Roughton
Mill Hill
postmill
(early)

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Drainage Mills (Windpumps)
Steam Mills
Watermills

Roughton originally had two post windmills standing on Mill Hill, both had a roundhouse and there were 3 boulting mills between them. They were both being run by John Miller in 1767 when they were advertised for sale with 47 years of the lease remaining. The earlier mill was shown on Ogilby's map of 1675 but only the later_mill was shown on Faden's map of 1797:

TO BE SOLD
And Entered upon Immediately
TWO Good accustomed WIND-MILLS, with Round-houses and three Boulting Mills belonging to the same. And also a Messuage with proper and convenient Stables and Outhouses and a Granary to same belonging, which with the Roundhouses together are able to contain about 50 Lasts of Corn. The Whole of the Premises are in good Repair and scituate [sic] in Roughton near Cromer, very convenient for Business.
The Mills stand on a Piece of Land containing about Four Acres at the yearly Rent of Fifteen shillings, with a Lease of the same for 47 years yet to come.
For further Particulars enquire of Mr. John Miller of Roughton aforesaid, the present owner or of Mr. James Gay of Northwalsham.
Norwich Mercury - 17th January 1767

Robert Joy snr probably took both the mills over in 1774 and a brick on the wall nearest the road of one of the outhouses is inscribed R. Joy 1774. Robert Joy snr died on 20th September 1794 aged 40 and his widow Mary Joy, remained living with her son Robert jnr at the Mill House. Mary Joy carried on running the business for the next twenty years with Robert snr's younger brother, Edmund Joy, managing the business for her. The lease expired in 1814 and Mary Joy then sold the business to her son Robert Bourne Joy, although it is probable that Edmund remained working there.


Faden's map of 1797 only shows one postmill and almost immediately upon taking over, Robert Joy jnr demolished the remaining postmill and built a new towermill on the same site.


Edmund Joy died in 1833, Mary Joy died on 17th October 1847 at the age of 93 and her son Robert Joy jnr died on 3rd December 1863 aged 71.


Ogilby's Britannia Ipswich to Norwich & Cromer 1675: Windmill

Poll Book 1734: Edmund Joy, miller

1767: John Miller leasing both postmills

17th January 1767: Two postmills advertised for sale


1774: Robert Joy snr took the mills over

20th September 1794: Robert Joy snr died at the age of 40

Faden's map 1797: One postmill
Routon Mill

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

Nat Grid Ref TG21623923
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2009