"The Priory" South Leverton Notts John Andrew Cottam b 26/12/1855 East Retford

[keithwilson69]

I am living next door to an enigma! This building has been listed in most directories since 1880's as being of monastic origins possibly 12th century. It has even been Grade 2 listed. It is a very large stone and brick built house with lancet windows in the stone part which is unusual for the area.
However i have my doubts as it is not recorded as "the Priory" in earlier directories and it was bought in the late 1870's by a rather wealthy young gentleman farmer John Andrew Cottam who may possibly have liked the idea of giving his new home monastic connections and inserted those windows etc
Does anyone have any info that would help decide the origins of the building or indeed the general idea in Victorian times of improving your status by "monastifying" your home!The cottam family is also fascinating and i would love to hear your ideas.

[larkspur]

John Andrew  and his wife Ellen were baptising their children at Leverton, with the rather grand names of
Marjorie Emma Gooch Cottam  1889
Constance Mary Gooch Cottam  1891
Gertrude Ellen Gooch Cottam    1893   
 Thomas Wyard Gooch Cottam   1896
John lists himself as a gentleman on 3 of the baptisms and farmer on one.
His marriage was at East Retford St Swithun--The one that burned down a few years ago, on London Rd. His wife Ellen Gooch. No surprise there.

Wikki says on Retford Rd there is a building that was once a priory, parts of which date from the twelfth century -now a retirement home.
So maybe John Andrew may have had grandiose idea's, but there could have been some fact to them. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-411071-the-priory-south-leverton-nottinghamshir

[jim1]

You might want to consider that there was a Gothic revival in buildings in the Victorian Era.
The land may have been owned by the Priory & sold for development.
You could try for old maps or the Tithes.

[keithwilson69]

Hi Larkspur and Jim1,
Many thanks for that good stuff. Its interesting that John Andrew was giving his children grand names - maybe and indication that he was wishing to move up the social order from his humble beginnings as grocer and wine merchants son. I see that the grade 2 listing repeats the "former priory". However Pevsner in his visit to South Leverton makes no mention at all of the priory.
Would i be right in thinking that 19th c directories were essentially paid for by those listed in them and therefore most likely to repeat information given to them by the owners of property mentioned?
It looks as though the lancet windows may be later insertions so Jim1 you may be right about the fashion for Gothic revival in Victorian times.
Anyone know of any early photos that could shed some light?
Enclosure map for South Leverton in 1796 shows a similar shaped building but i have not tracked down the "award" which may give a clue to ownership.

[keithwilson69]

Hi Larkspur,
Just googled St Swithuns Retford and it still seems very much intact but i do believe there is the shell of a burnt out church on London Rd

[larkspur]

Keith you are of course quite right I do apologise it was St Albans that burnt down.I should have known better I was stuck in the traffic jam, very sad.I also pass St Swithuns every time I go to the library 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QywHHQ8FUfA

[stanmapstone]

There is mention of a Priory in South Leverton here http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=76983&strquery=Priory%20South%20Leverton#s1

Stan

[jim1]

British History online says this:
Lisiad de Musters held thirteen bovats in Legreton paying 10s. yearly. Lisiardde Musters (called in 4 R. 1.  (fn. 4)  de Monasterijs,) gave to the priory of Thurgarton that bovat of land in Leyton, which was Ulfkells, viz. that which Adam and Ernisheld; Roger de Capella confirmed it, of whom the said Adam and Ernis held it;and so did Henry de Capella.  (fn. 5)  This was in the year 1328 divided, and Henry deWentelane, and Emme Arnwy, then paid each of them 2s. 2d. for each of them paidhalf a bovat (to the said monastery) in Leverton.

From: 'South Leverton', Thoroton's History of Nottinghamshire: volume 3: Republished with large additions by John Throsby (1796), pp. 270-272. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=76983  Date accessed: 31 August 2013.

Another quote:
Another notable building in the village is the Priory. Built in 1166 of water quarry stone quarried in the parish, with quoins of dressed stone and walls four feet thick, it is historically connected with the church and is today a nursing home, the staff of which come mainly from the two villages.

So it would seem there was a small Priory there built 12th.C. with 19th. & 20th.C additions & modifications.

Make of it what you will

[keithwilson69]

Hi Jim,
Many thanks for those references, it certainly seems that there was land in the village formerly attached to Thurgarton Priory which was split off and may have had some monastic building.
The grade 2 listing in 1952 certainly gives it  "former Priory status" but i wonder how much of this is repetition of earlier statements. I have measured the walls and nowhere are they more that 2ft6in thick which make me wonder if the listing document may not be a scholarly assessment at the time.
You mention another quote as saying:-
"Another quote:
Another notable building in the village is the Priory. Built in 1166 of water quarry stone quarried in the parish, with quoins of dressed stone and walls four feet thick, it is historically connected with the church and is today a nursing home, the staff of which come mainly from the two villages".

Could you tell me where you found this as it give a definite date and a historical connection with the church?
One of the sad things is that almost all internal features have been removed since its listing in 1952 so sad!