1808
Smock mill began working
Hodson's Mill began working in July 1808 after construction by William Pilbeam.
Site overview
Hodson's Mill was a black twelve-sided smock mill on West Hill Road, Brighton. William Pilbeam erected it, and it began working in July 1808. The mill had a domed cap, fantail, three pairs of French stones and machinery capable of grinding 20 to 25 loads of corn per week.
The Hodson family became closely associated with the mill. Its working life ended in the 1860s, and the wooden structure was pulled down on 25 June 1866. The substantial base survived until 1966.
Map
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No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
Hodson's Mill stood on West Hill Road in Brighton. It was an unusual twelve-sided black smock mill erected by the millwright William Pilbeam. The mill began working in July 1808 and was equipped with a domed cap, fantail, three pairs of French stones, millstones, wire machines and dressing mills.
Its sweeps reached 110 feet above the ground, and its machinery could grind between 20 and 25 loads of corn each week. The mill was offered for sale several times during the early 1810s, while Pilbeam's finances failed. Thomas Hill later owned the mill, and the Hodson family became closely associated with it by the 1820s.
In 1853 the mill was still complete with four cloth sails and a fantail, but surrounding building development affected its working conditions. By 1862 two sweeps were missing and the structure was deteriorating. The wooden mill was pulled down on 25 June 1866 by Samuel Medhurst and a team of men after the sweeps and fantail had been removed.
The substantial dodecagonal base remained in later use as a coal store and garage. It was removed in July and August 1966, and the site was later developed for housing.
Timeline
1810
Mill offered for sale
The mill was offered for sale during the early period of William Pilbeam's ownership.
1822
Fatal machinery accident
Thomas Henry Hodson died after his clothing became caught in the mill machinery.
1853
Mill complete with sails
The mill still had four cloth sails and a fantail in the early 1850s.
1866
Smock mill pulled down
The wooden smock mill was pulled down after the sweeps and fantail had been removed.
1966
Base removed
The surviving dodecagonal base was removed during July and August 1966.
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