The mills
Mill House with the ruins of the east mill in the back. Click on this image to go to The Old Mill site to book accommodation at The Stables today
The Earliest Mills . . . |
Dulcote Paper Mill (later Dulcote Leather Board Mill) ruins behind Old Mill House, east of bridge
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In his article on "The Land of the Bishop of Wells", Tony Nott, piecing together the details of the Domesday surveys of 1085 with other existing records and academic study, suggests that there was already a small operating grist mill in Dulcote in the eleventh century. (1)
The existence of such a mill is certainly confirmed in 1587 with the probated will of the mill operator, Joanne Gallington, who leaves what is clearly her long-standing mill in need of occasional repair to her son Robert. She lists the assets as ...
Early Millers of Dulcote . . .
Date Millers
before 1587 Joanne Gallington
1587 Robert Cary
1591 John Chislatt
bef. 1748 John & William Ellis
But the question arises as to the location of an earlier mill. We would like to suggest the possibility that it was east of the bridge but in a slightly different location a bit further upstream to the Dulcote mills of future centuries. We suggest that the mill was located a bit more off the road based on the following pieces of evidence . . .
The existence of such a mill is certainly confirmed in 1587 with the probated will of the mill operator, Joanne Gallington, who leaves what is clearly her long-standing mill in need of occasional repair to her son Robert. She lists the assets as ...
- mill with all the corn growing in and upon the ground wain wheels
- yokes and ropes to serve and furnish six oxen
- oaken boards and planks already sawed rough and squared to be and remain for the reparations of the said mill
Early Millers of Dulcote . . .
Date Millers
before 1587 Joanne Gallington
1587 Robert Cary
1591 John Chislatt
bef. 1748 John & William Ellis
But the question arises as to the location of an earlier mill. We would like to suggest the possibility that it was east of the bridge but in a slightly different location a bit further upstream to the Dulcote mills of future centuries. We suggest that the mill was located a bit more off the road based on the following pieces of evidence . . .
- The Itinerary of John Leland: This was a man who recorded everything he saw as he traveled. He described not only land features but also man-made structures that he encountered on his journeys. We know that this man crossed over Dulcote Bridge twice in his travels. (2) Yet in 1535, as he traveled in Somerset, not only did Leland not mention any mills next to this bridge, but neither did he describe any structures or cottages as he so often did with other small settlements. Instead, he noted what he could see -- the bridge, a woods of elm trees and the road as being "an ille rokky way".
- The 1829 Map of Dulcote: There are two meadows further east of the Dulcote Paper Mill identified on the 1829 map, called Old Mill Mead and Walter's Mill Mead. Furthermore, nineteenth century ordnance maps still indicate another weir and leat a few hundred feet upriver on or near the boundary with Dinder.
from the 1829 ordnance map of the mill sites
The Paper Mills . . .
In the latter part of the seventeenth century, and the entire eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, paper was manufactured at Dulcote. The paper was rag-based, made from discarded linen clothing. There were two paper mills in Dulcote. An indenture dated 1696 for the mill to the west of the bridge indicates that there was already an operating paper mill in Dulcote at this time, more than fifty years before the mill to the east of the bridge. The mill and dwelling-house for this mill seems to have been attached to each other. Evidence of this premise exists in the following auction description of the building as "a substantially-built dwelling-house ... attached to the Mill House is an undershot water wheel with shafting attached and the existing water rights in the River Sheppey."(4) After the closure of the west mill, this building was used at some point as the dairy house for Bridge Farm until it was leased by the late nineteenth/early twentieth century operator of Mill Farm and sub-divided into 2 cottages.
Although it is not clear whether the mill located to the east of Dulcote Bridge had an attached dwelling-house initially or not, later versions of its operations separated the dwelling-house from the mill. When it was opened as a paper mill after 1748, it was a larger operation than the mill to the west of the bridge. According to various records, this mill was known under such names as Brush Mill and Dulcote Paper Mill. There is also a survey circa 1785 identifying various parcels of land leased by John Day including the east mill which was known as The White Mill Estate. Before it was a paper mill, this east mill operated as a grist mill on property owned by Lord Brooke of Warwick Castle. In the mid-eighteenth century, under its lease to John and William Ellis, the grist mill fell into disrepair when the Ellis family had been unable to maintain the premises. A lease dated 1748 describes the water grist mill and mill house as "tumbled down". Thus in forfeit of the conditions of their lease, the heirs of the deceased John Ellis surrendered it to John Hawkins who paid Ellis' fine.(3) In his lease, Hawkins also agreed to rebuild it as a paper mill and to keep it in good repair.
