Two windmills in Stockton
Stockton was unusual for a small community in that it had two windmills side by side during the 19th century.
Post windmill
Built in 1810, it had a brick and slated round house, four common sails, ladder, tailpole with lever and two pairs of stones; it ceased working in 1879.
The Rugby Advertiser showed a photo of it in poor condition (with two of the sails damaged) on 11th April 1914, and other records suggest that it was demolished in 1923.
Tower windmill
Built in 1860. A brick tower with batter, four storeys high, cap dome, four patent sails and fantail. It ceased working in 1895 when the fantail was removed; the Rugby Advertiser reported that it was in good condition in 1911, but it too was demolished in 1923.
Rugby Advertiser, July 1st 1911
It was reported that the brick tower windmill was owned and worked for many years by the late Mr William Beck an old Stocktonian. William Beck came to the village in about 1798 with his parents. Dates were found in the old post mill of about 150 or 160 years ago [i.e. the mid 18th century] and the letter TS cut into the trough that carries the pair of grinding stones and also the barley trough.
Mr William Beck died in 1880 at the age of 84 years. His son (Mr W E Beck) was the last person to work the mills.
Comments
The Rugby Advertiser also reported that ‘When the arrangements for the Coronation [of George V in 1910] were being discussed, it was thought the old wooden mill would make a capital bonfire, but there was a strong feeling against this, and the idea was abandoned. Consequently, much to the gratification of the older residents at any rate, these two relics of byegone days remain as interesting mementoes of country life.’ Rugby Advertiser, July 1st 1911. It’s good to hear of people treasuring their heritage at that time, though sad that both mills were demolished only twelve years later.
Would this be the reason Becks Lane is so named? Where about were the windmills?
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