Fairstead post mill stood just to the east of Fairstead Farm and in the 1700s was standing on the south side of Gaywood Common. A horse mill was also worked on the premises.

The mill had possibly ceased to work around 1886 as the internal machinery was advertised for sale in early 1887. However, it could well be that the machinery did not sell and the mill continued working for some years.

The Creditors of William Lubbock late of Gaywood, Miller, to meet at the Globe Inn, Kings Lynn, on Tuesday 11 February at 11 o'c to take into consideration the State of his affairs ...
Kings Lynn, January 29, 1800.
Norfolk Chronicle - 1st February 1800

Tithe Award 1839
Map 1838
Owner: Richard Bagge
Occupier: George Batch Plowright

GAYWOOD
To Millers To be Let by Private Contract Either from year to year or for a term of years
All that CORN WIND MILL & HORSE MILL with the Machinery & other Apparatus thereto belonging & also the Dwelling House, Stable, Buildings & Pieces of Land thereto adjoining, containing altogether by estimation (with the site of the Buildings) 5 acres & 2 roods (more or less) situate in Gaywood, Norfolk.
The above are very desirable Premises & are in excellent order & are within 2 miles of the Town & Port of Kings Lynn.
Apply to Mr. Edward Lane Swatman, Solr. Kings Lynn.
Dated 6 January 1847.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th January 1847

Robert Atmore, now or late of Gaywood, Co. of Norfolk, Miller, declared bankrupt. To surrender 10 November inst. at the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall Street, London.
London Gazette - 2nd November 1852

GAYWOOD FAIRSTEAD MILL
For sale by tender, the inside machinery of the said mill, consisting of 3 pairs of stones, viz., 2 pair of best French Burr, and 1 pair of best Derbyshire Peak, together with a large spur wheel, upright shaft, and all other connections and motions for a mill calculated to do extensive business.
The mill may be seen on application to Mr. Dewing on the premises; and all other information will be supplied on application to -
J. A. Turnbull,
Bailiff,  Fairstead Farm
Lynn Advertiser - 19th & 26th February 1887

Whilst researching my wife's family tree I found that the 1897 List of Electors for Norfolk, North Western Division records Horace Martin Wilkin (entry L241) as living at London Road, Lynn, and the Qualifying Property as Fairstead mill. I assume that he must have purchased the mill and leased it to William Tinkler.
Ernie Hobbs - 3rd January 2017

White's 1845: Matthew Tennant, corn miller (also at Almshouse Lane towermill)

1846: Matthew Tennant, miller (also at Almshouse Lane towermill)

1847: Mill advertised to be let

1850: Tennant & Savory, millers (also at Almshouse Lane towermill)

1852: Robert Atmore, miller, declared bankrupt

1853: Matthew Tennant, miller (also at Almshouse Lane towermill)

1858: George William Robinson, miller

1863: Edward Dewing, miller

Kelly's 1879: Edward Dewing, miller

White's 1883: Edward Dewing, corn miller

February 1887: Mill machinery advertised for sale by tender

1888: Edward Dewing, miller

O.S. map 1888-1890: Old Windmill

Kelly's 1896: William Tinker, miller (wind), baker & farmer

List of Electors 1897: Martin Wilkin - possible mill owner

Kelly's 1900: William Tinkler, miller (wind), baker, farmer & corn & flour dealer, Gaywood mill

Kelly's 1904: William Tinker, baker & farmer, Gaywood mill

Kelly's 1904: Alfred May, farmer, Fairstead Mill house

O.S. map 1904: Old Windmill

Kelly's 1922: Alfred May, farmer, Fairstead Mill house

1983: Mill site known as Postmill, Fairstead Estate

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006