Gt Witchingham Mill was also known as Eade's Mill and has even appeared on Ordnance Survey and other maps under that name, although no one appears to know who Eade was. It was apparently built in 1666 although it was probably enlarged later with an additional storey being added. This split the roof line away from that of the mill house. It was built of brick under a roof of black glazed tiles.

As we did not dine at the Kings Arms we gave the Landlord, Bell, by way of compensation one Shilling [on blotting paper] s1/d0 each, with which he was very well satisfied -
We got home safe & well, thank God for it before seven o’clock - The Rain that fell Yesterday rose
the Water at Foxford & at Eads Mill quite high, Nancy very much alarmed & frightened therewith as it came almost into our little Cart -
Parson Woodforde's diary - 7th October 1794
Parson James Woodford and his niece Nancy, had been to Reepham for a Confirmation

The waterwheel was used up until about 1948. In 1972 the mill was being used as a hammer mill to grind pig meal and was powered by electricity. In later years two pairs of stones were used along with a Tattersall dresser plated: Alfred R. Tattershall & Co., Milling Engineers, 75 Mark Lane, London, E.C.

High on the gable end wall is the inscription: M. Copeman 1800

The building, which is part of a farm complex, is listed and should thus be preserved but at the expense of the owner. It was advertised for sale on March 17th 1984 by Irelands Hall & Palmer of Aylsham for £87,500 along with 4 acres of grounds and river frontage.

My wife and I bought it as a total ruin in 1992…and got planning permission/listed building consent to restore it and convert it to residential use. By the time we got it, every door and window had rotted…the roof had gaping holes and water was running down the inside walls.
I don’t think it would have lasted many more years without major intervention.
Barney Jones - December 2003

My mother was the eldest daughter of Robert Breeze Howes the last miller to use it as a water mill.  I spent many happy hours there as a child (1940's) and have several of my mothers photographs. Reading about Letheringsett's new millstones sparked my interest and led me to the Website.
Mrs. O.K. (Toby) Howes - 15th April 2008

1666: Mill built

Parson Woodforde's diary 7th October 1794

Faden's map 1797: Mill

Bryant's map 1826: Eades Mill

White's 1836: William Riches

White's 1845: John Wilden, miller Eade's Mill

Hunt's 1850: Henry Dutt

White's 1864: Frederick William English

Kelly's 1779: Samuel Sharpin, miller & farmer, Eade's mill (moved to Lenwade mill by 1883)

White's 1883: Robert Howes, miller & merchant, Eade's mill

Kelly's 1896: Robert Howes

Kelly's 1900: Robert Howes

Kelly's 1904: Robert Breese Howes

Kelly's 1929: Robert Breese Howes

Kelly's 1937: Howes & Son

c.1948: Waterwheel ceased to be used in favour of electricity

c.1952: Wheel removed

c.1970: Machinery removed and floor concreted prior to occupation by farm animals and machinery storage

1972: Mill being used as a hammer mill to grind pig meal powered by electricity

May 1983: Advertised for sale by Irelands, Hall & Palmer of Aylsham for £65,000

March 17th 1984: Advertised for sale by Irelands, Hall & Palmer of Aylsham for £87,500

18th January 1985: Howes family sold mill to Colin Craig

9th February 1987: Colin Craig sold the mill house and retained the mill

1987: Boundary disputed with Norfolk County Council due to road layout changes within last 100 years

1992: Mill sold semi derelict for conversion to residential use

2003: Residential use