SNN110581 - An Archaeological Standing Building Survey of No. 55 Daventry Road, Norton, Northamptonshire, 2016

This document is an archaeological standing building survey of No. 55 Daventry Road, Norton, Northamptonshire (SP 60133 63757), commissioned from Archaeological Building Recording Services (ABRS) in advance of the proposed conversion of the building to residential use. No. 55 Daventry Road is an extremely interesting building reflecting both the rise of nonconformist chapels and small-scale industry in rural Northamptonshire in the 19th century. Evidence indicates that the Chapel was converted from an existing building, probably a domestic cottage. The Chapel has remained largely intact since its closure in the mid 1970s, losing only its pews and pulpit. Documentary evidence held by the Luck Family suggests the Chapel building is 18th century in date. The wheelwright’s workshop is an interesting building in its own right, purpose-built as a wheelwright’s in the mid 19th century, it incorporates a tyre oven and well. The first Methodist Society in Northamptonshire was established in Norton in 1788, it is possible that the Society used this building, then a domestic cottage, as a meeting house. It is possible to assume a link between the wheelwrights family, the Colliers, who occupied the site for generations and the Chapel, it possible that the Colliers may have played an important part in establishing Methodism in the village. The archive will be retained by ABRS under the temporary site code 2016-WCNN until deposition with Northamptonshire County Council can be arranged under the Event Number ENN108381.