Vellum Mill didn’t start out making Vellum as its namesake would suggest, it was in fact a Snuff Mill for much of its early years. Snuff was very popular among high society in the 18th Century.
Snuff is a smokeless tobacco made from finely ground or pulverized tobacco leaves. It is snorted or “sniffed” into the nasal cavity, delivering a swift hit of nicotine and a lasting flavored scent .
The Mill is situated on the River Wandle in Mill lane at the junction of Butter Hill Bridge in Carshalton. The mill was said to be established by George Ansell in buildings which he bought from the trustees of James Scawen in about 1782.
The mill was described in his ownership as a Madder & Snuff Manufacturer. After George Ansell’s death, the mill passed down in the family for many years and continued to manufacture snuff.
Around 1918, John Boughton, a parchment manufacturer took over the mill and converted its usage into a vellum parchment and drum skin manufacturer. And he no doubt changed the name of the mill to the one it has today.
By the 1960s the building was occupied by various light engineering companies until 1980s when STR Design & Print took ownership of the building.
