Heigham -
bark smockmill

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Heigham bark mill was was a smock mill that stood within the tannery complex on Heigham Street.


The cut in the river known as Soke Dyke, west of what later became the City Station, effectively formed an island in the river. Frontage to this cut, later became known as the Old River as mentioned in the sale documents of Heigham Bark Smockmill. The cut was later filled in, the northern sectioon when the City Station was built and the southern section later when the roundabout was built.


IMPORTANT SALE OF
FREEHOLD PROPERTY

Extensive Tan Yard, with numerous well-arranged Buildings for carrying on the Trade, Tower Wind Bark Mill, Vats, Stables and Cart Sheds, Dwelling-houses and Cottages.
HEIGHAM, NORWICH
WM. SPELMAN & SONS
Are favoured with instructions from the Proprietor, Mr. BOULT, (who is retiring from business),
TO SELL by AUCTION
During the Month of April,
All that advantageously situated
TAN YARD,
Now in full operation (formerly two yards), with four Bark Barns, Tower Wind Bark Mill, Horse Mill and Mill House, Leather Houses, Warehouses, Drying Sheds, and numerous Buildings; 150 well-arranged and Superior Vats, Handlers, Taps, Spenders, Grainers, and Lime Pits, Stables, and Cart Sheds; two complete and comfortable Family Houses and Offices, and several Cottages.
This Property (of which particulars will be given in future advertisements) presents an unusually fine opportunity for Tanners, Speculators, and Capitalists, being of great extent, and having considerable frontage next the street and river.
Particulars and conditions of sale may be had of Messrs. Blake, Keith and Blake, Solicitors, Norwich, and of the Auctioneers, Norwich and Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle - 20th March 1852

IMPORTANT SALE OF
FREEHOLD PROPERTY

Extensive Tan Yard, with numerous well-arranged Buildings for carrying on the Trade, Tower Wind Bark Mill, Vats, Stables and Cart Sheds, Dwelling-houses and Cottages.
HEIGHAM, NORWICH
WM. SPELMAN & SONS
Are favoured with instructions from the Proprietor, Mr. BOULT, (who is retiring from business),
TO SELL by AUCTION
At the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich
On Thursday, the 15th day of April, 1852
At six o'clock in the Evening,
The following highly-desirable and advantageously-situated TAN YARDS, with considerable frontage next Heigham Street and the Old River.
IN TWO LOTS
Lot 1. - The very complete and spacious
TAN YARD
Now in full operation with 91 very superior Vats, Handlers, Taps, Spenders, with connecting pipes, Lime Pits, and Grainers, all conveniently-arranged and in excellent condition, with two Bark-barns, three Drying-houses, two Leather-houses with rooms over, counting-room, Tower Wind-mill with Patent Sails, for Grinding Bark, Mill-house and Chambers, Stables, Cart and Gig-houses, and Offices.
Also, a substantially-built and convenient Family House, with modern front, abutting on the street and entrance.
This Lot has a frontage next the street of 55 feet; on the old river 64 feet, and from the street to the river a depth of 245 feet.
Lot 2. - Another desirable
TAN YARD
Adjoining Lot 1, in full trade, with 65 superior Vats, Handlers, Taps, Spenders, Lime Pits and Grainers, all in Capital repair, and suitably arranged, two large Bark Barns, Bark Mill and House, Drying House, Shumac and other Houses, Stable and Cart Shed.
Also, a convenient Dwelling-house, Wash-house, Offices, and Three Cottages, in the occupation of the Proprietor and his tenants, abutting on the street and gateway.
This Lot has a frontage next the street of 54 feet; on the old river 47 feet; and from the street to the river a depth of 270 feet.
The business in these yards has been carried on to a considerable extent for many years, and the retirement of the present proprietor from business presents an unusually fine opportunity to Tanners, Fellmongers, Capitalists, and Speculators, from the extent and situation of the property, and its eligibility for this or any other trade manufacture requiring space.
Particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained and plans seen at the Offices of Messrs. Blake, Keith and Blake, Solicitors, Norwich; at Garraway's Coffee House, Cornhill, London; and of the Auctioneers, Norwich and Yarmouth.

