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Hingham Mill
Spring Fed |
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May
1967
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Hingham watermill
was unique. |
Scratched on a pane in the living room door of the Mill House is the inscription: |
J. Atmore 1872 |
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| Scratched on a window pane of the Mill House is the inscription: W. Atmore | ||
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Springs
in front of the mill May 1967
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Hingham water mill was powered by an overshot wheel approximately 17 feet in diameter and nearly 4 feet wide, using a 16 foot fall of water. This was enough to drive the 2 pairs of French burr stones with which it was advertised in 1870, although a NIAS survey in 1982 recorded the positions of 4 pairs of stones. The wheel itself was actually underground, the top of it being at ground floor level. Servicing access to the wheel was achieved by means of a small trapdoor and a vertical iron ladder. The mill was described as newly built in a sale advertisement of 1845, however this was doubtless a reference to a rebuild of both structure and machinery. |
Overshot wheels are comparatively rare in Norfolk due to the mainly gentle terrain. The only other mills to use this system that I have found so far were at Buxton (one of the two wheels) Congham, Foulden, Mundesley, Tharston and Weybourne. The mill ceased to work at about the time of the second world war. |
Hingham |
The watermill was worked in conjunction with a postmill that had been in the Lane family since at least 1771 and c.1840 John Lane decided to sell it and erect a new towermill at the same location near the south west corner of the pond. The postmill was bought by millwright, Robert Gilbert, who quite possibly was responsible for building the new towermill for the Lane family. He took the postmill to Banham and erected it on the base of an old towermill, where it became known as Banham composite mill. |
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Wheelpit
ladder 17th Jan 1982
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Tithe map 1841 - as redrawn by Harry Apling |
Tithe Award 1842 |
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No. 280 |
Mills, house, garden & water |
2a. 0r. 38p. |
8/3d |
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To Millers & others To be Sold by Auction by Mr. S. LOCK at the White Hart Inn at Hingham
on Tuesday 29 July 1845 at 5 o'c (unless sooner disposed of by; Private
Contract) The following very Desirable PROPERTY.
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To Millers & others Newly erected MESSUAGE, WATER & WIND_CORN_MILLS at HINGHAM, Norfolk, Mr. George W. SALTER Begs most respectfully to announce that he has been favoured with instructions to offer for Sale by Auction at the Cock Inn, Attleborough on Thursday 14 October next at 4 o'c One of the best & most desirable MILL properties in the County comprising a first rate new built & well situated WATER CORN MILL at Hingham in Norfolk, with a substantially built new & genteel Residence with excellent Barn, Stable, Waggon Lodge & other Outbuildings, Yards & Garden. The Mill is situated in a rich corn district, one mile from the Market town of Hingham & five from those of Attleborough & Wymondham at both of which there are stations of the Norfolk Railway Also within a short distance of the Water Mill a capital & substantial New Built Brick Tower Windmill with four floors, standing in an excellent situation for wind, driving two pair of French Stones, winding herself & having 2 common & 2 patent spring sails, flour mill & going gears in good repair; & attached to it 4 pieces of capital Meadow & Pasture Ground containing together 6a. 2r. 17p. or thereabouts. The whole Estate is Freehold & is in the occupation of Mr. John LANE who will give immediate possession. The yearly Outgoings are as under
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To be Sold by Private Contract A First rate new built & well situated WATER CORN MILL with a substantial new built Dwelling house, Barn, stable, Waggon Lodge & other Outbuildings, Yards & Gardens Also within a short distance of the Dwelling house & Water mill a capital new built brick tower Windmill with four floors standing in an excellent situation for wind, driving two pair of French Stones, winding herself & having 2 common & 2 patent spring sails, flour mill & going gears in good repair & attached are four pieces of capital meadow & pasture Land containing together 6a.2r.17p. The Water mill … The whole Estate is Freehold & is in the occupation of Mr. John Lane who will give immediate possession. Apply to W. Alexander, Solr. Hingham. Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 20th & 27th May 1848 |
