Description and History of Site:-

Factory complex (1856 and 1865), warehouse (1856) and engine house (probably 1880) of Gurteen & Sons.

Founded in 1784 by Daniel Gurteen, a Master Weaver specialising in weaving a material that was used for making agricultural smocks, known as Drabbets. Today, Gurteen is run by the sixth and seventh generation of the family.

The first factory was constructed for the production of drabbet, the second for the manufacture of gloves. (Crouch P: Haverhill Town Trail: Haverhill: 1981-: 10-11).

1971 - Hair spinning and weaving side of the textile factory closed on 2 October 1971, leaving just the synthetic section operating.

Part now converted to small office use.

A stationary steam engine 'Caroline' remains on site. Built by Hick Hargreaves & Co of Bolton, 1879. Works number 519. 120 hp. single cylinder horizontal mill steam engine. Caroline can run for demonstration purposes by electrical power.

Alderton (1980): 'D. Gurteen & Sons works, the oldest section, beside the churchyard, built 1856, the most impressive an enormous three-storey, two-bay-wide, red-brick factory in French Gothic style. The firm specialised in all types of clothing, including crinoline and horsehair cloth, and still weaves some coconut matting.'

Further Reading and References:-

https://www.chauntrymills.com/history

Alderton, David and Booker, John. 'The Batsford Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of East Anglia'. Batsford, 1980

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Key Words :- mill

Viewing the Site :- on street

Address :- High Street, Haverhill, Suffolk
Grid Ref :- TL6715145416
Co-ordinates :- Lat 52.081865 , Long 0.437955
Local Authority :- West Suffolk Council
Pre 1974 County :- Suffolk
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1375519,
Site Condition :- Operational site, in use for original purpose
Site Dates :- 1784 -
Contributor :- Robert Mason - 29 January 2022

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Robert Mason