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Allan, Molly

Thanks again for the information you have provided. May I please ask, however, if you are able to let me have links to your sources? The reason for asking is that I am curently documenting my Stonyer ancestors who were millers, and I am using an academic thesis as my template, which includes creating a comprehensive bibliography of sources that I have used during my research and that I draw upon to make any conclusions from my research.

At present, I am researching the 17th ancestors. This poses a number of significant challenges, not the least being the constant variation of the surname (e.g. Stonyer, Stonier, Stanier, Stonger, Stanger, Stonehewer, Stoner). Add to that the fact that as milers, they are mobile, and do not generally own the mill they are working. Historical documentation  about the mills generally refers either to the owner of the mill, or tenant or owner of the estate where the mill is located. Then, there seems to be a paucity of information about most mills before the mid 19th century or thereabouts. Yates maps of the 18thC are useful in showing the sites of mills, but then finding maps between then and the earliest OS maps is difficult. Tithe maps are usefull, but again don't help greatly with information before about 1840. I cannot help but note that the Staffordshire Past Track site crashed when attempts are made to use the link to Tithe Awards. I will report this when I have a moment.

The reference to shulling I haven't followed up yet myself, but the inferences that it refers to removing husks from seeds is I think correct. I have come across mills where seperating seeds from clover, for example, is carried out to make animal feed although ancilliary to the normal operation of the mill for making flour.

The Stoniers who, unusuallly, owned the freehold to Blythe Bridge Mill are not actually ancestors. I came across them during my research, but the geographical location and choice of first names for children are consistent with others that do form part of my family, and fit within the general focus of this specific piece of research on Stonyers as Millers. I will add the post 1822/1823 history of Blythe Bridge Mill as an appendix to my current research.

Thanks again for your help

I have discovered that the mill at Blythe Bridge was re-built in 1823. A mill on the site was previously owned by a Richard Stonier, and left in his will with "the House and yard thereunto belonging the Mill Dam Dockyard pingle and Gravelly Bank"  to his son William. William was declared bankrupt in 1822, which presumably means the mill was sold to cover his debts, and the purchaser rebuilt it in its current Gothic style.

Neither the 1769 Yates map of Staffordshire, nor the earliest OS map I can find (25 inch 1882) show any of the named features. The also seems to be a dearth of information about the older mill.

Are there any maps c1822 that might show the features listed in Richard's will? And what is a "pingle".

The will also mentions "Mills", plural. Was there ever more than one mill on the site? The will is online on FindMyPast.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

I am looking for any historical information about two corn mills, the Adderley Mill, located on the river Tean to the north-west of Cheadle, and the Cheadle Corn Mill, on the Cicelley Brook/Cheadlemill Brook to the south-east of Cheadle. I am specifically intererested in the history of the mills before 1800. Any help, or suggestions where to go for this information gratefully received.