Henry Burr Sherwood - Miller, The Compo Tide Mill

Miller, The Compo Tide Mill

Henry Burr Sherwood owned and operated the Compo Tide Mill. In 1991, the Mill Cove, the area immediately surrounding the location of the Compo Tide Mill, was declared a National Historic District.

The Sherwood Mill Pond at Compo Cove is a large tidal pond hugely significant to the settlement and historical development pattern of the local Westport - Compo - Greens Farm area. The tidal flow from Long Island Sound was a significant source of power in the 18th century leading to construction of one of the earliest grist mills in the area (rights granted ca. 1705 by the town of Fairfield CT). The tidal pond also hosted fertile and productive oyster beds. The original grist mill was built by a John Cable; but by 1790 had been acquired and rebuilt by Sherwood family members to service local farmers. Henry's father Daniel, and uncle Ebenezer, improved the mill by erecting a substantial breakwater, wharves, and sluice gates.

Henry Burr Sherwood acquired a 3/4 interest in the Tide Mill for $1500 in 1853 (Westport Land Records, 6:261). In the following years, he acquired additional properties surrounding the Mill Pond: 2 acres (8,100 m2) of salt meadows and 14 acres (57,000 m2) on the west side of the Mill Pond.

The mill specialized in grinding kiln-dried corn meal for shipment to New York and to the West Indies. Coasting and packet vessels came in to Compo Cove and loaded at the tide mill. The mill also had a cooperage for manufacturing the barrels used in shipping. The 1860 census showed Henry using skilled labor from England to help operate the mill.

Demand for milling of corn and other grains declined as the Westport farm economy began transitioning to onion farming just prior to the Civil War. Henry worked during the post-Civil War years to keep the Tide Mill utilized by importing, grinding, and shipping baryte (barite), a mineral with a number of industrial uses. The Compo Tide Mill was destroyed by fire in 1895.