As a child living in Hindley, it always perplexed me why the No.4 bus to Wigan always said Martland Mill. Where was this mysterious place? It was some time before I found out - yet still the mystery remained as there was no mill there (even the old maps showed nothing). However, as part of our research on the Douglas River Project, the mystery is solved and it looks like Jim Meehan, our super sleuth has uncovered a fascinating story. Jim discovered there was a water mill on the banks of the Douglas, on the south side of old lane between the river and the canal. The 1907 OS map shows a building at this location and an article in the Observer describes the mill ruins still existing there in 1909. It's not clear when it was demolished but it isn't shown on the later 1926 OS map. It belonged to the Martland or Markland family who lived at the nearby Martland Mill House Farm. Note the change of name - not sure when this occurred but the mid 19th century maps have it as Markland Mill. Dating from 1689 the old farm building was still standing in the 1930 and was described in another newspaper article as having 'oak beams … as sound as when they were first put in'. The same article refers it also being called the Meadows and here is another mystery. Another dwelling called the Meadows, owned by another branch of the Markland family, was situated on the other side of the River Douglas at the bottom of Frog Lane. This 16th century building was apparently taken down in the late 19th century. It also seems the nearby Meadows Colliery was named after it (later became the site of Wigan's recycling centre and now a spanking new housing development). What about the mill site itself? Well, despite the intense industry all around, it seems to lie untouched on waste ground. The potential for archaeology is great so maybe a project once we can get back into the field.
Jim has discovered that the Marklands have been quite a prominent family in the Wigan area over the centuries, being MPs, Mayors and even Rear Admirals. Martland Manor itself dates back to the 14th century when the mill is first mentioned. It isn't shown on Yates' late 18th century map, which suggested it had stopped working by then - most likely due to the construction of the Douglas Navigation which was completed in 1742. We're not sure where the Manor House was, it could have been the Farm House but also Walthew House which was just a few hundred metres away. The Walthews were another prominent family in the 17th century and married into the Maktland family in 1647. The House was demolished to make way for the huge Marltland Mill industrial estate. However a photo, showing the old barn's cruck-frame construction, suggests it likely to have been 14th or 15th century (Walthew House is also famed as being one of George Formby's childhood haunts). This is turning out to be quite a story and Jim has said when he's finished researching he will put together a presentation for us.
Standish Hall Presentation
No AGM this month but to keep us entertained, Jim has already got an excellent presentation for us on the fate of the Standish Hall and its furnishings. This was going to be for one of ours meetings but the pandemic has obviously put paid to this from happening any time soon. At the end of last year however Jim got the opportunity to present it to the Wigan Local History group via Zoom and fortunately it was recorded. This has now become available on YouTube so we can all enjoy it. Here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIXlZ1jQ-b8
Associate Membership
Also at the end of last year we were invited to join in an association with Wigan Local History & Heritage Society. They have very similar interest to us (although perhaps more history inclined) and so it seemed an opportunity for us to benefit for a cross-fertilisation of ideas. We have now come to an arrangement with them to share our knowledge by creating a half-price Associate Membership. Those who join this way will gain access to all our field activities as well as our Members Area on our website. They have an excellent website with lots of information which you can access here: www.wiganlocalhistory.org
Roman Camps in Scotland
Here's something else to keep you occupied during lockdown. It's a talk by Dr Rebecca Jones from Historic Environment Scotland. Here is the link: https://t.co/It2cQE9cOW
Keep safe - BA
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