Gainsford End Mill, Toppesfield

Toppesfield Mill
Origin
Mill name Gainsford End Mill
Mill location TL 726 350
Operator(s) Private
Year built 1869
Information
Purpose Corn mill
Type Tower mill
Storeys Five storeys
Number of sails Four sails
Type of sails Patent sails
Windshaft Cast iron
Winding Fantail
Fantail blades Eight blades
Number of pairs of millstones Three pairs
Size of millstones 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) and 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m)

Gainsford End Mill is a grade II listed [1] Tower mill at Gainsford End, near Toppesfield, Essex, England which has been converted to a residence.

Contents

History

Gainsford End Mill was built in 1869 at a cost of £2000. It replaced a post mill which had stood on the site since the late eighteenth century. The mill was working until c1928 and afterwards became derelict. The windshaft was installed in Duck End Mill, Finchingfield when that mill was restored in 1958 although it was removed when a new wooden windshaft was fitted to that mill in 1986.[2] It was converted to residential use in 2007.[3]

Description

Gainsford End Mill is a five storey brick tower mill with a domed cap winded by an eight bladed Fantail. When built it had four Patent sails carried on a cast iron windshaft. The Brake Wheel drove a cast iron Wallower carried on a 5 inches (130 mm) diameter cast iron Upright Shaft. The 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) diameter Great Spur Wheel drove three pairs of millstones. The tower is 20 feet (6.10 m) diameter at the base with walls 2 feet (610 mm)thick The tower is 40 feet (12.19 m) high and the mill was 50 feet (15.24 m) to the top of the cap. The mill drove three pairs of millstones, two pairs were 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m) diameter and the third pair were 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) diameter.[2]

Millers

Reference for above:-[2]

References

  1. ^ "GAINSFORD END WINDMILL, TOPPESFIELD, BRAINTREE, ESSEX". English Heritage. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?pid=2&id=114519. Retrieved 2008-08-15. 
  2. ^ a b c Farries, Kenneth (1988). Essex Windmills, Millers and Millwrights - Volume Five - A Review by Parishes, S-Z. Edinburgh: Charles Skilton. pp. p66-69, 128–129. ISBN 0 284 98821 9. 
  3. ^ "Toppesfield windmill, Essex". Windmill World. http://www.windmillworld.com/millid/2441.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-15.