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Pockthorpe
Magdalen Road postmill |
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Magdalen Road postmill was standing in 1732 and may have been built by Robert_Briggs. The mill buck was built over a two storey roundhouse and at that time the mill used common sails to run a single pair of French burr stones used for grinding wheat into flour and also a pair of Derby Peak stones that were probably used for animal feed. By 1815 the mill was exclusively grinding flour using two pairs of French burr stones, a flour mill and jumpers and by 1835 the mill was using patent sails to power one pair of 4 ft. 8 ins. and one pair of 4 ft. French burr stones. In 1875 the mill was using one pair of 5 ft and one pair of 3 ft. 10 ins. French burr stones. |
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A Very able Wind-Mill, near Magdalen-Gates in Norwich, in good Repair,
double Stoned Peak and French and a Pair of Cullins, to be Lett at Christmas
next. She is well Customed, and a good Distance from Water. Inquire of
Mr. James Skipper, or of Mr. Briggs the Millwright, both in Norwich aforesaid |
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John Preston was the miller in 1758 and his daughter Sarah, 17, was married to Michael Baldwin in St. Paul's Church on the 18th March of that year. |
Benjamin Manhood was the miller in 1773. He was born in Attleborough in 1750, the son of John and Judith Manhood. He married Mary Millington, 17, daughter of John Millington, carpenter, at St. James church on the 21st June 1773. He was still the miller in 1779. |
Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy 61026 - 14th January 1779 |
Benj. Manhood of the Hamlet of Pockthorp belonging to the City of Norwich, Miller. £350, Windmill & Roundho. The Windmill & Roundhouse above mentiond being afsigned to Samuel Chapman of the City of Norwich, Baker & Farmer, is hereby allowd. |
Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy 75073 - 19th February 1779 |
Saml. Chapman of the City of Norwich, Baker. On Goods in Trade in his Dwelling House, Shop & Baking Office adjoining & having Communication brick built & tiled sit. in the Parish of St. Augustus in Norwich aforesd., £200. On Goods In Trade in his Windmill timber built & Roundhouse under brick built sit. in the Hamlet of Pockthorp belonging to Norwich aforesd., £200. On a Windmill_timber built sit. near, £250. On a Tenement near Stud & brick & stud built & tiled, £30. On a Warehouse Stud & brick & stud built & tiled, £20. On Corn thresh'd, Flour & Sacks in a Granary brick built & tiled sit. in the Parish of St. Paul in Norwich aforesd, £100. |
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A WINDMILL |
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To be LETT, and entered upon immediately, a very good
POST WINDMILL, near Magdalen-gate, Norwich, with a large and convenient
Round-house, two Pair of exceeding good Stones, and a Flour Mill, and all her going Geers, in Good Repair, and upon an exceeding
good Construction for Business. - Also a DWELLING-HOUSE, STABLE, and HAY-HOUSE,
with two Acres of Land. For further Particulars enquire of William Barnham, White-friars-bridge, or of Samuel Chapman, Baker, St. Augustine's, Norwich Norfolk Chronicle - 25th January 1783 |
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To be SOLD |
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An exceeding good WINDMILL, just out of MAGDALEN GATES,
on the Right Hand Side Also an ESTATE at Morley, near WYMONDHAM, in the Occupation of SAMUEL GOULSTON, consisting of a Farm House, &c. with about 35 Acres of exceeding good Land adjoining. For further Particulars apply to. James Parkerson, Tombland, Mr. Robert Smith, at the Corner of Hay Hill, or Messrs. Foster, Son and Unthank, Attornies in Norwich. All Persons who have any Demands on the late Mr. Mason, of this City, Baker, Deceased, are requested to send to the said Mr. Parkerson, or Mr. Smith, An Account thereof; and all Persons who stood indebted to the said Mr. Mason, at the time of his Death, are desired to discharge the same immediately. Norfolk Chronicle - 1st & 8th October, 3rd & 10th December 1785 |
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The mill was not sold, it was advertised again in December 1785, the same advert appearing but omitting the details of the estate at Morley. The mill was marked on Faden's 1797 map. |
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To be Sold by Auction |
