c.1915
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Gissing postmill
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c.1915
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Gissing post mill stood in Rectory Road, Hall Green. The mill had a dressed flint roundhouse that was plastered inside, a full width balcony porch with a leanto roof and an eight bladed fan set on a tailpole with a two wheeled carriage. The four double shuttered sails had 7 bays of 3 shutters and 7 bays of 2 shutters and drove 3 pairs of French burr stones. However, only one pair of 5 ft stones were listed in 1811. |
| Rex Wailes reported the following structural facts: Body had full width balcolny porch Roundhouse plastered inside Crosstrees 16 ins. by 13 ins. deep Fantail drive by bevel to two cart wheels 5 ft in diameter Sails had clamps 22 ft by 10 ft 6 ins Wooden windshaft 16 ins diameter with cast iron poll end to carry sails Tail wheel driving stones in rear of mill; had been recogged in 1886 & cogs still sound in 1926 One pair of 5 ft diameter overdriven stones in breast of mill with glut box Two pairs of underdriven stones in tail of mill Bell alarm mounted on pivoted lever & operated by the wallower cogs Sack hoist from tail wheel & then by a single slack chain Dated W.F. 1778 |
Gissing Manorial Rolls hold a record that on 14th March 1800, John Harrison, a carpenter of Gissing was granted permission to enclose and build on a section of waste land, 7 rods by 10 rods. |
By 1873 a steam powered mill was also working on the same site powering an additional two pairs of stones. At some point between 1904 and 1922 the steam engine was replaced by an oil engine. |
To Farmers, Millers etc. A Farm & Windmill at Gissing, Norfolk (With possession at Michaelmas next) To be Sold by Auction By Thos. Calver On Thursday 15 August 1811 At the Ram Inn, Tivetshall, Norfolk, at 3 o’c Unless sooner disposed of by private contract, of which due notice will be given. All that desirable little FARM in the occupation of Mr. Wm. Womack the proprietor at Gissing aforesaid who has purchased a larger farm & which is the cause of his changing his residence), consisting of a convenient dwelling house, barn, stable, cow house & other outbuildings in good repair & about 30 acres of rich arable & pasture land. Also a capital post windmill with a pair of 5 foot French Stones, flour mill & going gears at a short distance from the farm, which will be sold together or separately as may be agreed upon at the place of sale. The purchaser may have immediate possession of the mill. The above estate is situated within seven miles of Harleston & seven from Diss, two good corn markets & one mile from the turnpike road leading from Norwich to Ipswich. Apply to Mr. Wm. Brooke, Attorney, Kenninghall, to Mr. Wm. Womack on the premises or to the Auctioneer, Shimpling, Norfolk. |
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Mill working c.1920 |
Situations Vacant TO MILLERS Wanted, a Married Man as MILLER. Wind & Steam. Apply John Brooke, Gissing, Diss. Norfolk News - 14th September 1872 |
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1923 |
c.1923 |
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c.1923 |
| Gissing near Diss Valuable Wind & Steam Mills, Land, Dwelling house & Three Cottages Gaze & Symonds have received instructions from the Proprietor, Mr. John Read Brooke to Sell by Auction on Friday 7 March 1879 at the Crown Hotel, Diss at 4 for 5 o’c, in two Lots, the following Property Lot 1. A capital POST WIND MILL (with Round House) driving three pairs of French Stones. STEAM MILL with excellent Machinery & Fittings driving two pairs of French Stones, convenient Foreman’s Cottage, Garden, well arranged Granaries, Stables, cart sheds, Outhouses & Piggeries & about 5a.1r.0p. of deep soil Arable LAND. Lot 2. A capital DWELLING HOUSE with Bake house, Granary, Piggeries & Outhouses. Also three COTTAGES with Sheds & Offices, Yard, & Garden. The above Properties are in the occupation of Mr. J.R. Brooke & others & immediate possession may be had except of the Cottages. Particulars of T.W. Salmon, Esq. Solr. Diss & of the Auctioneers, Thornham Parva near Eye & Bottesdale. Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd February & 1st March 1879 |
