c.1890
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East Dereham
Quebec Road postmill |
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c.1890
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Dereham postmill
stood in Mill Lane, which later became Quebec Road in 1850. The mill had an octagonal tiled roundhouse and the fantail was on a carriage. Although the mill would have originally been built with common sails, in later years it was using two pairs of double shuttered sails, each with 8 bays of 3 shutters that drove two pairs of stones. In 1761 the mill was leased with two pairs of stones, in 1834 the mill was advertised with only one pair of stones but there were two pairs again by 1860. |
A postmill stood in East Dereham in the 1200s when it was recorded in the survey of 1250, undertaken in the 21st year of Hugh de Norwold, Bishop of Ely, who was consecrated on 10th June 1229. the location cannot be verified but there is a strong possibility that it was an open trestle postmill on the Quebec Road site. |
| The Bishop ... There are two watermills and one windmill and the Bishop might erect another if he pleased. Blomefield's History |
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c.1890 |
| In the first of Elizabeth this manor et. etc. were granted to the Crown ... ; in that year the rent ... a mill £6. 0s. 0d. Bishop of Ely's Manor - 1558-59 |
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c.1890 |
There was a windmill on Windmill Hill in 1623 A.D. ... not the identical mill but one which had most probably occupied the same site as the Bishop's mill since 1277. It was a post mill & occupied the site of Mr. Pallett's house up Windmill Lane (later Quebec Road) and was pulled down about 1893 A.D. Boston & Puddy - 1952 |
... enclosures are mentioned frequently in the earlier manorial court books. Thus in 1626 occurs: Two acres of land lying enclosed at the north end of the town of East Dereham lying next the mound of the windmill in East Dereham. (translated from Latin) Boston & Puddy - 1952 |
In September 1761 John West leased the mill to James West and listed the all the mill stones within the mill. Head of the mill: |
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| Runner stone: Bed Stone: |
French burr - 5ft. diameter and 7ins. thick at the skirt French burr - 5ft. diameter and 6ins. thick at the skirt |
| Tail of the mill: | |
| Runner stone: Bed Stone: |
Peak - 4ft. diameter and 3ins. thick at the skirt Peak - 4ft. diameter and 4ins. thick at the skirt |
The Lease of 1761 transcribed below was unusual in that it specified the thickness of the 5 foot headstones at the time the Lease was taken out. When the tenant left the mill he would be required to pay 20 shillings per inch at the skirt for any wear. However, if he replaced the stones, he could claim at the same rate for any additional thickness remaining. |
LEASE of a House & Windmill in East Dereham for 21 years. John West to James West. 30 September 1761. |
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c.1892 |
John West, formerly of the Parish of How [Hoe?] late of Market Dereham, both in the county of Norfolk, Miller, a prisoner for debt in the Castle of Norwich. London Gazette - 7-11th April 1761 |
To be SOLD by AUCTION Friday 10 December 1773 at the George Inn, Dereham 6 Acres of Land (more or less) ... opposite the Windmill in East Dereham aforesaid ... Norfolk Chronicle - 4th December 1773 |
Claim 156: Thomas Grounds claimed amongst other premises and lands a messuage with a windmill, outhouses, etc. in the occupation of John Norton. Enclosure Award - 1815 |
To be Sold by Private Contract. A new built brick Messuage and Flour Shop situate next the road leading from East Dereham to Elmham, together with a capital Post Windmill, with one pair of French stones, and now in full trade, with round house, barn, stable, warehouse, granary, cow-house and other outbuildings, situate in East Dereham in Norfolk, now in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Norton, who is about retiring from business. The premises have possessed an established trade for upwards of thirty years, and for the last five has had a Baking Trade annexed, and is situated about a furlong from the town. Possession may be had at Michaelmas next. Norfolk Chronicle - 26th July 1834 |
To be Sold by Private Contract. A capital Post Windmill, situate next the road leading from East Dereham to Elmham. |
Tithe Award 1840 Map. Pratt & Son, Surveyors, Norwich, 1839 |
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| Owner: Occupier: |
Samuel Norton William Chapman |
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| No. 286 | Mill & Yard | 0a. 1r. 24p. | £1 | |
To Millers & others. |
John Norton married Henrietta (née Howard) and they had a son, Samuel Norton, who was baptised in July 1800. Samuel Norton married Mary Elvin. |
