Gressenhall
smockmill

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Gressenhall smockmill stood in Bittering Street to the rear of its own mill cottages, possibly on the site of an earlier postmill. The mill had two pairs of stones, a flour mill and jumper. A bake office was operated on the premises. The mill was on occasions worked in conjuction with the nearby Gressenhall_watermill.


Michael Hardy had been involved with miling for some years by the time he built Dereham_towermill in 1836. In 1819 he owned and ran Mattishall_Norwich_Rd_smockmill and in 1829 he started to run the newly built Gressenhall smockmill and in 1836 he was also running Ovington old postmill.

West Norfolk Electoral Register 1835 - Hundred of Launditch, BEETLEY
No. 4867 Hardy Michael, Beetley. Freehold house and windmill. Near the Nursery ground.


To be Sold or Let. A capital Smock Windmill driving two pair of stones, with Baking Office, and a convenient Dwelling House adjoining, now in full trade and eligibly situate near the Fairstead, at Gressenhall, Norfolk. For Price, or Rent, and further particulars apply to Mr. M. Hardy on the Premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 3rd, 10th & 17th December 1836


Sale of Capital Smock Mill, Messuage and outbuildings ‘recently erected smock windmill driving two pairs of stones with flour mill and all requisite machinery situate at Beetley near Gressenhall Fairstead and now in the occupation of George Bayfield.

Same auction:
Sale of newly erected and substantially built brick TOWER_windmill eligibly situate near the Turnpike Road leading from Dereham to Norwich and within ten minutes walk of the Market Place of East Dereham.
Norwich Mercury - 7th December 1837


Mr. Spelman
Respectfully informs the Public that he is instructed to Sell by Auction on Friday 16 February 1844 at 4 o’c at the Kings Arms Inn, East Dereham the following valuable Property
Lot 1.
At WICKLEWOOD
A substantial Brick TOWER_WINDMILL, Dwelling house, Cottage, Stable, Yards and Gardens in the occupation of Mr. Michael Hardy and John Button. The Mill stands remarkably well for wind within equal distances of Wymondham and Hingham, has three floors, Patent Sails, winds herself, dries two pairs of stones, with Flour Mill and Jumpeer and all her going Gears complete and in full Trade.
Lot 2. Cottage ...
Lot 3.
At OVINGTON
A POST_WINDMILL with two pairs of Stones, Flour Mill and going Gears now in full Trade; a Dwelling house and Outbuildings and about 4 acres of Land of good quality, in the occupation of Mr. William Rose.
Mr. Spelman respectively invites the attention of Merchants & Millers to the above valuable Property. The Mills are situate in good Corn districts, within short distances of considerable Market Towns, are surrounded by a large population & present an advantageous opportunity for either Investment or Occupation.
Early Possession of the Whole may be had.
Lot 4.
At GRESSENHALL
A SMOCK WINDMILL with DWELLING-HOUSE, Baking Office, Stable, Garden & piece of Land adjoining, situate at Great Bittering, adjoining the public road & near Gressenhall Fairstead, in the occupation of Mr. John Hannant, whose tenancy expires at Midsummer next.
The Mill winds herself, drives 2 pairs of stonmes, with flour mill, jumper & all her going gears complete.
The Dwelling-House contains ...
The Baking Officce is adapted for carrying on a considerable business & is in full trade.
FREEHOLD. No outgoings.
Lot 5.
At EAST DEREHAM
A most substantially-built BRICK TOWER_WINDMILL, with 5 floors, patent sails, winding herself, driving 2 pairs of stones, flour mill, jumper and most complete machinery; together with a brick and tiled Stable and Cart lodge and a piece of productive Arable LAND adjoining, containing 1a. 3r. 0p. or thereabouts; most eligibly situated, within a short distance of the town and near the turnpike road, now in full trade, and in the occupation of Mr John Ives, Tenant from year to year.
FREEHOLD. No outgoings.
Vendors are Mortgagees with power of Sale.
Mr. Spelman respectively invites the attention of Merchants & Millers to the above valuable Property. The Mills are situate in good Corn districts, within short distances of considerable Market Towns, are surrounded by a large population & present an advantageous opportunity for either Investment or Occupation.
Early Possession of the Whole may be had.
Particulars of Messrs. Goldson, Browne & Carthew, Solrs. Dereham & of Mr. Spelman, St. Giles Street, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 27th January 1844