It (Diss_Heywood_towermill) was run by the Ellis family of Holly Farm until about 1875, when Mr. John Brooke, whose father had the post-mill at Gissing, married into the family and moved into Holly Farm. He ran the mill for Mrs. Sarah Ellis for several years until it finished work, & continued to farm there afterwards. Diss Antiquarian Society News Sheet - Autumn 1973 |
7 Occupier John Brooke Owner do House & Land Rateable Value £11 Rate 1s. 9d. = 19s. 3d. 8 Occupier John Brooke Owner do Mill Rateable Value £10 Rate 1s. 9d. = 17s. 6d. Rate Book - 16th May 1839 |
Situations Vacant To Journeymen Millers Wanted, a respectable married Man to work a windmill. Apply personally to Mr. J. Brook, Gissing near Diss. Norfolk News - 3rd October 1857 |
Situations Vacant TO MILLERS Wanted, a Married Man who well understands the trade. Apply to Mr. Brooke. Norfolk News - 13th August 1864 |
Melancholy Accident On Friday afternoon Arthur, a little boy 6 years of age & son of Mr. J. Brooke, Miller & baker, Gissing, met with a fatal accident. (Pulled down a cup of boiling water scalding face & chest) Norfolk News - 23rd January 1869 |
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William Samuel Barber, b.1837 worked as a miller or journeyman miller at several mills: |
Miscellaneous To be Sold by Private Contract A SEVEN HORSE POWER Portable STEAM ENGINE, with Barn Works, Straw Elevator ... All in good working order. Enquire of John Brooke, Miller, Gissing. Norfolk News - 1st June 1872 |
Situations Vacant To Millers WANTED, Married MAN who understands his Business. Wind & Steam. Apply to John Brooke, Gissing, Diss. Norfolk News - 6th Setember 1873 |
INQUEST AT GISSING |
An inquest was held yesterday, before Mr R T Culley, Deputy County Coroner, on the body of Mr Thomas Garrod, a miller residing in the parish, aged thirty seven years, who was found dead on Wednesday last, suspended by the neck to a beam in the chaff-house, and on being cut down life was found to be extinct. The deceased appeared to have been upset lately in consequence of business matters, and he had expressed a fear that he should lose what money he was possessed of. After hearing the evidence of Mr Farringdon of Diss, Surgeon, and the several other witnesses, the jury were satisfied the deceased was not in his right mind at the time he committed the act, and they returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind". Eastern Daily Press - 17th February 1877 |
On 29th April 1881, the Diss Express reported that at the Diss Petty Assizes, John Read Brooke, late overseer for the parish of Gissing was charged by the District Auditor for not paying £33.11.5d to the treasurer of Depwade Union. Brooke admitted the charge but said he has no money ...having given over everything to Trustees for benefit of creditors. He was told to pay plus interest of £1.6.6d or go to Norwich Castle for two months. |
29 Occupier Henry W. Harris, Senior Owner Henry W. Harris, Junior House & Mill, Hall Green Rateable Value £14 Rate 1s. 8d. for half year = £1. 3s. 4d. Collected 11s. 8d. November 1899 & February 1900 Rate Book - 8th November 1899 |
30 Occupier Henry W. Harris, Senior Owner Henry W. Harris, Junior House & Mill, Hall Green Rateable Value £14 Rate 1s. 1d. per quarter = £1. 10s. 4d. for half year Collected 15s. 2d. May & August 1901 Rate Book - 8th May 1901 |
The Court Record of 24th September 1886 states that on 13th August 1886, John Norman of Gissing and his wife Hannah Lydia (née Hannah Lydia Brooke – daughter of John Read Brooke) came before Deputy Steward and Manorial Rolls. Court of 7th November 1892: John Simpson Brooke, farmer, Diss, comes forward as the son of John Read Brooke deceased seeking copyhold of the land to which his father had been admitted on 10th August 1871 (was actually the 18th August but dates are commonly muddled up). Said to be a parcel of the waste, 7 roods by 10 roods and a certain windmill thereon lately erected and built (late of William Birch Womack). He seems to have been given the copyhold. His father would have been 67 at this time. John Simpson Brooke produces a Deed of Enfranchisement. It goes on to say This indenture made on 7th December 1892 between William Pinder Evasley (Barrister, Norwich) and the Rev Lewis Evans of Truro House, St Germains Place, Blackheath of the first part, Sir Kenneth Hanger Kemp of the second part and John Simpson Brooke of the third part ….. There then follows a very long entry (Pages 41 to 48) discussing the will of the late Sir Wm Kemp and quotes Section 11.8 of the Copyhold Act of 1852. What it seems to boil down to is that Brooke pays £28.16.8d to get the freehold. (Evasley and Evans are Trustees of the Lord of the Manor). Bill Cattell - 20th March 2006 |
