Monument record 136/2/2 - Lawton (North) Mill

<1> Bott O J P, 1986, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 6, p.31 (Article in Journal). SCH6108.

In 1965 Norris (see 3) found evidence of a pool, but no building.

<2> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

This map depicts a watermill to the north of the road, though the road may have been shifted south as part of the development of the park at Lawton Hall.

<3> Norris J.H., 1968, The Water-Powered Corn Mills of Cheshire, p.66 (Article in Journal). SCH6001.

There is evidence of a pool and a watercourse, but no traceable remains of the mill depicted on Burdett’s map (see 2).

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 11/11/2022 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

One of two watermills on the Lawton Estate which may have been the site of the iron furnace built by John Turner (see CHER 139).

<5> Lawton Hall Estate, c.2004, Lawton Hall Estate (Web Site). SCH9290.

The pool (or lake) in the park was created in 1812-3 by damming a tributary of the river Weaver at the bottom of a valley. There was a water mill upon it and a dovecote higher up the bank on the other side, both built by William Lawton 1630 - 1693. During the demolition of the mill, it is recorded that the millstone rolled down the bank into the river and was apparently left there. During the late 1930’s further stones were added on top of the foundation to form a small island.

<6> Cheshire Gardens Trust, 2011 onwards, Research and Recording Report, p.3 (Report). SCH6655.

The mill used to stand about one halfway up the lake on the Lawton side (see 7).

<7> Renaud, F.R., 1873, Renaud Papers (Manuscript). SCH9291.

The mill used to stand about one halfway up the lake on the Lawton side. On a fine day, when the water is smooth one of the manorial mill stones can yet be seen beneath the water. When the lake was formed, the mill was pulled down and part of the stones were used to construct a wall in the Church Lane. One of these stones bears the date 1707.