Soham & Barway
The earliest recorded Windmill in Soham goes back to c. 1370, it stood near an area called Melnebrede, close to East Field, thought to be in the Mill Crofts area, it fell down between 1436 and the 1450's. In 1601 two more are recorded south east of Soham, the oldest surviving windmill in Soham is Downfields Windmill, originally built as a smock mill in the early 1700's, another newly built five storied windmill off Hall Street was destroyed by fire in 1846. A wooden post mill on Fordham road near Downfields burnt down in 1867, probably one of the three mills that once stood there. a second one in the same area recorded as a smock mill, erected in the late 19th century lay derelict on a octagonal base in the 1930's. It was described in the 1970's as in poor condition, and surrounded by a scrap yard. North of Soham near the Shade is Northfield Windmill, a smock mill of two storeys, was once a drainage mill, and moved to its present position about 1834 to grind corn. Soham also had a large quantity of windmills to drain its fens, built from the late 18th century, at least ten are recorded north of Soham by 1820, then by the 1900's steam power took over the task of draining, although one of the Mere Mills was still working to drain the mere as late as 1930. These Mills were maintained by two Soham Millwrights, The Hunts and The Fysons.
The
photo on the left shows an early view of Downfields Windmill
originally built as a smock mill, c.1726 and later wrecked in a storm
and rebuilt as an 8 sided tower. In the early 1940's it was struck by
lighting and one of the sails was damaged, and in 1946 this sail was
found to be hanging on by the clamps only, and in spring that year this
sail and the opposite one were removed, the Windmill was originally
built of wood on a brick base, and in 1887 was built as an all brick
smock shaped tower by Thomas Hunt, (Hunts were Windmill builders based
in Soham) after storm damage. In 1890 it was tail winded and the cap
and sails blown off. The Windmill was grinding corn until the 1930's,
then ground animal feed until 1958 when it broke down. A milling
enthusiast acquired it in the early 1970's and had it repaired by 1975,
and in the 1990's was grinding wholemeal flour on Sundays. The photo on
the right shows the Windmill in 2007.
The
image on the left shows an early view of the three Windmills that used
to be situated on the Mere in Soham, used for draining the Mere.
On the right shows another view of one of the Windmills used on Soham
Mere for pumping water, all now extinct.
On
the left shows Fysons unique six sailed Windmill at their premises in
Paddock Street, that was used to power their machinery. it was
demolished long ago.
CJR Fyson & Son Ltd was founded in
October 1848, first building windmills then later steam engines and
finally before its closure in 1992 all types of agricultural
machinery.
The whole of the site of Fysons has now been demolished and houses
built on the site.
The
image on the left shows a view of Shore Mill, Barway in 1898. On the
right is a map to show the location of Shore Mill in 1845,
then
called Thetford Shore Mill or Harrimeer Mill. The red square around the
Mill on the map, means it was used as a Wind Drainage Mill in 1845 the
date of the map, the map does seem to indicate that the Windmill was
located on the Barway side of the river, there is also
another
Wind Drainage Mill shown further up the drove towards Barway not named
but on an area called Bugbeach, the name of this one is not known at
the moment.
The
image on the right shows the Windmill that existed behind the
Fordham Road Cemetery that was once owned by Mr. Luke Staples, now long
since gone, it would have been situated on the area now known as Kings
Parade near the Butts.
Snippets
of information.
The
following information has been copied from some loose papers we found,
(Author and date unknown) but thought they would be very interesting to
anyone researching Soham Windmills and the people who ran them. They
mention photographs with the dates that they were taken, the
whereabouts of these photos is unknown, but we have entered these dates
to give an idea when the Windmills were still standing. We have also
copied it as written, but certain parts do seem to be a bit confusing,
if anyone knows of the whereabouts of the photos mentioned, we would
love to here from you.
1st
Paper.
Downfield Windmill
1¼ m. S. E. of Church
Standing at work. 1832-3, 1836, 1886, 1914, 1930.
Photographed, 27.3.1932, 31.3.1934, 15.9.1934, 9.9.1946, 6.9.1947.
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Smock, 4 sails, working 1932 and 1939. Mr. L. C. Norman. 3 pairs stone.
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Originally a small Smock Mill, wrecked in a storm and rebuilt as an 8
sided tower
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1869.--Norman Kidd, Hall Street.
1869.--Albert Kidd, Hall Street.
1875.--Albert Kidd, Hall Street.
1879.--Ellis Jugg, High Street.
1888.--A. W. Cockerton, Soham.
