History of mills at Beeleigh

Date	Event
6th Century	Water Mill at Beeleigh owned by a local thane called Siward.
1085/86	Domesday Survey reports ownership passed to the Lordship of Ranulf Peverel.
1180	Beeleigh Abbey is founded by the Premonstratensian Order.
1189	Beeleigh Abbey takes possession of the Mill.
1536	‘Suppression’ and ‘Dissolution’: Beeleigh Mill owned by Sir John Gate.
1553	Sir John transferred the Mill to William March.
1559	William Marsh’s son, Will Marsh, sold it to John Wiseman of Felsted.
1573	Beeleigh Mill leased to Thomas White of All Saints, Maldon and to the Baswickes.
1594	In Thomas Brett’s will: the Mill is bequeathed to his son John Brett.
1618	Purchased by Sir Henry Mildmay.
c1700	The Strutt family take possession. (They also owned or leased mills at Moulsham, Springfield, Hoe Mill and Wickham Bishops).
1706 to 1747	John Strutt was the Miller. His nephew, also John Strutt, and John Crosier Snr. worked as apprentices to the Miller.
1753	Nephew John Strutt bought the Mill from his Uncle.
1774 to 1790	Nephew John Strutt was MP for Maldon.
1777	John Crozier Snr. purchased the Mill from John Strutt MP.
1793	The Navigation Company purchased the Mill for £7,150 (to ease legal difficulties caused by the construction of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation).
1795	Beeleigh Mill sold (at a loss) to John Dunkin of Southwark.
1797	John Dunkin and his partner Mr. Stammers (of nearby Stammers Farm) rebuilt the Mill (which partially remains today).
1822	The Mill is owned by Mr. Kingsford.
1834	Mill sold to Joseph Ward of Merton Hills for £4,520.
1837	Beeleigh Mill’s Wentworth Beam Engine was manufactured and installed at an unknown location.
1840	In-line gearing installed on the south wheel drive; (John Ward advertised sale of a complete set of conventional gearing).
1845	Joseph Ward added the Steam Mill.
1845	Joseph Ward built Beeleigh Falls House.
1875	12th March – the F I R E . The mill was abandoned after the fire, as rebuilding was considered uneconomical.
1893	Christopher Cail bought the Mill and freehold land for £2,820.
1960	The site passed into the hands of Essex Water Company (who re-roofed the Steam Mill).
1970	Headrace filled in.
1971	John Booker carried out a survey.
1992	Sir Fred Dibnah visited with the BBC (for broadcast in 1996).
1994	Essex County Council acquired the lease.
1994	Maldon Archaeology Group undertook an excavation of the surface.
2007	ECC’s Field Archaeology unit evaluated the Auxiliary’s hideout.
2009	15th Oct.: Beeleigh Mill Restoration Group formed.