Swaffham
Mill Lane
postmill

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Drainage Mills (Windpumps)
Steam Mills
Watermills


c.1883
c.1883

Swaffham Mill Lane post mill worked on the site for over 200 years, although it was probably updated or rebuilt during that time. The mill buck was set on a roundhouse and was turned to wind by hand via a tailpole (broken in later years) on a carriage with two tandem wheels, along with two additional small wheels attached to the mill ladder. Power was originally supplied from two pairs of common sails but by 1838 one pair of common sails had been replaced by a pair of patent sails to drive 2 pairs of French burr stones, flour mill and jumper.

WANTED AS MILLER
A Strong Active Single MAN who can take the sole management of a Mill. Application to be made to S. Sudbury, Swaffham; if by letter post paid, stating recommendation, age and size of person.

Norfolk Chronicle - 17th May 1823

WANTED AS MILLER
A Strong Active Single MAN who can take the sole management of a Mill. Application to be made to S. Sudbury, Bookseller etc. Swaffham; if by letter post paid, stating recommendation, age and size of person.

Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd August 1823

POOR RATE 1858 Made 13 January 1838 at 1s. 3d. in the £
London Street
8
Occupier: Abdil Smith
Owner:
House, London St.
Mill & Land Cley Rd.

Gross Estimated Rental
Rateable Value
Rate at 8d.



£22.
£18.
£ 1. 2. 6d.


To Millers and Bakers
To be Disposed of at SWAFFHAM in Norfolk
The Business of a MILLER and BAKER. Established for sixty years and upwards with a substantial and suitable Dwelling house, Shop and Baking Office and extensive Premises replete with every convenience situate in the Market Place. Also a Post Wind Mill with spring sails, driving two pair of French Stones and going gears complete. Three Cottages with the Gardens thereto belonging and one Acre of Pasture Land situate about a mile from the Dwelling house.
The Mill, Cottages and Land are intended to be Let.
The Dwelling house and Premises in the Town will either be Sold or Let ... Immediate possession may be had.
Apply personally or by letter post paid to Mr. Sewell, Solr. Swaffham.

Norfolk Chronicle - 29th September 1838

SWAFFHAM
To be Let with Immediate Possession
A POST WINDMILL driving two pair of French Stones, with a pair of Spring Sails and Flour Mill complete, with Granary and House and with or without Land.
Apply to Mr. Lack, Market Place, Swaffham.

Norfolk Chronicle - 1st June 1839

Tithe map 1843 - as redrawn by Harry Apling
Tithe map 1843 - as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1843
Map, Newton & Woodrow, Norwich, 1843
Owner: James Raven
Occupier: Abdel Smith

No. 13
No. 902

House, Baking Office & Yard
Wind Mill & Yard

Pasture
Pasture

0a. 0r. 11p.
0a. 1r. 11p.
---------------
0a. 1r. 22p.

7s. to Vicar

No. 13, House etc. London Street to south of Pit which is enclosure No. 10

POOR RATE 1858 Made 9 April 1858 at 8d. in the £
189
Occupier: George Smith
Owners: Claxson's Executors
House and Bake Office, London Street
Gross Estimated Rental
Rateable Value
Rate at 8d.

190
Occupier: George Smith
Owners: Claxson's Executors
Mill, Mill Lane
Gross Estimated Rental
Rateable Value
Rate at 8d.


£19.
£16.
£10. 10s. 8d.

 

£16.
£14.
£10. 9s. 4d.


BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861
In the County Court of Norfolk holden at Swaffham
George Jennis Smith of Swaffham in the county of Norfolk, Miller and Baker, having been adjudged Bankrupt in the County Court of Norfolk holden at Swaffham 20th June 1866 ... to surrender 11 July 1866 ...
At the meeting the Registrar will receive proofs of the debts of the Creditors and the Creditors may choose an Assignee or Assignees of the Bankrupt's estate and effects.

Lynne Advertiser - 23rd June 1866

Local Bankrupts (From LONDON GAZETTE)
Tuesday July 3
George Jennis Smith, Swaffham, Nfk. Miller

Norfolk Chronicle - 7th July 1866

The Bankruptcy Act 1861
In the County Court of Norfolk holden at Swaffham in the said County George Jennis Smith of Swaffham in the county of Norfolk, Miller and Baker, having been adjudged Bankrupt on the 20th say of July
(error for June) a Public Sitting for the said Bankrupt to pass his last examination and make application for his discharge, will be held at the said Court at Swaffham on the 4th day of August 1866 ...
Thomas Palmer Esq. the Registrar of the Court is the Official Assignee ...

John Smith, Bailiff
Lynne Advertiser - 21st July 1866

SWAFFHAM
To Millers
To Let, with immediate possession, an excellent POST WINDMILL with two pairs of French Stones (nearly new), Flour Mill and Jumper, two patent sails etc. The whole in good repair.
Apply to Mr. James Philo, London Road, Swaffham.
Lynne Advertiser - 4th August 1866

The Bankruptcy Act 1861
In the County Court of Norfolk holden at Swaffham
In the matter of George Jennis Smith of Swaffham aforesaid, Miller and Baker, being adjudged Bankrupt on the 20th day of June 1866.
An Order of Discharge will be delivered to the Bankrupt after the expiration of thirty days from this date, unless an appeal be duly entered against the judgment of the Court and notice thereof be given to the Court.

