Thornton Mill
This is a note, written c1955, was found in the Buckinghamshire archives and is about the history of the mill at thornton. The mill was destroyed in the 1850's for the new road and bridge.
| Thornton Mill |
Gone
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1 f, N.W. of Church.
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1768, 1809, 1825, 1900.
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On the Manor of Thornton in 1086 was a mill worth ten ores and described in 1278-9 as a watermill.
Ellis, son of Edmund the Miller, is mentioned in 1219 in connection with the gift of land to a hospital; but no other direct reference to a mill comes to light until we hear the report of a considerable dispute in the 16th. century, which was caused by the lord of the manor, Humphrey Tyrell, who repeatedly destroyed all the common furze and blackthorne to which the commoners were entitled for firing; a case being finally heard at Northampton on March 31, 1535. Tyrell also had enclosed with a hedge a part of the common on which they were entitled to graze their beasts, as well as causing trouble with the priests. His excuse appears to have been that the commoner's wives had damaged the stone wall around his mill by washing clothes there (presumably climbing over it to reach the stream) and by allowing their kine to damage it; and he also asserted that one of his servants had been thrown into the water by one Robert Wilson's wife and maid.
The Ingletons, including Robert Ingleton, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Edward IV, had previously held the manor of Thornton in succession to the Chastillons of the 13th. century and the Bartons of the 14th; but the Tyrells remained until the 18th. century, when it passed to the Cotton family by marriage and to the Cavendish family more recently. Incidentally, the Tyrells claimed to be direct descendants of Sir Walter Tyrell, who is said to have been the man who shot William Rufus in the New Forest.
By 1606 two watermills are recorded and throughout the 18th. century there were three, all described as corn mills, standing on the Tyrell estate; but it is probable that one of these was at Leckhampstead, and one may possibly have been Mount Mill - the next mill down the Ouse – but this seems to have been located on the north bank in Northamptonshire.
Thornton Mill stood upon the main stream on the west side of the road leading from the Hall and Church to the Buckingham Turnpike, no other site being known in the parish so far as I can discover. (Freese MSS, 1939)
Sun Fire Insurance Policy No. 501042:
26 Jan. 1785: Thomas Edwin of Great Horwood in the county of Bucks, Baker and Miller. On his dwelling house and offices adjoining situate as aforesaid £160. On his household goods in his House and Millhouse adjoining call'd Thornborough Mill, thatched £30. Utensils and stock therein £110. (vol. 326)
Sun Fire Insurance Policy No. 552528:
7 Jan. 1789: Thomas Edwin of Thornton and William Richardson of Thornborough Mill in Bucks, Millers.
On their house at Thornborough aforesaid in the tenure of the said William Richardson £120. Water Corn Mill, Millhouse and Stable adjoining near £500. Utensils and stock and Goods in Trust £100.
Water Corn Mill and Millhouse situate at Thornton aforesaid, stone and tiled £260. Utensils and stock and Goods in Trust £40. (vol 357)
Sun Fire Insurance Policy No. 579196:
25 Jan. 1791: Thomas Edwin of Thornton Mill and William Richardson of Thornborough Mill, both in Bucks, Millers. On the house situated at Thornborough aforesaid in tenure of said Richardson £120.
Water Corn Mill, millhouse and stable adjoining near £200. Utensils and going gears therein £100. (vol 375)
| Thornton, Bucks |
Water
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