Forge Mill Dam stands to the W of the village and marks the site of an old forge, probably the one worked by George Sitwell of Renishaw and later by the Spencer family - early local ironmasters. (1)
Iron Forge. (2)
Carburton Forge. (3)
c 1650, George Sitwell leased sites, including a forge at Carburton. This site and others were taken over by the Spencer family at the beginning of the C18. The forge continued in use until 1783. It could obtain its charcoal more cheaply than other forges, probably because of its location. (4)
In 1620 walke mills and a corn mill are mentioned. In 1621 William Morley, Carburton had Henry White, millwright, to build a new corn mill with two stones and a fulling mill with two stocks. There were two waterwheels to both mills, cog wheels and rungs, and houses over each mill. In 1654 John Morley leased the site to George Sitwell for 21 years to build a forge that was operating by 1703. In 1695 John Wheeler was to build a forge whwere the forge previously stood. In 1703 the Duke of Newcastle was to provide timber for charcoal and for repairing the waterwheel, hammer helves and beams. In 1790 Robert Wood, millwright was to estimate to build a mill where the forge stood. (5)
NB Smith gives SK 600725.
See L4514 for Charcoal Plantation, L4419 for cropmarks.

<1> Smith DM, 1965, The Industrial Archaeology of the East Midlands, p 237 (Published document). SNT1304.

<2> Chapman J, 1774, Nottinghamshire - approx 1in (Map). SNT550.

<3> Sanderson G, 1835, 20 miles around Mansfield - 2 in (Map). SNT48.

<4> Riden P, 1991, The Charcoal Iron Industry in the East Midlands 1580-1780 (DAJ 111), pp 70-78 (Article in serial). SNT2613.

<5> Morley D, 1997, Corn and Cotton - Waterpower in Notts (draft), p 3 (Unpublished document). SNT1693.