Southford Watermill, Whitwell
From Wightpedia
The Southford Watermill stood on the eastern River Yar, to the north of Whitwell, Isle of Wight; half a mile or so further north along the River Yar was the Ford Watermill.
The Southford Mill had an overshot water wheel driving two pairs of stone and had three floors.
In 1867, the Southford Watermill was put to auction at that the Bugle Inn, Newport for the creditors of Francis Buckell:
Lot 1. - All that stonebuilt overshot Water Corn Mill, known as
SOUTHFORD MILL,
SOUTHFORD MILL,
situate in the Parish of Whitwell, in the Isle of Wight, driving two pair of stones, with all requisite machinery, and having three floors. Also the newly erected stonebuilt and slated
DWELLING-HOUSE,
Stable for six hourse, two large gardens, piece of Meadow Land, and the Mill Pond, making together about 2 1/2 acres. The Dwelling-House and Stable are in a forward state towards completion.[1]Records show occupants over the years as:
- 1843 At Newport Petty Sessions, John Griffin, miller of Southford Mill, fined for having four defective weights,[2]
- 1859 Buckell Francis, Ford farm, & miller, South Ford Mill - Farmer[3]
- 1885 Bankruptcy of Walter Mansbridge, miller of Southford Mill,[4]
- 1898 Hourd Frederick Reynolds, miller (water), Southford & Ford mills[5]
- 1899 Bankruptcy of Frederick Hourd with deficiency of £356,[6]
- 1911 Beeden Samuel, Whitwell farm & Old Park farm, Undercliff & miller, Southford mill (water)[7]
The mill has been demolished, the Mill House has been converted into a private residence.
