Letter to Nicholls from David Pym regarding the possible supply of a rum still for the Morgan Lewis sugar mill by John Dore & Co Ltd, Surrey ("engineers and suppliers to the distillation industry"). A brochure and photograph of their fire-heated rum still is enclosed.

Stored with Nicholl's formal reports and correspondence on Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, these research materials comprise:
(1) a photocopy of a late 18th c. to early 19th c. return listing enslaved persons working on Scawen Kenrick Gibbon's estate, the Morgan Lewis sugar plantation.
(2) a faxed copy of a page from a late 19th c. order book showing an order for "Morgan Lewis, Est Barbados" for two "vertical roll 23 ¼ x 35" in 1880 and 1881 and an order for "Windmill gear" dated 1892.
(3) a short booklet on the Morgan Lewis Sugar Windmill produced by the Barbados National Trust (undated).
(4) 5 editions of "Our Heritage", the Newsletter of the Barbados National Trust (March 1994, September 1995, June 1996, September 1997 and December 1999), all of which referencing the Morgan Lewis restoration programme.
(5) 3 newspaper/magazine clippings/copies relating to the progress of the Morgan Lewis restoration programme (1997-1998).

A 83 cm x 96 cm photocopy of "A topographical map of the island of Barbados, based on the survey taken by William Mayo, in 1721, corrected and improved to 1859 by A. Taylor". The map shows the location of sugar works on the island (denoted by a windmill in the map's key) as well as "steam works" and other landmarks on the island. The map was published by Thomas Fox Cross in London, 1859, and engraved by Lewis Becker.

A 4 page report summarising the principle operations of Phase II of the restoration project 9a ten week period of work). The report notes the donation of considerable resources including: free shipment of equipment from the UK by Geest Line; storage of timber from Guyana donated by the Barbados Bottling Co. Ltd; workshop space at Cottage Plantation, St. George; the use of a forklift truck by the Barbados Port Authority. Disappointment at having to reject some of the timber from Guyana (and consequent delays to the project) is noted. Likewise, disappointment at having to import a UK blacksmith to the project team is expressed, there being "no able blacksmith of an acceptable working age" remaining on the island despite a previously "strong tradition of superb worksmanship". Allowing students from the local college's carpentry and joinery classes to join in aspects of the repairs had been a success, "and potentially of use in the ongoing repair of historical structures on the island".

Photographs, negatives, reports and research notes on UK wind and watermills. Photographs and research material on sugar mills in the Caribbean by David Nicholls and Cyril McCoombe. Micro tapes of conversations with mill workers in Barbados. [3.3.1 To be completed]

Photocopy of an account of Haynes Hill Plantation, written by Frances Greenidge, relative of Haynes Hill's owners from 1902 to1961. 13 pages of double-sided A4, the document contains a poor quality image of the plantation's sugar mill. Focussing mostly on the Greenidge family and the house and its gardens, there is a brief description of the mill and sugar production pp. 7 to 9.

20-page account containing A.D. Ward's recollections of his working life in various Barbados sugar mills and plantations including in chronological order: 1929 - Haymans (Cane Weigher), Mount Prospect Plantation (Acting Manager), Sion Hill, Taitts and Alleynedale (Chief Overseer), 1934 - Portland (Manager), 1937 - Todds, comprising Lemon Arbour, Airy Hill and Belle Farm Plantations (Manager), 1940 - Alleynedale, comprising Six Mens and Farrs (Manager). Ward remained at Alleynedale until his retirement in 1971.
At the time of writing, Ward describes himself as currently working as "Attorney" for several (listed) plantations. He remarks, "When everything is going good, the Managers are in full charge, but when things go wrong, I am in full charge. I am responsible for all bad luck".
Ward also details:
(1) The "Conditions of Work in Jobs" describing his working hours, duties and relationships with his co-workers and employers (the Chandler family of Alleynedale, in particular).
(2) The circumstances that led to ceasing sending sugar cane to the windmills at Alleynedale and Six Mens in 1945, preferring to send the cane direct to the factories. These mills were dismantled in 1946.
(3) The various books/accounts that Ward was required to keep.
(4) A comparative log of acreage, usage, rainfall and soil type over the years at Alleynedale.
(5) The structure and machinery of the windmills, as well as the processes and employees required, noting that an estate using windmills and animal drawn vehicles required, "a Carpenter, a Painter, a Mill Carpenter, a Plumber, a Copper Smith, a Wheel Wright, a Sail Maker, a Black Smith and a Saddler....".
(6) Ward's subsidiary trade as a horse-breeder during his time at Alleynedale.

