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c.1890
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Erpingham Mill
Scarrow Beck |
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c.1890
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| Erpingham was
one of the very places in the county to have both a watermill and a windmill
on the same site. At the time of the photograph above, which was taken during
the latter part of the nineteenth century both appear to be in good condition
and working and the watermill had probably recently been either be newly
painted or renovated. The watermill had a brick ground floor, white weatherboard
upper floors and a Norfolk pantile roof. Erpingham watermill was one of the smallest mills in the county, probably due to the lack of available water. The mill was built on a hand dug cut in Scarrow Beck as can clearly be seen using the location link at the bottom of this page. The mills were then owned by John Johnson and his family. At the turn of the century the site was sold to George H. Witham and his son Edward. After Edward died in 1959 the site was again sold. It was reported on 17th July 1965 that the watermill was being used as a barn, however it was finally dramatically demolished later that year. |
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c.1890
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| The smockmill had disappeared by 1894 as the following newspaper report shows. |
A Sale by Bruce & Son at the Eagle. A water corn
mill, dwelling house, miller's cottage, stable outbuildings with 9 acres
of meadow and arable land, freehold - bought by G. H. Witham of Cawston for
£600. Newspaper report - 20th July 1894 |
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George Harvey Witham 1910 |
The Withams had a turbine installed and also used a Tattersall Midget roller mill that was installed c.1906 and was the first in England. It was also recorded as working in 1909. |
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c.1925 |
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Watercolour
by H. Whaley c.1947
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| I knew him well... Miller Witham, he was about
as far round as he was up. David Ducker - 18th November 2004 |
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c.1958
now with a corrugated iron roof
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It was reported on 17th July 1965 that the mill was being used as a barn and by then it had also become a play area for local children. In deference to their safety, the new owner, John Alston, concluded that it would be better for the mill to be demolished. Accordingly in the summer of 1965, the mill was filled with straw and then set alight. |
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April 1965 |
April 1965 |
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The 1977 pictures can only pick out some of the foundations near the old watercourse that was on a specially dug cut that diverted Scarrow Beck, which has now reverted to its original course. |
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After the mill was demolished, Eric Pegg who lived at the mill house, rescued a stone from the ruins. The stone, which had the appearance of a tombstone, was simply inscribed J. Turner 1766 whereas the his gravestone in Erpingham churchyard reads: John Turner who departed this life, Jan 14th. 1766... |
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Part of the old watercourse in 1977 |
Just foundations remain by 1977 |
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Ordnance Survey Map 1890 showing the site of the watermill and the smockmill Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey |
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O.S. Map 2005 Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey |
White's 1836: Benjamin Johnson, millwright |
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White's 1836:
Thomas Cook, corn miller (Benjamin Johnson, millwright)
Kelly's 1854: John Johnson, miller & millwright White's 1854: John Johnson, corn miller, millwright & parish clerk
White's 1864: John Johnson, corn miller & millwright
White's 1883: James
Johnson, miller & parish clerk
Kelly's 1892: Benjamin Johnson |
If you have any memories, anecdotes or photos please let us know and we may be able to use them to update the site. By all means telephone 01263 713658 or
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| Nat Grid Ref TG18903160 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |