River Eden, Kent

Geobox|River
name = Eden
native_name =
other_name = Broadmead Water (section)
other_name1 =

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image_size = 300px
image_caption = Rivers in Kent
etymology =
country = England
country1 =
state =
state1 =
region = Kent
region1 =
district =
district1 =
city =
city1 =
landmark =
landmark1 =
length_imperial =
watershed_imperial =
discharge_location =
discharge_imperial =
discharge_max_imperial =
discharge_min_imperial =
discharge1_location =
discharge1_imperial =
source_name =
source_location = Titsey
source_district =
source_region = Surrey
source_state =
source_country =
source_lat_d = 51
source_lat_m = 16
source_lat_s = 37
source_lat_NS = N
source_long_d = 0
source_long_m = 02
source_long_s = 12
source_long_EW = E
source_elevation_imperial =
source_length_imperial =
mouth_name = confluence with River Medway
mouth_location = Penshurst
mouth_district =
mouth_region =Kent
mouth_state =
mouth_country =
mouth_lat_d = 51
mouth_lat_m = 10
mouth_lat_s = 12
mouth_lat_NS = N
mouth_long_d = 0
mouth_long_m = 11
mouth_long_s = 04
mouth_long_EW =E
mouth_elevation_imperial =
tributary_left = Gibbs Brook
tributary_left1 = Eden Brook
tributary_right = Kent Brook
tributary_right1 =
tributary_left2 =
free_name =
free_value =


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The River Eden in West Kent is a tributary of the River Medway. It travels through the Weald of Kent from the border with Surrey, rising from the source in Titsey parish, Surrey, grid reference TQ420551, about 350metres north of Clacket Lane motorway services,cite map
publisher = Ordnance Survey
title = Explorer 147 Sevenoaks & Tonbridge
url = http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=TQ4203855109
edition = Get-a-Map
section =
accessdate =2008-01-13 ] and flowing eastward through the Wealden clay to join the River Medway near Penshurst, Kent, grid reference TQ537434. The section from its source to where the Gibbs Brook joins it is also known as the Broadmead Water.cite book | first = Kenneth| last = Reid| authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1987| month = | title = Watermills of the London Countryside, Vol 1| chapter = | editor = | others = | edition = | pages = pp127-28| publisher = Charles Skilton Ltd.| location = Cheddar, Somerset, UK| id = ISBN 0284 39165 4| url = ] Its name is a back formation deriving from Edenbridge, the main town through which it flows, and which was originally called in the Old English language "Eadhelmsbrigge" ("Eadhelm's Bridge" in Modern English).

Water quality

According to the Environmental Change Network, water quality in the Eden is mainly classified as General Quality Assessment (GQA) Class C, although the headwaters near Oxted are Class D. The river receives treated sewage effluent from two Southern Water Services Limited Sewage Treatment Works (STW), serving Edenbridge and Oxted respectively; the stretches receiving these effluents are both subject to EC Urban Water Treatment "Sensitive Waters" investigations. There are other much smaller private sewage treatment works throughout the catchment. The river and its tributaries support coarse fisheries. Average flows at Penshurst range from 3.909 m³/s in January to 0.485 m³/s in July. Water to fill Bough Beech Reservoir (Sutton and East Surrey Water Company) is pumped from a point just upstream of Penshurst.

Watermills

The River Eden powered a number of watermills. From source to the Medway they were:-

Titsey Mill.

This was an old manorial mill. A Roman Villa at Titsey was converted into a fulling mill. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43073 British History] ]

Tidy Green Mill, Limpsfield.

This was a Domesday site, the mill at Limenensfeld then being valued at 2s. This mill may take its name from the Tydye/Tidy family. This mill was demolished in 1892. [http://www.curiousfox.com/uk/r.lasso?vid=44389&-nothing Curious Fox] ]

Oxted Mill.

This mill was demolished in the late eighteenth century.

Middle Mill, Oxted.

The surviving corn mill building has been converted into offices. It dates from 1892-5 and was put to work on 19 June 1893. The building was used as a factory for making woodworking tools in the 1950s. [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/honor.m/towns/oxted/mill.html UK Online] ] [http://www.tttg.org.au/php/tttg_Features.php?Preview=LewinCombinationPlane Traditional Tools Group] ]

Coltsford (Cottsford) Mill, Oxted.

