Forge mill, 1787. One of the mills built by the Robinsons on the River Leen. Forge Mill is the least altered of the mill buildings which survive - it is built of stone, the main part being 9 bays long and 3 storeys high. On the E side is a small extension of 2 storeys which, like the main building, has stone quoins. On the N side of the mill are the stagnant remains of the old pond. The name of the mill suggests that it was on the site of an old forge, which probably occupied a good water power site. (2) (4) (5)
Forge mill was 5 storeys high, built of stone - lower storeys left after fire in 1838. Mill pond and sluices survive. (3)
On an ancient metal working site on the River Leen. Used for cotton spinning. Following fire damage, the upper storeys were removed and the building was used as a bone mill. (6)
Named 'Forge Mill' (7).
The mill of Blacclif, frequently mentioned in the Chartulary … of Lenton Priory … was in the vicinity of the existing Forge Mill if not identical with it. Forge Mill … was erected by the Canons of Newstead, and probably used by them as an iron mill. In use as a "hammer mill" in the 17th century. Now used for grinding corn. (8)
In use as a forge in 1615 and in 1675 the master of charcoal works was Mr Jennings. In 1677 the wheel drove hammers. After it finished as a cotton mill it was converted to corn milling in 1753, when it had two waterwheels - both removed c 1900. (10)
"One iron mill". (11)
The 'Forge Amill of Bullwell Forge' is noted in the Parliamentary Survey of 1650, and the name suggests that it may have driven an ironworking forge. (15)
Watermill shown. (14)
See M2114, M5288, M2582, M2645, M2588 for Robinsons' mills.
See M17891 for Forge Mill Bridge.

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

(4), Ind Arch File

Listed buildings slides, 12 slides (Photograph). SNT2648.

<1> OS, 1915, 1:2500, County Series 1915 (Map). SNT1024.

Other Refs: 38/1

<2> Smith DM, 1965, The Industrial Archaeology of the East Midlands, p 233 (Published document). SNT1304.

<3> Assoc for Industrial Arch, 1987, Ind Arch Review (No 2), no 2, pp 47, 52 (Article in serial). SNT182.

<4> Reedman K, 1977, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT1180.

<5> Pevsner N, 1979, The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire 2nd ed., p 73 (Monograph). SNT4.

<6> Palmer M & Neaverson P, 1992, Industrial Landscapes of the East Midlands, p 108 (Monograph). SNT5.

<7> Sanderson G, 1835, 20 miles around Mansfield - 2 in (Map). SNT48.

<8> Thoroton Society, 1916, TTS, p 2-8 (Published document). SNT342.

<9> Thoroton Society, 1956, TTS, p 34-43 (Published document). SNT370.

<10> Morley D, 1997, Corn and Cotton - Waterpower in Notts (draft), p 13 (Unpublished document). SNT1693.

<11> Mastoris SN & Groves SM, 1997, Sherwood Forest in 1609 (Map). SNT906.

Other Refs: map 17

<12> Thoroton Society, 1960, TTS, pp 44-5 (Published document). SNT374.

<13> Riden P, 1991, The Charcoal Iron Industry in the East Midlands 1580-1780 (DAJ 111), pp 70-78 (Article in serial). SNT2613.

<14> Chapman J, 1774, Nottinghamshire - approx 1in (Map). SNT550.

<15> John Samuels Archaeological Consultants, 1994, The Historical Water Management of the Mills on the Rivers Leen & Erewash (Unpublished document). SNT5726.