Dereham To Millers To be Sold by Private Contract A substantial new built Brick & Tiled Messuage or Dwelling House comprising … pleasantly situated next the Road leading from East Dereham to Elmham together with a capital Post Windmill with one pair of French stones & now in full trade, with roundhouse, barn, stable, warehouse, granary, cow house, piggeries & other convenient outbuildings, garden & land to the same adjoining, situate in East Dereham in Norfolk, now in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Norton who is retiring from business. Also a substantial Cottage adjoining the above Premises, with coal house & outbuildings in the occupation of William Ketteringham. The Premises are most desirably situated for Trade & will be found well worthy of notice possessing an established trade for upwards of 30 years & for the last five has had a Baking Trade annexed, is situated about a furlong from the town & Possession may be had at Michaelmas next. Also a Piece of excellent Arable Land situate on Toftwood Common in East Dereham aforesaid containing by admeasurement one acre two roods & 24 perches. The Premises (except 0a. 3r. 28p. part of the piece of Land on Toftwood Common which is Freehold) are Copyhold of the Manor of Dearham of the Queen. Apply to Mr. Samuel Norton who will shew the Premises. The Purchaser may be accommodated with a sum of money to remain on security of the Premises. Norfolk Chronicle - 26th July & 9th August 1834 |
John Armes, formerly of Quebec Mill, Parish of East Dereham, Norfolk, first a miller and then a miller & baker and now of Baxter Row in the said Parish, baker & dealer in flour. An insolvent Debtor. To appear at the County Court of Norfolk at East Dereham 5 April next. |
John Armes, formerly of Quebec Mill, Parish of East Dereham, Norfolk. |
Valuable Post Mill, Eleven Cottages & Piece of Arable Land Producing altogether an annual rental of £105.16s.0d. per annum. East Dereham Wm. Spelman & Sons Have received instructions from the Executors of Mr. Samuel Norton deceased to Sell by Auction at the Kings Arms Inn, East Dereham on Friday May 18, 1860 at 3 for 4 o’c the following desirable Property situate at East Dereham Lot 1. A POST WINDMILL, commodious Residence with Cottage, small Bake-office, Pollard Granary, Stable, Cart shed & other out-buildings situate in the Quebec Road. The Mill drives two pair of French Stones, has a spacious round-house, patent sails (nearly new), winding tackle, flour mill etc. The Premises from their contiguity to the town are remarkably well adapted for a retail trade & the whole are in good repair. The above is in the occupation of Mr. R.C. Howlett & his under-tenants under a lease which will expire at Michaelmas 1863 at a rental of £60 per annum. The above is Copyhold of the Manor of East Dereham of the Queen except the Mill Tackle etc. which is of the nature of personal property. Also a PIECE of FREEHOLD LAND adjoining the above occupied by Mr. Scraggs. Particulars of Messrs. Norton & Reeve, Solrs. Lowestoft, & the Auctioneers, Norwich & Yarmouth. Norfolk Chronicle - 5th & 12th May 1860 & Norfolk News - 28th April & 5th & 12th May 1860 |
Quebec Road. East Dereham Messrs. Spelman have received instructions to Sell by Auction on Friday July 25, 1862 at 3 or 4 o’c at the Kings Arms Inn, East Dereham a POST WINDMILL drives 2 pairs French stones, has a spacious roundhouse, patent sails, winding tackle, flour mill etc. A Commodious Residence with Cottage, Bake office, Granary, ????? Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 5th, 12th & 19th July 1862 |
Sale of Pleasantly situated Freehold Property Lot 1. Two recently & substantially built Brick & Slate semi-detached spacious HOUSES, each house containing Entrance Hall, Drawing room, Dining room, large Kitchen, Store room, Scullery, Coal house, Dustbin, Privy, Three Bedrooms, Two Dressing rooms. Grass Plat & Flower Garden at the front & small Garden at the back, situate next the Quebec Road on the east, adjoining property belonging to the late Mr. Rix’s Executors on the South & West & Lot 2 on the North; now in the occupation of Miss Clarke & Mrs. Nicholson, at the annual aggregate rent of £37. Freehold. N.B. The wall dividing this Lot from the late Mr. Rix’s property belongs to & will be sold with this Lot. Possession of this Lot on completion of the purchase. Lot 2. All that Brick & Tile MESSUAGE containing Sitting room, Parlour, Two Kitchens, Store room, Scullery, Washhouse, Privy, Four Bedrooms, Two dressing rooms, Bake Office, Flour Chamber; POST WINDMILL in good working condition, Stables, spacious Cart Shed, Piggeries & other Outbuildings, situate next Lot 1 on the South, on the West & North by property belonging to the Executors of the late Mr. Rix & the late Rev. Frost, now in the occupation of Mr. Howlett, Annual Rent £40. Freehold. This Lot is sold subject to the Life Interest of Mr. Howlett, the present occupier, whose age is 62. N.B. Both Lots are amply supplied with water from the Waterworks the gulleys, cisterns & drains all new, recently & efficiently completed by the Local Board of East Dereham. T. Cranmer is honoured with instructions from the Trustees of the late Mr. Edgar Smith to Sell by Auction at the Kings Arms Hotel, East Dereham on Wednesday July 20, 1887. Sale at 4 for 5 o’c precisely. Particulars & Conditions of Sale to be obtained of Messrs. Pearce Paris & Smith, Vendors’ Solicitors, Southampton & of the Auctioneer. Also Lynn Advertiser same dates. Norfolk Chronicle & Lynn Advertiser - 9th & 16th July 1887 |
