Possible layout of Catton in the 16th Century - as drawn by Harry Apling
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Catton
postmills |
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At one point
there were two postmills at Catton in close proximity to one another and
operating at the same time, although it is likely that one mill was considerably
older than the other. Burges Robinson may have been the miller at Catton
mill in 1768. He was listed in the Norwich Poll Book as a miller in St.
Clement. These Catton mills were most likely to have been a post mills.
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By 1471, when a field survey (or extent) was made, some of the strips in the fields were being grouped to form closes or small fields and this enclosure process continued during the next two hundred years. The survey mentioned in the Dean & Chapter Records of 1471 mentions Catton mill; that of 1570 a marlpit, Church Street, the mill, a brickk field and Stone Pit Hill. This hill seems to be the slope up from the present ring road to the junction with Fifers Lane (now a housing estate). |
The medieval mill would have nbeen atimber post-mill. It stood on the high point of the village about where St. Faiths Road and Fifers Lane meet. |
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In 1770 the miller came to the aid of someone who was being robbed. |
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On Thursday night the 6th inst as William Grimmer a gardiner at Bracondale,
was returning home from Hainford through Catton, he was assaulted near
the Mill by a person on horseback, who without provocation, set his dog
upon him, with a singular degree of wantoness and barbarity, the master
repeatedly encouraged his dog to seize and worry a defenceless man. |
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Possible layout of Catton in the 16th Century - as drawn by Harry Apling |
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The first mention of two mills at Catton came in a sale advert in 1775 |
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To be SOLD |
A DWELLING HOUSE, and piece of LEASE HOLD LAND, containing by estimation,
Two Acres, or thereabouts, for the remainder of a Term of Eighty Years,
of which there are Thirteen Years yet to come, and will expire the 10th
of April 1788. For further particulars, enquire of Mr. North, Attorney, in Norwich. Also two exceeding good CORN WINDMILLS, now in full business and excellent repair, standing on the said Leasehold Land. Norfolk Chronicle - 25th May 1875 |
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The mills were not sold and were re-advertised a month later |
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To be SOLD |
TWO WINDMILLS standing out of Magdalen Gates, City of Norwich commonly
called CATTON MILLS. Also a House, Stables, brewhouse etc together with a Piece of Land containing two Acres by Estimation, Leasehold, of which there are 13 Years unexpired. For further Particulars enquire of Mr. John Nickless of Tasburgh or of him at the Red Lion in St Stephen's on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Likewise the Lease of a Parcel of Land adjoining to the same containing 17 Acres, more or less, if it be agreeable to the Purchaser. Together with a barn standing on the Premises. Norfolk Chronicle - 25th March 1775 |
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One of the mills was for sale in 1785 |
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To be SOLD |
AN exceeding good WIND MILL, situate within half a Mile of the City
on the Catton Road, containing one Pair of Stones, a Boulting Mill and Cylinder,
with all necessary Going Geers, Scales, Weights &c- For particulars enquire of Mr. Isaac Ayton, Baker or Mr. John Wright, Appraiser, Norwich. Norwich, August 12th, 1785. Norfolk Chronicle - 13th August 1785 |
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James Deynes was listed in the Norwich Poll Book as a miller in St. Clement. Both mills were still standing in 1788, when they were mentioned in an advert relating to some land nearby. This is the last mention of both mills standing together. |
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To be SOLD |
AN Inclosure of exceedingly good LAND, containing seven Acres and upwards,
lying without St. Augustine's Gates, in the County of the City of Norwich,
in a very convenient and desirable Situation on the West of Catton Wind-Mills,
with a Pump on the Premises, Freehold, and moderately assessed to the Land
Tax. For Price and further Particulars apply to Mr. Rishton Woodcocke, Attorney at Law, or of Mr. Timothy Copping, St. George's Colegate, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 8th March 1788 |
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 TG22951225 approx |
-1768
to 1788+
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