Pockthorpe
Magdalen Road
postmill

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Magdalen Road postmill was standing in 1732 and may have been built by Robert_Briggs. The mill buck was built over a two storey roundhouse and at that time the mill used common sails to run a single pair of French burr stones used for grinding wheat into flour and also a pair of Derby Peak stones that were probably used for animal feed. By 1815 the mill was exclusively grinding flour using two pairs of French burr stones, a flour mill and jumpers and by 1835 the mill was using patent sails to power one pair of 4 ft. 8 ins. and one pair of 4 ft. French burr stones. In 1875 the mill was using one pair of 5 ft and one pair of 3 ft. 10 ins. French burr stones.


A Very able Wind-Mill, near Magdalen-Gates in Norwich, in good Repair, double Stoned Peak and French and a Pair of Cullins, to be Lett at Christmas next. She is well Customed, and a good Distance from Water. Inquire of Mr. James Skipper, or of Mr. Briggs the Millwright, both in Norwich aforesaid
Norwich Gazette - 22nd July 1732


John Preston was the miller in 1758 and his daughter Sarah, 17, was married to Michael Baldwin in St. Paul's Church on the 18th March of that year.

Benjamin Manhood was the miller in 1773. He was born in Attleborough in 1750, the son of John and Judith Manhood. He married Mary Millington, 17, daughter of John Millington, carpenter, at St. James church on the 21st June 1773. He was still the miller in 1779.


14th Jan. 1779: Benjamin Manhood of the Hamlet of Pockthorpe belonging to the City of Norwich, Miller.
Assignment. £350 Windmill and Round House. The Windmill and Round House above mentioned being assigned to Samuel Chapman of the City of Norwich, baker and Farmer, is hereby allowed
.
Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy 61026


A WINDMILL

To be LETT, and entered upon immediately, a very good POST WINDMILL, near Magdalen-gate, Norwich, with a large and convenient Round-house, two Pair of exceeding good Stones, and a Flour Mill, and all her going Geers, in Good Repair, and upon an exceeding good Construction for Business. - Also a DWELLING-HOUSE, STABLE, and HAY-HOUSE, with two Acres of Land.
For further Particulars enquire of William Barnham, White-friars-bridge, or of Samuel Chapman, Baker, St. Augustine's, Norwich

Norfolk Chronicle - 25th January 1783

To be SOLD

An exceeding good WINDMILL, just out of MAGDALEN GATES, on the Right Hand Side
Also an ESTATE at Morley, near WYMONDHAM, in the Occupation of SAMUEL GOULSTON, consisting of a Farm House, &c. with about 35 Acres of exceeding good Land adjoining.
For further Particulars apply to. James Parkerson, Tombland, Mr. Robert Smith, at the Corner of Hay Hill, or Messrs. Foster, Son and Unthank, Attornies in Norwich.
All Persons who have any Demands on the late Mr. Mason, of this City, Baker, Deceased, are requested to send to the said Mr. Parkerson, or Mr. Smith, An Account thereof; and all Persons who stood indebted to the said Mr. Mason, at the time of his Death, are desired to discharge the same immediately.

Norfolk Chronicle - 1st & 8th October, 3rd & 10th December 1785

The mill was not sold, it was advertised again in December 1785, the same advert appearing but omitting the details of the estate at Morley. The mill was marked on Faden's 1797 map.


To be Sold by Auction
By Samuel Bond

On Tuesday 3rd day of December between the hours of 4 and 5 o'c in the afternoon at Mr. Robert Allen's at the sign of the three pigeons in St. Gregory's parish, Norwich.
All that large WINDMILL in capital repair, with a roundhouse, cylinder, flour mill, corn screen and all her working geers, late in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Allen, deceased, in the parish of Pockthorpe, about one quarter of a mile from Magdalen Gates, with the remainder of the lease, which are 9 years 6 months unexpired at Christmas next, at the yearly rent of three guineas a year, with dwelling house, quite new, stable, cart house, pig stye, with two acres of land, more or less.
N.B. On the Wednesday following will be sold by Auction about 400 sacks, likewise a horse, cart, harness, scales, beams and weights, two corn bushels etc. These goods will be sold at the Mill above mentioned. The sale to begin at 11 o'c in the forenoon.
Particulars of the Auctioneer in Pottergate Street, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 30th November 1793

James Royall
Signatory to Notice re Purchase of Corn on One Month's Credit.

Norfolk Chronicle - 29th October 1808


Richard Bush was the miller in 1814, when he went bankrupt.

