51/549

A mill bill is a hammer-like hand tool consisting of a bill (steel wedge) and a thrift (wooden handle). It is used for dressing millstones by the process of 'cracking' so that the correct grinding action is achieved between the upper stone, or 'runner', and the lower 'bed-stone'. This mill bill, which has a lathe-turned wooden handle, was given to Lavinia Smith by Margaret Bradfield, a miller of East Hendred.

1 mill bill: wood; metal; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This mill bill was presented to Miss Smith by Margaret Bradfield of East Hendred (Berks), who is described as a miller, this was presumably one of her family. It was used for making the grooves in mill stones and for dressing them when they had become worn. // It consists of a wooden thrift, or handle, which has been turned on a lathe and a steel bit thrust through the thrift and secured by a leather wedge. The thrift measures 20.5 inches in length and 10 inches round the head. // The head appears to be held together by nails, bolts and washers and two pieces of wire. The bit measures 8.5 inches in length and 1.4 inches in width. // See also 51/404.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 357. Millbill [sic] for roughening the surface of a millstone. MBradfield. [sic]'

Wood, Metal

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)