Norfolk Mills - Attleborough Hargham Road post windmill

Attleborough Hargham Road postmill stood to the southwest of the town on the Hargham Road, however in 1839 it would appear that this was known as Rivet's Lane. In 1853 the mill was constructed above a roundhouse and had one pair of common sails and one pair of patent sails driving two pairs of French burr stones. An auxiliary steam engine had been installed by 1888.

French burr stones, being of high quality are normally used for grinding wheat to flour and in October 1863 the mill was described as doing a good trade in grist.

William Littleproud snr was born in 1762 and baptised on 14th November in Attleborough. The 1841 census lists him aged 80, living with his son, William jnr, who was then a farmer.
The 1861 census lists William Littleproud jnr as a master miller living in Mill Road with his wife Elizabeth and several children including William jnr jnr who was born c.1815.
William Litleproud jnr jnr was listed as farmer's son in the 1841 census. He married Mary Ann Green and had at least 3 children, Veridien, William and Elizabeth. William jnr jnr died before 1861, as in the census of that year, his widow Mary Ann Littleproud describes herself as a Miller’s Widow, living in Mill Road, with her daughter Viridien.

William Littleproud snr probably had a brother James, who was born in 1770 and baptised in Attleborough.
James Littleproud became the miller at Shipdham Mill Road postmill and also had Cranworth smockmill that his son Robert took over some time before 1836.

1815 Enclosure Award Map at Greenland, Houchen & Co. (Solicitors) Attleborough.
Mill – W. Littleproud.

Tithe Award 1839
Map, J. Easton, Surveyor, Old Buckenham, 1838
Owner: William Littleproud
Occupier: William Harris

To Millers, Merchants, Capitalists & others

Attleborough

George W. Salter is favoured with instructions to Offer for Sale by Auction at the New Inn, Attleborough on Thursday 7 July 1853 at 6 o’c

All that capital POST WINDMILL & Roundhouse well situated for trade having 2 spring & 2 common Sails & driving 2 pairs of French Stones with requisite Going Gears in perfect order.

Also a substantially built brick & tiled Dwelling house …

Also Stable, gig house, cart lodge, piggeries & other requisite outbuildings with yard, garden & the site of mill containing in the whole now in the occupation of Mr. John Sayer, a highly responsible tenant who has carried on a good trade for many years. Freehold & Tithe Free. Land Tax redeemed.

Geo. W. S. begs respectfully to draw the attention of Millers, Merchants, Capitalists & others to the Sale of this Property which possesses many local advantages being well situated for trade in a populous & fine corn district & within easy access of the Attleborough & Eccles Stations of the Norfolk Railway & abutting upon the road leading from the town of Attleborough to Hargham.

Apply to Mr. Henry Ling, Solr. St. Giles, Norwich or the Auctioneer at his offices Attleborough.

Norfolk Chronicle - 18th & 25th June 1853 (Sale of 2nd July postponed)

To Millers

TO LET with possession at Michaelmas next

A POST WINDMILL with good roundhouse, driving two pair of French Stones, now in full trade, situate in Attleborough, Norfolk.

Apply to Samuel Wells, Auctioneer etc., Attleborough.

Norfolk News - 19th September 1863

To Millers

To be Let with Immediate Possession

A POST WINDMILL driving two pair of French Stones with Round House etc., a good Dwelling house & outbuildings attached, situate in Attleborough, which to the present time has been doing a good grist trade.

Apply S. WELLS, Attleborough, Norfolk.

Norfolk News - 17th October 1863

Situations Vacant

To Millers

WANTED immediately a Young Man as JOURNEYMAN.

Apply to Mr. T. Button, Attleborough Mills.
Norfolk News - 8th December 1866

Situations Vacant

TO MILLERS

Wanted, a MAN to Work a POST MILL.

Apply to SPARROT & MYHILL, Attleborough
Norfolk News - 1st November 1873

O.S. Map 1884 - 1890
Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey

Tithe Award 1839 Map, J. Easton, Surveyor, Old Buckenham, 1838 Owner: William Littleproud Occupier: William Harris
No. 404	House, mill & yard	0a. 1r. 0p.	2/6d