Monument record 2598/2 - Defiance Mill and Bobbin Mill

<1> Longden G, 1988, The Industrial Revolution in East Cheshire: Six Theme Walks, p.18 (Book). SCH3193.

Erected in 1800 as a cotton spinning mill, but by the second half of the nineteenth century the premises were used as a sawmill and bobbin workshop.

<2> Boddington, T, 1996-2017, Happy Valley (Web Site). SCH8292.

Defiance Mill was built in 1800 by Samuel Hanshaw and was owned and operated by Stephen and John Sheldon from 1806 till the mid nineteenth century, spinning cotton and possibly grinding minerals. By 1860 the mill was being used for wood turning and bobbin making along with the adjacent mill known as Bobbin Mill. Defiance Mill was powered by water from the Harrop Brook and a mill pond to the south of the mill building in the area known of Pool Bank. It is probable that Bobbin Mill was powered by the same waterwheel. By the late nineteenth century both mill buildings were being used for bottling (water and lemonade) and the mill pond had been abandoned (filled in in 1854). Most of the mill buildings were demolished c.2000 and the remaining four storey section of Defiance Mill converted to apartments.

<3> Calladine A & Fricker J, 1993, East Cheshire Textile Mills, p.162, ECTMS 135 (Book). SCH1093.

<4> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

Defiance Mill is depicted and named on this map.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 56/2, 1849 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the mill building over the Harrop Brook with the mill pond to the south of the mill building, off the line of the brook. The plot is described as a factory and premises owned and occupied by William Henshall.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ9377, 1873 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts a range of buildings across the brook, which are labelled Saw Mill and Coal Pit. A weir is depicted to the immediate north-east of the buildings across the line of the brook. Pool Bank is named, but the mill pond is no longer depicted. An earthwork is depicted between Pool Bank and the Harrop Brook, possibly the mill ponds dam.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ9377, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

This map depicts buildings on the western side and eastern side, but not across the brook. The western buildings, Defiance Mill, are labelled Saw Mill. The buildings to the east may be Bobbin Mill. A weir is depicted to the immediate north-east across the line of the brook.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ9377, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

Defiance Mill has expanded with small extensions and is labelled Saw Mill.

<9> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

Defiance Mill is visible on this aerial photograph spanning the Harrop Brook to join the possible Bobbin Mill building. The photograph would suggest the building is of equal height along its full length. Bobbin Mill is noticeably lower in height. The area of Pool Bank is open space, but appears level.