1806
Post mill built
The post mill was built at Framfield.
Site overview
Cross in Hand Windmill, also known as New Mill, is a post corn mill. It was built at Framfield in 1806, moved near Cross in Hand in 1855 by Samuel Medhurst of Lewes, and moved again to its present site in 1868, when a two-storey roundhouse was erected around it. The mill worked commercially by wind until 1969, when a stock broke.
Milling continued by auxiliary power in an adjoining building until 1971.
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
Cross in Hand Windmill was built at Framfield in 1806 as a post corn mill. In 1855 it was moved near Cross in Hand by Samuel Medhurst, a Lewes millwright, and in 1868 it was moved again to its present site. A two-storey roundhouse was erected around the mill after the 1868 move.
A lean-to was added to the roundhouse in 1900 to accommodate two further millstones powered by a steam engine. Repairs were carried out in 1932 by Fred Neve and Sons of Heathfield, in 1955 and 1959 by Messrs Sands of Punnetts Town, in 1969, and again in 2018. The mill worked commercially by wind until 1969, when a stock broke.
Milling continued by auxiliary power in an adjoining building until 1971. The surviving post mill has a timber-framed buck, a two-storey roundhouse, patent sails on a cast-iron windshaft, and a tailpole-mounted fantail.
Timeline
1855
Mill moved near Cross in Hand
Samuel Medhurst of Lewes moved the mill near Cross in Hand.
1868
Mill moved to present site
The mill was moved to its present site and a two-storey roundhouse was erected around it.
1900
Lean-to added
A lean-to was added to the roundhouse to accommodate two further millstones powered by a steam engine.
1969
Wind working ended
Commercial wind working ended when a stock broke.
1971
Auxiliary milling ended
Milling by auxiliary power in the adjoining building continued until this year.
Sources and records
Historic England National Heritage List entry
Wikipedia article: New Mill, Cross-in-Hand
Windmill World site entry
Mills Archive catalogue entry
Sussex Mills Group windmills gazetteer
Wikipedia article: New Mill, Cross-in-Hand
Windmill World site entry
Mills Archive catalogue entry
Sussex Mills Group windmills gazetteer