52 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
proceeded in the track of a number of bolts, removing some and slightly
damaging others, until it reached the neck, when it took the parcels,
and then commenced its work in the interior of the mill by shivering
a great part of the nearly new oaken shaft. The fluid continued in its
course in nearly the centre of the sack chain, and, on reaching the
second floor, came in contact with the beam and scales, forcing two
half-hundred weights through the side of the mill. In its progress so
far, it completely cut off" two of the sails, which it split into innumerable
pieces, and hurled to a great distance. Some of the fragments were
found sticking in the earth as to require great strength to effect their
removal. The roof of the mill was struck off in a similar manner, and
the sides were nearly stripped of their boarding. The ceiling of the
mill was divided and thrown on either side upon the grass. The
machinery was thus completely exposed to the view, enclosed in the
skeleton building. The two other sails remain in their places, but will
need much repair to make them again fit for use. The whole of the
machinery was deranged, and the cloths, where nailed were much
burnt. The electric fluid, having affected nearly all the iron in the mill,
forced its way out by tearing up part of the flooring, and cutting a piece
of shear-tree away, thus escaping to the iron sheeting which covered
the roundhouse. Part of this it raised, and concluded its destructive
course by passing down the back of the stairs, which were iron braced ;
and, forcing out a number of very strong iron nutted screws, it finally
disappeared in the earth, making a cavity to a considerable extent. . . .
A petition has been drawn up on behalf of the sufferer, and lies
at the Green Man, Toothill.
Other reports of the incident provide little fresh information,
save that the work of repairing the structure was started almost
immediately, the common sails and the oak shaft being replaced
by four single-shuttered "patent" sails and an iron windshaft.
Later reports state that the miller was recovering from his
injuries. To assist him and his family a local resident, Isaac
Taylor, made a drawing of the damaged mill. The original of
this drawing is in the MSS. of the Taylor family of Ongar and
Stanford Rivers, in Colchester Museum. It is marked "by
Isaac Taylor b 1787" and bears the inscription
Toot Hill Windmill. In the Parish of Stanford Rivers, Essex.
Shattered by lightning June 18th 1829. This sketch is sold for the
benefit of the sufferer, Joseph Knight, and his family, consisting of a
wife and seven children, one of whom is deaf and dumb.
Lithograph copies were sold and the proceeds were given to the
miller and his family. The Taylor family was connected with
the Ongar district for many years. Isaac Taylor was a man of
many talents: he was trained as a draughtsman and engraver,
invented a beer tap and a copper engraving machine, and has
been described as "the greatest lay theologian since Coleridge."
Joseph Marsh of Epping also made two drawings of the mill
which were published as wood-engravings in the Mechanics'
Magazine on July 18th, 1829, and on August 1st of the same
year.