Whatley Mill. Beaminster

Transcription

1 Whatley Mill Beaminster Duncan Harris (February 2014) (I wish to thank many people from the museum and Beaminster who have provided the information for this document) 1

2 Whatley (Whatleigh) Mill, Beaminster History of mill Part of same estate is Bucking House, nr Whatley. Bucking is the process of bleaching and boiling the yarn for sailcloth. Whatley Mill, to the north of the town, was a flax spinning mill and sailcloth factory built or rebuilt by the Frampton family in A date stone marked 'F 1836' in the attic supports this origin. In 1828 Thomas Frampton & Son were listed as sailcloth manufacturers in Fore Place, before taking over Cox & Co. s Yarn Barton operations in The much earlier 1811 OS map gives prominence to a nearby building called Bucking House. Bucking was a method of bleaching yarn for sailcloth using lye, a mixture of water and vegetable ash 7. The millpond does not feature on the 1811 map. In other words, even though the spinning mill was probably a new venture in 1836, there may already have been a sailcloth manufactory in the area. The mill appears to have fluctuated between flax and corn; it was definitely operating as a flour mill in 1861 and 1868, whereas Toby and Hayward were spinning for twine in corn mill Whatley Mill once producing sailcloth, twine and threads had reverted to milling corn by flax again 1 There is a suggestion that it may have been a paper mill at some time, but no evidence to support this has been found The telephone is being extended to the Flax Mill Whatley 18 Owners 1835 Owner and occupier Thomas Frampton described as factory, pond etc. (Tithe Map information: 1 rood 27 perches 10 ) Thomas Frampton twine yard, sailcloth 1842 Thomas Frampton and Sons, Factory, bleaching house, pond 4, Thomas Frampton and Sons, Factory and Barton Ground Henry Frampton, manufacturer Notice of sale of Whatley mill as a grist mill with a 30ft overshot water wheel 13 (see next page) 1865 Toby and Hayward, sailcloth factory Stated as a sail-cloth mill for sacks 9. Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheadon Toby on 1st July 1868 carrying on business under the style or form of the Greenham Mill Company Yarn, Thread and twine Spinners at Greenham and Beaminster Mills in the parishes of Crewkerne and Beaminster 11. 2

3 (See appendix on William Toby) R Hayward and sons Beaminster Flax Company (formed in 1857) In 1918 His Majesty s Office of Works reported negotiations with the owners for a lease in Beaminster for flax production. (CAB 24/51) The working drawings were ready 8 weeks later (CAB 24/54) In a further 6 weeks it was reported that work had commenced at the Beaminster factory (CAB 24/58). The factory was completed 14 weeks later (CAB 24/65) 14. 3

4 The drive for flax in 1918 was primarily because they needed linen fabric urgently for aeroplane wings and the 1917 flax harvest in Ireland had failed. So there were incentives for entrepreneurs to work with flax again. When the war ended, the urgency receded somewhat For sale (six miles from Bridport or Crewkerne), consisting of complete plant and machinery for 12 scutching wheels, scotching mill,.stores and offices, stone built mill (three floors), the whole being freehold property. Water wheel for power (45ft diameter, auxiliary power, 36hp portable engine (new). All machinery and plant in excellent condition and perfect running order. Situated in best flax-growing district, Price The Beaminster Flax Company, Beaminster Similar advert Western Gazette advert identifying Whatley Mill with flax machinery 12. See next page) 4

5 Mill existed in 1959 (owner Mr Fairley); still exists today as a private house. 5

6 Location The mill building is situated at Newtown. OS Explorer Map 116 ST Processes Initially a flax(?) spinning factory, later a sailcloth factory Yarn, thread and twine spinning. 11 Products Spun yarn later for Crewkerne factories (Haywards) Later owners made twine and shoe-thread as well as sailcloth. Power Sources Water wheel 30 ft. overshot water wheel 13 which appears to be inside the building: see the tithe map extract below. Output is one of three that total 18hp in Beaminster, suggesting somewhere between 6 and 10 hp 3. There is a mention of steam propelling machinery making linen yarn for sailcloth 5. Map of leat from Tithe Map 17 Stream Leat and pond Mill The river comes underground in the top field, probably using a man-made culvert. Either all or part is fed into the pond. The water is then fed back into the stream. It is surprising that there is a 30ft drop in that distance, although the wheel may be partly underground with the water going back to the stream at that level. 6

7 Employees Data from Factory Inspector s Report 2 7

8 1838. For all three mills in Beaminster: 1 male between 12 and 13, 1 female between 12 and 13; 7 males between 13 and 14, 6 females between 13 and 14; 2 males and 3 females between 14 and 15; 1 female between 16 and 17; 2 females between 18 and 19; 2 males and 5 females between 19 and 30; 9 females 20 to 21; 13 males and 27 females under 21; 7 females 21 and upwards. Totals 12 males and 34 females 2. A bell which once called the spinners to their work now hangs silently in its turret 21. Customers Certainly Hayward s mills in Crewkerne for part of the time. Probably always to Crewkerne area. Landscape legacies The building is still there along with the pond which is now an ornamental pond belonging to a different house. Photographs Whatley Mill (date unknown) 8

