Holme Mill, south east view

River Skerne and Mills of Great Aycliffe

copyright Vivien Ellis

Ricknall Mill
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Few mills remain today on the Great Aycliffe stretch of the River Skerne, from Preston le Skerne to Coatham Mundeville. Thanks must be given to Mr Armstrong, Mr Brown and Mr Barnfather for allowing me to photograph their mills, and to Mrs Ida Hadrick for her information.

The range of mills covers corn, paper, wood, fulling, bleaching and thread. This is an attempt to trace the history of these mills in Great Aycliffe.

The earliest named inhabitant is in the Boldon Book of 1183: Thomas of Aycley who holds Wyteworth (Whitworth).

Louisa Wilson, in her "Annals of Aycliffe" 1927, p. 304, states that Alexander de Whitworth, heir of Thomas, died in 1333. He had been a tenant of the ancient "Hall" in Acley, and had the right to grind his own corn in Acley Mill, rendering 20 Vas of corn, and his tenants 13 Vas. On p. 306, she also quotes the terms on which Woodham was held in 1392: "The heirs of Thomas de Wodom, Thomas de Whitworth, John de Whitworth, and Alicia de Whitworth, hold free of the Prior of Durham the whole vill of Wodom by knight's service, and fortnightly suit at the Prior's court at Durham, grind their meal at Aycley Mill, and give aids and the service of one man at harvest at the Prior's Manor of Acle and pay rent of 10s per annum."

The earliest millers appear in the Halmota Prioratus Dunelmensis 1296-1393. In 1296 William, the miller (molendarius) paid 2s annuallly for 10 years for the oven of Aycley. In 1358 mention is made of millers:

AKLEY.  It was presented through the mill leaseholders that being tenants as freely as others they pastured their draught animals in a certain place called the milndam (mill dam?), which the leaseholders themselves declare belongs to them and is separate from the Lord’s.  So these same leaseholders were ordered to distrain the free tenants that were pasturing it(there?).  At also it was ordered that the other tenants should not pasture under penalty of 13s. 4d

AKLEY. Praesentatum est per firmarios molendini quod tam libere tenentes quam alii depascunt per averia sua quondam locum qui vocatur le milndam quem ipsi firmarii clamant pertinere et esse seperale Domini. Ideo praeceptum eisdem firmariis quod distr' liberos tenentes illam depascentes. Et eciam injunctum est aliis tenentibus quod non depascant sub poena 13s. 4d.

In 1364 William Warand, heir of Nicholas of Ketton milled at the mill of the Lord of Ayclyf. The following year 3 men, William Usscher, Thomas Perkynson and William Hibbus, took over the mill at Aycley:

The discharge of the mill of ACLEY.  William Usscher, Thomas Perkynson and William Hibbus (Hibbi) took the mill of Acley from the festival of St. Martin. A. D. etc 65 (1365) till the end of 3 years.  They are to pay annually 8 pounds .

Dimmissio molend' de ACLEY. Willelmus Usscher, Thomas Perkynson et Willelmus Hibbi ceperunt molend' de Acley a festo S. Mart. A,D. etc. Lxy usque ad terminum trium annorum - - redd. inde annuatim 8 li.

Three years later a different 3 men, Tho. de Preston, Nicholas de Bewyk and Henry Milner of Skolacleff, took over the mill after a concern about the corn and fulling mills:

The jury was ordered to see to how much the corn mill and the fulling mill had deteriorated. There was a discourse between Thomas Wright of Preston, mill leaseholder and the mill leaseholders of the Lord namely Robert Carles, William Ussher and Thomas Perkynson, about whichever of them holds 1 home and mills without payment for grinding such of the Lord’s when they themselves all ought to mill, with respect to 1 leaseholder used to mill, it was placed in respect until the next. [Tho. de Preston, Nicholas de Bewyk and Henry Milner of Skolacleff take the mill of Acley for three years at £9.]

Injunctum est juratoribus quod videant molendinum blad' et molendinum fullaticum in quantum deteriorantur. - Loquela quae est inter Thomam Wryght de Preston firmarium molendini et firmarios dominicorum viz. Robertum CarIes, Willelmum Ussher et Thomam Perkynson, de eo quod quilibet eorum tenet unam domum et molit absque multura tam dominicorum ubi ipsi omnes deberet [sic] molere, prout unus firmarius molere solebat, ponitur in respectu usque prox. [Tho. de Preston, Nicholas de Bewyk and Henry Milner of Skolacleff take the mill of Acley for three years at £9.]

In 1370 there was some concern about a theft at the mill. The miller was Peter Snart, and a William Pouer knew about the opening of the walls of the mill:

About Peter Snart’ [or Suart] the miller for 1 sack and 1 bushel. 1 pt of corn at the price 2s 4d.  In the default of Peter himself /theft from the mill as had been ascertained through the jury, from which half will be relaxed by the fact that the walls [error for" portae" 1] of the aforesaid mill had been open, with the knowledge of William Pouer [not before mentioned in this entry] 6d.

De Petro Snart' [or Suart] molendinario pro j sacc. et j bz j pt frumenti precii 2s. 4d. in deffectu ipsius Petri furatis de molend. prout compertum est per jur., unde medietas relaxabitur, eo quod parietes [error for" portae" 1] praedicti molendini fuerunt apertae, ipso Willelmo Pouer [not before mentioned in this entry] sciente 6d.

