Weybread watermill was originally built of white weatherboard over a brick base with a pantiled roof. Despite its modest appearance it was actually one of the larger mills. Using a 7 foot fall of water, it ran with two waterwheels that before the the installation of the roller plant, drove up to 10 sets of stones. In the 1700s one wheel also drove a straw and hay cutter.

The larger wheel had a diameter of 20 feet and was 12 feet wide, while the smaller wheel had a diameter of 16 feet. Both wheels were made of cast iron with wooden floats.

The mill had a 4½ sack roller plant fitted in about 1900 and eventually steam was just used for driving the cleaning and dressing machinery.

To be Sold by Auction
By Samuel Safford
By Order of the Assignees of Jacob Stanton, a Bankrupt
At the Swan Inn in Harleston in the county of Norfolk, on Wednesday 27 August 1794 at 4 o'c in the afternoon
The following ESTATES of the said Bankrupt. In Three Lots.
Lot I. Water Corn Mill, Weybread ...
Lot II. Post Windmill near the above mill upon Shotford Heath ...
Lot III. A POST_WINDMILL with two pair of stones, situate in Pulham St. Mary the Virgin in the county of Norfolk, late in the use of the said Jacob Stanton and the piece of inclosed Land whereon the Mill is erected. Possession of all the premises may be had immediately.
Apply to Messrs. HAVELL & PEARSON, Ipswich or Mr. Bonhote, Bungay.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th & 23rd August 1794

The mill's life came to an abrupt end when it was burnt down on the evening of Friday 6th February 1920.

A disastrous fire occurred at Weybread on Friday evening, when the water and steam mills carried on by Mr. J. Button, of Diss, with the valuable contents in machinery, plant, and stocks of wheat and flour were destroyed. The country for miles around was illuminated by the huge tongues of flame, and hundreds of people from far and near gathered to watch the fire.
Mr. Button, his father, and grandfather before him, have carried on an extensive business at the mills for many years. The origin of the fire is unknown.
Eastern Daily Press - February 1920

Jacob Stanton was made bankrupt in 1794, and the mill sold at auction as a result of this on 27th August that year. However when the mill was again offered for auction on 6th June 1799, interested parties were required to contact one Jacob Stanton on the premises. It is debatable as to whether he had reacquired the mill or whether he was merely an employee.

Excerpt from sale details - 16th January 1841
All that Superior Board and Tile Water Corn Mill at Weybread, in Suffolk, capable of manufacturing 25 lasts of corn per week containing five floors, two Water Wheels, one of which is 20 feet in diameter, and 10 feet wide, with a fall of 6 feet, driving six pairs of French stones, Smith's Patent Flour and other machines. The mill is now in full trade, in the occupation of Messrs. Cocks & Sims whose tenancy expires at Lady Day next, when possession will be given. Apply to Mr. John Sims on the premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd January 1841

Details from the sale particulars for the auction to take place on 5th June 1918 on behalf of the executors of Henry Dane at the Magpie Hotel, Harleston, conducted by George Durrant & Sons.

In 1918 the property consisted of the five storey mill substantially built of brick and timber with a tile and slate roof. It was stated to be in full trade with the capability of producing 400 sacks per week (approx. 50 tons) using two water wheels that were included in the sale. The largest wheel was believed to be the largest on the Waveney and had just been put in thorough repair. The fall of water is upward of six feet and the power and capabilities of this Important Property are almost unequalled by any other of a similar description in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. In addition there was a recently erected brick and tile engine and boiler house with a 60ft shaft; brick and tile stabling for six cart horses; three loose boxes; straw house; two riding horse stables; chaise house and a harness room with loft over. There was Miller's Cottage with sheds and gardens; a brick and slated family residence containing entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, breakfast room, office, kitchen, storeroom, pantry, landing six bedrooms, cellar, scullery, and coal house, flower and kitchen gardens; a pair of cottages with gardens in Wells Lane and at the time occupied by the horsemen; rich meadow land, the whole containing four acres or thereabouts.

1.

During the latter years of production the mill was used to produce poultry feed as well as flour and frequently ran 24 hours per day. In the 1980s a local described how the feed was taken down to the marshes by the tumbril load to feed geese and ducks.

The mill's life came to an abrupt end when it was burnt down on the evening of Friday 6th February 1920.

