Broadclyst Devon
The windmill at Broadclyst Devon, was built in 1786 by Samuel Flood  . It stands on a small ridge on the edge of the village, positioned to catch the winds blowing in from the Exe Estuary. The mill ceased to operate as early as 1815 but took on a new lease of life after much of Broadclyst's housing was destroyed by fire in 1870.   At that time, it was converted into three &quot;flats&quot; to house homeless villagers.   The sails were removed and a chimney added to enable each floor to have fire grates for heating and cooking. 
The 1871 Census shows only one family in residence:
Samuel Parsons (36) Labourer, wife Elizabeth Parsons (41)
and children, Henry Parsons (9), Eliza Parsons (7),. John Parsons (5) &amp; Sarah Hallett (67) Visitor
In the 1881 Census, it was described as &quot;Windmill House&quot; and was again occupied by one family:
James Baker (59) Gardener, his wife Louisa Baker (59) &amp; children Albert Baker (21) Gardener, Alfred Baker (17) Gardener
&amp; Frank Baker (15) Gardener

The tower is built of red sandstone and the building has been re-roofed with slates in modern times. 
An inscription on the tower carries the words:  &quot;Vive l'ingenies&quot;

Sadly it is  now in a dangerous state and can only be viewed from the adjacent public footpath which crosses the field in which it stands.


<a href="https://www.devonheritage.org/Places/Broadclyst/Broadclyst-TheWindmill.htm" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.devonheritage.org/Places/Broadclyst/Broadclyst-TheWin...</a>
Copyright Derek Harper CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/143576" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/143576</a>
broadclyst devon