New Mill

Cadw's description

Location

Set back from the road, just S of the bridge, at the W extremity of Drefelin.

History

A corn mill has stood at this site since at least 1658, and probably earlier. The present building is said to date from the 1660s but appears earlier C19 in date. A deed of June 19, 1712 refers to "...the Lordships mill in Llangeler otherwise felin Newydd...". About the year 1800, Ebenezer Rees was the miller here, and a noted Methodist preacher. His daughter, Jane, married Thomas Rowland in 1823. On the 1839 Tithe map, the property is shown as belonging to Margaret Rees. In 1910, Thomas Rees was the miller here, and remained so for at least a decade.

Exterior

Rubble built former corn mill, of early C19 character. 3 storeys, on an L-shaped plan, with pitched, slated roofs and timber lintels to openings. Front gable end, to N, has small-paned light to upper storey, blocked 1st floor doorway and ground floor door altered to window, with 9-pane timber-framed light. R side wall, to W, has small 6-pane light to 1st floor, near angle, and former door to centre, now partially blocked in coursed slate rubble beneath small boarded opening. R hand range has small 6-pane metal-framed light to upper storey, C20 boarded timber door to 1st floor, and similar, smaller door to ground floor, with rendered surround and tall plinth. Gable end to R is featureless.
Plain timber bargeboards and cast iron water goods throughout.
E wall retains overshot water-wheel in cast iron, inscribed 'T. Thomas and Son Engineers Cardigan', beneath two 1st floor 9-pane lights and similar, central light to upper storey. Waterwheel arrangement shows that there was previously an undershot wheel here. Long late C20 extension to rear in unpainted concrete blocks.

Interior

Intact mill interior with limewashed stone walls, retaining gearing system of earlier C19 to ground floor and 1st floor grinding room containing 2 grindstones. Top floor retains hoists. All equipment is believed to be in working order. "Made In England" inscribed in raised lettering to lathe shaft on ground floor, with wheel for former stationary engine. The ground floor has a blocked window with timber lintel. Two partly obscured 4-pane casement windows to top floor rear. Modern 1st floor rear access door. Timbers and joists appear C19 in construction. Roof has bolted truss frames.

Reason for designation

Included as a rare local survival of an early corn mill, retaining water wheel, machinery and other features, mainly in working order.