Death of Mr. H. W. Harris |
Much regret will be felt at the death of Mr Harris, of the Mill, Gissing, who passed away on Wednesday morning last, some time since developed heart trouble and was obliged to retire from active life. He was a familiar figure at Diss Market and by his strict integrity and upright dealings won the esteem of a large circle. In addition to carrying on the milling business, Mr Harris held the offices of assistant overseer, collector of taxes and clerk to the Parish Council. He was a life long member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and was devoted to all sections of it’s work being for a long period a most acceptable local preacher; his sound common sense, united with a shrewd and keen observation and a deep and sincere Christianity, always made a lasting impression on those who heard him. He will be greatly missed in the work of the Diss Wesleyan Circuit. While deeply attached to the church to which he belonged, he was very broad minded and took a sincere interest in anything which would help or serve others and by his kind and practical advice he has helped many. Mr Harris married a daughter of the late Mr J Flogdell and leaves three sons and two daughters to all of whom much sympathy will be extended. The funeral will take place at the Wesleyan Chapel, Gissing tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.30 Diss Express & Norfolk & Suffolk Journal - 9th November 1923 |
| It was noted that 4 of Henry Harris' sons actually attended his funeral. |
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c.1928 |
c.1928 |
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Windshaft, sack hoist and stone tuns - c.1928 |
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Fantail trolley - c.1928 |
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Steps trolley - c.1928 |
Gissing ... on the Tivetshall side of the village, is a derelict postmill, the steps of which have a pair of small carrier wheels to themselves, the fantail being mounted on a separate framework with two large wheels, one of which is driven through a toothring on the side of its periferary, whilst the other runs free ... In Search of English Windmills - Hopkins & Freese, 1931 |
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Demolition in 1930 |
On 19th April 1924 Esther Ann Harris and Henry Adolph Harris obtained a mortgage from the Waveney Valley Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society. Esther Ann Harris was the widow of William Whitaker Harris jnr and would have been aged 63 at this time but went on to live until she was at least 80. Henry Adolph Harris was her son. It is said that Henry Adolph Harris died of miller’s lung. |
Kathleen McKinnon came to see us in July 1993 to have a look around the Mill House. She was a free-lance writer, mostly of poetry, but also of prose. Her interest was that she had lived at the Mill some 70 years before when aged between 3 and 5 years old. The last miller, Henry Harris, was her grandfather. This means she must have been there in the early 20s when the mill was still functional. Mrs McKinnon has written two books - Quiet Ways in 1991 and The Inner Garden in 1992. These are mostly verse but also have articles about Gissing and the Mill. She also expanded on her memories when she visited and in later correspondence. Why she was staying with her grandparents is unclear, but she did go to the local school for a time so it must have been more than just a short visit. In “Sails in the Wind,“ her first book, she describes the activity at the mill and their dependence on the wind. In fact, by then there was an engine in the outbuildings with a huge chimney to supplement wind power. She recollects sitting in the kitchen, which we agreed is now the bathroom, with an adjacent pantry. She describes a “red uneven floor,“ and , interestingly, the entrance hall still has a red tile floor. Each morning, the day began with prayers in the kitchen. Her grandparents were Chapel folk, and Mrs McKinnon recalls visiting ministers/preachers being entertained for Sunday lunch or tea in the Mill House. She described a pond with watercress which is marked on maps, but now filled in. There is still a heavy iron ring where it was, to tether horses brought to drink. Watercress needs clear running water, so there must have been a decent stream there where