorway to allow access to a new extension. Some items were removed from the house prior to its demolition, including 17th century panelling now held in the collections of Portsmouth Museum Service (accession number 1969/129). Other items recovered during the archaeological excavations/investigation in 1970 include a door lock and pottery (accession number 1970/385).

A search of the surviving documentary sources in the late-1960s/early-1970s failed to establish a construction date for the house, or details of its builder or original owners.

Various, 1968-1972, Paulsgrove House (Excavation archive). SPM289.