Norfolk Mills - Kenninghall Mill Lane post windmill

Kenninghall Mill Lane postmill

(Mill Lane towermill and postmill in foreground c.1900
(Banham Rd postmill far right in distance)
Photo taken from near Womack's farm

Kenninghall Mill Lane postmill is thought to have been built in 1704 and stood at Church Farm in Mill Lane just to the north of the adjacent towermill. The mill buck was set on a roundhouse and in 1844 was using one pair of common sails and one pair of patent sails. The mill was later fitted with a second pair of patent sails and the 4 double shuttered sails, each with 8 bays of 3 shutters, set on an iron windshaft, worked in a clockwise direction driving 2 pairs of 4ft. French burr stones, a flour mill and a jumper. An 8 bladed fantail was set at the bottom of the ladder leading to the porch. A bake office was also run on the premises.

Royal Exchange Fire Insurance policy 100504

Wm. Clary of Kenninghall in the County of Norfolk, Miller.
On a Windmill timber built situate in Kenninghall aforesaid - £100.
19th January 1787

To Millers & Bakers
A Desirable Situation at Kenninghall, Norfolk
Will be Offered for SALE by AUCTION by T. Calver at Kenninghall sometime in the month of November next.
The ESTATE comprises a comfortable Dwelling house with Baking Office adjoining, a substantial Post Windmill driving two pair of Stones, Roundhouse, Granaries, Stable, Cart Lodge, Piggery, Millyard, Garden & small Orchard of prime young & choice trees. The Land (with the sites of the Buildings) contains about half an Acre all late in the occupation of Mr. Edmund Farrow deceased.
The Mill & Buildings are in excellent condition & eligibly situated for trade.
Apply to Messrs. Brooke & Calver, Solrs. Kenninghall & Long Stratton.
Norfolk Chronicle - 1st, 15th & 22nd November 1828

Notice to Debtors & Creditors of Mr. Edmund Farrow late of Kenninghall, Miller & Baker, deceased.
Norfolk Chronicle - 19th December 1829

Notice to Debtors & Creditors of Mr. Edmund Farrow, of Kenninghall, Miller & Baker, deceased.
Norfolk Chronicle - 20th November 1830

On 1st June 1797, William Farrow inherited the mill from his father, James Farrow and on 11th November 1830, Edmund Farrow in turn inherited the mill from his father William Farrow

Via an indenture dated 27th May 1836, William Farrow, a farmer of Skelton sold the mill to James Reeve, a carpenter and joiner of Kenninghall.

Tithe map 1840 - as redrawn by Harry Apling

Tithe Award 1844 Map by Henry Calver, Surveyor, 1840 Owner: James Reeve Occupier: do
No. 813	House, mill, yard & premises	Pasture	0a. 1r. 14p.	2/-

KENNINGHALL
To be Sold by Private Contract
A capital POST WINDMILL with Roundhouse, one pair of patent & one pair of common Sails, two pairs of French Stones, Flour Mill & Jumper & all usual machinery complete & in thorough repair.
A neat & commodious Dwelling house comprising four chambers, a good Cart Lodge, 2 Granaries, 2 Stables, Piggeries & other buildings, Yard, Garden & Orchard, the whole in the occupation of Mr. James Reeve, the proprietor, who would give early possession.
Apply to Mr. Reeve or to Mr. Calver, Solr. Kenninghall.
Kenninghall, 3 August 1844.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th August 1844

KENNINGHALL
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. W. W. Elliott at the White Horse Inn, Kenninghall on Monday 16 September 1844 at 6 o'c
A capital POST WINDMILL with Roundhouse, one pair of patent & one pair of common Sails, two pairs of French Stones, Flour Mill & Jumper & all usual machinery complete & in thorough repair.
A neat & commodious Dwelling house comprising four chambers, a good Cart Lodge, 2 Granaries, 2 Stables, Piggeries & other buildings, Yard, Garden & Orchard, the whole in the occupation of Mr. James Reeve, the proprietor, who would give early possession.
Particulars of Mr. Reeve or Mr. Calver, Solr. Kenninghall & the Auctioneer, Thelton near Scole..
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th & 14th September 1844

