Vanished Cuxton: Brickhouse Farm...

Brickhouse Farm, Bush Road, Cuxton, c.1920...

The picture above shows Brickhouse Farm it as it was in around 1920, with a front extension facing Bush Road (built in 1815) and an older original portion behind. The rear half was probably over 300 years old. In the background are hop kilns (that building has been wonderfully restored and is now the B&B) with Mill Hill in the distance.

Brickhouse Farm was another building in Cuxton that was purchased by Rochester Corporation after the Second World War. In accordance with standard council practice at the time with regards to buildings in Cuxton, it was left to become derelict before finally being knocked down (in 1951) and replaced with the existing house.

The site of Brickhouse Farm, c.1971...

Bill Marshall, who lived at Whorne’s Place, managed to salvage two inscribed bricks from the Brickhouse Farm building as it was being demolished. These bear the initials L.K.G.K. though I do not know what or who they stand for. 

Engraved brick recovered from Brickhouse Farm....

Mr. Marshall also recovered the inscribed stone from the frontage. The initials on the stone are those of William Pye (who was responsible for the extension) whose family had farmed in the area since 1808 and lived at Court Lodge. His son (also called William) latterly lived at Brickhouse Farm from 1878 until 1916.

Engraved frontage stone recovered from Brickhouse Farm...

The Pye family used to hold summer evening garden parties every year, to which the local villagers were invited.  Every day, Mr. Pye used to give the farm workers skimmed milk free of charge. When the milk was ready for collection, a white card was placed in the kitchen window and the local children used to run down and collect it. 

Reference: 

pp. 92, 100, Cuxton – A Kentish Village, by Derek Church (1976, ISBN 0 903253 12 7).