Box Mill - sometimes called Pinchin's Mill David Ibberson and Verity Jeffery May 2017
Photograph of Box Mill of unknown date (courtesy Eric Callaway)
The rush of the water, and the booming of the mill, bring a dreamy deafness, which seems to heighten the peacefulness of the scene ... the thunder of the huge covered wagon coming home with sacks of grain ... The honest waggoner is thinking of his dinner ... his horses, strong, submissive, meek-eyed beasts.[1]
George Eliot's Mill on the Floss, quoted above, is a romantic portrait of a mill in about 1820, re-imagined fifty years later. Real mills weren't like this; they were noisy, hazardous machines, full of flour dust and at times financially difficult for the miller to survive. Box Mill reflected the reality rather than the mill of literature.
George Eliot's Mill on the Floss, quoted above, is a romantic portrait of a mill in about 1820, re-imagined fifty years later. Real mills weren't like this; they were noisy, hazardous machines, full of flour dust and at times financially difficult for the miller to survive. Box Mill reflected the reality rather than the mill of literature.
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Medieval Mill
There are several references to mills in the area in the Domesday Book and charters from the mid-1200s.[2] But it isn't possible to positively identify these mills as Box Mill until it comes under the ownership of the Pinchin family. Even then it is difficult to be certain. In 1563 Simon Pynchon (sic) took the lease on a mill, and purchased it a few years later.[3] In 1628 the rates assessment list records William Pinchin for his mills (sic plural) and grounds thereunto belonging 36s. We can be fairly confident that William Pinchin occupied Box Mill because Francis Allen's 1626 map (seen left courtesy the Wiltshire History Centre) records a man called Pinchin renting land in the locality from the lord of the manor (referred to as Do meaning Domino). |
Georgian Box Mill
There are several references to the Pinchin family at Box Mill in the Georgian period. In December 1704 the tithe terrier (survey) recorded For the mill called Pinchin's Mill, five shillings (tithe) to be paid at Lady-day (25 March).[4]
There follows numerous references to different generations of the family all called Samuel Pinchin, including in 1832 a record of voters lists recording Samuel Pinchin of Box Mill. This person, born in 1790, later owned Ashley Farm and was often described as Retired Miller in the census records. He appears to be the younger brother of William Pinchin (born 1787) who in 1833 married Elizabeth Derrick at Frome, seventeen years his junior. William may have been close to retirement at that time because he is called of Independent Means in the 1841 census, which also records two other families in properties at the Mill: Mark Brunson, labourer, and his family, and William Marks, with his family. These people give interesting clues about the use of the mill.
There are several references to the Pinchin family at Box Mill in the Georgian period. In December 1704 the tithe terrier (survey) recorded For the mill called Pinchin's Mill, five shillings (tithe) to be paid at Lady-day (25 March).[4]
There follows numerous references to different generations of the family all called Samuel Pinchin, including in 1832 a record of voters lists recording Samuel Pinchin of Box Mill. This person, born in 1790, later owned Ashley Farm and was often described as Retired Miller in the census records. He appears to be the younger brother of William Pinchin (born 1787) who in 1833 married Elizabeth Derrick at Frome, seventeen years his junior. William may have been close to retirement at that time because he is called of Independent Means in the 1841 census, which also records two other families in properties at the Mill: Mark Brunson, labourer, and his family, and William Marks, with his family. These people give interesting clues about the use of the mill.
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Fulling Mill
In 1841 William Marks was described as Fuller, in other words the mill was used in the cloth-making industry where the flat cloth was pounded by wooden hammers driven by the water mill. This use is confirmed in the 1840 Tithe Apportionment which records that William Pinchin owned Fulling Mill House and let out the mill to John Phillips, Esq, for a rent of £4.17s.8d.[5] The map shows at reference 129 the Fulling Mill house, outbuildings, two dwelling houses (cottages) and yard. Ref 129a was the garden to the house and at 128 the meadow adjoining the weir, possibly for the horses needed at the mill. Right: 1840 Tithe Apportionment map (courtesy Wilts History Centre) |
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This knowledge gives more significance to a newspaper report of 1835 when William Pinchin joined with JL Phillips of the same address and the owners of Drewetts Mill and Cutting Mill to threaten prosecution of individuals diverting the water-course of the By Brook.[6]
Fulling mills required considerably more power than corn mills and a fall in pressure would have been serious, perhaps the reason why the mill later returned to corn milling. To compensate for the reduced water flow, the mill pond was kept deliberately high but in 1849 it had tragic consequences when James Hancock aged eight was drowned in the back water.[7] By 1851 the mill was restored to corn-grinding, operated by George Liles, miller, with Charles Hancock, thirteen year-old miller's apprentice, and Thomas Pater, carter miller.