WHEREAS a Commission of Bankruptcy is awarded and issued forth against RICHARD BUSH, now or late of the city of Norwich, Miller, and he being declared a Bankrupt is hereby required to surrender himself to the Commissioners in the said Commission named, or the major part of them, on the twenty-second day of June, and the second and thirtieth days of July next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the said twenty-second day of June, and at four o'clock in the afternoon of the said second and thirtieth days of July, at the Maid's Head Inn, in the parish of Saint Simon & Jude, in the said city of Norwich, and make a full discovery and disclosure of his Estate and Effects, when and where the Creditors are to come prepared to prove their debts, and at the second sitting to choose Assignees, and at the last sitting the said Bankrupt is required to finish his examination, and the Creditors are to assent to or dissent from the allowance of his Certificate.
All persons indebted to the said Bankrupt, or that have any of his Effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to whom the Commissioners shall appoint; but give notice to Messrs. Atkinson, Wilder and Mackerall, Solicitors, Chancery Lane, London; or to Messrs Steward and Skipper, Solicitors, Norwich

Norfolk Chronicle - 18th June 1814

Commission of Bankrupt against Richard Bush, now or late of the City of Norwich, Miller.
To surrender 22 June at the Maid's Head Inn, parish of St. Simon and Jude, Norwich.

London Gazette - 18th June 1814


Richard Bush's stock in trade was sold off on the 12th July 1814


By Order of the Assignees,
To be SOLD by AUCTION,
By J. CULLEY

On Tuesday, July twelfth, 1814, at the Wind-mill situated near Magdalen Gates, Norwich, lately occupied by Mr. Richard Bush.
THE STOCK IN TRADE of the said RICHARD BUSH, a Bankrupt; comprising ten very capital fat hogs, to be sold in lots of one each, about three sacks of coarse flour, considerable quantity of fine pollard and bran, fourteen coombs of oats, also 300 sacks in lots, part of them quite new, eight flour cloths, four sail cloths, three sack barrows, bushels and corn screens, large iron beam, wood scales, and weights, bill thrift, seven bills and two iron crows, iron and wood shovels, a very capital grindstone, miller's cart, plough and harrows, cart saddle and breechings, four pig's troughs, three swill tubs, and a variety of useful articles. The whole will be sold without reserve.
The sale to begin at half-past ten o'clock.
N.B. At the same time will be Sold by Auction, about Five Acres of fine Growing Vetches, in lots, as now staked out.
The Miller on the Premises will shew the several lots. - Likewise five or six loads of excellent Muck.
All persons who stand indebted to the Estate of the said Bankrupt, are hereby required to pay their respective debts at the office of Messrs. Steward and Skipper, Solicitors, under the said Commission forthwith.

Norfolk Chronicle - 9th July 1814

Commission of Bankrupt awarded 10 June, 1814, against Richard Bush, now or late of the City of Norwich, Miller. Final dividend 28 December at Maid's Head Inn, parish of St. Simon and Jude in the City of Norwich.
London Gazette - 6th December 1814


TO BE SOLD OR LET

A substantial POST WINDMILL, in good repair, two pair of French Stones, with Going Gears complete, situated within a short distance of Norwich.
For particulars apply to the Printers.

Norfolk Chronicle - 9th December 1815

To be SOLD by Auction
By Mr. CULLEY,
On Saturday, the 27th day of January 1816, at the Crown Inn, St. Stephen's,
Norwich, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

ALL that POST WINDMILL, with the brick round-house, machinery, and going geers thereto; together with the lease of about six acres of land, upon part whereof the mill stands, as also a Cottage, Stable, and two pig-sties, The whole was late in the occupation of Mr. Bush, and is situate within a very short distance of Magdalen and Pockthorpe Gates, Norwich; and possession may be had immediately.
N.B. - Part of the purchase-money may remain on mortgage.
Enquire of Steward and Skipper, Solicitors, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 13th, 20th & 27th January 1816

WANTED

A Respectable YOUTH as an apprentice to a MILLER, who will be treated as one of the Family.
A Small Premium will be expected.
Enquire of Mr. Royall near Magdalen Gates, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 15th April 1826

To be Sold by Private Contract
With Immediate Possession

All that capital POST WINDMILL situate near Magdalen Gates, Norwich with two patent sails which drives by spur gears two pair of French Stones nearly new and of excellent quality diameter 4 ft. 8 in. by 4 ft. with Flour Mill and Jumper complete; also a roundhouse with two floors will contain 20 lasts or more; also house, granary, stable, gig house, and cow house, cart lodge and piggeries; also garden well planted, with a pump of good water, all adjoining. The above premises have been occupied by the proprietor 33 years and are in capital repair. The mill is capable of manufacturing 3 lasts per week on average, for which there is a Retail Trade that takes off the whole.
N.B. There are two pieces of excellent Arable Land containing six acres, more or less, contiguous to the above premises in a high state of cultivation, on lease, which may go with the Mill if required.