Hingham Water Mill & Wind Mill To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Geo. W. Salter At the White Hart Inn, at Hingham, on Tuesday 1 August 1848 at 4 o’c Without the slightest reserve A First rate … (details as advertisement of 20 & 27 May) The Mills are capable of manufacturing upon an average six lasts of corn weekly. Possession at Michaelmas next. Apply to W. Alexander, Solr. Hingham or Mr. Salter, Auctioneer, Attleburgh. Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 8th, 15th & 29th July 1848 |
Situations Vacant |
Hingham Mills To be sold by Auction by Mr. John Eaton at the White Hart Inn at Hingham on Thursday 30 June 1859 at 4 o’c without reserve By Order of the Mortgagees thereof under a Power of Sale A new-built WATER CORNMILL with a new-built Dwelling House, Barn, Stables, Waggon Lodge & other Outbuildings, yards & Garden. Also within a short distance of the Dwelling House & Water Mill a new-built brick TOWER_WINDMILL with four floors, standing in a good position for wind & having two common & two patent spring sails, Flour Mill & going gears in good repair. The Water Mill contains four floors & has been recently fitted up with a superior cast iron water wheel, two pairs of French Stones, flour mill & jumper & all other requisite machinery & going gears all of which are in perfect condition. And attached are four pieces of Arable, Meadow & Pasture Land containing together 6a.2r.17p. The Estate is all freehold & is in the occupation of Mr. William Bowles & possession thereof will be given on the 11 th day of October next. Apply to Mr. Alexander, Solr. Hingham or the Auctioneer, Attleburgh. Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 28th May, 4th, 11th & 25th June 1859 |
Hingham Water & Wind Mills To be let on lease for a term of years A neat Dwelling house & a WATER CORN MILL & a BRICK_TOWER_WINDMILL standing in an excellent situation for wind, each of them driving two pair of French stones, with a Barn, Stables, cow house, Piggeries, Waggon lodge & other convenient Outbuildings, Yards & Garden & four pieces of capital Meadow & Pasture Land containing together 6a.2r.17p. The Mills have just undergone a complete state of repair (as well as all other Premises) & they are situate in a rich corn district within one mile of the town of Hingham & five from the Railway Stations of Attleborough & Wymondham. The above are now & have been during the last eleven years in the occupation of Mr. William Bowles, the Proprietor, who will give Possession at Michaelmas next, he having purchased a Farm at a distance & intending to occupy it himself. Apply to Mr. Bowles, Miller, Hingham, or to Mr. D. Alexander, Solr., Hingham. Norfolk News - 5th July 1862 |
To Millers |
William Bowles eventually moved to Sheffield where he traded as a hay, corn & straw merchant. |
Situations Vacant |
Situations Vacant |
Situations Vacant |
Situations Vacant |
Situations Vacant |
Hingham Wind & Water Mill To Let for a Term of Years A NEAT DWELLING HOUSE, a WATER CORN MILL & a BRICK_TOWER WIND-MILL standing in an excellent situation for wind, each of them driving two pairs of French Stones, with a Barn, Stables, cowhouse, Piggeries Wagon Lodge & other convenient Outbuildings, Yards & Garden & four pieces of capital MEADOW & ARABLE LAND containing altogether about 6a.2r.17p. the Mills have lately undergone a complete state of repair & they are situated in a rich corn district within one mile of the town of Hingham & five from the railway stations of Attleborough & Wymondham. The above are now & have been during the last eight years in the occupation of Mr. G. Greenacre, who is now doing a good trade at the above Mills. Norfolk News - 9th & 16th July, 10th & 17th September 1870 |
Preliminary Notice Salter & Simpson are instructed to offer for Sale during the ensuing month the following valuable Properties. Hingham Freehold WATER & WIND_MILLS in excellent order & full Trade, with nearly 7 Acres of capital Meadow & Pasture LAND, now in the occupation of Mr. Robert Atmore. Particulars of Mr. F. Fox, Solr. Norwich or the Auctioneers, Attleborough. Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd July & 5th August 1876 |
On Thursday next. Desirable Mercantile Property At Hingham Salter & Simpson are favoured with instructions from Mr. William Bowles to Sell by Auction at the New Inn Hotel, Attleborough, on Thursday August 24, 1876 at 3 for 4 o’c The Freehold WATER & WIND Mills, well situated for wind & water, each driving two pair of French Stones & fitted with all the necessary gears. Also a convenient Brick & Tiled Dwelling House with Garden, Orchard, Barn, Stable, Waggon Lodge & other Outbuildings & two pieces of excellent Arable LAND containing in all about 6a.2r.17p. This property, in which a good trade has for many years been carried on, is occupied by Mr. Robert Atmore under an agreement expiring Michaelmas 1878 at an annual rent of £80. Further particulars of Mr. Fred. Fox, Solr. Surrey Street, Norwich or the Auctioneers, Attleborough. Norfolk Chronicle & Lynn Advertiser - 19th August 1876 |
To Millers |
The Freehold WATER & WIND_MILLS with dwelling House, Barn, stabling & Outbuildings & Two pieces of Arable LAND containing in all 6a.2r.17p. in the occupation of Mr. Richard (sic) Atmore, which Salter & Simpson are favoured with instructions from Mr. William Bowles to Sell by Auction at the New Inn Hotel, Attleborough on Thursday August 24, 1878 (instead of Thursday August 17, as previously advertised) at 3 for 4 o’c Particulars of Mr. Fred. Fox, Solr. Surrey Court, Norwich, or the Auctioneers, Attleborough. Norfolk Chronicle - 12th August 1878 |
