Norfolk Mills - Gt Yarmouth Cobholm tower windmill

Gt. Yarmouth Cobholm towermill in Southtown stood West of Yarmouth Bridge to the north of St Luke's church. The mill had been built as a replacement for an earlier postmill on the same site and then unusually, was itself replaced by another postmill.

The sails powered 3 pairs of French burr stones and 2 flour mills.
One pair of stones were 5ft, one pair 4ft. 10 ins. and one pair 4 ft.

In 1785 the mill's grinding capacity was:
6 or 7 lasts of wheat per week
= 120 - 140 sacks (coombs)
3 pairs of French burr stones
i.e. 40-46 coombs per pair per week

MILL STONES
THREE Frenches, viz. two Runners and one Bed Stone, all 4 Feet 10 Inches over; one Runner is 12 Inches thick, no Ring has been laid into it; the other is 10 Inches thick; the Bed Stone is 8 Inches thick. They are open and free cutting Stones and will be sold cheap. Also a sized BOULTING MILL & a NECK BRASS.
Enquire at the Brick Mill, near Yarmouth Bridge.
Also a large quantity of BURR STONES.
Norfolk Chronicle - 3rd August 1776

To be SOLD by AUCTION
At the Angel in the Market Place, Yarmouth, on Monday the 5th Day of September next, between the Hours of 3 & 5 o'c in the Afternoon, if not disposed of before by private Contract. The following Estates:
Lot I.
One of the most capital Brick Tower WIND-MILLS in the Counties of Norfolk & Suffolk, situate on the West Side of Yarmouth Bridge, consisting of 3 pair of French Stones, viz. one Pair 5 Feet, one 4 Feet 10 Inches, the other 4 Feet, with 2 full sized Flour Mills & going Geers, all in good Repair and capable of manufacturing 6 or 7 Lasts of Wheat per week. There is on the Premises near the Mill a very good Cottage for the Accommodation of Workmen.
Lot II.
A very good HORSE FLOUR MILL, with every Convenience for making Flour and two good Cottages adjoining thereto, situated near the Market Place in Yarmouth and very convenient for a Retail Trade.
Lot III.
A Granary in the Post Office Row in Yarmouth.
Lot IV.
Dwelling, King Street, late in the occupation of Thomas Sparhall, deceased.
For further particulars enquire of James Dawson, Esq. or Mr. Richard Allen, Merchant, Yarmouth or of Mr. John Sparhall, North Walsham, Norfolk.
N.B. All Persons having any Demands on Estate & Effects of Thomas Sparhall are desired to send Accounts thereof to James Dawson, Esq. or Mr. Richard Allen, Merchant of Yarmouth aforesaid or to Mr. John Sparhall, North Walsham and all such persons as stand indebted to the aforesaid Thomas Sparhall are desired to pay their respective Debts to the above mentioned persons.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th, 23rd & 30th July, 6th August & 3rd September 1785

To Journeymen Millers
WANTED immediately, a Steady MAN as Foreman in a wind mill; he must be a good stone man. None need apply but those who can bring a good character from their last place.
Apply personally or by letter post paid to Mr. S. Waters, Merchant, Great Yarmouth. A married man will be preferred.
Norfolk Chronicle - 15th December 1810

YARMOUTH - SMALL COLLECTIONS
Class No. D 32/1
SOUTHTOWN MILLS
Judgment in BROWN, D. D. v WOOLLSEY and others re payment of tithes on mills at Southtown and
Counsel's opinion re same. 1826
Court of Exchequer Tuesday 7 February 1826
Lord Chief Baron -
Tithe cause, Plaintiff Rector of South Town against defendants for an account of the Tithes of Mills in their occupation.
Defendant WATERS - mill built within 50 years on the site of an old mill and is therefore an ancient mill - no support for this, therefore all recent mills.
Defendants say they do not grind for hire in the usual way, but they are Corn and Grain merchants, that they buy the corn and grain, grind it and then sell the Flour in its manufactured state and they insist that for this operation no tithe is payable.
Case dismissed as Defendants business regarded as a Trade on which no tithe was payable. Difficult to separate small amount of grist or Bag Work (for which tithe might be payable on the profits) from their main business as Corn Merchants.
Counsel's opinion - Disagreed with judgment, might be a case for appeal, but costs would greatly exceed amount of tithe involved.

