Thorpe
Gas Hill Jennings towermill |
The easternmost of the two Gas Hill towermills was often known as Jennings' Mill. The mill was variously a corn mill and a sawmill during its working life. |
The mill had patent sails and a fantail that powered two pairs of French burr stones, a flour mill and jumper. By 1856 the mill had been converted to run as a sawmill, although the millstones were still in situ. |
Samuel Jennings was born c.1808 at Broome, Norfolk. He was listed in Harrod's Directory as a saw & planing miller and sawyer at Mousehold.In 1871 he was given as a sawyer aged 63 living in Mousehold, Thorpe with his wife Priscilla (52). He was listed in Hamilton's Directory of 1879 as at the saw mills, Mousehold. The mill was marked as a Saw Mill on the 1884 map. |
Peter De Caux, formerly of Golden Ball Street in the city of Norwich, miller, Groat-maker and Corn Chandler, and late of the Hamlet of Thorpe, in the county of the City of Norwich, Miller and Groat maker, Bankrupt. |
To be Sold or Let with immediate possession |
That capital Tower Windmill, situated near the Norwich Gas Works, Bishops Bridge, now in a complete state of repair, with patent sails, driving two pair of French stones, new flour mill and jumper etc. For rent and further particulars apply to L. De Caux, at the Ranelagh Gardens, St. Stephen's Gates, Norwich. Norfolk Chronicle - 27th May 1837 |
To be Sold or Let with immediate possession |
That substantial well built Brick Tower Windmill driving two pair of French Stones, with Patent Sails and all her going geers complete, situated near the Norwich Gas Works. For further particulars apply to Mr. De Caux, at the Ranelagh Gardens, or Mr. Fulcher, Millwright, near the Mills, who will show the premises. Norfolk Chronicle - 8th December 1838 |
Mary Ann De Caux was the miller from 1847, having been born c.1802 at Hickling, Norfolk. She was listed in Hunt's Directory of 1850 as miller at Mousehold, with a home in Thorpe Hamlet. |
DEATHS. |
JENNINGS. - On the 6th inst., at St. Leonard's Road, Mousehold, Norwich,
Samuel Jennings, aged 77. Norwich Mercury - 29th August 1885 |
Probable
site of Jennings' mill July 2004 |
The site today lies in Camp Grove and a circular depression in the ground may indicate the site of the mill. There is a low wall covering about one-third of the circumference of a circle which may have been part of the foundations of the mill. The diameter would have been about 24'. |
1954 watercolour by Thomas Graysmark |
The above 1954 watercolour by Thomas Graysmark, shows a warehouse-like buiding beside the river in Thorpe, clearly marked with the name Jennings on its roof. The O.S. maps of 1883-84 and 1947 show a sawmill close to Whitefriars Bridge. It is not know if the two buildings are in any way connected. |
O. S. Map 1884 |
O. S. Map 1883 |
Map 1885 |
Map 1794: Windmill
1852: Mary Ann De Caux, miller 1854: Robert Ransome, miller White's 1854: Samuel Jennings, stave cutter, Mousehold 1856: Samuel Jennings, saw miller 1859: Samuel Jennings, saw miller 1867: Samuel Jennings, saw miller White's 1868: Samuel Jennings, saw miller, Gashouse Hill Hamilton's 1879: Samuel Jennings, saw mills, Mousehold
Eyre's 1883: Samuel Jennings, saw mill proprietor, St. Leonard's Road Kelly's 1883: Samuel Jennings, sawyer, Mousehold Kelly's 1883: Samuel Jennings, corn miller O. S. Map 1884: Windmill (Corn) 6th August 1885: Samuel Jennings, miller, died aged 77 White's 1888: Samuel Jennings, miller, Gashouse Hill |
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 TG24420893
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-1826
to 1885+
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historical material within this page © Michael Roots & Jonathan Neville |
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