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Hilgay
postmill |
Hilgay postmill stood just to the east side of West End and was probably operating on its site for at least 250 years. |
JOHN WHITTOME Wheel & Millwright, Joiner & General Smith Thanks his friends for their patronage during the last 30 years & solicits a continuance of their commands in the above branches of business. Steam & Horse machines of all kinds carefully attended to. Agricultural Implements of the most approved principles built or repaired. Joiners & Smiths work of every description. Timbers sawn by steam power. Lynn Advertiser - 13th October 1866 |
WANTED immediately, a steady man as JOURNEYMAN WHEELWRIGHT & CARPENTER, constant work for a good hand. Apply to John Whittome, Millwright etc., Hilgay, Downham Market. Lynn Advertiser - 18th November 1871 |
For Sale An Iron Wind Shaft suitable for a post or tower mill. Apply to J. Whittome, Millwright, Hilgay, Downham Market. Lynn Advertiser - 26th June 1880 |
| John Whittome died in 1891 and was buried in Hilgay churchyard, to the south of the church. The distinctive headstone bore the carving of a large tower windmill with a stage, possibly Denver and was inscribed: |
In loving memory of John Whittome died May 10th 1891 aged 74 years also of Elizabeth his wife died March 31st 1894 aged 76 years God is love |
The postmill stood to the south of the footpath, site now two cottages. Family house was built by John Whittombe in Holt's Lane with a steam mill and foundry nearby. Windmill belonged to George Whittome (grandfather) and his cousin Richard Whittombe. Mill demolished before 1900. Frederick Edward Whittombe, 322 Wootton Road, Kings Lynn - 26th May 1972 |
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Postmill top left; Hilgay Ely Road smockmill bottom centre O.S. Map 1890 - 1891 Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey |
It has not been possible to accurately place all individual millers with a respective mill in Hilgay. |
White's 1845: John Scott, millwright White's 1845: William Whitham, beerhouse Whites 1864: John Whittombe, millwright & c. |
The Whittome family also ran Hilgay Ely Road smockmill for several generations. |
| The Great Levell Drayned - Dugdale 1662: Windmill Ogilby Britannia London to Kings Lynn map 1675: windmill Index of Wills 1725: John Eaton, miller Index of Wills 1787: Philip Bovell, miller Poll Book 1802: William Whitsom, miller O.S. map 1824: Windmill Bryant's map 1826: windmill White's 1836: Robert Whitten, corn miller 1850: John Whitton, miller 1853: Robert Whitten, miller White's 1854: Robert Whitten, corn miller 1868: John Whittome, miller & millwright 1872: John Whittome, miller & millwright White's 1883: John Whittome, corn miller, wheelwright, engineer, millwright, iron and brass founder and smith 10th May 1891: John Whittome died aged 74 and was buried in Hilgay churchyard 31st March 1894: John Whittombe's wife Elizabeth died at the age of 76 Kelly's 1896: George Whittome, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1900: George Whittome, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1904: George Whittome, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1908: George Whittome, wheelwright, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) 1980: Mill site occupied by two cottages |
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 TL61879825 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007 |