Messrs. Elliott & Sons are instructed to sell by Auction at the Crown Inn, Kenninghall, Monday 19 May 1856 at 6 o'c
All that old-established POST WINDMILL with roundhouse, two pairs of French stones, flour mill, jumper & other going gears; substantial & convenient tiled Dwelling House, stable, two granaries, cart-lodge & other outbuildings, well planted orchard, garden & mill yard containing altogether half an acre more or less & now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Burrows at the annual rent of £28.
Apply to J. C. . Calver, Solr. Kenninghall & the Auctioneers, Diss & Thelton near Scole..
Norfolk Chronicle - 17th May 1856

James Reeve, a carpenter and joiner of Kenninghall had mortgaged the mill from Benjamin Hastead but defaulted with the repayments. Eventually Benjamin Hastead foreclosed and via an Award of Enfranchisement dated 15th October 1864, became the new owner of the mill.

KENNINGHALL
Salter & Simpson are favoured with instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. Benjamin Hastead to Sell by Auction early in July at Kenninghall Two comfortable Dwelling Houses, Cottage & Gardens & an old established four sail WINDMILL.
Particulars of Mr. F. Fowell, Solr. Garboldisham & of the Auctioneers, Attleborough.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th June 1871

KENNINGHALL
The sale of the Windmill & Premises at Kenninghall in the occupation of Mr. Burroughes is POSTPONED until further notice.
Norfolk Chronicle - 8th & 15th July 1871

Helen Burroughes was visiting her grandfather, Thomas Burroughes at Kenninghall postmill and while playing in the mill yard with two other girls, she took hold of a stationery sail about four feet from the ground. The mill started off almost immediately and she was carried up about twenty feet before she fell to the ground and was killed.
Norfolk Corn Windmills - Harry Apling

KENNINGHALL		Fatal Accident
On Tuesday last, John Muskett, Esq. held an inquest at the White Horse Inn, in this parish on view of Helen Matilda Burroughes, a little girl aged seven years, the daughter of Mr. Burroughes, miller of this place. The deceased and two other little girls were playing in the mill yard on Monday afternoon and in the course of their play, the deceased took hold of the mill sail, which was about four feet from the ground and from her weight it is supposed and a slight breeze springing up set the mill off and the poor child was taken with the sail for about twenty feet high, when she fell to the ground and was killed. The deceased's playmates said the sail started off nearly directly she got hold of it, a gale of wind having sprung up and before Mr. Burroughes, who was in the millyard could get to the deceased she fell. The witness told deceased to leave hold of the sail and she replied, 'Let me go a little farther'. The mill was ready to start when the wind came up. Verdict, 'Accidental death'. The coroner advised Mr. Burroughes not to let children play in the mill yard and cautioned the two little girls who attended the inquest as witnesses not to go near mill sails in the future. Norfolk Chronicle - 3rd April 1875

DIED

BOURROUGHES. On the 29th ult. Helena Matilda, the dearly beloved child of Barnabas and Jane Burroughes of Aslacton in this county, who was accidentally killed while on a visit to her grandfather at Kenninghall, aged 7 years and 10 months.
Norfolk Chronicle - 10th April 1875

KENNINGHALL
To Millers & others
Salter, Simpson & Sons are favoured with instructions from Mr. David Bullock, who is giving up the business, to Sell by Auction at the Royal Hotel, Attleborough on Thursday June 1st 1893 at 4 o'c in the afternoon in One Lot.
A capital Four sail POST WINDMILL driving Two Pairs of 4 foot Stones, with Flour Mill, Iron Shaft, Storehouse & Granary above, Cart lodge, Stable, Harness house, Bullock Sheds & Yards & other Outbuildings.
Also a comfortable Brick, Clay & Tile DWELLING HOUSE with 2 Sitting rooms, Back Kitchen, Storeroom, Cellar, 3 Bed rooms, Garden, Well & small Orchard, situate in Mill Lane & adjoining the property of Mr. Peverett & Mr. Skipper. Freehold. Tithe 1892 2s. 6d. Land Tax 15s. 9d.
The above Property has been in the occupation of Mr. Bullock for many years & the Mill & House are both in good order.
The Purchaser to take by Valuation the Mill Utensils & House Fixtures, a schedule of which will be produced at the Sale.
Conditions ... of the Auctioneers, Attleborough & Bury St. Edmunds or of Messrs. Miller, Steven & Son, Norwich & Kenninghall, Vendor's Solicitors.
Norfolk Chronicle - 20th & 27th May 1893

