Norfolk Mills - Carlton Rode Old Buckenham Rd post windmills

Carlton Rode
Old Buckenham Rd
postmill

Carlton Rode had two postmills on the same site on the Old Buckenham Road. The earlier_postmill was an open trestle mill and the other had a roundhouse. It appears probable that each mill was worked by a different miller. Both mills were advertised for sale in 1807 and it is likely that the older mill ceased working at around this time.

A steam mill was late built alongside the postmill and fitted out with machinery supplied and installed by millwrights Riches_&_Watts of Norwich. The Cornish boiler and 10hp engines drove two pairs of French burr stones.

To be Sold by Private Contract. A freehold messuage in Carlton Rode, In Norfolk, with the baking office, granary stable etc.
Also two Windmills in thorough repair, near to the aforesaid messuage, one of them has a large round house. Mr. Robert Palmer, of Carlton Rode, will show the premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd August 1807

Notice to Debtors & Creditors
The Creditors of William Smith, Baker of Carleton Road, Norfolk, deceased ... to send accounts to Mr. Robert Smith, his son, Miller of Carleton Road or to Mrs. Mary Smith, widow of deceased.

All persons who have any demands upon Robt. Smith of Carleton Road, Miller, to send in an account thereof ...
Norfolk Chronicle - 5th November 1825

Tithe map 1839 - as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1840 Map 1839 J. Eaton, Surveyor, Old Buckenham Owner: Robert Smith Occupier: Himself
No. 99	House & Mill.	Pasture	1a. 1r. 18p. Part of 20a. 1r. 7p.	£7.8. 6

Situations Vacant
WANTED, a steady active married man who thoroughly understands the Milling Business; also competent to work a high pressure Steam Engine.
Apply personally to Mr. R. Smith, Carleton Rode. Reference from late Employer.
Norfolk News - 3rd & 24th October 1857

Miscellaneous
To Millers
WANTED, a steady active Married Man, family limited, who thoroughly understands the MILLING BUSINESS, also competent to work a High Pressure Steam Engine.
Apply personally to Mr. R. Smith, Carleton Rode, Attleborough..
Norfolk News - 20th November 1858

To Millers
WANTED, a steady active married man, without family would be preferred, who thoroughly understands the Business, also the working of a High Pressure Engine.
Apply personally to Mr. R. Smith, Carleton Rode, near Attleborough..
Norfolk News - 10th September 1859

R. & W. Smith, Millers & Merchants, CARLETON RODE.
The widow of the late Robert Smith of Carleton Rode, miller & merchant, desires to return her best thanks for the favours conferred on her late husband during a period of forty years & to state that the business in all its branches will be conducted by her sons, Robert Smith & William Smith for whom she respectfully solicits patronage and suypport..
Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 10th September 1859

ROBERT SMITH, deceased
All persons having any claim upon the Estate of Robert Smith the Elder, late of Carleton Rode in the County of Norfolk, Miller & Merchant ... particulars to his son Robert Smith the Younger of Carleton Rode aforesaid ...

B.T. Sharpe
Solicitor for the said Robert Smith the Younger.
Norwich, September 1859

Norfolk News - 10th September 1859

To Millers
WANTED, at Michaelmas, a steady active Married Man, one who has been accustomed to Steam Power. Without family preferred.
Apply personally to Mr. R. Smith, Carleton Rode Mills, Attleborough..
Norfolk News - 29th September 1860

Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS
Wanted, a steady Respectable Married Man as MILLER. One accustomed to Wind & Steam.
Apply personally to Robert Smith, Carleton Rode, near Attleborough or 105 Stand, Corn Hall, Norwich.
Norfolk News - 15th June 1872

Situations Vacant
TO MILLERS
Wanted, an experienced MILLER for Wind & Steam. Married without family preferred.
Apply to Robert Smith, Carleton Rode Mills, near Attleborough or Stand 105, Corn Hall, Norwich.
Norfolk News - 20th September 1873

Robert Smith, The Mills, CARLETON RODE,
Established 1816,
Begs respectfully to inform the inhabitants of Carleton Rode & neighbourhood that having recently made extensive alterations in his milling plant, he is now able to supply a superiotr quality of flour at reasonable prices, manufactured upon the combined system of rollers & stones.
General merchandise viz:- supers, bran, meal of all kinds, oats, oats crushed, peas, beans, beans split, maize, vetches, malt & hops, agricultural seeds. Agent for Fison's manures.
New Buckenham Almanac - 1890

