Fakenham smockmill stood near the Holt Road and was probably built on the site of an earlier postmill. The wooden tower was built over a 10 sided brick base that incorporated the ground and first floors. The mill used patent sails set on a cast iron windshaft, to power 2 pairs of French burr stones, a flour mill and jumper. As the mill only worked for around 12 years before being demolished, it is possible that it was destroyed by fire.

Notice re
Samuel Brett of Fakenham, Miller & Baker
Deed of Assignment for Benefit of Creditors
Fakenham 24 May 1824
Robert Cates
Solr. to the Trustee
Norfolk Chronicle - 28th May 1836

FAKENHAM To Millers
To be Sold by Auction on Thursday 21 July 1836 at the Crown Inn Fakenham at 5 o'c Unless previously disposed of by Private Contract. A Capital Framed TOWER CORN WINDMILL situate at Fakenham in Norfolk late in the occupation of Mr. Brett, which drives two pair of French Stones, with patent sails, going gears, flour mill, jumper, cast iron wind shaft & fixtures complete. The Mill is recently built, superiorly constructed & in excellent repair & may remain in its present situation (where the occupier can be accommodated with a Granary & Flour house) for a term of years or be removed at the option of the Purchaser.
Apply to Mr. Ransom, Solr. Holt or Mr. Cates, Solr. Fakenham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th July 1836

Tithe Award 1846
Map, F. Tinkley, Surveyor, Fakenham 1844
Owner: King Readwin
Occupier: do

TITLE TO A BRICK TOWER WINDMILL COPYHOLD OF THE MANOR OF FAKENHAM LANCASTER

ABSTRACT of Title of William Youard

George Butler takes property under sale by the Commissioners

under a Commission of Bankruptcy against Richard Catton (previous owner)

George Butler, Brisley, Shopkeeper sells property for £210 to Richard King Readwin

1818: Richard Catton, owner (possibly earlier postmill)

12th July 1819: George Butler buys mill from bankruptcy commisssioners re. Richard Catton

10th July 1822: Richard King Readwin bought mill from George Butler for £210

c.1835: Smockmill built

White's 1836: Samuel Brett, corn miller & baker, Swan St

July 1836: Mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

White's 1845: Richard Readwin, corn miller (Richard King Readwin)

Tithe award 1846: King Readwin, miller

c. 1848: Mill demolished and rebuilt as Fakenham towermill

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007