KENNINGHALL, Norfolk
To Millers
For SALE or to LET
Compact & Substantial DWELLING HOUSE, Windmill, Granary & Outbuildings, with Garden & small Orchard, in excellent condition near the Church. Freehold.
Apply to Miller, Stevens & Son, Norwich & Kenninghall.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd September 1893

Owned & worked by Frederick Holman in 1896 & his widow Mrs. S. Holman from about 1898 to 1908 when it became idle. Stood for a while after demolition of (nearby) towermill (about 1911)
Millers:-	Robert Crook Thomas Burroughes Frederick Holman
South Norfolk Windmills - H. E. S. Simmons The Miller - 17th November 1947

On 30th August 1972 Horace Freestone of Hilborough wrote to Harry Apling to say that he had formerly been at Little Cressingham Mill and also Hilborough Watermill.
His father Horace Freestone left Poringland High Mill and went to the Star Public House for a year before moving on to a postmill at Kenninghall, possibly Mill Lane postmill. He did not work the mill and in 1907 moved on to Little Cressingham Mill and Hilborough Watermill.

Terry & Mary King excavating the mill foundations - April 1989

KENNINGHALL Villagers have embarked on a fascinating journey through the past.

A team of residents are now arranging all the historical information they have gathered into an impressive exhibition.
Mrs. Anne Woods, who first had the idea, said: “I just thought that the people who know all the history are dying out. If we don’t do something some day it will all be gone.”
She got together with other villagers interested in unearthing the past – and some of the secrets they uncovered were quite startling.
At one time, for example, the village was regarded as a town and housed three private schools, seven pubs, four places of worship and a slaughter house.
A harnessmaker, boatmaker, watchmaker and several blacksmiths all congregated in the village over the years, and although … eventually … face of Kenninghall was virtually unchanged.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hayes said most of East Church Street had been shops and despite the fact that nearly all had closed down the buildings remained.
Historian and village antiques dealer Mr. Tony Cardy, joining in the search for mementos of the past, found the village’s old Automobile Association sign, probably made around the time of the first world war, which shows Norwich as 19¾ miles away and Diss 8½.
“I actually bought it at Fakenham auctions a few years ago and I’d really love to know which building it came from,” he said.

Windmills
The village also once had three windmills, and Mary and Terry King are digging up the foundations of one which stood in their garden in Mill Lane.
So far they have discovered the base for the four supporting pillars and a hoard of china pieces, stained glass and oddments.
Mrs. King said: “We started unearthing it out of sheer interest. I’m a devil for digging things up.”
The mill is steeped in history. Folklore has it that a young girl was killed when she grabbed hold of a sail and was dragged high into the air and fell.
The exhibition committee is hoping to incorporate as many old photographs and pieces of machinery as possible. The display, to be held at St. Mary’s Church on May 29 and 30 and June 1, will be surrounded by a huge flower display.
“The bell tower will be open and people will be shown the bells,” said the village curate, the Rev. Christopher Wray, who added that the show would be a prelude to an appeal for cash to preserve the bells.
Mercury & Advertiser - Friday 21st April 1989

The debris from the fire that destroyed the mill, according to Terry King, were dropped into the adjoining 80ft well shaft where they remain. The well was cemented over for safety.

Lovely to see that old wall with a view of the three Kenninghall mills over it. I think that wall was probably the front wall of the field at the front of my grandfather's farm, Grange Farm, Kenninghall - owned in the 50s by Tom Womack and later his son Geoffrey. It was demolished some time in the last 30 years and only ran half way down the field but I could probably draw its profile from memory, having run my fingers along it so many times walking from the village to the farm when we went to visit on the bus on Saturdays. It looked enormous to me in the 1950s!
The other side of the wall is still there, running along East Church Street and along my uncle Brian Womack's old house and now, since August, new house too!
Scilla Bunn - 21st December 2004

Henry and Horace Harry Burroughes appear in the 1881 Hoveton_St._John census. Henry was the brother of my wife's Great Grandfather Daniel Burroughes, as was Barnabus Burroughes of Aslacton_Windmill. They were sons of Thomas Burroughes of Kenninghall Post Mill. The son of Barnabus Burroughes went on to sire the owners of Burroughes of Bressingham which went bankrupt a few years ago. One of the family is still alive.
Mike - 22nd March 2011

The post mill's foundations here are a garden feature; it appears to have pergolas on top of the pier footings.
Sue Burden - 5th May 2018

