Clenchwarton postmill

Contact

Drainage Mills (Windpumps)
Steam Mills
Watermills

Clenchwarton postmill ceased working c.1870 and was probably sold and removed in July of that year. In the same year, another postmill was transported 16 miles by road from Westacre over the course of 3 days and the machinery and body parts of that mill were advertised for sale in October 1870.

For Sale.
A STATIONARY horizontal STEAM ENGINE from seven to eight horse power, in going gear, with boiler complete, nearly new.
Can be viewed on application to Mr. Wm. Cranfield, Clenchwarton Mill.

For price etc. apply to Mr. Hodgkinson, Shouldham Thorpe.
 Lynn Advertiser - 6th October 1866


REMOVING A FLOUR MILL. A novel experiment was last week witnesses in this neighbourhood in the removal of a wind flour mill, with all its fittings, from Westacre to Clenchwarton, a distance of about 16 miles. Some time since, a man named William Cranfield, residing at Clenchwarton, purchased the mill and was desirous of having it moved to that place. The mill, a wooden structure, which, with its machinery was of enormous weight, stood upon wheels, and after some consideration it was determined to endeavour to draw it along the road by a traction engine. One or two ineffectual attempts were thus made to move the mill, the engines being used not being of sufficient strength, and it was then decided to procure a powerful steam cultivation engine, and this proved more successful. In ascending a hill the engine proceeded to the summit and then pulled the mill up with the chain used for cultivating purposes, and its removal from Westacre to Clenchwarton occupied nearly three days. Several trees along the route received a pruning, whilst in crossing the Great Eastern Railway at Walton gatehouse the telegraph wire were broken. On arrival at the Freebridge, spanning the Ouse, it was deemed prudent to allow the engine and mill to pass over separately. Accordingly, the engine crossed first and then pulled the mill over by means of the chains, its enormous weight putting the old bridge to a test. Of course a good deal of curiosity was excited as the mill passed through the various villages along the route, the inhabitants flocking en masse to witness it, whilst at Clenchwarton its arrival was received with quite a demonstration.
Lynn Advertiser - 11th June 1870

CLENCHWARTON
To be Sold by Private Contract
A Freehold DWELLING HOUSE with Mill, Baker's Shop, Baking Offices, Stables, & Outbuildings; also two COTTAGES & 2a. 1r. 3p. of LAND, situate at Clenchwarton.
Enquire of Mr. Wm. Hodgkinson, Shouldham Thorpe.
Lynn Advertiser - 23rd July 1870


CLENCHWARTON near Kings Lynn
To be Sold by Auction by Messrs. Cruso & Hawkins
At the Globe Hotel, Kings Lynn on Tuesday 30 August 1870 at 4 for 5 o'c in the Afternoon.
A FREEHOLD DWELLING HOUSE with excellent Bake office, Flour chamber, Stables, Gig house & Barn & 2a. 1r. 3p. (more or less) of superior ARABLE LAND abutting upon the High Road leading from West Lynn to Clenchwarton & now in the occupation of Mr. Cranfield.
The above property is withion two miles of the Market Town of Kings Lynn & is a most eligible site for the erection of a Flour Mill.
Apply to the Auctioneers, Kings Lynn & Downham Market or at the office of Mr. T. M. Wilkin, Solr. Kings Lynn.
Lynn Advertiser - 27th August 1870


CLENCHWARTON
To Millers, Millwrights & otheres.
To be Sold by Auction by Messrs. Marham & Son
On Friday 28 October 1870, the property of Mr. William Cranfield as follows:
MILL Machinery, millstones & cases complete, mill sails & backs & several lots of wood, suitable for fencing & building; two flour bins, iron bolts etc etc.
Sale to commence at 1 o'c.
Lynn Advertiser - 22nd October 1870


O.S. map 1824: Mill

Bryant's map 1826: Mill

White's 1845: William Wright, miller & farmer & Terrington St Clement Balsam Fields mill

1853: William Bennington, miller & baker

1858: William Bennington, miller & baker

1863: Henry Collinson, miller & baker

1864: William Cranfield, miller & baker

1866: Steam engine advertised for sale

1868: William Cranfield, miller & baker

June 1870: Westacre postmill transported to Clenchwarton by road

July 1870: Clenchwarton mill advertised for sale by private contract

August 1870: Mill site occupied by William Cranfield advertised for sale by auction

October 1870: Westacre postmill machinery advertised for sale by auction


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 TF59982075
Top of Page

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005