[TQ 98627091] Parsonage Farm [NAT] (1) In the Valor of 1535 the possessions of Boxley Abbey included the parsonage of Eastchurch. (2) Full description of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Eastchurch, and reference to "the scite or seat of the parsonage, with all the houses and buildings on it". "Sir Michael Livesay, Knt., and bart., made this parsonage house his seat , appointing from time to time a curate for the service of the church" [TW 97 SE 8] (3) The old Parsonage farmhouse, still stands about 1/8 of a mile south of Eastchurch church [TQ 97 SE 8] Gabriel Livesay, who died in 1622, and whose arms appear upon one of the mantlepieces, probably rebuilt the house. (4) Parsonage Farm is supposed to be the site of the original parish church of Eastchurch. There are Tudor bricks incorporated in the fabric and the foundations appear to be of an older period, though otherwise the house has little appearance of age internally. The old square gatehouse remains, showing its distinct bricks of the period, and also the fine old thatched tithe barn of the parish. (5) Parsonage Farm (name confirmed by the owner, Mrs. F. A. Beale) is a 17c. house, surrounded by a fragmentary moat. To the north and east are the tithe barn and a building, probabaly the 'gate-house' referred to by Igglesden, and garden walling, all contemporary. The house, constructed of brick but containing some half-timber work which may belong to an earlier building,is L-shaped on plan and of two storeys with an attic: the roof is tiled. It has been considerably altered and restored. Surrounding the house are the remnants of a large rectangular moat (see 25" survey). The south arm only, with retaining bank survives, part water-filled, though the east and west arms are faintly traceable as shallow depressions. The remains of thithe barn (TQ 98667096), extensively damaged during the 1939-45 war, are incorporated in a modern barn. The footings only of the "Gatehouse" (TQ 98657093) remain, measuring 8.0m, with a recent store built on them. According to the owner it was formerly of two storeys, the upper part being a dovecote. See GP/AO/59/222/1 House from N.E. (6) Checked and correct. (7) Parsonage Farmhouse TQ 97 SW 12/155 27.6.63 II 2. 2 parallel ranges. The back range is early-mid C17. 2 storeys in red brick with tiled roof. Stringcourse. Gable at the south end containing an attic window of 2 lights with a brick mullion. Blind gabled projection on the south wall probably containing the staircase. The front range is C18. 2 storey in red brick with cornice and parapet. 4 windows, hung sashes with glazing bars. 1 window of 3 lights. Brick voussoirs. Doorway with wood pilasters, projecting cornice and do

Additional bibliography. (13)

PARSONAGE FARM, EASTCHURCH - FROM NORTH EAST. (Photograph). SKE1436.

PARSONAGE FARM, EASTCHURCH - FROM NORTH EAST. (Photograph). SKE1436.

<1> OS 6" 1908 (OS Card Reference). SKE48323.

<2> VCH Kent 2 1926 153-4 (OS Card Reference). SKE50951.

<3> Hist of Kent 2 1782 665-7 (Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43952.

<4> Arch Cant 14 1882 379 (Canon Scott-Robertson) (OS Card Reference). SKE34719.

<5> A Saunter through Kent 28 1934 71-3 (C Igglesden) (OS Card Reference). SKE32892.

<6> F1 ASP 13-NOV-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42086.

<7> F2 AC 09-SEP-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE43052.

<8> DOE(HHR) Swale Boro Kent 30th June 1978 24 (OS Card Reference). SKE41190.

<9> Moated Sites Res Gp 6 1979 46 (Ed CJ Bond) (OS Card Reference). SKE47253.

<10> OS 1:10000 1978 (OS Card Reference). SKE48163.

<11> Field report for monument TQ 97 SE 13 - November, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5010.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 97 SE 13 - September, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5011.

<13> English Heritage, 1995, Monuments Protection Programme, Step 1 Report - Dovecotes (Unpublished document). SKE16578.