Jermy's smockmill at Sidestrand or Syderstrand, stood on the site earlier occupied by Sidestrand_smockmill that burnt down on 24th November 1836 and that mill was preceded by the even earlier Sidestrand_ postmill. The mill site was actually in Northrepps.

The 10 sided four storey wooden mill was set over a single storey brick base. The mill tower was tarred and the mill was sometimes known as the Black Mill. Four double shuttered sails powered 2 pairs of stones. One pair of sails had 8 bays of 3 shetters and the other pair had 6 bays of 3 shutters and 1 pair of 2 shutters. The norfolk boat shaped cap had a gallery and held an 8 bladed fan,each blade was paintred red with blue and white bands.

The mill was shown on old historic sea charts as the Black Mill and used as a seamark to those at sea.

To Millers To be Let and Entered upon Immediately
A Capital WOOD TOWER WINDMILL with four Patent Sails, Wind Tackle and other Machinery complete, with a good House, Cottages and Premises and 14 acres of excellent Land, situate at Syderstrand and Northrepps, near Cromer.
Apply to Mr. George Simpson, Solr. Tombland, Norwich.
Letters post paid.
Norfolk Chronicle - 21st October 1837

Miscellaneous
To Millwrights
WANTED immediately, Three Experienced Hands to Erect New Wind and Steam Corn Mills
Apply to Mr. Henry Lee, Miller, Sidestrand.
Norfolk News - 11th July 1857

Windmill and Small Farm
Mr. Henry Sandford has received instructions to Sell by Auction at Tuckers Hotel, Cromer, Wednesday 22 July 1857 at 4 o'c.
All that very desirable Estate situate in the parishes of Sidestrand and Northrepps in the occupation of Mr. Henry Lee as tenant from year to year comprising 15 acres of excellent Arable Land in several Inclosures, a Dwelling House, Cottage, Barn, Stable and Outbuildings, together with a good and well placed WIND CORN MILL in which a lucrative and extensive business has been carried on by the present tenant for many years.
Apply to Jay & Pilgrim, Solrs. Norwich or H. J. Johnson, Solr. or the Auctioneer, Cromer.
Norfolk Chronicle - 4h, 11th & 18th July & Norfolk News - 11th July 1857

It is unclear as to whether Henry Lee wished to move and erect a new mill elsewhere, replace the existing mill or raise an additional mill nearby.

To Millers
WANTED, a steady active MAN to take charge of a TOWER WINDMILL.
A single man preferred. Good recommendation required.
Apply to Henry Lee, Sidestrand, near Cromer.
Norfolk News - 8th October 1859

Situations Vacant
To Millers
WANTED, a steady honest MAN to take charge of a Tower Windmill.
A married man preferred. A good reference required.
Address Henry Lee, Sidestrand.
Norfolk News - 29th July 1865

Situations Vacant
To Millers
Wanted the last week in September, a steady trustworthy married MAN without incumbances, to take charge of a small Tower Windmill.
Apply stating age, salary, experience and reference, to H. Lee, Sidestrand, Northrepps.
Norfolk News - 12th September 1868

SIDESTRAND near Cromer
TO BE LET with possession at Michaelmas next, the Sidestrand WINDMILL driving two pairs of Stones, with Granary, Dwelling house and Premises on which a good trade has been carried on for many years.
For further particulars apply to Mr. John Starling, Sidestrand or to Messrs. H. Sandford & Sons, Land Agents, Cromer.
Norfolk News - 16th & 23rd September 1871

Tarred smockmill at Sidestrand blown down in gale Nov. 6th, 1921
Eastern Daily Press, Disappearing Mills, W. G. Clarke - 14th October 1922

The Maid of the Mill. Loie Jermy of Poppyland and her times, 1864 to 1934
SIDESTRAND MILL (Actually in Northrepps)
The brickwork was inserted after the mill had been jacked up for the purpose either in 1861 or the following year. Constant repairs were necessary which were very expensive, each wooden tooth of the big spur wheel alone cost 3s. 66. to renew.
The mill fell on 6th November 1923. (1921)
The mill was a tall wooden structure, tarred and falling into decay. On the shaft are names of two old ironfounders, Samuel Brat & Sons and J. Aikman, Lynn, 1831.
Alfred Jermy the miller died October 1916 aged 82 after being married four times.
Owen M. Parry - 1936

During the from the 1860's to 1916 the mill was in the hands of Alfred JERMY. His daughter Maria Louisa was born at the millhouse 1864 and in 1883 she met the jounalist Clement Scott of the Daily Telegraph who had been dispatched to Cromer to write and artice on the recently expanded rail line from Norwich. The drama critic of the Daily Telegraph and the Morning Post Clement Scott arrived in Norfolk in August 1883. Unable to find himself accommodation he was put up in the Miller's House in Sidestrand. He was so taken with the area that he wrote a number of articles in the newspapers expounding the virtues of Norfolk, which eventually resulted in Cromer and the surrounding area becoming a fashionable place for holidays for the rich and famous. He named his articles and, subsequent book Poppy-land. The book was dedicated to the Miller's daughter.. The millhouse itself became a magnet for other writers and bohemians who followed Scott in search of the tranquil experience he had described so poetically. Whilst for Louie - she was immortalised as"The Maid of the Mill".
Thus the story of mill at Sidestrand, the miller and his daughter is intwined with the story of the birth of 'Poppy Land' and the tourist industry in Norfolk. For a short period of history the mill and its little family were acquainted with the well known and the famous of London society. It is quite a story.
Louie is my first couisn five times removed!
Scott wrote the poem the "Garden of Sleep" whilst staying with Louie and her father.
Fe Mukwamba-Sendall - 4th April 2007

My father knew Louie as he was born in 1909 and used to stay with her. I know when dad visited she had moved out and  and to quote dad "was living a rather eccentric life."

Louie was born in the millhouse on 31st Mar 1864. She died 7th Sep 1934 at her cottage in Overstrand. Alfred was born at Swanton Abbott on  24th Jan 1834 and died at the mill 29th Oct 1916. During his tenancy of the mill Alfred had 4 wives and a total of 6 children.
Fe Mukwamba-Sendall - 4th April 2007

Kelly's 1879: Mrs. Harriet Lee, farmer
Kelly's 1879: John Henry Starling, farmer

White's 1883: Mrs. Harriet Lee, farmer
White's 1883: John Henry Starling, farmer

White's 1890: Mrs. Harriet Lee, farmer
White's 1890: John Henry Starling, farmer

Kelly's 1892: Mrs. Harriet Lee, farmer
Kelly's 1892: John Henry Starling, farmer

White's 1883: Alfred Jermy, corn miller

O.S. map 1886: Windmill

White's 1890: Alfred Jermy, corn miller

1910: Miss Louie Jermy, tenant

October 1916: Alfred Jermy died aged 82, having been married four times

6th November 1921: Mill blown down in a gale

Karl Wood painting 1937: Single storey brick base only

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004