TQ 397 506 Coord|51.237379|0.002114|display=inline|format=dms

A Domesday site. This mill retains its machinery, which dates from c.1860 and is all cast iron. The mill is used as a corporate event centre, and there is a trout fishery nearby. The cast iron waterwheel still turns. [http://www.coltsfordmill-weddings.co.uk/home.htm Coltsford Mill] ]

mill site

This mill stood just downstream of Coltsford mill, it may have been known as "Crowherstmelle".

Haxted Mill, Edenbridge.

TQ 418 455 Coord|51.191026|0.030162|display=inline|format=dms

Haxted Watermill stands in Surrey close to the borders with Kent. It is a Domesday site and the mill was mentioned in the will of Sir Reginald de Cobham in 1361. The western half of the building dates to c.1580 and the eastern half dates to 1794. The mill was last used to grind flour in 1919 but worked until 1945. It was turned into a museum in 1969 but is now a brasserie and bar. [http://www.haxtedmill.co.uk/watermill.html Haxted Mill] ] [http://www.edenbridgetown.com/places_of_interest/edenbridge/haxted_mill.shtml Edenbridge Town] ]

The current overshot waterwheel has a diameter of convert|10|ft|m|2 and a width of convert|9|ft|m|2. It was installed in about 1830, but by 1972 the 72 iron buckets had failed and were replaced by fibreglass replicas. The bearing-stone for an earlier, undershot waterwheel was found during renovation and this dates to the fourteenth century. In full working order the current wheel produced about convert|11|hp|kW|lk=on, rotating at 8 r.p.m. and driving three pairs of millstones, through gearing, at 120 r.p.m. The Pit Wheel and Wallower are of the same date as the waterwheel, but the Great Spur Wheel, made of oak with applewood teeth, has been dated to 1580. The mill originally operated three pairs of millstones, but in the later years of its working life one pair was removed.

Town (Honour's) Mill, Edenbridge

In 1291 a water powered pump was at work here, draining the marshland between Lingfield and Edenbridge. The present corn mill building dates to the early nineteenth century, but incorporates parts of an older structure. The cast iron low breastshot waterwheel drove three pairs of stones. The mill last ground by water sometime before the First World War, and was working by electricity into the 1970's. The waterwheel was used to work ancillary machinery until 1968, when the cast iron pit wheel was broken in the floods of that year. [http://www.edenbridgetown.com/local/information/edenbridge_trail.shtml Edenbridge Town] ]

Hever Castle Mill.

There was a corn mill at Hever Castle. [http://www.millsarchive.com/Kent/MillPageData/MillsList.aspx?powersource=2 Mills Archive] ]

Chiddingstone (Cranstead) Mill

TQ 496 461 Coord|51.194428|0.141964|display=inline|format=dms

Possibly a Domesday site. In the eighteenth century the millers were the Keeys family, Richard c.1740, followed by his son Richard. In 1840 the mill was owned by Henry Streatfield and in the occuption of James Young. The wife of his son James Jr died in 1853, James Jr was describes as being "of Chiddingstone mill". The mill was last worked in the 1930s.

This mill was a derelict shell for many years, but the building has now been house converted. No machinery survives. A picture of the mill before conversion can be seen [http://www.millsarchive.com/Kent/MillPageData/MillContainer.aspx?millID=8421&powersource=2 here] and more pictures can be seen [http://www.roughwood.net/PostcardAlbum/Kent/Chiddingstone/ChiddingstoneMill.htm here.] . [http://www.chiddingstone.net/pages/landfold/north.html Chiddingstone] ] [http://www.chiddingstone.net/pages/buildfold/villiage/mill.html Chiddingstone] ] [http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsChiddingstone/01.htm Kent Archaeology] ] [http://www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk/Water2.htm Susex Mills Group] ]

Vexour Park mill.

TQ 511 454 approx Coord|51.187743|0.163123|display=inline|format=dms

A weir in Vexour Park marks the site of a long vanished watermill.

Tributaries

Its main tributaries are the Gibbs Brook, Eden Vale Stream, and the Eden Brook, which has the Felbridge Water as a tributary. The Kent Brook (also known as The Crooked River), which forms the boundary between Surrey and Kent for part of its length, joins near Edenbridge.

