Bushey Ruff Paper Mill
This mill was located on the Dour about one mile upstream from the River Mill. There appears to be no record of the date on which it came into operation and. very little is known about it. The mill is shown on. Greenwood’s Map of Kent published in 1821 and, an entry in "Bonythons Dover Guide" published in 1823 reads, "on another branch of the river to the left is a paper mill belonging to William Knocker". C.P. Davies points out that, in writing of River in 1799, Hasted mentions three paper mills and in a footnote says, "One of these mills, built lately, is situated. near Kearsney or Castney Court, but in the Alkham parish". He suggests that this mill may be assumed to have been Bushey Ruff and. that, as it was not included in the 1792 directory, it may have been erected between 1792 and 1799.
The mill was surveyed in 1815 for the Kent Insurance Company. The surveyor called it a "miserable place" and described. it as a wooden building with a paper top. The mill had. a "furnace", the flue gasses from which appeared to be allowed to pass over the paper hung on sticks for drying purposes. The surveyor thought this dangerous and the mill ought not to be insured. A second survey was carried out in 1821 at which time the mill had three vats making both brown and. white papers. The surveyor passed. the mill for insurance.
William Knocker probably built the mill and is recorded as the occupier on the Tythe map of 1825. An 1823/24 directory mentions Cooper, Packham and. Company, papermakers, Bushey Rough, as occupiers. By 1826/27 a Mr. Dickinson (Reference to Dickinson in greater detail is given under Buckland and Charlton with both of which he had connections during his period in the Dover area) had taken over the mill and continued until his bankruptcy in 1837, but the name of William Knocker occurs again as the occupier in the Tythe schedule of 1838 and the owner of the property as the Earl of Mexbrough, an Irish Peer created. in 1766. William Knocker died in 1847 and. was succeeded by George Wigzell Knocker. The last directory reference to the mill was in 1858 but it is believed to have ceased. production in about 1850 and said to have been demolished in about 1860.
William Knocker was not, as far as can be ascertained, a papermaker. He is believed to have been a solicitor. He was Mayor of Dover four times between 1797 and 1832. During his first Mayoralty in 1798 the men of Dover were formed. into eight Volunteer Companies and William Knocker, the Mayor, was Captain of one of them.
It is of interest to note the mention of "Castney Court" above Kearsney Court was the residence of E.P. Barlow at one time. It was the property of Wiggins Teape and was purchased for the use of the Company’s Chairman.
Plan of Bushey Ruff Paper Mill in 1825