Monument record 1752/2 - Watermill, Mill Cotton

The 1840 Tithe Map shows the mill and mill house both of which were abandoned in the early 20th century

{1}Watermill located on river channels from 12th century until early 20th century, probably a series of buildings / structures. Modification of river channels using locks and sluices to provide constant water supply for mill. Existing arrangements probably of 18th or 19th century origin (most recent occupancy of mill), but evidence of earlier attempts to alter course of river - eg northern side of moated enclosure formed by a small stream.

{3} Illustration of 1840 Tithe Map;

[4} 1325 Abbot of crowland charged with having raised the mill pond at Wylewat to the injury of men using the ford by Richard Chamberleyn's mill.
1413 When Richard Chamberleyn died he held a watermill of the Earl of Stafford in Wilwencotes.
1684 Reference to Thomas Bletso, Cotton (sic) Mills, in the parish of Ringstead.
1753 Henry Shuttleworth married Catherine Bletsoe and became the owner of Ringstead Water and windmills as well as several other mills.
1762 A water-mill, called Cotton Mills, in the parish of Ringstead, advertised to be let, with two water wheels, driving four pairs of stones.
1782 Francis Tidbury, of Willet Mill insured on his Cotton Mill of timer and tiled, with fixtures for making paper for £300; and on utensils and stock in his rag house, tenement and stable all adjoining, thatched, for £100.
1786 francis Tidbury, of Cotton House near Ringstead, insured his dwellinghouse and offices adjoining for £40; a tenement and rag house for £20, New paper mill near, timber and tiled, for £300; water corn mill (called Cottons) separate, stone and slated, for £50.
1844 Advertisement for sale of a double set of very powerful mills, called Cotton Mills, with rag and rying house, two waterwheels and all appropriate machinery (One driving a paper machine, and the other a bone mill).
1859 Last reference so far found to a papermaker at Ringstead.
1866 Thomas Wadsworth, miller, Ringstead.
1885-94 George Wadsworth, miller, Ringstead.
1920 Described as 'ha been both paper and corn mill, now dismantled'
1937 Described as 'now disused'
Later, mill-house occupied by the Muirhead family.
Subsequently all buildings demolished.

There are no surviving buildings but the leat, tail-pond and by-pass channel survive, as does the original bridge over the latter.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.121-22 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p. 186 & 187 (Book). SNN105780.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 84 & Fig 93 (Series). SNN77379.

<4> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), p. 103 (Report). SNN105521.

Record last edited

Oct 21 2020 11:05AM