Gainsford End Windmill (EHER 28430)

Tower mill of five stories built of brick in 1869. In 1960 it was recorded that the cap has since gone and that the building was derelict. It was possibly built on the site of an earlier mill.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Windmill (Disused) (NAT). <1> Gainsford End windmill is a red brick tower mill, built in 1869, 5 storeys, probably on the site of an earlier mill (it is said to have cost £2,000). The cap has now gone and it is derelict. <2> February 1972. Survey. A rather remote tower mill, one of the last to be built in Essex. It bears the inscription JLE 1869 and is traditionally believed to have cost £2000. the mill is now without a cap and therefore, of course, without sails, and there is no indication of a brake wheel protruding from the top as there was at White Roothing Tower mill when it was in this state. Much of the other machinery, reported to be in position including the most rare feature, perhaps – an iron great spur wheel. <3> 2007. Trial trenching. Trial trenching prior to construction of a dwelling attached to the mill uncovered no archaeological finds or features to indicate that there was an earlier mill on the site. <4> 2008. Building survey. The main aim of the archaeological recording project has been to create an accurate written and drawn record of the surviving historic fabric of the windmill, prior to its repair and partial conversion to residential accommodation. A photographic and measured survey of the mill was undertaken over a period of eight months from 3rd April to 29th November 2007, during the course of the on-site work to conserve and reinstate the mill structure. <5> See also: <6> - <9>