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