c.1910
Emneth towermill |
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c.1910 |
Emneth towermill was built at Gaultree in 1832 for William Forth. The mill used one pair of single and one pair of double shuttered patent sails to power 2 pairs of French burr stones and 1 pair of Peak stones, a cylinder and a dressing machine. The mill had a 10 bladed fan set on an ogee cap with a petticoat and a prominent ball finial. |
Although steam power was used on the site in later years, the steam mill was in a separate building and the windmill was only ever worked by wind. |
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Tithe map 1844 - as redrawn by Harry Apling |
Harry Apling added the school and house from the 1955 O.S. map and these relate to a case at Norwich Assizes on 31st March 1860. It was said that miller claimed that the building of the new school house robbed him of his wind. Presumably this was the National School built in 1859. The miller at the time was Joseph Webb. |
Tithe Award 1844 |
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No. 232 |
Cottages, Yards, etc. |
Arable |
1a. 0r. 30p. |
7s. |
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Thomas Hodson at the Queens Head, Emneth in the County of Norfolk on Thursday the 18th October, 1863 at six for seven o'clock in the evening. All that Freehold Brick Tower Corn Windmill with Patent Sails, 3 pairs Stones & other going gear complete, situate in the centre of Emneth Gaultree next the public highway & also that Dwelling House & Shop with bakehouse & oven, Stable & other Outbuiildings & all that newly erected Cottage near adjoining, together with about 30 acres of land & garden ground upon which the mill & house are built, situate at the Gaultree aforesaid next the highway south & west, the cottage & land of John Jenkinson north & the Queens Head east. |
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| Wisbech, 21.9.1863 | G. & F. M. Metcalf Solrs. Wisbech |
| Wisbech Advertiser - 21st September 1863 | |
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12th August 1935 |
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Thomas Berry at the Public Hall, Wisbech on 24 September 1874 at 3 o'c in the afternoon precisely. Brick Tower & Wind Corn Mill with Patent Sails, 2 pairs French Stones & one pair grey stones, cylinder, Dressing machine & other going gear complete, situate in the middle of Emneth Gaultree next the public highway, & all that Dwelling House. The above premises are now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas King. F. M. & F. Metcalfe Wisbech Advertiser - 8th September 1874 |
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9th April 1939 |
Wanted immediately by a pork butcher, miller & baker, a Strong Lad as apprentice, not under 17. Apply to Wm. Racey, Miller, Emneth, Wisbech. Lynn Advertiser - 8th & 15th May 1875 |
It was said that miller claimed that the building of the new school house robbed him of his wind. Presumably this was the National School built in 1859. The miller at the time was Joseph Webb. |
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9th April 1939 |
Kelly's directory of 1900 lists William Thomas Racey as baker, grocer & Post office with James Frederick Racey as having taken over the running of the mill. |
A datestone case. In the |
W. F. 1832 |
was originally set into the mill tower, but it was later removed and turned into a clock 1980s it was in the possession of Mrs. Thomas of the garage in Emneth. |
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O. S. Map 1886 Courtesy of NLS map images |
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1832: Mill built for William Forth
snr White's 1836: William Forth snr, corn miller & baker White's 1845: William Forth, miller, baker & shopkeeper 1846: William Forth snr, miller 1853: William Forth jnr, miller White's 1854: William Forth, corn miller & grocer 1858: Joseph Webb, miller also at Emneth smockmill September 1863: Mill advertised for sale by auction White's 1864: Joseph Webb, corn miller also at Emneth smockmill 1865: Joseph Webb, corn miller also at Emneth smockmill 1868: Thomas Burton, miller & baker 1872: Thomas Burton, miller & baker 1874: Thomas King, miller September 1874: Mill advertised for sale by auction 1875: William Racey, miller, baker & pork butcher 1878: William George Shepherd, miller White's 1888: William George Shepherd, corn miller Kelly's 1892: William George Shepherd, miller (wind) 1895: Mill tower heightened by one storey Kelly's 1896: William Racey, baker, grocer, miller (wind), Post office Kelly's 1900: James Frederick Racey, miller (wind) Kelly's 1904: James Frederick Racey, miller (wind) Kelly's 1908: James Frederick Racey, miller (wind & steam) & baker Sunday 22nd February 1908: Mill damaged in a severe gale and caught fire Kelly's 1912: James Frederick Racey, miller (wind & steam) 1912: Sails removed after a fire at the mill caused by a paraffin tank that was situated below the sails Kelly's 1916: James Frederick Racey, miller (steam) Kelly's 1922: James Frederick Racey, miller (steam) Kelly's 1925: James Frederick Racey, miller (steam) Kelly's 1929: James Frederick Racey & Sons, millers (steam). T. N. Wisbech 99 Kelly's 1933: James Frederick Racey & Sons, millers (steam) Kelly's 1937: James Frederick Racey, miller (steam) 1947: Mill tower, still being used as a granary, was demolished |
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| Nat Grid Ref TF49550707 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007 |