Lynne Advertiser - 11th August 1866

To Millers
TO BE LET with immediate possession or at Michaelmas next, a good WINDMILL with two pairs of French Stones and roundhouse.
Capable of holding 60 or 70 quarters, all in thorough repair.
Apply to J. Philo, London Street, Swaffham.
Norfolk News - 4th April 1868

The Bankruptcy Act 1861
In the County Court of Norfolk holden at Swaffham
In the matter of George Jennis Smith of Swaffham in the county of Norfolk, Miller and Baker, adjudged Bankrupt on the 19th day of June 1866. A meeting of the Creditors of this Bankrupt will be held before the Registrar at the County Court Office,
Swaffham on the 26th day of November 1868 at 10 o'c in the forenoon for the purpose of declaring a dividend ...
John Smith
Bailiff
Lynne Advertiser - 14th November 1868
The above advertisement appeared in the Norfolk News on 14th November 1868 but the bankrupt's second name was given as Jervois instead of Jennis.

THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861
In the matter of George Jennis Smith of the Parish of Swaffham in the county of Norfolk, Miller and Baker, adjudged Bankrupt on the 20th June 1866.
A meeting of the Creditors of the said Bankrupt will be held ... for the purpose
of declaring a dividend ... 28 December 1870
John Smith
Bailiff
Lynne Advertiser - 17th December 1870

c.1900
c.1900

Situations Vacant
WANTED immediately, a trustworthy competent MAN to work a Post Windmill.
Apply to William Barnes, Swaffham.
Norfolk News - 3rd February 1872


SWAFFHAM
Preliminary Notice
Valuable Copyhold Estate comprising 13a. 0r. 17p. of Excellent Land. Capital POST WINDMILL in good repair, Two desirable and well built RESIDENCES with bake office, cooper's shop, yard, stabling and outbuildings. Two excellent SLAUGHTER HOUSES, with stabling, piggeries etc.
Mr. ROBERT HEYHOE
is favoured with instructions from the Trustees under the Will of the late Mr. James Raven to Sell the above by Auction at the Crown Hotel, Swaffham on Thursday May 30, 1872 at 2 for 3 o'c.
Lynne Advertiser - 4th May 1872


Situations Vacant
WANTED, a MAN to Work a POST WINDMILL.
Apply to W. Preston, Swaffham.
Norfolk News - 7th November 1874


TITHE AWARD, Altered Apportionment, 1874
Map
Owner: Trustee of James Raven (James Philo)
Occupier: William Barnes

No. S 903

Garden & Land by Mill

 
Occupier: John Smith
No. S 899a In Mill Field
There was no entry for No. S 902, The Mill

POOR RATE 1875
200
Occupier: W. Preston
Owner: do
Mill & House N.W. Pool (North Well Pool)
0a. 1r. 9p.
Gross Estimated Rental
Rateable Value

Mill, Mill Lane
0a. 1r. 11p.
Gross Estimated Rental
Rateable Value

Rate at 10d.
With other property


£25.
£15.



£10.
£6.


£1. 19s. 3d.

William Barnes, Miller, Baker, and Corn Dealer
Mangate Street

The extensive and old-established business conducrted in Swaffham by Mr. William Barnes, miller, baker, and corn dealer, is of considerable importance to the welfare of the community, as through the agency of this concern a constant supply of good pure bread is ensured. The premises occupied by Mr. Barners comprise a shop which fronts to Mangate Street; and there are also several large granaries at the rear for the storage of flour, corn etc. At this establishment there is a daily supply of pure home-made white and brown bread, prepared in the best manner, and affording the highest satisfaction to the many purchasers of it. In addition to his business as a baker, Mr. Barnes is also an extensive dealer in hay, offals, malt and hops, Scotch oatmeal, dog biscuits, linseed, linseed meal, farm seeds, bird seeds, German yeast and similar goods, of which he has on hand a large and well-assorted stock; the various articles being of really superior character and commanding a ready sale. He is also agent for the celebrated Hungarian flour; while in all the branches of trade mentioned he has a most influential and widespread connection, which has been built up during the twenty-five years this business has been in existence.
NIAS Norfolk Directory - 1890

O. S. Map 1883
O. S. Map 1883
Courtesy of NLS map images

Ogilby's Britannia map, London to Wells 1675: Windmill

O.S. map 1824: Windmill

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

Pigot's 1830: Abdell Smith, miller, baker & flour dealer, London st

Greenwood's map 1834: Windmill

White's 1836: Abdall Smith, corn miller, residing in London street

Poor Rate 1838: Abdil Smith, miller & occupier

S
eptember 1838: Mill advertised to be let

June 1839: Mill advertised to be let

Tithe Award 1843: Owner: James Raven; Occupier: Abdel Smith

White's 1845: Abdall Sm
ith, corn miller, residing in London street

White's 1854: George Smith, corn miller & baker, residing in London street

Poor Rate 1858: George Smith, miller & occupier. Owner Claxson's executor

White's 1864: George James Smith, corn miller & baker, residing in London street

June 1866: George Jennis Smith, bankrupt

August 1866: Mill advertised to be let

July 1867: Mill advertised to be let


1872: William Barnes, miller

May 1872: Mill advertised to be sold along with bake office, cooper's shop, two slaughter houses etc.

1874: William Preston, miller

Poor Rate 1875: William Preston, miller; owner & occupier
& at North Pool smockmill

Kelly's 1879: William Preston, miller & corn & coal merchant, Station street

O.S. map 1887:
Windmill (Corn)

White's 1883:
Wm. Preston, miller, corn and coal & cake mert. Station st. mill, Pool mill, and Cley road mill;
h. Station street

O.S. map 1887: Windmill

1890: WIlliam Barnes, Miller, Baker, and Corn Dealer - Mangate St. retail premises

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 TF81700790
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