Eight years later, in 1378, it seems this same William Power moved into a cottage next to the mill, whose miller had recently been Gilbert Grubbe:

ACLEY. William Power took 1 cottage with a garden next to the mill which Gilbert Grubbe held last.: He was to have and to hold to the end of his own life.:  To be paid to the exchequer of the Prior 2s. 6d. and he will maintain his homes and will give up in a sufficient state.  And about the other homes the land-holder will do at his own will.   Premium 12d.

ACLEY. WilIelmus Power cepit j cotagium cum gardino juxta molendinum quod Gilbertus Grubbe ultimo tenuit: habend. et tenend. ad term. vitae suae: redd. scaccario domini Prioris 2s. 6d. et manutenebit suas domos et eas in sufficienti statu dimittet. Et de aliis domibus terrarius faciet voluntatem suam - - Gres'm'a 12d.

In 1378 William Warrand is in court again to account for his diversion of a water course which used to run through the middle of the street to the river Skirn (1st mention of the Skerne found so far). This diversion had caused damage to John Fergouson's home - the diversion now went through it, and also seriously damaged the manor below:

ACLEY.  It was ordered to arrest William Warand to be present at the next free court to reply about the common water course which ought to run through the middle of the street (strati) as far as the Skirn, and now it is turned away/diverted by the aforesaid William and now runs through the home of John Fermourson and below the manor at serious loss/damage.

ACLEY. Praeceptum est attach. Will. Warand. ad essendum ad prox. liberam cur ad respondend. de communi cursu aquae quae deberent [sic] currere per medium strati usque Skirn, et modo pervertitur per praed. Will., et currit modo per domum Joh. Fermourson et infra manerium ad grave dampnum.

In 1382 William Power comes to court again to take over the water mill at an annual cost of £6 13s 4d paid to the exchequer of the Lord Prior of Durham.

ACLEY. William Pouer came to court and took the water mill of Acley – till the end of 3 years.  To be paid annually to the exchequer of the Lord Prior of Durham £6 13s 4d. [with usual condition for upholding the mill and leaving in repair]

ACLEY. Will. Pouer v. in cur. et c. molend. aquaticum de Acley - - usque ad term. iij an. - - redd. p. a. scac. dom. Prioris Dunelm. vj li. xiij s. iiij d. [with usual condition for upholding the mill and leaving in repair]

Louisa Wilson, in her "Annals of Aycliffe" of 1927, p.46, quotes an entry from the Marescalia, 1370-80, transcribed in the Durham Accounts Rolls, Vol. 99, about William Power:

" Court of Marshalsea of the Lord Prior of Durham held at Acley on Wednesday next before the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist.

William Power is a brewer, he has a bushel measure, he is a farmer and miller; his bushel is not sealed, and is therefore forfeited. For this he is amerced (fined). He does not exhibit a gallon, quart, nor pottle measure, for this he is amerced; nor his mill-weights. John Teddi is surety for the fine and amerciament."

Louisa also quotes p.148 from the Feodarium in the Surtees Society Publication Vol. 58, pp59-63:

"Item, the heirs of the said Gilbert (Randolf) and Robert (Randolf) and Nicholas (Randolf) hold of the Prior 1 messuage on Northland, between the Almoner's holding to the west, and Acley watermill on the east.......................the heirs of William Wedom (Wodom), William Power and John Power....hold 8 acres of those 40 acres formerly belonging to Robert son of Sabina, by knight's service and suit at Prior's free court at Durham three times a year and mow and make hay, and turn the Mill-stone so as to grind 13 measures, and render service and aids for the same amount of land as that entered in the books of Prior Thomas, and pay 16d in rent".

Louisa has also found a reference, p. 174, to the mill at Aycliffe in Bishop Hatfield's Survey of 1381: "C. Free Tenants.- The Prior of Durham pays rent of 12d per annum for the site of the mill of Acly"

.In Volume 18 of The Surtees Society which has the Ecclesiae Dunelmensis, Liber Bursarii for 1530-1 on page 23 there is a reference to the mill pond at Aycliffe which cost 12 d per annum " Domino Episcopo pro fixione stagni molini in Acley per annum 12d."

Later, referring to 1531-2, there is evidence that Aycliffe was producing linen: " et in 9 ulnis hardynge de Johanne Gyels de Aykley ad 2d - 12d.....et de Willielmo Colson de Aykley 10 uln." ulnis is from ulna - an ell - between 42 and 45 inches. Hardynge was a rough linen cloth.

About 1549 in the Appendix of the Halmota, are two millers: John Brasse, who had a water mill, paying £4,13s 4d per annum.

pro molendino aquatico ibidem, per annum, 4 li. 13s. 4d

Louisa Wilson, p. 243, has found a Richard Brasse, who was buried at Aycliffe December 22, 1567, as a tenant holding the Mill.

and Widow Harrison, who had a fulling mill, paying 40s per annum.

pro molendino fullonico, per annum, 40s. 

Of the fulling mill, Louisa Wilson gives the following interesting information on pp 151-2:

"Here (the fulling mill) no doubt the Prior's wool was cleansed before it was woven by the women of the vill, and made up into the habit of the Order. After the Reformation it was turned to purely industrial uses with "Wedow Harrison" as tenant, and continued to function under the name of the Walk Mill; for fuller's earth is known in Germany as "Walker-erde". In the last stage of its existence, Aycliffe Mill was maintained to provide work for the "poor of the parish"." Louisa quotes a section of the Aycliffe Churchwarden's Book, 1747, from which we find that on April 21, 1747, "a Purchase was made with Thomas Richardson of Preston -le-Schearn of a House and Walk-mill lying and being in the Township of Ayckliff, by the Minister, Churchwardens and Twenty-four then assembled for the Sum of Sixty Pounds."