Norfolk Chronicle - 26th September 1835

TO BE LET,
NEAR MAGDALEN GATES, Norwich,
With Immediate Possession, (if required) or at Michaelmas next.

A Capital POST WINDMILL, in full trade, and in excellent repair, driving two pair of French Stones, flour mill, jumpers, and going gears complete, with cottage, granary, stables, piggery, and garden well planted; and also Six Acres of Arable Land, in a high state of cultivation.
For particulars apply to Mr. James Royall, at Hautbois, or to Mr. Wm. Hall, St. George's Colegate, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 9th, 23rd & 30th July 1836

NORWICH
Magdalen Gates
Most desirable Mill and Occupation of Land
In the immediate vicinity of the City of Norwich

To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Culley on Saturday 16 July 1842 at the Cat & Fiddle Inn, Magdalen Street, Norwich at 4 o'c. In one Lot. All that capital POST WINDMILL most advantageously situate within a quarter of a mile of Magdalen Gates.
The Mill has an excellent brick Round House, two pair of superior French stones, Flour Mill and Jumper, with all her fixed Gears in capital repair, and stand well in the wind. There is a Miller's Dwelling House, large Warehouse adjoining, brick and tiled Stable, three boarded and tiled warehouses, two small well planted Gardens, Mill Yard, and two Inclosures of excellent Arable Land adjoining and abutting upon the High Road from Magdalen Gates to Catton and Sprowston, altogether containing about 6 acres.
The Land to be held at an annual rent for a term of seven years from Michaelmas next.
The property is now in the occupation of Mr. Stammers, and was formerly occupied by Mr. Royall, the Proprietor of the Mill, by whom very respectable trades have been carried on for many years.
Apply to Mr. Skipper, Solr. Norwich, or to the Auctioneer.

Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd, 9th & 16th July 1842

MOST DESIRABLE
MILL & OCCUPATION OF LAND
In the immediate vicinity of the City of Norwich.
To be SOLD by AUCTION,
By Mr. CULLEY
On Saturday, the 16th day of July, 1842,
At the Cat and Fiddle Inn, Magdalen Street, Norwich,
At Four o'clock in the Afternoon
IN ONE LOT.
ALL that capital POST WINDMILL, most advantageously situated within a quarter of a mile of Magdalen Gates

The Mill has an excellent brick Round House, two pair of superior French stones, Flour Mill and Jumper, with all her fixed gears in capital repair, and stand well in the wind. There is a Miller's Dwelling-house, large Warehouse adjoining, brick and tiled Stable, three boarded and tiled Warehouses, two small well-planted Gardens, Mill; Yard, and two Inclosures of excellent Arable Land adjoining, and abutting on the High Road from Magdalen Gates to Catton and Sprowston, altogether containing about Six Acres.
The Land to be held at an annual rent for a term of seven years from Michaelmas next.
The property is now in the occupation of Mr. Stammers, and was formerly occupied by Mr. Royall, the Proprietor of the Mill, by whom very respectable trades have been carried on for many years.
For Particulars and Conditions of Sale apply to Mr. Skipper, Solicitor, Norwich, or to the Auctioneer.

Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd July 1846

John Stammers, born 1822, second son of Robert Stammers of Magdalen Gates post mill, Pockthorpe, Norwich.
At Wymondham 1850 - 1858.
Went to Dilham watermill by 1861 and to Mendham watermill 1864.

Letter from David Cubitt, Norwich, to Harry Apling - December 1982
N.B. John's brother Joseph Stammers, was miller at Mendham

Robert Stammers took the watermill at Gressenhall. In 1851 he was given as a master miller employing 3 men, living at the Mill, Gressenhall. His 2-year-old daughter had been born there. He was to remain at Gressenhall until his death on the 19th April 1885.


TO BE LET
WITH IMMEDIATE POSSESSION,

A capital Post Windmill, advantageously situate on the Hills above Pockthorpe.
A COTTAGE RESIDENCE may be had with the Mill, if required.
For particulars apply to Messrs. Skipper and Son, Bank Street, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 1st April 1848

John Custance Hammond was the miller in 1854, having previously been at the Pockthorpe_tower_mill. John Gage took over Magdalen Road postmill after John Custance Hammond had moved to the tower mill at New Catton.


