Thorpe Mousehold
Black Mill
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1840
1840

There was a postmill marked on the 1750 map in the same position as that later occupied by the postmill known as the Black Mill. This could be the same mill as the Black Mill or an earlier mill on the same site. The Black Mill was described as "New" in 1778, a description generally applied to a mill less than twenty years old. In 1841 the Black Mill was dismantled and sold at auction. A new smockmill was built on the same site immediately afterwards.


John Sell Cotman of the Norwich School painted a watercolouyr in 1809-1810 the showed the ruins of St. Michael's Chapel, later known as Kett's Castle and two postmills on the extreme left of Mousehold Heath.
The other postmill would have been the Mousehold postmill.


The mill buck stood on a roundhouse and in 1802, four common sails powered two pairs of 4 ft. 6 ins. French burr stones, a flour mill and a wheat cleaning cylinder. In 1826 a millstone was advertised for sale leaving the mill to run with a single pair of stones. When dismantled in 1841, the mill had a cast iron windshaft with an eight foot headwheel and was using a single pair of 4 ft 10 ins stones. It was turned to wind using a tailpole with a wheel.


Norfolk Chronicle - 21st March 1778
Norfolk Chronicle - 21st March 1778

WHEREAS on Tuesday night the 3rd instant or early on Wednesday Morning, some Villains did maliciously cut and carry away two Sail-cloths from the new Wind-mill at Thorp, near Norwich; and on Thursday Night the 19th instant, or early on Friday morning, the said Mill was broke into, and robbed of One Sack of Meal. Whoever will give Information of the Offender or Offenders, so as he or they be brought to Justice, shall upon Conviction receive FIVE GUINEAS, to be paid by
JAMES PARKERSON, jun.

Norfolk Chronicle - 21st March 1778


James Parkerson took out an insurance policy on the mill about the time of the robberies.


Sun Fire Insurance Policy No. 396197
17 March 1778: James Parkerson jnr. of Norwich, Baker.
On his Wind Mill with the going geers therein at Thorpe near Norwich, £300.
Utensils and stock £200.


William Daynes was listed in Chase's Directory of 1783 as a miller at moushold mill. Peter Blomfield may have been the owner of the mill. There are two insurance policies bearing his name that appear to relate to the mill.


Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy No. 109726.
24 Dec. 1788: Peter Blomfield of the City of Norwich. On a Post Windmill and Roundhouse under situate at Thorpe near Norwich aforesaid £200. On utensils and trade therein £100.


Norwich, September 5.1789.
JAMES PARKERSON and SON
MILLERS and CORN MERCHANTS.

TAKE this Method of informing the Gentlemen and Farmers, in the Neighbourhood of this City, that they constantly attend their Office on Tombland; and on Saturdays, during the Corn Season, at Mr. Mayhew's, at the Castle and Lion, White-Lion-Lane, for the Purpose of buying Grain in General.
N.B. Flour, Malt, Oats etc. by retail.
Norfolk Chronicle - 12th September 1789

Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy No. 119465
11 Jan. 1791: Peter Blomfield of the City of Norwich. On a Windmill and Roundhouse under situate at Thorpe near Norwich aforesaid £200. On utensils and trade therein £100.


The Parkerson's were also at Keswick and Hellesdon watermills and were also Corn Merchants.


DIED.

Saturday last died, aged 85, Mr. Joseph Parkerson, father of Mr. Parkerson, miller, at Hellesdon.
Norfolk Chronicle - 6th February 1796

John Carter Parkerson was the miller in 1801, when he took out an insurance policy on the mill. The reference to a steam engine may be because a Steam Mill was then being erected by public subscription in Norwich. That steam mill only lasted 10 years before being dismantled.


Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy No. 183504
22nd April 1801. John Carter Parkerson of the City of Norwich, Baker, On a Corn Wind Mill House timber built £300. On the standing and going gears, millstones and machines in the same £100. On utensils and stock in trade £300. Situate in the Hamlet of Thorpe belonging to the City and in his own occupation. Warranted no steam engine in adjoining or communicating with the said Mill.