The next mention of the Skerne and the responsibilites to maintain bridge by the communities is found in the Durham Quarter Roll Sessions 1471-1625. On July 8, 1618, there is a memo that Ralph Conyers, Knight, knows for certain about the ruinous state of Ketton Bridge, which is the responsibility of the parishioners of Haughton and Aycliffe. These parishioners would be fined £13 6s 8d at the next court on September 30 unless the bridge was repaired by then:

1618
July 8
MEMO presented by Ralph Conyers, knt, of his certain knowledge that the public bridge over the Skerne called Ketton Bridge was ruinous and the responsibility of the parishioners of Haughton and Aycliffe with lands adjacent. The fine was assessed at £13 6s 8d, to be levied unless the bridge was repaired before the general sessions to be held 30 Sept. At the general sessions before George Frevile, Henry Anderson, William Bellasis, John Calverley, George Tonge, Ralph Conyers, knts, Clement Colmore, LL.D., Robert Cooper and William Carrs, esqs.
Durham Quarter Sessions Rolls 1471 - 1625

The next section tries to follow the mills on the River Skerne from the north at Preston le Skerne to the south at Coatham Mundeville.

Preston le Skerne

Ricknall Mill

River Skerne left, Ricknall Mill in distance
Ricknakk Mill, end wall,  1700s
River Skerne on left, Ricknall Mill on left of building in distance.
Ricknall Mill end wall, built in the 1700s.
Course of Mill race, looking back to bridge above
Shaft hole for the water wheel shaft
Course of the mill race, looking back to the bridge where the photograph above top was taken.
The hole for the shaft of the water wheel.

In 1364 in the Halmota Prioratus Dunelmensis, there is mention of a Hugh of Ricknall, who had custody of William Ibbus until he was 15 years old:

Pledged by Hugo of Riknall and William Ibbus (Ibbi).. And because the aforesaid William was not of full age, by licence of the court it was in the custody of the aforesaid Hugo until he was 15 years of age.  Premium 4s.

Pleg. Hugone de Riknall et Willelmo Ibbi ... Et quia praedictus Willelmus non est ad plenam aetatem, ex licencia curiae est in custodia praedicti Hugonis quousque sit xv annorum. Gres'ma 4s.

Louisa Wilson, p. 184, shows the tenancy of Sir William Darcy of Rykenhall and Copelaw as "For three lives held of the Bishop, grounds called Coplaw with a water cornmill belongning. Y.V. B. W. £160"

In the Baptism Register for St. Andrew's Church, Aycliffe, there is the baptism of William Nelson, son of William of Ricknall Mill, on February 27, 1687

William Taylor is the miller in 1749. He buried his son James February 20, 1749:

James Taylor Rickland Mill Son of William Taylor February 20 1749

George Ware, of Rickland Mill, had his two sons, Thomas and James, baptized May 11, 1794.

The Burial Register provides us with the name of another miller, William Fogg. He died aged 67 and was buried June 6, 1817.

William Fogg Rickland Mill June 6 1817
67
born about 1750
John Harrison, Curate of Heighington page 12

The Walker family had along association with Rickland Mill. They were there from at least 1775 when John Walker of Ricknell Mill was buried July 1. Another John Walker's daughter Elizabeth was baptized July 24. His son Abraham was baptized 2 years later on November 11, 1787.

In the Burial Register for 1800 John Walker, Miller of Rickland Mill, died March 20 and was buried at Aycliffe March 22, age 51 years.

Abraham Walker died 1818, aged 36:

Abraham Walker Ricknall Mill March 11 1818
36
born about 1782
J. H. Brown, Curate page 15

and baptized in 1818 is Ann Walker, daughter of Robert and Mary Walker:

Ann Walker May-25 1818 Robert Mary Rickland Mill Miller J. H. Brown, Curate 30

 

Louisa Wilson, p. 184, also quotes a curious details mentioned by Surtees, writing in 1818: "Rickland House, the mill, (usually, but wrongly, called Bradbury Mill) and the Bat ( a small parcel of ground surrounded by the mill-race and the Skerne), pay all rates to Heighington, except the Easter dues and the tithe of the Bat, which are paid to the Vicar of Aycliffe; these however also were formerly paid to Heighington. A trial at law was likely to have taken place concerning the tithe&c. of the above, but Heighington gave way... All settlements made by service, occupation &c. belong to Heighington. The lands adjoining the mill pay all rates, tithes, &c. to the township of Woodham in the parish of Aycliffe. A new mill and house under one one continued roof were built last year (i.e. 1815), on the South side of the old mill and house, and about 20 yards from them." She also states that the occupants of this reconstructed house have for many years been Mr & Mrs Thomas Searle, a name known to the parish since 1440.

I

In 1821 William Metcalfe was a miller at Rickland mill:

George Robinson Metcalfe Apr-27 1821 William Margaret Rickland Mill Miller J.H.Brown, Curate 47

 

Cuthbert Willis appears in the Parson and White "History, Directory and Gazetteer of the Counties of Durham and Northumberland" of 1828 as corn miller at Ricknall Mill and in Pigot & Co.'s Directory of 1834 as miller at Great Aycliffe. In the 1841 census at Ricknall Mill there is still Cuthbert Willis, age 40, born in Co. Durham. His wife, Mary Gibson, age 35, from the parish of Haughton le Skerne in Co. Durham, married Cuthbert by Licence at St. Andrew's Church, Aycliffe April 26, 1827. In the 1841 his children are Mary, 11, Sarah, 9, John, 7, Robert 5 and Gibson 1.

