Image Ref : DRA 3571.tif

Miller Cole, Jordan Mill, near Ponsworthy

Miller Cole was the miller at Jordan Mill, which lay south west of Widecombe in the Moor and north of Ponsworthy. In the 1871 Census, George Cole, born at Moretonhampstead around 1826, is recorded at Jordan Mill, Widecombe, with his wife Elizabeth and his son William George, aged 15 (so born around 1856). In the 1891 Census, George Cole has been widowed and William George is recorded as ‘miller’, along with his father, wife and one daughter. He had married Susan (Chaffe) in 1881. She was one of at least eight children of John and Elizabeth Chaffe of Corndon Farm, Uphill. This is the same William Cole who later ran the corn mills at Ashburton. The 1911 Census records a William George Cole, born in Widecombe around 1856, living at West Street, Ashburton, which was the location of the town mill. He gives his occupation as 'miller' and 'employer'. His wife Susan and his daughters Ethel Mary and Thurza [sic] Emily were all born in Widecombe. William George, Susan and Ethel are all buried in one grave at Leusdon church. Jordan Mill near Ponsworthy closed down in the 1930s. DRA 4934 PW 103