Brancaster
north postmill



Brancaster north postmill stood a few yards to the north of the south postmill in Mill Road. It had 2 pairs of patent sails that powered 2 pairs of 4ft stones a flour mill and jumper. By 1814 the site also contained a bake house and a flour shop.

Situation for a Miller
To be Sold by Auction At the Ship in Brancaster in the county of Norfolk
On Wednesday 3 September 1806 at 6 o’c
Unless sooner disposed of by private contract
All that small inclosed Piece or Parcel of Land, with a Post Windmill & roundhouse thereon erected, now in full trade, with two pair of exceeding good French burr stones, flour mill & all the going gears complete, situate in Brancaster aforesaid, as the same are now in the occupation of John Derisley.
Also a neat & convenient Dwelling house, small garden, new erected stable & outhouses, together with a small Pightle of Land adjoining in Brancaster aforesaid, occupied by the said John Derisley.
Also 4 acres are Freehold, the other premises Copyhold of the Manor of Brancaster, fine certain.

The Messuage has a right of common over the common of Brancaster & possession of all the premises may be had at Michaelmas next.
Apply at the office of Mr. Harvey Goodwin, in Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th, 23rd & 30th August 1806

Examination of Elizabeth Sutherland, with order to Edward Dennis the younger, late of Docking but now of Brancaster, regarding female child of Elizabeth Sutherland, 1810.
Norfolk Record Office - Settlement certificates, settlement examinations, removal orders, bastardy papers, apprenticeship indentures and other papers,
1776 - 1830

To be Sold by Private Contract
With Possession at Old Michaelmas next
Two capital POST WIND MILLS, one with an excellent round house under it, with all their going gears, with the dwelling house, walled-in garden & offices. The Mills are well placed for wind & for shipping flour being within a mile of Brancaster Staith.

Enquire of Mr. Norman Matthews at Holme next the Sea. The Tenant will shew the Premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 18th & 25th September 1819

Two Capital WINDMILLS in Brancaster, Norfolk.
To be Sold by Auction by W. Sturley On Thursday July 3, 1823 at 4 o’c At the Ship in Brancaster
Unless sooner Disposed of by Private Contract
All those Two Capital POST WIND MILLS with going gears complete situated in yards adjoining each other at Brancaster in the county of Norfolk & which are calculated to carry on a considerable Shipping Trade being within one mile of the Port of Brancaster Staith.
One of the above Mills stands over an excellent Round House with two floors, contains two pair of 4 ft. French stones, winding tackle & Cubitt’s patent sails & is considered one of the most complete mills in the county.
The other Mill contains one pair of 4 ft. 8 inch French stones; also a good Messuage divided into three tenements, situate in Brancaster aforesaid, with a walled-in garden well planted with choice fruit trees, cow house, piggeries, stabling for five horses & other outbuildings thereto belonging, together with an unlimited right for cattle over a very extensive salt marsh & also a right for two heads of stock over a valuable common in Brancaster called Barrow Common.

Apply at the Office of Mr. Charles Goodwin, Solr. Lynn, to Mr. Martin Dodman, Thornham, or to the Auctioneer, Dersingham, Norfolk. Letters to be post paid.
Norfolk Chronicle - 31st May, 14th, 21st & 28th June 1823

To Millers
To be Let & entered upon at Michaelmas next
Two POST WINDMILLS (one with patent sails & winding tackle), a very good Dwelling house with Bake house & Flour Shop attached thereto with Stable, Granary etc. etc. situated at Brancaster & now in full trade, in the occupation of Mr. W. Sudbury. The above premises are within a mile of Brancaster Staithe from whence Flour may be shipped to any part of the Kingdom.
Apply to Mr. Samuel Sharpe, Sunderland House, Docking, Norfolk or Mr. Sturley, Auctioneer, Dersingham, letters post paid, & on a Tuesday at the Globe Inn, Lynn.

Norfolk Chronicle - 4th & 18th September 1824

Wanted Immediately, a Youth about 16 years of age as an apprentice to a Miller & Baker.
A small premium will be required.
Apply personally or by letter (post paid) to Mr. Smith, Miller, Brancaster.
Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd September 1827


Notice re
William Smith of Brancaster, Miller & Baker
Deed of Assignment dated 29April last
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th May 1829


BRANCASTER, Norfolk
To be Sold by Auction by A. Norman On Wednesday 20 May 1829
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th May 1829

BRANCASTER, Norfolk
To be Sold by Auction by A. Norman On Wednesday 20 May 1829
(Under a Distress for Rent)
All the Household Furniture, Stock in Trade & other Effects of Mr. WILLIAM SMITH of Brancaster in the county of Norfolk, Miller & Baker.
The Sale to begin precisely at Eleven o'clock.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th May 1829

Brancaster, Norfolk
To be Sold or Let
TWO POST WIND-MILLS situate at Brancaster, one of which stands over an excellent Roundhouse with two floors & contains a pair of 4 ft. French Stones, Winding Tackle & Cubitt’s Patent Sails. The other Mill has one pair of 4 ft. 8 inch French stones.
Also to be LET with the said Mills a good Dwelling house with Flour Shop, Bake house, Granary, Stables & a Common Right over the Salt Marshes at Brancaster aforesaid.
The above Mills are situate within a mile of the Port of Brancaster which makes it a desirable situation for shipping Flour.
Immediate Possession may be had of the whole Premises.