Fulling mills required considerably more power than corn mills and a fall in pressure would have been serious, perhaps the reason why the mill later returned to corn milling. To compensate for the reduced water flow, the mill pond was kept deliberately high but in 1849 it had tragic consequences when James Hancock aged eight was drowned in the back water.[7] By 1851 the mill was restored to corn-grinding, operated by George Liles, miller, with Charles Hancock, thirteen year-old miller's apprentice, and Thomas Pater, carter miller.
Pinchin Family Leaves
It was close to the end of the Pinchin connection with Box Mill. In 1864 William Pinchin younger, went into his garden to shoot a blackbird. The gun burst dreadfully shattering the greater part of his left hand.[8] In July 1868 Mr William Pinchin elder died aged 82 and it was decided to let the premises.[9] It was advertised as Four floors, greater part built during the past spring. Four pairs of French 4-feet millstones is entirely new and driven by a breast-shot water wheel (15 ft diameter) (wheel half in the stream). Good supply of water from By Brook. Very roomy residence ... Cottages for workmen.[10] But there were clear downsides as the advertisement confirms that the machinery did not yet have steam-power.
The Pinchin family ceased to run the mill and in 1870 William younger put out a notice that Having let his mill and Mealing Business to Mr Joseph Little ... thanks his customers.[11] Despite the advertisement of improvements at the mill, Joseph Little later put in a notice that he had largely increased the stock to supply flour, barley meal, oat, beans etc.[12]
There may have been a family dispute because a few months later William put out another notice from his home in the Devizes Road against his mother, Elizabeth: I, William Pinchin, late of Box Mill, do hereby give notice that I will not be answerable for any debt or debts that have been or may be contracted by Elizabeth Pinchin, late of Frome, Somerset, widow of the late William Pinchin, the elder, of Box Mill.[13] In any event, William, formerly of Box Mill, died a few years later at 15 St John's Wood, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, in 1875.
It was close to the end of the Pinchin connection with Box Mill. In 1864 William Pinchin younger, went into his garden to shoot a blackbird. The gun burst dreadfully shattering the greater part of his left hand.[8] In July 1868 Mr William Pinchin elder died aged 82 and it was decided to let the premises.[9] It was advertised as Four floors, greater part built during the past spring. Four pairs of French 4-feet millstones is entirely new and driven by a breast-shot water wheel (15 ft diameter) (wheel half in the stream). Good supply of water from By Brook. Very roomy residence ... Cottages for workmen.[10] But there were clear downsides as the advertisement confirms that the machinery did not yet have steam-power.
The Pinchin family ceased to run the mill and in 1870 William younger put out a notice that Having let his mill and Mealing Business to Mr Joseph Little ... thanks his customers.[11] Despite the advertisement of improvements at the mill, Joseph Little later put in a notice that he had largely increased the stock to supply flour, barley meal, oat, beans etc.[12]
There may have been a family dispute because a few months later William put out another notice from his home in the Devizes Road against his mother, Elizabeth: I, William Pinchin, late of Box Mill, do hereby give notice that I will not be answerable for any debt or debts that have been or may be contracted by Elizabeth Pinchin, late of Frome, Somerset, widow of the late William Pinchin, the elder, of Box Mill.[13] In any event, William, formerly of Box Mill, died a few years later at 15 St John's Wood, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, in 1875.
Late Victorian Owners
On William's death the mill appears to have been sold to John Edward Ponting, draper and grocer who ran his business in the Market Place. He did not occupy the mill which was let to Henry and Fred Pocock in November 1875.[14] The mill was advertised as flour and grist mill (usually used to differentiate bread flour and animal grain) with 5 pairs of stones and machinery with all the latest improvements. All in working order ... Commodious dwelling house. John Ponting sold off various old stock of hay in the late 1870s in order to recoup some of his outlay.
It wasn't a successful period. In 1881 the Mill House was let out as a residence, occupied by Frederick Perren, formerly a farmer, and his family. The Perrens didn't stay long before they moved again and we might imagine that the Mill House was in poor condition, requiring work due to water ingress. The business was let by John Edward Ponting to the Pocock family who lived at Sheylor's Farm, Ashley.
