Norfolk Mills - Thorpe - Mousehold smock mill

Thorpe -
Mousehold smockmill

The smock mill stood on the site earlier occupied by the Black_Mill. It was marked on the 1794 and 1824 maps.

The four storey mill had 14 and 18 inch brickwork. In 1834, the patent sails and a fantail powered a single set of French burr stones, a small pair of Peak stones with a flour mill and jumper. By 1837, the mill was using two pairs of French burr stones.

Petition of Robert Steggall, late of Norwich, Co. of Norfolk, now of Ipswich, Suffolk, Miller, an insolvent debtor. To be heard 12 June and the Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall Street, London.
London Gazette - 27th May 1845

Brick & Wood Tower SAWING MILL.
THORPE.
Wm. SPELMAN & SON will
Sell by Auction on
Friday 24 September 1847 at 6 o'c at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich

A Recently erected SAWING MILL with sails and all her machinery new and complete, fit to go to work, she winds herself and may be converted into a flour mill at an inconsiderable expense.
The Mill stands on a piece of Land containing 20 rods on the top of the hill near the Gas Works.
Apply at the office of Mr. S. C. Burton, Solr. St. Giles Street or to Messrs. Spelman, Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 18th September 1847

To be Sold by Auction by Messrs. SPELMAN & SON at the Norfolk Hotel, on Friday 24th September, 1847 at 6 o'clock
THORPE, near the Gas Works
Brick & Wood Tower Sawing Mill

To be Sold by Auction by Wm. SPELMAN & SON
On Friday September 24, 1847
At 6 o'clock in the afternoon
At the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich
A Recently erected SAWING MILL
With sails and all her machinery new and complete, fit to go to work; she winds herself and may be converted into a Flour Mill at an inconsiderable expense.
The Mill is situated in a piece of Land containing 20 rods on the top of the Hill near the Gas Works, Thorpe..
For further particulars apply at the office of Mr. S. C. Burton, Solicitor, St. Giles Street or to Messrs. Spelman at Norwich.
Spelman Sale Catalogue Chronicle - September 1847
Hand written note: Reserved at £80.

To be Sold cheap

A New WOOD TOWER MILL at Mousehold, Norwich, to be removed.
Well adapted for a Marsh of Flour Mill. Will work 2 pairs of 4 ft. stones.
Apply to Mr. W. Shibley, 5 York Place, or Mr. Fulcher, Millwright, near the Gas Works, Mousehold.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette - 5th or 12th October 1850

O. S. Map 1883
The mill stood at the position indicated by the 4 dots to the left of the legend Old Windmill
Courtesy of NLS map images

1841: Earlier Black Mill dismantled and sold by auction on behalf of owner, Sir Robert J. Harvey

1842: William Woolnough, miller

1845: Robert Steggall, miller, bankrupt

September 1847: Mill advertised for sale by auction

Census 1851: Peter Cannell, miller

1850: Peter Cannell, miller

October 1850: Mill advertised to be sold to be removed

1858: Peter Cannell, miller

1859: Peter Cannell, miller

1863: Peter Cannell, 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

Nat Grid Ref TG24600883		1842 to 1850+
All historical material within this page © Michael Roots & Jonathan Neville	Top of Page	Web design and website © Jonathan Neville, Norfolk Mills 2004