Wherry's Mill

Wherry's Mill

DEMOLISHED 1994

Photographed in 1890

There was a mill on this site at what is now the junction of Mill Drove with North Road since the earliest times but the original structure was rebuilt as a four-sailed windmill in 1832 when the old stone tower was raised to six storeys in height.

It became known as Wherry's Mill and continued grinding corn until 1915 when it was struck by lightning and badly damaged, reducing it to two storeys. The stump was later used as a storeroom by a subsequent owner, the late Mr Tom Jones, farmer and antique dealer, who also utilised adjoining outbuildings to display his antiques. After his death, the remains of the mill were demolished in 1994 to make way for a new house.

The picture above from 1890 was taken by William Redshaw and reproduced from a plate rescued from his collection after his death. The cottage on the right was the toll bar cottage and all road traffic and animals could only pass on payment of a fee.

Wherry's Mill

The pictures of the mill show the miller, Robert Barnatt (1850-1917), with his wife Sarah (née North 1849-1937) outside with two of their eight children (left) and was taken circa 1890 while in the other picture (right) from 1910, he is shown with a team of three millwrights in the foreground and the millstones propped up against the tower for cleaning and renovation. Before moving to Bourne, Robert was miller at Cogglesford Mill, Sleaford, and after retiring from this mill, he ran a sweet shop from the front room of his home in Stanley Street.

There is evidence that a second mill once stood on the south corner of Mill Road because a map from the early 19th century shows this road connecting with the main Peterborough to Lincoln Road, now the A15, "at a place between the windmills". A toll gate also operated at this point on North Road from 1756 until 1882 and there was a toll keeper’s house on the west side of the road with a billboard displaying the different charges for the various classes of road users, 6d, for instance, for a pony and trap.

Photograph courtesy Michael McGregor

This photograph was taken on a winter's day in February 1978 showing the mill stump and adjoining outbuildings used by Tom Jones for the storage, display and sale of antiques. The stump was finally cleared away in June 1994 and a house has since been built in the site.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

TO BE LET for one or a term of years and may be immediately entered upon: A capital old-established WINDMILL in thorough repair at the north end of the town of Bourne. For further particulars apply (if by letter, post paid) to Mr John Smith, millwright, Bourne. N B: This advertisement will not be repeated.
- public notice from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 5th October 1832.

To MILLERS etc: To be let and may be entered upon immediately. A tower windmill at Bourne with patent sails and fitted up on modern principles, with 3 pairs of stones, 2 machines etc. For particulars apply (post paid) to Mr John Smith, miller, Thurlby, near Bourne. - public notice in the Stamford Mercury, Friday 24th March 1843.

Photographed circa 1870
Another photograph of the mill from circa 1870.

REVISED MARCH 2016