Apply (if by letter post paid) to Mr. Samuel Sharpe of Brancaster or Messrs. Jarvis, Attornies, Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th & 20th June 1829

Tithe map 1841
Tithe map 1841 as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1841
Map by E. Durrant, Kings Lynn
Owner Samuel Sharpe
Occupier William Bunting
No. 254 Mill & yard 0a. 0r. 38p. Pt. of £2. 2. 0

John Kerrison married Ann Herring of Great Ringstead. Their eldest son Robert, married and lived in Kings Lynn and his brother Samuel, moved to Manchester.


Brancaster
Highly important Mercantile Situation & Maltings, Two excellent Windmills, 11 Cottages & 5 good Coasting Vessels for Sale by Auction by Mr. Cruso at the Globe Hotel, Kings Lynn (By order of the Devisees in trust for Sale of the late Mr. Samuel Sharpe, on Friday 3 September 1847 at 6 o’c.
Lot 2. All that Piece of Ground situate in & Copyhold of the Manor of Brancaster, with the Wind Mill standing thereon with two pairs of 4 ft. stones, Flour Mill & Jumper, with Patent Sails & winds herself, abutting upon the road leading from Brancaster to Docking.
Also all that Piece of freehold Land adjoining with the Wind Mill thereon with one pair of 4 ft. stones.
The above Mills are in excellent repair & in the occupation of Mr. William Bunting as tenant from year to year.
Estate viewed on application to Mr. Wright at Brancaster Staithe.

Further particulars on application to Mr. Archbould, Solr. Thrapston, Northamptonshire or the Auctioneer, Kings Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th, 14th & 28th August 1847

Situations Vacant
To Journeymen Millers.
Wanted a Man to Work a Bag Mill.
Apply to A.B. Post Office Brancaster near Lynn.
Norfolk News - 22nd August 1857

To Millers
Wanted, a young man who is capable of GRINDING to work a BAG MILL.
Also a youth who can write a good plain hand to keep a miller & baker's accounts.
Apply to G.W.R., Post Office, Brancaster, Lynn.
Lynn Advertiser - 9th September May 1865

To Journeymen Millers.
WANTED immediately, a MILLER for a windmill; must make himself generally useful.
Married man preferred & good character indispensible.
Apply T. R., Brancaster, Norfolk.
Lynn Advertiser - 31st July & 30th October 1880

To Journeymen Bakers
WANTED, a steady man for country trade, one used to a horse & cart.
Married man preferred. Good character indispensable.
Apply to T. Robson, Brancaster Mill, Lynn.

Lynn Advertiser - 24th September 1881

To Millers
To be Sold by Private Contract, a Post Windmill, patent sails, driving two pairs French stones. Also Bake Office & House at Brancaster. Possession at Michaelmas next.

Apply to G.W. Robertson, Ringstead, Kings Lynn.
Lynn Advertiser - 15th & 22nd July 1882

Brancaster, Norfolk
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. W.B. Lane
At the Ship Inn, Brancaster on Monday October 9, 1882 at 7 o’c in the evening …
All that capital POST WINDMILL with Brick Round House, Four Patent Sails, two pairs of French Burr Stones & other Machinery contained therein, with all that well built DWELLING HOUSE, Bake Office, Stables & Cottage as now occupied by Mr. Thomas Robson & situate in the parish of Brancaster.
The Fittings of the above Mill are in good condition, the Dwelling house, Bake office & Stables are nearly new.
A Good business has been carried on in the above premises for many years past & offers a rare opportunity for anyone seeking a business as a miller & baker.
Apply to M.R. Bircham, Solr. Fakenham or to the Auctioneer, South Creake & 38 Railway Road, Lynn.

Lynn Advertiser - 30th September & 7th October 1882

Brancaster, Norfolk
Mr. W.G. Wood
Is favoured with instructions to Sell by Auction at the Ship Inn, Brancaster on Thursday November 11, 1897 at 3 o’c precisely, all that substantially built … property … near Brancaster church. Also a Valuable ENCLOSURE OF LAND.
Situate on the road to Docking, upon which is erected a windmill & brick built tenement known as Brancaster Wind-Mill.
The above are Copyhold of the Manor & Hundred of Granges.
Also a valuable enclosure … frontage … to road leading to Docking.
All the above properties are in the occupation of Mr. Porter, baker & miller of Brancaster & are let on a yearly tenancy at an exceedingly low rental of £35 per annum.

