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Windmill near Eaton Bray (Dyer family history)

June 3, 2016 by Anne in forum Genealogy / History

#2423 Anne, 3 June 2016, 07:42

Does anyone recognize the windmill being described in this advert? Could it be Edlesborough Mill? If not, does anyone recognize the location being described?
Bucks Herald Saturday 3rd September 1842
"An eligible freehold tower windmill at Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, offering a vote for the County, to be peremptorily sold by auction by Mr Flint, on Thursday next, September 8th 1842 at the Unicorn Inn, Leighton Buzzard, at four o’clock in the afternoon, by direction of the mortgagee, subject to such conditions as will be produced at the time of sale. A newly erected and substantially brick cased tower windmill, now in the occupation of Mr William Dyer, situate in the open field, on the south of the extensive and populous parish of Eaton Bray, a short distance from the adjoining villages of Edlesborough and Totternhoe, 3 miles from the market town of Dunstable, 5 from Leighton Buzzard, 6 from Tring, and 10 from Hemel Hempstead. The situation is remarkably good, in an open and elevated spot adjoining a good road, which branches out to all the neighbourhood with the greatest facility. The mill was built in the summer of 1840, is 4 storey high, has 27ft sails with iron collar and shaft, iron framed tail wheel and fragment rollers to break wheel, driving a pair of 4ft French stones, capable of breaking 6 to 12 bushels an hour, and is in excellent order. Mr William Dyer will show the mill; particulars may be had of Mr Faithfull, solicitor, Tring, of whom further information may be known; at the Sugar Loaf, Dunstable, Kings Arms, Hemel Hempstead, Rose and Crown, Tring; public houses in the neighbourhood, and of Mr Flint, Land Agent, Leighton Buzzard."

#2424 Tom n Harry, 6 June 2016, 08:42

1841 census shows William Dyer residing at Bellows Mill.

#2425 Anne, 12 June 2016, 18:58

Thanks - I knew William Dyer was residing at Bellows Mill, but there is some evidence that the windmill was a business venture for him that went wrong. He had to give up the lease on Bellows Mill not long after this. I would love to know the site of this windmill. The description given here matches the photo I have seen of Edlesborough Mill, but the design may have been common at the time, so I don't want to jump to conclusions. I don't know the geography of Eaton Bray well enough to know whether the advert could be describing Edlesborough Mill, and I was rather hoping someone local could help with this!

#3652 Dean Dyer, 3 March 2021, 16:07

Hi
Not sure of the windmill site but do know the area and bellows mill, I am a descendant of WD

#3704 Anne, 21 June 2023, 12:17

Further to my original post (can't believe it's 7 years ago!), I thought I'd share here for anyone interested in the Dyer family of Eaton Bray that I have done some research on the whereabouts of this windmill and its connection with the Dyer family and made some interesting discoveries. I've written an article on the subject that I'm happy to share with anyone who is interested. I drew on evidence such as old maps, legal documents and newspaper articles. I can't remember what the protocol is for sharing email addresses. If the administrators are reading this, could you remind me?

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