Le Moulin de Tesson

Le Moulin de Tesson is located on La Rue du Moulin de Tesson and is the lowest of the group of watermills located along St. Peter’s Valley (also known as Le Chemin des Moulins). There has been a mill on the site for many centuries, owned alternatively by individuals or by the Crown. The current building probably dates from the first half of the 19th century, and was later home to a typical industrial revolution feature: steam power.

The mill is about to undergo important renovation work (e.g. water wheel replacement) and is not open to the public. But it is still possible to enjoy the site’s setting and gain an understanding of how important milling was as an industry in Jersey. And you can also discover delightful walks in the surroundings woodlands …

Description

The majority of the existing building probably dates from around 1830, and comprises of: the main mill with the water wheel and the steam engine room, the miller’s cottage, the walled court yard on the western side, and the pigsties and outer garden.

The mill building is essentially a 5 bay structure with four main floors and an attic space. Prior to the fire of 1908 two gables existed above the first and second bays and fourth and fifth bays respectively, but unfortunately only the former remains in existence. There are ground and first floor loading bays in the 3rd bay, together with a further loading bay above the store room, which has been partially blocked up and turned into a window. The building is constructed of a mixture of granite and shale with brick window surrounds and a slate roof. The present floor area amounts to 5,500 sq ft.

The water wheel is unique in Jersey, since it was the only “double width” example, with its double rows of buckets. It is of the overshot type (i.e. water flowing above the wheel) with a 15 ft diameter and measures 8 feet wide.

Even though the engine at the mill was relatively small, it would have been typical for the size of the plant. This site provides one of the most important example of industrial archaeology in the Channel Islands.

The property has been identified as a Proposed Site of Special Interest (Grade I) and is being partially excavated by the Société Jersiaise due to its significance as a rare example of 19th century industrial archaeology.

History

It is believed that the mill originated in the 11th or 12th century or possibly earlier. The first mention of the mill is in the records of 1274, when the mill and Pré de Tesson were held by Guillaume de Cheney following a grant in 1244 of the escheat of Guillaume Pinel. The Tessons, with their relatives, the Paynels and du Homets were among the great lords of western Normandy.

The Fief Pinel (including the mill) was confiscated by King John in 1204 when the Pinel family took the side of the Normans. During the following centuries, the fief and the mill were alternatly sold to private owners or regained by the Crown. The Extente of 1607 shows that the Fief of St. Germain was held by the Crown, along with various sub fiefs including that of Chesnel (Chesnel = Cheney + Pinel) and Le Moulin de Tesson.

The Royal Court Lettres Patentes of 25th April 1650 show the sale by the Crown to Sir George de Carteret of the Fief of Chesnel together with Le Moulin de Tesson and its dependent pres and Côtils. The mill remained in the possession of the Carteret family during the 18th century until it was eventually sold to Jean Pipon by the last of de Carterets daughters.

The mill passed through various sales until 1831, when it was owned by Philippe Godfray and Phillippe Pellier. Godfray and Pellier are believed to be responsible for rebuilding the mill to the way we see it today.

An 1840 Partage shows the mill being passed to Pellier. The last Pellier (a minor) sold the mill in 1893 to Samuel Gilley (hence the name Gilley’s Mill). In 1906 this mill was completely gutted by fire and only the outbuildings and living quarters remained. The load-bearing granite walls survived but a new secondary support structure was built to replace the one which had been destroyed.

In 1934, the Gilley family sold the mill to the Jersey New Waterworks Company, who built a reservoir above the site. Mr. Gilley remained as a tenant and had to install a 20 hp oil powered engine in order to continue milling as the water had been diverted to the waterworks. The fuel shortage of 1940 meant that the States had to reconstruct the mechanism and put the mill back to use as a water-powered mill. During the Occupation, Tesson played a vital role in helping to feed the island’s population.

After the War, the Jersey Farmers’ (Trading) Union leased the property and installed modern machinery which included 35 hp grinding machines. However, with the potato now the predominant crop, little wheat was grown, and the mill was forced to operate only once or twice a week before it eventually had to close altogether.

Le Moulin de Tesson was acquired by the Trust in 1996, following a donation given by Miss Izette Croad.

Envisaged restoration work

The Trust is intending to grant a 150 year lease to a private developer in order to secure the repair and refurbishment of the building. The interior of the building which was largely gutted by the fire in 1908 will be converted into residential units and office accommodation, whilst the Trust will retain the mill wheel, steam engine room and rear courtyard.

As part of the agreement with the developer the exterior of the building will be fully restored with the missing gable being reinstated together with loading bays, shutters and sash windows. Those areas retained by the Trust, including the double width mill wheel, will be repaired and maintained by the Trust and made accessible to the public upon completion of the project.

Site Access

The mill is located in the Parish of St. Peter, at the junction between La Vallee de St. Pierre and La Rue du Moulin de Tesson, 200 metres after the Victoria Public House. The site can be reached via Bus route 8 (8 a) departing from St Helier. A nice walk in the woods starts from Tesson and leads to Le Moulin de Quétivel. The interior of the mill is not open to the public.