Robert Huggins and Lot #86

Greetings Canterbury history enthusiasts, 

This message from the Canterbury Historical Society is from the Cellar Hole Committee, and is the first issue of a monthly newsletter to tell the story of both the purpose and goals of our work, and the results of the documentation of an actual cellar hole. 

We do this work to raise awareness of the value of cellar holes and other ancient stone ruins as an historic resource. We expect our results will give Canterbury residents and others interested in history an easily accessible record of dreams fulfilled and sometimes abandoned. 

Our work in the field began  back on 31 March last year. After receiving authorization from the owners, our first simple step at the site was to expose the extent of the ruin by raking the leaves off the stones. But before that, our research in the records revealed that when the town was granted by King George in 1727, Robert Huggins became the owner of Lot #86, upon which this house foundation is located. Huggins was a land speculator and never occupied the lot. We do have evidence that a family Shaw was living there before 1858 but the buildings were gone by 1892.

Our documentation at the site provided evidence that the house was small (15’ X 25’) and was heated by an iron stove. Most unusual was the fact that it was over 100 feet from the road, and faced east. A one-of-a-kind indeed. We found no well, but there is surface water some distance to the west. Also missing was an obvious barn foundation, though we did document what appears to be the stone remains of a small outbuilding. 

As we expand our connections to other aspects of life at this location, such as information from cemetery records, we will return to our initial report, soon available on our website, and update it. 

Our next edition will highlight a site with the foundation of a house that was built but burned before being occupied, and offer information for folks who wish to participate in our study. 

We invite suggestions and questions to be sent to our email, which is cellarholesurveys@gmail.com, and we will respond. 

Bill Adams for the Cellar Hole Committee