It was not unusual that the surrounding ditch would fill with water and effectively become a moat.
It is highly likely that a mill existed in this area from at least 1450, as it appears to have been mentioned in the will of Anthony Cooke in 1478.
However, the 1618 map also shows nearby “Mill Water” – which might equally allude to the previous presence of a Water Mill.
Black’s Bridge at Raphael Park was also previously known as Watermen s Bridge in 1777.
The Cooke family held Gidea Hall until 1657, when Sir Edward Sydenham sold the whole estate to Richard Emes.
Within two years, Emes sold his three manors, but retained a parcel of freehold land fronting Main Road (then called Romford Hill), which included the mill and his residence.