1773
Gale damage
A gale severely damaged Rottingdean Post Mill when the sweeps were torn from the round beam.
Site overview
Rottingdean Post Mill stood on the south side of Dudeney's Hill, now Bazehill Road, in Rottingdean. The post mill was damaged by a gale in 1773 and appeared on late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century maps. It was insured in 1784 and was still in full trade in 1813.
In 1817 it was offered for sale on condition that it was removed. In 1818 tenders were invited for taking down the post mill, except for the roundhouse, and erecting it on a new site.
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
Rottingdean Post Mill stood at the top of Dudeney's Hill, now Bazehill Road, on the south side of the road. It was a post windmill used for corn milling. A gale severely damaged the mill in 1773 when the brake failed to hold the sweeps and they were torn from the round beam.
The mill was present on maps from 1783 to 1817. William Richardson insured the windmill, its utensils and stock in 1784. In 1801 John Botting undertook to supply three sacks of flour every twenty-four hours.
John Ockenden advertised the mill for sale in 1813, when it was still in full trade. In 1817 it was again offered for sale, this time on condition that it was removed, with two pairs of millstones and necessary machinery intact. In March 1818 tenders were invited for taking down the post mill, except for the roundhouse, and erecting it on a new site.
The later location of the removed mill has not been established.
Timeline
1784
Mill insured
The windmill, utensils and stock were insured during William Richardson's tenancy.
1813
Mill in full trade
The mill was in full trade and equipped for corn milling.
1817
Offered for removal
The post mill was offered for sale on condition that it was removed.
1818
Post mill taken down
Tenders were invited for taking down the post mill, except for the roundhouse, and erecting it on a new site.
Sources and records
Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society paper: Brighton Windmills
Sussex Mills Group windmill gazetteer
List of windmills in East Sussex
Sussex Mills Group windmill gazetteer
List of windmills in East Sussex