1799
Smock mill established
French's Mill was present on West Hill in Hastings by 1799.
Site overview
French's Mill, also known as Croft Road Mill, was a Hastings smock mill on West Hill. It was established by 1799 and was moved to Silverhill, St Leonards, around 1838. At St Leonards it became associated with the later Silverhill or Draper's Mill history.
No standing smock-mill structure survives at the Hastings site.
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
French's Mill stood on West Hill in Hastings and was also known as Croft Road Mill. It was a smock mill and was present by 1799. Around 1838 the mill was moved from Hastings to Silverhill, St Leonards, where it became part of the later Silverhill or Draper's Mill history.
The Hastings site therefore ceased to function as the original smock-mill site when the mill was removed. No standing smock-mill structure survives at the Hastings location.
Timeline
1838
Mill moved to St Leonards
French's Mill was moved from Hastings to Silverhill, St Leonards, around 1838.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: List of windmills in East Sussex
Windmill World: Sussex windmills
HistoryMap: Drapers Mill
Windmill World: Sussex windmills
HistoryMap: Drapers Mill