Thurning tower windmill worked in conjunction with Thurning watermill during the first quarter of the 1800s. From the 1826 auction details it would appear that each the mill was powering two sets of stones. Bryant's map of 1826 shows shows the windmill just to the north of the watermill and marks them as Union Mills, which would infer that they were using a joint power system or that they worked as a pair. The former is unlikely but the latter is quite plausible.

A story goes that...
Originally two brothers built the mill as a windmill but they then argued and fell out. One remained a miller and the other took to farming and he planted all the nearby trees in order to take the wind out of the mill's sails. Thus eventually the miller had to rebuild the mill as a watermill.

Estate at THURNING
To be Sold by Auction By Mr. B. Barcham
At the Black Boys Inn, Aylsham On Monday 14 August 1826 at 3 o'c
Unless before disposed of by Private Contract

Lot 1. Messuage... in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Johnson, the proprietor.

Lot 2. A Water_Corn_Mill & Wind Mill, lately erected on the most improved construction & containing four pairs of stones & two flour dressers, with stable, cowhouse & other outhouses & 27 acres or thereabouts of Arable land, meadow, wood & ozier ground adjoining. Also a Messuage & garden at a short distance from the Mill. The buildings & part of the lands in this Lot are in the occupation of William Reynolds, tenant from year to year & Possession of the remainder may be had at Michaelmas next.
Apply to Mr. J. B. Jackson, of Cley near Holt, the Auctioneer at Sherringham or Copeman & Parmeter of Aylsham of whose office Maps of the Property may be inspected.
N.B. Purchasers may be accommodated with considerable portions of the purchase monies.
Norfolk Chronicle - 29th July, 5th & 12th August 1826

Estate at THURNING
To be Sold by Private Contract

Lot 1. Messuage... in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Johnson, the proprietor.

Lot 2. A Water_Corn_Mill & Wind Mill, lately erected on the most improved construction & containing four pairs of stones & two flour dressers, with stable, cowhouse & other outhouses & 27 acres or thereabouts of Arable land, meadow, wood & ozier ground adjoining. Also a Messuage & garden at a short distance from the Mill. The buildings & part of the lands in this Lot are in the occupation of William Reynolds, tenant from year to year & Possession of the remainder may be had at Michaelmas next.
Apply to Mr. J. B. Jackson, of Cley near Holt or Copeman & Parmeter of Aylsham of whose office Maps of the Property may be inspected.
N.B. Purchasers may be accommodated with considerable portions of the purchase monies.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd & 9th September 1826

Estate at THURNING
To be Sold by Private Contract
A Capital Messuage etc. ...
This Estate was in the possession of the late Mr. Samuel Johnson, the Proprietor for many years ...

Also a WATER_CORN_MILL & WINDMILL, lately erected on the most improved construction & containing four pair of Stones, two Flour Dressers, with stable, cowhouse & other outhouses & 27 acres or thereabouts of Arable land, Meadow, Wood & Ozier Ground adjoining. Also a Messuage & Garden at a short distance from the Mill.
The Buildings & part of the Lands in this Lot are in the occupation of William Reynolds & possession of the remainder may be had at Michaelmas next.
N.B. The above Estates are in Thurning which is in an adjoining parish to Melton Constable (except for about four acres being n Briston) & all the Tenants hold from year to year.
Apply to Mr. J. B. Jackson, of Cley near Holt or Copeman & Parmeter of Aylsham of whose office Maps of the Property may be inspected.
N.B. Purchasers may be accommodated with considerable portions of the purchase monies.
Norfolk Chronicle - 28th April, 12th May, 21st & 28th july & 4th August 1827

Estates at THURNING
To be Sold by Private Contract on very reasonable terms
A Capital Messuage etc. ...
This Estate was in the possession of the late Mr. Samuel Johnson, the Proprietor ...

Also a Water_Corn_Mill & Windmill, lately erected on the most improved construction & containing four pair of Stones, two Flour Dressers, with Stable, Cow house & other Outbuildings & 27 acres or thereabouts of Arable land, Meadow, Wood & Ozier Ground adjoining.
Also a Messuage & Garden at a short distance from the Mill. The Buildings & part of the Lands in this Lot are in the occupation of William Reynolds & possession of the remainder may be had at Michaelmas next ...
Apply to Mr. J. B. Jackson, of Cley near Holt or Copeman & Parmeter of Aylsham of whose office Maps of the Property may be inspected.
N.B. Purchasers may be accommodated with considerable portions of the purchase monies.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th August 1828

Estates in THURNING etc.
To be Sold by Auction by B. Barcham At the Black Boys, Aylsham, on Monday 1st June 1829 at 3 o'c (Unless sooner Disposed of by Private Contract)
Lot. A Capital MESSUAGE ...
This Estate was in the possession of the late Mr. Samuel Johnson, the Proprietor for many years previous to his decease ...

Lot 2. A Water_Corn_Mill & Windmill, lately erected on the most improved construction & containing four pair of stones, two flour dressers, with stable, cow house & other outhouses & 27 acres or thereabouts of Arable land, Meadow, Wood & Ozier Ground adjoining.
Also the Messuage & Garden at a short distance from the Mill.
The Buildings & part of the Lands in this Lot are in the occupation of William Reynolds & possession of the remainder may be had at Michaelmas next.
N.B. Thew above Lots (1 - 4) are in Thurning which is a n adjoining parish to Melton Constable (except about 4four acres lying in Briston).
N.B. Purchasers may be accommodated with considerable portions of the purchase monies.
Norfolk Chronicle - 30th May 1829

Bryant's map 1826: Union Mills (wind & water)

1826: Sameul Johnson owner; William Reynolds, tenant miller

July 1826: Mill advertised for sale by auction along with watermill

September 1826: Mill advertised for sale by private contract in the occupation of William Reynolds

1827: Samuel Johnson died

April 1827: Mill advertised for sale by private contract in the occupation of William Reynolds

August 1828: Mill advertised for sale by private contract in the occupation of William Reynolds

Cary's atlas 1832: Union Mills

White's 1836: William Reynolds, miller

O.S. map 1838: Watermill

Tithe Award 1845: Owner: Thomas Armes; Occupier: William Reynolds

White's 1845: William Reynolds, miller

1846: William Reynolds

Norwich index of wills 1852: William Reynolds, miller

1853: William & Robert Reynolds

White's 1854: William Reynolds, corn miller

Craven's 1856: William & Robert Reynolds, millers

13th October 1856: William & Robert Reynolds - Deed of Assignment for the benefit of creditors

1861: Chester Leman

July 1861: Mill advertised for sale by auction along with watermill by Trustees of Thomas Armes

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007