Joseph Willis March 16 1828
Cuthbert
Aycliffe
Robert Willis
baptized January 26
1836
Cuthbert
Mary Ricknall Miller J. D. Eade
Cuthbert Willis
March 11
1837
Cuthbert
Mary Ricknall Miller J. D. Eade
Elizabeth  Margaret Willis August 3 1838
Cuthbert
Mary Ricknall Miller J. D. Eade

In the Burial Register for 1830 Mary Willis, age 1 year, was buried on Augsut 29.

In January 1841 Cuthbert had signed a lease for the mill with Thomas Ord, Gentleman, from the Teasdale family of Preston Lodge. Cuthbert was the churchwarden for Woodham from 1839 till 1855 (Valerie Brown, SALTIRE, pp.32 &33).

In the 1847 Baptism Register Robert Ianson and his wife Sarah had their son Thomas baptized September 22. Robert was a waggoner at Ricknall Mill.

In 1855 the Baptism Register provides the name of a labourer at Ricknall Mill: Thomas Peckitt.

Mary Ann Peckitt September 8 1855 daughter of Thomas Elizabeth Ricknall Mill Labourer Wm. Eade, Curate 51

 

William Bagley is miller by 1858, when he appears in the commercial section of Woodham of Kelly's Post Office Directory. His son Robert, age 20, married Mary Searle, age 18, of Hill House Farm, Aycliffe, February 16, 1859. His daughter Ann, age 19, married Robert Russell, a railway worker, of Aycliffe, July 19, 1864. William was buried at Aycliffe on October 30, 1869, age 54.

Aycliffe

unnamed mills

In the Parson and White Diretory of 1828 for Great Aycliffe there are listed Nicholas and William Phillips, Paper manufacuters and Rt. Playfair, corn miller.

Below is a description from this directory, giving the various types of mill at Aycliffe:

Parson and White, 1828
Source: History. Directory and Gazetteer of the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, Parson and White, 1828

In 1783, at the Mill, is George Wilkinson:

George Wilkinson October 27 1783 George Mill

There is a headstone that shows evidence of a fulling mill. It is of Ralph Thompson, who was died June 26, 1799 and was late of this place, Bleacher. His wife was Alice, named below in the Burials Register.

 
Ralph Thompson, Bleacher
 

Aycliffe Mill is named as the abode of Alice , who died in 1814, age 69.

Alice Thompson Aycliffe Mill April 19 1814
69
born about 1745
Wm. M. I. Preston, Curate page 4

 

Thomas Race, who married Mary Hall May 18, 1807, was a miller of Aycliffe, at the baptism Barbara, February 10, 1811.

William Earl's daughter, Elizabeth, was baptized later in 1807:

Elizabeth Earl June 1807 December 13 1807 William, of ? Eleanor Geldart, daughter of John Geldart, Whitesmith, of Bentham, near Lancaster
Miller
3rd child 119

 

Joseph Proud was a miller at Aycliffe in 1810 & 1815:

Joseph Proud
born October 4
1810
baptized November 10
1810 Joseph, of Slaley, Northumberland Ann Rain, of Starford, Yorkshire Aycliffe Miller 5th son 133
Ann Proud May 7 1815 Joseph Ann Aycliffe Miller Wm. M. S. Preston, Curate 13

 

In 1816 & 1817 there is reference to a spinning mill at Aycliffe. Abraham Shipton was master of the spinning mill:

Abraham Shipton Nov-14 1816 Abraham Mary Hansom, servant Aycliffe Master of the spinning mill Robert Green, Curate 21
Mary Shipton Dec-04 1817 Abraham Mary Aycliffe Master of the spinning mill Robert Green, Officiating Curate 27

Nine years later Abraham Shipton died and was buried January 12, 1826. His abode was Cotham Mill.

Working as foreman at the spinning mill in 1816 is William Robinson:

Thomas Robinson Sep-22 1816 William Elizabeth Aycliffe Foreman in spinning mill Robert Green, Curate 20

Evidence for a fulling mill still in action is the reference to bleachers, Ralph and William Thompson, in 1809, 1810, 1811 & 1816:

Mary  Thompson
born October 3
1810
baptized February 10
1811 Ralph, otp Elizabeth Adamson, of Hartburn Grange, parish of Redmarshal Aycliffe Bleacher 6th child 135

 

Timothy Thompson born August 31 1809 October 9 1809 William, otp Mary Shields, of this parish Aycliffe Bleacher 4th son 128
Ralph Thompson born April 12 1811
baptized November 3
1811 William, otp Mary Shields, of this parish Aycliffe Bleacher 5th son 139
Margaret Thompson March 25 1816 William Mary Aycliffe Bleacher Wm. M. S. Preston, Curate 18

In the Burial Register 19 year old Ann Thompson of Aycliffe Bleaching Mill was buried on November 6, 1823.

William Nelson was a miller in 1817 &1819 at Aycliffe:

Jane Nelson Jul-13 1817 William Ann Aycliffe Miller Robert Taylor, Curate of Startforth 25
William Nelson Dec-25 1819 William Ann Aycliffe Miller John Chambers, Officiating Minister 37

Yet another miller at Aycliffe in 1819 is William Walker:

Mary Ann Walker May-14 1819 William Ann Aycliffe Miller J. H. Brown, Curate 35

 

John Marley was also a millwright at Aycliffe, in 1819 and 1822:

John Marley Aug-04 1819 John Elizabeth Aycliffe Millwright J. H. Brown, Curate 36
Jane Marley Mar-08 1822 John Elizabeth Aycliffe Mill Wright J.H.Brown, Curate 52

In the Burial Register for 1828 there is John Marley of Aycliffe, age 47 years, who was buried on July 4. Is this the John above? Also, in 1852, Elizabeth Marley was buried December 25, age 74 years. Is this John's wife?