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On Tuesday 3rd day of December between the hours of 4 and 5 o'c in the afternoon at Mr. Robert Allen's at the sign of the three pigeons in St. Gregory's parish, Norwich. All that large WINDMILL in capital repair, with a roundhouse, cylinder, flour mill, corn screen and all her working geers, late in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Allen, deceased, in the parish of Pockthorpe, about one quarter of a mile from Magdalen Gates, with the remainder of the lease, which are 9 years 6 months unexpired at Christmas next, at the yearly rent of three guineas a year, with dwelling house, quite new, stable, cart house, pig stye, with two acres of land, more or less. N.B. On the Wednesday following will be sold by Auction about 400 sacks, likewise a horse, cart, harness, scales, beams and weights, two corn bushels etc. These goods will be sold at the Mill above mentioned. The sale to begin at 11 o'c in the forenoon. Particulars of the Auctioneer in Pottergate Street, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 30th November 1793 |
James Royall |
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Richard Bush was the miller in 1814, when he went bankrupt. |
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WHEREAS a Commission of Bankruptcy is awarded and issued
forth against RICHARD BUSH, now or late of the city of Norwich, Miller,
and he being declared a Bankrupt is hereby required to surrender himself
to the Commissioners in the said Commission named, or the major part of
them, on the twenty-second day of June, and the second and thirtieth days
of July next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the said twenty-second
day of June, and at four o'clock in the afternoon of the said second and
thirtieth days of July, at the Maid's Head Inn, in the parish of Saint
Simon & Jude, in the said city of Norwich, and make a full discovery
and disclosure of his Estate and Effects, when and where the Creditors
are to come prepared to prove their debts, and at the second sitting to
choose Assignees, and at the last sitting the said Bankrupt is required
to finish his examination, and the Creditors are to assent to or dissent
from the allowance of his Certificate. All persons indebted to the said Bankrupt, or that have any of his Effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to whom the Commissioners shall appoint; but give notice to Messrs. Atkinson, Wilder and Mackerall, Solicitors, Chancery Lane, London; or to Messrs Steward and Skipper, Solicitors, Norwich Norfolk Chronicle - 18th June 1814 |
Commission of Bankrupt against Richard Bush, now or late of the City of Norwich, Miller. |
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Richard Bush's stock in trade was sold off on the 12th July 1814 |
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By Order of the Assignees, |
On Tuesday, July twelfth, 1814, at the Wind-mill situated near Magdalen
Gates, Norwich, lately occupied by Mr. Richard Bush. THE STOCK IN TRADE of the said RICHARD BUSH, a Bankrupt; comprising ten very capital fat hogs, to be sold in lots of one each, about three sacks of coarse flour, considerable quantity of fine pollard and bran, fourteen coombs of oats, also 300 sacks in lots, part of them quite new, eight flour cloths, four sail cloths, three sack barrows, bushels and corn screens, large iron beam, wood scales, and weights, bill thrift, seven bills and two iron crows, iron and wood shovels, a very capital grindstone, miller's cart, plough and harrows, cart saddle and breechings, four pig's troughs, three swill tubs, and a variety of useful articles. The whole will be sold without reserve. The sale to begin at half-past ten o'clock. N.B. At the same time will be Sold by Auction, about Five Acres of fine Growing Vetches, in lots, as now staked out. The Miller on the Premises will shew the several lots. - Likewise five or six loads of excellent Muck. All persons who stand indebted to the Estate of the said Bankrupt, are hereby required to pay their respective debts at the office of Messrs. Steward and Skipper, Solicitors, under the said Commission forthwith. Norfolk Chronicle - 9th July 1814 |
Commission of Bankrupt awarded 10 June, 1814, against Richard Bush, now or late of the City of Norwich, Miller. Final dividend 28 December at Maid's Head Inn, parish of St. Simon and Jude in the City of Norwich. |
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TO BE SOLD OR LET |
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A substantial POST WINDMILL, in good repair, two pair
of French Stones, with Going Gears complete, situated within a short distance
of Norwich. For particulars apply to the Printers. Norfolk Chronicle - 9th December 1815 |
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To be SOLD by Auction |
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ALL that POST WINDMILL, with the brick round-house,
machinery, and going geers thereto; together with the lease of about six
acres of land, upon part whereof the mill stands, as also a Cottage, Stable,