Watermills on the tributaries

Various tributaries also powered watermills:

Gibbs Brook.

The Gibbs Brook, formerly known as the Gippes River powered four watermills. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43064 British History] ]

mill site.

Ivy Mill, Godstone.

This mill belonged to the manor of Chevington in Bletchley. In 1698 the owner was George Whatman, the mill being partly rebuilt in that year. A photograph of Ivy Mill in 1898 can be seen [http://www.ukaerialphotos.com/SURREY/Godstone/Godstone.htm here] . It was burnt down in the 1920s.

Leigh Mill, Godstone.

This Domesday mill was valueless in 1349, as all the soke tenants had perished in the plague. It had previously been worth 20s or 30s per year. The mill was later used as a gunpowder mill. The mill has been house converted, only the axle and pit wheel remaining of the machinery. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43066 British History] ] [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/members/honor.m/towns/villages/godstone/godstone.html UK Online] ]

mill site

Eden Brook

The Eden Brook powered three watermills.

Hedgecourt Mill, Felbridge.

TQ 359 404 Coord|51.146622|-0.056154|display=inline|format=dms

This was an old hammer mill site. The mill was first mentioned in 1562 when John Thorpe was listed as repairing buildings, the mill and banks to the value of £64. He was leasing the manor of Hedgecourt from the Gage family of Firle at the time. In 1567 John Thorpe took out a 21 year lease on the mill, the mills being described as "newly erected" and having an overshot waterwheel. In 1594, the mill was in the tenancy of Thomas Thorpe, son of John Thorpe. In 1652, the mill was in the tenance of Robert Filkes of Godstone. In 1663, John Finch took out an eleven year lease on Hedgecourt Mill. A toll chest is mentioned in the lease, indicating that the mill was a corn mill, at least in part. He was still there in 1669, paying a half-yearly rent of £14 and tax of 2/-. By March 1670 Joseph Marchant had joined him, but he died in 1674. His widow Sarah took out a lease on the mill in October of that year. The mill passed to her son John in 1688. In 1701, Joseph Marchant (son of John) was at the mill. He built or extended a house in 1701, possibly an extension to the mill. In 1723, Joseph Marchant renewed his lease on the mill and in 1739 James Marchant (son of Joseph) took a sixty year lease with William Clayton of Marden on six acres of Hedgecourt Heath in Horne, on which to erect a windmill. The mill was an open trestle post mill. Joseph Marchant seems to have retired by 1742. An unexecuted lease of 1743 mentions that the miller has permission to take timber for the purpose of making charcoal (used in the smelting of iron). The site remained in the ownership of the Gage family until 1745, when Colonel Edward Evelyn bought it. It was a furnace mill at that time.

Edward Evelyn commissioned a map of his new estate. This was drawn by J Bourd of Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1748. James Marchant was still at the mill in 1773, when he bequeathed all his possessions to his brother Benjamin Marchant, a cooper and innkeeper of Cheam, Surrey. James Marchant seems to have retired in the 1780s. The next known millers were Messrs Stenning, Lock and Stone are recorded as paying rent fof the Mill at Hedgecourt. This can only be the watermill as the windmill had gone by 1789. Thomas Stone was the miller in 1814, followed by his son John, who was joined by Laurence Hardy by 1822. John Saunders was the miller in 1840, having previously been at Wiremill. Saunders was still at the mill in 1855 when it was sold by Lady Selina Charlotte, Viscountess Milton to George Gatty. At that time the mill had an convert|11|ft|m|2 diameter overshot waterwheel driving two pairs of millstones. John Tully Coomber had joined Saunders by 1858, working the mill until at least 1861. George Gatty died in 1864 and the mill passed to his son Charles Henry Gatty. Robert Bartley was the miller in 1869, working the mill until at least 1871 and then Sydney Killick was the miller in 1881, followed by Thomas Colvin who was there in 1891. Charles Gatty died in 1903, and the mill passed to two of his cousins, Charles Lane Sayer and Alfred Leighton Sayer. The mill was probably still operable at this time. In 1910 the mill was sold to Percy Portway Harvey, and in 1916 the mill was in the ownership of Henry Willis Rudd, later passing to a Belgian by the name of Mr Honore Dubar.