The history of the various landlords of the two mills is to say the least complicated, to say the most convoluted. During the reign of the Tudors, long-term control of the land on which the the east mill stood transferred between the monarch's favourite loyal subjects. But by 1771, the long-term leasehold of this land was sold to Clement Tudway who continued to lease the business to a succession of mill managers and paper makers from thenceforth until its twentieth-century sale. On the other hand, long-term leasehold control of the west mill, held originally by the Vicars Choral at Wells, was granted to the Baron family of Wells and, in the possession of this family, there was in a precarious state of financial juggling until it was purchased from the heirs of James Baron in 1842 by Robert Charles Tudway. Thus, as with almost all the land and buildings held by freehold, leasehold or copyhold in Dulcote by the mid-nineteenth century, control of both these Dulcote mills was in the hands of the Tudway family of Wells.
Only slightly less complicated is the history of the succession of paper makers operating the mills in Dulcote (see timeline descriptions below). The more successful paper makers were those who could do a volume business, and it was often the case in Somerset that the same family of paper makers leased more than one mill at a time. For instance, in the latter part of the eighteenth century and the early part of the nineteenth century, the Snelgrove family of paper makers leased 3 mills at Dulcote, Wookey Hole, and Bleadney, and owned one small mill besides.
By the late nineteenth century, the operations of both Dulcote mills were being challenged by their business competition. Paper makers at Wookey Hole were developing larger, more mechanized paper mills. The west mill in Dulcote ceased paper production by the mid-nineteenth century, and by 1878, it had been converted into a saw mill. The east mill at Dulcote, on the other hand, met the challenge of its paper-making competitors in 1875 making both paper, millboard and/or leather board, a paper-based product used in the stiffening of insoles and ankle supports of footwear. In the late 1890's, the east mill was converted entirely to leather board manufacturing and continued operating as a manufacturing firm until 1904.
Only adding to the production challenges at both mills was the fact that they were both plagued by fires. The west mill burnt down at least twice -- in 1769 and in 1886. The east mill was also ravaged by fire twice time in its history -- in 1850 and 1904.
The Tudway family sold the land and buildings of these former mills at auction in July, 1913. The only remains of the east mill is its smoke stack and foundations lie in ruins to the rear of the mill house, a private residence today. The west mill today exists only as a buildings/ruins on Mill Farm.
In the latter part of the seventeenth century, and the entire eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, paper was manufactured at Dulcote. The paper was rag-based, made from discarded linen clothing. There were two paper mills in Dulcote. An indenture dated 1696 for the mill to the west of the bridge indicates that there was already an operating paper mill in Dulcote at this time, more than fifty years before the mill to the east of the bridge. The mill and dwelling-house for this mill seems to have been attached to each other. Evidence of this premise exists in the following auction description of the building as "a substantially-built dwelling-house ... attached to the Mill House is an undershot water wheel with shafting attached and the existing water rights in the River Sheppey."(4) After the closure of the west mill, this building was used at some point as the dairy house for Bridge Farm until it was leased by the late nineteenth/early twentieth century operator of Mill Farm and sub-divided into 2 cottages.
Although it is not clear whether the mill located to the east of Dulcote Bridge had an attached dwelling-house initially or not, later versions of its operations separated the dwelling-house from the mill. When it was opened as a paper mill after 1748, it was a larger operation than the mill to the west of the bridge. According to various records, this mill was known under such names as Brush Mill and Dulcote Paper Mill. There is also a survey circa 1785 identifying various parcels of land leased by John Day including the east mill which was known as The White Mill Estate. Before it was a paper mill, this east mill operated as a grist mill on property owned by Lord Brooke of Warwick Castle. In the mid-eighteenth century, under its lease to John and William Ellis, the grist mill fell into disrepair when the Ellis family had been unable to maintain the premises. A lease dated 1748 describes the water grist mill and mill house as "tumbled down". Thus in forfeit of the conditions of their lease, the heirs of the deceased John Ellis surrendered it to John Hawkins who paid Ellis' fine.(3) In his lease, Hawkins also agreed to rebuild it as a paper mill and to keep it in good repair.
The history of the various landlords of the two mills is to say the least complicated, to say the most convoluted. During the reign of the Tudors, long-term control of the land on which the the east mill stood transferred between the monarch's favourite loyal subjects. But by 1771, the long-term leasehold of this land was sold to Clement Tudway who continued to lease the business to a succession of mill managers and paper makers from thenceforth until its twentieth-century sale. On the other hand, long-term leasehold control of the west mill, held originally by the Vicars Choral at Wells, was granted to the Baron family of Wells and, in the possession of this family, there was in a precarious state of financial juggling until it was purchased from the heirs of James Baron in 1842 by Robert Charles Tudway. Thus, as with almost all the land and buildings held by freehold, leasehold or copyhold in Dulcote by the mid-nineteenth century, control of both these Dulcote mills was in the hands of the Tudway family of Wells.