Thomas Smith, millwright, had an illegitinmate child by Grace baptized in 1821:

William Smith illegitimate son Nov-21 1821 Thomas Grace Aycliffe Mill Wright J.H.Brown, Curate 51

 

Another miller residing at Aycliffe was GeorgeDodds and his wife Elizabeth who had a son baptized in 1822.

William Dodds Dec-29 1822 George Elizabeth Aycliffe Miller J.H.Brown, Curate 55

 

In 1823 there is a baptism for the daughter of a millwright , Thomas Smith, of Aycliffe, but there is a different mother to the child of Thomas Smith of 1821:

Dorothy Smith June 9 1823 Thomas Jane Aycliffe Mill Wright J.H.Brown, Curate 59

In 1823 there arealso the baptisms for the children of 2 paper makers, one of whom is listed in the directory above in 1828 (Phillips Nicholas & Wiliam, paper manufacturers):

Nicholas Phillips May-13 1823 Nicholas Elizabeth Aycliffe Paper Maker J.H.Brown, Curate 58
Robert Pusey May-08 1823 James Margaret Aycliffe Paper Maker Sam Graham, Officiating Minister 58

Also named as Worsted Manufacturers in Aycliffe in the directory above are Thomas Gibson and Thomas Sheriff.

Thomas Sheriff is listed in Pigot & Co.'s Directory of 1834 as a stocking worsted manufacturer of Great Aycliffe. Thomas was buried December 12m 1846, age 60. His wife, Lucy Crawford of Heighington, was buried twenty years later on February 1, 1866, age 78 years.

In the same directory of 1834 William Patrick, of Great Aycliffe is listed. This is the same William whose daughter Mary is mentioned below.

In 1837 George Warren Hardy, miller, married Elizabeth Jeminson?, servant, November 27, at St. Andrew's Church, Aycliffe.

In 1838 Mary Pattrick, of Aycliffe, daughter of William Pattrick, miller, married William Graham, wharfinger of Thornaby, Yorkshire, July 10. There is recorderd the death of William Pattrick, age 62, buried September 21, 1845. Though it doesn't state that he was a miller in the Burial Register, he is presumably the miller above.

Living in Low Row, Aycliffe, in 1841 is the miller William Patterson, age 55, not born in Co. Durham, and his wife Hannah, age 50, children Jane 15, Hannah, 10, all born in Co. Durham. Also in Low Row is Johnathon Lidler?, miller, age 20, born in Co. Durham.

Thomas Howd, miller, of Aycliffe, son of William Howd, miller, married Jane Corner November 22, 1845.

Titus Marley, joiner, of Aycliffe, who married Mary Deighton, of Aycliffe, July 25, 1846, was the son of John Marley, mill-wright.

In Hagar and Co.'s Directory of 1851 listed as corn millers are Henry Atkinson and Thomas Blair. Thomas Blair is in the 1851 census living in Heighington Street. Thomas was 58 years old. His wife Jane, from Yorkshire, was 56, and his son David was 20. David was also a miller.

In 1855 Elizabeth Dickson, age 19, of Woodham, daughter of Thomas Dickson, miller, married Thomas Peckitt, age 20, July 22.

In Whellans Diretory of 1856 the millers are J. Gill, Henry Hadrick of John & H Hadrick, and C. Stonehouse.

In 1858 Richard Carr Stonehouse is listed as a miller in Kelly's Post Office Directory.

William Simpson, miller at Aycliffe, and his wife Alice had their son, George William, baptized January 29, 1862.

In Slater's Directory of 1864 listed as millers are John Bagley, John and Henry Hadrick of Brafferton and Aycliffe, and Richard Robinson.

Aycliffe

named mills

Monk's End Mill

Monk's End postcard, courtesy Mrs Flower
Monk's End Saw Mill, 2007
Monk's End Saw Mill on far right on a postcard dated Christmas 1906, courtesy Mrs Flower.
Monk's End Saw Mill 2007

 

Monk's End Mill is named in the 1841 census. The miller is George Chapman, his wife is Margaret, both aged 25 and born in Co. Durham.

In the Post Office Directory for 1879 is Peter Scott, saw mills. In the 1891 census we still find the Scott family at the Saw Mill:

132 Saw Mill House Scott Peter Head M 46 Builder Scotland     1845
    Scott Margaret Wife M 46   Scotland     1845
    Scott Thomas Son S 21 Joiner Lancashire Salford   1870
    Scott James W. Son   14 Scholar Durham Great Stainton   1877
    Scott Cecilia C. Daughter   13 Scholar Durham Great Stainton   1878
    Scott Walter R. Son   10 Scholar Durham Aycliffe   1881
    Scott Margaret L. Daughter   8 Scholar Durham Aycliffe   1883
    Scott John R. Son   4   Durham Aycliffe   1887
    Byers? Mary A. Servant   22 General Servant Domestic Durham Killerby   1869
    Harrison Earnest Visitor   11   Durham Leasingthorne   1880

 

Holm Mill - Mill Holme

 Mill Holme, Aycliffe
Hole Mill mill race, north side
Inscription - molina?
Mill Holme. The mill race used to exit south where the old sink is.
Mill race on north side.
Inscription on stone high in mill wall which looks like the "ina" - which could be the end of molina, the Latin for mill.

