 1944 - 2012 (67 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 2
| 2. |  Captain Vivian Hayes MILLS was born on 1 Jan 1911 in Forte Villas, Cork, Ireland (son of Colonel James Jesse MILLS, O.B.E. - C.B.E. and Maud Mary HAYES); died on 22 Dec 1976 in Lauderdale Road, Paddington, London; was buried in Richmond Cemetery. Other Events and Attributes:
- School Attendance: St. George's College, Weybridge; Private Roman Catholic School
- Name: to George when he went to school
- Occupation: 1941; Captain, Essex Regiment
- Occupation: 1959; Production Manager in the film industry.
He worked on the 1959 film "Tiger Bay" starring John Mills & Hailey Mills (no relation)
Notes:
In Canada George contracted what they thought was flu, but later in Malta, while he was swimming they noticed that there was an oddity about his legs. On return to England JJ took George to a surgeon in Harley Street who diagnosed Polio. George was given two alternatives - surgery or leave things alone. George opted for the latter.
Later on George served as a Commando.
Birth:
Description: as his father was stationed at Haulbowline, Cork
Died:
Dec Q 1976 14 1283 Paddington
Vivian married Anne Deidre FORBES-ROBERTSON on 9 Sep 1939 in Gretna Green. Anne (daughter of Frank FORBES-ROBERTSON and Honoria Ellen MCDERMOTT) was born on 28 Dec 1920 in 174, Lloyd Street, Mosside, Manchester; died on 14 Nov 2009. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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| 3. |  Anne Deidre FORBES-ROBERTSON was born on 28 Dec 1920 in 174, Lloyd Street, Mosside, Manchester (daughter of Frank FORBES-ROBERTSON and Honoria Ellen MCDERMOTT); died on 14 Nov 2009. Other Events and Attributes:
- Cremated: 27 Nov 2009, Worthing Crematorium
Notes:
Ann was educated in Switzerland. As a result of being able to speak fluent German, in 1939 she got a job in Berlin with the War Office. She was on the last train out of Berlin at the outbreak of war.
Cremated:
Our mother, who was born in Manchester in 1920, was schooled in Belgium and Switzerland. Her parents divorced when she was only four and her mother, a successful actor's agent, had the means and sufficient lack of interest in her six year -old daughter, to wave her off on the Victoria Station/Ostend boat train (a farewell kiss would have been an emotional exaggeration!)
She had been to two boarding schools in England before going to Belgium but she wasn't prepared for a 'total immersion' in French -she was only allowed to speak English on Thursdays. She never took to the gruelling school life in the outbacks of Antwerp and finally managed to persuade her mother, who she saw mercifully little of, to have her moved to St Gallen in Switzerland: There, after having spent seven years speaking French, she was thrown into a Swiss German environment - and adored it. Rigorous morning classes were followed by skiing in winter and long mountain hikes in spring and autumn. Her close friend at the time, Maribel Maranon, daughter of a well known Spanish doctor, had to return suddenly to Madrid at the outbreak of the Spanish civil war.
Ann's command of German was such that she had no difficulty in finding work in Berlin once she left school. She worked in the passport office in The British Embassy until the outbreak of war and acquired a great collection of Jazz 78r.p.m's; exchanging coffee, received via diplomatic circles, for early Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Paul Robeson, etc, records - lots of people were only too happy to get rid of 'black' music during the Nazi era, in exchange for a beverage which had become very scarce. Her eclectic musical tastes found her in the Berlin Concert Hall where, on two occasions she almost rubbed shoulders with 'an insignificant dwarf of a man whose clothes, like his ideas, were too big for him' -Adolf Hitler.
Her boss at the B.E. was an affable, middle-aged gentleman by the name of Frank Foley who, she then thought, spoke and understood little, if any, German. Great was her surprise when she learnt, less than ten years ago, that not only had her charming boss been virtually bi-lingual but he had also been responsible for saving countless Jews. (see:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Foley )
After the war and once her three children were in their teens, she started working with a charming and dynamic couple who had recently set up the International House Language School in Shaftesbury Avenue -a stone's throw from Piccadilly Circus. A long and fruitful working and social relationship ensued with John and Brita Haycraft during which time Ann ran the accommodation agency for the students and started up her own summer courses for foreign school children in various centres throughout Britain.
In recent years, having moved from London to Shoreham on the coast of West Sussex, Ann had the good fortune to have various 'Guardian Angels' as neighbours, especially her son-in-Iaw's brother and his wife. She wasn't always the easiest person to get on with; she could be autocratic and domineering at times and loved nothing better than a good political discussion (often argument!) Like our father, George, she was a staunch socialist.