HINGHAM |
Hingham Mills To be Sold by Auction By Messrs. Standley & Sons on Thursday December 30, 1880 All the Live & Dead FARMING STOCK, Mill carts, Neat & Modern HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, & Effects of Mr. Robt. Atmore who is leaving England. Sale to commence at 11 o’c. Particulars in Catalogues to be had of the Auctioneers, Wymondham. Norfolk Chronicle - 18th & 25th December 1880 |
Hingham TO BE LET With immediate possession, the HINGHAM WATER & WIND_MILLS with convenient Dwelling house, Stables, Yards & Buildings & two Pieces of Arable LAND containing about 6a.2r.0p. now in the occupation of Mr. Robert Atmore, who is leaving the Country. Apply to Messrs. Salter & Simpson, Auctioneers & Valuers, Attleborough. Norfolk Chronicle - 1st January 1881 |
Hingham, Norfolk FOR SALE BY PRIVATE CONTRACT The old established Mills known as “Hingham Mills” containing Wind & Water Power (to which steam can easily be adapted) situate a mile from the Town, comprising Dwelling House with all requisite Outbuildings & about 6 acres of Garden & useful Land. Possession at Lady. Apply to Messrs. Salter & Simpson, Attleborough or Mr. Fred. Fox. Norfolk Chronicle - 14th & 21st January 1882 |
To Millers, Merchants & Others Hingham Salter & Simpson are favoured with instructions to Sell by Auction at the White Hart Hotel, at Hingham. On Tuesday April 25, 1822 at 5 for 6 o’c The capital Freehold WATER & Brick Tower WIND_MILLS with convenient DWELLING HOUSE & Garden, Barn, Stable, Cow shed, Piggery, Waggon lodge & other offices. Also two Inclosures of Arable LAND containing in all about 6a. 2r. 17p. adjoining property of the Earl of Kimberley & Mr. P. Pitts & late in the occupation of Mr. S. Sharpin. Immediate possession may be had. Particulars of the Auctioneers, Attleborough or of F. Fox, Esq. Vendor’s Solr. Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 8th & 22nd April 1882 |
Local Bankrupts Riches, Henry, Hingham, Miller Norfolk Chronicle - 19th March 1892 |
Norwich Bankruptcy Court, April 25. Re H. Riches, Hingham. The debtor, Henry Riches, miller, Hingham, showed liabilities £116. 6/6 & in reply to the official receiver, he said that he had learned that his assets had realised £230. the fact was that he had become surety for £100 for some one & he had not that amount, so he was advised to file his petition. Mr. Gould remarked that Riches was worth more than now than he was when he commenced business. (Laughter) Riches asked when he could have his discharge & to his apparent satisfaction, he was informed that he did not need one. Norfolk Chronicle - 30th April 1892 |
Norfolk Quarter Sessions |
Hingham Miller sued |
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NIAS
July 1975
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May
1972
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Norfolk Quarter Sessions |
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Hingham Miller sued |
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Rear of the mill with exposed clay lump in March 1977
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Where
the mill race would have been March 1977 |
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So far as I have been able to discover Hingham Mill is the only watermill in Norfolk with walls of clay lump. This unique feature, however, is dwarfed by; others more remarkable, for it is the only watermill in Norfolk not standing on a stream. Before it is a mill pool full of still water. Across the road on higher ground, "further upstream" one would say were this an ordinary watermill, is another piece of still water, perhaps a hundred yards long and fifteen yards across. You may leave this mystery and walk instead across a pleasant meadow and round to the back of the mill expecting to find at least some escaping "tail water" but will see only the blank wall of the mill and what looks like the dry bed of a river, grass covered and leading away to lower ground. And now for the story. In this immediate vicinity are many powerful springs. During the last severe winter springs broke up the surface of roadways leading to two farms nearby, making a small area almost as dangerous as quicksand. No man would be prepared to stand long on the spot where water was oozing through the surface and lorries had to be diverted or become hopelessly bogged. The planners of Hingham Mill were aware of this local tendency to produce spring water. They knew a little boggy place on high ground out of which water seeped and trickled away over the road to lower ground, and one day they dug the long shallow "pit" referred to earlier and uncovered thirteen springs; this became the source of water supply for Hingham Mill. Then they laid a culvert under the road and dug a large mill pool to serve as a reservoir. Then they built the mill. Unfortunately the venture was never entirely successful. Perhaps there were times in the year when the springs rested. Perhaps they never supplied enough water to make their use a paying proposition. No one, so far as I have been able to gather, ever made a living out of Hingham Mill, though someone built a windmill (long since gone) between the mill pool and the pool of springs to provide auxiliary power. The mound on which it stood is there today. The watermill is out of use, though in fair condition. No water is seen at the back of the mill; the eye beholds only the old grass-grown bed of the stream, not seeing the piped waterway beneath it, laid by some enterprising miller long ago. What a place for the setting of a play or the writing
