Norfolk Mills - West Walton Highway tower windmill

West Walton Highway
towermill

23rd August 1980

West Walton Highway tower mill was at Fen End and stood some 2½ miles south east of West Walton. The mill was originally built in the 1700s and was only three storeys high with a pronounced batter. However, an additional two floors were added by John Dobbs, who for obvious reasons dramatically altered the angle and levelled the batter out. He also tarred the red brick mill and incorporated a datestone into the brickwork inscribed J.D. 1815 and thereafter the mill was consequently sometimes known as Dobbs' Mill.

To be Sold by Auction by Mr. STEPHEN GREGORY, jun.
At the Ship Hotel in Wisbech in the county of Cambridgeshire
On Saturday 3 July1866 at 3 for 4 o'clock in the afternoon (by order of the Trustees of the will of the late Mr. Charles Hubbard) in the following or such other lots as may be determined upon at the time of sale, the following very

VALUABLE ESTATES

In WALPOLE ST. PETER
Lot 1. All those 8a. 1r. 38p. (more or less) of Freehold ARABLE LAND in Thorough Field, No. 1128 on the Tithe Map, next Mill Lane south, in the occupation of Mr. Daniel Sutterby.
In WEST WALTON
Lot 2. All that WIND CORN MILL in good trade, with Residence, yard, garden, orchard and paddock and close of superior Arable Land adjoining, the whole containing 9a. 3r. 5p. (more or less) Nos. 337, 338, 339 and 340 on the Tithe Map, in Wilby Field, next the public highway leading from West Walton to Marshland Smeeth and Fen north; also in the occupation of Daniel Sutterby.
The Mill, Residence and Outbuildings and 2r. 0p. (more or less) Copyhold, Fine Certain and the remainder Freehold.
Application to be made to Mr. Richard Hubbard, Marshland Fen or Mr. Reuben Tuck, Salter's Lode, Downham Market (Trustees for Sale), to the Auctioneer, Tilney or at our Offices.

F. & E. H. Jackson
Solicitors, Wisbech

Wisbech, 1 June 1886
Lynn Advertiser - 12th June 1886

Daniel Sutterby remained at the mill after its sale and after his death, his son William Sutterby carried on the business. He later installed a steam engine to supplement wind power and the mill remained running until the gale of 22nd February 1908 damaged the mill beyond economical repair.

It was recorded that the ogee cap still remained on the tower in 1933.

By 1980 the mill had been converted to a private residence and a bungalow had been built on to it. The batter eased of around the upper two floors and the cap had been replaced by a castellated roof.

In 2000 the mill had new owners who embarked upon an extensive renovation. The castellations were removed, the roof was made watertight, floors and stairs were reinstated and a heating system was installed.

1st October 2005

Will proved 1740: William More, miller of West Walton

Poll Book 1802: John Dobbs snr

1815: Additional two floors added to the tower by John Dobbs snr

O.S. map 1824: Mill

1836: John Dobbs jnr. miller

1863: John Dobbs jnr. miller

1864: Daniel Sutterby, miller renting the mill

1886: Mill put up for auction by trustees of the will of Charles Hubbard who had been the owner

18th April 1898: Daniel Sutterby died

1898: William Sutterby

Kelly's 1904: William Sutterby, miller (wind)

22nd February 1908: Mill damaged beyond repair by severe gale

1933: Ogee cap still in situ

1980: Bungalow had been built alongside

2000: Mill bought and extensively renovated by the new owners

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 01263 587564 or

Nat Grid Ref TF50251175

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