Gt Hockham smockmill stood on a brick walled base. The mill used 2 pairs of common sails to power 2 pairs of French burr stones of large dimensions, although provision had been made for 4 pairs. Two flour mills were also in use. In 1809 a bake office was being run on the premises.

LEASE for 21 years of
Messuage, land & mill at Great Hockham.
Annual Rent £50
Robert Warner to John Warner Waskett
9 September 1806
Trappes Lomax Records - Norwich Record Office

NORFOLK. Capital Tower Wind Mill, Compact Farm & Cottages
Late the property of Robert Warner, gentleman, deceased
At Great Hockham & Carbrooke.
To be Sold by Auction By Daniel Calver In Lots at the George Inn in Watton in the said county
On Wednesday 26 July 1809 at 4 o'c
Unless sooner disposed of by Private Contract of which due notice will be given
In Great Hockham
Lot 1. A Substantial Cottage & outbuildings ...
Lot 2. A convenient Cottage with outbuildings ...
Lot 3. Three tenements ...
Lot 4. A neat & compact tiled dwelling house with baking office adjoining, granary, barn, stable & other convenient offices, neat garden partly walled in & planted with choice fruit trees; capacious tower wind-mill with two pair of French stones of large dimensions, two flour mills & in every respect of excellent condition & convenience & about 11 acres of exceeding good land in convenient inclosures contiguous to the buildings, all in the occupation of Mr. John Warner Waskett, under lease which will expire at Michaelmas 1826.
The buildings in this lot are all new & substantial, have been built at considerable expence, are well situated for trade being within easy rides of several good corn markets & being let at tolerable rents are worthy the attention of any gentleman who may wish to lay out the money to advantage.
The above lots are copyhold of the manor of Great Hockham (except a small parcel of land) fine arbitrary, but the land tax for the whole is redeemed & the quit rents & parish rates are very moderate. The premises may be viewed upon application to the respective tenants & price & further particulars had of Mr. John Raven, East Dereham, Mr. John Shulver, Thompson near Watton & Mr. William Brooke, attorney Kenninghall in the said county.
Norfolk Chronicle - 15th & 22nd July 1809

Mortgage of a Windmill by J. W. Waskett to W. Howse, 1810
INDENTURE
Appointment & demise of freehold & covenant to surrender copyhold hereditaments & also bargain & sale of a Windmill at Great Hockham for securing £1600 & interest, John Warner Waskett to William Howse, Esq., 26th April 1810.
John Warner Waskett, Miller of Great Hockham & William Howse, Esquire of Framingham
"All that ... built Brick Round house & Tower Windmill ... ... ( ... sail cloths ... )

Trappes Lomax Records - Norwich Record Office

To be Sold by Private Contract
A Very desirable ESTATE at Great Hockham in Norfolk, comprising a capital Tower Wind Mill of sufficient dimensions to work four pair of stones, with all the necessary apparatus & stowage for 20 lasts of corn, a substantial Dwelling house replete with conveniences, a Garden well planted & partly walled in, Granary, Barn, Stables & all necessary Outbuildings & about 16 acres of Arable Land in a high state of cultivation.

The Mill & buildings have been erected within the last seven years.
The land is free of great tythes & the land tax is redeemed.
This estate is well situated for Trade & within seven miles of three Corn Markets.
Further particulars of Messrs. Simpson & Rackham, Solrs. Norwich, Mr. Brooke, Solr. Kenninghall near East Harling & the proprietor Mr. Waskett, who will shew the premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 28th November 1812

To be Sold by Auction At the Angel Inn, Norwich On Saturday 9 January 1813 at 3 o'c.
A Very desirable ESTATE at Great Hockham in Norfolk, comprising a capital Tower Wind Mill of sufficient dimensions to work four pair of stones, with all the necessary apparatus & stowage for 20 lasts of corn, a substantial Dwelling house replete with conveniences, a Garden well planted & partly walled in, Granary, Barn, Stables & all necessary Outbuildings & about 16 acres of Arable Land in a high state of cultivation.

The Mill & buildings have been erected within the last seven years.
The land is free of great tythes & the land tax is redeemed.
This estate is well situated for Trade & within seven miles of three Corn Markets.
Further particulars of Messrs. Simpson & Rackham, Solrs. Norwich, Mr. Brooke, Solr. Kenninghall near East Harling & the proprietor Mr. Waskett, who will shew the premises.

Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd & 9th January 1813

Commission of Bankrupt awarded & issued forth against John Warren Waskett of Great Hockham, Miller & he being declared a Bankrupt ... to surrender 8 April next ...
Norfolk Chronicle - 26 March 1814

re
John Warner Waskett late of Great Hockham, Miller
a Bankrupt ...
debts to W. Parson, Attleburgh.
Norfolk Chronicle - 4 June 1814

Commissioners in a Commission of Bankrupt hearing date 3 March 1814 awarded & issued forth against
John Warner Waskett of Great Hockham, Miller, dealer & chapman, to meet 20 May inst ...
Norfolk Chronicle - 13 May 1815

Steam Mill at Hockham, West Farm, 1882
A few years ago (i.e. from 50 before writing) the mill was still there ...
Autumn Fields - 1944

The greatest of our farms was West Farm ... Its mill had ceased to exist ...
... Seventy workers there in his grandfather's time.
& Spring Sowing - 1946

The steam mill was recorded as being the property of Henry Samuel Partridge on 9th February 1814

1806: Mill built

9th September 1806: Robert Warner leased the mill to John Warner Waskett for 21 years at a rent of £50 p.a.

1806: John Warner Waskett, miller

July 1809: Mill advertised for sale by auction due to the death of owner, Robert Warner

1810: John Warner Waskett, miller

November 1812: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

January 1813: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1814: John Warner Waskett, miller

March 1814: John Warren Waskett declared bankrupt

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007