Port Mill, Brimscombe
at Brimscombe Port, Stroud, Glos.
A former textile mill, now used for office accommodation.
Port Mill took its name from the Brimscombe Port basin dug immediately to the east of it in the 1780s, although it is thought to be the mill recorded in 1744, as Field's Mill.
1786 the mill was acquired by the Thames and Severn Canal Company
1804 it was acting as a grist mill.
1815 the property was sold to the Lewis family of Brimscombe Mill - by then it consisted of a newly-erected house and corn mill.
By the mid-19th century, it had been converted to the production of cloth.
1863 James Ferrabee moved to Port Mill from the Phoenix Ironworks at Thrupp.
1871 Ferrabee and Fox
1872 Sale of the woollen mill included 'a Twenty Horse -power Engine, two Boilers, two Water-wheels, Shafting and Gearing; and the following Machinery and : Six 60-scribbling Engines with cards, condensers, doffers, &c., three of Tatham's Mules, each 420 spindles, two Sizing Machines, 18 Broad Looms, 8-inch Hydraulic Press, with hot plate ; four Shearing Machines, Gigs, Fullers, Washers, &c, 12-inch Slide Lathe, 6-inch ditto, 9-inch Gap Lathe, Circular Saw, Vertical Drilling Machine, Grindstones, large quantity of Wood Patterns, ...... This machinery is almost new, and in first rate order, and now in full work, and the water-power is ample. The premises are free of Land Tax, and were late in the occupation of Messrs. Ferrabee and Fox, and are now held by Messrs. Meacham on a monthly tenancy. To view apply to Messrs. Strachan, on the premises ; and for further particulars apply to the Auctioneer, 16, Tib Lane, Manchester ; Messrs. Johnson and Wetheralls, Solicitors, 7, King's Bench Walk, Temple, London ; Messrs. Emmett and Son, Solictors, ....'[1]
1872 the mill was acquired by what became the Marling and Evans group
The fine four-storey mill building dates from the late 19th century, while to the east is a small 18th century two-storey salt store.
1930s The mill remained in cloth production until the 1930s.
From 1949, the mill was occupied by Bensons International Systems Ltd, makers of loose-leaf ledger equipment, who employed 200 people there in 1962. The works was known as Benson's Tool Works.
1970 Bensons built a large new factory on the north side of the former canal basin.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Stroud News and Gloucestershire Advertiser - Friday 24 May 1872
- [1] Digital Stroud