Ann was armed with a ready, and often wicked, wit: - on answering the phone to a double glazing salesman for the third time in the same week, anxious to sell her his wares, she said that she would consult her husband who had died 25 years before, but still gave her good advice - she never heard another word!
She will be missed by those 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren who she had more empathy with than her own mother had ever had with her and, of course, by her two children.
Vivien and Michael
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Generation: 3
| 4. |  Colonel James Jesse MILLS, O.B.E. - C.B.E. was born on 20 Jan 1878 in 15, Newtown, Ashford, Kent; was christened on 29 Jun 1879 in Kent (son of James MILLS and Sarah (Kate?) IRELAND); died on 8 Feb 1963 in 2 Ethel Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2BE; was buried in Broadstairs. Other Events and Attributes:
- School Attendance: 16 Jun 1884 to 2 Mar 1889, Vicarage Road School, Plumstead
- School Attendance: 25 Feb 1889, Bloomfield Road School, Plumstead
- Address: Between 1937 and 1938; Address:
Bourneside, Gomshall, Surrey
- Retired: 29 Aug 1941
- Address: 1926 - 1945, 17, Arterberry Road, Wimbledon. SW 20; As an Inspector of Ordnance he had a flat in Wimbledon to be able to visit the local factories.
- Employment: After 1945, Wimbledon
Notes:
Original beliefs. Superceded by subsequent research.
He was thought (by William George Mills) to have been a Colonel in the R.E and based at the R.E School, Chatham. From the only known photograph that we had, he appeared to be fairly close in age to his brother Thomas William. Now that we have more pictures of James Jesse it is clear that the photograph was not of him but of his eldest brother Edward Mills.
It turned out that he was 4 years younger and eventually became a Colonel in the R.A.O.C
Ann Mills recalls that JJ's family were with him during his overseas postings.
In France they lived in a chateaux and Vivian (George) was attacked by an alsatian.
Vivian was sent home from Malta with another Army child to a school in Shropshire.
Most of their leave was taken in Ireland with Maud's family. Ann recalls going to a big house in Cashel called Longfield which had been the home of Charles Bianconi (an Italian emigre who was responsible for the beginnings of public transport in Ireland). She describes Bianconi as being Vivian's Uncle. John Bianconi was originally an O'Connell but had his name changed on the wishes of his Grandfather Charles Bianconi.
Whilst JJ was a competent horse rider (he played polo whilst in Gibraltar), Maud was very good, riding side saddle, hunting etc. She was also a keen tennis player.
Birth:
1878 Mar Quarter in WEST ASHFORD Volume 02A Page 718
School Attendance:
Description: Admission No. 3080
London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO95 334
Address:
until 1937/8
e-mail from Ann Noyes - Shere & Gomshall Local History Society 19th Nov 2002
Because Shere and Gomshall have such a rich number of old houses most of our records are concerned with them! Bourneside still stands, it is on the main A25 road that runs through Gomshall, opposite the Post Office Stores and the United Reformed chapel. It looks as though it was built in the late 19th century and is now known as 'The Gallery' and sells wine and offers display space for artists in watercolours, ceramic, glass and wood. The site was part of the Gomshall Mill property. In 1965 a bungalow was built on part of the land for the residents of Bourneside, and they moved out of the 'big' house into the bungalow. There is a structure known as 'The Coach House (part of the original Bourneside) which is now the premises of an Antique Restorer who has extended at the back and has recently bought the bungalow. At Shere Museum (Elizabeth Rich. 01483 203245) there is a map of the property, prepared when planning permission was sought for the bungalow. I have so far found no reference to Col. James Jesse Mills OBE Copies of the Electoral Roll on microfiche can be consulted at Surrey History Centre, Woking, 01483 594594. This would confirm the years of his residence
There is a story that in World War 2, Bournside was used as a girls' school called Braemar High School for Girls, but I have not seen evidence of this, and I cannot think that it was big enough for that.
Best wishes Ann Noyes
e-mail to Ann Noyes - Nov 20th 2002
My father and I visited the Surrey History Centre today to view the
Electoral Registers. We found our relative James Jesse Mills at Bourneside
in 1937 together with his wife Maud Mary (up to today we didn't know he was
married).
Records for 1939 to 1944 don't exist but in March 1945 Bourneside was
occupied by the Braemar High School and by 1950 the school had moved to The
Croft.
