Mill working c.1905
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Gt Ellingham
towermill |
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Mill working c.1905
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Gt. Ellingham towermill was built as a five storey tarred red brick mill and was described as newly erected in 1849. The mill originally had common sails that drove a single pair of stones. The sails were later updated to double shuttered patent sails, each with 8 bays of 3 shutters, struck by rocking lever and regulated by a long double chain that could be operated from the ground. The mill had a boat shaped cap, petticoat, gallery and 6 bladed fan. It is probable that the sixth floor was added just before the sails were changed. A bake office also operated on the same site. |
The tower was 53 feet high to the curb and the walls were 2 feet thick. The ground floor was 18 feet in diameter and had a two leaf door and 2 windows. The first floor had a 15 - 16 foot high ceiling and contained beams to support 2 pairs of underdriven stoines. The upright shaft ran from the the curb to the second floor. The windshaft had cast iron balance weights like muff couplings bolted to the rear section.The wallower was put into and out of gear with the brake wheel via two adjusting screw and shackles on top of the upright shaft. The great spur wheel had 9 T section arms. |
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c.1907 |
Great Ellingham To Millers & Bakers To be Sold by Auction by George W. Salter at the Crown Inn, Great Ellingham on Monday 2 April 1849 at 4 o’c A newly erected TOWER WINDMILL working one pair of Stones, with the Sails & Sail Cloths thereto belonging & now in the occupation of James Buck together with a Piece of Land containing 1r.23p. more or less Also three Tenements or Cottages Also Messuage or Dwelling house with Baker’s shop etc. The above Property is all Freehold & situate in Great Ellingham aforesaid near the street in a populous neighbourhood being eligible for the trade of a Miller & Baker, requiring only a small capital & the Land is of first rate quality. Immediate possession may be given of the entirety of the premises except one of the cottages the tenant of which has had notice to quit at Michaelmas next. Apply to Mr. Spanton, Solr. Or the Auctioneer, Attleborough. Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 24th & 31st March 1849 |
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Sackhoist - c.1920 |
Great Ellingham To Millers & Bakers To be Sold or Let at a moderate Rent, together or separately a very desirable property situate at Great Ellingham comprising a newly erected TOWER WINDMILL consisting of five floors working one pair of stones with the sails & sail cloths thereto belonging late in the occupation of James Buck, together with a piece of land containing 0a. 1r. 23p. more or less. Also two Tenements or Cottages adjoining each other late in the respective occupation of the said James Buck & Frances Buck & a cottage in the tenure of Sophia When, with a small Barn near the same. Also a Messuage or Dwelling House & Baker’s Shop … Apply to Mr. Spanton, Solr. Or George W. Salter, Auctioneer, Attleborough. Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 14th & 28th July 1849 |
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c.1932 - illustration by John Watson 2001 |
The Bankruptcy Act 1861 In the County Court of Norfolk holden at Swaffham in the said County William Miles Stackwood of East Bradenham in the county of Norfolk Journeyman Miller, before then of Great Ellingham in the county of Norfolk, Miller, having been adjudged Bankrupt on the 29th day of July 1866 (sic), a Public Sitting for the said Bankrupt to pass his last examination & make application for his discharge, will be held at the said Court at Swaffham on the 4th day of August 1866 … Thomas Palmer Esq. The Registrar of the Court is the Official Assignee … |
John Smith, Bailiff. |
| Lynn Advertiser - 21st July 1866 |
To Millers |
To Millers |
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12th April 1934 |
For several years after the mill ceased working the advertisment Hovis Bread could still be read on the tower. By 1980, only the outer tower shell remained, with the house alongside. |
William Stackwood moved c.1867 to work at Horsham St Faith smockmill possibly as a result of the deaths of some of his family and the fact that he had been made bankrupt while at Gt Ellingham. Daughter Louisa Stackwood died in the 2nd quarter of 1863, Hannah Stackwood died in the 2nd quarter of 1866 aged 9 and his wife Elizabeth died in the 3rd quarter of 1866 aged 29. |
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7th November 1938 |
BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861 |
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| John Smith Baliiff |
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| Lynn Advertiser - 7th July 1866 | |
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c.1955 |
EAST HARLING |
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17th May 1980 |
Arthur Kemp was the son of Frederick Kemp of Ovington Old postmill |
When the mill was dismantled, the front sails and stock were reinstalled at Deopham towermill |
Notice that a Building has become listed. |
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1989 |
I found the website very interesting particularly the part on Gt Ellingham Towermill. My family have lived in the village for 250 years and my grandfather spent all his life there more or less. He wrote down a village history ... re the mill...it was made from bricks manufactured at the brickyard on Hingham Rd, Gt Ellingham by local builders and constructed without scaffolding. Coincidentally it was a Mr Scase who was the last baker and he made the most delicious bread! |
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Mill interior July 2008 |
Dream home could soon become reality |
A Norfolk couple could soon achieve a long-held ambition to convert a ruined
windmill in the garden into a dream
home for their family. |
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George Butler, tenant miller c.1900 |
Mary Butler c.1900 |
At Burgh_St_Margaret, Maria Butler was mentioned in White’s in 1845 as miller, her husband George having died at Repps. My Great Grandfather was her son George and was Miller at various mills, Forncett, Hingham and Gt Ellingham, at the Post_Mill in Mill Lane (where my Grandmother was born) and then the Tower Mill in Great Ellingham. His brother Robert Butler was miller at Wacton, although I had not heard mention of this, but Mrs Clegg provided me with family tree and photos of Robert. |
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O. S. Map 1905 Courtesy of NLS map images |
Kelly's 1879: Arthur Cook, millwright |
c.1849: Mill built
White's 1854: Jeremiah Fielding, corn miller
Census 1861: Charles Daniel Chaston, miller (employee) Mill Lane. (Double 1st cousin of William Shearing)
Kelly's 1879: George Butler, miller & baker
White's 1883: George Butler, miller & baker
Kelly's 1892: George Butler, miller (wind) & baker Photo 25th August 1932: Sails and fantail gone but cap still remaining |
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 TM01839688 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005 |