of a poem is Hingham Mill! While the miller slept away the darkling hours
thirteen springs bubbled up from subterranean places and trickled away
under the road, steadily raising the level of the mill pool, so that all
the miller had to do on rising was to wind up his sluice gate and the
imprisoned waters rushed upon the wheel, setting the rumbling stones to
work before slipping away down the stone to Seamere lake half a mile distant. |
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17th
January 1982
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The lucum was
deemed unsafe and removed in 1970 whilst the building was being generally
repaired. |
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The mill would start working by water early in the
morning and keep going until about mid-afternoon when the pond would have
been practically drained. The wheel then stopped until next morning when
the pond had filled up again. |
Bowles Family
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1820 |
William Bowles | Proprietor of Gt Ellingham postmill, Mill Lane - advert |
1839 |
Thomas Bowles | Miller at Old Buckenham Wilby Warren postmill - directory |
1842-43 |
John Bowles | Owner Old Buckenham Wilby Warren postmill - tithe award |
1842-43 |
William Bowles | Occupier Old Buckenham Wilby Warren postmill - tithe award |
1852 |
William Bowles | Hingham Deopham Rd towermill & watermill |
9th October 1852 |
John Bowles | William Bowles in occupation as tenant. John Bowles of Ellingham eveidently agreed to work the mills for a while and took over the tenant's fixtures at a valuation of £41.3s.0d. Included in the sale was a 'stage for clothing mill', which was probably portable. |
1853 |
William Bowles | Miller - directory |
1854 |
John Bowles | Miller - directory |
1856-58 |
William Bowles | Miller - directories |
30th June 1859 |
William Bowles | Purchased property at auction as sitting tenant |
by 1862 |
William Bowles | Had purchased two farmhouses & 168 acres of freehold land at Banham & nearly 40 acres of copyhold land at Winfarthing |
11th October 1862 |
William Bowles | Leased Hingham Mills to George Greenacre for 8 years at £80 per annum |
4th June 1864 |
William Bowles | Owner. Henry Spelman provided a report and valuation of the mills |
Michaelmas 1870 |
William Bowles | Leased Hingham Mills to Robert Atmore for 8 years at £80 per annum |
1876 |
William Bowles | Owner - sale advert. Mills not sold |
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1882 | Mills for sale by auction in occupation of S.Sharpin |
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1883-1904 | Miller - Henry Riches - tenant? |
Information from documents belonging to Dudley Bowles of the Abbey Hotel, Wymondham - c.1981 |
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The roof scar of the newly removed lucum is plain to see
in June 1970 |
lucum
had been reinstated by 11th April 1988 |
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11th April 1988
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Grant to Restore Unique Mill |
A £3,000 grant to help restore a unique Norfolk watermill has been approved by the county council. The 18th century mill at Hingham was unique on two counts, members of Norfolk planning sub-committee were told. First, the mill was fed by a spring rather than a stream, and second, it was a three storey building, yet constructed entirely of clay lump. The eventual aim was to turn the mill into a house while retaining as much character as possible, but repair work of some £22,000 was required as a first step. Other grants approved by the sub-committee included £7,000 to the Norfolk Churches Trust, £15,000 to the Norfolk Windmills Trust and £10,000 to the Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust. Eastern Daily Press - 1st March 1982 |
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O.S. Map 2005 Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey |
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Hingham Mill, Grade II listed and with 2.23 acres was advertised for sale during October 1998 in the Eastern Daily Press with a guide price of £400,000. |
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1316: John Le Marshall, mill owner - died |
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 587564 or
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| Nat Grid Ref TG03270080 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2003 |