Norfolk Mills - Shropham Mill Farm smockmill

Shropham
Mill Farm
smockmill

Shropham Mill Farm smockmill stood on the north side of the Hargham Road to the southeast of the village. The mill used patent sails to power two pairs of French burr stones, one pair being 4 ft. 6 ins. and the other pair 4 ft.

George Burlingham and his wife Margaret had a son John, who having served his apprenticeship at Sapiston Mill in Suffolk, went on to own and run Old Buckenham towermill.

Tithe Award 1841 Map copied by James Drane, Surveyor, Norwich, 1839 Owner: John Mann Occupier: do
No. 7			95a. 3r. 4p.

N.B. Site of mill recorded but no mill shown or mentioned

HINGHAM
2 Steam Engines with Thrashing Drums etc.
Sale of Portable Steam Engines etc. property of Mr. John Sayer and sold in consequence of his having hired a mill.
Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd December 1865

HINGHAM
2 Steam Engines with Thrashing Drums etc. without reserve.
Sale of Portable Steam Engines etc. property of Mr. John Sayer and sold in consequence of his having hired a mill.
Norfolk News - 2nd December 1865 & 10th February 1866

Situations Vacant
Wanted, a Young Man as IMPROVER in a Windmill. Board & Lodging in the House. References required.
Apply personally to John Sayer, Shropham, Thetford.
Norfolk News - 22nd September 1872

Wednesday next
To Millwrights, Wheelwrights and others
SHROPHAM near Attleborough
BACON & SONS will Sell by Auction the Materials of a WINDMILL just taken down and including patent Sails, Pitch Pine Stock (new), 48 x 12½ x 12, Oak Upright Shaft, 25 ft . long, Plumbing Block, Brasses etc., Stone Nuts complete, French Burr Stoners 4 ft. 6 in. and 4 ft. (one pair new), Iron Wallower, Governors, Lighter Irons, Posts for Windshaft, Pulleys, Wheels, Straps, Chains, Blocks, about 5 Tons of Cast Iron, quantity of Iron Bars, Rods, Bolts and Nuts, Lead and Brass, Oak Baulks, Planks, Scantlings, Deal Boards, Doors and Steps, Firewood and Sundries, also Beam, Scales and Weights (20 stones) Sack Barrow, Bushel and other Measures and also 20 capital Ash TREES.
Sale to commence at 11 o'c.
Norfolk Chronicle - 19th March 1892

O.S. Map 1883

The Sayer family also ran Shropham Mill Lane smockmill and Shropham postmill.

Kelly's 1892: Robert Reeve Davey, farmer & veterinary surgeon, Mill farm

Kelly's 1896: John Rayner, farmer, Mill farm

Kelly's 1925: William Springall, farmer, Mill farm

Kelly's 1925: John Emms, farmer, Mill farm

Kelly's 1937: George Woodrow, farmer Mill farm

Bryant's map 1826: Windmill

Greenwood's map 1834: Windmill

White's 1836: John Mann, miller & farmer

O. S. map 1838: Windmill

White's 1845: John Mann, corn miller & farmer (also at Attleborough Great Mill)

1853: John Andrews, miller

White's 1854: John Andrews, corn miller

1858: John Andrews, miller

1863: John Sayer snr, miller & farmer

White's 1864: John Sayer, miller & farmer

1872: John Sayer, miller

Kelly's 1879: John Sayer, miller

White's 1883: John Sayer snr. miller & farmer, Mill farm

O. S. map 1884: Windmill

White's 1890: John Sayer snr. miller & farmer, Mill farm
White's 1890: Charles Sayer corn miller

1892: Mill dismantled

March 1892: Mill machinery advertised for sale by auction

24th June 1895: Charles Edward Sayer died aged 31 and was buried in Shropham churchyard (born 1864)

10th February 1911: John Sayer snr. died aged 84

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 TL99019295

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