Messing Maypole Mill

Messing Maypole Mill was built in 1775 by Colchester millwright John Mathett at a cost of £315 excluding the brickwork. Matchett also rebuilt a post mill which stood some 190 yd south west of the tower mill (TL 894 167) and sum of £315 may include that work. Matchett owned the mill until it was purchased by miller Thomas Green in 1797. The mill passed to Edward Harvey on Green's death in 1806. Harvey died in 1829 and in 1829 the mill was purchased by miller James Peake. Peake was declared bankrupt in 1845 and the mill sold by his assignees. George Ransom was the next miller, and he introduced steam power. After the death of Ransom in 1884 the mill was run by his widow for a few years and…

Messing Maypole Mill is a four-storey brick tower mill with a domed cap. When built it had four Common sails carried on a wooden windshaft and was winded by hand. There was a stage at first-floor level. The tower is 27 ft diameter at base level, decreasing to 14 ft at curb level. Height of the tower is 42 ft to curb and the mill stands 55 ft to the base of the finial on the cap, which was latterly winded by a fantail carried over the rear extension which housed the hand winding apparatus. The brickwork is 4 ft thick at base level and 22 in thick at curb level. The 10 ft diameter wooden Brake Wheel is of clasp arm construction, converted from compass arm. It has 72 cogs and is carried on a…