TO BE SOLD

Lot I. A Capital POST WINDMILL, situated in the hamlet of Thorpe, about half a mile on the road opposite Bishop-bridge, with two pair of 4 feet 6 inches French Stones, a cylinder for cleaning wheat, a cylinder and flour-mill for making flour, with improved Straining tackle so admirably conceived as to vie with the regularity of the motion of any water-mill; also two Cottages, a summer-house, stable, a garden, well laid out, and commanding an extensive prospect, an 37 acres, or a smaller quantity, of land, adjoining to the mill.
Lot II. A genteel DWELLING-HOUSE, situate in St. George of Tombland, next the Baking-Office late in the occupation of Mr. Parkerson, consisting of two parlours, kitchen, four lodging rooms, and large cellars, together with a yard paved with flagstones, and wash-house, and other conveniences.
For further particulars, apply to Foster, Son, Unthank, and Forster, attornies, in Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 20th & 27th March 1802

The mill was not sold and was put up for auction In October 1802.


TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
(Unless disposed of by private contract)
by WM. BURT
On Saturday October 2nd, 1802, precisely at 4 o'clock,
at the Waggon and Horses, St. George, Tombland

A Capital POST WINDMILL, situate in the Hamlet of Thorpe, (about half a mile on the road opposite to Bishop bridge) with two pair of French stones 4 feet 6 inches, a cylinder of cleaning wheat, also a cylinder and flour mill for making flour, with improved straining tackle, adapted to vie with the regularity of motion of any water mill. Also two cottages and a summer house commanding extensive prospects with or without 37 acres of land, as shall be agree on at the auction.
For further Particulars apply to Foster, Son, Unthank, and Forster, Attornies, in Norwich

Norfolk Chronicle - 25th September 1802

To be Sold by Auction this day October 2, at the Waggon and Horses, St. George, Tombland.
A capital Post Windmill situate in the Hamlet of Thorpe (about half a mile on the road opposite Bishops Bridge) with two pair of French stones 4ft. 6in., cylinder for cleaning wheat, also a flour mill.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd October 1802


William King was the miller in 1815. He was born c.1776 in Mettingham, Suffolk. He assigned his estate and effects to Messrs. Simpson and Rackham, Solicitors, in November of that year. His effects were put up for auction in December 1815.


To be SOLD by AUCTION
By J.CULLEY
On Thursday, December 28, 1815, and following day,

ALL the STOCK in TRADE, Household Furniture, and other Effects of Mr. WM. KING, Miller, at Thorpe next Norwich. The Furniture consists of four-post, tent, and other bedsteads, and hangings, feather-beds and bedding, mahogany and other chairs, mahogany dining tables, mahogany chest of drawers, mahogany bureau bedstead, capital eight day clock in mahogany case, pier and dressing glasses, mahogany wash hand stand, bedside and other carpets, glass, china, and earthenware, copper boilers, saucepans, tea kettles, and frying pans; Bath range, stoves, fenders, and fire irons, candlesticks, box irons, and many culinary articles &c. &c.
Likewise a useful bay horse, black poney, young cow, two luggage carts, small tumbril, water cart and tub, a quantity of cart and plough harness, about 100 sacks various, sack barrows, bushel and other measures, large iron beam and wood scales, a quantity of iron weights, mill ropes, bills, flour bins, pigs' troughs, corn bins, water tubs, long and short forks, shovels, chaff cutter, grindstone, and many other useful implements, small quantity of hay, straw, and muck.
The whole will be sold without reserve, and the sale to begin each morning at half-past ten o'clock.
The furniture will be sold on the Thursday.
N.B. all persons to whom the said Mr. King stands indebted are requested to send the account of their respective debts to Messrs. Simpson and Rackham, Solicitors, Norwich; and all persons indebted to the said Mr. King are requested to pay the same immediately to Messrs. Simpson and Rackham, at whose office the Assignment is left for execution.

Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd December 1815

However, these measures did not prevent William King's bankruptcy.