there is now a muddy ditch. Near the pond was a kitchen garden and in between the two, an outside loo. There is description of bantam hens, tethered goats and milking cows on the property but this may be artistic licence as she later spoke of going each day to collect milk from a local farm. Her grandfather had a pony and trap on which she would go to the weekly Diss Market. Most social activity was based on Gissing with frequent visits to the village shop – still there but no longer a shop. On Christmas Eve, her grandfather had a party for the village children with a proper Christmas tree. Occasionally there were trips to Norwich. This meant cycling on the back of her aunt’s bike to Tivetshall Station (long gone) and then train to Norwich. In The Inner Garden she describes visiting what she calls the Snowdrop Island, but which we call the Snowdrop Wood, sited where the original Hall was. Her description of “crawling across a slimy, lichen covered tree trunk“ to get there is as true today as it was 70 years ago, as indeed is her description of the wood. She tells of collecting bunches of snowdrops enhanced by sprigs of box wood to distribute around the village. Her description in this article of gathering flowers in season to decorate the church is really charming and floral decoration of the church is still as active today. What she could not, or would not talk about was the demise of the Mill about which I have still not got details. She said her grandfather died of “Miller’s lung”, but I am not too sure when. The last dated photos I have seen of the Mill were taken in 1923. Bill Cattell - 21st March 2006 |
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O. S. Map 1904 Courtesy of NLS map images |
1800: Mill built on land enclosed by John Harrison of Gissing 1802: Charles (or Samuel) Sewell, miller March 1804: William Womack , miller (or William Burch or Birch Wormack or Wm Beauchamp Womack) 1811: William Womack, miller August 1811: Mill advertised for sale by auction April 1815: John Brooke, miller December 1821: John Brooke acquired waste land east of Long Row Bryant's map 1826: Windmill Greenwood's map 1834: Windmill White's 1836: John Brook, corn miller & baker Tithe Agreement 29th July 1839: Mill and yard occupied by Sir William Kemp - Lord of the Manor (owner)
White's 1845: John Brook, miller & baker
Kelly's 1854: John Brooke, baker, farmer & miller White's 1854: John Brooke jnr, miller & baker
White's 1864: John Read Brooke, corn miller & baker Diss Express 28th August 1867: John Brooke advertised for a miller or baker January 1869: John Brooke jnr's son Arthur died in an accident with boiling water 28th August 1870: John Brooke snr died
1871: William Samuel Barber, miller (journeyman miller employee) Manorial Roll Court 18th August 1871: John Read Brooke obtains copyhold of mill and land east of Long Row June 1872: Portable steam engine advertised for sale 30th September 1873: John Brooke jnr jnr married Elizabeth Pugsey 1875: John Stimpson Brooke, miller Manorial Roll Court 12th October 1876: John Read Brooke surrenders land east of Long Row for £10 February 1877: Thomas Garrod, a miller was found hanged in the chaff house 1878: John Stimpson Brooke, miller Kelly's 1879: John Read Brooke, miller February 1879: Postmill and steam mill advertised for sale by auction
White's 1883: Henry Harrison, miller
Manorial Roll Court 7th November 1892: John Simpson Brooke applies for copyhold of the mill and land Kelly's 1892: Henry Whitaker Harris, miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1896: Henry Whitaker Harris snr, miller (wind & steam) Rate Book 8th November 1899: Owner: Henry W. Harris jnr; Occupier: Henry W. Harris snr Kelly's 1900: Henry Whitaker Harris snr, miller (wind & steam) Rate Book 8th May 1901: Owner: Henry W. Harris jnr; Occupier: Henry W. Harris snr
Kelly's 1904: Henry Whitaker Harris jnr, miller (wind & steam), assistant overseer & clerk to Parish Council Kelly's 1908: Henry Whitaker Harris jnr, miller (wind & oil), assistant overseer & clerk to Parish Council Valuation Book 11th August 1910: Henry Whitaker Harris of the Mills, Gissing, owner
7th November 1923: Henry Whitaker Harris died c.1924: Mill ceased working with wind
Kelly's 1925: Henry Adolph Harris, miller (oil) & collector of taxes 1926: Mill ceased working
1930: Mill dismantled |
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 TM15068545 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006 |