The mill was visited by R Thurston Hopkins in 1926, the machinery still being intact at this time. A picture of the mill c.1926 can be seen [http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/felbridge/Lost_Felbridge.htm here] . The mill was also visited by J Hillier in 1948, who was researching a book on Surrey watermills. by this time the mill was a ruin, still containing its machinery. The upper floors of the mill were demolished in 1949 with the lower part of the mill being used as a boat store. in 1962, the Dubars sold the mill to John Edwards. The mill house was condemned in 1964 and stood empty until 1969. The building being then converted and extended to form two residences.

;MachineryOvershot waterhweel, cast iron spokes, wooden soleboard and buckets, convert|12|ft|6|in|m|2 diameter by convert|6|ft|m|2 wide on an oak axle, driving a convert|9|ft|6|in|m|2 diameter cast iron pit wheel with oak cogs. This drove a cast iron wallower on a wooden hexagonal upright shaft, driving a wooden Great Spur Wheel convert|8|ft|m|2 in diameter, driving two pairs of millstones. [http://www.zyworld.com/felbridge/handouts/Hedgecourt-cottages.htm Felbridge & District History Group] ] [http://www.zyworld.com/felbridge/handouts/Hedgecourt-cottages.htm Felbridge & District History Group] ]

Felcourt (Woodcock Hammer, Weir, Wire) Mill. Felbridge.

An old hammer mill site, at work from 1567 to 1786. One of the names indicates that the mill was a drawing mill at one time. In 1533, the effects of Thomas Gaynesford included a hammer mill. The property had been bough by Gaynesford from Sir John Gage in 1550. In 1559, Nicholas Norton was a miller grinding grain near lands called Shawnors, followed by John Myller in 1560 to 1563, when John Rodgers succeeded him. in 1567, Wiremill was being worked by John Thorpe. In the 1560s, there are several references to Woodcock Hammer or Forge being worked by Swanne.

Woodcock Forge is believed to have been built by Jack Dancy of Turners Hill. Hedgecourt Mill is thought to have been remodelled by him about the same time. The pond at Hedgecourt acted as a storage for the Woodcock forge. The tilt hammer was operated by an overshot waterwheel. Another overshot waterwheel worked bellows. In 1574, John Thorpe of Hedgecourt was working the forge in connection with the furnace at Myllwood. in 1586 Thorpe bought property from William Swanne Sr in the Woodcock Forge area. From 1598 to 1606 the rent was paid by Thomas Thorpe, son of John and in 1629 the forge was leased by John Gage to Richard Thorpe, the son of Thomas. His son, also Richard, held the forge until 1651, when it was forfeit in lieu of a debt. Thorpe's interest in the forge was sold to Simon Everenden of Cliffe near Lewes. In the 1650s the forge was in the occupation of John Newnham. In 1664, the forge was lease by Jeremy Johnson Jr of Charlwood. In 1672, woodland next to the pond was referred to as "Hammerwood" also know as "Wire Wood" thus indicating a drawing mill. John Newnham died in 1707, and his wife died in 1719, but the forge was known as "Mr Johnson's Forge" in 1717. At that time the output from the forge was some convert|40|LT|t per annum. By 1729 the forge was in the occupation of Thomas Stanford, who was converting sows from Heathfield furnace at Woodcock Forge. Stanford does not seem to have had any connections with the Wealden iron industry after 1738. In 1742 Samuel Baker was in occupation, followed by Edward Raby and Alexander Master in 1758. They were supplying the Board of Ordnance with several gauges of bar iron, staff iron and rolled plate. Raby & Master were bankrupt in 1764. Edward Raby died in 1771, and the forge was taken over by his son Alexander until 1774, when the Government forced him to give up Woodcock furnace in a wrangle over the size of his moulds. Joseph Wright and Thomas Pickett took the business, but it is thought that the Hammer Mill ceased to be used c.1787. In 1800, the name Wire Mill is first used.

