144 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
intermission, from the 11th century to within the last few months—a
wonderful record ! An old print of 1783, and Miss Katherine Fry's
drawing made in 1830, show a windmill on the site, and this was destroyed
by fire about the year 1860, the present mill being built on the old foun-
dation. It is probable that there was always a water-wheel, in addition
to the windmill, indeed, for the first two centuries or so, windmills were
unknown in this country. Messrs. James Hunt, the present owners,
who came into possession in 1881, have documentary proof that the
water-wheel which still exists was already working in 1786: it was still
being occasionally used until 1892, but is now derelict; its power was
approximately 40 H.P.
In 1863 a Beam Engine, still preserved as an old-time curiosity, was
installed and did the work faithfully for fifty years until superseded, in
1913, by electric motors supplied by current from the Corporation's Elec-
tricity Supply.
Of the four pairs of old grinding stones until quite recently in service
three ground the wholemeal flour which is this firm's speciality.
The old toll-bar adjoining the mill and belonging to it, is a relic of
olden times; it is said to be the only one now remaining anywhere
around London. The visitors had the satisfaction of witnessing a cart
pass through the bar after paying toll.
After viewing the exterior of the mill from the adjoining embankment
of the Northern Outfall Sewer, the party proceeded along the towpath
of the Channelsea river to Stratford High Street, where the stone bridge
which carries the highway over the river was viewed and large-scale official
photographs of the bridge were exhibited in explanation of the following
description.
THE BRIDGES.
Although the causeway made by order of "Good Queen Maud," that
is to say, Matilda, Queen of King Henry I. of England, and eldest daughter
of Malcolm III., King of Scotland, in the very early years of the 12th
century, and the two stone bridges also erected by her command, over
the river Lea and the Channelsea river respectively, have disappeared,
their mediaeval successors still, in part, remain, especially the last-named
bridge, which may yet be seen at dead low-water beneath the modern
High Street, though few people are aware of this interesting fact.
The original causeway, which extended from Bow Bridge to the present
Stratford Broadway, was for centuries a mere packhorse track, only some
131/2 feet wide. Queen Maud provided for the upkeep of it and the bridges
by purchasing certain manors and a water-mill, "Wiggen's Mill" (later
known as the "Abbey Mill") and charged the Abbess of Barking with their
maintenance, Stratford Langthorne Abbey not being as yet in existence
(the Queen died in 1118). But when, in 1135, the abbey at Stratford
was founded, the care of these bridges and causeway was, by agreement,
transferred to it, together with the estates which provided the revenues.
The Abbot of Stratford Langthorne seems, however, to have negelected
his trust, whilst retaining the revenues, delegating his duty to one Godfrey
Pratt, who having no salary, by exacting tolls contrived to make a profit
out of his charge. Not until 1315, and after repeated squabbles and legal
proceedings, did the Stratford abbot admit his liability. Later custodians