The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Blackboys Mill    Blackboys  Framfield  
Blackboys Mill in 1936
Blackboys Mill in 1936
Blackboys Mill is a white mill, alas! now somewhat weatherbeaten, with a metalled roof and breast. It consists of the usual arrangement of floors-top floor, bins (reached by rather tricky ladders!) and the tops of the brake- and tail-wheels; second floor down, stones and wind-shaft and bottoms of tail- and brake-wheels; third floor (bottom floor of the body of the mill) spouts, with stone governors and mechanism for lifting and lowering the stones. Beneath is a single-storied wooden roundhouse, enclosing the centre-post and quarter-beams. It now has two pairs of stones only-both peaks-a third pair of French burrs having been removed some years ago, as has also the flour-machine. The two pairs still running drive direct from above, one from the brake-wheel, the other from the tail-wheel of the mill.
extract from Hemming's Windmills


Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1936Windmills in Sussex by Peter Hemming ⇒ p. 33

Historical records

1868HistoryBlackboys MillHemming's Windmills
This mill was built in 1818, at Glynde Hill, between Lewes and Eastbourne, and was moved to its present position by Messrs. Garrett by a team of horses in 1868. For the last forty years or so [i.e.since c 1900] it has been owned and worked by the present miller, Mr. Paris, who also runs a bakery on the opposite side of the road.

1874Directory entryHobden John, miller, Blackboys millBlackboys millPost Office Directory

c 1875Blackboys & Pounsley, South of Buxted - c 1875Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance SurveyWindmill

3rd Apr 1881CensusEsther Hobden, F, Head, widowed, age 37, born Buxted, employs 1 labourer; occupation: farmerEsther Hobden [Hope]Mill Cottage1881 Census
Framfield, Sussex
Luther J. Hobden, M, Son, single, age 18, born Framfield; occupation: miller journeymanLuther John Hobden
Hannah G. Hobden, F, Daughter, age 8, born Framfield; occupation: scholarHannah G. Hobden
Samuel G. Hobden, M, Son, age 6, born Framfield; occupation: scholarSamuel G. Hobden

3rd Apr 1881CensusGeorge Burgess, M, Head, married, age 26, born East Hoathly; occupation: master wheelwrightGeorge Burgess, master wheelwrightMill Cottage1881 Census
Framfield, Sussex
Esther Burgess, F, Wife, married, age 29, born FrantEsther Burgess
Fanny E. Burgess, F, Daughter, age 2, born FramfieldFanny E. Burgess
William G. Burgess, M, Son, age 1, born FramfieldWilliam G. Burgess
Ada M. Burgess, F, Daughter, age 2 m, born FramfieldAda M. Burgess
Aaron Burgess, M, Brother, single, age 16, born Framfield; occupation: wheelwright apprenticeAaron Burgess

1882Directory entryHobden Luther John, miller (wind), & coal dealer, Blackboys millBlackboys millKelly's Directory

c 1899Blackboys & Pounsley, Sussex - c 1899Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1899 by Ordnance SurveyFloyed Windmill

1936Blackboys MillBlackboys Mill, WaldronBlackboys MillHemming's Windmills

1936Blackboys MillBlackboys Mill, WaldronBlackboys MillHemming's Windmills

1936HistoryBlackboys MillHemming's Windmills
I deeply regret to have to record that it [Blackboys Mill] has passed out of the active-list. As already observed, it was beginning to get in bad condition, but the real cause of its ceasing work for good, as far as one can see, was the dangerous condition of its breast-beam. Unfortunately, the whole of the sweeps have been taken down, and only the middlings, or whips, remain in place, which has robbed the mill of its picturesque appearance and makes it look even more derelict than in point of actual fact is the case. It is extremely unlikely that it will ever be repaired and put into commission again, for, although the cost of doing this would, I think, not greatly exceed one hundred pounds, trade is slack and times are too bad to make it worth while incurring even this moderate expense in order that it might be replaced on the active list of Sussex windmills

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