Many thanks to the last poster who, i think, has finally pinpointed the origin of the 'sketch' I have and also cleared up the date which must now be 1778, not 1790 as I thought it read. I will check this out, but your description is accurate.
I'm assuming that the wall and turrets follow the line of trees behind my house (which is now greenbelt preserved for wildlife)- across Vernon Road and on to the end where it meets Sheffield Road? If that's the case I was wondering if the house referred to as 'new' could have been Darley Cliffe Hall- but looking at the photos at Wilbys' website, the roof is significantly different. If this is all correct then, and Darley Cliffe dates back to at least 1685 (Wilbys) then where is it on the plate?
Also, is the turret which stands in the trees just before the road entrance to Darley Cliffe part of the remains or is that something different? The stone appears to be different... And where was Sod Hall in relation to all this?
And finally, what exactly was the Highstone? Nobody seems to actually know (just local hearsay)- and if you ask me, if you look very carefully the picture appears to depict the little clump of trees to the side disappearing behind a roof- surely that can't be- is it an illusion?
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road