Building record 1596300000 - Crosspath Cottages, Magpie Lane

Part of this row of nineteenth century cottages embodies the remains of a seventeenth century smallholder's dwelling, though these are limited to the brickwork of a gable-end stack. Nothing can be deduced about the dimensions of the house, except that it was another 1 1/2 storey building. The holding was known as Merlins or Maudlins, and was tiny, only 3 acres (1.22 ha). During the first half of the 17th century it formed part of the Reading's
estate, based on Bowers. During their ownership the only identifiable tenant is Hugh Bowyer, of whom nothing is otherwise known: later it was acquired by James Child of Luckings, whose wife (presumably estranged) lived there (B1).
This record includes National Record of the Historic Environment Information provided by Historic England on 4 June 2025 licensed under the Open Government Licence (B2).