Ingworth Mill
River Bure


c.1910
c.1910


Ingworth Mill was mentioned in Domesday but was shown as half a mill.

Half mills are somewhat common in Norfolk, the profits being divided between two owners and in some cases perhaps between two townships.
Victoria History of Norfolk

N.B. Blickling had 3½ mills

The final mill on the site was constructed almost entirely of white weatherboard with a Norfolk pantile roof and was attached to the mill house.


c.1900 c.1905
c.1900
c.1905

It was possible several hundred years ago that the river course was altered by digging a new channel nearer to the village in order to improve road communication and also to allow the mill to be built on higher ground slightly away from the natural centre of the flood plain. The older course can be traced as going under the southernmost of the two road bridges at the Aylsham end of the village.


We have been researching Greenacres and have found that a Greenacre was at Ingworth Mill 1676 -1682. He was a William Greenacre and on 28th September 1682 “brought word that his son had run away. And begged that I would release him”. In 1682 Greenacre owed arrears of 35 pounds 18 shillings and tuppence. That in 1682 Greenacre left the mill owing 64 pounds 15 shillings, including a payment in arrears from 1681. Greenacre is shown there from 1676 - 1677.

“19th December 1676 - William Greenacer of Calthorp and William his son, hired the said mill at 34 yearly, delivering eles, fish and capons and upon the same covenants, in the afore mentioned lease or Willis's for 7 years ending March 1684.”
Jayne Greenacre - 4th June 2008


To be SOLD, and entered upon immediately a complete and capital WIND_MILL, situated near Magdalen Gates.
For further particulars enquire of James Rumbelow, at Ingworth Mills, near Aylsham, or William Stangroom, in St. Martins Lane, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd January 1779


Any Person that stands indebted to WILLIAM GOOD, Miller, Norwich, are requested to pay the same to William Stangroome, in St. Martins Lane, Norwich, or to James Rumbelow, at Ingworth Mills, and any Person having any Claim on the said William Good, are desired to send in their Accounts as above.
A capital WIND-MILL to be disposed of.

Norfolk Chronicle - 6th February 1779


Having unloaded under the lucum, carts would drive past the mill and turn round in a large turning area before either heading out or reloading.

1910
1910

Ingworth Mill

Good-bye, good-bye old friend
Good-bye old Mill
One last farewell before they lay thee down
A week! No, No, The former craft and skill
Needed no longer - therefore thou must go

No shine no shade, on they white wall shall fall
Nor rising mists about thee curl and creep
Vainly the breeze may seek, the rough wind call
On the lone river round thee fondly sweep

No sound of splashing wheel or clinking chain
No footpath in the loft or on the stair
Gone the soft crunching of the grinding grain
Only the lonely river weeping there

Good-bye, good-by old mill thy work is done
Like theirs who rest beside thee on the hill
Their labours ended now thine hour is come
No further need for thee old Ingworth Mill

Nay still we see thee in the empty air
Naught can be quite effaced nor good nor ill
And in our visions shall our spirits rear
Pale tender memories of Ingworth Mill

Revd. Moritz J. Kauffman M.A. - vicar of St Lawrence, Ingworth and Calthorpe 1892 - 1920

Little seems to be known about the modern history of this mill except that it ceased to work around 1912, it was then dismantled almost board by board. The brick bridge and arches still remain.


Roof stripped in 1913
Roof stripped in 1913

Having unloaded under the lucum, carts would drive past the mill and turn round in a large turning area before either heading out or reloading.

March 1977 March 1977
March 1977
March 1977

A small alcove in the mill house wall still exists where tradesmen would place orders and other paperwork.

Records from 1836 - 1853 show that 21/- was paid to the rector who was the encumbent.


25th September 2002 25th September 2002 sluice for the wheel is on the left
25th September 2002
25th September 2002 sluice for the wheel is on the left

My mother lived at Ingworth Mill from her birth in 1910 until she married my father in 1937. She was one of  7 children, the youngest, & her unmarried name was Phoebe Sarah Herne. I note that you have the Rev. Percival Sydney Raby lodging at the Mill from 1931 to 1945 & I surmise he married my parents in Ingworth church in 1937.
Both my parents are dead & I never knew my maternal grandfather.
I think therefore that the Rev lodged with Albert Herne as my full name is Graham John Herne Dilley.
Much enjoyed the pictures of the Mill where I spent my summer holidays, I learnt to fish until 1951.

Graham Dilley - 27th August 2008

O.S. Map 2005
O.S. Map 2005
Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey

1388:
Roger son of Sir Roger de Felbrigg issued a letter of attorney to John Cokefeld to receive seisin of manors a letter of attorney to John Cokefeld to receive seisin of manors of Ingworth and Howe, advowson of moiety of church, and watermill

1388:
Bartholomew Wellus from Ingworth -
Rights of Lord of the Manor included:

Half a hundred good and sufficient roasting eeels... other fish as they the said Bartholomew Wellus shall take in the waters.

Rent of £34 paid in equal portions at the Feast of Enunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (25th March) and St Michael the Archangel (Sept 29th)

1632 - ? Larwood from Marsham

1634 - ? Jeckes from East Dereham

1653 - ? Thorey from Gunton - died in 1656


1673 - 1686 - six changes including Sam Curril - left in middle of the night carrying his goods with him

1676 - 1682: William Greenacre, miller

1682: William Greenacre left the mill owing £35-18s- 2d

1731 - 1745 - ? Lound - quit on Lady Day

1745 - Thomas Storey - stayed 2½ years

Faden's map 1797: Ingworth Mill

1779: James Rumbelow

9th April 1798: John Jennings, miller buried aged 42 and leaving a widow

PRO London 8th April 1799: Will of John Jennings, miller of Ingworth

White's 1836: James Barber, miller & corn merchant. 21/- per annum to the rector


White's 1845: The rector has also 21s. a year from the water-mill


Census 1851: George Waterson (35) miller
William Farrow (18) miller's servant
Address: The Street, Ingworth

Samuel Cawston (31) miller's carter
David Kendall (19) miller
Address: The Street, Ingworth

White's 1854: Robert Golder, farmer & maltster

White's 1864: Henry Gardiner Hart, also Erpingham towermill

Kelly's 1879: Henry Gardiner Hart, also Erpingham towermill

Kelly's 1892: Henry Gardiner Hart, also Erpingham towermill

Kelly's 1896: George Gray

Kelly's 1904: George Gray

Kelly's 1908: George Gostling Gray

Kelly's 1912: Edward Palmer Witham, also Erpingham mill

1928-1931: Revd. John Harrison Duphoy Grinter lived at the Mill House

1931-1945: Revd. Percival Sydney Raby lodged with Albert Herne at the Mill House

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

Nat Grid Ref TG19222962
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004