Briston Mill Lane west mill was an open trestle postmill that drove a single pair of stones. The mill stood a few yards to the west of the earlier east mill.

John Reeve made a will on 1st April 1844 and he died on 10th June 1844, after which the will was proved on 19th July 1844 and probate was granted to the executors on 22nd July 1844. The two executors were John's brother, Edward Reeve and Joseph Colman of Briston.

BRISTON
To Millers & Bakers

To be Sold by Auction by Mr. J. COLMAN on Tuesday 17 September 1844 at the Half Moon, Briston near Holt at 3 o’c
A convenient Dwelling house & Baking office with a very superior oven built last year, TWO POST WINDMILLS each driving a very prime pair of stones & having Flour Mills & going gears complete, capital stables, Cart lodge 7 Outbuildings recently erected, with Garden & Pightle of Arable land attached, situate at Briston in Norfolk, late in the occupation of Mr. John REEVE, Miller, deceased.
The Buildings with the site thereof & Garden are Freehold & the residue is Copyhold. Annual outgoings 16s. 6d.
The above property is well situate for Business & the Purchaser may have Immediate Possession. Apply to Mr. W. L. MENDHAM Solr. Post Office Street, Norwich or the Auctioneer, Briston, who will shew the Premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th & 14th September 1844

BRISTON

To be Sold by Auction
By Mr. J. Colman on Monday October 14, 1844
Mare, Miller’s Cart, etc. property of John Reeve, deceased
at 12 o’c
Norfolk Chronicle - 5th October 1844

Tithe Award 1845
Map C. Burcham, Surveyor, Lynn. 1843
Owners: Executors of John Reeve
Occupiers: do

To Millers & Bakers

To be Sold or Let with possession on the 11th October next
A very compact small Estate at BRISTON, in Norfolk
Comprising Two small POST WINDMILLS each driving one pair of stones, a very comfortable Dwelling house containing….
A capital Baking Office adjoining, two stables with cart lodges & all other requisite buildings, two gardens & a small piece of Arable Land all lying in a ring fence & unusually well adapted for carrying on the Milling & Baking Business.
The Estate is part Freehold & Part Copyhold
Apply (if by letter, post paid) to Mr. William REEVE, North Tuddenham, to Mr. Edward REEVE, Briston who will shew the premises or to Messrs. TILLETT, COLMAN & MENDHAM, Solrs. Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 16th September 1848

WINDMILL & DWELLING HOUSE at Briston near Holt
To be Sold by Auction In the month of April next
All that Excellent brick & tiled DWELLING HOUSE with WINDMILL, Bake office, Stable, Piggeries & other convenient outbuildings & piece of land containing about one acre, situate at Briston, in the occupation of Robert REYNOLDS.
For further particulars apply to Mr. W.L. MENDHAM, Solicitor, Norwich.
Norfolk News - 27th March 1858

Windmill & Dwelling House, Baking Office etc.
at BRISTON near Holt
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Joseph COLMAN on Wednesday 21 April 1858 at the Half Moon Inn, Briston at 2 for 3 o’c
Lot 1.
Dwelling House etc.
Lot 2.
All the Machinery, Wreck & Materials of an excellent post Windmill lately standing on the above premises, consisting of iron shaft, patent sails, stones, flour mill & going gear.
Apply to W.L. MENDHAM, Solr. Norwich or the Auctioneer, Briston.
Norfolk Chronicle - 17th April 1858 & Norfolk News - 10th & 17th April 1858

Situations Vacant
WANTED, an APPRENICE to the MILLING BUSINESS.
Apply J. IVES, Miller, Briston, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 2nd October 1869

BRISTON

Messrs. SPELMAN have received instructions to Sell by Auction on Saturday July 29, 1871 at 12 for 1 o’c at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich
Lot 2. Dwelling House, Bake Office, Stables, Garden, Piece of LAND (on which is a mill) & an enclosure of common land under cultivation in the occupation of Joseph IVES at the annual rent of £10. Also Cottage & Garden adjoining……
This lot contains altogether 1a.2r.11p. & is situate near the road from Briston to Norwich abutting upon lands of Miss WEST & others. Particulars of W.H. DUNSTER Esq. Solr. 3 Henrietta St. Cavendish Square, London, P.E. HANSELL Esq. Solr. Norwich & of the Auctioneers, Norwich & Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd July 1871

Joseph Ives - Copyhold land & dwelling-house & freehold mill - Near Mill Common
Edgefield Register of Electors 1874

On Sunday evening, May 6, the inhabitants of Briston were startled to hear the sound as of an explosion. Looking whence the noise proceeded, the house and buildings of Mr. Joseph Ives, miller, were seen to be enveloped in a white cloud. When this had cleared off, it was discovered that Mr. Ives’ mill was no longer standing, and a close examination showed that the accident was caused by one of the beams, placed on the piers and supporting the mill, becoming rotten. This gave way, and hence the whole structure lay on the ground a mass of ruins. The accident occurring on a Sunday, no one was in or near the mill, and, therefore, no personal injuries were caused.
The Miller - 4th June 1894

Post mill appears to have been open trestle, as after the collapse the four brick piers were enclosed by a wooden building which became the steam, later oil, driven mill. This last was demolished about 1971 when salvaged parts were taken to and stored at Church Farm, Kettlestone. No trace of any roundhouse was found.
Mrs. E.M. Williamson, Kettlestone - (grandaughter of Joseph Ives) 4th May 1974 & her letter 19th October 1973

c.1840: Mill built

1843: Tithe map

10th June 1844: John Reeve, miller, died

White's 1845: Mrs Reeve, miller & baker

Tithe Award 1845: Executors of John Reeve, miller. 2 mills (east and west)

White's 1864: Joseph Ives, corn miller

1869: Joseph Ives, miller

July 1871: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Kelly's 1879: Joseph Ives, miller

White's 1883: Joseph Ives, miller

O.S. map 1885: Windmill (Corn)

O.S. map 1891: Windmill (Corn)

Sunday 6th May 1894: Mill collapsed

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006