Marham
smockmill

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Mill working c.1908
Mill working c.1908

Marham smock windmill was a 4 storey 8 sided mill set over a brick base with sloping sides. Four double shuttered sails, each with 6 bays of 3 shutters and more smaller shutters in the inner bays drove 2 pairs of 4ft. 4ins. French burr stones, a flour mill and jumper. By 1866 a bake office was being run on the site.


To be Sold by Auction By William Casebow At the Bell Inn, Marham in the county of Norfolk On Wednesday 27 June instant at 4 o'c
(By the direction of the Assignees of Mr. John Bennett)
A Capital
TOWER WIND MILL which winds itself, part brick and part stud work, containing 4 floors, two pair of French stones 4 ft. 4 ins. in diameter, working with centre irons and regulators, flour mill and jumper and other requisite tackle and going geers, together with the mill yard containing about one rood of Freehold Land subject to a land tax of 4s.
The above Mill is well situated for trade in the pariush of Marham in Norfolk and has been erected within the last three years.
Also about 2 acres of wheat, 2 acres of barley and 2 acres of potatoes now growing in Shouldham Field free of tythes.
Apply to Messrs LEMMON & UTTON, Solrs. Downham Market, Norfolk or to Mr Robert Winearles of Marham or Mr. George Aylmer of Fincham.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS.
Mr. John Bennett of Marham in Norfolk, Miller, having by Deed dated 8th June instant assigned over all his Estate and Effects unto Mr. Robert Winearles of Marham aforesaid and Mr. George Aylmer of Fincham in Norfolk in trust for the equal benefit of all such of the Creditors of the said John Bennett as shall within two calendar months from the date of the said Deed execute the same. Notice is herby given that the said Deed now lies at the office of Messrs. LEMMON & UTTON Solrs. Downham Market, Norfolk for signature by the Creditors.
Downham Market, 12 June 1821.
Norfolk Chronicle - 16th June 1821



MARHAM, Norfolk
Capital Freehold Windmill (With Immediate Possession)
To be Sold by Auction By G. W. LEMON
At the Bell Inn, Marham in the county of Norfolk On Monday 5th November 1821 Between the hours of 6 & 8 o'c in the evening.
(By Order of the Assignees of the Estate and Effects of John Bennett, a Bankrupt)
The EQUITY OF REDEMPTION of a very substantial newly erected SMOCK
WINDMILL situate at Marham in the county on Norfolk, containing four floors with two pair of 4 ft. 4 ins. French stones, regulators, centre irons, going gears and tackle complete, together with HALF AN ACRE of LAND thereto belonging and adjoining.
The premises are in excellent condition and are admirably situated for trade being surrounded by the populous villages of Shouldham, Fincham, Pentney and Narborough and distant from Kings Lynn 12 miles, Swaffham eight and Downham Market seven.
The whole is subject to a mortgage of £400 and one years interest thereon.
Further particulars may be had on application (if by letter post paid) at the office of Mr. Rose, Solr. Downham Market, of the Auctioneer at the same place and of Mr. John Bennett at Marham who will shew the premises.
Norfolk Chronicle - 27th October 1821


Freehold Estate. Capital Smock Windmill etc. Shouldham & Marham To be Sold by Auction By CURLE & SON At the Bell Inn, Marham On Friday 28 January 1825 between the hours of 3 & 5 o'c
The following Freehold Estates
Lot 1. Arable Land in Shouldham
Lot 4. The Equity of Redemption of all that very substantial Smock Windmill
situate at Marham aforesaid, containing four floors, with two pair of 4 ft. 4 ins. French stones, regulators, centre irons, going gears and tackle complete, together with about half an acre of Land (more or less) belonging and adjoining, now in the occupation of Mr. Porter.
The windmill is in excellent condition having been erected only a few years since and admirably situated for Trade being surrounded by the populous villages of Shouldham, Fincham, Pentney and Narborough and distant from Kings Lynn twelve miles, Swaffham eight and Downham Market seven.
The Premises comprised in this Lot are subject to a Mortgage to Mr. Robert Winearls for securing £100 and interest.
Apply (if by letter post paid) to Mr. French, Solr. Cambridge.
Norfolk Chronicle - 22nd January 1825


TOWER WINDMILL To be Let
At MARHAM in the County of Norfolk
A Capital Brick and Wood TOWER WINDMILL
containing five floors and driving two pairs of French stones with going gear and wind tackle complete, standing in a good situation and neighbourhood for trade. Also Stables and Cart Shed and half an acre (more or less) of Land. Apply to Mr. Winearles (the proprietor) Marham or Mr. Bell, Solr. Downham Market.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 16th & 23rd June 1849


To Journeymen Millers
WANTED, a steady married man who thoroughly understands the business and is willing to make himself useful in the Baking.
Good references will be required.
Apply to Mr. G. Dent, Marham Mill.

