1861–1862
Tower mill built
Pratt's Mill was built between September 1861 and February 1862 using machinery from Calverley Mill.
Site overview
Pratt's Mill at Crowborough is a truncated tower corn mill. It was built between September 1861 and February 1862 using machinery from Calverley Mill at Tunbridge Wells. The mill worked by wind until 1907 and then by steam until 1922.
In 1927 it was converted into residential accommodation and reduced from five storeys to three. The surviving structure is the lower tower with later additions and extensions.
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
Pratt's Mill was built at Crowborough between September 1861 and February 1862. Machinery from Calverley Mill at Tunbridge Wells was used in its construction. The mill was originally a five-storey brick tower mill clad in peg tiles, with four patent sails, a Kentish-style cap winded by a fantail, and probably three pairs of millstones.
On 3 February 1862 the son of the miller was killed after becoming entangled in the machinery. The mill worked by wind until 1907 and then by steam until 1922. In 1927 it was converted into residential accommodation and reduced in height to three storeys.
The surviving structure is the lower three storeys of the original tower, with later additions and extensions.
Timeline
1862
Fatal machinery accident
The son of the miller was killed after becoming entangled in the machinery.
1907
Wind working ended
The mill worked by wind until this year.
1922
Steam working ended
The mill continued by steam until this year.
1927
Converted and truncated
The mill was converted into residential accommodation and reduced to three storeys.
Sources and records
Wikipedia article: Pratt's Mill, Crowborough
Windmill World site entry
Mills Archive database entry
The Weald site entry
Brunnarius, The Windmills of Sussex
Hemming, Windmills in Sussex
Windmill World site entry
Mills Archive database entry
The Weald site entry
Brunnarius, The Windmills of Sussex
Hemming, Windmills in Sussex