Tithe map 1843 - redrawn by Harry Apling

To Millers, Merchants and others.
To be Sold by auction by PETTINGILL at the Star Inn, Great Yarmouth (by order of the executors of Mr. Robert Waters deceased)
on Tuesday 26 October 1852 at 6 o'c
The following Valuable Mercantile Property situate in SOUTHTOWN next Great Yarmouth.
At an easy distance from the Market and Bridge
Lot 1.
A substantial Freehold WINDMILL TOWER as dismantled as the late fire with the Warehouse, Granary over large Stable and horse box, Cart Lodge, Miller's house, Labourer's cottage, Mill Yard, Garden, containing together by survey 2r. 12p. as lately occupied by Mr. Waters.
Free Rent 5s.
The Auctioneer solicits the attention of Millers and Corn Merchants to this most advantageous Property which offers a capital open site for a Corn Mill and is situate in a parish where the rates are exceedingly low.
Lot 2.
. . . Freehold Meadow Land 1a. 2r. 10p. situate on the opposite side of the road leading to the Mill in Southtown and lately occupied by Mr. Waters. Land Tax 1s. 6d. Drainage rate 2s.
Possession of both lots may be had immediately.
Apply to J. D. Waters, Solr. or the Auctioneer.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th & 23rd October 1852

On the north side of the Southtown Road after passing over the bridge . . . The first road through is called SAW MILL LANE . . . The next to the right . . . MILL ROAD because on the west side of it stands a Tower Windmill . . .
Further north was another mill, the property of Mr. Robert Waters which was burnt to the ground in 1850.
The Perlustration of Great Yarmouth, Charles John Palmer - 1875

. . . Robert Waters' mill stood further north (from Greencap Mill) almost opposite the St. Luke's Church site.
A drainage mill stood due west almost to Breydon Water.
Yarmouth Mercury, Local Wind-Mills, H. B. Johnson - January 1928

. . . the Cobholm Mill had the sails damaged in a high wind on 6th November 1795

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

YARMOUTH - SMALL COLLECTIONS Class No. D 32/1 SOUTHTOWN MILLS Judgment in BROWN, D. D. v WOOLLSEY and others re payment of tithes on mills at Southtown and Counsel's opinion re same. 1826 Court of Exchequer Tuesday 7 February 1826 Lord Chief Baron - Tithe cause, Plaintiff Rector of South Town against defendants for an account of the Tithes of Mills in their occupation. Defendant WATERS - mill built within 50 years on the site of an old mill and is therefore an ancient mill - no support for this, therefore all recent mills. Defendants say they do not grind for hire in the usual way, but they are Corn and Grain merchants, that they buy the corn and grain, grind it and then sell the Flour in its manufactured state and they insist that for this operation no tithe is payable. Case dismissed as Defendants business regarded as a Trade on which no tithe was payable. Difficult to separate small amount of grist or Bag Work (for which tithe might be payable on the profits) from their main business as Corn Merchants. Counsel's opinion - Disagreed with judgment, might be a case for appeal, but costs would greatly exceed amount of tithe involved.
-----------------------
Defendants -	John WOOLLSEY of High Mill James JENNER of Green Cap Mill Robert WATERS of Cobholm Mill

Tithe Award 1849 Map Pratt & Son, Surveyors, Norwich & Richard Barnes, Surveyor, Lowestoft, 1843 Owner: Robert Waters Occupier: do
No. 172	Mill, cottages & land	Pasture	0a. 2r. 13p.	2s 9d