Only slightly less complicated is the history of the succession of paper makers operating the mills in Dulcote (see timeline descriptions below). The more successful paper makers were those who could do a volume business, and it was often the case in Somerset that the same family of paper makers leased more than one mill at a time. For instance, in the latter part of the eighteenth century and the early part of the nineteenth century, the Snelgrove family of paper makers leased 3 mills at Dulcote, Wookey Hole, and Bleadney, and owned one small mill besides.
By the late nineteenth century, the operations of both Dulcote mills were being challenged by their business competition. Paper makers at Wookey Hole were developing larger, more mechanized paper mills. The west mill in Dulcote ceased paper production by the mid-nineteenth century, and by 1878, it had been converted into a saw mill. The east mill at Dulcote, on the other hand, met the challenge of its paper-making competitors in 1875 making both paper, millboard and/or leather board, a paper-based product used in the stiffening of insoles and ankle supports of footwear. In the late 1890's, the east mill was converted entirely to leather board manufacturing and continued operating as a manufacturing firm until 1904.
Only adding to the production challenges at both mills was the fact that they were both plagued by fires. The west mill burnt down at least twice -- in 1769 and in 1886. The east mill was also ravaged by fire twice time in its history -- in 1850 and 1904.
The Tudway family sold the land and buildings of these former mills at auction in July, 1913. The only remains of the east mill is its smoke stack and foundations lie in ruins to the rear of the mill house, a private residence today. The west mill today exists only as a buildings/ruins on Mill Farm.
West Mill Ruins Today (photo courtesy B. Luker)
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Sketch of West Mill Operation at Dulcote in 1842:
2975 and 2978 -- Paddocks; 2978 -- Mill; 2979 -- Garden;
2980 -- Drying house and yard
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The West Mill (west of Dulcote Bridge)
bef.1686 & ff
William Sandes holds the mortgaged lease of 1000 years of premises, including the west mill, to Francis Powlett; Catherine Powlett inherits the lease from her husband's estate when Sandes fails to repay the loan; Robert Creighton, D.D.; Catherine Powlett's brother inherits the land on her decease.
1696
William Sandes, Gent., Co. Kerry, Ireland; and Mary his wife, Thomas Mattock, Esq. of Wells; and Arthur Mattock of the City of London, Mercer re-lease the remaining term of their lease of West Mill to John West Inn-holder of Wells. The mill is identified as a paper mill at this date; lease includes several parcels of land surrounding, all buildings, water courses, etc.; this lease covers lease of land far more extensive than subsequent leases. One document also lists William Salmon, mercer, of Wells as a lessee with John West; the former under-tenant is John Cox (deceased) and the under-tenant in 1696 is Robert Collins.
aft 1696
This is the possible year of the sale of West Mill to Charles Baron, apothecary, of Wells. Baron buys two other pieces of property in Wells this year from the same William and Mary Sandes, Thomas Mattock and Arthur Mattock.
1735
William Dore is listed as papermaker and operator of "Dulkett" Somerset; (the west side as the east mill was still operating as a grist mill until 1748); in 1756, William Dore was imprisoned for debt and his son Henry is sent to Hampshire as a papermaker apprentice
1741-45
Peter Davis of Wells holds mortgage and Charles Baron holds deed of "all that messuage or tenement on the west side of Dulcote Bridge and one paper mill within the breadth of an acre adjoining to the said messuage and also a drying house then lately built near the said mill together with a garden, orchard and backside adjoining containing by estimation one acre or thereabouts with the appurtenances to the said premises belonging". Edward Band and WilliamTreakell are listed as being involved in the mill's operation for some years in this time period.
1745
Charles Baron holds the deed and Peter Davis re-mortgages to Dodington Sherston of Wells. He re-mortgages to make payments on first lease (Dodington Sherston was JP and mayor of Wells circa 1740's); the under-tenants were Edward Band and William Treakell
1755
Charles Baron inherits the deed; Peter Davis' estate re-mortgages to Caesar Carisbrook; all parties of the 1745 indenture are deceased; the under-tenants are Edward Band and William Treakell
1756
Caesar Carisbrook holds the mortgage and James Baron holds the deed; Caesar Carisbrook, soap-boiler of London, holds the mortgage on the WEST mill from James Baron and Theophilus Carisbrook (and their wives); John Bickham is the under-tenant
1767
Thomas Pearson is the operator and James Baron holds the deed. Papermaker Pearson insures his stock on the WEST mill
1767-69 ff
Michael Miller, Sr., Michael Miller Jr., merchants, and Thomas Blagdon gentleman, all of Bristol hold the mortgage, and James Baron holds the deed; it is leased the Saunders (Sandes?)
