1834 watercolour painting by Edmund Girling
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Dilham
smockmill |
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1834 watercolour painting by Edmund Girling |
| Dilham
smockmill was probably originally brought down from Lincolnshire where
it was being used as a drainage mill on land adjoing the River Humber, before being re-erected as a corn mill short distance
from Dilham_watermill. The mill stood on a 12 foot brick base and had a fantail. The two pairs of patent sails drove 3 pairs of stones. |
The above painting was subject to a degree of artistic licence as the windmill was not as close to the watermill or in the position shown. |
To Millers, Millwrights and others |
A very Superior OAK WIND SHAFT quite equal to new having been made within the last six years, measuring 20½ feet in length, 2ft. 3ins. diameter at the neck and containing about 100 solid feet of Timber. It is ironed up in a most substantial manner and has an excellent winged gudgeon. The above shaft is now carrying a set of Patent Sails with Stocks of large dimensions, may be viewed at any time and would if required be delivered on board a Craft free of any additional expense to the purchaser. Also for Sale four very powerful double motion Lifting Jacks, nearly new. Norfolk Chronicle - 11th March 1837 |
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The
above advert probably related to a new iron windshaft having been fitted to
the mill.
|
 |
Tithe map 1840 - as redrawn by Harry Apling Smockmill top right at the end of the track |
Dilham Wind & Water_Mills - Tithe Award 1841 |
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| No. 5: Water Mill etc. Water | 16a. 0r. 11p. |
| No. 6: Mill Rand. Pasture | 0a. 1r. 30p. |
| No. 7: Windmill Meadow. Pasture | 5a. 2r. 2p. |
| No. 8: Mill Pightle. | 1a. 0r. 7p. |
| No. 11: Little Mill Meadow | |
| No. 12: Great Mill Meadow | |
| No. 16: Windmill Pightle. Arable | 1a. 3r. 29p. |
| No. 56: House, Farm Premises & Garden | 1a. 0r. 8p. |
Total: |
53a. 3r. 38p. |
| £3. 13s to Vicar £6 17s to Appropriators |
| The
mill had probably already been sold to John Cann of Wymondham by the time
the advert below appeared. |
To Millers To be Sold (A BARGAIN) Nearly all the entire MACHINERY & GOING GEARS of a TOWER WINDMILL comprising sails, 3 pairs of stones, spur wheel 8 feet diameter fine pitch, windshaft cast iron, winding tackle complete etc. etc. most of which are nearly new or equal thereto, Apply to Mr. John Cann, Wymondham Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 18th September 1858 |
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DILHAM MILLS
To be Sold by Auction by WILLIAM POPE On Friday October 1st, 1858 |
The Live and Dead FARMING STOCK, Implements, Mill Carriages, Utensils
in Trade... by direction of Mr. W. D. Gardiner, who gives up possession of
the Dilham Mills at Michaelmas... in the Mill (watermill)... The LOWER FLOOR OF THE WINDMILL, about 12 feet high, containing 30 to 40 thousand bricks. Catalogues may be had on the Premises and of the Auctioneer, North Walsham. Norfolk Chronicle - 25th September 1858 |
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In
1858 the mill was dismantled and moved to Wymondham via the Great Eastern
Railway by Tom Brown and his father. Once there, according to the date
stone over the doorway, the mill was rebuilt for miller, farmer and corn
merchant John Cann on 7th October 1858.
The mill, then became known as Wymondham North Mill and was the tallest smockmill in Norfolk. |
After the mill had been demolished an old piece of gravestone was discoverd bearing the inscription: ...Memory of... Reynolds...died February...1834, Aged 72 Years |
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Unusually,
quite a lot of technical information for this mill has survived and is
listed on the page for Wymondham
North Mill
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|
Bryant's map
1826: Windmill |
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
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| Nat Grid Ref TG33252680 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |