Hockwold had a parochial smock mill that stood to the southeast of Redmoor House and was used both as a drainage mill and a cornmill. However it is probable that corn milling had ceased by the time the mill was advertised for sale in 1815.

RADMERE FARM near BRANDON
For Sale by Private Contract ...
that part 317 acres on the Brandon side ...
Norfolk Chronicle - 21st May 1814

Norfolk. Capital FEN FARM. EXTRA-PAROCHIAL & TITHE FREE LAND
To be Sold by Auction By Elliott Smith At the Auction Mart in London On Monday 31 July 1815 at 12 o'c.
All that truly desirable Freehold FEN FARM situate in the parish of Hockwold cum Wilton in the county of Norfolk, containing 341a. 3r. 11p. with convenient farm house adjoining the Brandon river in the occupation of William Cary. ...
There is also a capital Mill for draining the farm, which formerly was used not only as a mill for draining but also for grinding corn; near to the mill is a substantial cottage for the labourer who may be employed to work the mill.
Further particulars may be known by applying at the office of Mr. King John Haggerston in Cambridge or at Mr. Thomas Holloway's 57 Chancery Lane, London, where a plan of the estate may be seen.
Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd July 1815

My husband's forebears, John and Dorothy Coleman, are listed in the 1841 and 1851 censuses as being resident in Hockwold  (extraparochial) at Redmere Mill.  John is listed as having been born in Kently, Norfolk (Cantley), and Dorothy in Assum, Norfolk (the neighbouring village of Hassingham, we reckon).  Their eldest son, James, is listed as having been born in Hearnsfleet (we reckon to be Herringfleet). He was baptised locally in Lound Parish Church.  So John Coleman might well have worked at Herringfleet Mill before being trasnferred to Redmere, however we have no proof of this. The surname Coleman was changed in the subsequent generations to Coleby (the family were illiterate Ag. Labs)!
Rosemary Coleby - 26th February 2012

Faden's map 1797: Windmill

July 1815: Mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1824: Windmill

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007