Continued during the remainder of this day clearing the outside of the Castle wall southwards, as well as inside next the base of the tower mentioned. N.B. Men began this day to build me a room next the entrance to the Castle to be in case of rain, or to write, make memorandums, etc. Order that everything was to be delivered to me to give into Mr. Shadwell's custody.
Wednesday, 15th. The men occupied the greater part of this day in lowering, breaking to pieces and tumbling down into the ditch large fragments of wall which had fallen, and which prevented digging alongside of, and continuing the clearing of the east wall. They worked exceedingly well, breaking, prising and rolling down the side of the Castle ditch, astonishingly large masses, not without considerable danger : so much so that one of the labourers (a young Irishman) slipped all the way down the steep, almost perpendicular, but he contrived with admirable address to light on his feet, and climbed up again unhurt with the nimbleness of a cat ! So well pleased with the men (sixteen of whom were employed, with extras, in this perilous business), that I gave them two gallons of beer to drink.
Mr. M. (Moss) set off by the mail for London this night at 8 o'clock.
Thursday, 16th. Finished cutting a passage from the newly discovered gateway through the acclivity of earth and rubbish next it, into the Castle yard, and removed by some way a great quantity of stones thrown on the terrace walk before the east wall, by clearing the tower above mentioned, etc. Breaking and removing the large masses of wall that had fallen, continued as on the day before.
Mem. A delightful fine day.
Friday, 17th. Began this day to clear away from the back front of the westernmost semi-circular tower of gateway, and went on with clearing the outside of the line of wall facing terrace when discovered at 50 feet distance the lower part of another projecting semi-circular tower. Continued getting down, and throwing into the ditch various large fragments of wall that had fallen down, and impeded the work, one of these (the half of which had been broken off and thrown down the preceding day) measured when whole 25 feet in length, 3 feet in height, and was nearly 7 feet broad, the weight of which could not have been less than 20 tons. Very fine day. Gave the men 1s. for beer.
Saturday, 18th. (Here the Journal ends.)
On reference to Powell's Plan of 1819, page 115, four Windmills on the West Hill are shewn, and their position corresponds with the " Mill Field " on the Plan of the Collier Lands (see Nos. 52-53), and now represented on the left hand side of the Priory Road (formerly called Barrack Road), from Plynlimmon to Whitefriars Road, From 1812 to 1830, Mr. Rowe Carswell, miller and baker, of 56, High Street, owned two of these mills and a granary on the site of Plynlimmon Terrace and adjacent property. In a plan of Hastings Castle made by Wjlliam Herbert, 1824 (in Dawson's History), a house is drawn and marked " Old Mill House," opposite the present Whitefriars Hotel.
These Mills formed prominent landmarks, and appear in many views of Hastings. There were two or three until about 1874.
From a Catalogue in the Author's Collection the last Mill was sold by auction by Messrs. Breeds & Sons, on Saturday, March 28th, 1874, and is described as a Smock Wind Mill.
