Bygone Wheels Of Industry
The old upright shaft and great spur wheel from Reed Mill, Kingston in Kent lay outside the front of the Windmill Museum on Wimbledon Common.
In 1799 John Watney applied to the Manor Court to enclose a piece of land on Wimbledon Common for the purpose of erecting a windmill. John Watney died before construction started and in 1816 a new application was made by a Roehampton carpenter, Charles March. A 99 year lease was granted for a small plot of land on Wimbledon Common, at an annual rent of two shillings, 'upon this special condition that he shall erect and keep up a public Corn Mill for the advantage and convenience of the neighbourhood'.
With Charles March being a carpenter this probably accounts for the unusual construction of the mill, which originally had a single-storey octagonal brick base together with a second storey constructed of wood which housed all the working machinery. Above this was a conical tower which held the post supporting the cap on which the sails were mounted.
In 1864 5th Earl Spencer, Lord of the Manor, announced his intention to enclose Wimbledon Common and build himself a new manor house on the site of the mill. A six year legal battle by local opposition followed and was resolved by the common being handed over to the local community, with maintenance and an annuity to be paid to the Spencer family. The mill was subsequently converted into living accommodation.
Major restoration work took place in 1893 with a number of changes being made to the structure. The mill continued to be used as accommodation, latterly for the Commons Rangers, until 1975, when further repairs were carried out and the first floor was converted into a museum.
Bygone Wheels Of Industry
The old upright shaft and great spur wheel from Reed Mill, Kingston in Kent lay outside the front of the Windmill Museum on Wimbledon Common.
In 1799 John Watney applied to the Manor Court to enclose a piece of land on Wimbledon Common for the purpose of erecting a windmill. John Watney died before construction started and in 1816 a new application was made by a Roehampton carpenter, Charles March. A 99 year lease was granted for a small plot of land on Wimbledon Common, at an annual rent of two shillings, 'upon this special condition that he shall erect and keep up a public Corn Mill for the advantage and convenience of the neighbourhood'.
With Charles March being a carpenter this probably accounts for the unusual construction of the mill, which originally had a single-storey octagonal brick base together with a second storey constructed of wood which housed all the working machinery. Above this was a conical tower which held the post supporting the cap on which the sails were mounted.
In 1864 5th Earl Spencer, Lord of the Manor, announced his intention to enclose Wimbledon Common and build himself a new manor house on the site of the mill. A six year legal battle by local opposition followed and was resolved by the common being handed over to the local community, with maintenance and an annuity to be paid to the Spencer family. The mill was subsequently converted into living accommodation.
Major restoration work took place in 1893 with a number of changes being made to the structure. The mill continued to be used as accommodation, latterly for the Commons Rangers, until 1975, when further repairs were carried out and the first floor was converted into a museum.