1477
Windmill site recorded
Records place a windmill on the Mountnessing site as early as 1477.
Site overview
Mountnessing Windmill is a restored working post corn mill on Roman Road, Mountnessing. The present mill was built in 1807, probably incorporating earlier timbers, and records place a windmill on the site as early as 1477. It was built and operated by the Agnis family from 1807 to 1924 and worked again briefly in 1932–33.
The mill has a single-storey sixteen-sided roundhouse, four spring sails, two pairs of millstones, a cast-iron windshaft, and tailpole winding. Mountnessing Parish Council acquired the mill in the mid twentieth century, and Essex County Council later became responsible for it. Restoration between 1979 and 1983 returned the mill 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
Mountnessing Windmill stands on Roman Road at Mountnessing. The site has a long windmilling history, with records of a windmill there as early as 1477. The present post mill was built in 1807, probably incorporating earlier timbers, and replaced an earlier mill on the same site.
The mill was built and operated by the Agnis family continuously from 1807 to 1924, and it worked again briefly in 1932–33. It is a post corn mill with a single-storey sixteen-sided roundhouse. The mill has four spring sails, two pairs of breast stones, a cast-iron windshaft, and tailpole winding. Auxiliary power was also used during its working life through a portable steam engine.
Ownership passed from the Blencowe Estates to Mountnessing Parish Council in 1937, and repairs were made as a memorial to King George VI. The mill was acquired by Mountnessing Parish Council in the mid twentieth century and later by Essex County Council. A full working restoration took place between 1979 and 1983, with a new roof, rebuilt tail, new sails, and rebuilt internal machinery. The restored mill opened in November 1983 and is maintained by Essex County Council with the Friends of Mountnessing Windmill. It is listed at Grade II* and remains one of Essex's restored working post mills.
Timeline
1807
Present post mill constructed
The present Mountnessing post mill was built in 1807, probably incorporating earlier timbers.
1807–1924
Agnis family working period
The mill was built and operated by the Agnis family from 1807 to 1924.
1932–1933
Brief return to work
Mountnessing Windmill worked again briefly in 1932–33.
1937
Passed to Mountnessing Parish Council
Ownership passed from the Blencowe Estates to Mountnessing Parish Council.
1956
Parish council acquisition recorded
Mountnessing Parish Council acquired the mill before its later transfer to Essex County Council.
1979–1983
Restored to working order
The mill was restored to working order with new roof work, rebuilt tail, new sails, and reconstructed internal machinery.
1983
Restored mill opened
The restored working mill was officially opened by Hervey Benham.
Sources and records
Historic England listed building entry
Explore Essex Mountnessing Post Mill entry
Windmill World site entry
Mills Archive site record
Wikipedia article: Mountnessing Windmill
Explore Essex Mountnessing Post Mill entry
Windmill World site entry
Mills Archive site record
Wikipedia article: Mountnessing Windmill