Tilney St. Lawrence Fen End postmill stood close to the chapel on the south side of the village. The mill buck stood on a roundhouse and was turned to wind by a left handed 6 bladed fantail on the ladder, the original tailpole having been cut off. Power was supplied by four single shuttered patent sails - the inner pair had 6 bays of 4 shutters and the outer pair had 4 bays of 4 shutters and 3 bays of 3 shutters. Two pairs of stones were set in the breast of the mill, the left hand pair were French burr stones and the right hand pair were Peak stones. A bakehouse was run on the premises.

Windmill at Tilney To be Let
A new built Dwelling house with an excellent WINDMILL, Stable and other Buildings and a piece of Land adjoining in Tilney St. Lawrence next the turnpike road leading from Lynn to Wisbech , now in the occupation of Mr. Sutterby.
Possession will be given on the 11th October next.
Apply to Mr. John Barsham of Fincham or Messrs. Jarvis, Solrs. Lynn.
Lynn, 20 September 1837.
Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd & 30th September 1837

To be Sold by Auction by Messrs. Squier & Green at the Bell Inn, Wisbech on Saturday 27 January instant at 6 o'c
The following Valuable FREEHOLD ESTATES at Tilney St. Lawrence and Walpole St. Peters in the county of Norfolk
In Tilney St. Lawrence
Lot 1. All that Messuage or Dwelling house and Wind Corn Mill with the Barn, Stable and Granary, Bakehouse and Outbuildings and 5a. 1r. 0p. (more or less) of excellent Land lying under the same abutting upon the Turnpike Road leading from Lynn to Wisbech north and upon the Smeeth Road west and now in the occupation of Richard Sutterby.
Lot 2. A Messuage and Shop near the above with the Yard and Garden abutting upon the Turnpike Road and now in the occupation of J. Goodwin.
The Sales to be completed on the 6th April next.
Particulars on application to Mr. Dobbs. Walsoken, Mr. Dobbs, jnr. West Walton or to Mr. T. S. Watson or Mr. Edward Jackson, Solrs. Wisbech.
Wisbech January 8, 1838.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th, 20th & 27th January 1838

To be Sold by Auction by Messrs. Squires and Green at the Bell Inn, Wisbech on 27 January inst.
In Tilney St. Lawrence, Norfolk. Various Estates.
Lot 1. All that messuage or dwelling house and Wind Corn Mill, with the Barn, Stable and Granary, Bakehouse and Outbuildings and 5a. 1r. 0p. (more or less) of excellent Land lying under the same, abutting upon the Turnpike Road leading from Lynn to Wisbech north and upon the Smeeth Road west and now in the occupation of Richard Sutterby.
Lot 2. A Messuage and Shop near the above, with the yard and garden abutting upon the Turnpike Road north, and now in the occupation of J. Goodwin.
Norfolk Chronicle - 20th January 1838

Situations Vacant
To Millers & Bakers
Wanted immediately, a steady active Young Man of good character.
Apply D. Clifton, Tilney Fen Mill, near Lynn, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 11th April 1857

To be sold by Private Contract with possession at Michaelmas.
A Capital corn WINDMILL driving two pairs of stones, with patent sails, strong works and brick ROUNDHOUSE capable of containing 1000 sacks of flour.
Also an excellent Baking Office with a good Oven and Drying House and every convenience for trade.
Also a substantial and well built Dwelling House with cart lodge, stables, piggeries and garden and Three Acres (more or less) of pasture and arable land adjoining the said premises.
Apply to Mr. I. O. Smetham, Solr. Kings Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th May 1857 & Stamford Mercury - 22nd May 1857

To Millers & Bakers
Wanted, a man to assist in both branches.
Apply to J. Shepherd, Tilney St. Lawrence.
Lynn Advertiser - 2nd & 9th October 1875

FOR SALE, a strong useful Cob, 5 years old, 14½ h.h. sound and quiet.
Apply to R. Fordham, Tilney St. Lawrence.
Lynn Advertiser - 30th July 1887

VIOLENT HURRICANE
... Saturday (22nd) ... worst since gale of 24 March 1895 ... Terrington Miller Killed
At Terrington St John, Fen End, a wooden post windmill, working on a pivot, was tilted over by the wind and wrecked, the occupier, Isaac Stacey, farmer and miller who was grinding corn at the time being killed on the spot by the ruins of the mill falling upon him.
Dereham & Fakenham Times - Saturday 29th February 1908

The Post Mill at Tilney Fen End which was owned by my Father was struck by lightning on Feb. 22nd in 1908 when my father was killed by lightning as my father was standing near the mill ready to aid the Fan tackle in case the wind changed. The Fan tackle travelled round the mill on a wood surface and if the wood was wet or slippery it was necessary to sprinkle ashes for the wheels to travel so that the Sails was kept Facing in the Wind. There were times when a very strong wind would cease for a brief Period and then blow from the opposite direction and that would cause the mill to be tailwinded that was why my Father was there to help and see that the Fan Tackle needed the ashes for the Fan Tackle to travel quickly. Then the lightning struck the mill and my Father was killed by the lightning. My brother Harry was up in the mill and came down in the mill but was not Hurt in any way. I was in the yard feeding the cows and the cows were so terrified they went round the yard in such a way indescrible.
... There were Two Tower Mills at Terrington_St_Clements and they Both had the Top Blown off in the same storm and one at Tilney St. Lawrence, one at Terrington_St._Johns. I don't remember what happened to that, it was put out of order, one at Walpole_Highway, one at Walton Bank, one at West_Walton,one at Denver, one at Emneth that was burnt, one at Watlington, one at Three Holes, one at Wisbech, (one at Manea owned by my Uncle) all these were in working order before that storm. Only Father's Mill was a POST MILL.
Letter from F. W. Stacey, Starston, Nr. Harleston to Harry Apling - 6th August 1973

White's 1836: Richard Sutterby, corn miller & baker

1837: Richard Sutterby, miller

September 1837: Mill advertised to be let

1838: Richard Sutterby, miller

January 1838: Mill advertised for sale by auction

White's 1845: Richard Sutterby, corn miller & baker

White's 1854: Richard Sutterby, corn miller

1857: Richard Sutterby, miller

1857: Daniel Clifton, miller

May 1857: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

1863: James Gamble, miller

White's 1864: James Gamble, corn miller

1868: James Gamble, miller

1875: John Shepherd, miller

1878: John Shepherd, miller

1883: Robert Fordham, miller

1887: Robert Fordham, miller

O.S. map 1889: Windmill (Corn)

White's 1890: Robert Fordham, corn miller & farmer

Kelly's 1892: Isaac Stacey, miller (wind) Fen end

Kelly's 1896: Isaac Stacey, miller (wind) Fen end

Kelly's 1896: Isaac Stacey, miller (wind) & shop-keeper, Fen end

Kelly's 1900: Isaac Stacey, miller (wind) & shop-keeper, Fen end

Kelly's 1904: Isaac Stacey, miller (wind), Fen end

O.S. map 1906: Windmill

Saturday 22nd February 1908: Mill struck by lightning and blown over by a heavy gale killing Isaac Stacey

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2011