By auction by Mann & Clarke at the Kings Arms Dereham Thursday 14th December 1837 at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. Sale of Capital Smock Mill, Messuage and outbuildings, recently erected smock windmill driving two pairs of stones with flour mill and all requisite machinery situate at Beetley near Gressenhall Fairstead and now in the occupation of George Bayfield.
For further particulars apply to Mr. Wm. Drake, Solicitor, East Dereham, or to the Auctioneers, Saint Michael at Plea, Norfolk.

Norwich Mercury - 7th December 1837


BEETLEY
Capital Smock WINDMILL, MESSUAGE & OUTBUILDINGS
To be Sold bt Auction by Mann & Clarke at the Kins Arms Inn, East Dereham on Thursday 14 December at 6 o'c.
All that capital Freehold & newly erected & substantially built brick & tiled MESSUAGE or TENEMENT with the Baking-Office & Warehouse & Outbuildings, Yard, Garden & Land thereto belonging & all that recently erected Smock Windmill driving two pair of Stones, with Flour Mill & all requisite Machinery situate at Beetley, near Gressenhall Fairstead & now in the occupation of George Bayfield.
Apply to Mr. Wm. Drake, Solr. East Dereham or the Auctioneers, St. Michael at Plea, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th December 1837


Tithe map 1844
Tithe map 1844 - as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1844
Map, R. B. Coe, Litho. Norwich
Owner: Michael Hardy
Occupier: John Hannant

No. 51

House; Premises & Mill

0a. 1r. 20p.

10s.


Mr. Spelman ... to Sell by Auction on Friday 16 February 1844 at 4 o’c at the Kings Arms Hotel, East Dereham.
Wicklewood
Lot 1. Tower mill
Lot 2. Cottage
Ovington
Lot 3. Post mill
Gressenhall
Lot 4.
A SMOCK WINDMILL with DWELLING-HOUSE, Baking Office, Stable, Garden & piece of Land adjoining, situate at Great Bittering, adjoining the public road & near Gressenhall Fairstead, in the occupation of Mr. John Hannant, whose tenancy expires at Midsummer next.
The Mill winds herself, drives 2 pairs of stonmes, with flour mill, jumper & all her going gears complete.
The Dwelling-House contains ...
The Baking Officce is adapted for carrying on a considerable business & is in full trade.
FREEHOLD. No outgoings.
East Dereham
Lot 5.
A most substantially-built BRICK TOWER WINDMILL
Vendors are Mortgagees with power of Sale.
Norfolk Chronicle - 27th January 1844


On Friday 16th February 1844 the mill was sold by auction at the King's Arms Hotel in East Dereham for £800, the reserve having been £500. The rent being charged at the time was £24 per annum.


On 14th September 1869, Robert Stammers jnr's daughter Harriet Rivett Elizabeth married Arthur Massingham, by license, there being 87 witnesses to the marriage. Arthur was the son of Davey Massingham, bank clerk. Harriet had been baptised in 1827.


TO JOURNEYMEN MILLERS
Wanted, a respectable Married Man as STONEMAN & GENERAL MILLER.
Satisfactory references required.
Apply Gressenhall Mills near East Dereham.
Norfolk News - 26th December 1872


Situations Vacant
TO JOURNEYMEN MILLERS
Wanted, a trustworthy, steady MAN, without much family, to take charge of a Windmill. Good House & Garden found.
Apply Gressenhall Mills near East Dereham.
Norfolk News - 13th November 1875


Notice re
Mr. Robert Stammers, deceased, late of Gressenhall, Miller & Farmer, who died 19 April 1885.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th May 1885


To Millers. Wanted, a steady man as Stoneman & General Miller.
Apply to Gressenhall, East Dereham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th May 1885


Robert Stammers jnr was born on 9th August 1818 and died on 19th April 1885. He was the son of Robert Stammers snr of Magdalen Road postmill in Norwich.
Robert Stammers jnr had a son, Herbert Chapman Stammers, who was born in 1859 and also ran Gressenhall smockmill. Herbert Chapman Stammers died in Bournemouth on 23rd March 1928.


