Sampford Brett

Providence

A former grist mill, Providence is situated alongside the fast flowing Doniford Stream and adjacent to the village of Woolston. Rumour has it that the building occupies a site of former dwellings, chosen as a location in the past for the access to the river with its strong current and stretches of deep water, yet remaining easily fordable in places.

Although the present building was completed in 1820, the process of build will have taken a few years prior to this and coincided with the enclosure movement, which was part of the wider agricultural revolution. During the period of 1790-1850 the small farmer declined, larger farms were established and approved tenants were given long leases. In short, the estates became large scale and capitalistic and gave birth to the modern system of farming. This part of Somerset was no exception, as the landed gentry consolidated and extended their holdings because land was seen as the foundation of social and political influence.

In the case of Providence, it was part of the large and influential St. Audries estate. It is to the estates credit that the building was completed as a mill, for the end of the Napoleonic wars saw the first great slump of capitalistic agriculture and in particular the considerable drop in corn prices following the bumper harvest of 1813.

Providence was originally designed as two dwellings. The eastern part was occupied by the foreman miller and his family and the smaller western dwelling was for a labourer and family. In addition, the western wall which now borders the parking area, formed part of the pig sty (demolished in the 1960s), so providing evidence of smallholding activity as well as the grinding of corn.

The building is interesting in appearance. Approaching from the lane, the view is of an archetypal Western Somerset cottage, being built in two stories and with a southerly aspect reflecting the sun in the red stone of the walls. As the building was constructed into the side of a hill, the northern face of the house has three stories - the lower originally housing the working machinery of the mill. This latter aspect being entirely functional and therefore resembling a typical commercial mill. Although none of the original machinery exists, the sill in the river can still be seen creating sufficient fall to power the undershot mill throughout the year.

A footbridge existed until the 1960s, connecting Providence to the northern field opposite, so creating easy access to Woolston and a more direct pedestrian route to the main road.

On the eastern side of the building situated near the apex of the roof, there is a stone plaque showing the completion date of the build as 1820. Similarly, a plaque exists on the western wall denoting the additions were made in the 1960s.

It was during this latter period that the two dwellings were converted into one house, with an additional staircase, lobby and garage added. Although the new buildings were sympathetically designed to blend with existing architecture, the internal modifications suffered somewhat from a 1960s design excess.
The present owners have changed much of the internal design to more adequately reflect the C19 origins.

Providence remained as part of the St. Audries estate until the 24th April 1925, when two cottages and a garden at Providence in the Parish of Sampford Brett were conveyed from the Right Hon. Alexander Peregrine Baron St. Audries to Mr. William George Penny of Watchet.

On The 11th September 1939 the Penny family sold the property to Mr. Benjamin and Mrs Minnie Burge who retained ownership until 29th May 1965.

The property was then acquired by Dr. Alistair and Mrs Margaret Robb-Smith.

Some thirty years later, on 10th November 1995, the property was purchased by the present owners, Dr. Michael and Mrs Barbara Thrower.

It is significant that the last three owners, including the present owners, have acquired further holdings of land so that the building is now surrounded by its own land to the south of the Doniford Stream, so ensuring the character and tranquillity of the location.

In the eastern lower field called �Old Moor�, exists a fresh water spring which currently feeds the Doniford Stream, via an holding tank, but originally supplied the village with water, certainly until the 1930s.

Editors note.
The mill was known to have been a pumping station after it ceased as a mill, pumping water up to the reservoir opposite Kiln Ridge.

Sampford Brett Local History Group.

Newsletter No.3.

March 2010.

Welcome to our third Newsletter. 

Our last meeting was again well attended with 16 villlagers present.

Arrangements were made for the unveiling of the De Brett family tree in the church.  This was carried out on 14^th March, although sadly, due to illness, the calligrapher, Alan Parry, was unable to join us.  Thanks to David for masterminding the whole project and writing the piece for the press, to Phil for the photography and, as always, the ladies for providing the refreshments.  The original version of the ‘tree’ is now lodged with the County Records Office in Taunton.

The new display boards purchased through the projects group were put to use and a display of some of the Millennium survey results were shown.  The next census will be carried out during March/April and addresses were allocated to volunteers who would collect the data.  Mike has been busy transcribing the Census data for the village for the years 1841, 1861, 1871, 18881, 1891 and 1901.  It is hoped to arrange a full 

exhibition later in the year.

Carl and Pattie Watson-Gandy were thanked for allowing us to visit Manor Farm and for providing welcoming refreshments.  Mike is going to ask Vera to write out her commentary on the uses of the various buildings, and Phil will provide some photographs.

Possible suggestions for visits during the summer included:-

Kentsford Farm; Nettlecombe Court; Sampford Brett Church and Halsway Manor.

The meeting then split into smaller groups and each looked at one of the folders from the Archive and reported back.

The folders studied were:-

People, including the 1710 census and air raid responsibilities in 1941; a logbook kept by Dorothy Collins who amassed a lot of information on local history;

Census material and the problems of identifying properties.  A possible project would be to track families through the years;

Maps and Plans, with much discussion on the proposed bi-pass for Williton in 1938!;

Societies, recollecting the Sampford Players who regularly produced two plays a year;

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 22^nd April at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, with Jenny and Val providing the liquid refreshments.

As always everyone is most welcome to join us.