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| A Painting of Burton Mill by H.Hopps c1860 |
| The Mill ruins in 1933 |
| A map showing the approximate location of the old Mill (red dot) |
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Burton Mill
We do not known the age of original mill but we known of its existence in 1579 when the parish register
records that the miller John Hagagassman was killed by a freak bolt of lightening. The former mill was
also in a different location that the current one, although its exact where spot is still unknown. It is
thought to have been about a mile south of the village of in a field known as 'Mill Nook' close to where
Pees wood site today. It seems apparent that this mill eventually fell into disrepair like many other
wooden mills of the time and was eventually taken down, where upon the current mill was constructed
further up the road in the village.
The current mill has a date stone of 1771 and bears the initials R.O indicating Robert Oliver, the first
miller to use the building. Robert lived close by in Mill Cottage with his wife Mary Oliver. The cottage
which still stands has the date stone of 1774. It is clear that the new mill had been built using the
materials from the old mill as in 1903 a visitor to the mill described seeing names carved into the shaft
with the date of 1731. In 1882 the mill suffered sever damaging during particularly bad winter gales.
The mill was never repaired after this incident as steam power had taken over and most windmills of
that time had fallen into decline. The mill stood derelict for many years, being stripped for fire wood on
a number of occasions. The remainder of the frame work and sails were taken down shortly after to
avoid any accidents occurring.
There is little left to see of the old peg mill today as it is sadly now only a small pile of stones
approximately 5 feet and completely engulfed by ivy. The locals who live around the mill told me that
they can still remember playing in the ruins back in the 1950's when they were kids. The ruin were
much higher back then probably around 10 feet high and the old mill stone was still inside. They told
me that over the years people have come and taken stones from it, including the old mill stone; which is
most likely a treasured possession by somebody selfish enough to steal it. Due to the alarming
increase in the theft of the stones, of the neighbours moved his boundary fence to encompass the mill
ruins and has left the base to become overrun and completely obscured. I cannot help but think this is
a selfish act by the neighbour but if it does preserve the base then maybe it is the right thing to do.
The error here clearly lies with the council who should certain do more to help preserve this historic
building; ruins or not.
Directions:
If you are planning to visit the mill (mound of ivy) it can be somewhat complicated to find. Dont make
the mistake we did of hiking around the woods because you wont find it. Follow these instructions:
Go up Mill Lane by foot which is situated just off Neston Road. When you get to the top you will pass
Mill House on your right, keep walking past it. Continue going up the path which looks as if it is taking
you to someones house, but do not worry it is a public footpath. You will then pass a very small
entrance way on your right hand side with a wooden fence either side. Turn into the path and as soon
as you enter look to your immediate left and you will see a large lump covered in Ivy. The lump is of
course the old peg mill.
We do not known the age of original mill but we known of its existence in 1579 when the parish register
records that the miller John Hagagassman was killed by a freak bolt of lightening. The former mill was
also in a different location that the current one, although its exact where spot is still unknown. It is
thought to have been about a mile south of the village of in a field known as 'Mill Nook' close to where
Pees wood site today. It seems apparent that this mill eventually fell into disrepair like many other
wooden mills of the time and was eventually taken down, where upon the current mill was constructed
further up the road in the village.
The current mill has a date stone of 1771 and bears the initials R.O indicating Robert Oliver, the first
miller to use the building. Robert lived close by in Mill Cottage with his wife Mary Oliver. The cottage
which still stands has the date stone of 1774. It is clear that the new mill had been built using the
materials from the old mill as in 1903 a visitor to the mill described seeing names carved into the shaft
with the date of 1731. In 1882 the mill suffered sever damaging during particularly bad winter gales.
The mill was never repaired after this incident as steam power had taken over and most windmills of
that time had fallen into decline. The mill stood derelict for many years, being stripped for fire wood on
a number of occasions. The remainder of the frame work and sails were taken down shortly after to
avoid any accidents occurring.
There is little left to see of the old peg mill today as it is sadly now only a small pile of stones
approximately 5 feet and completely engulfed by ivy. The locals who live around the mill told me that
they can still remember playing in the ruins back in the 1950's when they were kids. The ruin were
much higher back then probably around 10 feet high and the old mill stone was still inside. They told
me that over the years people have come and taken stones from it, including the old mill stone; which is
most likely a treasured possession by somebody selfish enough to steal it. Due to the alarming
increase in the theft of the stones, of the neighbours moved his boundary fence to encompass the mill
ruins and has left the base to become overrun and completely obscured. I cannot help but think this is
a selfish act by the neighbour but if it does preserve the base then maybe it is the right thing to do.
The error here clearly lies with the council who should certain do more to help preserve this historic
building; ruins or not.
Directions:
If you are planning to visit the mill (mound of ivy) it can be somewhat complicated to find. Dont make
the mistake we did of hiking around the woods because you wont find it. Follow these instructions:
Go up Mill Lane by foot which is situated just off Neston Road. When you get to the top you will pass
Mill House on your right, keep walking past it. Continue going up the path which looks as if it is taking
you to someones house, but do not worry it is a public footpath. You will then pass a very small
entrance way on your right hand side with a wooden fence either side. Turn into the path and as soon
as you enter look to your immediate left and you will see a large lump covered in Ivy. The lump is of
course the old peg mill.
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The photographs below were taken in 2008 and show the Ivy covered remains of the old mill.
| The Mill ruins over the fence |
| The Mill ruins taken from the path |
| The Mill ruins up close |
| The Mill ruins behind the fence |