Castle Rising Mill
River Babingley |
June
1968
|
Castle Rising watermill was one of Norfolk's smallest mills in later years, although in 1868 the mill had a four storey steam mill alongside the watermill running up to twelve pairs of stones between them. The mill site and the surrounding farm complex as can be seen on the 1888-89 O.S. map below. Eventually most of the mill complex was demolished and a new cut was made for the river to bypass the mill. |
June
1968
|
13th
March 2004
|
Castle Rising mill has often, throughout history, been mistaken for West_Newton mill, mainly because although they are separate mills, they are in the same parish. When both were insured by the Howard family in 1868 Castle Rising Mill was listed as the Lower Mill and West Newton mill as the Upper Mill. |
On 21st July 1722 The Norwich Gazette reported: 'Yesterday were committed to the Castel one Jeremy Holmes of Castlerising and Richard Gibson his servant, both millers for firing a Paper-mill in the said Borough'. Apparently the cause of the dispute was that West_Newton papermill had been used for grinding corn. No more details were given and the fate of the millers is unknown, except that five years later the paper-mill was still in ruins and Holmes was no longer the corn-miller. |
Richd. Newman of Castle Rising in the County of Norfolk, Miller. £200 Buildings. The Buildings above mention'd being Afsigned to Geo. Boldin of Grimston in the County of Norfolk, Yeoman, on the Back of this Policy is hereby allow'd. Afsignment N. 60221. |
WEREHAM |
Splendid Steam Flour Mill, recently erected and fitted up in the best style, Post_Windmill, Dwelling House, Flour Shop, Baking Office, extensive Warehouses, Granaries and Stabling, four Cottages, Gardens and five Inclosures of Arable and Pasture Land. |
Situations Vacant |
To MILLERS & BAKERS |
WATER, WIND & STEAM MILLS |
Messrs. F. & E. Beck |
THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861 |
|
T.G. Archer Daniel Ward |
) ) Kings Lynn ) |
Lynn Advertiser - 11th May 1867 |
THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861 |
|
T.G. Archer Daniel Ward |
) ) Kings Lynn ) |
Lynn Advertiser - 3rd August 1867 |
HOUSEHOLD GOODS ... Flour cart ... 2 weighing machines & weights ... sack barrows ... CASTLE RISING ... |
THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861 |
|
T.G. Archer Daniel Ward Joint Solrs, to the Trustees |
) ) Kings Lynn ) |
Lynn Advertiser - 11th April 1868 |
INSURANCE POLICY FOR CASTLE RISING MILLS 1868 |
Between Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society and the Hon Mary G Howard (widow) |
F. & W. Wolsey, Castle Rising Water & Steam Mills, |
Mill
interior with pipe outlet 13th March 2004
|
Wheelpit
13th March 2004 |
Census 1841:
9 millers including Thomas Ayre; Abel Bennington; William Dye; Jeremiah
Wilkerson |
Wheel
channel blocked off February 1983
|
Bypass
inlet channel 13th March 2004 |
After milling ceased approximately half of the wheel pit and wheelrace exit arch was bricked up to form a separate compartment. A metal pipe leed out of the bricked up area and for a time the building was used as a pumphouse to pump water to a reservoir for use by the village. |
Eventually the the mill dam was filled in and the river channel was recut to bypass the mill completely. For some reason the headrace channel to the wheel was also filled in and a pipe was laid under the mill to take the brown, iron rich water that drained from the boggy area that was once the mill dam. The new pipe bypassed the wheel pit and rejoined the tailrace just under the end wall of the mill. |
Fence
around collapsed section 13th March 2004
|
Tailrace
13th March 2004 |
During the
second world war the Mill House served as an Officers Mess and the painted
sign on the front porch still remains. |
Mill
House notice 13th March 2004
|
Mill house 12th June 2007 |
Mill house courtyard 12th June 2007 |
I think my great great great grandfather worked in the mill around the 1870s. Then came to the U.S. in 1876. His name was Richard Reeve. I have some old letters that talk about a Mr. Wolsey being the owner of this mill he worked for so I am assuming that this has to be the mill. They live around the Castle Rising area. We will be in England in October. We have one day that is on our own and we are planning to see where my family came from. James Reeve - 15th July 2008 |
I believe the Robert Chapman who was the first miller at Snettisham had previously been at Castle_Rising:- his marriage licence before marrying Elizabeth Plane (they were I believe the parents of the John Chapman who took over Snettisham mill after Robert) states: 1805 Marriage Licence Robert Chapman, occupation Miller, of Castle_Rising ( have copy of this Licence) John Chapmans baptism states: baptism 18 September 1813 at Castle_Rising John Chapman son of Robert, a servant in the cornmill, and SARAH. |
From 1945 to 1960 the Mill House was rented by my parents Alan Sauvain and Norah Sauvain from the Howard Estate. I can be certain about the last date because I remember leaving but the first date was slightly before my time! I will check the date with my older siblings. Alan Sauvain was originally Chief Education Officer for King's Lynn but after the Education Act 1944 came into force he became the Divisional Education Officer for the West Norfolk Divisional Executive. |
O. S. Map 1884 |
O.S. Map 2005 Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey |
White's 1883: Mr. Edward Wolsey |
Map 1588: Map of Rising Chase shows two mills, Rising Corn Mill and Rysinge Fulling Mill (West Newton)
White's 1854: Thomas Ayre, corn miller
White's 1883: F. & W. Wolsey, corn millers and farmers and Wareham
Census 1901:
Mrs Anne Beck, (widow of farmer Edward Beck) Arthur C. Beck (son) and daughter, Mill House |
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 TF67702508 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007 |