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Somerset Historic Environment Record

54224

Site Name:	Carey's Mill and Parrett Iron Works, Carey's mill, Martock
Civil Parish:	Martock
Grid Ref:	ST 446 186 (ST 41 NW)
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Image:
	HER 54224 - Photo by Somerset County Council (October 1979)

Public access:

The public accessibility of this site is unknown or has not been checked. Please ask locally and do not visit without permission. [Information last updated on 21 May 2003]

Details:

There were two mills in Martock Manor in 1086 paying 35s, probably corresponding with the two long established mills in the parish, Madey mill (PRN 54222) and Walters, later Carey's mill. The two were let for £12 in 1293-4 and in 1302 they were valued at 60s. Walter's mill was granted to William Gardner in 1592. Described in 1750 as two copyhold water grist mills and a malt mill called Walters mill. One of the mills had become a snuff mill by 1811, and in 1838 Henry Cary (d1840) was occupying two houses and a warehouse on the site and R.B Hansford a house and mill. There were two mills on 1841. Carey's mill was unoccupied in 1853 but by 1857 the site had become the Parrett iron works. {1}

The works have been the subject of study by Dr S.D Chapman (Liverpool University) but not yet published although some plans have been deposited in the Somerset Record Office. The chimney of the works is disguised as an Italian campanile. Operations ceased c1941. {2}

"Parrett Iron works", "Parrett works (malting, webs, twines etc.)" printed on 1904 map. {4}

By 1857 the West of England Engineering and Coker Canvas Company had acquired the Carey's mill site, renamed it the Parrett Works, and were producing horizontal, high pressure and condensing engines for mining companies traction engines, threshing machines, water wheels, corn mills, flax and spinning machinery, power looms and Parson's parent iron and wooden wheels. A new power loom shed was opened in 1866. Economic pressures forced the company to discontinue yarn and canvas making and in 1869 it went into liquidation. By 1875 the works had been taken over by two firms - William Sibley's West of England Engineering Company, millwrights and iron and brass builders, and G H Smith, makers of Napier matting, blind and sash corns, rope and twine. Sibley's continued there in 1923 but had gone by 1931 leaving Smiths, who were still operating in 1941. In 1974 the premises were held by the West of England Warehouses and also used by the Somervale Foods and Somerset Joinery. {6}

The mill on the site in the early 19th century was for the manufacturing if snuff. In 1859 George Parsons had built more buildings for the production of flax dressing. Later a large iron and brass foundry was erected on the site under William Sibley and Sons, and then rope and twine making by G.H. Smith. S.I.A.S undertook a survey of the chimney, the mill and manger's house in 1978. The chimney showed signs of Italian campanile. The mill had iron framed windows, a bell, an iron spiral staircase and a water pipe that served each of the four levels. There was also a water wheel that was still in situ with George Parsons name on it. The manger's house had a large safe and a fireplace that seemed earlier in date. {8}

References:

Record created in December 1984

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