It was built in around 1471 as is indicated by a carving of the figures on a small wooden shield on a wallplate.
2.
In time, the casement would be replaced by the sash window, and improved building techniques allowed window-and door-frames to be removed from the wallplate.
3.
The complete wallplate remained over the rebuilt main east facade and exhibited all the original mortises and peg holes from the original framing, so a reasonable guess could be made at the appearance of the building . the timbers in the'outshut'were all re-used and exhibited peg holes, mortises and carpenters'marks.
4.
He split every slab, cut every post and wallplate and rafter himself, with a man to help him at odd times; and after the frame was up, and the bark on the roof, he camped underneath and finished every bit of it chimney, flooring, doors, windows, and partitions by himself .'