Stock Windmill

Site overview

Stock Windmill is a five-storey brick tower corn mill on Mill Lane, Stock. Built in the early nineteenth century, it stood beside earlier post mills and later became the surviving windmill of the village. The tower mill was modernised during its working life, with patent sails, a boat-shaped cap, a six-bladed fantail, and three pairs of stones.

Steam power was added in 1902, wind working continued until 1930, and engine-powered use lasted until about 1936. Essex County Council bought the mill in 1945. After deterioration, major repairs began in 1991 with support from English Heritage and the Friends of Stock Windmill.

The Grade II* listed mill was restored to working order.

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

Stock Windmill is a five-storey tower corn mill on Mill Lane, Stock. It was built in the early nineteenth century, with dates around 1804 and around 1816 both used in modern accounts. The tower mill was erected alongside an existing post mill, and in 1845 a second post mill was moved to a nearby site. By 1862 the tower mill had four shuttered sails.

The two post mills were demolished around 1890. Around the same period, the tower mill was altered internally: the millstones were moved down a floor and the drive was converted from underdrift to overdrift working. The mill has a boat-shaped cap winded by a six-bladed fantail and carried four single patent sails on a cast-iron windshaft. Its machinery included a composite brake wheel, cast-iron wallower, cast-iron upright shaft, great spur wheel, and three pairs of millstones.

Steam power was added in 1902. The mill continued to work by wind until 1930 and was then powered by an internal combustion engine until about 1936. Known millers included William Moss, John Pertwee, Joseph Clover, Mary Clover, William Mayes, and Frank Semmens. Essex County Council placed a preservation order on the mill in 1938 and bought the windmill and land in 1945 for £125.

The mill deteriorated after public acquisition. Between 1945 and 1977 parts of the interior woodwork and shutters were missing, and one pair of sails was removed after the main spar rotted. Some brickwork was replaced in 1978. Major repairs began in 1991 under millwright Vincent Pargeter, with grant support from English Heritage, and the Friends of Stock Windmill were formed in 1993 at the completion of the restoration. Stock Windmill is protected as a Grade II* listed building and survives as a restored working-order tower mill with several floors of machinery.

Timeline

1804–1816

Tower mill built

Stock Windmill was built in the early nineteenth century as a brick tower corn mill.

1845

Second post mill moved nearby

A second post mill was moved to a nearby site while the tower mill was part of a larger milling group.

1862

Shuttered sails recorded

By 1862 the tower mill had four shuttered sails.

1890

Mill machinery altered

Around 1890 the stones were moved down a floor and the drive was converted from underdrift to overdrift.

1902

Steam power added

A steam engine was added to the mill.

1930

Wind working ended

The mill continued to work by wind until 1930.

1936

Engine working ended

The mill continued by internal combustion engine until about 1936.

1938

Preservation order made

Essex County Council placed a preservation order on the mill.

1945

Mill acquired by county council

Essex County Council bought the windmill and land for £125.

1967

Grade II* listing

Stock Windmill was listed at Grade II*.

1978

Brickwork repaired

Some of the brickwork was replaced.

1991–1993

Major repairs completed

Major repairs began under Vincent Pargeter and were completed with support from English Heritage and the Friends of Stock Windmill.

Stock Windmill Stock · Essex · England