Pampisford Water Mill, 1930 (photo J H Bullock)(Cambridgeshire Collection)

Pampisford Water Mill

History of the Water Mill

Pampisford Water Mill (Vanishing Cambridgeshire p.151) was originally used for grinding corn and seed. In 1893 Eastern Counties Leather turned it into a power source for their leather works. It became known as the ‘oily mill’ because of the cod oil used to tan the leather. In 1941 the mill was put up for sale. In 1960 the mill was converted for residential use.

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1861 Census Pampisford, Pampisford Mill Cottage:

Josiah Wilson, 45, working bailiff, b Duxford

Emma, dressmaker, 40, b Suffolk

Edward, 12

Jane, 8

Emma Lucy, 4m

Lydia Ward, mother in law, 63.

The Wilson family are mentioned in William Farrington‘s diary of 1858. It is a sad story of typhoid fever and insanity.

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O C Mayo describes the water mill in “Old Pampisford.” A mill is recorded in 1086 belonging to the Manor of Ely.

The current mill was put up for sale by 1813. It was probably bought by William Parker.

By 1851 the mill was being used by Waldock and Tofts for grinding corn. Waldock was declared bankrupt in 1869.

In 1879 the French family were running the mill to grind seed for oil as well as corn.

1880 Eastern Counties Leather leased all or part of the mill. It was also used as a wool store.

1893 mill sold by Colonel Hamond to Eastern Counties Leather.

1941 Eastern Counties put the mill up for auction as a tithe free property with 14 acres of pasture.

1950s mill owned by Mrs Rose Driver

1960s two artists took up residence, Leonard Campbell-Taylor and his wife, Brenda Moore

1990s building deteriorated and partially collapsed.