East Ruston postmill

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c.1880 sketch by James Francis Horner
c.1880 sketch by James Francis Horner

East Ruston postmill was first recorded in 1758 and appears on Faden's map of 1797. Rudd Turner bought the mill in 1812 and it was taken over in 1831 by his son John Rudd Turner, who owned and worked East_Ruston_towermill that stood some 1,150 yards on lower ground to the south west of the postmill. The postmill was known as the High Mill and later the Old Mill whereas the towermill was known as the New Mill.


The mill had a roundhouse and was built with common sails, these later being converted to patent sails powering 2 pairs of stones, a linseed crusher and a stripping mill.


Mrs. Ann Ramsdale of Ingworth owned the mill in 1759, along with Happisburgh postmill and Horning postmill when she became insolvent, forcing the sale of all three properties. According to the terms of her Deed of Assignment, a dividend was paid to her creditors in May 1759 and a final one in 1760.

To be Sold separately
THREE DWELLING HOUSES with a WINDMILL to each house, late of Ann Ramsdale of Ingworth, situate in the several Parishes of Horning, Happisburgh and East Ruston.
For Particulars Enquire of Mr. Thomas Cubitt of Horning aforesaid, Mr. John Gill, of Bintree or Mr. Richard Kemp of Swafield.

Norwich Mercury - 17th & 24th February 1759

The Trustees of the Estate of Anne Ramsdale of Ingworth, widow, will meet at the Black Boys in Aylsham on Tuesday 22 May Instant in order to make a Dividend of the said Estate, of which the Creditors of the said Ann Ramsdale are desired to take Notice; All such Persons as are indebted to the said Ann Ramsdale are desired to pay such Debts on that Day or they will be sued for the same.
Norwich Mercury - 12th May 1759

The Creditors of ANN RAMSDALE & THOMASS RAMSDALE late of Ingworth are desired to take Notice That a final Dividend will be made by the Assignees on Tuesday 1st Day of July next at the Black Boys in Aylsham...
Norwich Mercury - 7th & 14th June 1760

Norfolk Chronicle - 27th January 1810
Norfolk Chronicle - 27th January 1810

Royal Exchange Fire Insurance policy 131060

Wm. Bilton of East Ruston, Miller as Proprietor and Emanuel Seward of Great Yarmouth, Gent. as Mortgagee, both in the Co. of Norfolk.
On a Post Flour Mill timber built - £100.
On a Tenement brick built and tiled, near - £50.
On Furniture therein - £30.
On a Stable, Cowhouse and Pigsty communicating clay, timber and thatched near - £20.
The above are sit. at East Ruston aforesd. and in the Occupation of the said William Bilton.

15th November 1792

Windmill and Premises
To be Sold by Private Contract at East Ruston

A POST WINDMILL and brick Round house, now in full trade, with one pair of French Stones and one pair of pake do. with going gears complete. Also a good Dwelling house adjoining the said mill with convenient outbuildings and about one rood of land.
Enquire of Mr. John Ward of East Ruston, owner of the said mill and premises.
N.B. Immediate possession may be had by the purchaser.

Norfolk Chronicle - 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th January 1810


WANTED IMMEDIATELY
A JOURNEYMAN MILLER & BAKER
Apply to Mr. R. Turner, East Ruston, letters post paid.

Norfolk Chronicle - 15th February 1812

Notice
All persons indebted to Mr. Rudd Turner, Miller of East Ruston at the time
of his decease are requested to pay their respective debts immediately to Mr. Ash Rudd of East Ruston or to Mr. Charles Turner jnr. of Edingthorpe, his Executors.
East Ruston, 27 June 1832.

Norfolk Chronicle - 30th June 1812

James Francis Horner, who sketched the picture at the top of this page, became the son in law of John Rudd Turner, when he married John Turner's daughter in 1869. James Horner was born in Norwich 1839/40, his father having come from Blofield. At the time of his marriage in 1869 he was a watch/clock maker, having been apprenticed to his uncle in Clapham, S. London, where he subsequently inherited the business and shop. His son, Frank Horner later took a photograph depicting East Ruston towermill


Rudd Turner was the 5th son of his family and was born in Witton in 1788. He married his first wife in 1810 at the age of 22 and in 1831 he killed his second wife and their baby at their home. He was subsequently found to be insane and died in an asylum in 1832 having gone to bed early suffering from a pain in the head.


To Millers and others
In the course of the ensuing spring will be Sold by Auction
By order of the Executors of the late Mr. Rudd Turner, deceased of which timely notice will be given
A Valuable POST WINDMILL wherein a lucrative Trade has been carried on for many years, a Dwelling house and convenient Premises attached thereto and 4 acres of adjacent Land situate at East Ruston in the county of Norfolk.
Aply to Ash Rudd Esq. East Ruston, to Mr. Charles Turner at Edingthorpe or to Mr. Philip Millard, Solr. at North Walsham.