The Pocock family suffered a tragedy when in 1888 Henry Jacob Pocock was killed at the mill.[15] After his lunch he did not return home for dinner (Sheylor's Farm). A servant was sent to look for him and found him on the floor in a terribly mutilated condition ... It is supposed that while oiling machinery he was caught by the cog wheel. Frederick continued at the mill, living there with his sister, Frances, in 1891. John Edward Ponting sold the mill to Mr J Walmesbury or Walmsley.[16] John Walmsley later sold it to Walter Browning, though the exact date is not known.[17]
On William's death the mill appears to have been sold to John Edward Ponting, draper and grocer who ran his business in the Market Place. He did not occupy the mill which was let to Henry and Fred Pocock in November 1875.[14] The mill was advertised as flour and grist mill (usually used to differentiate bread flour and animal grain) with 5 pairs of stones and machinery with all the latest improvements. All in working order ... Commodious dwelling house. John Ponting sold off various old stock of hay in the late 1870s in order to recoup some of his outlay.
It wasn't a successful period. In 1881 the Mill House was let out as a residence, occupied by Frederick Perren, formerly a farmer, and his family. The Perrens didn't stay long before they moved again and we might imagine that the Mill House was in poor condition, requiring work due to water ingress. The business was let by John Edward Ponting to the Pocock family who lived at Sheylor's Farm, Ashley.
The Pocock family suffered a tragedy when in 1888 Henry Jacob Pocock was killed at the mill.[15] After his lunch he did not return home for dinner (Sheylor's Farm). A servant was sent to look for him and found him on the floor in a terribly mutilated condition ... It is supposed that while oiling machinery he was caught by the cog wheel. Frederick continued at the mill, living there with his sister, Frances, in 1891. John Edward Ponting sold the mill to Mr J Walmesbury or Walmsley.[16] John Walmsley later sold it to Walter Browning, though the exact date is not known.[17]
Browning Family
By the early 1890s the Browning family, millers at Drewett's Mill, took over the operation of Box Mill. Thomas Browning and his wife Charlotte (nee Brokenbrow) from Colerne had milled at Drewett's Mill from at least 1851 with eleven children (though three had died in childhood, including two of the five sons). Two of the boys, John and Walter, branched out by taking over Box Mill but it wasn't an easy period with shortages of labour from 1897 until the start of the First World War with repeated advertisements for carters, millers and stonemen. The operation of the mill seemed almost to be designed by Heath Robinson. The railway brought grain to the Wharf at the foot of Box Hill and thence by means of a wire cage across to the mill loft.[18] Then there was always a danger of fire in wooden premises and machinery. An incident in 1899 almost burned the premises down. Thirteen barrels of naphtha stored close to Box Tunnel ignited and the inflammable liquid flowed into Box Brook and could not be extinguished, threatening Box Mill, until it burned itself out.[19]
By the early 1890s the Browning family, millers at Drewett's Mill, took over the operation of Box Mill. Thomas Browning and his wife Charlotte (nee Brokenbrow) from Colerne had milled at Drewett's Mill from at least 1851 with eleven children (though three had died in childhood, including two of the five sons). Two of the boys, John and Walter, branched out by taking over Box Mill but it wasn't an easy period with shortages of labour from 1897 until the start of the First World War with repeated advertisements for carters, millers and stonemen. The operation of the mill seemed almost to be designed by Heath Robinson. The railway brought grain to the Wharf at the foot of Box Hill and thence by means of a wire cage across to the mill loft.[18] Then there was always a danger of fire in wooden premises and machinery. An incident in 1899 almost burned the premises down. Thirteen barrels of naphtha stored close to Box Tunnel ignited and the inflammable liquid flowed into Box Brook and could not be extinguished, threatening Box Mill, until it burned itself out.[19]
Box Mill and the old Mill House (courtesy Jane Browning)
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John Browning and his sister, Charlotte, lived in the old Box Mill House in 1901 and Walter Browning sought building tenders for a new residence adjoining Box Mill in 1906 to house him, his wife Jane (nee White) and their four children.[20] John died in 1883 and Walter in 1908. On Walter's death the newspaper recorded the struggle he had at Box Mill. On his father's death in 1867 he succeeded to the business at Drewett's Mill and by his industry and perseverance became successful that he was able to gain Box Roller Flour Mill.[20] The mill had been modernised by this date because, instead of using the ancient method of stone grinding, Box Mill was described as a roller mill using two metal rollers and producing finer, purer, white flour (now so unpopular).
