 This was despite fires damaging the mill in the late 18th century and in 1809, 1818 and 1883.The Early family of Witney blanket-makers were renting at least part of the mill by 1818 and operating the whole premises by the 1820s.Legally the mill was in two parts, and in 1830 the Earlys bought one part copyhold and the other part leasehold.