No. 13 forms part of the jigsaw of old properties on the northern side of St. Austins Lane. It has been changed and reconfigured over the years but probably once formed a large residence that stretched from 12A to 14.

Quite how 13 St. Austins Lane started life is a puzzle but it possibly replaced or was adapted from a hall house that stood here in medieval times. The oak frame of the house we see today was probably put together in the mid to late 16th century but may have been adapted from an earlier structure that adjoined the 15th century cross wing at no. 14.

The most visible timbers in this building are the floor joists and beams but it isn’t clear whether the floor was inserted into the central frame – suggested that elements of an earlier structure may exist.

There is evidence of some 18th century alterations and then a significant new phase of work in the early 19th century with a roof raise providing the 3 storeys we see today and an impressive brick facade. This upgrade was of very high quality with unusual cast iron sills, heads and brackets employed for the window reveals. Internally paint fragments suggest that the woodwork was painted in fashionable Prussian Blue around the same time.

We have no suggested occupants for the early phases of the building but can take a guess that the 1766 will of Captain Thomas Hearn, which specifies his house on the “north side of St. Austins Lane”, is referring to all or part of the bock from 12A to 14 which were once interconnected.

After that we can also have another guess that the following auction in the Ipswich Journal of Saturday 16 October 1847 is referring to 14 St. Austins Lane:

To be SOLD by AUCTION, on Wednesday, the 20th day of October, 1817, By Mr. M. JOHNSON, At the Three Cups Tavern, Harwich, by order of the Executors of Mrs. SARAH TOVELL, dec., A FREEHOLD MESSUAGE or TENEMENT, situated in Saint Austin's Lane; comprising 2 lower rooms, 2 chambers, 2 attics, back kitchen, good cellar, paved yard, good pump of water, rain back ; with right of back way. May be viewed by leave of the tenant on the premises. Further particulars may be had on application to the Auctioneer at Harwich. Sale to commence at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Captain Thomas Hearn was the commander of the Harwich packet ship the Prince of Wales and Sarah Tovell’s husband was Samuel Tovell, a master mariner, who were both well-connected Harwich men in their day.

13 St. Austins Lane was surveyed and interpreted as part of the Harwich Architectural Survey Project which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

An interpretation of the building by Brenda and Elphin Watkin is available for download here.

A report into paint frgaments for various phases of occupation by Andrea Kirkham is available for download here.