Monument record 817/1/1 - Weston Favell Mill

In 1891, Weston Mill was described as the oldest mill on the Nene. Milling ceased in 1938 after dredging works lead to insufficient power. It was demolished after floods in 1947.

{1}References to mills at Weston Favell date back to at least 1562 when there were 4 mills; by about 1567 number had increased to 6; good supply of employment to village & provide evidence of prosperity; by 1580 only 2 mills remained; in 1814 George Spokes purchased mill at Weston Favell; relative of miller at Upton; in 1894 J.Westley took over mill & equipped it with latest roller mill & steam power; mill was last used in 1938; following demolition site incorporated in marina.

{2} 1086 Domesday survey lists Westone with one mill rendering 20s.
1562 Four mills mentioned here.
1567 Number of mills had increased to six.
1580 Edward Griffin brought an action against William Rainford and others for arrears of rent from two watermills, one a corn mill and the other a fulling-mill.
1768 Militia returns for Weston Favell give one watermill capable of grinding 20 quarters per week.
1814 Mill purchased by George Spokes at the sale of the Ekins estate.
1835 Water corn mill with three pairs of stones, ? [maybe 3 or 5] storeys high, stone and tile, insured for £250; the water wheels standing and going gears, mill stones, dressing machines etc for £200; on stock in trade and movable utensils in mill £250; and on the stone and tile dwelling house adjoining £200.
1848 Mill working four pairs of stones
1858 By this time a 6 horse power steam engine, installed in a shed at the side of the mill was assisting the water wheels.
1866 Mill advertised for sale and described as having been entirely restored within the last twenty years.
1868 The previous portable engines replaced by a permanent one in the mill, with the boiler 'the other side of the water'. By this time the mill had five airs of stones.
1869 Mr Harrold, of Weston Favell Mill, involved in a case against the Northampton Improvement Commissioners concerning the discharge of sewage into the river from the town's new sewage scheme.
1873 Mill advertised as capable of making 300 sacks of flour per week.
1880 Mill owned by Joseph Westley, Blisworth.
1891 Described as the oldest mill on the River Nene. Messrs J Westley & Sons used the mill for manufacturing their wheat meals, barley meals, millstone flour and similar grist work. For this, the mill contained five pairs of millstones, a pair of porcelain rolls and two silk reels.
1920 Worked by Westley Brothers and Clark, using steam power.
1938 Milling ceased at the mill due to dredging of the river and alterations of the river level leading to insufficient power to work the wheel of the mill.
1947 Mill abandonned after the floods which stranded the building for three days. They were demolished soon afterwards.

External inspection in February 2001. The site is within the fenced area of the Weston Boat Club. There is virtually no above ground evidece of the mill, although it is possible that evidence survives below ground.

<1> NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL, 1987, Watermills in Northampton: History & Survivals, p.10 (checked) (Booklet). SNN15540.

<2> STARMER G., 2002?, Northamptonshire Watermills Survey 2001 - 2002 (H-Z), p. 130 (Report). SNN105521.

Record last edited

Oct 22 2020 8:40AM