One of the entries mentioned in the 1918 auction Lot that included Manor Farm King’s Newnham was described as the “River Buildings”. They can be traced via the map reference to an area just across the river from St Peter’s Church – on the King’s Newnham side. In the map below they can be seen in the green area next to the “Liable To Flood” text.
It may or may not have once been regarded as Cottage 207, an entry missing in the cottage list for this area.
Around the time of the Estate Sale in 1918 the Butlin family moved to this small cottage. In more than one place it was also referred to as Ivy Cottage (distinct from Ivy Cottage in Church Lawford), mentioned in both the 1921 Census and various electoral roll lists by that name.
However, the name that stuck for this residence was Butlin’s Barn, and this was reflected many years later in a tribute to Elsie Maud Cresswell (nee Butlin), who had lived there from the age of two along with her parents and siblings. Her tribute in the Village Newsletter in early 1996 referenced this location.
By the time Manor Farm, Kings Newnham was put up for sale again in1938, the family had moved out and the cottage was subject to a demolition order.
A photograph taken by a villager during the 1960s gives a distant impression of the building remaining at that time.
The property had been included in the Tithe Records of 1849/1850 – entry 1139 under the control of Henry Townsend.