with all but one of the intermediate vertical framing members removed and the shingles behind them cleared out, the N wall is starting to resemble its old self.
the removal of the outer layers of shingles and framing has increased the setback on the N side by 4½ inches. this was not anticipated when the reporching was carried out, so some additional work will be called for in order to accommodate this in some pleasing fashion.
no, not "Republicans". this is even worse.
rot.
taking the N side wall down to its original layer past the end of the porch and as far as the chimney, I got past the area where there's a protective overhang from the porch roof, which is also the section where the second cladding layer (shingles atop plywood slab) had been nailed directly onto the first shingle layer rather than attached to a framework. there also isn't any flashing between the masonry and the woodwork, nor at the base of the wall where it joins the foundation.
the uniformity of the vertical extent of the rotted area suggests that there might have been a horizontal trim piece in this location until the first layer of shingles was applied. such a trim piece is visible beyond the chimney in the 1905 photograph and can be inferred to have extended forward of the chimney to the end of the porch. there is also some noticeable rot in the vertical section alongside the chimney (not illustrated -- there's only so much of this I can bear to look at in a single posting).
disappointing as it is to find any imperfections in the original wall, what's surprising is how much of it is in such good shape. and if rot is to surface, the best day for it to do so is the on day before the builders come. it was with this in mind that I had waited until today to uncover this section of the wall, where I had suspected that things might not be perfect.
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