Pulham Market smock windmill stood in Dunning's Lane. The 8 sided wooden superstructure of the 5 storey mill was set on a single storey brick base with sloping walls. 4 double shuttered patent sails, each with 9 bays of 3 shutters were struck by rack & pinion. The Norfolk boat shaped cap with a gallery, petticoat and chainpole, held a 6 bladed fan set on a vertical frame held to the cap by wire stays. Steam power was used for auxiliary power. Pulham Market was known as Pulham St. Mary Magdalene during the 1800s.

WANTED
IMMEDIATELY
A Good Strong LAD about 15 years of age as an APPRENTICE to a MILLER
Enquire of J. Wilden, Pulham Market, Norfolk.
Norfolk Chronicle - 3rd September 1825

James Goodswen miller, of Stratton St. Michael, appoints Mary his wife, and his two sons in law, William Field of Pulham St. Mary Magdalen and Benjamin Coppings of Hardwick in the said County, Millers as executors.

Extract from will of James Goodswen, miller of Stratton St. Michael - written 12th February 1852
Value £450.00

Situations Vacant
To Millers
WANTED, a strong active Young Man who can Grind and will make himself generally useful.
Apply John Roope, Miller, Pulham Market, near Harleston.
Norfolk News - 13th December 1873

TO MILLERS
Wanted, a strong active YOUNG MAN the above Business.
Apply J. Roope, Pulham Market, Harleston.
Norfolk News - 18th November 1876

The old wind-mill at Pulham Market, a familiar landmark of the district, just pulled down as it had become unsafe.
Dereham & Fakenham Times - 3rd December 1921

The mill was demolished in 1917, when the milling machinery was transferred to an adjoining building to be powered by a steam engine.

On 11th October 1978, Harry Apling recorded that Arthur Roope, a retired builder aged 65, lived near the church. Arthur's father was William Roope, also a builder and his grandfather was John Roope, miller during the last half of the 1800s.
Mrs. Edith Mary Roope was the wife of Charles Rackham Roope, who died on 3rd May 1956 at the age of 80 and had worked the steam mill at least until 1937.

Kelly's 1879: William Roope, carpenter

White's 1890: William Roope, carpenter, painter, glazier, and parish clerk

Kelly's 1892: William Roope, carpenter, parish clerk and superintendent of fire engine statn

Kelly's 1896: William Roope, carpenter, parish clerk and superintendent of fire engine statn

1825: J. Wilden, miller

White's 1836: Joshua Rackham, corn miller

White's 1845: Joshua Rackham, corn miller (mill owned by James Goodswen of Stratton St Michael)

23rd July 1846: Joshua Rackham (b.1803) died aged 43 and was buried in Pulham Market churchyard

1872: John Roope, miller

1873: John Roope, miller

1876: John Roope, miller

Kelly's 1879: John Roope, miller

1883: John Roope, miller (wind & steam)

O.S. map 1884: Windmill

White's 1888: John Rope, miller

White's 1890: John Roope, miller

Kelly's 1892: John Roope, miller (wind & steam) & wood sawyer

Kelly's 1896: John Roope, miller (wind & steam)

18th June 1897: John Roope (b.1844) died aged 53 and was buried in Pulham Market cemetery

Kelly's 1900: Philip Goldsmith, miller (wind & steam)
Kelly's 1900: Charles Roope, mill manager

Kelly's 1904: Charles Roope, miller & fruit grower

Kelly's 1908: Charles Roope, miller & fruit grower

1917: Mill machinery dismantled

1921: Mill demolished as it was unsafe

22nd May 1923: John Roope (b.1871) died aged 52 and was buried in Pulham Market cemetery

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004