There is a lot of information about Mill Holme at the southern end of the village. It is marked on a map from the 1640s as Holm Mill. Holm means a flat piece of ground by a river that is submerged in times of flood (O.E.D).

3 rd February 1702 Will of Thomas Gibson

Thomas Gibson late of East Hartburn in the parish of Norton left by his will dated the 3 rd February, 1702 a plot of 1½ acres ground called the Mill Holm in the township of Aycliffe to the poor of said parish to be distributed in White Bread every Sabbath day to poor widows who attend Church.

25 th July 1785

Between John Gibson of Hurworth in the County of Durham & Gentleman of the one Part And James Robson Vicar of Great Ayckliff in the said County Clerk of the other Part...... the said John Gibson Hath transferred assigned and sett over and by these Presents Doth transferr assign and sett over unto the said James Robson his successors and Assigns All that the said Close or parcel of Ground called or known by the Name of the Mill Holme with the rights members and Appurtenances thereunto belonging as the same is now in the Possession of Ralph Thompson as Tenant thereof And all the Estate right Title Interest Trust Possession Property Claim Right and benefit of renewal Claim and demand whatsoever of him the said John Gibson of in or to the said Close or any part thereof To have And to hold the said Close or parcel of Ground called the Mill Holme mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned with the Appurtenances unto the said James Robson his Successors and Assigns from henceforth for and during all the residue and remainder of the said Term of Twenty one Years yet to come and unexpired. (Transcription of lease) It seems that the actual miller who was renting the mill was Ralph Thompson.

In a memo in the Parish Register for 1834 it states that in the early part of this year the mill holm, (left by will abnout 100 years ago to the poor of the township of Aycliffe) was drained at the joint expense of the township and the Vicar. It contains about an acre and a half, and has been divided into 8 yards and let to as many cottagers belonging to the township, at a rent of 10/ each garden. The holm mill 1 acre, 2 roods, seven perches. In 1849 April the mill-holm was drained again, with tiles 2 ft half deeper nearly.

In the 1841 census Holm Mill is not named, but at the same place in the schedule as Holm Mill in the later censuses is Spring Garden Mill. The miller is William Tweddle, age, 20, his wife Jane, also 20, and son John, age 5, all born in Co. Durham. In 1843 William Tweddle, miller, of Aycliffe, married Jane Guy May 6.

In the 1851 census, at Holm Mill, we find below:

Street
Surname
Fore
names
Relation
Condition
Age
Occupation
County born
Place born
Roughly when born

 

Holm Mill
Atkinson
Henry
Head
Mar
30
Miller
Durham
Great Stainton
1821
1851

 

Atkinson
Jane
Wife
Mar
32

 

Durham
Aycliffe
1819
née Tweddle

 

Atkinson
John
Son

 

7
Scholar
Durham
Brafferton
1844

 

 

Atkinson
Robert
Son

 

4
Scholar
Durham
Brafferton
1847

 

 

Atkinson
Margaret
Daur

 

2

 

Durham
Aycliffe
1849

 

 

Tweddle
Robert
Brother in law
U.
21
Miller
Durham
Aycliffe
1830

 

Is Jane Atkinson, née Tweddle, the sister of William above?

Henry Atkinson is named in the Hagar & Co. Directory for 1851.

In Whellans Directory of 1856 J. Gill is mentioned. He wasJohnathan Gill, husband of Alice,who died 1859, of Holme Mill as shown in the headstone in St. Andrew's churchyard:

Alice Gill, Holm Mill, 1859
Alice Gill, wife of Johnathan Gill of Hom Mill, died August 8th, 1859.

Johnathan Gill had retired as miller but still lived at Holm Mill in the 1861 census, living with the next miller, George Marriner:

Sched Street Surname Forenames Relation Condition Age Occupation County born Place born Roughly when born
1
Holm Mill Marriner George Head Mar
45
Corn Miller Durham Bishop Auckland
1816
1861
Marriner Jane Wife Mar
39
Household work Durham Chester le Street
1822
Marriner Jane Daur Un.
14
Household work Scotland
1847
Marriner Henry Son
12
Scholar Northumberland Shotleyfield
1849
Marriner Robert Son
5
Scholar Northumberland Shotleyfield
1856
Marriner Mary A. Daur
2
Northumberland Shotleyfield
1859
Marriner Elizabeth Daur
5 mo
Northumberland Shotleyfield
1860
2
Gill Johnathan Head Widr
60
Retired Corn Miller and Local Methodist Preacher Yorkshire Bradley
1801

By 1871 Jonathan Gill has left, but George Marriner and family are still there:

Sched Street Surname Forenames Relation Condition Age Occupation County born Place born Roughly when born
1
Holm Mill Marriner George Head Mar
55
Corn Miller Durham Hamsterly 1816 1871
Marriner Jane Wife Mar
49
Durham Chester le Street 1822
Marriner Henry Son
22
Miller Northumberland Shotleyfield 1849
Marriner Robert Son
15
Scholar Northumberland Shotleyfield 1856
Marriner Mary A. Daur
12
Scholar Northumberland Shotleyfield 1859
Marriner Elizabeth Daur
10
Northumberland Shotleyfield 1861

George Marriner died in 1879.

