Upper Mill, Eastry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Mill, Eastry |
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The converted mill
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| Origin | |
| Grid reference | TR 304 545 |
| Coordinates | 51°14′36″N 1°17′57″E / 51.2432°N 1.2992°E |
| Year built | 1740s |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Smock mill |
| Storeys | Three-storey smock |
| Base storeys | Single-storey base |
| Smock sides | Eight-sided |
| No. of sails | Four |
| Type of sails | Patent sails |
| Windshaft | Cast iron |
| Winding | Fantail |
| Fantail blades | Six blades |
| Auxiliary power | Gas engine 1913-1949 Electric motor 1949 - 1959 |
| No. of pairs of millstones | Four pairs |
Upper Mill is a special old building in Eastry, Kent, England. It used to be a windmill that ground corn. Now, it has been changed into a house. It is considered a "Grade II listed" building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected. The mill was built a long time ago, in the mid-1700s.
The History of Upper Mill
Upper Mill was built in the mid-1700s. We know that windmills were in this area even earlier. A mill was shown on a map from 1596. Other maps from 1695 and 1736 also showed a mill.
By 1769, two mills were marked on a map. Later, between 1819 and 1843, four mills appeared on the Ordnance Survey map.
One of these mills burned down. Another, called Lower Mill, was taken down in 1926. Lower Mill was built in 1743.
The earliest confirmed record for Upper Mill is from a sale document in 1770. However, people believe the mill is even older than that.
The mill used wind power until 1913. At that time, its large sails and fantail were removed. After that, a special engine called a suction gas engine powered the mill until 1949.
From 1949 to 1959, an electric motor ran the mill. In 1959, the milling business moved to Sandwich.
What Upper Mill Looks Like
Upper Mill is a three-storey building. It is a type of windmill called a "smock mill." It sits on a single-storey brick base. Smock mills look a bit like a farmer's smock, which is a loose outer garment.
This mill used to have four large sails, called Patent sails. These sails were attached to a strong metal pole called a cast-iron windshaft. A "fantail" helped turn the top of the mill so the sails always faced the wind.
Inside, the mill had four pairs of millstones. These large stones were used to grind corn into flour.
After the mill stopped grinding corn, most of its machinery was taken out. Today, only the windshaft and a large wooden brake wheel remain inside.
Millers Who Worked Here
Many people worked at Upper Mill over the years. Here are some of the millers:
- Thomas Clark (1826 - 1845)
- W Clark (1913)
- Harold H Clark (- 1949)
- Arthur Clark (1949 - 1959)
