The house was built by Griffith Williams of Candleston for his daughter and her husband Edmund Vann. Vann was a lawyer and belonged to the upwardly mobile group of minor gentry. The house dates tom 1596 when John stradling of St Donats Castle noted that it was three quarters built and badly constructed. Vann caused an affray with the Seys family of Boverton following a church service. He was brought before Star Chamber along with his brother Edward and heavily fined. Stradling's prophecy proved correct and the building has been in ruin since the early 18th century.