Norfolk Chronicle - 19th December 1840

EAST RUSTON MILL to be Sold by Auction

By order of the Executors of the late Mr. Rudd Turner deceased at the King’s Arms Inn, North Walsham on Thursday 17 June 1841 at 5 o’clock. In two Lots by Mr. BARCHAM
Lot 1. All that valuable WINDMILL situate at East Ruston of four Stones Power wherein a very lucrative trade has been carried on for many years, together with a Dwelling House, Barn, Stables and other convenient Outhouses, Yards, Gardens and 3 acres of very superior Land immediately surrounding the Mill. Freehold. Land Tax 10s.
Lot 2. A Piece of Land called the Mill Land lying in East Ruston near the above containing 0a. 3r. 26p. Freehold. Land Tax 4s.
The extent of Trade which this Mill has commanded for many years added to the very excellent situation and quality of the land render the above spot superior to anything of the kind which has been offered to the public in this part of the county for many years.
The Buildings are all substantial and good and some part of them have been erected within a very few years.
Apply to the Auctioneer, to Ashe Rudd Esq., to Mr. Charles Turner of Edingthorpe or to Mr. Millard, Solicitor, North Walsham.

Norfolk Chronicle - 5th & 12th June 1841


Tithe map 1841
Tithe map 1841 - as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1841
Map 1841
Owner: Ash Rudd
Occupier: do
inter alia

No. 100

Mill piece
(Church Farm)

Arable

12a. 3r. 16p.

£6. 18. 6d


Tithe Award 1841
Map by J. Wright, Surveyor, Aylsham, 1841
Owner: John Rudd Turner
Occupier: do

No. 10

House, buildings, mill yard & gardens

garden
part of

0a. 1r. 18p.
4a. 1r. 18p.

10d.
£1. 9. 2d.

 

24th May 1979
24th May 1979

EAST RUSTON

WINDMILL, Dwelling House, Barn, Stable and 4a, 1r. 18p. Arable Land with immediate possession
WILLIAM SPELMAN & SONS will Sell by Auction by order of the Mortgagee on Thursday 14 September 1848 at 5 o’clock at the King’s Arms Inn, North Walsham
The following estate at East Ruston lately occupied by Mr. James Scarland
Lot 1. A WINDMILL, Dwelling house, Stables, Granary and other Outbuildings, a well of capital water, Garden and enclosure of Arable Land of excellent quality containing altogether with the site of the Buildings 3a. 1r. 22p.
The Mill (which stands remarkably well for wind) has a lofty round-house, patent spring sails nearly new, two pairs of stones, linseed crusher, stripping mill etc. and is in excellent repair and good order.
Lot 2. Arable Land 0a. 3r. 26p…
The above property is Freehold.
Particulars of Mr. J. Clowes, Solicitor, Yarmouth and the Auctioneers, Norwich and Yarmouth.

Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 9th September 1848


EAST RUSTON

To be Sold by Private Contract
Under trusts for Sale contained in a Mortgae Deed
The EAST RUSTON WINDMILL with Dwelling house, Barn, Granary, Stable and other Outbuildings and 4a. 1r. 8p. of good arable land. Freehold. Late in the occupation of Mr. James Scarland.
Land tax £1.
The Mill stands well for wind in a district in which it can command a most extensive business and is particularly worthy of the attention of the Trade.
Apply to Mr. Clowes, Solr. Great Yarmouth or to Messrs. Spelman & Sons, Norwich.

Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd September & 11th November 1848


To Let. A MILL with 4 acres of Land, suitable Dwelling House and every requisite Outbuilding at EAST RUSTON (Immediate Possession can be given)
Apply Messrs. Wm. SPELMAN & SONS, Norwich & Yarmouth.

Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 10th March 1849

1990
1990

On 22nd July 1976, Dennis George Rayner of the nearby New_Mill_towermill, repoted that the postmill roundhouse was still standing at 'Hill 60'


O. S. Map 1905
O. S. Map 1905
Courtesy of NLS map images

White's 1854: Ash Rudd, farmer

White's 1864: Ash Rudd, Esq., Ruston Hall

Kelly's 1879: Ash Rudd, farmer & landowner

White's 1883: George Bristow, farmer
White's 1883:
Ash Rudd Esq. J.P. farner & owner, The Hall
White's 1883:
Mrs Harriet Rudd, The Hall

White's 1890:
Ash Rudd Esq. J.P. farner & owner, The Hall

Kelly's 1896: Ash Rudd, J.P. East Ruston hall
Kelly's 1896: Mrs. H. Rudd, East Ruston hall

Kelly's 1900: Ash Rudd, J.P. East Ruston hall

Kelly's 1904: Ash Rudd, J.P. East Ruston hall
Kelly's 1904: Horace Turner, farmer, Grove & Old MIll farms