1768
Richard Camidge is the operator (leasee) while James Baro holds the deed; Cambridge is not given rights to the timber on the property; an exceptional condition of lease is to replace the water-wheel, oaken shaft and cog-wheel; the yearly rent was £20 + taxes, costs, upkeep
1769
Thomas Pearson is listed as the papermaker; however the mill is consumed by fire 1769. Simon Witherall of Wells holds mortgage in trust
James Baron, holds deed
1783-98
Henry Reeves, operates the mill while James Baron holds the deed; the yearly rent is still £20 and payment of all taxes, costs, upkeep
1798
Henry Reeves operates the mills still but Richard Hunt holds the mortgage and James Baron holds the deed; then Richard Hunt, a carpenter of Wells takes over the mortgage as collateral for a debt owed by James Baron until debt is paid in full
1799
Henry Reeves is still the operator of this papermill but now Clement Tudway, holds the mortgage and James Baron returns to hold the deed
1799
James Baron dies this year leaving his estate to his two daughters Mary Bishop and Egrofina Johnson and three granddaughters, Elizabeth Weeks, Mary Lovell and Harriet Moore
1803-1811
James Cripps now is the operator with Clement Tudway still holding the mortgage and Bishop/Johnson et al. hold the deed; papermaker
Cripps is listed on the jury list for the tithing of Dulcote for 1810-11 with the occupation of papermaker and William Crockram is his apprentice
1816 -19
Charles Gumm operates this west mill while Clement Tudway holds the mortgage; Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed, and Gumm is tenant of WEST mill; Ergofina Johnson died in 1816. leaving her share to Harriet Moore, her daughter
1819
Walter Gumm is mill operator and Clement Tudway holds the mortgage; Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed; Gumm is the tenant of WEST mill
1822
Walter Fussell is the mill operator; Clement Tudway holds the mortgage and Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed; Fussell holds lease of WEST mill
1823
Walter Fussell still operates the paper mill there is a change in mortgage holders from Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. to Joseph Lovell Lovell of Wells, and then to William J.S. Foster of Wells
1830-42
Charles Gumm is mill operator and Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed; Gumm is tenant of WEST mill
1833
Charles Gumm remains the operator and Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al remain deed-holders but Mary Lovell, daughter of Mary Bishop, dies and 1/3 of mill is transferred to William Mellior, gentleman of Wells and Joseph Lovell Lovell holds mortgage
1838
WEST paper mill closed for a period of time
bef. 1842
Joseph Johnson is mill operator with William John Slade Foster holding the mortgage and Lovell/Weeks/Moore et al. holding the deed; Johnson's occupation is listed as millwright; Robert Davies assumes mortgage; this year is a flurry of other financing activities concerning this mill prior to its sale 1842 to Robert Charles Tudway who bought all the deeded shares held by Thomas Lovell (husband of Mary dec'd.) and G.B.M. Weeks (son of Elizabeth Weeks dec'd.) and Mrs. Harriet Moore (granddaughter of James Baron, daughter of Egrofina Johnson);the deed describes the mill as "lately a paper mill" suggesting that it might not be this in the future. Records show that Harriet Moore took some persuading to sell her third of the mill which might explain why Tudway includes in the deed a promise "that no widow of him the said Robert Charles Tudway shall have or be entitled to dower out of or in the said hereditaments"
1878
Albert Berryman is the mill operator and Charles Clement Tudway holds deed but the mill is now a saw mill; now at least two cottages are on site as well
1886
Albert Berryman still operates the sawmill and Charles Clement Tudway, holds deed; mill is badly damaged by fire and Berryman disputes the insurance claim for 3 1/2 years with Tudway
1890
Albert Berryman reopens the sawmill as it, operator and Charles Clement Tudway holds the deed.
bef.1686 & ff
William Sandes holds the mortgaged lease of 1000 years of premises, including the west mill, to Francis Powlett; Catherine Powlett inherits the lease from her husband's estate when Sandes fails to repay the loan; Robert Creighton, D.D.; Catherine Powlett's brother inherits the land on her decease.
