Hempnall Green smockmill was an eight sided mill that used patent sails to drive two pairs of stones and a flour mill. A Bake Office was also run from the premises.

By 1868 a second pair of stones and machinery were being driven by a portable steam engine

On Wednesday se'nnight during the tremendous gale from the south east accompanied by heavy rain at intervals ...
At Hempnall, the top of the newly-erected mill on the green with its four sails was blown off.
Norwich, Yarmouth & Lynn Courier - Saturday 14th March 1818

A legal case letter stated it was:
of octagonal form, divided with little difficulty into eight pieces and easily removed anywhere, althugh the upper part which was woodwork and fastened by spokes and spikes to the brick foundation ...
Norwich & Yarmouth Courier - later than March 1818

To Millers
HEMPNALL MILL (Now in full Tade)
By Mr. Spelman At the Swan Inn, Long Stratton, Norfolk on Tuesday 3 October 1826 at 6 o'c
Unless sooner disposed of by Private Contract
All that capital SMOCK WIND MILL (recently erected) with two pair of Stones & Flour Mill complete & the going gears & machinery thereto belonging, situate in Hempnall in the county of Norfolk, with new built brick & tiled Dwelling house, Baking office & about half an acre of Land, with a Stable & other Outbuildings standing thereon. All which premises are in the occupation of the proprietor Mr. William Spurdens.
Freehold Land Tax 1s.
A Moiety of the Purchase Money may remain on Mortgage (if required)
Apply (if by letter free of postage) to Mr. W. D. Barker, Solr., St. Michael at Plea, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th September 1826

Tithe Award 1843
Map, Pratt & Son, Surveyors, Norwich, 1842
Owner: Richard Hylton
Occupier: Himself

To Millers
To LET with possession at Michaelmas next
a SMOCK-TOWER MILL with Patent Sails, driving two pair of stones, Flour Mill etc. with a detached pair of stones & machinery adapted to a Moveable Engine, all in good working condition. Dwelling house, Granary, Stabling etc. & with or without 2 Acres of Land.
For particualars apply to Mr. Richard Hylton, Hempnall, Long Stratton.
Norfolk News - 5th September 1868

HEMPNALL GREEN MILL
Two miller's carts, Mare, Harness, 5 flour cloths, 61 lb. Mill Bills, new Flour Beam & Scales, Iron Weights, Household furniture etc.
Clowes, Tewson & Nash are instructed by Mr. S. Culley, the Assignee to Sell by Auction on the Premises on Friday next 27 June at One, the above, the Effects of Mr. Edward Eldred, Miller.
Catalogues of the Auctioneers, Bungay & Bank Chambers, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 21st June 1873

I can faintly remember the one on the Greens, near "The Horseshoes".
This was also a Tower Mill but not brick. It was weatherboarded ...
My Village - Gerald Stammers 1968-1969

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007