Swanton Abbot
postmill

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Swanton Abbott postmill stood to the south of the village on Hill Common. The mill was built with common sails to power two pairs of French burr stones and a flour mill. By 1863 the mill had been fitted with patent sails.


Notice re Insolvency of
James Elvin of Swanton Abbott, Miller
Deed of Assignment dated 25 October for Benefit of Creditors
Norfolk Chronicle - 29th October & 5th November 1831


James Elvin's cousin, William, was running Marsham postmilll in the 1830s.


To Millers and others
To be Sold by Auction by Barcham & Boulter
(Under a Deed of Assignment in Trust for the Creditors)
On Monday 31 October instant at the Kings Arms Inn, North Walsham in the county of Norfolk at 3 o'c.
A Compact Estate situate at Swanton Abbott in the county of Norfolk consisting of a capital Post Wind Corn Mill in substantial repair with two pair of excellent French stones, flour mill and all going gears complete, together with a convenient Dwelling house and other outbuildings in good condition, with about half an acre of Land. The above is situate on a lofty hill in an excellent corn country about 3 miles from North Walsham, 5 miles from Aylsham and 11 from Norwich, all good corn markets.
Immediate Possession may be had and a purchaser may be accommodated with part of the purchase money on mortgage.
Apply to Mr. Wilkinson, Solr. North Walsham, Messrs. Barcham & Boulter, Aylsham or to Henry Pike, Solr. Aylsham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 29th October 1831


TO MILLERS
SWANTON ABBOTT
To be Sold by Auction by Barcham & Boulter At the Kings Arms Inn, North Walsham, on Thursday 15 December Instant (Unless sooner disposed of by Private Contract)
A Desirable SMALL ESTATE in SWANTON ABBOTT in the county of Norfolk, late in the occupation of Mr. James Elvin, Miller, comprising a substantial Post Wind Mill working two pair of superior French stones with flour mill, going gears and other tackle in complete repair. A Dwelling house adjoining, a granary and other outbuildings and a large Garden well planted with fruit trees.
Immediate Possession may be had.
Apply to Mr. Wilkinson, Solr. North Walsham, Mr. Pike, Solr. Aylsham or to the Auctioneers.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th December 1831


To Millers and bakers.
To be Sold by Private Contract with Possession at Michaelmas next.
An excellent POST WINDMILL in full trade, situate in SWANTON ABBOTT in the county of Norfolk, driving two pair of stones, with flour mill and going gears complete. Also a Dwelling house, Cottage, baking office, granary and other outbuildings, yard and large garden attached, now in the occupation of Mr. Rayner.
Apply to Mr. Wilkinson, Solr. North Walsham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 17th & 24th June 1837


To be Sold by Private Contract. An excellent Post Windmill, in full trade, situate in Swanton Abbott, in the county of Norfolk, driving two pair of stones, with flour mill and going gears complete. Also a dwelling house, cottage, Baking Office, Granary and other outbuildings, Yards and large garden attached, now in the occupation of Mr. Rayner.
For particulars apply to Mr. Richard Youngman, of Honing.
Norfolk Chronicle - 1st December 1838


To Millers
To be Sold by Auction by Wm. Pope on Wednesday 16 October 1839 at 5 o'c at the Angel Inn, North Walsham, with Immediate Possession A capital POST WINDMILL in full trade situate in Swanton Abbott in the county of Norfolk, with a good Dwelling house, Granary, Stable and other Buildings and Yard and large Garden adjoining in the occupation of Mr. Rayner.
Apply to Mr. Wilkinson, Solr. North Walsham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 12th October 1839


SALE by AUCTION without reserve. With immediate possession.
To Millers and others. To be Sold by Auction by Wm. Pope on Tuesday 9 November 1849 at 4 o'c at the Angel Inn, North Walsham.
A Capital POST WINDMILL in Full Trade situate at Swanton Abbott in the county of Norfolk, with a good Dwelling House now licensed as a Beer house, Granary, Stable and other Buildings, Yard and large Garden in the occupation of Mr. Jesse Youngman.
Apply to Mr. Wilkinson, Solr. North Walsham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 30th October & 6th November 1841


SWANTON ABBOTT near North Walsham.
To be Let with Possession at Christmas next or sooner if required.
A very excellent POST WINDMILL driving two pairs of Stones, with Flour Mill attached and also three Cottages with Baking Office, large Garden and Millyard containing about one acre now in the occupation of Mr. Robert Claxton.
Apply to Mr. R. Claxton, the tenant or to Mr. W. P. Pillans, Solr. Swaffham or at his office at Watton on Wednesdays.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd December 1843