Thos. Cranmer’s sale, 20 July 1887 By order of the Executors of the late Mr. Edgar Smith. Brick & tile messuage and post windmill, in good working condition, stables and outbuildings, situate next Lot 1 (i.e. two houses in Quebec Road) now in the occupation of Mr. Howlett; annual rent £40. This lot sold subject to the life interest of Mr. Howlett, the present occupier, whose age is 62. Sold to Mr. Robert S. Howlett for £120 Note. Robert S. Howlett appears to have mortgaged the property, but to have defaulted in respect of repayment. Property sold 10 October 1891 on instructions from the mortgagee. Dereham & Fakenham Times - 23rd July 1887 |
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1884 site map |
Wandering about without any special motive, we found ourselves in the outskirts of the place. Seeing a windmill a little way off, we made for this in the hope of obtaining a view of the surrounding country, for experience has taught us that, as a rule, from the spot whereupon a windmill stands a good view may be had. These structures when possible are placed upon a height and as buildings and trees obstruct their motive power, their immediate surroundings are mostly open, so that there is nothing to interrupt the prospect. This mill was one of the picturesque, if not profitable, old-fashioned sort, the whole structure turning on a pivot. We noticed that the front which of necessity has to face the wind and storms was weather-stained and its painting faded: the contrast of the of the windward side with the other was most marked, yet though I have seen many of these old mills in pictures (for they are favourite subjects with artists) never have I noticed any attention paid to this face. A Tour in a Phaeton through Eastern Counties - James John Hissey 1889 |
Quebec Road, East Dereham T.H. Warren Is instructed by the mortgagee to Sell by Auction at the Kings Arms Hotel, East Dereham on Wednesday 7 October all that Freehold Brick & Tiled DWELLING HOUSE With the usual offices, POST WIND-MILL, BAKE OFFICE, Flour Chamber & other outbuildings now in the occupation of Mr. Howlett. Particulars in due course of Messrs. Barton & Vores, Solicitors East Dereham & of the Auctioneer, St. Nicholas’ Hall, East Dereham Lynn Advertiser - 19th & 26th September & 3rd October 1891 |
Mr. T.H. Warren, instructed by the mortgagee offered for sale at the King’s Arms Hotel on Wednesday freehold property situate next the Quebec Road, East Dereham, comprising brick & tiled dwelling house, post windmill with two pairs of stones, bake office with 30 stone oven, flour chamber, stables, cart sheds, piggeries and other outbuildings, now in the occupation of Mr. R. Howlett. Sold to Mr. George Barton of the King’s Arms Hotel for £420. Messrs. Barton & Vores were the solicitors for the mortgagee. |
The octagonal roundhouse remained as a storehouse for another fifty years or so after the mill was dismantled. Nelson Secker, Dereham - 4th March 1978 |
I have read the materiel set out on your web site and there are references to my ancestors John Norton and son Samuel as the family came from East Dereham. Subsequently, my great grandfather (Charles Daniel Norton) came from the hamlet of Hoe, Norfolk where the family farmed before Charles ended up in South Wales where he became a very succesful self made business man/farmer. Graham Norton MRTPI - 4th August 2020 |
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O.S. Map 1882 Courtesy of NLS map images |
1250: Windmill recorded in a survey undertaken by Hugh de Norwold, Bishop of Ely Map of Commons & Waste Lands 1781: Postmill on roundhouse. Map dated by Dr. Puddy Faden's map 1797: Mill Enclosure Award 1815: Thomas Grounds, owner; John Norton, occupier 1822: John Norton, miller Index of wills 1830: John Norton, miller Pigot's 1830: Samuel Norton, miller, Pound st 1834: Samuel Norton, miller White's 1845: John Armes, corn miller, Mill Lane
White's 1854: Robert C. Howlett, corn miller, Quebec Rd
1875: Robert Curry Howlett, miller Kelly's 1879: William Miles, miller, Quebec Rd c.1893: Mill demolished c.1900: Mill site bought by J.P. Bradley, ironmonger, who built houses on it c.1982: Site of mill within gardens of 37A/B, Quebec Road; Mill House renamed Brinkley, 37 Quebec Road |
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 TF98751380 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005 |