Carleton Rode, Norfolk
Thos. Wm. Gaze has received instructions to Sell by Auction during the coming Summer (unless previously disposed of by private treaty) the Valuable Freehold COMMERCIAL PROPERTY known as the CARLETON RODE MILLS, comprising Dwelling house, Wind & Steam Mills, Granaries & Premises as occupied for many years by Mr. Robert Smith, the proprietor, well arranged small Freehold RESIDENCE, Dwelling houses, Cottages & Shop, Farm Premises & Enclosures of valuable Accommodation
Arable & Pasture LAND containing altogether 38a.2r.18p. well situate in the parish of Carleton Rode.
Particulars of Messrs. George Lyus & Sons, Solrs. Diss & of the Auctioneers, Frenze Hall & Crown Street, Diss.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd April 1898

Thos. Wm. Gaze has received instructions to Sell by Auction at the crown Hotel, Diss on Friday July 8, 1898 at 3 for 4 o’c in the Afternoon, in Nine Lots, the Valuable MERCANTILE PROPERTY known as “Carleton Rode Mills” comprising Steam Flour Mill, Post Windmill, Convenient Trade Premises, commodious Residence & Gardens, Outbuildings & Miller’s Cottage, as now & for many years past in the occupation of Mr. Robert Smith, the Proprietor.
Also Freehold RESIDENCE situate by the road from Old Buckenham to Carleton Church with Garden & Grounds, small Farm Premises, small occupation known as “Flaxlands”, Freehold Tenement & Shop, Double Cottage & several Enclosures of Accommodation LAND containing altogether 38a.23.18p.
Particulars of Mr. George Lyus & Sons, Solrs. Diss or of the Auctioneer, Frenze Hall & Crown Street, Diss.
Norfolk Chronicle - 4th, 11th & 18th June 1898

Thos. Wm. Gaze has received instructions to Sell by Auction at the Crown Hotel, Diss on Friday July 8, 1898 at 3 for 4 o’c in the afternoon, the following valuable MERCANTILE PROPERTY in Nine Lots.
Lot 1. The desirable Freehold COMMERCIAL PROPERTY known as “Carleton Rode Mills” consisting of Capital Residence, Riding Stables, Gig house, STEAM FLOUR MILL with 10 horse power Engine & Cornish boiler driving two pairs of French burr stones & excellent machinery & fixtures by RICHES & WATTS, capital POST WINDMILL, Stables, granaries, Millers Cottage & LAND, 4a.2r.3p. now & for many years past in the occupation of Mr. Robert Smith, the Proprietor.
Messrs. George Lyus & Sons,
Diss, Vendors’ Solrs.
Norfolk Chronicle - 25th June & 2nd July 1898

In August 1974, John Kemp, a retired postman of Old Buckenham Green recalled the his father had worked for Harry Smith for 40 years at the postmill and also for Houseago at the towermill, although it is assumed this would have been after the mill had ceased working.

O. S. Map 1883
Courtesy of NLS map images

November 1806: Robert Palmer, miller, bankrupt

1807: Robert Palmer, miller (also at Carlton Rode Open Trestle postmill)

August 1807: Two mills advertised for sale by private contract, one with a roundhouse

1816: Robert Smith snr, takes over the business

1825: Robert Smith snr, miller

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

Greenwood's map 1834: Windmill

White's 1836: Robert Smith, corn miller

Tithe Award 1840: Owner & occupier: Robert Smith snr, miller

White's 1845: Robert Smith, corn miller

White's 1854: Robert Smith, corn miller

1857: Robert Smith snr, miller (wind & steam)

1859: Robert Smith snr died

White's 1864: Robert Smith jnr, miller, farmer & corn merchant

1872: Robert Smith jnr, miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1879: Robert Smith jnr, miller, farmer & corn merchant

White's 1883: Robert Smith, miller & farmer

O.S. map 1883: Carltonrode Mills (Corn)

c.1890: Roller mill installed

1890: Robert Smith jnr, miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1892: Robert Smith jnr, farmer & miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1896: Robert Smith jnr, farmer & miller (wind & steam)

1898: Robert Smith jnr, miller (wind & steam)

April 1898: Mill advertised for sale by auction or private treaty

Kelly's 1900: Henry Smith, farmer & miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1904: Henry Smith, farmer & miller (wind & steam)

1908: Mill tailwinded and burnt down

Kelly's 1912: Harry Smith, farmer & miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1916: Harry Smith, miller (steam) & farmer

1971: John M. Lermitte, Mill House - some remnants of the steam mill remain

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 07836 675369 or

Nat Grid Ref TM09859330

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