Unlike the Mills that have already been covered in our Chronicle of Watchfield, there is no such doubt as to the whereabouts or name of West Mill. Its name matches its location on the westerly edge of the Parish Boundary, right alongside the B4508 Highworth Road and on the County Boundary of Wiltshire and Oxfordshire (until recently Berkshire). But as with most Mills there is very little documentation to be found about its day to day working life. At the West Mill location there was a busy farm, most likely for centuries. It had been normal practice for centuries that the mill was often operated and maintained by a seperate person other than the owner. For instance in the 17th century the Manor of Watchfield and the property at West Mill was owned by Sir Humfry Forster and after him the Willoughby family. However, the Mill was operated first by William and Edward Fairthorne and then Richard Franklyn.
An agreement dated 29 September, 1814, (WRO 2424/300) gives details of the Wilts & Berks Canal Company agreeing to pay William Smith, described as the, ‘live holder’ of the Mill called West Mill, the sum of 9 Guineas per annum in compensation for all the drainages he may sustain by the company taking water from the local streams.
Another agreement dates to 21 January 1874. (WRO 2424/252) This is between Henry Crowdy of Highworth, for and on behalf of Wilts & Berks Canal Navigation, to rent to George Looker of Friars Mill, ‘All those three Water Grist Mills situate and lying and being in Watchfield commonly called or known by the name of West Mills.’ The rental charge is £50 per annum.
At a sale of the farm property here in 1942, (BRO D/EX 957/1/1) it did include cottages in the village which were described as, ‘3 Cottages situated at the northern end of the village and on the east of the main village street, well erected of stone with slate roofs in the occupation of Mrs Miness and Messrs E.A. Wickson & E. Knapp on weekly tenancies.’
As the country passed in to the age of steam, the use of water driven mills dwindled rapidly and West Mill was no exception. No date is known as yet for when it actually ceased working but we can make a guess that it was probably at the end of the 19th century. Studying the layout of the mill location today it is evident that some buildings are missing, not least the building that supported the wheel and housed the mechanism. It would be most interesting to be able to discover the layout.
Pictures 46 (above-top) & 47. West Mill. Conveniently located right alongside the road
Picture 48. Notice the Ridge & Furrow field system to the rear of the farm
Picture 49. The Ridge & Furrow system seems to over-lay earlier features