1892.--J. H. Turner, Soham and Fen.
1896.--John Henry Turner, Soham and Fen.
1900.--John Henry Turner, Soham and Fen.
1904.--William John Jugg, Fordham Rd.
1908.--William John Jugg, Fordham Rd.
1912.--William John Jugg, Fordham Rd.
1916.--John Sheldrick, Fordham Rd.
1922.--John Sheldrick, Fordham Rd.
1925.--John Sheldrick, Fordham Rd.
1933.--James Pollard, Fordham Rd.
1937.--James Pollard, Fordham Rd.
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Downfield Mill. Standing two sails. Photographed 9.9.1946.
Was
struck by lightning some six or seven years ago, and a sail was
damaged. In 1946 this sail was found to be hanging on by the clamps
only, and in the Spring this and the opposite one were removed. The
Mill otherwise is in perfect order, but it is doubtful if they will
ever be replaced. The Mill used to be a wood smock on a brick base; it
was rebuilt as an all brick smock shaped tower by Thomas Hunt when a
young man working for his father about 65 years ago.
Luke Staples
had it many years ago, and he had the Mill on Kings Parade the same
time. Ellis Jugg followed, then John Sheldrick, from whose daughter Mr
James Pollard the present miller bought in 1931
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This and Long's Mill shown as a pair on the 1886 6-in, are 5 f. W.N.W.
of Railway. Down field is south of them
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Downfield was tail winded in 1890. Cap and sails blown off. Was a
smock. Was rebuilt in brick as a tower (R.W.)
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'' Windmill corn '' so marked on 1886 6-in.
2nd
Paper.
Long's Mill.
1¼ m. S.E. of Church. Standing disused, 1836, 1886.
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Smock,
two floors of vertical boarded body and base remains, with a flat roof
added. Stands close to North side of Downfield Mill.
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1823-4.--Thomas Peek, Soham.
1830.--Thomas Peek, Churchgate Street.
1839.--Thomas Peek, Churchgate Street.
1847.--Thomas Peek, High Street.
1853.--Thomas Peek, High Street.
1854.--Thomas Peek, High Street.
1869.--Luke Staples, High Street,.
1875.--Luke Staples, High Street.
1888.--John & R. Long.
1892.--John Long.
1896.--John Long.
1900.--John Long.
1904.--John Long, Fordham Road.
1908.--John & Arthur Long.
1912.--John & Arthur Long.
1916.--John & Arthur Long.
1922.--John & Arthur Long.
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John
Long had it and known as Long's Mill; it is the base and upper floors
North side of Downfield Mill. Was dismantled about 15 years ago. 4
double shuttered clockwise. (A. Cobbin 9-46).
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'' Windmill corn '' so marked on 1886 6-in. This and Downfield then
standing as a working pair.
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Not shown on 1914 ½-in.
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On
the 1836 O.S. Long's is shown furthest from road, but on the 1886 6-in.
it is the Downfield smock which is shown slightly further from road.
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K.S.W. No. 630 dated 2-9-33. He calls this Fordham Moor (North).
3rd
Paper
Hardfield Mill
5½ f. S.E. of Church. Standing disused, 1836, 1886, 1914, 1930. Seen
9-9-46.
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Kings Parade; Smock, 2 sails and 2 stocks when photographed 1932. Sails
off when photo taken in 1939.
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This is the Southern of the sites nearest the Town.
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The Miller, February 7, 1881:
To
be sold or let with immediate possession. A Windmill driving two pairs
of stones, bolting Mill etc, at Soham, with Cottage, Granary, Stable
etc. Apply to C.J.R. Fyson, Millwright.
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The Miller, November 7, 1881:
The
gale which raged with such fury on Friday the 14th. ult. caused much
damage to Windmills in East Anglia. At Soham, in Cambridgeshire, two
Windmills on the Fordham road were injured.
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'' Windmill
corn '' on 1886 6-in. It is shown on West side of road 1½ f. N.W. of
the Cherry Tree Lane cross-roads ( The Cherry Tree beer house being in
the lane ), in Hardcroft Close, which is South side of Cemetery.
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Mr. Luke Staples had this and Downfield Mill at same time. All wind at
Kings Parade, engine at Downfield. (Mr. Pollard).
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Seen 9-9-46. Condition apparently same as in 1939.
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Two pairs of stones, one of which replaced by oat crusher. Cap split
when Mill tail-winded 1930.
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1839.--Luke Staples, Sand Street.
1847.--Luke Staples, Sand Street.
