1821
Jill built at Brighton
Jill was built at Dyke Road, Brighton, as Lashmar's New Mill.
Site overview
Jill Mill stands with Jack Mill on the South Downs above Clayton. It was built at Dyke Road, Brighton, in 1821 and moved to Clayton in 1852. The mill worked with Jack until the early twentieth century, after which it lost its sails and fantail.
Restoration began in the later twentieth century, and Jill ground flour again in 1986.
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
Jill Mill stands above Clayton as part of the Jack and Jill windmill group. It was built at Dyke Road, Brighton, in 1821 as Lashmar's New Mill. In 1830 the windshaft broke, bringing the sails down.
In 1852 the post mill was moved to Clayton, where it worked beside Jack Mill. Jill is a post mill with a two-storey roundhouse, four patent sails, a wooden windshaft with a cast-iron poll end dated 1831, and two pairs of millstones. The working life of the Clayton mills ended in 1906.
Jill was damaged in a storm in 1908 and later lost its sails and fantail. Restoration work in 1953 was followed by a fuller return to working order from 1978. The mill ground flour again in 1986 and survived a fire during the Great Storm of 1987.
Jill now survives as a restored working post mill.
Timeline
1830
Windshaft broke
The windshaft broke and the sails came down.
1852
Mill moved to Clayton
The post mill was moved from Brighton to Clayton.
1906
Working life ended
The working life of the Clayton mills ended.
1953
Restoration carried out
Restoration work was carried out by E Hole and Son of Burgess Hill.
1978
Working restoration began
Restoration of Jill to working order began.
1986
Flour ground again
Jill ground flour again after restoration.
1987
Mill survived storm fire
Jill caught fire during the Great Storm but was saved.
Sources and records
Clayton Windmills article
Windmill World entry: Jill, Clayton
Sussex Industrial History article: Clayton Windmills
Jack and Jill Windmills Society history
Windmill World entry: Jill, Clayton
Sussex Industrial History article: Clayton Windmills
Jack and Jill Windmills Society history