Bundle of correspondence, minutes, notes and background information relating to the Amy Nicholls Mill Wall project, much of which being with or concerning the Barbados National Trust. Topics include:

(1) A draft address/speech concerning the launch of the competition which rehearses Nicholl's career (including his preference to be referred to as a "practical conservationist, or a conservation or historical engineer" rather than as a "millwright"; his early interest in industrial archaeology (encouraged by his mother, Amy Nicholls); his ongoing working relationship with former business partners.
(2) Efforts to secure funding for the maps required for the project from the British High Commission and Barbados Land and Surveys Department and to find sponsors for prizes.
(3) Response/engagement levels with the competition and correspondence regarding the judging and awarding of prizes.
(4) Integration of the project with appropriate sections/levels of the national curriculum/engagement with the Ministry for Education.

Also included is an excerpt from 'Windmill Whispers' (Oct/.Dec. 1995) about milling in Barbados with particular reference to job titles/roles at 'Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill.

Folder entitled, "School Project (Proposed) - Barbados. 1995/96" containing documents, correspondence and notes relating to the Amy Nicholls Mill Competition.

A 6-page proposal document for "A School Project to record all the Mill Walls on Barbados in conjunction with The Barbados National Trust and The Chiltern Partnership UK". The project was proposed by Nicholls in memory of his late-mother, Amy V. Nicholls. The document sets out links between pupils' project participation and relevant sections of the national curriculum, suggesting research methods which include the gathering of oral history and photographs as well as compiling statistical information on the sites. Safety criteria, funding, prizes, sponsorship, adjudication and timescales are discussed, the report concluding with an overview of project benefits and a recommendation for the permanent public display of the project results.

23-page document prepared by The Chiltern Partnership and The Barbados National Trust for The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs & Culture, Government of Barbados. The document comprises the application pack sent out to schools for the mill wall recording project including:
(1) an application form
(2) guidance notes on the procedures required to complete a recording project (including seeking permission from land owners and safety precautions)
(3) a list of primary/location information required
(4) 18 pages of detailed instruction on statistical details to be gathered at the mill site and machinery.

A photocopy of "Windmill in Barbados 1859. Based on a 1721 map by Wm. Mayo, revised in 1859 by Taylor". Fours sides of A4 listing windmills in each parish of Barbados. The list is annotated to show which mils have been allocated to schools participating in the mill wall project and those which the schools have requested in their application.

Various technical drawings, sketches and plans from a variety of authors/draftsmen, all of which relating to the Morgan Lewis sugar mills. These comprise:
(1) SGB International's technical drawing for access scaffold (4 September 1997)
(2) Chiltern Partnership's drawing of Greenheart Arms (July 1996)
(3) 2 technical drawings for the Morgan Lewis Boiling House by Guy C. Grant Jr. (7 February 1995) and D.H. Weeks (27 January 1995)
(4) Copies of 2 technical drawings marked "Morgan Lewis, Survey, Elevations" (March 1971) and "Preliminary Factory Layout" (August 1972) both by Roderick Ward Associates
(5) A drawing of a Neck Plate Band by Colin Webster (undated)
(6) 10 of Nicholl's own drawings, plans and sketches for the restoration project, some of which are labelled, "sprattle beam details", "cap frame", "Nancleara [w] shaft", "spindle base", "cast steel", "footstep bearing", "collar detail", "tail tree top", "cap frame/curb details" and "elevation/section at tail beam and tail-pole outline", (those that are dated ranging from January 1994 to 22 January 1997).

A faxed copy of the agenda for WMF's grants review meeting for its watch-list of "100 Most Endangered Sites" for 1996. The press release shows Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill as one of the grant recipients, the grant being funded by WMF founding sponsor, American Express.

Nicholl's letter clarifies working arrangements such as an early start to the working day (6.30 - 7.00 am), arrangements for accommodation and the tax treatment and payment of salaries.