When
we hear the words ‘tide mill’ we tend to think of
Woodbridge or Eling. What is found on the coast
between Newhaven and Seaford is nothing like these,
but once was. The remains are of a tide mill which
was started in 1761 by Thomas Pelham and was not
completed till 1788. The mill was built here after
the River Ouse changed its direction and where it
entered the sea from Seaford to Newhaven. As
shingle built up and closed the Seaford section it
became a tidal creek. This creek was situated in
the manor of Bishopstone which at the time was owned
by the Duke of Newcastle, who leased the land to
three Sussex corn merchants who recognised the
potential of a mill that the creek could power.
This did prove the case although several times the
mill was damaged by storms. Five pairs of stones
were used to produce 3500lbs of flour which was
taken either up the river by barge to Lewes or by
sea to London.
Around 1800 Thomas Barton constructed a new 3-storey
mill to house 16 stones. It then passed into
different partnerships until William Catt took over
in 1808; he continued to expand the site by adding
cottages for the workers, these being built from the
local flints from the nearby downs or beach,
although the mill was brick built. He also provided
schooling for the workers’ children, a blacksmiths,
carpenter’s workshop, granary, stores, and an office
building. To make life easier he built a communal
mangle and coppers for washing clothes for the
workforce. At one time a windmill was added so the
mill could still be used when the tide was out;
also a railway halt was built so grain could be
taken to the station at Newhaven. The site became a
small village by 1841 with over 60 workers at the
mill.
