Building record 6084/1/1 - Coton Mill and millhouse

At Domesday in 1086 one mill was recorded for Coton. In 1726, it was described as a windmill and watermill with adjoining dwelling house. In 1885, the mill was purchased by the Northampton Corporation prior to the construction of the Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Later the authority sold the mill, which was converted to provide additional dwelling facilities. The mill-house has datestones of 1769 and 1796.

{1} 1086 Domesday Survey gives Cota with one mill rendering 4s.
1258/9 The mill, with a messuage, land and wood in Cotes and Ravensthorpe passed to the use of Isabella, daughter of Alan Fitz-Roald.
1726 'A windmill and a watermill with a good Dwelling House thereto adjoining at Coaton (sic) in the parish of Ravensthorpe' advertisedto be sold.
1807 Farm and mill in possession of Stephen Cox.
1821 Stephen Cox sold mill to john orland, miller, of Creaton.
1871 Watermill situate in the parish of Coaton (sic) advertised for sale, having two pairs of stones, two flour machines, smutter, garners and all necessary appendages. Mill was in the occupation of Mr John Lowick.
1885 Thomas Knight 'miller at Coton-under-Guilsborough' using only steam power.
1885 In September the Northampton Corporation, using its powers under the Northampton Corporation Waterworks Act of 1884 to construct a reservoir at Ravensthorpe, purchased from Mrs Phoebe Bull the dwelling house with the corn water mill adjoining and all the appurtenances with the millstones and gear.
1919 Described as 'Not now used as a mill'.
At some time water storage tanks were constructed near the mill and it was probably at this time that the small iron waterwheel was installed in the wheel-pit of the mill.
Later, the Water Authority sold the property and the mill was converted to provide additional dwelling facilities for the former mill-house.

The millhouse as a datestone inscribed 1769/IMM. At the apex of the east gable end and at the east end of the ground floor on the north side is inscibed D. Pool 1796.

<1> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), p.102+ (unchecked) (Report). SNN105521.

Record last edited

Oct 21 2020 10:50AM