Nutley Windmill History

Unraveling Nutley Windmill's Rich Past:

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Nutley Windmill boasts a fascinating history, with its earliest documented presence on the land dating back to 1836. Manor of Duddleswell Court Book records reveal James Wood selling a plot "on which Henry Sitford has lately erected a windmill" on May 20th, 1836.

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A Windmill's Journey:

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The mill's origins remain shrouded in some mystery. Intriguingly, there's a strong possibility it previously stood near Goudhurst, in Kilndown, before mysteriously "disappearing" sometime between 1710 and 1769. Relocating windmills across vast distances wasn't uncommon, as evidenced by a famous local instance where a post mill travelled from Regency Square, Brighton, to Shaw Road, Preston, in 1797, pulled by a team of 86 oxen!

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Recycling and Reinvention:

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The practice of incorporating timbers from older mills into new constructions or repairs was also prevalent. A dendrochronological survey (tree-ring dating) commissioned by UDPS revealed that Nutley Mill's main post originated from a tree felled between 1533 and 1565. This remarkable finding suggests at least one crucial component of the mill is nearly 500 years old!

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A Cast of Characters:

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Historical records shed light on some of the mill's owners from 1836 onwards. The list includes Henry Sitford (until 1845), James Martin (until 1851), Luke Godley (until 1862), and B Martin (until 1874). In 1874, William Taylor, along with local brickmaker Mr. Stevenson, acquired the mill and embarked on a significant modernization and repair project. Operations ceased entirely in 1908 following William Taylor's retirement in 1907.

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Preservation and Restoration:

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Ownership details between 1907 and 1920 remain unclear. The mill was then sold at auction in March 1920 by G Maryon-Wilson to W Freeland, a baker from Nutley. The year 1928 saw Lord and Lady Castle Stewart becoming the new owners. They undertook significant reinforcement measures, fortifying the structure with brick piers, steel girders, sturdy wooden posts, and an additional layer of overlapping boards.

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While further work continued sporadically over the next four decades, the mill's condition continued to decline. A turning point arrived in April 1968 when Frank Gregory led a tour of Sussex windmills for Sussex Archaeological Society members. Among them was Tony Turner, a descendant of Mr. Stevenson, the 1874 brickmaker, who resided near the mill. Mr. Turner became deeply passionate about the mill's fate. In October 1968, fueled by growing local interest, he convened a public meeting in Uckfield, leading to the formation of the Uckfield and District Preservation Society (UDPS). Backed by Lady Castle Stewart's approval, public support, a county council grant, and Frank Gregory's expertise, the restoration of this remarkable landmark finally began.

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