WHEREAS a Commission of Bankrupt is awarded and issued Forth against WILLIAM KING, now or late of the hamlet of Thorpe, in the county of the city of Norwich, Miller, dealer and chapman, and he being declared a Bankrupt, is hereby required to surrender himself to the Commissioners named, or a major part of them, on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth days of March instant, and the twentieth day of April next at four o'clock in the afternoon on each of the said days, at the Norfolk Hotel, situate in the parish of Saint Gregory, in the 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 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. Simpson and Rackham, solicitors, in Norwich, or to Messrs W. and G. Taylor, solicitors, Featherstone Buildings, Holborn, London.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th March 1816


William King was later to run Gallant's_Mill on Gas Hill, Mousehold. In 1851, William King was given as an inmate of The Great Hospital, St. Helens.


William Smith was the next miller. He also became bankrupt and was in prison by January 1826. However, by 1850 he was running Buck's postmill in Lakenham.


Persuant to the several Acts of Parliament for the relief of Insolvent Debtors, in England.
Office of the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors, No.33, Lincoln's Inn Fields.
PETITIONS of Insolvent Debtors to be heard at the Court House in and for the City of Norwich, in the county of the same city, on the 21st day of February, 1826, at Ten o'clock in the Morning.
WILLIAM SMITH, formerly at Sprowston, Norfolk, Baker and Miller, afterwards of the hamlet of Thorpe, in the county of the city of Norwich, and late of Thorpe, next Norwich, Miller.

Norfolk Chronicle - 26th January 1826


William Smith, formerly of Sprowston, Norfolk, Baker and Miller, afterwards of the Hamlet of Thorpe, in the County of the City of Norwich, and late of Thorpe, next Norwich, Norfolk, Miller. Bankrupt.
London Gazette - 31st January 1826


WM. SMITH'S CREDITORS.

ALL Persons who stood indebted to WILLIAM SMITH, late of Thorpe next Norwich, in the county of Norfolk, Miller, at the time he became Insolvent, are requested to pay the amount of their respective debts to Jay and Cremer, Norwich, who are duly authorised to receive and give discharges for the same, otherwise proceedings will be instituted against them for the recovery thereof.
Norwich, April 25th, 1826

Norfolk Chronicle - 29th April 1826

Notice to Creditors of
William Smith late of Thorpe next Norwich, Miller at the time he becane Insolvent.
Norfolk Chronicle - 29th April 1826


James King was the next miller and he had a millstone for sale in December 1826.


TO MILLERS
TO BE SOLD

A Capital NEW STONE, four feet six inches over. - For further particulars apply to Mr. J. King, Thorpe Wind Mills, Near Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th December 1826

POST WIND MILL To be Let
A POST WIND WILL (sic) in full trade, with a convenient Dwelling house, Stable, Cart sheds and Garden, situate within half a mile of Norwich.
Apply to Mr. Roger Kerrison, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 11th July 1829


POST WIND MILL To be Let
A POST WIND WILL (sic) in full trade, with a convenient Dwelling house, Stable, Cart sheds and Garden, situate on Mousehold, within half a mile of Norwich.
Apply to Mr. Roger Kerrison, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 18th July 1829


TO BE LET With Possession at Michaelmas next
A POST WINDMILL in Full Trade, with a convenient Dwelling house, Stable, Cart sheds and a Garden, situate on Mousehold, within half a mile of Norwich.
Apply to Mr. Roger Kerrison, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 19th September 1829


Richard Weeds was the miller in 1830. The mill was marked on the 1834 map and was to let in 1836.


TO MILLERS & OTHERS
TO BE LET
WITH IMMEDIATE POSSESSION

THE WIND-MILL on Mousehold, called the "Black Mill," within half a mile of the city of Norwich.
For particulars apply to Messrs. Newton & Woodrow, Tombland, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 24th December 1836

William Rump took the mill, which was marked on the 1838 map. The mill was for auction to be removed in November 1839.


