29 High Street
Current
29
High Street
Lowestoft
United Kingdom
History
29 High Street This substantial property was built as a house in 1858 and was inhabited by John C. Kell until 1863. James Butcher a boat owner who lived there until 1883 succeeded him. Between 1883 and 1892 it was merged with 30 High Street and was run as a ladies school run by Miss Emma Elizabeth Smith as headmistress. In 1892 it was converted into offices the first occupier being Herbert Frederick Smith, a collector of income and property taxes. George Stonham Tasker, the deputy clerk to St. Margaret’s parish church lived here between 1896 and 1900 In 1900 29 High Street was re-converted into a house and was inhabited by James Franklin Edwards until 1910, Ralph Foort between 1910 and 1922 and Mrs. Jean Dale between 1922 and 1947. In 1947 Robert Dale converted part of the property to set up in business as a boot repairer going into partnership as Dales Bros boot repairers in 1959. In 1973 the property was converted back into a house being inhabited by Alfred and Dorothy Coggle. They lived here until 1982 when Elsie Baker inhabited it until 1984 followed by Gordon and Marie Bush until 1988. Between 1988 and 1993, 29 High Street was converted into 5 flats after which Denise and Tony Meades converted it back into a house.
As you can see from the plaque, the house was once the home of the Allin Family, after that point the front of the house had a shop window and door and from 1900 to the late 1960's it was Dale Brothers, Boot and Shoe Repairs. As you can see from today's view the shop was converted back into a private house it's a bit strange as the front door is in the front of number 30 CREDIT:Crispin Hook
Architecture
No. 29 High Street is the rebuilt northern half of a former single dwelling, with No. 30 being the southern section - the whole of which once belonged to the Allen/Allin family (the surname being found in both forms). Robert Allen (merchant) is named as tenant in the Manor Roll of 1618. He was the father of the famous Restoration-period naval commander, Sir Thomas Allin, who was born in November 1612. A century later, in 1720, the property was held - in the right of his wife - by William Balls (merchant), who owned two fishing vessels involved in catching herring and mackerel. The building is described as being of freehold tenure and divided into two tenements, with a bake house and yard attached. The earliest record of tenure is that of William Davy (merchant) in February 1584.
At some point, after Robert Allen's occupancy, the property came into the tenure of the Jenkenson family - though no record of this is to be found. In October 1658, Henry Jenkenson was admitted to it, by terms of his brother Edward's will. After this, no further details of transfer are to be found.
About 80-85% of Lowestoft's housing stock was held by copyhold tenure, whereby the lord of the manor was paid an annual ground-rent by the tenants, as well as an entry fine (as it was called) by new, incoming tenants every time a property changed hands. All transfers were supposed to be recorded by the steward of the manor in the court baron minute books - but some did escape attention. Freehold properties did not have to have their changes in occupancy noted.
When he retired from the Royal Navy in 1672, Sir Thomas Allin purchased the manorial titles of both Lowestoft and Somerleyton and took up residence in the latter place's Hall. It looks likely that he sold the freehold of Nos. 29-30 to Henry Jenkenson, which accounts for there being no details of transfer after 1668. He died in 1685, so the transaction must have taken place between 1672 and that year. CREDIT:David Butcher
TM5593NW HIGH STREET 914-1/8/17 (East side) No.29
GV II
House. C16 origins, but so altered that no features of that date remain. Present character is C20. Re-built mid C19. Rendered and colourwashed brick. Concrete corrugated roof tiles. 2 storeys and attic in one bay. Plank panelled door to the right and left, both under plain overlights. The left-hand door formerly led to a passageway to rear. One late C20 Venetian window lights ground floor. One late C20 top-hung casement to upper floor. Gabled roof with a rendered and reduced internal north gable-end stack. C19 extensions to the rear, now lit through C20 casements. Rear terrace built 1940 as a bofors gun platform. INTERIOR. Stick baluster staircase, the balusters replaced late C20. Ramped handrail mid C19. One 2-panel C18 door remains to first floor. Included for group value. CREDIT: Historic England
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