O. S. Map 1883
Postmill to the north and towermill just to the southwest
Courtesy of NLS map images

Kelly's 1896: Charles Burrows jnr, farmer
Kelly's 1896: William Holman snr, farmer
Kelly's 1896: William Holman jnr, farmer, Wash farm
Kelly's 1912: Mrs. Selina Holman, miller (steam) at Fersfield Rd towermill

c.1704: Postmill built

Mortgage 5th March 1777:

John Brickham of Kenninghall mortgaged mill to Herery Wells of Banham for £60. Repaid on 9th July 1777

Bargain & Sale 1786:

Thomas Kedington, miller of East Harling sold mill to William Clary of Frackingham, Suffolk for £120

January 1787: William Clary, miller, insured the mill for £100 with Royal Exchange Fire Insurance

Indenture 30th July 1796: William Clary sold mill to John Farrow for £120

1796: John Farrow, miller

Kenninghall General Court 1st June 1797:

Under the will of John Farrow, son Edmund Farrow becomes owner of windmill, land etc.

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

1827: Edmund Farrow, miller & baker

1828: Edmund Farrow died

November 1828: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Kenninghall Court 11th November 1830:

Under the will of Edmund Farrow dated 21st September 1828, son William Farrow becomes owner of windmill, land etc.

1830: Frederick Pilgrim, tenant miller

Mortgage 1830: William Farrow mortgaged mill to Tabithe Lincoln, William & Thomas Palmer

Greenwood's map 1834: Windmill

Indenture 27th May 1836: William Farrow sold mill to James Reeve

White's 1836: Frederick Pilgrim, corn miller

Robson's 1839: James Reeve, miller

Census 1841:

James Reeve (25) miller.
Frances Reeve (20)
Hannah Cowles (15)
Address: Mill Lane

Miriam Licence (65) independent
John Baker (30) miller, not born Nfk.
Eliza Baker (30)
John Baker (3)
Albert Baker (2)
Address: Mill Cottage

Tithe Award 1844: Owner: James Reeve; Occupier: James Reeve

August 1844: Mill advertised for sale by private contract

September 1844: Mill advertised for sale by auction

White's 1845: James Reeve, corn miller

Census 1851:

Robert Crook (41) b.Garboldisham, miller
Susan Crook (41) b.Nth. Lopham
Mary Ann Crook (19) b.Quiddenham

1853: Robert Burroughes, miller

Kelly's 1854: Robert Burroughes, miller
White's 1854: Thomas Burrows, corn miller

1856: Thomas Burrows, tenant miller at a rent of £28 per annum

May 1856: Mill advertised for sale by auction

4th November 1856: Benjamin Hastead owner after James Reeve defaulted on mortgage

White's 1864: Thomas Burroughes, corn miller

16th February 1871: Benjamin Hastead of Bridgham, mill owner, died

June 1871: Mill advertised for sale by auction due to the death of Benjamin Hastead

July 1871: Sale of mill postponed indefinitely

April 1875: Helena Matilda Burroughes (7) of Aslacton fell from the mill sails and was killed

1875: Thomas Burroughes, miller

Census 1881:

George H. Witham (21) b.Kenninghall, miller. Living with parents at farm, The Heath, Kenninghall

White's 1883:

David Kelly Bullock, miller, corn merchant & farmer, Church farm, and Kenninghall mills

O.S. map 1884: Windmills (Corn)

Kelly's 1892: David Kelly Bullock, miller (wind)

May 1893: Mill advertised for sale by auction due to the retirement of David Bullock

September 1893: Mill advertised for sale or rent

Kelly's 1896: Frederick Holman, corn merchant & miller (wind & steam) also at Fersfield Rd towermill

10th January 1900:

Frederick Holman died at the age of 33 and was buried in Kenninghall churchyard

Kelly's 1900: Mrs. Selina Holman, miller (steam & wind) also at Fersfield Rd towermill

Kelly's 1904: Mrs. Selina Holman, miller (steam & wind) also at Fersfield Rd towermill

Kelly's 1908: Mrs. Selina Holman, miller (steam & wind) also at Fersfield Rd towermill

c.1950: Mill burnt down

1970: Mrs. Kemp, Mill house

1989: Terry & Mary King, Mill House

2018. John Blair, Mill House

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

Nat Grid Ref TM04278605

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