In 1950 Bourneside was occupied by Richard and Prudence Jequier.
Ann recalls that after the War ended and George came back from Burma, the family were told that Bourneside was to be requisitioned and that the school refused to move.
Retired:
from Regular Army
Employment:
2nd WW Employed by War Office as Inspector of factories producing munitions.
He had a flat in Kensington
Died:
FreeFormatDate:witnessed by Ann Mills - daughter in law
Description: Cardio-renal failure, pneumonia and Parkinsonism
James married Maud Mary HAYES on 15 Mar 1910 (Licence) in Woolwich Register Office. Maud (daughter of Thomas Patrick HAYES, Junior and Helen Mary BURKE) was born on 14 Oct 1880 in 4, Proby Square, Blackrock, Dublin; died on 21 Jan 1969 in Park Prewett Hospital, Basingstoke; was buried in Broadstairs. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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| 5. |  Maud Mary HAYES was born on 14 Oct 1880 in 4, Proby Square, Blackrock, Dublin (daughter of Thomas Patrick HAYES, Junior and Helen Mary BURKE); died on 21 Jan 1969 in Park Prewett Hospital, Basingstoke; was buried in Broadstairs. Other Events and Attributes:
- Address: 1969; Address:
Maryfield (Convent) Residential Home, London Road, Hook, Hampshi
Notes:
In the 1937 Electoral Register at Gomshall she is listed as Maud Mary
According to Vivien, While Maud was in the nursing home at Maryfield she accused the staff of stealing things.
Address:
Description: at the time of her death
Died:
Description: Pneumonia, Cerebral thrombosis & Senility
Notes:
Married:
Witnessed by Annie Wynn and Edward Mills
Description: from beginning of WW2
Description: (from Telephone Directories)
Address found in the Deeds to 2 Ethel Road.
The house was bought on the 16th April 1959 in the name of Maud Mary Mills and sold on 22nd June 1959 to her son Vivian. The price for both sales was £1350. On James Jesse's death the house was sold for £3400 (21st May 1963)
Children:
- 2. Captain Vivian Hayes MILLS was born on 1 Jan 1911 in Forte Villas, Cork, Ireland; died on 22 Dec 1976 in Lauderdale Road, Paddington, London; was buried in Richmond Cemetery.
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Generation: 4
| 8. |  James MILLS was born in 1838 in Winton, Barton on Irwell, Lancashire; was christened on 22 Apr 1838 in St. Mary the Virgin, Eccles (son of James MILLS, Snr. and Ann HUGHES); died on 11 Sep 1918 in 202, Victoria Road, Old Charlton, Woolwich; was buried on 14 Sep 1918. Other Events and Attributes:
- Census: 1841, Winton, Barton Upon Irwell, Lancashire; : 3
- Census: 1851, Worsley Road, Winton, Barton On Irwell; James Mills and Joseph Mills & families
- Census: 1861, 6, Fitzroy Terrace, Plumstead, Kent; James recorded as an Engine Fitter.
Living in lodgings.
Also lodging in the same house is a Joseph Warburton, nephew of the head of the household and born in Worsley (close by Winton where James was born).
It is likely then that personal connections were behind James' move away from home.
- Address: 1905, 202, Victoria Road, Old Charlton.
Notes:
Census:
Recorded as a Power Loom Silk Weaver
Died:
Diabetes Mellitus & Senile Decay
Informant was his wife Sarah, present at the death.
She gave his age as being 82 years old. This must have been a mistake as he was actually 80.
Buried:
Recorded in the Burial Registers of St. Margaret's Church, Plumstead
His age at burial makes his birth date 1836 yet all other documents point to 1838.
London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO99 161 - frame 00433
James married Sarah (Kate?) IRELAND on 1 Mar 1863 in Upper Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London. Sarah (daughter of James MICKLEBURGH and Frances Sarah IRELAND) was born on 12 Jan 1842 in Lowestoft, Suffolk; was christened on 3 Nov 1850 in Lowestoft, Suffolk; died on 26 Apr 1920 in 110, Ancona Road, Plumstead; was buried on 30 Apr 1920. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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| 9. |  Sarah (Kate?) IRELAND was born on 12 Jan 1842 in Lowestoft, Suffolk; was christened on 3 Nov 1850 in Lowestoft, Suffolk (daughter of James MICKLEBURGH and Frances Sarah IRELAND); died on 26 Apr 1920 in 110, Ancona Road, Plumstead; was buried on 30 Apr 1920. Other Events and Attributes:
- Census: 1851, Mariner's Lane, Lowestoft; With her Grandmother Frances (Fanny)
- Census: 1861, 7, Cirencester Place, Fitzroy Square, Marylebone
Notes:
Christened:
Bishop's transcripts 1685 - 1875
Church of England
Archdeaconry of Suffolk.
