1700–1799
Old Mill built
The tower mill was built in the eighteenth century on a site previously occupied by a post mill.
Site overview
Old Mill, also known as Fisher's Mill, is one of two surviving former tower windmills at Seaton Ross. The mill is late eighteenth century and was preceded on the site by a post mill. It worked as a corn mill with five sails and internal grinding machinery arranged across several floors.
The mill stopped turning in 1935 and its sails were dismantled in 1951. The tower survives without its cap, with a steam mill building adjacent, and the site was later refurbished for residential use.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Old Mill, also known as Fisher's Mill, was one of two mills at Seaton Ross. A post mill earlier occupied the site before the tower mill was built. The tower mill was constructed in the late eighteenth century or early eighteenth-century tradition, and early occupancy is associated with John Sykes.
Matthew Cook occupied the mill for many years during the early nineteenth century. The mill had five sails, each about 33 feet long and six feet wide, with cloth sail gear. Inside the tower, a large vertical wheel driven by the sails powered the central shaft and the grinding stones on different floors.
Grain was fed into hoppers on the upper levels, and meal came out at ground-floor level. Old French stones were used for wholemeal flour. The mill stopped turning in 1935, and the sails were dismantled in 1951.
The tower survives at full height apart from the cap, with small widely spaced windows and an adjacent steam mill building. The site was later refurbished to residential housing and is listed at Grade II.
Timeline
1800–1899
Nineteenth-century milling
Matthew Cook occupied the mill for many years during the early nineteenth century.
1935
Wind working ceased
The mill stopped turning in 1935.
1951
Sails dismantled
The sails were dismantled from the tower.
2015
Residential refurbishment recorded
The former mill site was in residential use, with the tower surviving at full height apart from the cap.
Sources and records
Industrial History Online entry: Seaton Ross Old Mill or Fisher's Mill
Seaton Ross History entry: The Old Mill
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Old Mill, Seaton Ross
Windmill World entry: Seaton Ross Old Mill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Old Mill, Seaton Ross
Seaton Ross History entry: The Old Mill
Historic England National Heritage List entry: Old Mill, Seaton Ross
Windmill World entry: Seaton Ross Old Mill
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Old Mill, Seaton Ross