Housebreaking. - About six o'clock on Saturday evening, the house of Mr. John Gage, known as Mill Cottage, Magdalen Road, was entered by two men, by means of skeleton keys, whilst Mr. Gage and his family were absent. The drawers in a bureau were broken open, but nothing was taken, the men being disturbed by a little girl entering the cottage whilst they were ransacking the drawers, on an errand to Mrs. Gage. One of them immediately knocked the girl down, and decamped with his companion. She is unable to give any description of the miscreants.
Norfolk Chronicle - 28th November 1857


John Gage was followed by John Andrews who was was born in Dilham c.1808 and had previously been at the post mill in Swanton Abbot. In 1861 he was given as a flour miller aged 53 living at the Mill & House, St. Paul's with his wife Eleanor, 52 and daughter Eliza, 258.

Daniel Howard was the next miller, being listed at the mill in 1863. Daniel Howard was the brother of Lydia, who had married John Custance Hammond. He was born on the 24th December 1822 and married Frances Ann Long on the 24th March 1847 at Thorpe St. Andrew. They had one son, Daniel, who was born in 1849. In 1851, he was given as a baker and shopkeeper aged 38 living in Barrack Street, St. James's with his wife Frances Ann, 35 and son Daniel James, 28.

Daniel Howard Sr. ran the Bakers Arms Public House in Catton from 1868 to 1871 and it seems the mill was disused by this time. It was dismantled in the summer of 1875.


Houses etc.

POST WINDMILL to Let, Magdalen Road, Norwich, on reasonable terms.
Apply Mr. Utting, Magdalen Road, Norwich.

Norfolk News - 3rd July 1875

MAGDALEN GATES, Norwich.
To Millers, Millwrights, Builders, and Others,
Mr. RAY
IS instructed to Sell by Auction, on Tuesday, August 17th, 1875, in Lots, the Plant and Materials comprised in the
POST WINDMILL

situate near Magdalen Gates, consisting of a pair of French Burr Stones, 3ft. 10in., a pair of 5ft. ditto, iron spur wheel, wind shaft, upright shaft, 2 stone nuts, stone spindles, flour mill reel and drums, 2 prs. govenors, oak post, crown trees and cross trees, capital old iron pig troughs, cart harness, springs, axletrees, and miscellaneous effects.
The sale will commence at Eleven o'clock.
Offices - Bank Plain, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 14th August 1875

No sails mentioned in the advert. These could have been removed and sold at an earlier date or blown off in a gale.


Daniel Howard snr. died on the 25th April 1902.


The mill was marked as a smock mill on the 1873 map but this is clearly an error. It is marked with a circle and the legend "Old Windmill" on the 1884 map. This could indicate that the roundhouse was left standing on its site 50 feet above sea level, after the windmill was demolished and possibly survived for a few years longer but It had gone by 1907.


O. S. Map 1884
O. S. Map 1884
Postmill marked as Old Windmill in centre
Towermill marked as Windmill (Disused) in centre
Courtesy of NLS map images

July 1732: Mill advertised to be let

1758: John Preston, miller

1773: Benjamin Manhood, miller

1779: Benjamin Manhood, miller

January 1783: Mill advertised to be let

1785: Samuel Goulston, miller

October 1785: Mill advertised for sale

1793: Samuel Allen, miller, died

November 1793: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Faden's map 1797: Windmill

1808: James Royall, miller

1810: James Royall, miller

1814: Richard Bush, miller, bankrupt

December 1815: Mill advertised for sale or let

January 1816: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

1826: James Royall, miller

Millard & Manning's Plan of the City of Norwich 1830: Post mill with roundhouse

Pigot's 1830: James Royall, miller, Magdalen st

Manning's map 1834: Windmill

September 1835: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

1836: James Royall, miller

July 1836: Mill advertised to be let

1839: James Royall, miller

1840: James Royall, miller

1842: Robert Stammers, miller; James Royall, owner

July 1842: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1846: Robert Stammers, miller; James Royall, owner

July 1846: Mill advertised to be sold by auction

April 1848: Mill advertised to be let

1854: John Custance Hammond, miller

1857: John Gage, miller

1861: John Andrew's, miller

1863: Daniel Howard, miller

Morant's map 1873: Windmill

July 1875: Mill advertised to be let

August 1875: Mill machinery advertised for sale by auction

Summer 1875: Mill dismantled and taken down


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 TG23290991
 
-1732 to 1875
All historical material within this page
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