Grantchester mill pre 1928 (undated)

Grantchester watermill

History of the Watermill

The Domesday Book (1087 AD) mention more than one mill at Grantchester.

There is also a mention of a mill here in Chaucer’s Reeve’s Tale.

From 1270 to 1930 the mill belonged to Merton College.

In 1694 a lease was granted to Sir Francis Pemberton of Trumpington for 21 years.

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1833

Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote this poem in 1833. The mill referred to is the Grantchester Mill:

…

I loved the brimming wave that swam
Thro’ quiet meadows round the mill,
The sleepy pool above the dam,
The pool beneath it never still,
The meal-sacks on the whiten’d floor,
The dark round of the dripping wheel,
The very air about the door
Made misty with the floating meal.

…

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1851

James Nutter, 33, b Cambridge

Emma, 34, b Cambridge

Fanny Susannah, 10, b Grantchester

Agnes Tryphena, 8, b Grantchester

Emma, 5, b Grantchester

James, 1, b Grantchester

Smith, 5 mos, b Grantchester

Hannah Turner, aunt, widow, 64, B Cambridge

William, brother, 32, brewer, b Cambridge

Emma Homes, 25, cook, b Cambridge

Hannha Bacon, 20, housemaid, b Essex

Martha Carter, 17, housemaid, b Melbourn

In 1861 the Nutter family were at 3 Trumpington Road

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1861

Edward Kendal, 54, miller, b Herts

Ann, 53, b Herts

David, 14, labourer, b Middlesex

Alfred, 12, errand boy, b Grantchester

Maria, 8, b Grantchester

Elizabeth Boardman, 25, servant, b Lancs

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1871

Mill House:

Ann Nimmo, 50, widow, b Kent

Jane J, 27, b Middlesex

Frances B, 22, b Surrey

Louisa Sargent, 20, servant, b Babraham

The Mill:

Edward Randall, 64, miller, b Herts

Ann, 63, b Herts

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1878

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For a description of the Mill and its surroundings see Mary Greene’s autobiography, The Joy of Remembering:

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1881

Mill Cottage:

George Lowe, 36, miller corn, b Grantchester

Emily, 38, b Watford

Harry, 13,

Herbert, 9,

Lucy Maria, 6,

Charles, 5,

Mary Elizabeth. 3

William, 9 months,

Mill House:

Susan Lowe, head, single, 24, general servant, b Thaxted

Harriet Lowe, visitor, single, 23, father’s housekeeper, b Thaxted

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1891

Mill Cottage:

George Lowe, 46, miller, b Grantchester

Emily, 48, b Rickmansworth

Effie Susan, 18, dressmaker, b Grantchester

Mary Elizabeth,  13, b Grantchester

William,  10, b Grantchester

Frank, 8, b Grantchester

Arthur James, 5, b Grantchester

Mill House:

Ann Nimmo, widow, 78, living on own means, b Kent

Anne, 49, school governess, b London

Frances Elizabeth Kisbee, 22, cook, b Northants

Ada Millicent Kisbee, 14, housemaid,  b Northants

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1902

During work to install a turbine it was noticed that brickwork supporting the public road was becoming unsafe (CDN 24.4.1902). The arch over the waterway appeared inadequate to bear any but the ordinary traffic and there was considerable risk if traction engines were allowed to pass.

1928

A fire on 30th October destroyed the mill. It was run by the Nutter family who had operated it for over a century. The only part saved in the blaze was an adjoining cottage. (CIP 2.11.1928)

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1930

After the fire the property was sold to the Pemberton trustees. Mr Nutter took over the mill at Fulbourn.

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Occupied by the Misses Glynn, one of whom was an artist.

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2022

Then and Now (David Gent)

It is impossible to take today’s picture from the exactly the same spot due to all the wonderful willow trees. So I got as near as I could whilst still being able to see roughly the same view. The small house joining onto the old mill on the right is still there, but hidden from view by one of the willows. Look at the two arches in the bridge to work out where the old mill used to stand

Then and Now