1853.--Luke Staples, Sand Street.
1858.--Luke Staples, Sand Street.
1869.--John Barrett, Sand Street.
1875.--John Barrett, Sand Street.
1879.--John Barrett, Sand Street.
1883.--Ellis Jugg, Sand Street.
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Hardfield
Mill; As at Little Downham Mill skids were used to centre the cap. Had
the smallest of the iron wind shafts in the Cambs-Hunts area, with a
neck journal of 8ins. diam. and 6ins. square at the brake wheel; this
is exceptionally small. Wind shaft had balance weight to counter
balance weight of sails. The clasp-arm wallower is held to the upright
shaft with two arms and two stretchers and incorporates either a wooden
sack-hoist spur gear ring or an old trundle wheel. With the exception
of Elsworth and Haddenham, in Mills with underdrift stones, nuts were
raised out of gear with a rigger, or with a screw and ring under the
nut in a proportion of 3 to 2. The rigger employs twin chains or straps
to pull the nut up, or in the case only of Hardfield Mill, to let it
down. (R.W. 19-4-50).
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M 1867. Alfred Clark, Miller, Hard Croft.
4th
Paper.
The Shade Mill.
Governors belt driven off spindles.
Engine nut on wood bridge.
Nuts on iron bridges.
Iron ring on top outer of spur.
Roller and hook for lifting stone nuts.
Outside bell alarms.
Present occupier Mr. J. Cornwell who is Mr. Pollards son-in-law.
Has been there two years.
Large square piece of timber for base of shaft 16ins. sq.
Mill stands at end of drive, away from road, with the small Mill house
on left of drive, near Mill.
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Names '' Northfield Windmill, corn '' on 1886 6-in. Site is between
Soham Causeway and North Field Road. 1¼ m. N.N.W.
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The
smallest tower in the Cambs-Hunts area, tapering from 14ft. 6in. to
7ft. 8in. a very narrow-gutted Mill. This Mill, like Lavender's Mill,
Christchurch, has been converted from a marsh Mill. It is also 6-sided,
a distinction it shares with Histon Mill. Was working in 1925, derelict
in 1950. The Soham type cap, which is 10ft. 3in. diameter by 6ft. high,
is the smallest in the Cambs-Hunts area. In this Mill, incidentally, as
in several others, the cap frame has sheers which only extend backwards
from the centre beam to below the fan stage, instead of extending
forwards to the breast beam. Has a shot curb. There was a pair of 3ft.
10in. French stones here, the smallest noted in the Cambs-Hunts area.
For the sack hoist there were two independent drives from the friction
ring, one for each of the two bins. Shade Mill was moved and converted
from a marsh to a corn Mill. (R.W. 19-4-50).
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Shade Mill is not on original O.S.
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K.S.W. No. 575 dated 13-8-33.
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Sun Fire Insurance Policy No. 578909:
20 Jan. 1791: John Dobede of Soham in the Co. of Cambridge, Miller.
On his dwelling house stud and tiled £350.
On a Wind Corn Mill with going gears and machinery thereunto belonging
brick and timber £300.
Utensils and stock therein £100.
All situated as aforesaid. ( vol. 374 ).
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M. 1867. William Bullman, miller, East Fen.
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Is depicted as a Mill with sails on 1961. Grid ref. 587751.
5th
Paper.
Mere Mill.
Built by Hunts in 1867 for two brothers called Horsley at a cost of
£1000. (R.W.).
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In
1948 Soham Mere Mill, having been classed as a dangerous structure, was
demolished by order of the County Council. It was found impossible to
pull it over with a tractor or to blow it up with gunpowder, so in the
end eight charges of gelignite had to be used to demolish the dangerous
structure. (R.W.).
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Friday: Stamford Mercury, April 30, 1852.
On
Saturday last a draining Mill in the Fen at Soham was destroyed by
fire. Some burning weeds being blown by the high wind upon some weeds
lying by the side of it, burnt it to the ground.
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Soham Mere: Marsh Mill. Working 1925, gone 1950. (R.W,).
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The Miller, November 7, 1892.
Last
month Mr. Robert Horsley, a native of Soham, who was 100 years old in
July last, successfully started a new steam engine of 100 horse power,
made by the firm of Messrs. Pollit & Wigzull, of Sowerby
Bridge,
York's, for driving the flour Mills of Messrs. Clark & Butcher.
Mr
Horsley was for 46 years driver of the Soham Mere draining engine.