Lynn Advertiser - 10th March 1866


JOURNEYMAN MILLER WANTED. A married man preferred. He will be required to make himself generally useful in the BAKE OFFICE.
Constant employment.
Apply to Mr. G. Dent, Miller, Marham.

Lynn Advertiser - 24th November 1866


Situation Vacant
To Millers
WANTED, a Man to work a Windmill and to assist in the Bread Baking.
A married man preferred.
Apply to Mr. George Dent, Marham, Downham Market.

Norfolk News - 1st December 1866


Situation Vacant
To JOURNEYMEN MILLERS
Wanted, a Man capable of working a Windmill and to assist in the baking. A Married Man with a small family would be preferred.
A Cottage found.
Address, Mr. G. Dent, Miller, Marham, Downham Market.

Norfolk News - 16th September 1871


Situation Vacant
To JOURNEYMEN MILLERS
Wanted immediately, a Man capable of working a Windmill and to assist in the Baking. Cottage found.
Apply to Mr. George Dent, Marham Mill, Downham.

Norfolk News - 25th November 1871


To Millers
Wanted, a Married Man capable to work a Wind Mill and assist in the baking.
A Cottage found.
Apply to Mr. G. Dent, Miller, Marham, Downham Market.

Lynn Advertiser - 10th February 1872


Situation Vacant
To MILLERS & BAKERS
Wanted at Michaelmas, a Man to Work a Windmill and assist in the Baking. Cottage near the Mill. Wages £1 per week.
Apply to Mr. George Dent, Marham Mill, Downham Market.

Norfolk News - 25th September 1875


Miller& Baker
WANTED, a situation as Improver or Under Miller and to make himself useful; good character.
Wm. Smith, Marham Mill, Downham.
Lynn Advertiser - 4th February 1882


To Millers & Bakers
WANTED, a married man competent to work a Windmill and to assist in the bread baking. Character required.
Apply to Mr. George Dent, Marham Mill, Downham Market.

Lynn Advertiser - 21st October 1882


WANTED, a Journeyman Miller (married man) to work a windmill and to assist in the bake office. Good character required.
Apply to George Dent, Marham, Downham Market.

Lynn Advertiser - 15th March 1884


To Millers & Bakers
WANTED, a man competent to work a windmill; must be a good stone man; also to make dough and assist in the baking. Good references required.
Apply to George Dent, Marham Mill, Downham Market.

Lynn Advertiser - 12th March 1887


c.1905
c.1905

To Let
AGIST. Stock taken on Marham Poors' Allotment, 144 acres at 1/6 per head from the 1st May for horses, colts, bullocks and cows.
Apply to G. Dent, Marham Mill or Mr. H. Crowe, Great Dunham, Swaffham.

Lynn Advertiser - 21st April 1888


To Let
AGISTMENT of Stock on Marham Poors' Allotment, 145 acres for horses and neat stock at 1/6 per head per week, after May 1st.
Apply to G. Dent, Marham Mill, Downham Market.

Lynn Advertiser - 13th April 1889


MARHAM MILL
7 Mailes from Swaffham and 4½ from Narborough Station

R. HEYHOE & SON have received instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. George Dent, Deceased, to Sell by Auction on Monday October 3, 1892 all the valuable LIVE AND DEAD FARMING STOCK ...
Sale at 2 o'c.
Norfolk Chronicle - 24th September 1892


MILLER & Baker wanted at once, good steady man, abstainer preferred.
Apply E. Heyhoe, Marham Mill, Downham.

Lynn Advertiser - 21st October 1893


Mr. & Mrs. William Carter, "Old Mill Site" (bungalow) have p.c. (postmarked 1908) showing mill complete. Octagonal brick base 10 ft. high, walls sloping inwards.
Harry Apling - 8th December 1970


