Monument record 6229/1/1 - Post Medieval/Modern Mill Building & Adjacent Mill House, Woodford Lower Mill

Documentary references from the late 18th century. The mill stopped work in 1944 and all machinery and waterwheels cleared in 1965. The site has now been cleared.

{1} Domesday records a mill called Wodesford, but this is thought to be a mill on a stream at approximately SP975770. In 1765 the miller of Woodford, Moses Hicks, went bankrupt. By 1772 the miller was Samuel Hill. In 1783 Hill died and four years later his widow married George Judkins. They jointly leased the mill from the St John family for 21 years on behalf of her son, Joseph. The lease recorded that at this time the mill had two good Cullen stones, one odd Cullen stone and three Peak stones. In 1809 Mr Hill leased the watermills and 21 acres of land with an annual value of £56 10s. In 1810 the mill was advertised to be sold by auction. It was again advertised, to let, in 1862, when it had three pairs of wheat stones and one pair of barley stones. From 1863-1944 the mill was worked by the Allen family. In 1939 it was reported as being used only occasionally, having two waterwheels, one of iron and the otjher of wood. These drove three pairs of stones. Damage and rationaing forced the mill to stop working in 1944. The high and low sill waterwheels were still in situ in 1951, but the mill was cleared in 1965.

{4} In 1965 the mill was cleared of waterwheels and all machinery except the remains of the sack hoist in the roof. Four bed stones were in situ on the first floor.
There may be some sub-ground level remains of the mill and mill house, but the site has been otherwise cleared.

{8} Photo dated 4th September 1965;

<1> Starmer G.H., 1965, CBA Record Cards: Industrial Archaeology in Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN1611.

<2> Starmer G.H., 1973, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN571.

<3> Starmer G.H., 1982, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (part checked) (Catalogue). SNN563.

<4> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), p.136 (checked) (Report). SNN105521.

<5> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1811-9, First Edition Ordnance Survey Surveyors Drawings, Sheet 252e (Map). SNN104902.

<7> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Map). SNN2733.

<8> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Mar 5 2025 11:58AM