and two pig-sties, The whole was late in the occupation of Mr. Bush, and
is situate within a very short distance of Magdalen and Pockthorpe Gates,
Norwich; and possession may be had immediately. N.B. - Part of the purchase-money may remain on mortgage. Enquire of Steward and Skipper, Solicitors, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 13th, 20th & 27th January 1816 |
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WANTED |
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A Respectable YOUTH as an apprentice to a MILLER, who will be treated as one of the Family. A Small Premium will be expected. Enquire of Mr. Royall near Magdalen Gates, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 15th April 1826 |
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To be Sold by Private Contract |
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All that capital POST WINDMILL situate near Magdalen Gates, Norwich with two patent sails which drives by spur gears two pair of French Stones nearly new and of excellent quality diameter 4 ft. 8 in. by 4 ft. with Flour Mill and Jumper complete; also a roundhouse with two floors will contain 20 lasts or more; also house, granary, stable, gig house, and cow house, cart lodge and piggeries; also garden well planted, with a pump of good water, all adjoining. The above premises have been occupied by the proprietor 33 years and are in capital repair. The mill is capable of manufacturing 3 lasts per week on average, for which there is a Retail Trade that takes off the whole. N.B. There are two pieces of excellent Arable Land containing six acres, more or less, contiguous to the above premises in a high state of cultivation, on lease, which may go with the Mill if required. Norfolk Chronicle - 26th September 1835 |
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TO BE LET, |
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A Capital POST WINDMILL, in full trade, and in excellent repair, driving two pair of French Stones, flour mill, jumpers, and going gears complete, with cottage, granary, stables, piggery, and garden well planted; and also Six Acres of Arable Land, in a high state of cultivation. For particulars apply to Mr. James Royall, at Hautbois, or to Mr. Wm. Hall, St. George's Colegate, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 9th, 23rd & 30th July 1836 |
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NORWICH |
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To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Culley on Saturday 16 July 1842 at the Cat & Fiddle Inn, Magdalen Street, Norwich at 4 o'c. In one Lot. All that capital POST WINDMILL most advantageously situate within a quarter of a mile of Magdalen Gates.
The Mill has an excellent brick Round House, two pair of superior French stones, Flour Mill and Jumper, with all her fixed Gears in capital repair, and stand well in the wind. There is a Miller's Dwelling House, large Warehouse adjoining, brick and tiled Stable, three boarded and tiled warehouses, two small well planted Gardens, Mill Yard, and two Inclosures of excellent Arable Land adjoining and abutting upon the High Road from Magdalen Gates to Catton and Sprowston, altogether containing about 6 acres. The Land to be held at an annual rent for a term of seven years from Michaelmas next. The property is now in the occupation of Mr. Stammers, and was formerly occupied by Mr. Royall, the Proprietor of the Mill, by whom very respectable trades have been carried on for many years. Apply to Mr. Skipper, Solr. Norwich, or to the Auctioneer. Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd, 9th & 16th July 1842 |
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MOST DESIRABLE |
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The Mill has an excellent brick Round House, two pair of superior French stones, Flour Mill and Jumper, with all her fixed gears in capital repair, and stand well in the wind. There is a Miller's Dwelling-house, large Warehouse adjoining, brick and tiled Stable, three boarded and tiled Warehouses, two small well-planted Gardens, Mill; Yard, and two Inclosures of excellent Arable Land adjoining, and abutting on the High Road from Magdalen Gates to Catton and Sprowston, altogether containing about Six Acres. The Land to be held at an annual rent for a term of seven years from Michaelmas next. The property is now in the occupation of Mr. Stammers, and was formerly occupied by Mr. Royall, the Proprietor of the Mill, by whom very respectable trades have been carried on for many years. For Particulars and Conditions of Sale apply to Mr. Skipper, Solicitor, Norwich, or to the Auctioneer. Norfolk Chronicle - 2nd July 1846 |
