Disused corn mill at Kinghill

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Two-storey/ single bay mill with similar return. Approached by a single arch random rubble bridge over a deeply incised stream bed. Built into west-facing slope. Aligned north-south, with external waterwheel on north gable.

Pitched natural slate roof with projecting scalloped bargeboards to south gable. Walls of random schist and granite rubble brought to courses; projecting brick eaves.

Principal facade faces to west. At ground floor centre is an infilled brick-arched entrance. A second entrance, with granite head, at right. First floor blank. At left are the remains of an external (engine) drive to the mill machinery. Comprises a pulley linked to a small pinion driving a larger spur gear from which a shaft runs to inside. All of cast-iron except wooden cogs of spur gear.

North gable has window to first floor (opening all in granite). External waterwheel survives in ruinous condition. Comprises timber axle, two cast-iron hubs (for eight arms), cast-iron rims (with housings for 48 angled wooden buckets). Wheel measures approx. 4.88m dia x 1.19m wide (c.16ft 0in x 3ft 11in). High breast shot, with ashlar granite lining to lower section of curved apron. Water carried on concrete-shuttered launder from headrace to east of mill. A short tailrace, now infilled, to stream.

East facade abutted to middle by two-storey return. Immediately left of this return is an entrance door to first floor of mill. Accessed by a walkway carried on granite lintels from sloping ground behind. To right of return, also at first floor, is a window opening (again with granite surround). Ground floor is blank.

South gable has a window to each floor. Both have brick heads and stepped brick jambs.

The abutting return is two storeys high and has a half-hipped natural slate roof (with skylight to south pitch). Random rubble walls brought to courses; projecting brick eaves. Traces of lime render.

South facade has window similar to those on south gable of mill. East gable has a t+g beaded door to first floor (external ground at same height). The north facade has a semicircular brick arch rising to just above the ground floor ceiling (the wall below has collapsed). There is a smaller brick arch to ground floor at right.

Low ruins to north of north gable of mill may be all that is left of the former flax mill (see historical description).

Historical information

Building shown (without return) on 1833 OS 6" map along with millpond to south. The 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir notes the mill as being erected about 1730 and belonging to William N Barron (but rented by Samuel Fitzsimmons). The waterwheel is described as breast shot and measuring 15ft 9in in diameter by 2ft 10in wide. It drove a single set of stones through a 9ft 3in diameter pit wheel, the entire gearing etc being of wood. Worked, on average, for 9 months per year, but insufficient in summer. Was undergoing repairs at the time of survey.

The 1838 Valuation Book also notes Barron as owner. Corn mill measured 27ft x 18ft 6in x 10ft 6in. Kiln and miller's house nearby (HB 16/07/064B). Also notes that only one townland bound. In summer the water collected in the pond over a two day period was sufficient to drive the mill for one day.

The 1859 OS map depiction of the mill building suggests that it had been enlarged to the north. Captioned as corn and flax mills, suggesting that the addition was a flax mill. A note in the first Valuation indicates that this was added in 1861. The second Valuation of c.1861 describes the waterwheel as measuring 16ft diameter by 3ft 6in wide. Also a 10hp steam engine. Cornmill contained three pairs of stones, only two of which worked at a time. The flax mill contained 12 stocks and a set of rollers. Both mills worked for six months of the year.

It is evident that sometime between 1838 and 1859 that the complex was equipped with a new wheel and machinery (in great spurwheel configuration), and a flax mill added. The field evidence suggests that the steam engine boiler was housed in the ground floor of the corn mill return, and that the existing wheel is probably that installed at this time. The flax mill would probably have been driven both by the waterwheel and the steam engine.

The Valuation revision books note James Wamsley as taking over the lease of the mills in 1868. However, they had reverted by Barron by 1874. Both mills noted as vacant in 1888, and the flax mill as "down" (i.e.. demolished) in 1893. The corn mill was presumably in a derelict state by 1913 as it was then revalued at zero.

Primary sources:
1. 1st edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 42 (1833).
2. Ordnance Survey Memoirs, Co Down: Clonduff Parish.
3. First valuation book, 1838 (PRONI: VAL 1B/354, p.24).
4. 2nd edition OS 6" map, Down sheet 42 (1859).
5. Second valuation book, c.1861 (PRONI: VAL 2B/3/49B, p.49).
6. Valuation revision books, 1866-1929 (PRONI: VAL 12B/22/6A-D).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Primarily of historical interest on account of its earlier 18th century date, reconfiguration in the mid 19th century, and association with Kinghill. See also kilnman’s house and corn drying kiln (HB16/07/064B) and related sites HB16/07/032, /039 and /065.