Mills & Mines

Every village hadat least one for corn grinding, flour /bread being the staple diet of the poor, most towns had several for fulling as well as corn grinding etc.
Until the middle of the C16th & the Dissolution, the monastaries controlled the most of the mills and everyone was obliged to pay to have their corn to be ground at the monastary mill . It was against the law  to grind your own wheat or barley (corn) with the  likelihood of a hefty fine being  levied if you got caught grinding your own at home.

From the Mills Archive  a list of Mills on the river Dart'

Mills were a significant source of local income . Everyone needed  corn to make the staple of their died , bread
Laws decreed that the grain, barley , wheat and rye, had to be taken to the Mill ,it could not be  ground at home; millers charged for the service. 

Mills in 14th century
  Small Details of Estate life.
Devon Record Office  3799M-0/ET/2/17  mid 14th cent ( circa 1330 )
Contents:Manor and whole estate. Copy fine
1. Nicholas of Wedergrave and John Gambon quers.
2. Henry son of Amice of Pomeroy and Johanne his wife defs. through Ralph Spek, representing Thomasine
Premises: the manor of Tregony, eighteen knights fees in Tregony in Cornwall, the manors of Berry and Stockleigh Pomeroy, thirty eight knights fees in Berry and Harberton and the moieties of the manors of Brixham and Harberton in Devon.
Pomeroy recognises that the premises belong to Wedergrave , and in return for this recognisance,  Wedergrave  grants the premises to Pomeroy. with the service and homage of the Abbot of Ford, the Abbot of Buckfast, the Prior of St Michael's Mount, William of Rogillyn, John le Sor, Peter of Glyn, Geoffrey of Bodbran, Nicholas of Treflunen, Oliver of Carminou, Robert fitz William, Simon Giffard, Ralph Bunill, John of Kelestek, Oger of Cleyher, William Halap, Roger of Trelonthas, Odo of Bodrigan, John of Penwern, Roger of Tremur, John of Polredan, Thomas Peticru, Peter of Glyn, Roger of Reskenmer, Benedict le Brun, John of Trenal, John of Trenranek, Ralph Blonyhon, Oger of Kernyk, William Goylyn, William Corsgaran, Stephen of Trewuthenec, John of Tremamoun, Hugh le Gros, John Fasel, Reginald of Wolvedon, Benedict of Bastoun, Walter of Nausbara, Bartholomew Mich., Geoffrey Prideaux, William of Madros, Thomas of Penwern, Robert Blake, Ivo Crabbe, Hue Crabbe, Reginald of Trebuthyas, Alice of Brunille, Henry of Nyweton, John of Nyweton, John Counek, Godfrey of Trenewith, William Bolfyn, John of Penwern, Henry Benehouse, Thomas Wyger, Robert of Hoxham, Roger of Monlywys, Robert of Kyrkeham, Roger of Prall., Henry of Esse, John of Tremenec, Robert of Stochey, John Proutz, Robert of Horton, Simon Coffyn, John of Bello Campo, Richard of Stapelton, William of Ferirs, Richard of Chuceldon, Edward of Monte Hermery, Richard of Doun, Roger of Alweston, William of Mewvy, Thomas of Monte Hermery, Andrew of Wiggeworth, John of Vispount, Richard Favel, and Thomas Cryspyn
With a clause entailing the premises on the sons of Pomeroy. and their heirs male
Date: the morrow of St John the Baptist, 3 Edward III,  & the octave of St Hilary, 18/5 Edward III; copy undated ( 18th Aug 1330 )

Devon Record Office  3799M-0/ET/2/4  n.d
Contents: Copy deed of gift 12th cent./ 14th cent.
1. Henry of Pomeray son of Henry of Pomeray and Matilda of Vitery with the assent of Henry of Pomeray his son and heir
2. Margaret of Fonte
Premises: all the mills in the manor of Byry
Rent: 52/- p.a.
Consideration: Fonte. gave a barrel of wine to Pomeroy. and a barrel of wine to Henry his son and heir and a "sextarium" of wine to Geoffrey] his son
Witnesses: Robert of Ponchard [ ], [ ]ielmo of Bolhay then steward, Hugh his son, Henry of Botrigan, Richard, Pparson of Scoces, Geoffrey Pomeray, William of Lond.

Devon Record Office  3799M-0/ET/2/13  1463
Contents:Fleet. Lease for 60 years
1. Henry of la Pomeray esq., lord of Byry
2. Nicholas Chepyn, Alianora his wife and John their son
Premises: 1.'s mill called Flute Mille in 1.'s manor of Byry with the water course to the said mill of Flute
Term: to begin from the feast of St Michael the Archangel
Rent: for the first five years 6/8d p.a. and afterwards 40/- p.a. for all services except suit of court twice a year at the courts leat at Byry
Witnesses: Henry Southcote, William Kymber, William Randell, Edward Helyer, John Suddon
Date: Byry, the feast of St David the bishop, 2 Edward IV
Seals: three; two initials, one ?armorial device

Mills were typically built next to rivers or streams to harness the power of flowing water, which would turn the mill’s wheel and provide the energy required to grind the grain. Berry Pomeroy Castle Mill was no exception, strategically placed to take advantage of the water source that flowed nearby. 

