Mill site 3rd October 2005
Cawston smockmill |
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Mill site 3rd October 2005 |
Cawston smockmill stood at Hill Farm just to the east of the Heydon Road. The mill was self winding and in 1831 was using one pair of patent sails to power two pairs of French Burr stones, a flour mill and jumper. However, by 1869, the mill was using 2 pairs of sails and was also driving a small set of Peak stones. |
Brettingham Robins, baker of Cawston, owned the mill in 1782 and on 20th November that year he made a will bequeathing to his children my Windmill that standeth upon Cawston Heath or Warren. |
Will dated 14 May 1808. |
To JOURNEYMAN WINDMILLERS |
To Millers & Millwrights |
To Millers & Bakers. |
To Millers & Bakers. |
Valuable MILL & old established BAKING OFFICE In the populous village of Cawston, Norfolk To be Sold by Auction by S. Adams at the Black Boys, Aylsham on Thursday 26 November 1835 at 5 o’c Lot 1. Two Capital pieces of Freehold Arable Land … Lot 2. A capital Freehold Smock Self Winding Windmill with patent sails & 2 acres of excellent Arable Land situate in Cawston aforesaid near the Town & on an eminence adjoining the Heydon Road. There is no other windmill nearer than Felthorpe or Aylsham. Lot 5. Two Freehold Brick built Dwelling houses & a long established Baking Office with flour chamber, granary, barns, stables & other requisite buildings & yards & gardens containing about half an acre in Cawston Street, now in the occupation of the Proprietor, Mr. Joseph Robins. Apply to Mr. Alfred Barnard, Solr. Norwich or the Auctioneer, Foulsham, Norfolk. |
| TO BE SOLD A WOOD TOWER WINDMILL, with four Patent Sails, winds itself, driving two pairs of French Burr Stones, good as new, one pair of small Peak Stones, Flour Mill, Spur Wheel & Nuts in good going order. The owner is retiring from business. For particulars apply to James Winterbourn, Millwright, Aylsham. Norfolk News - 30th January 1869 |
Cawston. Alarming Fire. On Saturday (i.e. 22nd) about 10 pm. the inhabitants of the quiet little town of Cawston were alarmed by a fire which broke out in a tower windmill belonging to Mr. Samuel Pye. The upper portion of the tower being composed of wood & tar, was quickly one mass of flames, which were seen at a distance of twelve miles. Hundreds of willing hands were there to render assistance, but there being no supply of water near, nothing could be done to save the mill. Such was the nature of the fire, that had an engine with a good supply of water been there, it would have availed nothing owing to the materials being of such an inflammable nature. The mill was quickly a mass of ruins. Twelve sacks of flour & five sacks of meal etc. were completely destroyed. Overheating is assigned as the origin of the fire. We understand that the property is insured in the Norwich Union Office. Norfolk News - 29th May 1875 |
Cawston, Norfolk Messrs. Spelman have received instructions to Sell by Auction on Saturday September 15, 1877 at 12 for 1 o’c At the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, the FREEHOLD DWELLING HOUSE, Garden, Mill Walls, Barn, Stable, Garden & LAND containing 1a.2r.3p. occupied by Mr. S. Pye. Possession on completion of the purchase. Particulars of Messrs. Gedge, Kirby & Millett, Solrs. 1 Old Palace Yard, Westminster, London & of Messrs. Spelman, Norwich & Yarmouth. Norfolk Chronicle - 8th September 1877 |
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O.S. Map 1885 - the smock mill stood at Hill Farm Courtesy of NLS map images |
Mrs. Mary Ann Pye was still listed as baker in Kelly's Directory of 1900 and James Pye was listed as farmer & baker. |
1782: Brettingham Robins, miller and baker
Census 1851: Thomas Bowen (26) b.Norwich, miller (possibly employee) living in Chapel Street White's 1854: Samuel Pye, corn miller & baker
January 1869: Mill advertised to be sold by auction Saturday 22nd May 1875: Mill burnt down September 1877: Mill property advertised for sale by auction 2nd October 1970: Mrs. Jones of Hill House had not heard of the mill |
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| Nat Grid Ref TG13302425 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004 |