1696
William Sandes, Gent., Co. Kerry, Ireland; and Mary his wife, Thomas Mattock, Esq. of Wells; and Arthur Mattock of the City of London, Mercer re-lease the remaining term of their lease of West Mill to John West Inn-holder of Wells. The mill is identified as a paper mill at this date; lease includes several parcels of land surrounding, all buildings, water courses, etc.; this lease covers lease of land far more extensive than subsequent leases. One document also lists William Salmon, mercer, of Wells as a lessee with John West; the former under-tenant is John Cox (deceased) and the under-tenant in 1696 is Robert Collins.
aft 1696
This is the possible year of the sale of West Mill to Charles Baron, apothecary, of Wells. Baron buys two other pieces of property in Wells this year from the same William and Mary Sandes, Thomas Mattock and Arthur Mattock.
1735
William Dore is listed as papermaker and operator of "Dulkett" Somerset; (the west side as the east mill was still operating as a grist mill until 1748); in 1756, William Dore was imprisoned for debt and his son Henry is sent to Hampshire as a papermaker apprentice
1741-45
Peter Davis of Wells holds mortgage and Charles Baron holds deed of "all that messuage or tenement on the west side of Dulcote Bridge and one paper mill within the breadth of an acre adjoining to the said messuage and also a drying house then lately built near the said mill together with a garden, orchard and backside adjoining containing by estimation one acre or thereabouts with the appurtenances to the said premises belonging". Edward Band and WilliamTreakell are listed as being involved in the mill's operation for some years in this time period.
1745
Charles Baron holds the deed and Peter Davis re-mortgages to Dodington Sherston of Wells. He re-mortgages to make payments on first lease (Dodington Sherston was JP and mayor of Wells circa 1740's); the under-tenants were Edward Band and William Treakell
1755
Charles Baron inherits the deed; Peter Davis' estate re-mortgages to Caesar Carisbrook; all parties of the 1745 indenture are deceased; the under-tenants are Edward Band and William Treakell
1756
Caesar Carisbrook holds the mortgage and James Baron holds the deed; Caesar Carisbrook, soap-boiler of London, holds the mortgage on the WEST mill from James Baron and Theophilus Carisbrook (and their wives); John Bickham is the under-tenant
1767
Thomas Pearson is the operator and James Baron holds the deed. Papermaker Pearson insures his stock on the WEST mill
1767-69 ff
Michael Miller, Sr., Michael Miller Jr., merchants, and Thomas Blagdon gentleman, all of Bristol hold the mortgage, and James Baron holds the deed; it is leased the Saunders (Sandes?)
1768
Richard Camidge is the operator (leasee) while James Baro holds the deed; Cambridge is not given rights to the timber on the property; an exceptional condition of lease is to replace the water-wheel, oaken shaft and cog-wheel; the yearly rent was £20 + taxes, costs, upkeep
1769
Thomas Pearson is listed as the papermaker; however the mill is consumed by fire 1769. Simon Witherall of Wells holds mortgage in trust
James Baron, holds deed
1783-98
Henry Reeves, operates the mill while James Baron holds the deed; the yearly rent is still £20 and payment of all taxes, costs, upkeep
1798
Henry Reeves operates the mills still but Richard Hunt holds the mortgage and James Baron holds the deed; then Richard Hunt, a carpenter of Wells takes over the mortgage as collateral for a debt owed by James Baron until debt is paid in full
1799
Henry Reeves is still the operator of this papermill but now Clement Tudway, holds the mortgage and James Baron returns to hold the deed
1799
James Baron dies this year leaving his estate to his two daughters Mary Bishop and Egrofina Johnson and three granddaughters, Elizabeth Weeks, Mary Lovell and Harriet Moore
1803-1811
James Cripps now is the operator with Clement Tudway still holding the mortgage and Bishop/Johnson et al. hold the deed; papermaker
Cripps is listed on the jury list for the tithing of Dulcote for 1810-11 with the occupation of papermaker and William Crockram is his apprentice
1816 -19
Charles Gumm operates this west mill while Clement Tudway holds the mortgage; Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed, and Gumm is tenant of WEST mill; Ergofina Johnson died in 1816. leaving her share to Harriet Moore, her daughter
1819
Walter Gumm is mill operator and Clement Tudway holds the mortgage; Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed; Gumm is the tenant of WEST mill
1822
Walter Fussell is the mill operator; Clement Tudway holds the mortgage and Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed; Fussell holds lease of WEST mill
