Image Ref : DRA 6087.tif

Samuel Caunter at Ponsworthy Mill, c.1900

The original caption for this image said: "Sam Caunter outside Ponsworthy Mill. 1871K John Caunter was miller & carpenter (no relation)." This seems likely to be the same Samuel Caunter who is also shown in image DRA 6157 at Sweaton around 1920, possibly also with the same dog. If it is the same Samuel Caunter, this photograph was probably taken around 15 to 20 years earlier, maybe around 1900. Ponsworthy Mill is only 250 metres from Sweaton, down the hill from Sweaton towards the bridge over the River Webburn, where the mill was situated. It was listed by English Heritage (later Historic England) on 10 March 1977: 'Ponsworthy Mill, including the garden wall and gateposts fronting the road'. The Grade II listing included the following details: 'House, formerly a mill and mill house. Probably early C19. Granite rubble, painted at the front. Slated roof. Small rendered chimneystack on left gable. L-shaped plan. House-part, at right-angles to road, has 2-room plan with central passage leading to staircase at the back; mill building at right-angles to it, at the end farthest from the road. 2 storeys. House has symmetrical 3-window front. Windows have granite lintels; low wide windows on ground storey, tall narrow ones above, all having C19 casements with glazing-bars.' *** DRA 3787 PW 009