SWANTON ABBOTT
To be Sold by Auction at the Dog Inn, Aylsham on Tuesday 28 April 1846 at 4 o'c.
A very substantially built POST WINDMILL, driving two pairs of Stones and a Flour Mill attached, well situated for doing a good business.
And also three Cottages with a Baking office, a large Garden and a Mill yard adjoining containing altogether about One acre of Land. The Cottages and 20 perches of Land are Copyhold of the Manor of Swanton Abbott, Fine Certain and the residue is Freehold.
The above Property is situate at Swanton Abbott near North Walsham and Aylsham, both good Corn Markets and is now in the occupation of Mr. John Davison who will show the same.
Immediate possession may be had if required.
Annual Outgoings Quit Rent 7½d. L:and Tax ---
Apply to Mr. W. P. Pillans, Solr. Swaffham or at his office at Watton.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 11th & 18th April 1846


SWANTON ABBOTT
To be Let
With Immediate Possession
A Windmill situate in the Parish of Swanton Abbott
Apply to No. 5 Tabernacle Street, St. Martins at Palace, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 20th March 1852


SWANTON ABBOTT
To be Sold
A POST WINDMILL with Stable, Cart Lodge, five tenements with Garden and Land in occupation of - Morley and others.
Apply to Messrs. Heyhoe, East Bradenham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 19th June 1858


SWANTON ABBOTT
TO LET AT MICHAELMAS NEXT
A POST WIND-MILL with Spring vaned Sails and driving two Pairs of Stones, with COTTAGE, Yards, Garden and Offices attached and now in the occupation of Mr. Gray, late John Morley.
For particulars enquire of Mr. Francis Lee, Agent, Shipdham, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 4th & 11th July 1863


SWANTON ABBOTT
3 miles from North Walsham and 5 from Aylsham.
James Bacon is favoured with instructions from the Executors of the late G. B. Heyhoe Esq. to offer for sale by Auction at the Kings Arms Hotel, East Dereham on Friday June 18, 1869 at 4 o'c
Lot 1. Four Cottages, Stable, Cart Lodge, Sheds and land thereto belonging now occupied by George Green and abutting on the road to Aylsham and lands of Capt. Petre.
Lot 2. A Post Windmill with all going gears and fittings as now standing on Lot 1 to be taken down and cleared away at then purchaser's expense.
Apply to Messrs. Cooper, Son & Norgate, Solrs. East Dereham and the Auctioneer, Attleborough.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 29th May 1869


SWANTON ABBOTT
To be Sold by Auction by Charles Feltham at the Black Swan Inn, North Walsham on Thursday July 21, 1870 at 6 o'c.
The MILL commonly known as "Swanton Post Mill". She carries two pairs of stones and will be Sold subject to being taken down an removed at the purchaser's expense.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 16th July 1870


TO MILLWRIGHTS, MILLERS and OTHERS
Charles Feltham will Sell by Auction on Tuesday September 6, 1870 the whole of the MACHINERY, Stones and other going gears of the Swanton Post Mill which is being taken down to be sold in convenient Lots.
Norfolk News - 27th August & 3rd September 1870


A cousin has a decanter with a windmill etched on to it, attached, with W & HE. We assumed it was a tower mill, but William & David Elvin were at Marsham_post_mill. A cousin of theirs (we also assume as stated in censuses) was James Elvin at Swanton Abbott post mill.  But the earliest of our ancestors were Jonathan & Ann Elvin of Swanton Abbott, whose tower_mill is 'about 1845' - too late for any Elvins. The decanter also has W&HE for William (1790-1858) & Hannah (1792/3-1838) Elvin. who married in 1817. These dates suggest the decanter is between 1817 and 1838, when William was definitely at Marsham!
William's father was David, son of Jonathan.  In c.1841, he is with William, his son also David and James! William & James both 'Miller'; David senior 'Independant aged 80' and young David 'Apprentice aged 15.'  Hannah had died but Eliza Boult, Hannah's older sister was 'housekeeper'. William then married her that July.

Mark Roberts - 30th April 2013


O.S. Map 1884
O.S. Map 1884
Courtesy of NLS map images

October 1831: James Elvin, miller insolvent

October 1831: Mill advertised for sale by auction due to insolvency of James Elvin

White's 1836: John Rayner, miller

1837: John Rayner, miller

June 1837: Mill & bake house advertised for sale by private contract

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

1838: John Rayner, miller

December 1838: Mill & bake house advertised for sale by private contract

1839
: John Rayner, miller

October 1839: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1841: Jesse Youngman, miller & beerhouse

October 1839: Mill & beer house advertised for sale by auction

1843: Robert Claxton, miller

December 1843: Mill advertised to be let

White's 1845: Robert Claxton, corn miller

1846: John Davison, miller

April 1846: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1850: Matthew Bean miller

March 1852: Mill advertised to be let

1853: John Morley, miller

June 1858: Mill advertised for sale

c.1862: John Morley, miller

1863: ? Gray, miller

July 1863: Mill advertised to be let

1868: John Morley, miller

May 1869: Mill advertised for sale by auction to be dismantled and removed

July 1870: Mill advertised for sale by auction to be dismantled and removed

August 1870: Mill machinery advertised to be sold by auction

August 1870: Mill dismantled

O.S. map 1888-1890:Mill House adjacent to Mill Common


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 TG26682680
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2008