backsettown
Backsettown comes from the phrase "backside of the town" - a nod to its location on the north-eastern fringe of the village, off Furners Lane - though its original name was East Henfield. It was a 15th century hall house, much added to over the years. It has a notable roof and chimney of Horsham slabs, and you can see a similar roof on the White Hart. In 1841 the farmer was 50-year old Thomas Becket (probably 54 years of age), who occupied the house with his mother and two unmarried sisters. Thomas was still there - aged 64 - in 1851, farming 170 acres and employing 5 men and a boy, and still with his two sisters. In 1891 and 1901 another Thomas Beckett farmed at "Backside Town" (1891) - a single man from West Firle. American actress Elizabeth Robins made it her home in the early years of the 20th century, studied medicine and, with her friend Octavia Wilberforce, turned it into a rest and recuperation home for professional people. Her handwritten entry in the 1911 Census reads: “The occupier of this house will be ready to give the desired information, the moment the government recognizes women as responsible citizens.” Good stuff!
The Grade II listing describes the house as:
Originally called East Henfield, later "Backside-of-the-Town", which has been corrupted into Backsettown. L-shaped C16 or earlier timber-framed building with red brick infilling. The south-east wing is the older portion which contained the hall. The south front of the west wing and west front of the south-east wing have been refaced with red brick, grey headers and red mathematical tiles. Hipped roof of Horsham slabs. Casement windows. Two storeys. Two windows to each wing. Stepped stone and brick chimney breast on north wall. The south-east wing has a small porch with a pediment-containing a door of four moulded panels. West wing has a doorway with flat hood and door of six moulded panels.
HOUSES 16
Backsettown 1: A black & white photo from around 1910 which shows the fine roof of Horsham slabs.
Backsettown 2: This photo was taken in 2007 and shows the entrance gate at the end of the long lane which curves round from Furners Lane.
HOUSES 29
Backsettown: An early black & white photo taken from a postcard.
HOUSES 32
Backsettown: Another postcard in black & white - date unknown, possibly 1950s or '60s as the postage stamp is QEII. The view is from the field north of Daisycroft and shows the southern aspct of the house.
HOUSES 39
Backsettown: A view of the house across the field from the lane which runs round to it off Furners Lane. May 2016.
HOUSES 45
Backsettown: A view of the side of the house from the field north of it, on a sunny morning in late December 2016.
HOUSES 63
Backsettown 1-2 [AH]: Two views of the house from 1990, courtesy of Dr, Annabelle Hughes.
The Grade II listing describes the house as:
Originally called East Henfield, later "Backside-of-the-Town", which has been corrupted into Backsettown. L-shaped C16 or earlier timber-framed building with red brick infilling. The south-east wing is the older portion which contained the hall. The south front of the west wing and west front of the south-east wing have been refaced with red brick, grey headers and red mathematical tiles. Hipped roof of Horsham slabs. Casement windows. Two storeys. Two windows to each wing. Stepped stone and brick chimney breast on north wall. The south-east wing has a small porch with a pediment-containing a door of four moulded panels. West wing has a doorway with flat hood and door of six moulded panels.
HOUSES 16
Backsettown 1: A black & white photo from around 1910 which shows the fine roof of Horsham slabs.
Backsettown 2: This photo was taken in 2007 and shows the entrance gate at the end of the long lane which curves round from Furners Lane.
HOUSES 29
Backsettown: An early black & white photo taken from a postcard.
HOUSES 32
Backsettown: Another postcard in black & white - date unknown, possibly 1950s or '60s as the postage stamp is QEII. The view is from the field north of Daisycroft and shows the southern aspct of the house.
HOUSES 39
Backsettown: A view of the house across the field from the lane which runs round to it off Furners Lane. May 2016.
HOUSES 45
Backsettown: A view of the side of the house from the field north of it, on a sunny morning in late December 2016.
HOUSES 63
Backsettown 1-2 [AH]: Two views of the house from 1990, courtesy of Dr, Annabelle Hughes.