1823
Walter Fussell still operates the paper mill there is a change in mortgage holders from Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. to Joseph Lovell Lovell of Wells, and then to William J.S. Foster of Wells
1830-42
Charles Gumm is mill operator and Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al. hold the deed; Gumm is tenant of WEST mill
1833
Charles Gumm remains the operator and Bishop/Weeks/Moore et al remain deed-holders but Mary Lovell, daughter of Mary Bishop, dies and 1/3 of mill is transferred to William Mellior, gentleman of Wells and Joseph Lovell Lovell holds mortgage
1838
WEST paper mill closed for a period of time
bef. 1842
Joseph Johnson is mill operator with William John Slade Foster holding the mortgage and Lovell/Weeks/Moore et al. holding the deed; Johnson's occupation is listed as millwright; Robert Davies assumes mortgage; this year is a flurry of other financing activities concerning this mill prior to its sale 1842 to Robert Charles Tudway who bought all the deeded shares held by Thomas Lovell (husband of Mary dec'd.) and G.B.M. Weeks (son of Elizabeth Weeks dec'd.) and Mrs. Harriet Moore (granddaughter of James Baron, daughter of Egrofina Johnson);the deed describes the mill as "lately a paper mill" suggesting that it might not be this in the future. Records show that Harriet Moore took some persuading to sell her third of the mill which might explain why Tudway includes in the deed a promise "that no widow of him the said Robert Charles Tudway shall have or be entitled to dower out of or in the said hereditaments"
1878
Albert Berryman is the mill operator and Charles Clement Tudway holds deed but the mill is now a saw mill; now at least two cottages are on site as well
1886
Albert Berryman still operates the sawmill and Charles Clement Tudway, holds deed; mill is badly damaged by fire and Berryman disputes the insurance claim for 3 1/2 years with Tudway
1890
Albert Berryman reopens the sawmill as it, operator and Charles Clement Tudway holds the deed.
Sketch of buildings of East Mill made by the operator for insurance purposes
Dulcote (East) Mill Basic Equipment 1868
Main Mill
* Wheel house/ water wheel
* Iron fly wheel
* Iron wheel washing engine
* Vat hog
* Vat press with large wheel; 2 additional presses
* 4 Washing troughs
Engine House
* Iron plate boiler
* Iron piping to connect with steam pipes in mill
Bleach House
* Pump worked by cog wheel on water wheel & piping to cistern
* Rag duster driven by water wheel
* Rag boiler with steam pipe and tap
Rolling Room
* Glazing rolls with driving wheels/shafting to connect with water wheel
* Long wood bench
Size House
* 2 Lead lined sizing vats
* Double wood vat connected to steam boiler
*Lead piping from settling pond
Picking Room
* 2 very long benches
Drying Loft
* 1,800 rods for drying; 6 lattice wire frames
Main Mill
* Wheel house/ water wheel
* Iron fly wheel
* Iron wheel washing engine
* Vat hog
* Vat press with large wheel; 2 additional presses
* 4 Washing troughs
Engine House
* Iron plate boiler
* Iron piping to connect with steam pipes in mill
Bleach House
* Pump worked by cog wheel on water wheel & piping to cistern
* Rag duster driven by water wheel
* Rag boiler with steam pipe and tap
Rolling Room
* Glazing rolls with driving wheels/shafting to connect with water wheel
* Long wood bench
Size House
* 2 Lead lined sizing vats
* Double wood vat connected to steam boiler
*Lead piping from settling pond
Picking Room
* 2 very long benches
Drying Loft
* 1,800 rods for drying; 6 lattice wire frames
The East Mill (east of Dulcote Bridge)
circa 1553
From this date, the EAST Mill was the property under the lordship of Sir William Petre, in the 1590's to the Dodingtons, then in the 1690's to the various Lord Brookes
1748
John Hawkins is listed as operator and Lord Brooke holds the deed ; Hawkins was responsible for converting the tumbled down grist mill into a paper mill with the assistance of John Kerton; the sons of both John Hawkins and John Kerton are listed in the lease
1752
John Hawkins still operates the papermill and Lord Brooke still holds the deed; the stock is insured and this East mill is now called White Paper Mill
1771
East Mill is sold in the "bargain and sale" of Francis, Lord Brooke, Earl of Warwick to Clement Tudway, Esq. of Wells
abt.1785-1807 ff
John Day operates the mill with Clement Tudway holding the deed; Day is noted as the tenant of the White Mill Estate (EAST);
45 3/4 acres of land
1792
John Day, mill operator leases from Clement Tudway, deed-holder; the man listed on the East mill lease since 1748, John Kerton, millwright (died this year)
1816-29