George Marriner, died September 21, 1879
George Marriner of Holm Mill, Aycliffe, who died September 21, 1879

Jane Marriner, George's widow, is still at Holm Mill in the 1881 census:

Holm Mill Jane Marriner   W 59 F Chester Le St, Durham, England Head Corn Mill 1822
  Robert Marriner U 25 M Shotley Field, Northumberland, England Son Corn Mill 1856
  Mary Ann Marriner U 22 F Shotley Field, Northumberland, England Daur Domestic Servant 1859
  Elizabeth Marriner U 20 F Holm Mill Aycliffe, Durham, England Daur Domestic Servant 1861
  Robert Dixon 10 M Killing Hall, York, England Grandson Scholar 1871

The daughter Jane Marriner had married Robert Dixon, a miller at Killinghall, Ripley, Yorkshire. March 13, 1870 they had their daughter, Jane Elizabeth, baptized.

Christine, whose great grandfather was Joseph Wilson Dobinson of Preston West Farm, has informed me that his brother Richard Dobinson married Mary Ann Marriner above . Richard paid £70.0.11 on November 10 1885 to the Earl of Eldon for the rent of the farm. Sadly Richard died 2 years later, age 37, of pthisis. His wife, Mary Ann, had also died earlier that year, 1887, age 28.

Richard and Mary Ann Dobinson

Richard and Mary Ann Dobinson

In the 1891 census we find a slight change in the mill name and a new miller:

Mill Holme Robinson William Head M 29 Farmer Durham Sunderland   1862
  Robinson Pollie Wife M 28   Durham Segefield   1863

In 1901 we find Henry Marriner, son of George, has returned to Mill Holme:

Sched Street Surname Forenames Relation Condition Age Occupation Employer, Worker or Own Account County born Place born Roughly when born Disability
1 Mill Holme Marriner Henry Head M 52 Flour Merchant Own account Northumberland Shotley field 1849 1901
Marriner Sarah Wife M 47 Durham Tow Law 1854

George Marriner's great, great, great granddaughter, Fiona, has information about George's son Robert. Robert married and moved to Darlington. January 7, 1896 he buys the Co-Operative Corn Mill from The Darlington Corn Mill, Flour and Provision Company Limited (in liquidation) for £2,250,00. The porperty was at 49 (formerly no. 5) Parkgate, Darlington. There were 2 cottages, store rooms, a smith's shop, engine and boiler, also the fixed roller milling plan therein. There was also a dwelling house and front shopin Parkgate, now occupied by William John Olver, and also a right of way over the yard and passage adjoining. So the milling tradition carried on.

Brafferton Mill

This lies to the south of Mill Holme, south of the old bridge that crosses the River Skerne.

Brafferton Mill site
Site of Brafferton Mill on the further bank of the River Skerne

In 1742 the miller was William Ditchburn. Sadly he buried his daughter Ann on Christmas Day.

Ann Ditchburn Brafferton Mill Daughter of William Ditchburn Buried December 25 1742

 

In 1752 Anthony Vasey was the miller at Brafferton Mill:

Cudbert Vasey March 17 1752 Anthony Ann Brafferton Mill Page 14

 

In 1755 Thomas and Elizabeth Mins were at Brafferton Mill, and had a daughter Elizabeth

Elizabeth Mins
?25
1755 Thomas Elizabeth Brafferton Mill
Page 17

William Brown buried his son Thomas July 9, 1763:

Thomas Brown Brafferton Mill son of William Brown July 9 1763

 

The Stampers milled at Brafferton Mill in the 1700s and from the Baptism Register are

Ann Stamper November 3 1780 John Brafferton Mill 42
Richard Stamper October 4 1781 John Brafferton Mill 43
Elizabeth Stamper December 26 1788 John Brafferton Mill 52
Mary Stamper July 18 1790   Brafferton Mill 54
John Stamper May 6 1792   Brafferton Mill 56
Sarah Stamper January 19 1794 John Brafferton Mill  
Ralph Stamper January 1 1796 John Brafferton Mill
George Stamper July 12 1797 John Brafferton Mill p.85
Alice Stamper
born April 7
1799 May 22 1799 John, of Darlington Alice Scott, of St. Andrew, Auckland Aycliffe 5th daughter

and from the Burial Register are

Sarah Stamper, daughter of John Stamper of Brafferton Mill was buried May 22, 1780.

Jane Stamper 6th daughter of John Stamper, Miller died July 15, 1802 buriedJuly 17 1802 age 5 years

By the 1851 census John Stamper , born 1792, had retired and was living in Newcastle with his wife Mary, both age 59, and his son William, age 25, a traveller for brewery. All were born in Aycliffe. There is a baptism for William, son of John and Mary in October 1823.

William Stamper October 31 1823 John Mary Brafferton Mill Miller J.H.Brown, Curate 61

They also had older sons, John, George and Richard:

John Stamper
May 24
1816 John Mary Brafferton Mill Miller Wm. M. S. Preston, Curate 19
George Stamper
Aug-04
1818 John Mary Brafferton Mill Miller J. H. Brown, Curate 32
Richard Stamper
Feb-19
1821 John Mary Brafferton Mill Miller J.H.Brown, Curate 46

In the Burial Register for 1841 Alice Stamper, age 80 years, was buried November 25. Presumably she is the Alice Scott who married John Stamper above.

Also at Brafferton in the early 1800s is George Hutchinson. Whether he worked at Brafferton Mill is not known.

George Hutchinson June 10 1811 November 24 1811 George, of Barnard Castle Jane Stephenson, of South Cowton Brafferton Miller 5th child 139

 

John Bentham was a corn miller at Brafferton the the Parson and White Directory of 1828.

In Pigot & Co.'s Directory of 1834 John Hadderick of Aycliffe is listed as miller.

