|
|
Walk Mill and Moulden Water Corn Mill
A Walk Mill, or fulling Mill as it is sometimes called, stood on the Livesey side of the River Darwen more than five centuries ago. Gyles Livesey, in possession of the manor of Livesey before 1520, was the owner. James Livesey, his descendant, who died in 1619, held the manor which included ten messuages, six cottages, one Fulling Mill and lands.Farmers, yeomen etc. would bring their woollen pieces woven on handlooms, to be "milled" (shrunk) before trading them in Manchester or Bolton.
The manufacture of woollen materials became less profitable around the end of the 18th century and it may have been about that time that a corn mill replaced the old Walk Mill. A present day reminder of its existence is Walk Mill Bridge, connecting the township of Livesey and Pleasington over the River Darwen. The bridge was evidently the responsibility of Pleasington, for a new bridge, constructed in 1722, was built and paid for by the township.
William Pickup, miller of Moulden Water Corn mill before 1782, gave up the occupation of the mill, when his employer Oswald Pilling, corn merchant and chapman became bankrupt in October 1802. The mill houses and land in the vicinity of Walk Mill Farm were, along with other properties in Livesey, offered to be let on October 27th 1802. Prior to 1782 the Rev Daniel Wilson and his wife Elizabeth were the chief property owners in Livesey. The mill is mentioned in 1786 as the property of the 'Lady Elizabeth,' daughter of the late William Livesey Esq. of Livesey Hall and relict of the late Rev Daniel Wilson of Lancaster. Mrs Wilson died at Hest Bank, near Lancaster, aged 72 on the 20th October 1801.
Henry Feilden of Witton and William of Feniscowles within Pleasington, between them, purchased the Manor of Livesey in 1805. As a result the Moulden Water district, part of William’s land, being on the west side of Livesey Hall, soon became known as Feniscowles.
Moulden Water Mill with kiln and one cottage was offered to be let along with several farms in Livesey on January 7th 1807. 'Anyone desiring particulars will apply at the counting house of Henry and William Feilden in Blackburn.' The corn mill (rebuilt by Daniel Wilson Esq. around 1784) was then in the control of John Heatley, who lived in the adjacent cottage.
In September 1815 the mill, drying kiln and miller's house, once again came vacant. The mill works consisted of – three pair of grey stones, two pair of French Burrs, two flour machines, one wheat screen, rollers for crushing malt, and a waterwheel 17 feet in diameter and over 12 feet wide, powered by a powerful stream of water. Applications to view the corn mill one-quarter of a mile from Leeds and Liverpool Canal were to be made to Robert Dugdale, Brown Street, Blackburn.
John Polding and Richard Walker, corn millers, each with shops and premises in Darwen Street, Blackburn, were both concerned in the running of Livesey corn mill before 1825. Richard Holt was possibly miller in charge before 1831, when he resided in the house nearby.
Richard Walker, living at Rose Hill, Pleasington before 1843, held a vote for the town of Blackburn on account of his house and shop in Darwen Street. Between the years 1832 and 1844 as occupier of a corn mill, warehouse etc, at Moulden Water he apparently also had a vote for Livesey Township. Mr Walker retired from business in 1846. A month of so earlier, the property, described as 'a powerful corn mill in Livesey,' was advertised to be let, by proposal for a term of years. The mill was said to be 'a short distance from the populous town of Blackburn and peculiarly well adapted for a large quantity of work.' With the mill were to be let three dwelling houses and stables. In the Blackburn Standard, January 21st 1846, the water corn mill known as Livesey Mill in Livesey, with drying kiln, four pairs of French Burrs, two pairs of grey stones, and machinery on 'the most improved principles' was publicly announced again to be let.
The first offer was made on January 7th; proposals in writing were to be forwarded to Mr Romney of Feniscowles, agent to William Feilden Esq. In July that year Sir William Feilden, owner of the building received his baronetcy.During his term of almost 20 years James Ellison, the next miller, installed new machinery and made several other improvements.
A disastrous event happened early on Friday morning, 18th of November 1864 - an extensive fire in Livesey corn mill. The whole of the four-storey building was completely gutted, before assistance could be rendered. A carter named Smith in the employment of Mr Ellison first discovered the fire on his way to work. He immediately roused Mr Ellison and was instructed to carry the alarm to the Blackburn police office and obtain the assistance of the fire brigade. It was reported that:
'the stupid fellow, notwithstanding that three horses were stabled in adjoining stables, trudged off to Blackburn on foot and not at a very rapid pace apparently, for it was half past six before the information reached the Chief Constable. The fire bell was immediately rung and two engines sent to the spot, horses having been procured without loss of time at the White Bull Hotel.'
Only the walls of the Mill were left standing; all machinery was destroyed. The building, insured for £1000, was damaged to the extent of £2000. Machinery was insured for £7000, which did not cover the loss. Complete destruction prevailed.
|