Smalebroke Mill or Castle mill lies on Gatcombe brook in the valley below the castle at Berry Pomeroy
The Mills Archive has this...
The mill at Berry Pomeroy Castle was more than just a simple grinding mechanism—it was the heartbeat of the estate. As with many medieval mills, it served to process grain, turning wheat and barley into flour that would sustain the castle’s inhabitants and the surrounding community. The mill likely played a pivotal role in supporting the agricultural needs of both the Pomeroy family and their tenants.
The mill’s location near the castle ensured that the agricultural produce of the surrounding lands could be processed quickly and efficiently, feeding not only the Pomeroy family but also their workers, soldiers, and any other residents within the castle walls

Devon Record Office: Tiverton and Great Torrington  3799M-0/ET/21  [n.d.]

Devon Record Office  3799M-0/ET/21/1  1379

Contents:Tiverton. Grant for life

1. Thomas Pomerey and Johane his wife (5th son of Sir Henry & spouse Johan Moels)

2. Johane Bolham

Premises: that tenement with the land adjoining which John Bolham once held at will in the manor of Lomeneclavile, together with the fulling mill in the same manor

Term: life of Johane of la Pomerey

Witnesses: John Gobbe, Robert Storigg, Thomas Hunt

Date: Lomeneclavile, Friday before the feast of St Luke the evangelist, 2 Richard II

Seal: small, oval, ?lion

Devon Record Office  3799M-0/ET/24/8  1494

Contents:Deed of gift

1. Richard of la POMEROY knt.

2. William Lenne of Tregony burgh( borugh) glover

Premises: one parcel of land lying between 1.'s two mills in Tregony containing twenty feet in length and twenty feet in breadth situated between a lane coming from Geganwylls on the east and the sanctuary land of the vicar there on the east, together with the stream of water running through the said parcel, for building on the same parcel of land a house and fulling mill, to be held by 2. and the lawful heirs of his body

Rent: 16d

Witnesses: Peter Bevyll, Thomas Tregarthyn esqs., Laurence Penkevell, Thomas Poyle, Thomas Helland

Date: Tregony, the feast of St Matthew the apostle, 10 Henry VII

Devon Record Office  3799M-0/T/1/1  1510

Contents:Exemplification of recovery by letter patent

1. Richard POMEROY esq.

2. Edward POMEROY knt.

Premises: eight messuages, two mills and lands in Berry POMEROY, Bridgetown POMEROY, Smalebroke and Flete, which Oto Gilbert, Thomas Bowryng and John Snape gave to Henry POMEROY and Anna his wife and the lawful heirs of their bodies.
If Henry and Anne died without heirs of their bodies, the premises remain to Thomas POMEROY son the said Henry, and Agnes Kayleway daughter of Johanne daughter of the said Anna, and the heirs of the body of Thomas and after the death of Henry, Anne, Thomas and Agnes, remainder to Richard son of Thomas POMEROY

C 1/1032/47-51 1538-1540 ( Henry VIII)
Thomas MORTYMER, yeoman, v. Edward MILLER, husbandman, son of William Miller and of Alice his wife.
Contempt of a decree of Lord Russell and the commissioners in the county concerning lands in Berry Pomeroy.
(Two answers, one a general demurrer.): DEVON.

10 Henry VII., February 23. ( 1485-1509) 1495—
Award of Robert Bowryng, John Row, and Nicholas Seymere, in a dispute between Sir Edward Pomerey, knight, and John Austyn as to the possession of certain lands, &c, in the manor of Bery Pomerey, Brigetowne Pomerey, Smalebroke, and Flute

Mines & aluvial mining

Near Buckfast Abbey, Dartmoor . 
Runnaford Combe Tin Mine (Combe Mine),
Buckfastleigh, Dartmoor & Teign Valley District, Devon

A number of tin lodes were developed in the Runnaford Combe Mine, on the north bank of the Mardle at Coombe Bridge. Originally worked as an opencast 100x50 yards and 50 feet deep, the lodes were subsequently worked from at least two shafts.

In 1848 the mine was said to be producing more ore than the 14 head of stamps could process. A year later, 12 more stamps were added and an engine house constructed, but the engine not being entirely satisfactory, it was later replaced by a waterwheel.

Work was suspended in 1853, when attempts were made to re-float the Company with increased capital.

A Chimney, shown on old maps, was felled in 1915 and, falling nearly intact, could recently be seen in the garden of a nearby cottage (HJ 1981) In describing the mine, Hamilton Jenkin noted that a specimen of the ore in his possession showed the tin to be of excellent quality and notable for its fine crystals.       Spoil heap. Copper.

Mines  in Devon & Cornwall HERE

372/2/4/15  1509 held at Plymouth and West Devon Record Office

Contents: Bond

1 Richard Foxford, John Hext, Richard Langworthy, John Wydecomb junior, Richard Man, William Wilmott, John Leyman, Richard Hogge, John Baker

2 Edward Pomeroy, William Fortescue of Wode, Robert Pomeroy, John Hext, John Holbeme, Thomas Foster, Yryssh senior, John Smyth, Thomas Mathue, Richard Hamlyn

Tin working at Wydecombe - Widecombe on the Moor  This must be Sir Edward, wife Johanna Sapcott,, Baron of Berry Pomeroy from 1496 (d 1538) and his cousin Robert of Ingsdon son of John of Tregony  ( d 1517)