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Walter's widow, Jane, continued the business as a family concern. In 1911 John Browning called himself Miller, Employer, living in eight rooms at Northfield House with his wife. His nephew Robert Browning (18), who lived at the Market Place, was a Miller's Apprentice. Sidney Giles at 6 Bath Road was a flour miller. William Bateman at 2 Alexandra Terrace, Devizes Road was a roller flour miller. In Mill House Mrs Jane Browning, widow 55 years, lived in eleven rooms with her daughter Alice and son James both Millers Clerks at the Flour Mill. At Mill Cottage Edward John Porter (55) was carter for the Flour Mills, his son Henry worked there and his nephew John Brickell (21) also a carter at the mill lived with them.
One of the great problems with the mill was the lack of industrial power to supply the grinding machinery. By the eve of the First World War in 1914, this had been remedied and an advertisement placed, Man wanted to take charge of Gas Engine and Suction Plant.[22]
The business continued in the ownership of Mrs Lilian Richards (nee Browning) after Jane's death in 1924 until 1937 when she put the freehold of the premises up for sale by auction in various lots:[23]
Lot 1: Mill Stonebuilding 110ft x 25ft with Flour and Provender Mill Machinery, also cottage and garage
Lot 2: Mill House modern residence with 7 bedrooms
Lot 3: The Island Garden opposite Box Mill
Lot 4: Stone Malthouse and Inspection Pit
Lot 5: Meadowland 3¾ acres known as Home Ground
Lot 6: Building site Conigre and Bankfield 6½ acres
Later other machinery and stock was sold, including 1931 Chevrolet Lorry, 2-seater Morris Cowley motor car, 1,000 new flour bags and 700 meal sacks.[24]
The mill continued in operation for a number of years mostly producing animal feedstuff. It was still going in 1956 but had stopped by 1963.[25] Then it was sold to Spafax (Bath Spa Factors), a motor spares distributor and an international television and marketing company in the 1980s. In 1987 the international music star Peter Gabriel bought it and converted part of the building into a recording studios, whilst retaining and improving the infrastructure of the water course with its millpond, leat and run-off.
Conclusion
The survival of rural, water-powered mills serving the local community was in jeopardy with the advent of cheaper working methods introduced by industrialisation and long-haul transport. Some mills were mechanised but most endured a slow decline.
There are no contemporary accounts of work at Box Mill. The most famous literary reference to a working mill was William Blake's poem Jerusalem of 1804. He had witnessed the 1791 destruction of the Albion Flour Steam Mill at Southwark, London, by a mob rioting against early changes introduced by the industrial revolution and he recorded it in his famous verse:
One of the great problems with the mill was the lack of industrial power to supply the grinding machinery. By the eve of the First World War in 1914, this had been remedied and an advertisement placed, Man wanted to take charge of Gas Engine and Suction Plant.[22]
The business continued in the ownership of Mrs Lilian Richards (nee Browning) after Jane's death in 1924 until 1937 when she put the freehold of the premises up for sale by auction in various lots:[23]
Lot 1: Mill Stonebuilding 110ft x 25ft with Flour and Provender Mill Machinery, also cottage and garage
Lot 2: Mill House modern residence with 7 bedrooms
Lot 3: The Island Garden opposite Box Mill
Lot 4: Stone Malthouse and Inspection Pit
Lot 5: Meadowland 3¾ acres known as Home Ground
Lot 6: Building site Conigre and Bankfield 6½ acres
Later other machinery and stock was sold, including 1931 Chevrolet Lorry, 2-seater Morris Cowley motor car, 1,000 new flour bags and 700 meal sacks.[24]
The mill continued in operation for a number of years mostly producing animal feedstuff. It was still going in 1956 but had stopped by 1963.[25] Then it was sold to Spafax (Bath Spa Factors), a motor spares distributor and an international television and marketing company in the 1980s. In 1987 the international music star Peter Gabriel bought it and converted part of the building into a recording studios, whilst retaining and improving the infrastructure of the water course with its millpond, leat and run-off.
Conclusion
The survival of rural, water-powered mills serving the local community was in jeopardy with the advent of cheaper working methods introduced by industrialisation and long-haul transport. Some mills were mechanised but most endured a slow decline.
There are no contemporary accounts of work at Box Mill. The most famous literary reference to a working mill was William Blake's poem Jerusalem of 1804. He had witnessed the 1791 destruction of the Albion Flour Steam Mill at Southwark, London, by a mob rioting against early changes introduced by the industrial revolution and he recorded it in his famous verse:
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And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen? |
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem built here Amongst these dark satanic mills? |
Box Mill probably spanned both the idyllic dream of George Eliot's poem and William Blake's depiction of modern industrialisation.