This record is in the IGi v5.0
Birth:
The only time that the middle name Kate appears in the records is on her marriage certificate
Census:
Description: Dress & Mantle Maker
Died:
Administration granted - London - 1st September 1920 to Edward Mills - Fitter.
Effects - £63 7s 6d
Buried:
Recorded in the Burial Registers of St Margarets.
London Metropolitan Archives - Microfilm No. XO99 161 - frame 00441
Notes:
The 1911 Census records that James and Sarah had 9 children born alive.
Apart from Thomas William there must have been three other children who probably died in infancy.
Married:
Witnessed by William Reynolds & Christina Gosling
St. Pancras parish was split up into 33 eclesiastical parishes. It was in one of these, St. John the Evangelist, that James and Sarah were married. The parish church was situated in Upper Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square.
The church has been demolished.
The London Metropolitan Archives holds the marriage registers.
Reference P90/JNA2/15. Film X78/102
FreeFormatDate:1904 until 1918
Description: (Kelly's Directory)
He was noted at this address until 1916 in Kelly's Directory.
The Greenwich History Centre doesn't have copies between 1917 & 1919.
He doesn't appear in the 1920 Directory.
In the London Post Office Directory the house is listed as being occupied by James Jesse Mills until 1920.
Description: at the time of their marriage
FreeFormatDate:At the time of Edward's birth
FreeFormatDate:at the birth of their daughter Ellen
ASHFORD
Probably the greatest influence on the growth of the town was the arrival of the railway in 1842 and the decision by the South Eastern Railway Company to build the Railway Works in the town in 1846. Between 1841 and 1861 the town more than doubled in population from 3,000 to 7,000.
The railway workers developed their own community in an area originally called Alfred Town by the Railway Company. The community, which soon became known locally as The New Town and finally Newtown, had its own schools, pub, bathhouse, shops and Mechanics' Institute, which doubled up as a library and social and educational club for the workers.
The Railway Works dominated the town and nearly 1,000 locomotives were built or re-built there before the Works was closed in 1981. The Wheel Shop closed in March 1993.
FreeFormatDate:at the births of their daughter Louisa and son Thomas William
FreeFormatDate:at the birth of their son James Jesse
FreeFormatDate:at the birth of their daughter Sarah Ann
Description: James was present at the death of his son Thomas in Newcastle on Tyne
He was noted at this address in the Kelly's Directory of 1893
Children:
- Edward MILLS was born on 12 Oct 1863 in Winton, Barton Upon Irwell, Lancs.; was christened on 25 Oct 1863 in Pendleton, (Nr Salford) Lancashire; died on 8 Feb 1945 in 210 Annandale Street, Annandale, Sydney NSW; was buried on 9 Feb 1945 in Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood, Sydney NSW.
- Ellen MILLS was born on 31 Mar 1866 in 38, Upper Denmark Road, Ashford, Kent; was christened on 3 Feb 1867 in Willesborough, Kent; died on 30 Aug 1951 in St. Nicholas Hospital, Plumstead; was buried on 5 Sep 1951 in Plumstead Cemetery.
- James William MILLS was born on 7 Jul 1868 in Willesborough, Kent; died on 9 Jan 1871.
- Louisa MILLS was born on 2 Sep 1870 in Mead Terrace, Willesborough; was christened on 6 Nov 1870 in Willesborough, Kent; died on 19 Feb 1937 in 110, Ancona Road, Plumstead; was buried on 24 Feb 1937 in Plumstead Cemetery.
- Thomas William MILLS, R.E was born on 5 Mar 1874 in 3 Mead Terrace, Willesborough, Kent; was christened on 5 Apr 1874 in Willesborough, Kent; died on 25 May 1901 in Barrack No. 2, Newcastle upon Tyne; was buried on 29 May 1901 in Preston Cemetery, North Tyneside.
- 4. Colonel James Jesse MILLS, O.B.E. - C.B.E. was born on 20 Jan 1878 in 15, Newtown, Ashford, Kent; was christened on 29 Jun 1879 in Kent; died on 8 Feb 1963 in 2 Ethel Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2BE; was buried in Broadstairs.