| John Stammers, born 1822, second son of Robert Stammers of Magdalen Gates post mill, Pockthorpe, Norwich. At Wymondham 1850 - 1858. Went to Dilham watermill by 1861 and to Mendham watermill 1864. Letter from David Cubitt, Norwich, to Harry Apling - December 1982 N.B. John's brother Joseph Stammers, was miller at Mendham |
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Robert Stammers took the watermill at Gressenhall. In 1851 he was given as a master miller employing 3 men, living at the Mill, Gressenhall. His 2-year-old daughter had been born there. He was to remain at Gressenhall until his death on the 19th April 1885. |
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TO BE LET |
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A capital Post Windmill, advantageously situate on the
Hills above Pockthorpe. A COTTAGE RESIDENCE may be had with the Mill, if required. For particulars apply to Messrs. Skipper and Son, Bank Street, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 1st April 1848 |
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John Custance Hammond was the miller in 1854, having previously been at the Pockthorpe_tower_mill. John Gage took over Magdalen Road postmill after John Custance Hammond had moved to the tower mill at New Catton. |
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Housebreaking. - About six o'clock on Saturday evening, the house
of Mr. John Gage, known as Mill Cottage, Magdalen Road, was entered by
two men, by means of skeleton keys, whilst Mr. Gage and his family were
absent. The drawers in a bureau were broken open, but nothing was taken,
the men being disturbed by a little girl entering the cottage whilst they
were ransacking the drawers, on an errand to Mrs. Gage. One of them immediately
knocked the girl down, and decamped with his companion. She is unable
to give any description of the miscreants. |
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John Gage was followed by John Andrews who was was born in Dilham c.1808 and had previously been at the post mill in Swanton Abbot. In 1861 he was given as a flour miller aged 53 living at the Mill & House, St. Paul's with his wife Eleanor, 52 and daughter Eliza, 258. Daniel Howard was the next miller, being listed at the mill in 1863. Daniel Howard was the brother of Lydia, who had married John Custance Hammond. He was born on the 24th December 1822 and married Frances Ann Long on the 24th March 1847 at Thorpe St. Andrew. They had one son, Daniel, who was born in 1849. In 1851, he was given as a baker and shopkeeper aged 38 living in Barrack Street, St. James's with his wife Frances Ann, 35 and son Daniel James, 28. Daniel Howard Sr. ran the Bakers Arms Public House in Catton from 1868 to 1871 and it seems the mill was disused by this time. It was dismantled in the summer of 1875. |
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Houses etc. |
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POST WINDMILL to Let, Magdalen Road, Norwich, on reasonable terms. Apply Mr. Utting, Magdalen Road, Norwich. Norfolk News - 3rd July 1875 |
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MAGDALEN GATES, Norwich. |
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situate near Magdalen Gates, consisting of a pair of
French Burr Stones, 3ft. 10in., a pair of 5ft. ditto, iron spur wheel,
wind shaft, upright shaft, 2 stone nuts, stone spindles, flour mill reel
and drums, 2 prs. govenors, oak post, crown trees and cross trees, capital
old iron pig troughs, cart harness, springs, axletrees, and miscellaneous
effects. The sale will commence at Eleven o'clock. Offices - Bank Plain, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 14th August 1875 |
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No sails mentioned
in the advert. These could have been removed and sold at an earlier date
or blown off in a gale. |
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Daniel Howard snr. died on the 25th April 1902. |
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The mill was marked as a smock mill on the 1873 map but this is clearly an error. It is marked with a circle and the legend "Old Windmill" on the 1884 map. This could indicate that the roundhouse was left standing on its site 50 feet above sea level, after the windmill was demolished and possibly survived for a few years longer but It had gone by 1907. |
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O. S. Map 1884 Postmill marked as Old Windmill in centre Towermill marked as Windmill (Disused) in centre Courtesy of NLS map images |
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July 1732: Mill advertised to be let 1808: James Royall, miller |
| 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 TG23290991 |
-1732 to 1875 |
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