To Millwrights, Millers, and Others
To be SOLD by AUCTION,
By Mr. John Culley,
At the Bell Inn, Orford Hill, Norwich,
On Saturday, 2nd Nov. 1839,
At four o'clock in the Afternoon,

To be removed off the Premises immediately, or if convenient to the Purchaser, at any time before the 1st April next.
ALL that capital POST WINDMILL, called the black Mill, now occupied by Mr. Wm. Rump, situated on Mousehold Heath near Norwich, with all the Going Geers and other Machinery, one pair of French Stones, four feet ten inches in diameter, nearly new, a Cast Iron Shaft, a new Flour Mill, &c. &c. all in excellent condition.

Norfolk Chronicle - 19th & 26th October & 2nd November 1839

The mill was not sold and was again to let later that month.


MILL.
TO BE SOLD OR LET,
WITH IMMEDIATE POSSESSION,

THE POST WIND-MILL in the Hamlet of Thorpe, Norwich, called "The Black Mill," either to be Removed, or to Remain for any term of Years at a small Annual Ground Rent.
Or the same to be LET with a Cottage, Stable, and Cart-lodge.
For particulars apply to Messrs. Newton & Woodrow, Land Agents, Tombland, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd November 1839

A William Rump later ran Sprowston sawmills.

The last miller was a Mr. M. Smith. The mill was again for sale and removal in 1840


To Millwrights, Millers, & others.
To be SOLD by AUCTION,
by Mr. CULLEY,
At the Bell Inn, Orford Hill, Norwich,
On Saturday, Nov. 14th, 1840,
At Three o'clock in the Afternoon,

To be removed off the Premises within two months from the day of Sale.
ALL that Capital POST WINDMILL, called the Black Mill, now in the possession of Mr. M. Smith, situated on Mousehold Heath, near Norwich, with all the going gears and other Machinery, one pair of French stones 4 feet 10 inches diameter, nearly new, a cast iron shaft, a new flour mill, &c. &c. all in excellent order.
For further particulars apply to the Auctioneer, St. Andrew's Hill, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 31st October & 7th & 14th November 1840

Mr. Smith had died by November 1841, when the mill was finally taken down and the materials sold off by auction.


To Millers, Millwrights, and Others,
To be SOLD by AUCTION,
By JOHN KITTON,
On Thursday, Dec. 2nd, 1841,

ALL that Capital POST WINDMILL, the Property of the late Mr. Smith, (near Sir Robert Harvey's Plantation) on Mousehold Heath, Norwich, which is being taken down and will be divided into suitable Lots; consisting of a superior cast-iron shaft, capable of driving four pair of stones, neck and tail brasses, nearly new, an eight feet head wheel, stone nut and irons, a pair of French stones 4ft. 10inc. four sails, 10 yards long, crowntree, post, crosstrees, stairs, spindles, braces, flooring, and weather boards, and various useful requisites for a mill.
Sale to begin at Eleven o'clock.

Norfolk Chronicle - 27th November 1841

1750 map: Windmill

1778: James Parkerson jnr., miller

1788: Peter Blomfield, miller

1791: Peter Blomfield, miller

Faden's map 1797: Windmill

1801: John Carter Parkerson, miller

1783: Peter Daynes, miller

March 1802: Mill advertised for sale

September 1802: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1815: William King, miller

1815: William King's effects advertised for sale by auction

1816: William King, miller, bankrupt

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

1826: William Smith, miller, bankrupt

1826: James King, miller

December 1826: Millstone advertised for sale leaving the mill to run with a single pair of stones

July 1829: Mill advertised to be let

September 1829: Mill advertised to be let

Alfred Stannard painting 1830:
The Black Mill on Mousehold Heath

1830: Richard Weeds, tenant miller

1836 : Richard Weeds, tenant miller

December 1836: mill advertised to be let

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

1839: William Rump, miller

October 1839: Mill advertised to be sold by auction and removed

November 1839: Mill advertised to be sold or let and to be removed or to remain

1840: M. Smith, miller

October 1840: Mill advertised to be sold by auction and removed

1841: M. Smith, miller, died

1841: Mill dismantled and sold by auction on behalf of owner, Sir Robert J. Harvey


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 TG24600883
 
Mousehold -1750+ to 1841
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