Description:The Sutherland Papers contain a range of printed material relating to the implementation of a wind engine at Hill Chorlton. An article on the ‘Hercules Windmill’ features above, complete with an illustration of the windmill which had been constructed at Hardingstone.
The wind engine was seen as ‘an inexpensive but efficient water supply’. An efficient water supply for properties was extremely important to landowners like the Leveson-Gowers. As the article from ‘The Implement and Machinery Review’ states ‘landlords having house property at disposal cannot secure remunerative and healthy residents for cottages, or more pretentious dwellings, unless such a spot is well supplied with water’.
The wind engine at Hill Chorlton was constructed to provide a better water supply to the Duke of Sutherland’s properties in the area. The Article from January 2nd 1899 suggests that the innovation was being embraced by landowners all over the country, promoting ‘the value of modern windmills’ and commenting that ‘manufacturers of such appliances are busier to-day than they have been for years’.