Hipswell – SE 171976
This mill has not been found, and the above grid reference is only a guide. On the first edition 1/10560 O.S. map, that part of Rise dale Beck west of the A6136 is called ‘Lead Mill Beck’. Dr Raistrick placed the mill nearly 1km downstream, at Pleasant Dale, where he remarked that a dam, watercourse and slag heap used to be visible.
Very little is known of the mill’s history, other than that it was smelting ore from Lord Wharton’s mines in the early 1680’s. The poverty of the few mines in this area suggest that the mill had a short life, and was sustained by importing ore. Further research is needed to clarify the ownership of minerals and land in this area, and to confirm the location of Waitwith mill.
Further information and references can be found in:
- Gill, M.C. Yorkshire Smelting Mills Part 1, Northern Mine Research Society Memoirs 1992, British Mining No 45, pp 111-150
