Listed Building record MDR10025 - Pethills Farm, Foxholes Lane, Kniveton

Pethills is referred to as 'Pettelles' in a document of 1611 and as 'the Pettells' in 1630. (1) During excavations prior to the construction of an extension immediately to the west of the farmhouse, substantial stone walls were uncovered in the foundation trenches. These walls appeared to form a rectangular or square building or room but were not aligned with the present house. The walls were built of rubble stone and mortar and were c. 75cm thick. At the westernmost point they were over 1m high and were plastered internally with lime mortar. No obvious evidence of a floor had been noted. Although the structure is now below ground and therefore would seem to have been a cellar, the ground slopes considerably and it is possible that it was originally a ground-floor room. The only dating evidence came from the mixed layer filling the area between the walls, and was of 18th/19th century date. The owner reported having found below ground remains when building a patio and carrying out other work in the past. (2)