HEIGHAM
Spacious TAN Yards . . . BARK MILL . . .
Messrs. SPELMAN & SONS are favoured with instructions from the Proprietor Mr. Boult (who is retiring from business)
To Sell by Auction at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich on Thursday 15 April 1852 at 6 o'c
The following highly desirable and advantageously situated TAN YARDS with considerable frontages next Heigham Street and the Old River in two Lots.
Lot 1.
The very complete and spacious TAN YARD . . .
Tower Wind-mill with Patent Sails for Grinding Bark, Mill house and Chambers, Stable, Cart & Gig houses and Offices.
Also . . . Family house . . .
This Lot has a frontage next the street of 55 feet, on the Old River 64 feet and from the street to the river a depth of 245 feet.
Lot 2.
Another desirable TAN YARD adjoining Lot 1
Also Dwelling house
This Lot has a frontage next trhe street of 54 feet, on the Old River 47 feet and from the street to the river a depth of 270 feet. The business of these yards has been carried on to a considerable extent for many years and the retirement of the present proprietor from business . . .
Particulars of Messrs. BLAKE, KEITH & BLAKE, Solr. Norwich and at GARRAWAYS Coffee House, Cornhill, London and the Auctioneers, Norwich & Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle, 3rd & 10th April 1852


The two Tan Yards, Wind and Horse Bark Mills etc. were to let in June 1852. George Boult was born c.1775 in Ranworth and in 1851 was given as a farmer aged 76, employing 11 men and living in Heigham Street, Norwich with his wife Rebecca (75), sons Edmund (40) and Stephen (38) and daughters Susan (42) and Sophia (34). George Boult died on the 8th June 1852.


Notice re Estate of George Boult deceased, late of Heightam, tanner.
BLAKE, KEITH & BLAKE, Solrs. to Executrices & Executor.

The Chantry, Norwich. 24 June 1852.
Norfolk Chronicle - 26th June 1852


DIED.

Tuesday last, in the 79th year of his age, to the great grief of his family, and much respected by a large circle of friends, Mr. Geo. Boult, at his residence, in Heigham.
Norfolk Chronicle - 12th June 1852

Mr. GEORGE BOULT, Deceased.
ALL persons to whom Mr. GEORGE BOULT, late of Heigham, in the county of the city of Norwich, Tanner, deceased, stood indebted at the time of his death, are requested to forward the particulars of their Demands to us, within One Month from the date hereof. And all persons who stood indebted to the said George Boult, at the time of his decease are requested to pay us the amount of such Debt, forthwith.
BLAKE, KEITH, and BLAKE,
Solicitors to the Executrixes and Executor,
The Chantry, Norwich, 24th June, 1852.
Norfolk Chronicle, 3rd July 1852


The mill may have been dismantled in 1858. An advertisement mentioned the forthcoming auction of a substantial bark house and mill house as now taken down but this could also have referred to the horse mill. The evidence suggests that the mill survived until 1863, when Thomas_Smithdale was tendering for the refitting of a Bark Mill in Heigham for Mr. Samuel S. Beare. - Letter dated 18th April 1863.


St. Ann's Iron Works,
King Street, Norwich,
S. S. Beare, Esqr,
Sir,
Machinery required for driving the Bark Mill by the Steam Engine, viz, Two 3ft. driving pinions, turned, bored and fitted, one 3" Wrought Iron Shaft, 16ft. long or thereabouts, turned to fit Drums and Brasses. Three pairs of Plummr. Blocks fitted with Brasses and Bolts complete.
One Cast Iron Wall Box and 2 Brackets, One Pair of Large Bevel Wheels, turned, bored and fitted, 30ft. of 5" Leather driving Band or thereabouts. And all the Bolts required to fix the same with mens time fixing the Bark Mill and the above Machinery for the Sum of Thirty eight pounds.
£38. -. -.
I have the honour to be
Sir,
Your Obt. Servt,
Thos. Smithdale.

