Monument record 2956/0/1 - The Topps Farmstead and Mill

<1> 1998, Alderley Edge Landscape Project Archive, 164 (Unpublished Report). SCH4334.

The Topps (Farm): The main mill house dates from around the sixteenth to seventeenth century. Outbuildings include a granary etc. Use as a corn mill, wool tentering mill and candle factory at various times. Candle factory on the upper storey of the house and probably working in the early years of the eighteenth century. Would have supplied local miners. Pole for hoisting the candles still here as is the old well for water supply. Carved stones outside by the back door ‘I. W. 1769’ and by gate ‘I. W. 1767’. Same initials seen underground in upper workings of Brynlow Mine.

<2> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

Depicted, but not named on this map. The map shows two buildings.

<3> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 179/3 1842 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts three buildings which correspond to extant house, outbuilding and pigsty. The award makes no mention of a mill and the plots are described as homestead and meadow.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8577, 1872 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.