Pinchin Family Tree
William Pinchin (1748 - 1795) married Betty (1759 - 1809)
Children: William (1787 - 1868); Samuel (1789 - 1870)
William Pinchin Elder (1787 - 1868) married Elizabeth Derrick (1804 - 1883) on 22 May 1833 at Frome.
Children: William Pinchin Younger (1839 - 1875); Elizabeth (1844 - 1845)
William Pinchin Younger (1839 - 1875) married Jane Ann Leader (1853 - 1923) at Chippenham. After they left the mill, they lived at Queen's Square, Box in 1871; Jane was living in Devizes in 1881 and working as laundress; she later lived at the Lower Bristol Road, Bath. Children:
William Clement Francis Edward Pinchin (30 January 1871 - 1949), married in London and died in Derby; Ethel Alice (1872 - 1915); Henry Walter Tyrell Pinchin (b and d 1874)
William Pinchin (1748 - 1795) married Betty (1759 - 1809)
Children: William (1787 - 1868); Samuel (1789 - 1870)
William Pinchin Elder (1787 - 1868) married Elizabeth Derrick (1804 - 1883) on 22 May 1833 at Frome.
Children: William Pinchin Younger (1839 - 1875); Elizabeth (1844 - 1845)
William Pinchin Younger (1839 - 1875) married Jane Ann Leader (1853 - 1923) at Chippenham. After they left the mill, they lived at Queen's Square, Box in 1871; Jane was living in Devizes in 1881 and working as laundress; she later lived at the Lower Bristol Road, Bath. Children:
William Clement Francis Edward Pinchin (30 January 1871 - 1949), married in London and died in Derby; Ethel Alice (1872 - 1915); Henry Walter Tyrell Pinchin (b and d 1874)
References
[1] George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, 1860, William Blackwood and Sons, Book 1, Chapter 1
[2] See Origins of Box Mill, produced by Spafax in 1970s and GJ Kidston, History of the Manor of Hazelbury, 1936
[3] Family information kindly provided by David Edwin Pinchin
[4] Religion in Tudor Box
[5] Tithe Apportionment records, Wiltshire History Centre
[6] The Bath Chronicle, 13 August 1835
[7] The Wiltshire Gazette, 17 May 1849
[8] The Bath Chronicle, 14 January 1864
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 9 July 1868
[10] The Bath Chronicle, 27 August 1868
[11] The Wiltshire Independent, 28 April 1870
[12] The Bath Chronicle, 28 April 1870
[13] The Wiltshire Independent, 4 August 1870
[14] The Bath Chronicle, 25 November 1875
[15] The Wiltshire Gazette, 5 July 1888
[16] The Wiltshire Times, 28 August 1937
[17] Indenture dated 9 March 1890, courtesy Jane Browning
[18] The Wiltshire Times, 28 August 1937
[19] The Wiltshire Times, 5 August 1899
[20] The Wiltshire Times, 24 November 1906
[21] The Wiltshire Times, 8 February 1908
[22] The Bath Chronicle, 8 August 1914
[23] The Wiltshire Times, 28 August 1937
[24] The Wiltshire Times, 25 September 1937
[25] Parish Magazine, August 1963
[1] George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, 1860, William Blackwood and Sons, Book 1, Chapter 1
[2] See Origins of Box Mill, produced by Spafax in 1970s and GJ Kidston, History of the Manor of Hazelbury, 1936
[3] Family information kindly provided by David Edwin Pinchin
[4] Religion in Tudor Box
[5] Tithe Apportionment records, Wiltshire History Centre
[6] The Bath Chronicle, 13 August 1835
[7] The Wiltshire Gazette, 17 May 1849
[8] The Bath Chronicle, 14 January 1864
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 9 July 1868
[10] The Bath Chronicle, 27 August 1868
[11] The Wiltshire Independent, 28 April 1870
[12] The Bath Chronicle, 28 April 1870
[13] The Wiltshire Independent, 4 August 1870
[14] The Bath Chronicle, 25 November 1875
[15] The Wiltshire Gazette, 5 July 1888
[16] The Wiltshire Times, 28 August 1937
[17] Indenture dated 9 March 1890, courtesy Jane Browning
[18] The Wiltshire Times, 28 August 1937
[19] The Wiltshire Times, 5 August 1899
[20] The Wiltshire Times, 24 November 1906
[21] The Wiltshire Times, 8 February 1908
[22] The Bath Chronicle, 8 August 1914
[23] The Wiltshire Times, 28 August 1937
[24] The Wiltshire Times, 25 September 1937
[25] Parish Magazine, August 1963