John Snelgrove now operates the paper mill (his family also operate 3 more mills in Bleadney and Wookey Hole); now John Paine Tudway, holds deed; Snelgrove is described as papermaker of EAST-side mill (former White Mill)John's co-partner and brother is James Snelgrove (James was based in Wookey); John Gunner was associated with John Snelgrove at least part of this time
1830-33
After her husband dies, Mary Snelgrove becomes the de facto operator (assisted by her sons); J. P. Tudway holds the deed; but operations of the mill is overseen by executors acting on behalf of John Snelgrove: Joseph Thorley, Henry Gifford and William Berryman
1832
John Snelgrove Jr. (who would later become the founding partner in the Marshall and Snelgrove Department Store chain) operates the mill with J. P. Tudway holding the deed; Mary Snelgrove is still involved as manufacturer Dulcote Paper Mill (EAST), with Benjamin Backhouse as partner
1841
Mary Snelgrove is once more listed as the operator with R. C. Tudway as deed-holder; while Mary Snelgrove still involved as manufacturer Dulcote Paper Mill (EAST) is run by James Andrews, Jonathan Wilson, John Wilson, Edward Pugh listed in 1841 as papermakers; John Rose listed as papermaker apprentice
1842-55
Benjamin Backhouse becomes operator with R. C. Tudway holding the deed; Backhouse is described as papermaker of EAST-side mill with son, John Backhouse and John Andrews
1856-64
W.S. Hodgkinson becomes operator with R. C. Tudway holding the deed
1864-65
Henry Coles and Richard Palin (partners) are lessees and now Charles Clement Tudway, son of R.C.Tudway, holds the deed; the mill is now called Dulcote Mill in lease; the lease excludes rights to mine, farm, hunt, fish or cut lumber; there are now cottages on the site as well.
1866
Richard Palin alone is the lessee (with the partnership dissolved in 1868/9; Charles Clement Tudway holds the deed
1868-9
Mill closed for 2 years
1871-74
William Dawton & Son now operate the mill with Charles Clement Tudway holding the deed
1875
James Black, lessee (paper-maker from Leicester) is now operating the mill with Charles Clement Tudway as deed-holder; millboard production was added to paper manufacturing at this mill; James Staines of Leicester acted as a surety for James Black and the lease was on a year to year basis
after April 1881
Henry Royall Minns is listed as mill operator, again with Charles Clement Tudway holding the deed; Minns was the former manager of Bowlingreen Mill (leather board) in Street; also listed on the lease are John Savage, stoker; George Oatley, plate maker; Peter Mortimore
1889
James Black, is now the lessee and Charles Clement Tudway holds the deed; Black comes from Leicester Leather Board Manufacture where he had been operating the mill as a leather board mill "for some years"
1890-93
Alfred Joseph Wakeford and Rees Isaacs, manufacturers,- re-leased the mill from James Black who holds the lease and Charles Clement Tudway who holds the deed; the lease specifies that both paper and leather board are now produced here which is likely why it was now called Dulcote Mills (plural); Wakeford and Isaacs made separate leasing agreements with both Tudway and Black for various aspects of the business & tenement
1896
James Joiner becomes Managing Director of the now called Dulcote Leather Board Co. with Tudway still holding the deed
1901
James Joiner, Manufacturer, Dulcote Leather Board Co. with Tudway holding the deed; in this same year the company was sold to James Joiner of Wells, the Bishop family of Glastonbury and Longman of Ditcheat; workers listed were Frank Lilly, mechanic; Wilfred Snook, mechanics labourer; Ada Kate Snook, worker; Henry James Williams, pressman; Ernest Williams, dryer
1904
EAST mill closed, never to re-open
circa 1553
From this date, the EAST Mill was the property under the lordship of Sir William Petre, in the 1590's to the Dodingtons, then in the 1690's to the various Lord Brookes
1748
John Hawkins is listed as operator and Lord Brooke holds the deed ; Hawkins was responsible for converting the tumbled down grist mill into a paper mill with the assistance of John Kerton; the sons of both John Hawkins and John Kerton are listed in the lease
1752
John Hawkins still operates the papermill and Lord Brooke still holds the deed; the stock is insured and this East mill is now called White Paper Mill
1771
East Mill is sold in the "bargain and sale" of Francis, Lord Brooke, Earl of Warwick to Clement Tudway, Esq. of Wells
abt.1785-1807 ff
John Day operates the mill with Clement Tudway holding the deed; Day is noted as the tenant of the White Mill Estate (EAST);
45 3/4 acres of land
1792
John Day, mill operator leases from Clement Tudway, deed-holder; the man listed on the East mill lease since 1748, John Kerton, millwright (died this year)
1816-29
