Stuart House

Stuart House (G2)– corner of Hackney Road and Church Street – previously Providence House.
In 1902, a 23yr old servant in this house, Rose Harsent was found with her throat slit. Rose was pregnant at the time. The suspicion was laid upon William Gardiner, an older married man, a carpenter at Smyth’s seed drill factory, and stalwart of the local Methodist church. He was twice tried for murder but discharged because the jury were not unanimous. There is a famous book (and film) about the Peasenhall Murder. The House was originally built in the 15th / 16th Century but has been altered and added upon, and the name changed (presumably since the murder). From the 1930’s to the 60’s it was used as a Doctor’s surgery.

Church St. (west side) – Stuart House, Centre House and The Church House
3 houses; probably originally a single farmhouse. C16; C20 addition to north cross wing (Stuart House). Timber framed and plastered; the roof is a mixture of plaintiles, pantiles, double Roman tiles and asbestos slates. 2 storeys and attics. A main range with slightly projecting flanking cross wings. Various mostly C18-C19 casement windows; the south cross wing (The Church House) has a boarded door and a 4-panel door; Centre House has a 6-panel door, the upper 4 panels glazed; Stuart House has a C18 doorcase with Roman Doric pilasters, entablature, triangular pediment and a 6-panel door, the upper 4 panels glazed. To the north Stuart House has a mid C19 doorcase and one window with square leaded panes.
Stuart House was the scene of the murder in 1902 of Rose Harsant, the renowned “Peasenhall Murder”.