Cock Mill so-called as the mill had an angled or ‘cock-shot’ water race, a farmhouse with a cock fighting pit was also situated here, giving an alternative reason for the name. Cock Mill, a secluded place in the woods, was used for gambling and cock fighting in the old days, as well as a hide-out for home-coming sailors eluding the press gangs. Strange, ghostly tales were told of ‘The Gentleman in Black’ who frequently took his seat at the gambling tables. ‘Pigot’s Directory of 1834’ states that John Coulson was the miller at Cock Mill. 1822 supplement of Genuki for Whitby lists: “COCK MILL, a farm house and Mill, in the township of Hawsker-with-Stainsacre, and parish of Whitby; 1½ mile S. from Whitby”
Image courtesy of Iris Place.
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