9 More recent photograph of Whatley Mill showing bell still in place. 9

10 Appendix William Toby Family history c.1790 John Toby senior born Kenton, Devon. [Parish 7 miles SSE of Exeter, includes village of Starcross] 1812 John Toby marries at Kenton Nancy (or Betty) Wheaton [Note spelling - not Wheadon] 1816 John Toby junior born. Kenton 1819 Caroline Wheaton Toby born, Kenton, father John, mother Betty Wheaton William Henry Wheaton Toby born, Kenton, father John, mother Nancy (or Betty!) 1841 None of the above can be found Exeter 26, John Toby senior aged.61, widow, retired surveyor John Toby junior aged.35, unmarried, solicitor Caroline Toby a.31, unmarried William Toby a.25, unmarried, veterinary surgeon out of practice John Toby senior appears to have died but his death cannot be pinpointed Exeter 27, John Toby junior, solicitor + wife.elizabeth aged.40, born Exeter. Dawlish, Caroline Toby a.41, unmarried, visitor. Crewkerne, William Toby a.35, unmarried, Sailcloth manufacturer & flax spinner?yarn Mills employing 360 hands & farmer of 51 acres employing.5 men 3 boys Toby & Hayward at Whatley Mill Hine p William Toby mentioned among the "zealous Masonic townsmen" Hine 1869 London Gazette. Partnership dissolved between Richard Hayward & William Toby of the Greenham Mill Company at Greenham & Beaminster Mills, Richard Hayward to carry on the business William H. W. Toby aged.45, unmarried, Beaminster 28, East Street, Landowner, flax & tow spinner & weaver & bleacher. Farmer. Caroline W. Toby sister, a.52, unmarried William Toby installed as Senior Warden of the Beaminster Lodge. Hine 1873 & 1878 William Toby installed as Worshipful Master of the Beaminster Lodge Neither William nor Caroline can be found - are they abroad? 10

11 Bankruptcy of William Toby of Beaminster but carrying on business at Mosterton as a flax and hemp spinner & manufacturer. Solicitor acting for the debtor - John Toby Starcross 30, Kenton, Devon. William Toby, retired sail cloth manufacturer. Caroline Toby, sister, living on own means 1892 Death of Caroline Toby 1901 Starcross 31, Kenton, William Toby a.75, boarder with a solicitor's clerk & family 1911 Starcross 32, Kenton, William Toby a.85, boarder with a carpenter & family 1914 St.Thomas' Registration District Death of William Toby a.88. It is not clear from where the Toby money came. From being an unemployed vet in 1851 to employing 360+ people in 1861 is quite a jump - did he inherit from his father at this time? Mosterton Mill Flax, Rendell 1867, Toby census flax mill closed, 1881 The bankruptcy Act William Henry wheadon Toby of Beaminster "carrying on business at Mosterton... as a Flax and hemp Spinner and Manufacturer trading as the Mosterton Mill Company" put up for sale Times April owner shown as Henry Wheadon (note the other names of William Toby!) 11

12 Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby on 1st July 1868 carrying on business under the style or form of the Greenham Mill Company Yarn, Thread and twine Spinners at Greenham and Beaminster Mills in the parishes of Crewkerne and Beaminster" 4. (As for Greenham Mill) Whatley Mill 1865 Toby (and) Hayward11, Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby 11 Greenham Mill, Drimpton 1869 Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby 11 London Gazette Feb Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby on 1st July 1868 carrying on business under the style or form of the Greenham Mill Company Yarn, Thread and twine Spinners at Greenham and Beaminster Mills in the parishes of Crewkerne and Beaminster" 4. (As for Whatley Mill) 12

13 References 1 Marie Eedle s handwritten notes. Copies held in Beaminster Museum 2 House of Commons Parliamentary Papers On-line, 1839(41). Return of Mill and Factories which have neglected to transmit Returns to Inspectors, : Number of Persons employed in Cotton, Woollen, Worsted, Flax and Silk Factories of United Kingdom pp House of Commons Parliamentary Papers On-line, 1839(41). Return of Mill and Factories which have neglected to transmit Returns to Inspectors, : Number of Persons employed in Cotton, Woollen, Worsted, Flax and Silk Factories of United Kingdom pp Angela Trotman (Beaminster museum folders), Volume 2, Beaminster Rate Books 5 Marie Eedle s handwritten notes from commercial directories. Copies held in Beaminster Museum 6 Martin, Celia (2003) The Bridport Trade. Rope, and Net: Hemp and Flax. Bridport, The Constandros Press. p 56 7 Eedle, Marie (1984) A History of Beaminster,-Chichester, Phillimore, p100 8 The Return of Churchwardens and Overseers of the parish of Beaminster in the Hundred of Beaminster, of men, qualified to serve on Juries Dorset History Centre document QSJ/5/1846/147 9 Dewar, H S L (1960) The Windmills, Watermills and Horse Mills, Dorset Proceedings DNHAAS, 82, pg 128 (Appendix 1, Watermills W Dorset) 10 Beaminster tithe map and apportionment Dorset History Centre document T/BE (also available in Beaminster Museum on computers) 11 London Gazette Feb Western Gazette Friday March Dorset County Chronicle 1 st January 1864 (Pg 1 advertisements) 14 Cabinet office notes CAB 24/51, 24/54, 24/58, 24/65 15 Times Newspaper advertisement The Times Thursday, Feb 09, 1922; Pg 1; Issue Times Newspaper advertisement

14 17 Tithe Map of Beaminster 18 Bridport News May Image from Bridport Hemp and Flax exhibition boards. 20 Museum publication Hanging by a Thread: Our Flax and Hemp Heritage Pp Hine, Richard (1914), The History of Beaminster, Taunton : Barnicott & Pearce, The Wessex Press (Pp ) 22 London Gazette May The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 23, 1881; pg. 20; Issue Marie Eedle s handwritten notes. Copies held in Beaminster Museum census census census census census census census census 14

15 15