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Norfolk Windmills

Dickleburgh had an early postmill that stood near Burston Wood and in 1834, it became the first mill in Norfolk to use auxiliary steam power when an 18hp beam engine was installed. When the windmill ceased working the incumbent firm of William Smith & Son continued working using steam and then oil in later years.

... mill stood in field near the Burston wood ... came into possession of Mr. William Smith in 1780.
In 1834 a beam steam engine was installed of 18 horse power, the first of its kind in Norfolk.
History of the Church & Parish of Dickleburgh - Rev. M. R. Peacock - 1964

Dickleburgh. Firm of W. Smith & Son founded 1780.
Had first steam mill in Norfolk.
Diss Town Guide - 1970

1780: Mill acquired by William Smith snr

1834: Steam engine installed - first in Norfolk

White's 1836: William Smith jnr, corn miller

O.S. map 1837: Windmill

White's 1845: William Smith jnr, corn miller

White's 1854: William Smith jnr, corn miller, corn, seed & coal merchant

21st March 1862: William Smith snr died aged 78 (b.1784)

White's 1864: William Smith jnr, corn miller & corn & coal merchant

Kelly's 1879: William Smith, miller, & seed, corn & coal merchant; & at Castle hill, Norwich

White's 1883:

William Smith & Son, millers & corn, seed & coal merchants, and at Castle Hill, Norwich; and coal depôt, Burston station

c.1890: Mill demolished

Kelly's 1892: William Smith & Son, millers (steam) & seed, corn & coal merchants & farmers

Kelly's 1896:

William Smith & Son, millers (steam) & seed, corn & coal merchants & farmers; & at Burston & Norwich

Kelly's 1900: William Smith & Son, millers (steam) & seed, corn & coal merchants & farmers; & at Burston

Kelly's 1904: William Smith & Son, millers (steam) & seed, corn & coal merchants & farmers; & at Burston

Kelly's 1912: William Smith & Son, millers (steam) TN2

Kelly's 1916: William Smith & Son, millers (steam) TN2

Kelly's 1922:

William Smith & Son Limited, millers (steam), corn, coal & seed merchants (Arthur Osborne Dent, managing director) TN3

Kelly's 1925:

William Smith & Son (Dickleburgh) Ltd. millers (oil), corn, coal & seed merchants (Arthur Osborne Dent, managing director) TN2

Kelly's 1929:

William Smith & Son (Dickleburgh) Ltd. millers (oil), corn, coal & seed merchants (Arthur Osborne Dent, managing director) TN2

Kelly's 1933:

William Smith & Son (Dickleburgh) Ltd. millers (oil), corn, coal & seed merchants (Arthur Osborne Dent, managing director) TN2

Kelly's 1937:

William Smith & Son (Dickleburgh) Ltd. millers (oil), corn, coal, seed merchants & poultry food manufacturers (Arthur Osborne Dent, managing director) TN2

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 01263 587564 or