A disastrous fire occurred at Weybread on Friday evening, when the water and steam mills carried on by Mr. J. Button, of Diss, with the valuable contents in machinery, plant, and stocks of wheat and flour were destroyed. The country for miles around was illuminated by the huge tongues of flame, and hundreds of people from far and near gathered to watch the fire.
Mr. Button, his father, and grandfather before him, have carried on an extensive business at the mills for many years past, and when the property came into the market some two years ago Mr. Button became the purchaser. The loss, taking into account the valuable machinery, etc., and the heavy stocks of wheat and flour, must run into several thousand pounds. The origin of the fire is unknown.
Eastern Daily Press - February 1920

The fire that finally destroyed the mill started at around 5.30 p.m. on Friday 6th February 1920 and by
6.00 p.m. flames were well above the mill and visible for a considerable distance. Miss Mary Daniels who was about 17 at the time, was living in Weybread and walked down the hill with her brother to see what was happening. Shortly after they arrived the front fell out of the mill and wheat cascaded over the bridge and into the river.

Meanwhile, Claude Aldridge who was about 16 and worked at the mill ran all the way to Harleston to a call the fire brigade. They eventually arrived via Wells Lane with their horse drawn, hand pumped appliance but unfortunately they were on the wrong side of the river and were unable to cross the bridge next to the burning mill. In the event there was little that they could have done anyway as the destruction of the mill had long since reached the point of no return.

At the time of the fire, the flour trade was bad and the mill contained a considerable quantity of wheat along with some 300 - 400 10 stone bags of flour that equated to around 18-25 tons and was stacked much higher than usual.

Later the wheat was dredged out of the river, kiln dried and then sold at Harleston Sale Ground for chicken feed. Miss Mary Daniels related that her father bought 3 cwt. and she thought he paid 3s 6d per bag.

1703: William Cook bought the Instead Manor that included the mill

Kirby's map 1836

30th June 1779: William Mann (also Syleham mill and then Bungay mill in 1784) insured the mill for £400 and his stock etc for £300

1784: William Mann, also at Bungay, Syleham and Wainford mills

7th May 1785: Jacob Stanton, miller, insured his house and adjoining bakery in Harleston for £200

21st April 1794: Jacob Stanton was required to surrender at the Three Tuns Inn, Bungay due to bankruptcy

27th August 1794: Mill auctioned at Swan Inn, Harleston by order of the Assignees of Jacob Stanton

Faden's map 1797: Waybred Mill

25th May 1799: The Norwich & Bury Post announced the mill was due to be auctioned on 6th June

28th September 1816: John Cook advertised for a stone dresser and a flour dresser

21st April 1821: Noticed appeared in the press advertising the mill for auction by executors of William Mann

16th June 1821: John Cook advertised for a miller and stone dresser

19th May 1828: Mill advertised for auction by the proprietor - with 7 pairs of stones

23rd August 1828: Mill advertised in the Suffolk Chronicle, to be let

1838: Messrs. Cocks & Sims (tenants)

Pigot's 1839: Cocks & Sims

16th January 1841: Mill offered for sale by auction at Royal Hotel, Norwich

London Gazette 29th March 1842: Henry Drane, farmer, miller & brickmaker. Assignee of a Redenhall Stone Mason

White's 1844: Henry Drane

1855: Henry Drane

5th August 1857: Mill to be sold at auction by Executors of the late William Cook. Robert Bacon, tenant

Post Office Directory 1858: Henry Drane (possibly owner)

4th June 1859: Mill advertised for let in the Suffolk Chronicle. Capable of manufacturing 250 quarters per week

Kelly's 1865: Henry Prentice

Kelly's 1869: Henry Prentice

1879: Chase & Munnings, millers and cattle condiment manufacturers

1887: George Chase killed in Harleston

1887: John & William Button, tenants

1892: J. & W. E. Button, millers also at Diss towermill & Needham watermill

April 1893: William Edmund Chaplyn Button died. William also ran a windmill in Weybread

August 1902: John Button, also at Diss towermill, died aged 72

5th June 1918: Mill sold by auction at the Magpie Hotel, Harleston along with Needham Mill by Messrs. George Durrant & Sons. Weybread was sold on behalf of the Executors of Henry Drane. Mill under Government Control and occupied by John Benjamin Button at a rent of £65 per annum under a 8 year lease commencing 11th October 1914.

5th June 1918: Mill bought at auction by tenant John Button, for £1,250

1920: J. W. & E. Button

Friday 6th February 1920: Mill destroyed by fire

March 1989: Savills offered the mill for sale at a guide price of £325,000. The property included the 5 bedroomed mill house, former coach house and adjacent outbuilding s converted to art studios along with approximately ¾ acre of land and river frontage