O.S. Map 2005
O.S. Map 2005
Image reproduced under licence from Ordnance Survey

This photo (at top of page) was supplied to me in the 1980's (I think) by the then owners of the Bungalow in Marham known as "Olde Mill Syte" - a couple with the family name Clark (perhaps). They had had been given the original postcard by friends in the village. This picture was also supplied to and published by the Kings Lynn newpaper and an author for his book on windmills., neither of which were the original photographer, who must surely have died long since, so there should be no copyright issue.
My interest in the mill was that my Gt. Gt. Grandfather, William Smith of Wereham, was aprenticed to George Dent at this mill from 1851. I had the original indenture, which I donated to Norfolk County Record Office c1990 when it was situated in the cellar of Norwich Central Library in Bethel Street, but the library burnt down completely at some date after 1993 and many documents were damaged by fire or water, so I am not sure of its continuing existence or condition.  I may have a black and white negative of the document, which I could have printed when I am next in England.
I also have a 1927 view of Watlington_Tower_Mill where William Smith worked subsequently. I bought a copy of this photo from Norfolk CRO prior to the fire, and donated it back again, along with many books on Norfolk related subjects after the fire, in answer to their general plea for public help in re-stocking the library.
William Smith, died in 1873 aged just 39. Cause of death stated as "Paraplegia 10 months". Maybe the result of some mishap at the mill, - like being thrown from the sails, falling from some height or becoming entangled in the machinery.  Who knows?

Martin Joseph "Joe" Wain - 7th March 2011


I was delighted to find the information on your website about Marham Mill as I am a descendant of Joseph Shepheard who I see is referred to as being Miller there. He was my great great grandfather. My Gran would always talk about the Mill and going on deliveries on the bread cart with her father.
Her father was a miller and baker at the Mill. He was Frederick William Steele. He married Joseph Shepheard's daughter Elsie Mary. I'm not sure of the exact dates he was miller there but it was some time between 1924 and 1943. Fred Steele was from Willington in County Durham and although I know my Gran spent most of her childhood in Marham she was born in Willington and the family returned to Willington when she was a young woman, as a result of the war and the proximity of the airbase. I know from documents I have that the family were still in Willington in 1924 when my Gran's younger brother was born and they were back in Willington in 1943 when her brother joined the army at age 18.

Carole Middleton - 8th September 2019


White's 1836: Edward Winearls, farmer
White's 1836: Robert Good Winearls, farmer
White's 1836: William Winearls, Esq.

White's 1845: James Parish, grocer & draper
White's 1845: Robert Good Winearls, farmer, Eastgate (owner)

White's 1854: Charles James Parish, baker
White's 1854: Edward Winearls, farmer
White's 1854: Robert Collison Winearls, farmer
White's 1854: Robert Good Winearls, farmer & landowner

White's 1864: George Parish, parish clerk
White's 1864: Edward Winearls, farmer, Abbey Farm
White's 1854: Robert Collison Winearls, farmer
White's 1854: Robert Good Winearls, farmer & landowner, East Gate

Kelly 's 1879: Robert Collison Winearls, farmer & landowner, Eastgate house

White's 1883: Philip Winearls, carrier
White's 1883: Robert Collison Winearls, farmer & landowner, Eastgate house

Kelly's 1912: Joseph Shepheard, baker


c.1818: Mill built

1821: John Bennett, miller

8th June 1821: John Bennett insolvent and made a Deed of Assignment for the benefit of his creditors

June 1821: Mill advertised for sale by auction

October 1821: John Bennett bankrupt

October 1821: ? Porter, tenant miller

October 1821: Mill advertised for sale by auction

O.S. map 1824: Windmill

January 1825: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

White's 1836: Charles Parish, miller

White's 1845: Charles Parish, corn miller

1849: Robert Winearls, owner

June 1849: Mill advertised to be let

1850: Charles Parish, miller

1853: George Dent, miller

White's 1854: George Dent, corn miller

White's 1864: George Dent, miller & baker

1866: George Dent, miller

1871: George Dent, miller

1872: George Dent, miller

September 1875: George Dent, miller advertised for a mill assistant to be paid £1 per week

Kelly's 1879: George Dent, miller, surveyor & assessor

February 1882: William Smith of Marham Mill advertised for an assistant

October 1882: George Dent, miller

White's 1883: George Dent, corn miller, baker, farmer and tax collector

1884: George Dent, miller

1889: George Dent, miller

White's 1890: George Dent, corn miller, baker, farmer and tax collector

O.S. map 1891: Windmill

Kelly's 1892: George Dent, miller (wind) & road surveyor

1892: George Dent died

September 1892: Farming stock of George Dent advertised for sale by auction

1893: Edmund Heyhoe, miller

Kelly's 1896: Edmund John James Heyhoe, miller (wind) & baker

Kelly's 1900: Joseph Shepherd, miller (wind) & baker

Kelly's 1904: Joseph Shepherd, miller (wind) & baker

Kelly's 1908: Joseph Shepherd, miller (wind) & baker

c.1912: Sails removed

1926: Mill remains still visible

Karl Wood painting 1936: Single storey roofed brick base

O.S. map 1946: Windmill

1946: Mill remains still visible

c.1980: Bungalow on site of mill


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 TF71040985
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Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007