STAG carried out an excavation of this site in the Spring of 2004. This enabled us to produce a detailed plan of the site and determine the overall dimensions of the mill. The wheel slot was partially excavated and produced the unexpected find of what is likely to be the remains of a water turbine. It seems probable that given the references to the mill being lit by electricity around about 1914 this turbine was used to turn a dynamo.
Based on photographs (see for instance those
published by the Cheshire County Record Office on http://picturecheshire.co.uk/cgi-bin/picturecheshire.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=cheshire&keyval=cheshire.id=261
)
and the dimensions from the excavation we have been able to produce a
drawing of the south elevation of the mill.
Details of the weir after the mill had been demolished can be seen at http://picturecheshire.co.uk/cgi-bin/picturecheshire.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=cheshire&keyval=cheshire.id=388
This table provides a summary of the documented history of the Mill. From this it will be seen that the Mill was built as a cotton mill probably in the early 19th century but possibly earlier. In the late 1820's the mill was converted to silk throwing. By 1896, in common with many other silk mills the Carrs Mill was being used for fustian cutting. By 1906 it had again changed its use and was now a laundry. In 1922 Mr. Henry Boddington, of the Manchester brewing family renovated the mill but his intentions for the use of it have not been determined. Whatever they were it was being used for gelatine storage when it burned down in 1923.
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reference |
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1780 |
“William Norbury confidently identifies (it) [the silk mill] with the first of these cotton mills built by Ralph Bower in the 1780’s but there is little doubt that this stood higher up the Bollin … |
From “The Old Commons, A Portrait of Wilmslow” by Howard Hodson |
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1811 |
Samuel Crompton found that at Wilmslow there were 3 mills using jennies… [the Carrs mill] was originally a cotton mill, and was powered by an undershot water wheel. |
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1828 |
Pigot’s Directory: Chas Barber; Silk Throwster, Parsonage Green |
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1834 |
Pigots Directory: Chas. Barber, silk mill, Wilmslow |
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1850 |
Bagshaw’s Directory: Charles Barber, silk mill Wilmslow |
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1853 |
The silk mill became known as Barber’s mill in the nineteenth century but Norbury is correct in saying it was not built by Charles Barber. The will of John Bower of 1853 makes it clear that the mill was merely rented by Barber from the Bowers - so Bowers probably built it.” |
“The Old Commons, A Portrait of Wilmslow” by Howard Hodson |
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1860 |
White’s Directory: Chas Barber & Nephew, silk throwsters, Wilmslow |
Mike Redfearn |
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1864 |
Morris’s & Co., Commercial Directory and Gazetteer for Cheshire: Charles Barber, silk throwster |
Neil Beattie |
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1874 |
Morris’s Directory: Chas Barber Jr., silk throwster & merchant, Carr Mill, Wilmslow. Home: Manchester Rd Wilmslow |
Mike Redfearn |
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1878 |
Kellys Directory of Cheshire: Burrowes & Forrest, Carr Mills, Wilmslow, Manchester. |
Neil Beattie |
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1882 |
Shown on map as ‘Carr Mill (silk)’ |
OS First edition county series 1:10,560 |
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“Before..[it was a laundry.. it was] a silk mill …” |
“The Old Commons, A Portrait of Wilmslow” by Howard Hodson |
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1896 |
Kelly’s Directory of Cheshire: Fustian Cutter, Ernest Platt, Hawthorn St Manchester Rd. and the Carrs, Wilmslow |
Mike Redfearn |
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1901 |
1901 census lists a number of people in the vicinity with occupation of fustian cutter. |
Neil Beattie |
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…the old Carr silk mill has been used for (a similar purpose) [fustian cutting] |
From “Wilmslow: Past and Present” by L. Pearson? |
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1906 |
Kelly’s Directory: Wilmslow Laundry Ltd., launderers, cleaners, dyers &c., The Carrs, Styal Rd., Wilmslow TN 133 |
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“Immediately before (that) [it had been used for storing gelatine…] it had been Bray’s Sanitary Laundry…. Our motive power is water…. Lit by electricity” |
From “The Old Commons, A Portrait of Wilmslow” by Howard Hodson |
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1909 |
Building shown and referred to as a ‘Laundry’ |
OS map |
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1910 |
Seeds Directory: Wilmslow Laundry Ltd., launderers, cleaners, dyers &c., The Carrs, Styal Road, Wilmslow. Kelly’s Directory: The Wilmslow Laundry Ltd, The Carrs, Wilmslow, Manchester. |
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1914 |
Kelly’s Directory: Bray’s Laundry Ltd., The Carrs, Wilmslow |
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1922 |
Henry Boddington renovated the mill around April. |
Report of fire Wilmslow Advertiser |
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1923 |
“The old silk mill burnt down on 4th October 1923. By then it was reportedly storing gelatine, cellophane or (less likely) gelignite.” |
From “The Old Commons, A Portrait of Wilmslow” by Howard Hodson |
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1923 (Oct 12th) |
"The owner Mr Henry Boddington JP completely renovated the mill 18 months ago putting on a new roof and replacing all the windows robbing it somewhat of its old world air, but considerably improving its appearance." "The Calico Printers Association had their title in huge letters but they did not take possession…." "It is said that the machinery used for gelatine production include a dynamo." |
Wilmslow Advertiser |