1842
Burgh Mill built
Burgh Mill was built in 1842 by John Whitmore for Francis Buttrum.
Site overview
Burgh Mill is a former wind-powered corn mill at Burgh, Suffolk. It was built in 1842 by John Whitmore of Wickham Market for Francis Buttrum, replacing an earlier nearby tower mill. The seven-storey tower was the tallest mill built by Whitmore and was fitted with four patent sails, a fantail, auxiliary engine power, and four pairs of millstones.
An 8 hp engine was installed in 1919, and wind working continued until 1922. The machinery was dismantled in 1925. During the Second World War and afterwards, the tower served the Royal Observer Corps until a new underground post was built nearby in 1960.
The mill was derelict in 1997, but by 2005 it had been converted to residential use and given a new galleried cap.
Map
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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Burgh Mill was built in 1842 by John Whitmore, the Wickham Market millwright, for Francis Buttrum. It replaced an earlier tower mill nearby. The new mill was a seven-storey tower mill and was the tallest mill built by Whitmore.
It had an ogee cap with gallery, four patent sails, a fantail, auxiliary engine power, and four pairs of millstones on the third floor. The tower was about 57 feet high to the curb and measured about 23 feet internally at ground-floor level. In 1919 an 8 hp engine was installed.
The mill continued to work by wind until 1922, after which its machinery was dismantled in 1925 by Amos Clarke. From July 1940 the tower was used by L.1 post of the Observer Corps, which moved there from an earlier location. The height of the mill gave the post a wide field of view for aircraft observation.
The Royal Observer Corps remained associated with the building until an underground post was constructed immediately to the south-west in 1960. The tower was derelict by 1997. It was renovated by 2005, with brickwork repairs and a new galleried cap, and was converted to residential accommodation.
Timeline
1919
Engine installed
An 8 hp engine was installed at the mill in 1919.
1922
Wind working ceased
The mill worked by wind until 1922.
1925
Machinery dismantled
The mill machinery was dismantled in 1925 by Amos Clarke.
1940
Observer Corps use began
From July 1940 the tower housed L.1 post of the Observer Corps.
2005
Residential conversion completed
By 2005 the former mill had been converted to residential accommodation and fitted with a new galleried cap.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Burgh Windmill
Windmill World entry: Burgh windmill
Mills Archive entry: Tower mill, Burgh
Windmill photographic register entry: Burgh tower mill
Windmill World entry: Burgh windmill
Mills Archive entry: Tower mill, Burgh
Windmill photographic register entry: Burgh tower mill