Textile Mills
Paper Mill
In the mid 19th century a factory was in operation on the banks of the River Gipping manufacturing paper from straw. This was sold in 1877 after the death of Mr Manning Prentice. Read A Brief History of a 19th century Paper Mill on the Banks of the Gipping in an article written by Neil Langridge and published in Telstar in 2020).
1867 – not a good day at work!
On a Monday in 1867, a lad named Scarfe got entangled in the leather bands at the Paper Mill, and was severely crushed, some of his ribs being broken, and one piercing his lungs. He was attended by Mr. Harper. The Paper Mill which made paper from straw and esparto grass, started in 1865 and was situated on the River Gipping and owned by Manning Prentice.(Facebook 22/01/24 from Stowmarket Local History Group Archives)
Whether relevant to the Stowmarket Paper Mill is not known but in 1812, The Creeting St Mary parish papers showed that the owner & occupier of a paper mill and mill lands near the river was a Thomas Man and it was valued at £38.00 { Ena Carter’s noted from the East Anglian Misc 13361}
Leather Mill – Kellys 1891/2: Fred John Bugg, compresses leather Manufacturer, leather mills & Ipswich
