Norfolk Mills - Hockering tower windmill

Hockering towermill

c.1910

Hockering tower mill probably had a short working life. It does not show on Bryant's map of 1826, appears on the OS map of 1883-1892 but is not listed in Kelly's directory of 1896. In 1861 it was being run by farmer and miller James Lovett aged 55. However, it appears that he died at a young age as 10 years later his wife Mary was listed as miller.

Tithe map 1836 - as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1839
Map 1836
Owner: Thomas Trench Berney
Occupier: James Lovett

No. 31
No. 30

House, Mill & Premises
Pightle

0a. 2r. 35p.

1a. 1r. 5p.

Smithdale's Day Book 1878 -1880

1878 Mon. Sep. 16	HOCKERING MILL
1 pkt. ¾ Tacks 1 Skein Twine 3 Needles 1 Gal. Paint Oil	.
.
Wed. Sept. 18	HOCKERING MILL
	Cwt.	qrs.	lbs.
24 ft. Run of Weatherboard
2½ lbs of 2½ in. Gate Nails			2½
1 cwt. of White Lead	1	0	0
.1 cwt. of White Lea
Mon. Sept. 23	HOCKERING MILL
Putty			7
1 Gln. Oil
4 do	.	.
.
Wed. Sept. 25	HOCKERING MILL
White Lead	1	0	0
.
Mon.. Sept. 30	HOCKERING MILL
4 Glns. Boiled Oil
6 pts. Turps	.	.
.
Sat. Oct. 5	Mr. Howard HOCKERING MILL
2 doz. Levers & 1 doz. Plates	0	0	16
.
Mon. Oct. 7	HOCKERING MILL
1¼ Clout Nails	0	0	2

Sat. Oct. 19	HOCKERING MILL
2½ lbs Black paint (ex Marlingford)

Mon. Oct. 28	HOCKERING MILL
2 st. White Lead
2 gals. Paint oil

1879

13 Jan.	Mr. Howard
Windshaft
1 12 inch rough file

O.S. Map 1883 - 1892
Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey

White;s 1883: Clare Fisher, farmer, Mill house

1836: James Lovett, miller

Tithe Award 1839: Owner: Thomas Trench Berney; Occupier: James Lovett

Census 1841:

James Lovett (35) miller

Mary Lovett (30)

Plesence Lovett (7)

George Lovett (5)

Maria Lovett (8 mths)

Robert Lovett (70) agricultural labourer (father)

James Murrell (15) apprentice miller

Charlotte Reaves (10) servant

White's 1845: James Lovett, corn miller

Census 1851:

James Lovett (45) b.Attleburgh, miller & farmer
Mary Lovett (44) b.Attleburgh
Pleasance Lovett (17) b.Ramplingham
George Lovett (15) b.Ramplingham
Maria Lovett (10) b.Ramplingham
James Lovett (8) b.Hockering
Mary Lovett (5) b.Hockering
Charlotte Lovett (3) b.Hockering
Address: The Common

Census 1861:

James Lovett (55) b.Attleborough, miller & farmer
Mary Lovett (53) b.Attleborough
James Lovett (18) b.Hockering
Mary Lovett (14) b.Hockering
Charlotte Lovett (12) b.Hockering
Frederick English (30) b.Lyng, son in law
Pleasance English (27) b. Ramplingham
Maria Lovett English (10 mnths) b. Hockering

1863: Mary Lovett, miller

White's 1864: Mary Lovett, corn miller

1865: Mary Lovett, miller

1868: James Howard, miller

Census 1871:

John Howard (37) b.Brandeston, miller & farmer of 42 acres

Elizabeth Howard (27) b.Gt. Witchingham

Edward Howard (1) b.Hockering

Herbert Howard (1) b.Hockering

Address: The Mill

Autumn 1878: Smithdales, millwrights undertook repairs to the mill

1878: John Howard, miller

1879: Clare Fisher, miller

O.S. map 1883-1892: Hockering Windmill (corn)

c.1943: Mill tower without sails

1960: Mr. A.G. Wales, Mill Farm

1960: Remains of tower demolished for safety reasons by Mr. A.G. Wales

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 01263 587564 or

Nat Grid Ref TG08541491

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