The History of Gages Mill
Gages Mill is an ancient Woollen Mill, with the earliest mention being
of GAGYS MYLL in the ministers accounts of Henry V11 in 1504,
(although it was said to be more than a century old at this time). The
tenants at that time were given as Gilbert Youker, John Brendon and
John Rugge. Tenants were usually bound to repair the mills at their
own expense, the Lord of the Manor finding the timber only.
Various versions of the
name in old articles include "Gagsmill" and "Gaysmill". The name is
most likely to be derived from "Gig-Mill", a gig being a device in
which teasels were arranged on a cylinder which revolved with the
teasel in contact with the face of the cloth. The teasel appears in
the town crest of Ashburton.
Gages Mill in the late 1800s
For at least part of its life it was the Manorial Fulling Mill, which
means that the cloth, having been woven, was then cleansed of its
grease by the use of Fullers Earth. It was then soaked in water,
drained and beaten with large wooden flails to compact and felt the
material. In the latter part of its operational life it was a "Flock
Mill", making mattresses from inferior and waste wool.
By 1504 water driven
mechanical aid was available for the beating process. The Mill derived
its power from a Leat taken out of the river Ashburn above Castle
Bridge (by Peartree). The leat is long gone, with little evidence of
its path visible. There is some indication of its route in fields
opposite Gages Mill, and along the Mills frontage. A small section can
be seen from the hallway and dining room windows, where it would have
left the mill, having probably driven an "Undershot" wheel to operate
the machinery. The ground floor twin room now occupies the area where
the wheel would have been.
Gages Mill in the early 1900s
After the demise of the wool industry in the area, Gages Mill became a
private residence. The Tucker family, who were well known Solicitors
and Attorneys in the town, lived at Gages in the 1850's, while a John
Smerdon was in residence in 1893. In the early 1900's there were a
number of families living in the building. In the mid 1950's the Tope
family took it over and started a small factory making special pens
for plotting equipment, known as Gages Instruments. They left in 1968
as the firm needed to expand. They are now one of the two largest
companies in the world producing these pens and other scientific
instruments.
The mill remained as a
private dwelling until 1972, during which time a deep bore was sunk
for its water supply, and is still in use to this day. From that
period on it has been a Guest House. It has gone through various
stages of conversion, but always retained much of its original
character and past history. |