In the 1841 census we still find the Hadrick family as millers, now at Brafferton Mill. Their daughter, Anne, had married George Stephenson May 3, 1834. This family became well known as millers and still milled until WWll.

Brafferton Mill Hadrick John
70
Miller Durham 1771
Hadrick Margaret
60
Durham 1781
Hadrick John
30
Durham 1811
Hadrick Henry
25
Durham 1816

There are Banns in 1807 for a John Hadrick:

John Hadrick otp Margaret Wilkinson Haughton Banns April 26, May 3, 10, 1807, no impediment, Dickens Haslewood, Vicar Page 24

John and Margaret had a son in 1810 and a daughter in 1815:

Henry Hadrick
born December 6
1810
baptized January 1
1811 John, of St. Andrew, Auckland Margaret Wilkinson, of Dinsdale Aycliffe Miller 2nd son 135
Margaret Hadrick June 25 1815 John Margaret Aycliffe Miller Thomas Vaughan, officiating minister 15

John Hadrick, the father above, died age 70 years and was buried July 11, 1841.

Margaret Hadrick married George Chapman in 1838. Sadly their infant son Hohn Hadrick Chapman was buried February 4, 1845.

Henry Hadrick, miller, son of John Hadrick, miller, married Mary Munby, daughter of Daniel Munby, Innkeeper, January 5, 1852. Henry died age 56 and was buried June 22, 1867

.Henry Hadrick of Brafferton Mill, died 1867

Henry Hadrick of Brafferton Mill, died 1867

In Whellans Directory 1856 and Slater's Directory 1864 J & H Hadrick are millers of Brafferton. By Whellans 1865 edition there are entered as millers and farmers.

In the 1881 census John Hadrick is miller and farmer of 150 acres, employing 5 men and 1 boy. He is 28 and his wife Jane 29, both born in Aycliffe.

By the 1891 census John is also a flour dealer:

29 Brafferton Mill Hadrick John Head M
38
Miller & Flour Dealer Durham Aycliffe 1853
Hadrick Jane Wife M
39
Durham Aycliffe 1852
Hadrick Margaret Eleanor Daughter
13
Durham Aycliffe 1878
Hadrick Edith May Daughter
12
Scholar Durham Aycliffe 1879
Hadrick John William Son
9
Scholar Durham Brafferton 1882
Hadrick Jane Daughter
7
Scholar Durham Brafferton 1884
Hadrick Elizabeth Rosamond Daughter
5
Scholar Durham Brafferton 1886
Hadrick Alfred Son
4
Durham Brafferton 1887
Wilkinson William Father in Law Widower
81
Durham Brafferton Blind 1810

 

Coatham Mill

River Skerne, north of bridge at Coatham Mundeville
Bridge over River Skerne at Coatham Mundeville, looking north
River Skerne, looking north of bridge at Coatham Mundeville
Bridge over River Skerne at Coatham Mundeville, looking north
   
Coatham Mill and bridge
Coatham Mill and River Skerne
Coatham Mill and bridge
Coatham Mill and River Skerne

The mill at Coatham Mundeville was a thread and corn mill.

In the Baptism Register for 1737 is

Meggison
Barbary

 

Clotham Mill/Coatham Mill?
Daughter of Thomas
1737
St. Andrew's Baptism Register
bpt. Aug 7, 1737

John Booth, of Coatham Mill in Haughton Parish, had his son John baptized September 6, 1774.

In 1782 there is Edward Scarr at Coatham Mill.

William Scarr September 28 1782 Edward Coatham Mill 44

 

In 1798 there isJames Graham:

Graham
Elizabeth

Born

December 27

1798

Baptized

December 30

1798
Mary Stonehouse, of Whitby, Yorkshire
James, of Coatham Mill from Whitby
Coatham  Mill

 

6th daughter

Working with flax at Coatham Mill is James Stanniland in the early 1800s. His wife 2 years before he did. Their entries in the Burial Register are:

Sarah Perkins Staniland Aycliffe Wife of James Staniland DiedNovember 10, 1808 Buried November 12 1808 Age 21 1787 Page 239-241
James Stanniland Coatham Mill Flax draper/dryer? April 29, 1810 May 20 1810 26 1784 245-248

In 1819 we are given the name of the master of the spinning mill at Coatham- Joseph Gibson, whose daughter Margaret was baptized in July:

Margaret Gibson Jul-13 1818 Joseph Mary Coatham, Parish of Haughton Master of the spinning mill J. H. Brown, Curate 31

Is Joseph Gibson related to Thomas Gibson, named as Worsted Manufacturer in the 1828 directory?

We are given the name of a labourer, John Clemenston, at Coatham Mill in 1810 & 1819:

John Clementson
born March 20
1810
baptized April 15
1810 John Ann Paterson, otp Coatham Miller 1st child 130
Jane Clementson Jun-13 1819 John Ann Coatham Mill Labourer Richard Atkinson, Officiating Minister 35

 

Found in the Burial Register is Eleanor Marks, dying young:

Eleanor Marks Coatham Mill buried July 7 1822 age 28 born about 1794 J. H. Brown, Curate page 27

 

More research has still to be done about Coatham Mill.

 

Wind Mill

Very little is known about the Wind Mill. The photographs were taken before the recent renovation of the house.

Wind Mill above Aycliffe Quarry, south of the village
Aycliffe Wind Mill and house.
The wind mill and house above Aycliffe Quarry, south of the village
The wind mill and house
   
Aycliffe Wind Mill
Inside the wind mill
Wind mill close up
Interior of the wind mill