- Sarah Ann MILLS was born on 19 Mar 1881 in 95, Newtown, Willesborough, Kent; was christened on 11 Jul 1883 in Kent; died on 20 Dec 1955 in Home of Peace, Petersham, NSW.
- George Henry MILLS was born on 19 Sep 1883 in 96, Robert Street, Plumstead; died on 4 Feb 1889 in 98, Robert Street, Plumstead.
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| 10. |  Thomas Patrick HAYES, Junior was born in 1839 in County Dublin (son of Thomas Patrick HAYES, Senior and Emily Jane HYLAND); died in 1923 in Dublin South. Other Events and Attributes:
- Address: 1862, 3, Connaught Place, Kingstown; 18, Westmoreland Street, Hayes, Thomas Patrick, agent to the Imperial Life Insurance Office,
Government stockbroker, and public notary to the Hibernian and National Banks, and 3 Connaught Place, Kingstown,
From Thom's Irish Almanac and Official Directory for the Year 1862
- Address: 1865
- Address: 1868, 5, Carlisle Terrace, Kingstown; Thoms Irish Almanac 1868
Office - 3, Westmoreland Street, Dublin
- Address: 1880; When Maud Mary was born.
No 4 is a three-storey red bricked Victorian styled home of 2,900 sq ft.
It is one of those rare properties that affords the city dweller a substantial amount of green space and charming private grounds, neatly sheltered by high stone walls on a quarter of an acre of prime Dublin land. It is a house of grandeur and eloquent space.
The entrance hall is nearly 30 ft long, and sports many original features including cornicing, centre and upper dado rails. The living room is very impressive, illuminated by a beautiful bay window and double doors leading to a dining room.
Here you will be charmed by a stunning old wooden fireplace with a tiled inset. The detail and the craftsmanship are worth a second look.
The generous and well proportioned accommodation is one of the main features of this property. There are seven bedrooms. Bedrooms six and seven are found on the third floor complete with their own fireplace as have bedrooms two, three and four on the second floor.
The second floor has one bedroom and one storage room. The whole house radiates warmth and comfort. It is a family home.
Estate agent's description - April 2008
; Address:
4, Proby Square, Blackrock, Dublin
- Address: 1894; on the marriage of his daughter Arabella
Helen Hayes was still at this address in 1915 when her son Charles died at Gallipoli; Address:
42, Lansdowne Road, Dublin
- Census: 1901, 42, Lansdown Road, Dublin, Ireland ;
- Occupation: 1911; Retired Stockbroker
Notes:
Died:
First name(s) Thomas
Last name Hayes
Age at death 84
Birth year 1839
Registered year 1923
Registered quarter/year Oct - Dec 1923
Registration district Dublin South
Volume 2
Page 295
County Dublin
Country Ireland
Record set Irish Deaths 1864 - 1958
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Deaths & burials
Collections from Ireland
Thomas married Helen Mary BURKE on 26 Nov 1861 in St Patrick's, Cork City. Helen (daughter of Edmund BURKE, J.P, daughter of Helen ?) was born in 1842 in County Dublin or Tyaquin, Co. Galway; died on 1 Dec 1927 in 42, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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| 11. |  Helen Mary BURKE was born in 1842 in County Dublin or Tyaquin, Co. Galway (daughter of Edmund BURKE, J.P, daughter of Helen ?); died on 1 Dec 1927 in 42, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Notes:
Died:
Thoms Directories for Dublin record her at 42, Lansdowne Road until 1926.
Notes:
Married:
First name(s) Thomas Patrick
Last name Hayes
Address 51 King Street
Marriage year 1861
Marriage date 26 Nov 1861
Parish St. Patrick's, Cork city
Alternative parish names St. Patrick's, Cork
Diocese Cork and Ross
Spouse's first name(s) Helen Mary
Spouse's last name Burke
Spouse's address 51 King Street
County Cork
Country Ireland
Repository National Library of Ireland
National Library of Ireland link http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000633188#page/1/mode/1up
Register Marriage
Record set Ireland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Marriages & divorces
Collections from Ireland
Children:
- Helen Mary HAYES was born on 13 Apr 1863 in County Dublin; died in 1930? in Rathdown.
- Emily Henrietta HAYES was born on 18 Jun 1864; died in 1918.
- Thomas Patrick HAYES was born on 23 Jul 1865 in Kingstown, Dublin; died on 27 Feb 1955 in 42, Lansdowne Road, Dublin; was buried in Glasnevin.