Kelly's 1908: Horace Turner, farmer, Grove & Old MIll farms

Kelly's 1912: Horace Turner, farmer, Grove & Old Mill farms

Kelly's 1916: Horace Turner, farmer, Grove & Old Mill farms

Kelly's 1922: Horace Turner, farmer, Grove farm
Kelly's 1922: Horace John Rudd Turner, builder & carpenter, Beech cottage

Kelly's 1925: Horace John Rudd Turner, farmer, New Barn farm
Kelly's 1925: Robert Larter Turner, farmer, Grove farm

Kelly's 1929: Horace John Rudd Turner, farmer, New Barn farm
Kelly's 1929: Robert Larter Turner, farmer, Grove farm

Kelly's 1937: Horace John Rudd Turner, farmer, New Barn farm
Kelly's 1937: Robert Larter Turner, farmer, The Grove


Index of Wills 1669: Thomas Dye, miller

1758: Ann Ramsdale

1780: Thomas Barber, mill owner made a will leaving the mill to his son

1780: Mill being run by Richard Johnson & William Potter, millers

Bovember 1792: William Bilton, miller, insured the mill for £100 with Royal Exchange Insurance

Faden's map 1797:
East Ruston Mill

1810: John Ward, owner & miller

January 1810: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

1812: Mill bought by Rudd Turner

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

1831: Rudd Turner killed his wife and baby

1831: John Rudd Turner

1832: Rudd Turner died in an asylum

Index of Wills 1832: Rudd Turner, miller

Cary's map 1832: Windmill

1832: Ash Rudd, miller

White's 1836: John Rudd Turner, corn miller

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

1840: Ash Rudd, miller

December 1840: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Tithe Award 1841: Owner & occupier: Ash Rudd

Thursday 17 June 1841: Mill sold by auction

White's 1845: James Scarland, corn miller
White's 1845: John Rudd Turner, corn miller

1845: James Scarland, miller

September 1848: Mill advertised for sale by auction on Thursday 14th September re. death of James Scarland

23rd September 1848: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

March 1849: Mill advertised to be let

Census 1851:

John Bristoe (49) b.Sandhome, Yorks, miller
Susanna Bristoe (41) b. Saltmarsh, Yorks
Ann Bristoe (20) b.Yokefleet, Yorks
Gervas Bristoe (18) b.Yokefleet, Yorks
George Bristoe (17) b.Yokefleet, Yorks
Hannah Bristoe (9) b.Yokefleet, Yorks;
John Bristoe (3) b.Yokefleet, Yorks
Alfred Bristoe (2) b.East Ruston;
William Bristoe (1) b.East Ruston
Francis Wilson (13) house servant

c.1851: John Bristow, miller

1853: John Bristow, miller

White's 1854: John Bristow, corn miller & farmer
White's 1854: John Rudd Turner, corn miller


Census 1861:

John Bristow (49) b.Sandhome, Yorks, miller and farmer of 11 acres
Gervas Bristow (28) b.Yokefleet, Yorks, miller
George Bristow b.Yokefleet, Yorks, miller
John Bristow (13) b.Yokefleet, Yorks
William Bristow (11) b.East Ruston
Alfred Bristow (10) b.East Ruston

White's 1864: John Bristow, corn miller
White's 1864: John Rudd Turner, corn miller

1864: John Rudd Turner, miller

Harrod's 1877: John Bristow, farmer and miller, High Mill

Kelly's 1879: John Bristoe, miller & farmer

White's 1883: Alfred Bristow, miller and farmer; h Stalham

O.S. map 1885: Windmill

White's 1890: Alfred Bristow, miller and farmer; h Stalham

Kelly's 1892: Alfred Bristow, miller (wind) & farmer also at Stalham smockmill

Kelly's 1896: Alfred Bristow, miller (wind) & farmer also at Stalham smockmill

Kelly's 1900: Alfred Bristow, miller (wind) & farmer also at Stalham smockmill

Kely's 1904: Robert George Turner, miller (wind & steam) & farmer

Kely's 1908: Robert George Turner, miller (wind & steam) & farmer

Kely's 1912: Robert George Turner, miller (wind & steam)

Kely's 1916: Robert George Turner, miller (wind & steam)

Kelly's 1922: John Turner, miller (steam)

Kelly's 1925: John Turner, miller (steam)

Kelly's 1929: John Rudd Turner, miller (power)

Kelly's 1937: John Rudd Turner, miller (power) T N Walcott 42

August 1976: Unroofed roundhouse remaining

1976: Owner: Mr. J. W. Love, Walcott Hall; Occupier: Mr. & Mrs. Head

1979: Mill derelict, the only remains being a single storey roundhouse with no roof

1990: Single storey roundhouse with no roof


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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