[TQ 4429 4006] Corn Mill [T.I.] (1) An iron furnace and forge at Scarlet's probably one of two at Cowden, mentioned in 1574. The pond is extant and there is a considerable amount of furnace slag. (2) The site was probably abandoned early in the 18th c. (3) The disused 19th c. Flour Mill at Scarlett's incorporated an older structure which housed a smelting hammer (4). During a storm on the night of Sept. 9th, 1958, the dam at Scarlets was breached and the buildings of the corn mill completely swept away, (a) destroying any remaining portions of the old forge. Since that date the pond has remained dry. With the destruction of the buildings, the forge race was exposed (at TQ 4428 4006) but this is no longer visible and the only evidence of iron working now lies in the quantity of furnace slag about the site. Although a name-plate on the house gives the name as Scarletts the owner agreed that this was an incorrect spelling inherited from the previous owner. (5) TQ 443401 Scarlets Furnace, Cowden. Water-powered. (see plan). Bay 70m long. Height 1.5m upstream, 3m downstream. When breached by flood in 1968 section showed original bank of clay, raised by soil containing glassy slag. Pond side was revetted by wall 0.6m thick with lower courses of stone and upper of brick. Water system. Pond now in water, restored 1977. Modern spillway at south end with bank protecting working area. The flood breach revealed two wooden tunnels through bay, with control gates, which may refer to later cornmill as may the wheelpit which they serve. Working area. Excavations near north end revealed furnace site, wheelpit and timber lined gun casting pit installed between 1590 and 1664. No evidence for forge operation has been found. Re use. Cornmill. Scarlets is identified on several occasions between 1590 and 1664 but its later history cannot be isolated from that of Cowden. (TQ 44 SE 1 & SE 20) Furnace refurbished at the end of the 17th century, yet it seems likely that abandonment came before 1717. Full excavation report. (8)

<1> "Wealden Iron" 1931, 224-5. (E. Straker) (OS Card Reference). SKE32697.

<2> 'Mediaeval England' 1958, 237. (M.W. Beresford & J.K. St. Joseph) (OS Card Reference). SKE46833.

<3> MHLG Sevenoaks Road 21/21 April 1959, p.40 (OS Card Reference). SKE47174.

<4> Mr. Phillips, (owner) Scarlets Farm, Cowden (OS Card Reference). SKE47429.

<5> F1 CFW 18-DEC-62 (OS Card Reference). SKE42627.

<6> Iron Ind of the Weald 1985 166 181 223 229 233 236 239 242 255 256-7 258 254-5 (H Cleere & D Crossle (OS Card Reference). SKE44510.

<7> DOE Arch Excavations 1976 128 (D W Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE40792.

<8> Post Md Arch 13 1979 239-49 illus (D W Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE48532.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 44 SW 4 - December, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2666.