Daniel Fossick held Wire Mill from 1800 to 1816, when he died. The mill was sold to James Jenner, who converted it to a corn mill. Jenner was at Wire Mill until 1844, when he was succeeded by William Brand. In 1838 he was joined by John Saunders, the mill being known as Woodcock Mill then. Saunders left in 1840 to take Hedgecourt Mill and William Brand joined Jenner. Jenner died in 1844 and Thomas Brand took the mill, which was known as Wire Mill in 1851. At this time the mill had two overshot waterwheels and drove four pairs of millstones. In 1855 the mill lake covered convert|14|acre|ha. Thomas Brand was still running the mill in 1871, assisted by his son Thomas, John Holman and John Burfield, all described as millers in the census of that year. In 1881, Thomas Brand (son) was the miller at Wire Mill. He ran the mill until 1887/88 when David Dadswell took the mill. Wire Mill was sold in 1911, described as having two overshot waterwheels and the mill lake covered convert|11|acre|ha at this time. A picture of the mill c.1911 can be seen [http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/felbridge/Lost_Felbridge.htm here] . The mill was not sold and again offered for auction in 1912, again without success. A third attempt at auction in 1918 saw the mill being bought by a Major Crum. He sold it to a Miss Wilkins who had the building converted to residential use in 1920. The mill was purcahased by the Women's Farm and Garden Union in 1922 and by 1929 was the Wire Mill Tea Gardens. By 1933 it was the Wire Mill Fishing Club and in 1948 the Wire Mill Hotel and Fishing Club. By 1962 the property was known as the Wiremill Lakeside Hotel, Country and Fishing Club. Over the next decade the Country Club grew in popularity, leading to complaints and the local council refused to renew the clubs music and dancing licence. In 1986 the mill was again sold, and although damaged by a fire during renovations reopened as a restaurant in September of that year. The mill was sold again in 1996 and 2000 and is now a pub. The building is devoid of machinery. [http://www.jeremy-clarke.freeserve.co.uk/handouts/Woodcock_Wiremill.htm Felbridge & District History Group] ] [http://www.jeremy-clarke.freeserve.co.uk/handouts/Woodcock_Wiremill2.htm Felbridge & District History Group] ]

Lingfield Tannery.

This tannery was water powered. It stood opposite the present day Lingfield Racecourse. In 1684 the mansion house of Batnors (later Battners) was bought by James Farindon. This included the tanyard, drying sheds and mill thereto. A map of John Gainsford's lands in 1679 shows Gateland Farm was previously known as Tanners Farm. The farm was later the home of Robert Boreman, who died in 1715. The Tannery building was rebuilt by J T Kelsey c.1840. [http://www.rh7.org/factsheets/Tannery.html RH7 History Group.] ]

Felbridge Water

The Felbridge Water is a tributary of the Eden Brook. It powered two watermills.

Clarkes Mill, Lingfield

TQ 401 402 Coord|51.143811|0.003782|display=inline|format=dms

This was a hammer mill, owned by Lady Gage in 1574. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43069 British History] ]

Ware (Weir) Mill, Felbridge.

A mill was on this site in 1241, when Stephen the miller held it of William de Adburton at a rent of 11s annually. In 1347, the mill was granted to John Gainsford. In 1406 William Atte Hurst obtained "Crowherstmelle" from the Marchant family, and granted it to William Gainsford. This may refer to this mill (but see above).

Other tributaries.

There are other tributaries feeding the River Eden that also powered watermills.

Four Elms Mill, Hever.

Possibly the site of the Hever mill mentioned in 1279, when Roland, son of Peter de Broke, attempting to "twirl the wheel" was dragged into the cogs and crushed to death. The mill had an overshot wheel and had been demolished by 1933.

Bough Beech Furnaces, Hever.

TQ 4813 4756 Coord|51.207539|0.120880|display=inline|format=dms and TQ 4816 4760 Coord|51.207891|0.121326|display=inline|format=dms.

An old hammer mill site, two furnaces are known to have existed. [http://www.wirgdata.org/searchsites2.cgi Wealden Iron Research Group] ]

Christmas Mill, Edenbridge.

This was a double mill (i.e. having two waterwheels) in 1347, then in the possession of William de Shernden. The mill building survives, converted into a dwelling. The miller in 1841 was J Bassett.cite book | first = Jenny| last = West| year = 1973| title = The Windmills of Kent| pages = p41-44| publisher = Charles Skilton Ltd.| location = London| id = SBN 284-98534-1]

alman's Farm Mill, Penshurst.

TQ 512 434

A Domesday site, this corn mill was powered supplied by a pond fed by a stream. It was powered by a cast iron overshot waterwheel and the machinery was removed in the early 1930s. The cast iron axle survives.

References

ee also

Medway watermills article