Will of Robert Stammers jnr

By his will dayed 12 April 1882 Robert Stammers of Gressenhall, miller, directed his executors to carry on his milling business at Gressenhall and Beetley cum Bittering and his farm at Dillington until October 11 1884 when his son, Herbert Chapman to have option of hiring mill and about 18 acres at Gressenhall and Hoe and mill house and premises at Beetley cum Bittering and 2 acres there at £140 p.a. until such property saleable under terms of his will and said son to have one month to exercise such option; as soon as his youngest child was 21, executors to sell mills and farm, his son, Herbert Chapman having option to buy mill, house and 18 acres at Gressenhall for £3,400.

John Bunning who built the house on the site of Mill Cottages was the son of George Bunning and the grandson of Robert Bunning.


O.S. Map 2005
O.S. Map 2005
Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey

I have just been reading your article regarding Gressenhall Smockmill. John Hannent my gt-gt-grandfather was born in Barningham Parva, a son of Thomas Hannent and Elizabeth Maris. John had two daughters with his second wife Sophia Clarke, Sarah and Rachel and a son Thomas, also a Miller, who later moved to Bixley, Norwich and then to Gt Yarmouth. John died in Gressenhall Union House, December 13 1857 aged 77yrs. I was in Gressenhall yesterday to show my daughter where her gt-gt-gt grandparents lived, next to the 'White Swan'. I understand that two cottages were demolished and Bunning's Engineering works was built on the site. I am hoping to find a photo of the cottages before demolition.
Ron Jarvis - 25th August 2009


O. S. Map 1883

O. S. Map 1883
Courtesy of NLS map images


O.S. Map 2005
O.S. Map 2005
Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey

c.1829: Mill built

1829: Michael Hardy, miller

1832: Michael Hardy, miller

West Norfolk Electoral Register 1835: Michael Hardy

White's 1836: Michael Hardy, miller & baker - also at East Dereham towermill & Ovington postmill

December 1836: Mill advertised for sale or let

1837: George Bayfield, miller

December 1837: Mill advertised for sale by auction and advertised as
recently erected

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

Tithe Award 1844: Owner: Michael Hardy; Occupier: John Hannant (also Ovington & E. Dereham)

January 1844: Mill advertised for sale by auction

White's 1845: John Hannent, miller

1850: John Hannant, miller

1850: Robert Stammers jnr, miller

White's 1854: Robert Stammers, corn miller, Chapel Hill

Kelly's 1854: Robert Stammers, miller

White's 1864: Robert Stammers, corn miller

14th September 1869: Robert Stammers jnr's daughter Harriet Rivett Elizabeth married Arthur Massingham

Kelly's 1879: Robert Stammers, miller, Chapel mills

O.S. map 1883: Windmill (Corn)

White's 1883: Robert Stammers, farmer, miller, and landowner
White's 1883: Herbert Chapman Stammers, miller and corn and cake merchant merchant, Gressenhall mill

19th April 1885: Robert Stammers jnr died

1888: Herbert Chapman Stammers, miller

O.S. map 1891: Windmill

Kelly's 1892: Herbert Chapman Stammers, miller (wind, water & steam), Chapel mills

Kelly's 1896: Herbert Chapman Stammers, miller (wind, water & steam), Chapel mills

Kelly's 1900: Herbert Chapman Stammers, miller (wind, water & steam), Chapel mills

O.S. map 1914: Windmill

1970: Mrs. Roberts, Mill Cottages, Bittering Street, Gressenhall

1983: Mill Cottages already demolished and replaced by a house built by John Bunning


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

Nat Grid Ref TF96301665
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006