Monument record 4114/2 - Site of watermill, Stoke Albany

Large earthern dam containing a mill pond. The site of a watermill demolished by 1841.

{1} The site consists of a large earthen dam 2m high, lying across a shallow valley. The ends of the dam return southwards as low scarps to contain the mill pond. This pond was fed by the existing stream which was diverted to the east from its original course.The site of the mill itself is an area of disturbed ground below the dam to the north.The mill existed until at least the early 19th century but had gone by 1841 when the field was called Mill Close

{5} History: 1086 Domesday survey recorded Stoche with one mill rendering 12d. The low value indicated this was an animal worked mill rather than a watermill.
1724 Rockingham Estate papers refer to the "needful repairs of Stoke Watter Mills" and mentions "buckets" in connection with the water wheel, suggesting it may have been an over-shot wheel.
1762 and 1777 Militia lists for Stoke Albany record William Norton, miller.

Probably corn milling. Difficult to identify the site as present streams seem to be in a different place to those shown on early 19th century maps. No physical evidence of the mill but there may be underground evidence.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.137 site 3 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Unknown, 1802, Map of Stoke Albany, (unchecked) (Map). SNN24750.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1824, First Edition Ordnance Survey 1 Inch Map Series (Sheet 44), (unchecked) (Map). SNN42154.

<4> 1841, Map of Stoke Albany, (unchecked) (Map). SNN24752.

<5> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), p.110 (unchecked) (Report). SNN105521.

<6> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, (unchecked) (Database). SNN102279.

<7> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF VAP CPE/UK 1209 4137-8 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<8> Aerial Photograph, CUAP AZS 71 (Photographs). SNN112974.

<9> Vertical Aerial Photograph, HE Aerial Photo - 29264_020, 15th December 2014; Accessed 21/10/2024 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:26PM