Mr._Smithdale to take down and have the old mill and Bark Mill at Heigham for which he will allow Mr. Beare the sum of Thirty five pounds.
£35. -. -. to be allowed for Mill as above stated.
Letter - 18th April 1853


HEIGHAM STREET
To Builders etc.
To be Sold by Auction by Mr. HUDBUD
On Friday next 21 August 1857 at teh Tan Yard, Heigham St. Norwich commencing at 11 0'c precisely
All the remaining part of the Tan Vats as now taken up. Capital Bark Mill as fixed . . .

S. Hudbud, Valuer, Charing Cross, Norwich
Norfolk Chronicle - 15th August 1857

AN EXCELLENT TOWER WINDMILL
WITH Patent Sails, now used for grinding bark, To be sold and taken down. - For particulars, apply to Messrs. Spelman, Estate Agents, Norwich and Yarmouth.

Norfolk Chronicle - 7th May 1863.


A note states that Smithdale received the order for the above work on the 26th June 18634. He advertised the mill for removal in July 1863.

TO MILLERS

TO BE SOLD CHEAP, A SECOND HAND PATENT FLOUR DRESSER, equal to New, well worth the attention of parties requiring a first rate Article.
For Prices, &c., apply to Thomas Smithdale, St. Ann's Iron Works, King Street, Norwich.
TO LANDOWNERS AND MILLERS
TO BE SOLD
AN excellent Smock TOWER WINDMILL with Four Patent Sails, new three years since, with Cast Iron Wind and Upright Shaft, in first-class condition. Can be taken down and re-fixed at a reasonable expence.
For Prices, &c., apply to Thomas Smithdale, St. Ann's Iron Work, King Street, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 11th July 1863

The mill's eventual fate seems to have been a removal and conversion to drainage use. The purchaser was a Mr. W. H. Denville.

St. Ann's Iron Works,
King Street, Norwich, July 10, 1863.

W. H. Denville, Esqr,
Dear Sir, Having duly considered the subject relative to a Wind-mill and Scoop Wheel for draining as named yesterday I beg to say that I should be willing to remove and fix the Wind-Mill as advertised with New Cast Iron Scoop Wheel 16ft. diameter, with Oak Starts and floats with Wrought Iron Shaft and driving Gear for the same, with Sluice door and hood for covering Scoop Wheel, all the above work to be fixed and put to Work for the sum of one hundred and ninety five pounds.
£195. -. -.
The above price not to include Brickwork
Waiting your reply
I have the honour to be,
Dear Sir,
Your Obt. Servt,
Thos. Smithdale.

P.S. In reference to a Steam Engine I beg to say that I could supply one new eight Horse-power Steam Engine, with Cornish Boiler, and all fittings with new Cast Iron Scoop Wheel, Oak Starts and floats, Wrought Iron driving shaft and bearings, All the above Work to be fixed complete and put to Work for the sum of two hundred and eighty pounds.
£280. -. -.
The above price not to include Brickwork.


Samuel S. Beare was born c.1789 in Norwich and was a leather merchant and magistrate in the city.

White's 1864: S. P. Beare, tanner, Lower Westwick Street

White's 1883: Beare & Son, Lower Westwick Street (Heigham Street next to Board School)

Kelly's 1904: Beare & Sons, 8 Heigham Street, Hide & Skin Merchants

Kelly's 1908: W. D. Mark & Sons, 8 Heigham Street, Hide, skin, fat & wool merchants


1836: George Boult, tanner

Tithe Award 1843: Map, Newton & Woodrow 1842 - no tithes payable on Enclosure No. 1 nth of Heigham St.

1845: George Boult, tanner

Census 1851: George Boult (76) b.Ranworth, farmer employing 11 men and living in Heigham Street, Rebecca Boult (75)
Susan Boult (42)
Edmund Boult (40)
Stephen Boult (38)
Sophia Boult (34)
Address - Heigham Street

1852: George Boult, tanner

March 1852: Tan yard and mill advertised for sale by auction

8th June 1852: George Boult, died

August 1857: Mill advertised for sale by auction

May 1863: Mill advertised to be sold and removed

1863: Mill bought by W. H. Denville for removal and conversion to a drainage 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 TG22470920 approx
 
-1852 to 1863 moved
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