- Edmund Burke HAYES was born on 24 Jul 1866 in Dublin; died in 1929 in Dublin.
- Charles Bianconi HAYES was born on 08 Feb 1869 in 999, Blackrock, Dublin; died on 10 Aug 1915; was buried in Helles Memorial.
- Arabella Burke HAYES was born on 25 Jun 1873 in Dublin; was christened on 3 Jul 1873 in Dublin; died in 1932.
- 5. Maud Mary HAYES was born on 14 Oct 1880 in 4, Proby Square, Blackrock, Dublin; died on 21 Jan 1969 in Park Prewett Hospital, Basingstoke; was buried in Broadstairs.
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| 12. |  Norman Forbes ROBERTSON was born on 24 Sep 1858 in Albion Cottage, Thornhill Road, Islington; was christened on 7 Nov 1858 in Holy Trinity, Islington (son of John ROBERTSON and Frances COTT); died on 29 Sep 1932 in Heavitree, Exeter. Other Events and Attributes:
- Possessions: From 1900 to, Stocks Mill, Wittersham
- Address: 1901; Address:
5, Old Bond Street, London
- Obituary: 30 Sep 1932
Notes:
Norman Forbes-Robertson was the son of John Forbes-Robertson (1822-1903) and one of the 11 siblings of Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson. He was also a notable actor and a friend of Ellen Terry, Oscar Wilde, Edward Elgar and Henry Irving. Together with Bram Stoker, he helped to organize Irving's funeral; a large body of letters connected with this event still exist. Forbes-Robertson was a prominent member of London's exclusive Garrick Club.
See:-
Scrimgeour's Small Scribbling Diary, 1914-1916
Page 101 - 102 - November 1914
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Xn_MHtbe8swC&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&dq=norman+forbes-robertson&source=bl&ots=IekemOmQey&sig=AIqD7aE0O8yZ4r2R-pJ-NNWEa9M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_iNDbstbJAhXI1xoKHVyPBss4ChDoAQgzMAU#v=onepage&q=norman%20forbes-robertson&f=false
Scrimgeour notes 5 children, but Frank was born years before Norman's marriage to Louisa Wilson.
Birth:
Dec Q 1858 1b 194 Islington
Possessions:
STOCKS MILL, WITTERSHAM
This large white weatherboarded post mill on its single-storey tarred brick roundhouse, is the largest postmill in Kent. Though originally carrying common sweeps, four single-shuttered spring sets had been in use for most of its life, The mill is winded by a tail-pole and talthur and never had a fantail. It drove two pairs of stones overdrift, one each at breast and tail respectively. Its centre post is one of the stoutest to be seen on any mill. It stood on six foot high brick piers.
The mill was built in 1781 and there is a date carved on the post "RV 1781", though this may possibly record the date of its removal as some think it started life at a previous site. The mill stopped work in 1900 and both the mill and the nearby Tudor-style millhouse were purchased by the Edwardian actor, Norman Forbes-Robertson. He took a keen interest in the mill and kept it in good order and well repaired during his ownership.
However, the mill still needed extensive repairs by 1958 when new sweeps were fitted; more repairs were needed again in 1968. The mill was purchased by Kent County Council who undertook major restoration in 1980, fittingnew sweeps and repairing and repaintingthe woodwork. The mill has been firmly anchored by the tail-pole and massive steps; though the sweeps are shutter-less, they are turned annually through 90degrees to relieve strain. Nearly all the machinery has been dispersed.
The mill is open to the public by the "Friends of Stocks Mill" on summer Sunday afternoons.
LOCATION: Beside the B2082 road, 1 mile north-east of the village of Wittersham.
GRID REF: TQ 132273
Address:
His age was given as 39 in 1901 which puts his birth in 1862. He was actually 43
Norman + ? ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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| 14. | James MCDERMOTT was born about 1851 in County Roscommon, Ireland; and died. Other Events and Attributes:
- Occupation: 1881; Traveller (Unemployed)
- Occupation: 1891; Foreman Scavenger
- Occupation: 1901; Corporation Labourer (Road)
James married Honoria GRIFFIN in 1878 in Salford, Lancashire. Honoria was born about 1853 in Macclesfield, Cheshire; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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| 15. | Honoria GRIFFIN was born about 1853 in Macclesfield, Cheshire; and died. Other Events and Attributes:
- Occupation: 1891; dressmaker
Notes:
Married:
Dec Q 1878 8d 5 Salford
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