A notebook belonging to Joseph Addison, found among those belonging to Rex Wailes. The notebook is labelled 'Book No.7' and features detailed notes and drawings in Addison's distinctive hand. Whilst the notebook is not named, the date of the visits recorded in the notebook correspond with photographs of his held in both the Mills Archive collection and by the Historic England Archive.
As well as details of the various mills visited (see 'Place access points' below) and particularly detailed records of the photographs taken, the notebook features copious notes taken from visits to various Dorset libraries as well as to the county archives. The notes include: lists of mills featuring in old maps of Dorset, including several that are unindexed, for example Moor Mill at Higher Nyland; notes taken from 'Hutchinson' at Poole Library, the Great Canford Book 1822 and various other 17th c. to 19th c. property records relating to historic mills and millers in West Lulworth, Canford Magna, Sydling St Nichols, Dorchester, Whitchurch Canonicorum, the Bryanston Estate, Blandford Forum and East Stoke. There are several references to Rex Wailes' work on Dorset mills, including obtaining a 'list of mills supplied by Simmons to Rex Wailes' relating to 7 unidentified mills from Dorchester archives.
Other sections include: detailed drawings of 'Cut Mill' and 'Creekmoor' [Bushels Mill, Poole], Lattiford Mill, Wincanton and at Bryanston; notes on a tour of mills between Beaminster, Uplyme and Lyme Regis following a visit from a Mr and Mrs Willoughby (also cross referencing notes on the area made by Rex Wailes); notes taken after attempting to locate Sow Mill (near Sowley Pond) on the Beaulieu Estate; notes taken on a visit to the site of SW Potteries at Parkstone, Poole.
A large section focuses on the manufacture, location and use of horse gear in Dorset, including notes from Kelly's Directories on horse gear manufacturers, particularly Taylor & Sons, Dorchester and Watson & Haig, Andover. Notes are made following a visit to Birkin House, Dorchester (where a horse gear had been used to draw water from a well until 1957) and of numerous attempts to locate horse gears at various Dorset properties. Detailed drawings are made of of the horse gear at Lower Monkwood Farm, Pilsdon, Bridport and Pylewell House.
