1774
Shiremark Mill built
Shiremark Mill was built in 1774 using material from the earlier Clark's Green post mill.
Site overview
Shiremark Mill was a smock mill at Capel, close to the Surrey and Sussex border. It was built in 1774 using material from the earlier Clark's Green post mill. The mill worked into the early twentieth century and was abandoned after the First World War.
It deteriorated during the twentieth century and was substantially destroyed by fire in 1972. A low ruined base survives.
Map
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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Shiremark Mill stood south of Capel, near the Surrey and Sussex border. It was built in 1774, incorporating material from the demolished Clark's Green post mill. The mill was an octagonal smock mill on a red brick base and was used as a corn mill.
It had patent sweeps, a cast-iron windshaft, hand winding by chain, two pairs of underdriven millstones, and a distinctive internal hurst arrangement. In 1886 the mill was tail-winded in a gale and lost its cap and sweeps, which were replaced in the same year. George Stone worked the mill until about 1914, and it was finally abandoned after the First World War.
By the mid-twentieth century it was decaying, with sails falling and the cap and framing deteriorating. The mill was substantially destroyed by fire in 1972. The surviving site is represented by the low ruined base of the former smock mill.
Timeline
1886
Cap and sweeps replaced
The cap and sweeps were blown off in a gale in 1886 and replaced in the same year.
1914
Regular working ended
George Stone worked the mill regularly until about 1914.
1919
Mill abandoned
Shiremark Mill was finally abandoned after the First World War.
1972
Mill destroyed by fire
The smock mill was substantially destroyed by fire in 1972.
Sources and records
Windmill World entry: Shiremark Mill, Capel
Windmill World historical notes: Shiremark windmill, Surrey
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Shiremark Mill, Capel
List of windmills in Surrey
Windmill World historical notes: Shiremark windmill, Surrey
Mills Archive catalogue entry: Shiremark Mill, Capel
List of windmills in Surrey