The earliest record of a mill at Chislet is from 1666.[3]Chislet windmill was built in 1744.[4] It was marked on Murdoch Mackenzie's map of 1774[5] and the 1819-43 Ordnance Survey map and subsequent maps. The mill was working until 1916, when the cap and sails blew off in a gale,[6] it is said that the fantail was tied up by the tenant of the Mill House and thus was unable to turn the mill into wind, thus leading to the mill being tailwinded.[5] During the Second World War, Barnes Wallis lived in the Mill House, and watched the tests of the bouncing bomb at nearby Reculver from the top of the mill.[3] The corrugated iron clad tower of the mill, with a simple roof over and retaining its major machinery stood until 15 October 2005 when it was destroyed by fire.[2]
Replica Mill
In 2011, a replica mill was built on the site of the old mill as part of a new house.[7]
Chislet windmill was a three-storey black smock mill on a low brick base, with four spring sails. The mill was winded by a fantail.[6] The mill drove three pairs of millstones. The Wallower, Upright Shaft, Great Spur Wheel and two of the three Stone Nuts were wood, the third Stone Nut was iron.[5]