John Snelgrove now operates the paper mill (his family also operate 3 more mills in Bleadney and Wookey Hole); now John Paine Tudway, holds deed; Snelgrove is described as papermaker of EAST-side mill (former White Mill)John's co-partner and brother is James Snelgrove (James was based in Wookey); John Gunner was associated with John Snelgrove at least part of this time
1830-33
After her husband dies, Mary Snelgrove becomes the de facto operator (assisted by her sons); J. P. Tudway holds the deed; but operations of the mill is overseen by executors acting on behalf of John Snelgrove: Joseph Thorley, Henry Gifford and William Berryman
1832
John Snelgrove Jr. (who would later become the founding partner in the Marshall and Snelgrove Department Store chain) operates the mill with J. P. Tudway holding the deed; Mary Snelgrove is still involved as manufacturer Dulcote Paper Mill (EAST), with Benjamin Backhouse as partner
1841
Mary Snelgrove is once more listed as the operator with R. C. Tudway as deed-holder; while Mary Snelgrove still involved as manufacturer Dulcote Paper Mill (EAST) is run by James Andrews, Jonathan Wilson, John Wilson, Edward Pugh listed in 1841 as papermakers; John Rose listed as papermaker apprentice
1842-55
Benjamin Backhouse becomes operator with R. C. Tudway holding the deed; Backhouse is described as papermaker of EAST-side mill with son, John Backhouse and John Andrews
1856-64
W.S. Hodgkinson becomes operator with R. C. Tudway holding the deed
1864-65
Henry Coles and Richard Palin (partners) are lessees and now Charles Clement Tudway, son of R.C.Tudway, holds the deed; the mill is now called Dulcote Mill in lease; the lease excludes rights to mine, farm, hunt, fish or cut lumber; there are now cottages on the site as well.
1866
Richard Palin alone is the lessee (with the partnership dissolved in 1868/9; Charles Clement Tudway holds the deed
1868-9
Mill closed for 2 years
1871-74
William Dawton & Son now operate the mill with Charles Clement Tudway holding the deed
1875
James Black, lessee (paper-maker from Leicester) is now operating the mill with Charles Clement Tudway as deed-holder; millboard production was added to paper manufacturing at this mill; James Staines of Leicester acted as a surety for James Black and the lease was on a year to year basis
after April 1881
Henry Royall Minns is listed as mill operator, again with Charles Clement Tudway holding the deed; Minns was the former manager of Bowlingreen Mill (leather board) in Street; also listed on the lease are John Savage, stoker; George Oatley, plate maker; Peter Mortimore
1889
James Black, is now the lessee and Charles Clement Tudway holds the deed; Black comes from Leicester Leather Board Manufacture where he had been operating the mill as a leather board mill "for some years"
1890-93
Alfred Joseph Wakeford and Rees Isaacs, manufacturers,- re-leased the mill from James Black who holds the lease and Charles Clement Tudway who holds the deed; the lease specifies that both paper and leather board are now produced here which is likely why it was now called Dulcote Mills (plural); Wakeford and Isaacs made separate leasing agreements with both Tudway and Black for various aspects of the business & tenement
1896
James Joiner becomes Managing Director of the now called Dulcote Leather Board Co. with Tudway still holding the deed
1901
James Joiner, Manufacturer, Dulcote Leather Board Co. with Tudway holding the deed; in this same year the company was sold to James Joiner of Wells, the Bishop family of Glastonbury and Longman of Ditcheat; workers listed were Frank Lilly, mechanic; Wilfred Snook, mechanics labourer; Ada Kate Snook, worker; Henry James Williams, pressman; Ernest Williams, dryer
1904
EAST mill closed, never to re-open
Rag-Cutting; for more information on the history of paper-making, click this image
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Glazing; for for more information on the history of paper-making, click on this picture
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1 See Bibliography for complete reference.
2 See "A Very Ille Rokky Waye" for complete reference.
3 This grist mill lease is available at the Public Records Office for Somerset. Somerset Record Office. Taunton, Somerset in the Tudway Papers
4 Reference is in the sale catalogue of the 1913 auction of the Dulcote and Wellesley Estates, in the Tudway papers at the Somerset Record Office.
5 Names have been garnered from indentures, surveys, directories, censuses and wills. In addition, Brian Luker, Historian of Wookey mills and member of the British Association of Paper Historians (BAPH) has generously made some contributions to the names of operators, papermakers, etc
The Old Mill House today offers B&B services.