Page 34 - br-oct-2021

October 2021 October 2021

BERE REGIS HISTORY SOCIETY

CHAMBERLAINS MILL, 1768

Some years ago I was asked about information for the
provenance of a painting by William Tomkins made in
1768. It was described as being of Chamberlain's Mill
painted in 1768. The original was 25 x 40 inches and shows
the building,
over a mile
south of the
village centre,
as it was
between about
1620 and 1820,
each rebuild
being after a
serious fire. Mills
were particularly
susceptible to
fire as they dealt
with airborne
fine powder
which could be
ignited by a
single spark.
There had been
a M i l l a t
Chamberlain's
since about 900-
950 AD and was
originally apportioned to the King's Chamberlain for its rents as a gift. The painting
shows the Mill-house on the left, while a mill-stone can be seen leaning against
the wall on the right and the view is looking North. The Mill ceased operating
sometime between 1899 and 1902 after which the spelling for this area changed
to "Chamberlaynes".
John Pitfield, Project Secretary

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