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Olton Mill

notingram

New Member
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knows what happened to the old Olton Mill? near Solihull.
"Walter Wellings Leslie Smith" a miller/corn factor and family were listed as owners/occupants on the 1891 census record, and 1901 they were living at Lode Lane. I read somewhere that most mills were no longer in use shortly after 1890? Just wondering if anyone knows the history?
Thanks
 
A friend of mine lives in Bramcote Drive, I bet his unaware that on the corner was an old mill. I will tell him when I next see him, and show the photo, thanks Mike
 
Walter Wellings Leslie smith was from my family. Can't tell you much about the mill but can tell you a bit about him.
 
My 4xgreat grandmother Hannah Morton (nee Gossage b1794)) lived here in the early 1800s with her husband (John Morton) who was a miller and malster. She was born in Birmingham (her father- William - was a licensed victualler at the Kings Head in Moore's Row behind what is now the Stratford Road in Digbeth or Deritend. Her mother was Dorothy (nee Haddock). I believe the location was called Load (yes, that's right - Load not Lode) Heath Pleck.
 
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Mikejee: The photo of Olton Mill submitted by MBenne on 2nd September 2019 was posted a long time ago, I know. Do you have a date when that photo was taken, please? Hannah and John Morton lived there in the early to mid 1800s.
 
Flossiefoster
The photo you refer to looks like it is a postcard image. Dp not know date, but would guess (without much confidence) anytime 1890 - 1930
 
Flossiefoster
The photo you refer to looks like it is a postcard image. Dp not know date, but would guess (without much confidence) anytime 1890 - 1930
Thank you for your prompt reply. I have a photo (the windmill building is in better shape but it doesn't have sails) but there is no date on it.
 
My 4xgreat grandmother Hannah Morton (nee Gossage b1794)) lived here in the early 1800s with her husband (John Morton) who was a miller and malster. She was born in Birmingham (her father- William - was a licensed victualler at the Kings Head in Moore's Row behind what is now the Stratford Road in Digbeth or Deritend. Her mother was Dorothy (nee Haddock). I believe the location was called Load (yes, that's right - Load not Lode) Heath Pleck.
how interesting flossie...thanks for sharing that with us

lyn
 
Olton Mill near Solihull, Warwickshire, creator: Bernard Moore. 1897.
(Birmingham Archives and Collections)


View attachment 216449

View attachment 216451
I don't think this windmill has any connection with the Lode Lane mill shown in post #10. The layout of the land is wrong as the area around Lode Lane Mill is relatively hilly whereas this windmill is in fairly flat open countryside. After a bit of digging I discovered that St Bernard's Road was named Windmill Road prior to 1872 but renamed after the seminary which was being built. However I haven't yet located a map showing an actual windmill in this area. I also found a reference to a manor recorded in 1086, with a notable mill (Olton End Mill) and early links to the Olton Golf Club.
 
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