The exact age of Wassell Mill House is unknown, although it seems likely that it dates at least from the 18th century when Wassell Mill itself (which stands a couple of hundred yards away) was rebuilt on the site of an old ironworks which had closed in the mid-1600s. The house was originally a miller's cottage, and in 1841 was occupied by widowed miller and farmer Clara Baker and her three adult daughters who lived there until c.1878. After this, the mill's ownership passed to a Matthew Taylor, although census records indicate that the actual miller was probably Thomas Cornford who in 1891 lived in the house with his Wife, daughter, three sons and grand-daughter. In 1907 the miller was a James Vidler Lusted who held it until 1922. Lusted was succeeded by James Gwillim who milled there until 1927 when the Holden Brothers acquired it. By 1930 milling had ceased and the mill is now a private house.
In 1933, by then surplus to requirements, Wassell Mill House was let to Ebernoe School for use as a schoolmaster or schoolmistress' house. Its subsequent history is unclear, but a local resident has told me that for the last 40 or 50 years the house was owned by a lady who gave piano lessons in the front room and stayed there until her death a few years ago. After the old lady's death her family could not agree what to do with the house and so it gradually fell into disrepair. In time the disputes were resolved or became irrelevant and the plot has recently been sold with permission to demolish the house and build a large 'arts and crafts' style villa in its place.
Window and tarred brick, possibly to keep out damp.
The kitchen/scullery is an unusual room, showing building work and alterations from several periods...
...including this timber-framed partition wall with a small door that opens out onto thin air above the cellar stair
The dining room/small parlour....
...complete with rather fetching wallpaper
the main lounge with inglenook fireplace.
Bathroom
Master bedroom
Thanks for reading,
Arch
In 1933, by then surplus to requirements, Wassell Mill House was let to Ebernoe School for use as a schoolmaster or schoolmistress' house. Its subsequent history is unclear, but a local resident has told me that for the last 40 or 50 years the house was owned by a lady who gave piano lessons in the front room and stayed there until her death a few years ago. After the old lady's death her family could not agree what to do with the house and so it gradually fell into disrepair. In time the disputes were resolved or became irrelevant and the plot has recently been sold with permission to demolish the house and build a large 'arts and crafts' style villa in its place.
Window and tarred brick, possibly to keep out damp.
The kitchen/scullery is an unusual room, showing building work and alterations from several periods...
...including this timber-framed partition wall with a small door that opens out onto thin air above the cellar stair
The dining room/small parlour....
...complete with rather fetching wallpaper
the main lounge with inglenook fireplace.
Bathroom
Master bedroom
Thanks for reading,
Arch
