Duck End Mill, Finchingfield
Duck End Mill, Letch's Mill or Finchingfield Post Mill is a grade II listed[1] Post mill at Finchingfield, Essex, England which has been restored.
| Finchingfield Mill | |
|---|---|
 The restored mill, January 2008 | |
| Origin | |
| Mill name | Duck End Mill Letch's Mill |
| Mill location | TL 687 329 |
| Coordinates | 51°58′08″N 0°27′14″E |
| Operator(s) | Essex County Council |
| Year built | Mid-18th century |
| Information | |
| Purpose | Corn mill |
| Type | Post mill |
| Roundhouse storeys | Single storey roundhouse |
| No. of sails | Four sails |
| Type of sails | Spring sails |
| Windshaft | Wood |
| Winding | Tailpole |
| No. of pairs of millstones | One pair |
History
Duck End Mill was built in the mid eighteenth century, dates of 1756, 1760 1773 and 1777 being recorded in the mill. It was originally built as an open trestle mill, the roundhouse being added in 1840. The mill was insured for £50 in 1790 and £100 in 1794. The mill was working until c. 1890, and had an all wood windshaft to the last. This was replaced by the cast iron one from Gainsford End Mill, Toppesfield in the 1950s.[2] A replacement wooden windshaft has since been fitted.[3]
Description
Duck End Mill is a post mill with a single storey roundhouse. The mill is winded by a tailpole. It has four Spring sails. There was one pair of millstones, driven by an 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 m) Brake Wheel. The body of the mill measures 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 m) by 10 feet (3.05 m) in plan.[2]
Millers
- Samuel Stammers 1790 - 1807
- Edward Stammers 1807 - 1817
- Edward Letch 1817 - 1852
- Edward Letch Jr 1852 -
- Andrew Luke Letch -1890
References for above:-[2]
Public access
The mill is open to the public on the one Sunday of each month in the summer.[3]
References
- Historic England. "THE WINDMILL, DUCK END (east side), FINCHINGFIELD, BRAINTREE, ESSEX (1122733)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
- Farries, Kenneth (1985). Essex Windmills, Millers and Millwrights - Volume Four- A Review by Parishes, F-R. Edinburgh: Charles Skilton. pp. 15–16. ISBN 0-284-98642-9.
- "The county mills". Essex County Council. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
External links
- Essex Country Parks webpage on Finchingfield Post Mill.
- Windmill World webpage on Duck End Mill.