Couple Finds 1971 House Purchase Note in Fireplace
A Wiltshire couple, Kathryn Stutely and her partner Neil, stumbled upon a fascinating historical artifact while renovating their house. They discovered a note tucked away in their fireplace, dating back to the previous owner, Eugene Pearce.
The couple bought their house in 2019 for £292,000, with plans to install a log burner in the fireplace. During the renovation, they found a note folded into a small cube among the bricks. The note revealed that Eugene Pearce, the previous owner, purchased the house in 1971 for just £3,000, with a mortgage of the same amount and weekly repayments of £5.50.
Pearce, who was 37 years old at the time of purchase and earned £0.65 per hour, passed away in 2000 at the age of 66. The couple managed to track down Pearce's granddaughter and shared the note with her. The discovery has provided a unique glimpse into the past, highlighting the significant increase in house prices over the decades.
The note, found by Kathryn Stutely and her partner, serves as a reminder of the house's history and the changing value of property. Intrigued by their discovery, the couple has also started leaving notes around their home for future owners to find, hoping to create a similar connection to their own story.
