Monument MPM1650 - Former Ballard's Mill

Former windmill known as 'Ballard's Mill', situated on the northern edge of Southsea Common, near the site of the present day Clifton Terrace. Built c1785/1791 [1, 2]. Also refered to as Southsea Mill [3] and Southsea Common Mill [4]. The structure has been described variously as a Smock Mill [5], Tower Mill [2] and Brick Mill [6]. The windmill is depicted in an oil painting by Alexander Hart (1806-1881) shaped like a 6-sided cone with 4 sails mounted on a rotatable cap [7]. Another illustration in Gates shows a 6-sided conical structure with a first floor gallery [8]. The mechanism consisted of two pairs of stones [2] and a four sailed fan-tail tower with dome cap [8]. The mill was sold in 1843 [2] and demolished [9]. Owners and occupiers included: William Eyers 1785 [1] John Snook 1790-1802 [2, 10] George Curtis 1803 [6] James Ballard 1830 [11] Ann Ballard [3] Mary Ballard [2] Related Structures: Dwelling millhouse Bakehouse Storehouse Piggery Stables Cowhouse [6, 10]