Particulars & conditions of sale may be obtained of W.E. Foster, Esq. Solicitor, Aldershot; at the place of sale; & of the Auctioneer, Aldershot, Hants.
Lynn Advertiser - 22nd & 29th October & 5th November 1897

At an Upset Price
Brancaster, Norfolk
(Close to the far-famed Golf Links)
Mr. W.G. Wood is favoured with instructions to Sell by Auction at the Ship Inn, Brancaster on Thursday November 11, 1897 at 3.30 precisely, all that Substantially built Valuable CORNER PROPERTY situate at the four cross roads near Brancaster Church … Bakehouse …CORNER SHOP … RESIDENCE …
Also a Valuable ENCLOSURE of LAND situate on the road to Docking, upon which is erected a Windmill & Granary with separate Brick built tenement abutting on to the road, known as BRANCASTER WINDMILL, having a frontage of 90 feet or thereabouts to the road leading to Docking & Brancaster, in a high situation & only a short distance from the Village.
(The above are Copyhold of the Manor of Brancaster)
Also FREEHOLD LAND …
All the above Properties are in the occupation of Mr. Porter, Baker & Miller, of Brancaster & are let on a yearly tenancy at the exceedingly low Rental of £35 per annum.

Particulars at the Ship Inn, of W.E. Forster, Esq. Solr. Aldershot, & of the Auctioneer at his offices, Aldershot, Hants.
Norfolk Chronicle - 6th November 1897

Mr. Sheldrake Hotchings, a retired policeman of Brancaster Staithe, aged 86, stated on 8th August 1972, that he remembered the mill, confirmed that the last miller was George Porter and that the mill was demolished c.1905.

George Porter was probably still living and working on the mill premises in 1900 as Kelly's directory lists him as a baker only but by 1904 there was no mention of him.

O.S. Map 1886
North mill site only at 124 and south mill still operating at 123 - O.S. Map 1886
Courtesy of NLS map images

Robert Mitchell's Navigation Chart Spurn Head to Wells 1749: Mill (one)

Faden's map 1797: Wind Mills (north and south mills)

1802: Edward Dennis, miller

1802: Mill blown down in a gale

1806: John Derisley, miller

September 1819: North mill and South mill advertised for sale by private contract

June 1823: North mill and South mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1824: Mill

1824: W. Sudbury, miller; owner: Samuel Sharpe

September 1824: North mill and South mill advertised for sale by auction

1827: William Smith, miller & baker

1829: William Smith, miller & baker, bankrupt

20th May 1829: Effects of William Smith, miller & baker sold by auction dure to bankruptcy

20th May 1829: North mill and South mill to be sold by auction

June 1829: North mill and South mill advertised for sale or to be let. Owner Samuel Sharpe

1839: William Bunting, miller

Census 1841:

John Kerrison (40) miller (employee)
Ann Kerrison (35)
Mary Kerrison (13)
Robert Kerrison (12)
Samuel Kerrison (10)
Susan Kerrison (8)
Emma Kerrison (6)
Catherine Kerrison (2) (moved to Burnham Westgate by 1861)

c.1847: Samuel Sharpe, owner, died

1847: William Bunting, tenant miller

August 1847: North mill and South mill advertised for sale by auction

1850: John Hugh, miller & baker

Census 1851:

John Kerrison (50) b.Wighton, journeyman miller
Ann Kerrison (44) b.Ringstead
Samuel Kerrison (20) b.Brancaster
Matilda Kerrison (16) b.Brancaster , scholar
Katherine Kerrison (12) b.Brancaster, scholar
Charles Kerrison (5) taught at home

Index of wills 1854: John Heugh, miller

White's 1854: Elizabeth Hugh, baker & corn miller

White's 1864: Elizabeth Heugh, farmer, baker & corn miller

1865: Rayner Heugh, miller

1868: Thomas Robson, miller & baker

Kelly's 1879: Thomas Robson, miller & baker

1883: Thomas Robson, corn miller, baker & farmer

Admiralty Chart surveyed 1871: Two mills

1881: Thomas Robson, miller & baker

1882: Thomas Robson, tenant miller & baker

September 1882: Mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1886: Mill site only (South mill still in operation)

1888: George Porter, miller & baker

O.S. map 1891-92: Mill site only (South mill still in operation)

1897: George Porter, tenant miller & baker

October 1897: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Admiralty Chart 1871 with corrections surveyed 1900: Mills deleted

Kelly's 1892: George Porter, miller (wind) & baker

Kelly's 1896: George Porter, miller (wind) & baker

c.1906: Mill demolished

1961: New Mill House built on Mill Hill by J. Denis Daniels


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Nat Grid Ref TF77254300
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