c.1925
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Bedingham
smockmill |
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c.1925
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Bedingham smock mill was a twelve sided, four storey mill. The boat shaped cap had a petticoat and held a 6 bladed fan. In 1763 the common sails drove one pair of 3ft. 10ins. French burr stones and a flour mill. By 1802 a further pair of 4ft. 10ins. stones had been added and this could have been as a result of one pair of common sails having been changed to a pair of double shuttered patent sails, each with 8 bays of 3 shutters that were struck by rack and pinion. |
In 1763 the single pair of stones were producing 3 to 4 lasts or 60 to 80 coombs per week. |
To be sold & entered upon at Michaelmas next A Good & well accustomed WIND-MILL with one pair of Stones & all Utensils necessary for her, there is a new Flour Mill within her, she is well situated there being no Mill within three Miles of her. She is capable of cutting three or four Lasts per week. For further Particulars enquire of Mr. John Meadows of Bedingham Priory, Mr. Nickless of Tasburgh Mill or Mr. Pratt of Shottisham Mill, all in Norfolk. Norwich Mercury - 3rd September 1763 |
Royal Exchange Fire Insurance policy 106631 |
John Spratt of Woodton in the Co. of Norfolk, Miller. On his Dwelling House Brick built and tiled situate in Bedingham in the County aforesaid - £100. On a Wind Mill Timber built in the Yard belonging - £300. 20th May 1788 |
The Creditors of the late John Spratt of Bedingham in the county of Norfolk, miller, … to deliver accounts to Wm. Spratt of Palling, Miller or Stephen Spratt of Wacton, Miller, … his Executor. |
Bedingham, July 23, 1792 The Creditors of the late John Spratt of Bedingham in the county of Norfolk, Miller, deceased, are desired to meet Messrs. Wm. & Stephen Spratt, his Executors at the house of the said deceased. Norwich Chronicle - 28th July 1792 |
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Map drawn by Harry Apling |
To be Sold by Auction By John Reynolds On Friday 4 November 1808 at 3 o’c At the sign of the Lord Nelson on Bedingham Holmes, Norfolk. All that large tower WIND MILL situate near Bedingham Holmes with two pair of French stones, one pair 4 ft. 10 ins. Diameter, the other 3 ft. 10 ins. Diameter, with centre irons & regulators complete & with all the running and going gears belonging, as the same is now in the occupation of Mr. Nicholas Hudson. Also a good Brick & Tiled Dwelling house … now in the occupation of the said Nicholas Hudson. The above are all freehold & immediate possession may be had & the buyer may have the option to take the Utensils & Implements at a fair valuation. Note. Part of the purchase money may remain on security of the premises. Apply to Mr. Kingsbury, Attorney, Bungay. Norwich Chronicle - 8th &15th October 1808 |
Bedingham … George Durrant& Sons are instructed by the Executors of Mrs. Jane Everett to sell by Auction at the Triple Plea Inn, Bedingham on Monday 8 July 1889 at 5 for 6 o’c in the Afternoon, in four Lots the following Desirable PROPERTIES IN BEDINGHAM Lot 1. A comfortable Brick & Tiled DWELLING HOUSE, late the residence of Mrs. Jane Everett; also the well built TOWER WINDMILL with the Barn, Stable, Granary & other Buildings, Mill yard & Grass Paddock, as now in the occupation of Mr. Aldis Everrett. Possession of all Lots at Michaelmas next. Particulars of Messrs. F. & A.C. Smith, SOLRS. Bungay & of the Auctioneers, Redenhall Grange, Harleston & Beccles. Norwich Chronicle - 29th June & 6th July 1889 |
For many years Bedingham mill was owned by the Everett family, who were also local farmers. They also owned and ran Woodton_postmill, which was a few hundred yards away just inside the Woodton parish boundary. |
Letter from a millwright:- |
My 3 x great-grandfather, Robert PARKE, born in about 1799, was living in
Bedingham in the early 1800s. He married at Woodton in 1824 and at the
baptisms of his children between 1825 and 1837 and also in the 1841 census
he was recorded as a miller. According to the inscription on his
gravestone, he died on May 4th 1845, aged 46 years. |
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Woodton postmill in the foreground with Bedingham behind c.1925 |
Bedingham smockmill was finally pulled down by traction engine driven by a Mr. Webb in November 1927. |
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O. S. Map 1884 Bedingham smockmill marked in red centre left Woodton postmill marked top centre left Courtesy of NLS map images |
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September 1763: Mill advertised for sale
White's 1845: George Everett, miller |
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
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| Nat Grid Ref TM28939379 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |