The remains of the mill house & outbuildings are still to be seen just above ground level. The mill stood to the east of the village just inside what later became the western perimeter track of RAF Massingham airfield, very near the control tower. The mill buck held four floors with a gallery at the eaves and was set over a roundhouse. Four patent sails powered 2 pairs of French burr stones a flour mill and a dressing machine, supplemented by a horse mill. A baking office was also run from the site.

Thomas Priest snr shown in the 1841 census had inherited Gt Massingham postmill from his father Joseph Wyer, Priest of Castleacre_postmill, which Thomas' brother Joseph Priest jnr inherited when Joseph Priest snr died c.1812.

To be Sold by Auction. By Thos. Platten At the Swan Inn, Massingham On Wednesday 24th of this instant September 1800 between the hours of 3 and 5 in the afternoon.
A Very Capital WINDMILL with every Apparatus thereto belonging, situate in Massingham aforesaid. The above mill is exceedingly well situated for business and stands on Premises held by Lease for 21 years at a very easy rent, 19 years of which are unexpired, which lease will be assigned over to the purchaser if required.
Apply to the Auctioneer, Fakenham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th & 20th September 1800

A JOURNEYMAN MILLER
WANTED Immediately, to take charge of a new erected windmill. No application will be attended to unless proper reference can be made to character and letters post paid. A single man will be preferred.
Also wanted to purchase, a Horse Wheel about 15 feet diameter, counter guard and full sized flour mill.
Enquire of Mr. Blyford, Great Massingham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 8th December 1804

Commission of Bankrupt awarded and issued forth against Stephen Leeds of Great Massingham, Miller, dealer and chapman and he being declared bankrupt ..
to surrender 7 March next ...
Norfolk Chronicle - 3rd March 1810

Stephen Leeds' Creditors
Meeting of the Creditors of Stephen Leeds of Great Massingham, farmer and miller to be held this day at the Swan Inn in Massingham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 6th January 1810

To Millers and others
To be Sold by Auction By Thomas Johnson At the Swan Inn in Great Massingham, Norfolk On Monday 16 April 1810 at 3 o'c (By order of the Assignees of the estate and effects of STEPHEN LEEDS, a bankrupt)
The Life Estate and Interest of the said bankrupt of and in a capital POST WIND MILL erected within a few years at a considerable expence, most advantageously situated on an eminence at Great Massingham aforesaid, with a new building contiguous thereto, wherein are erected a horse mill, dressing machine etc., the whole in complete repair and replete with every convenience for carrying on an extensive business. There is about half an acre of inclosed land belonging and immediate possession may be had.
Lot 2. Two newly erected substantial brick and tiled Cottages in Weasenham St. Peter.
Particulars of Mr. Green, merchant, Lynn, Mr. Martin of Castleacre, Mr. Billing of Great Massingham or Mr. Trenchard, Solr. Swaffham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th & 14th April 1810

To Millers and others
To be Sold by Auction By T. Johnson
(Unless sooner disposed of by Private Contract)
At the Swan Inn in Great Massingham in the county of Norfolk On Wednesday 6 June 1810 at 3 o'c
All that capital POST WIND-MILL with very large and commodious roundhouse under the same, late in the occupation of Mr. Stephen Leeds, deceased, with a large building contiguous thereto, wherein are erected a horse mill, dressing machine etc. with a large granary over the same, the whole in complete repair and built within a very few years at a very considerable expence. There is about half an acre of land belonging and immediate possession may be had. This mill is most advantageously situated on a commanding eminence in Great Massingham aforesaid and is well worth the attention of any person desirous of carrying on a very extensive and lucrative trade.
Further particulars may be had of Mr. Stuckey or Mr. Trenchard, Solrs. in Swaffham, Mr. Bradfield at Houghton le Hill, Mr. Green, merchant at Lynn, Mr. Kerrison, millwright at Snoring, Mr. Weir, millwright at Saham or of the Auctioneer at Swaffham.
Mr. Gage at the Swan at Massingham will shew the premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 26th May & 2nd June 1810

Commissioners in a Commission of Bankrupt awarded and issued forth against STEPHEN LEEDS late of Great Massingham, Miller, dealer and chapman ...
to meet Wednesday 26 June 1811 ...
Norfolk Chronicle - 25th May 1811

The Creditors who have proved their debts under a Commission of Bankrupt against STEPHEN LEEDS late of Great Massingham in the county of Norfolk, miller, dealer and chapman may receive a first and final dividend of 8s. 3d. to the pound, on application to Mr. Billing of Great Massingham on Tuesday on Tuesday 19 July instant at the Bank of Messrs. GURNEYS, BIRKBECK & TAYLOR in Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 6th July 1811

Great Massingham
To Millers and Bakers
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Wm. Wright at the Swan Inn, Great Massingham on Wednesday 7 August 1844 at 5 o'c
The following Estates the Property of the late Mr. Thomas Priest.
Lot 1. A neat new-built Dwelling house with Baking office, Cellar and Corn offices, Barn, Stables and other Outbuildings, Yards and extensive Garden lately in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Priest, Miller & Baker.
Lot 2. A Piece of Freehold Land with a capital Post Wind-Mill standing thereon consisting of four floors, roundhouse, patent sails, two pairs of French stones, flour mill and requisite going gears complete, all in good condition with two new-built Cottages erected on the same land, which Mill and Premises have been occupied for many years by the late Mr. Thomas Priest.
Apply at the Office of Messrs. L. W. JARVIS & SON, Solrs. Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 27th July & 3rd August 1844

Post Windmill and Cottages at GREAT MASSINGHAM
To be Sold by Auction at the Swan Inn, Great Massingham (no date given on 9th) Wednesday, 20 November 1844 at 5 o'c
All that Piece of FREEHOLD LAND with a capital POST WINDMILL standing thereon consisting of four floors, round house, patent sails, two pair of French stones, flour mill and requisite going gears complete, with two new built COTTAGES erected on the same land, as the same Mill and Premises have been for many years in the occupation of the late Mr. Thomas Priest.
Apply at the Office of Messrs. L. W. JARVIS & SON, Solrs. Lynn.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th & 16th November 1844

Hillington Petty Sessions

To be Sold or Let
A WIND-MILL, BAKE OFFICE, HOUSE AND PREMISES
Apply to Mr. Edward Fisher, Waterhouse, Fakenham.
Lynn Advertiser - 27th February 1875

To Millers and others
GREAT MASSINGHAM
John Long Will Sell by Auction at the Swan Inn, Great Massingham on Wednesday March 8, 1876 at 5 o'c in the afternoon A WIND-MILL AND BAKING OFFICE
With TWO COTTAGES attached, all in good repair and doing a first class trade.
Apply to the Auctioneer, Worthing, East Dereham.
Lynn Advertiser - 26th February & 4th March 1876

To Millers and Bakers
WANTED, a steady respectable man as above to take full charge.
Cottage and garden found. A good recommendation required.
Apply to W. Smith, Massingham, Rougham.
Lynn Advertiser - 26th August & 2nd September 1876

GREAT MASSINGHAM
to be Let at Michaelmas, a Windmill and Baking Office and two Cottages.
Further information may be obtained from Mr. Edward Fisher, Edgar House, Walsingham.
Lynn Advertiser - 16th & 30th April, 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th May 1881

In 1876, Edward Fisher was living at Waterhouse in Fakenham but by 1881 he had moved to Edgar House in Walsingham.

WANTED at once, a Man to dress three pairs of stones.
Apply personally to R. Ellis, Great Massingham, Swaffham.
Lynn Advertiser - 7th November 1885

GREAT MASSINGHAM
To be Let in the above Parish, a Windmill and Baking Office,.
Possession can be had on the 6th April 1889.
For rent and further particulars apply to Mr. Edward Fisher, Edgar House, Great Walsingham.
Lynn Advertiser - 16th March 1889

LOCAL BANKRUPTS
Ellis, Robert, Great Fransham, late of Great Massingham, miller and farmer.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th August 1890

Robert Ellis of Massingham paid a first and final dividend in December 1891.

Preliminary Notice
GREAT MASSINGHAM
For Sale by Auction at the Swan Inn on Wednesday 24 July 1895
Lot 4. The Wind-mill, Dwelling house and Premises in Mill Lane.
Further particulars will appear in future papers

Eligible Properties for Sale by Auction by Messrs. JOHN LONG & SON at the Swan Inn, Great Massingham on Wednesday 24 July 1895 at 3 for 4 o'c in the afternoon.
Lot 1. Family Residence ...
Lot 2. Freehold Double Cottage ...
Lot 3. Capital Dwelling House ...
Lot 4. All that POST WIND-MILL with the going gear used therewith and the bake office, warehouse, stable, outbuildings and yard thereto belonging in Mill Lane, whereon the business of a miller has for several years been carried on by William Henry Stebbing.
And also the Dwelling House and Premises adjoining thereto now in the occupation of Mr. W. H. Stebbing at the gross estimated rental for poor rate of £35.
The last lot id Freehold. Land Tax redeemed.
Possession may be taken at Michaelmas next.
Further particulars may be obtained of the Auctioneers, Fakenham and Dunton or of ALDHAM & SON, Solicitors, Kings Lynn.
Lynn Advertiser - 13th July 1895

GREAT MASSINGHAM
To be Sold by Private Contract, all that Post Wind Mill with the going gear used therewith and the bake office, warehouse, stable, outbuilding and yard belonging thereto, together with the dwelling house and premises adjoining. Possession at Michaelmas next.
For further particulars apply to John Long & Son, Auctioneers, Dunton, Fakenham.
Lynn Advertiser - 10th August 1895

TO LET
Post Mill to be let, with house, bake office and outbuildings attached, situated in the parish of Great Massingham, Norfolk. In thorough repair and going order.
Apply Mason, Great Massingham, Swaffham.
Lynn Advertiser - 3rd September 1897

TO LET
POST MILL with house, bake office and outbuildings, large garden in Massingham.
Apply Mason, Great Massingham, Swaffham.
Lynn Advertiser - 15th October 1897

LYNN MAN'S DEATH FROM ACCIDENT

White's 1854: George Fisher, baker

September 1800: Mill advertised for sale by auction

c.1804: Mill built or rebuilt

1804: ? Byford, miller

March 1810: Stephen Leeds, miller, declared bankrupt

April 1810: Mill advertised for sale by auction

c.April 1810: Stephen Leeds died

May 1810: Mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1824: Windmill

White's 1836: Miller & baker

1844: Thomas Priest died

July 1844: Mill advertised for sale by auction

November 1844: Mill advertised for sale by auction

White's 1845: Thomas Priest, miller & baker

1858: William Norman, miller - also at Harpley

1863: Edward Fisher, miller

White's 1864: R. Fisher, baker & miller

Harrod's 1868: Richard Fisher, miller & baker

1872: Richard Fisher, miller

1875: William Smith, miller & brewer

February 1875: Mill advertised for sale or let by Edward Fisher

February 1876: Mill advertised for sale by auction

August 1876: William Smith, miller

Kelly's 1879: Jacob Bartle, miller

April 1881: Mill advertised to be let by Edward Fisher

White's 1883: James Buckenham, corn miller

1885: Robert Ellis, miller

1888: Robert Ellis, miller

March 1889: Mill advertised to be let by owner, Edward Fisher

August 1890: Robert Ellis, bankrupt

White's 1890: William Stebbing, corn miller

O.S. map 1891: Windmill

Kelly's 1892: William Stebbing, miller (wind)

1895: William Henry Stebbing, miller

July 1895: Mill advertised for sale by auction

August 1895: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

Kelly's 1896: H. Stebbing, miller (wind)

September 1897: Mill advertised to be let

1904: John Buckingham, miller

Monday 27th June 1904: Thomas Rowning Wilkinson, millwright injured in accident at the mill

Wednesday 19th September 1904: Thomas Rowning Wilkinson, died of his injuries aged 62

March 1905: John Buckingham died

Kelly's 1912: Herbert Fysh, miller, The Mill

c.1916: Mill burnt down

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2004