Monument record 3136/1 - Chester on the Water Mill

Mill shown on the 1756 estate plan, which also specifically marks Wool House and Bleaching Ground.

{1} Industry type: Corn milling; fulling cloth. History:
1086 Domesday survey records Irencestre with one mill rendering 16s
1309 Little Chester had two watermills worth 40s a year, and a fulling mill let at 50s a year
1595 One mill on the Vaux manor
1756 Estate plan appears to show the mill but specifically marks Wool House and Bleaching Ground
1791 By this time, the mill seems to have gone.
{1} Possible platform of watermill observed from aerial photographs in NMR; photo numbers not recorded.

{2} Post medieval watermill building shown.

{3} A former mill and tail-race lie to the north west. The mill itself, though not labelled on the 1756 estate map, is probably the building shown at what is now SP 9190 6698.

{4} Mill represented by earthwork traces and stone exposures in channel side.

{5}Industry type: Corn milling; fulling cloth. History:
1086 Domesday survey records Irencestre with one mill rendering 16s
1309 Little Chester had two watermills worth 40s a year, and a fulling mill let at 50s a year
1595 One mill on the Vaux manor
1756 Estate plan appears to show the mill but specifically marks Wool House and Bleaching Ground
1791 By this time, the mill seems to have gone. 1756 estate map shows an un-named building at this location but it appears to have gone by 1791. There is no physical evidence at this mill site now, but because of the undisturbed nature of the site, excavation might provide very useful information.

{6} Mill site: coursed and pitched limestone exposed in stream side. Mill present on 1756 plan.

<1> FOARD G.R., 1981, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN51045.

<2> Cowper, T., 1756, Chester on the Water, (unchecked) (Map). SNN105156.

<3> Soden I.; Masters P., 1993, Archaeological Survey at Irchester, Northamptonshire 1993: Irchester Heritage Park Car Park Stage 1, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN1708.

<4> Cadman G., 1993, Irchester, Chester Farm: Conservation Survey Archive Report, (checked) (Report). SNN105154.

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

<6> CADMAN G.E., 1990, Irchester: field survey notes November 1990, (checked) (Unpublished Report). SNN55223.

Record last edited

Oct 15 2020 3:06PM