Barrack Mill (Hope Mill, Higher Water Mill, Ward’s Mill), it was built by Robert Bennett in 1811. John Wood occupied it from 1815 to 1824 with Samuel Collier (later a manager at Wren Nest Mills) as his manager.
In 1830 Sale and Harrison were the occupiers. It was empty for several years after 1831, when Benjamin Waterhouse worked it in conjunction with the Lower Water Mill. In 1836 there was a sale of machinery by the assignees of Benjamin Waterhouse, bankrupt; contained in the three large cotton mills which he occupied.
In 1846 Bagshaw’s directory lists Joseph Beresford and John Holland as tenants. After them came T. P. Sykes and Sons, during which time it was referred to as Mr Sykes’ Higher Mill. It was burned down in 1875.