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The
Soham Mere Mill was built in 1867 by Hunts of Soham on the site of an
earlier Mill for the Horsley Brothers. It stood 52 feet high and being
built on a mound appeared much higher. There were four common clockwise
sails 4 ft. 3ins. wide and 80ft. span. The cap was boat-shaped 20ft.
long by 21ft. wide, turned with a braced tail-pole which carried a
winch. An 11ft. diam. clasp-arm brake wheel on a two-piece iron
octagonal shaft 10ins. across flats drove a clasp-arm trundle wallower
9ft. 4in. diam. mounted on a 16in. square oaken upright shaft. The
drive from the bottom of the upright shaft was through intermediate
gearing. A 5ft diameter iron spur pinion drove an 8ft. diameter
clasp-arm spur wheel mounted above an iron bevel wheel 5ft. diameter on
a 10in. diameter iron wheel shaft. The scoop wheel was 29ft. 4in.
diameter with floats 13 inches wide. The Mill was 24ft across at the
ground floor, with brickwork 8ft. 9in. high and it was 17ft diameter at
the curb. In 1946 some of the piling gave way and the Mill leaned over
until the South quarter was vertical. It remained without movement for
two years, but was condemned as a dangerous structure by the County
Council who were by now the owners. They sold it for demolition, and
attempts to pull it down with a tractor and blow it up with gunpowder
having failed, it was finally blown up with eight charges of gelignite
in July 1948. (R.W.14.4.50).
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Soham Mere is similar to Thetford Mill near Ely. (R.W.).
6th
Paper.
Shrubland House
Photographed 15.9.34. one only.
Bases of two Smocks.
1830.-- Joseph Smith, Bull Lane.
1847.-- James Thomas Price, Bull Lane, Soham Miller.
K.S.W. Lists one, No. 576 dated 13.8.33 Smock base with thatched roof.
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The Miller, May 6, 1895.
At Soham, during the cyclone on Sunday March 24, two Windmills
belonging to Mrs. Hunt were both demolished.
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The one with the thatched roof was the one photographed 15.9.34
Site inspected 6.9.47.
Fordham Road.
1 mile. 3 f. S.E. of Church. Gone 1832 - 3, 1836
This
stood on the opposite side of the road to Downfield and Long's and a
little nearer Fordham. It is shown on the 1836 O.S. This area, in which
all three Mills were, was Soham Field.
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The site is cultivated land.
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This and Downfield the only Soham Mills shown on Greenwoods 1832-3.
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1823-4, George Covell, Soham.
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7
Eliz: Case of William Lane the Queens Lessee for years, v. Edward
Barnes, Henry Wrenche and others concerning a parcel of land called
Mylhill, with a Mill, at Soham Town, Cambridgeshire.
St John's Farm, Soham Fen.
Royal Exchange Fie Insurance Policy No. 241934:
1st November. 1808: Francis Noble of Cringford in the County of Norfolk
Esq.,
On
a Wind Water Engine including the fixed machinery and fixed utensils
therein situated upon St. John's Farm in Soham Fen, in the County of
Cambridgeshire, and used for the purpose of draining the water of the
lands. £150.
On a Wind Engine including the fixed machinery and fixed utensils near
and used for the purpose of draining the land. £150.
7th
Paper.
Unidentified.
1830.--William Petit, Market Place.
1839.--William Petit, Market Place.
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1839.--Waller Mills & Thomas King, Pratt Street (and at
Fordham).
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1858.--William Markham, Pratt Street.
1864.--William Markham, Pratt Street.
1883.--William Markham, Speed's Lane.
1888.--William Markham, Speed's Lane.
1892.--William Markham, Pratt Street.
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1888.--Henry G. Flett, Soham.
1892.--Henry G. Flett, Soham.
1896.--Henry G. Flett, Pratt Street.
1900.--Henry G. Flett, Pratt Street.
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1879.--Burgess Martin, Paddock Street.
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1875.--William Barber jnr, Towns End.
1879.--William Barber jnr, Towns End.
1883.--William Barber, Towns End.
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1904.--W. T. Rutherford, Soham.
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Sun Fire Insurance Policy No. 566909.
5th March, 1790:
Thomas
Chapman of Soham in the County of Cambridge, Millwright. On his Corn
Wind Mill and going gears belonging situated as aforesaid in the tenure
of James Metcalf, Miller, Timber, £100. (vol. 366).
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M. 1867 William Markham, Miller, Pratt Street.
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Suffolk Marriage Licences, Harleian soc. 69:
Robert Colling of Soham, Miller, 22 Nov. 1722.
