Thurlton towermill was also known as Great Goliath Mill and was built as a 4 storey tarred red brick mill. Four patent sails on an iron windshaft drove 2 pairs of French burr stones, a flour mill, a cylinder and rolling screen.

Wanted immediately a JOURNEYMAN MILLER. A married MAN with small family, who perfectly understands his business. A good character from his last place will be expected. Apply personally or by letters post paid to Mr. James Disney, Thurlton, Norfolk.
November 4, 1806.
Norfolk Chronicle - 8th November 1806

To be Sold WITH IMMEDIATE POSSESSION
A Substantial brick TOWER WINDMILL which works herself into the wind, situate in the parish of Thurlton near Loddon in the county of Norfolk, with two capital pair of French Stones, Flour Mill, Cylinder, Rolling Screen etc.
Also a neat Dwelling house adjoining the mill ... with stable, cow house and other outbuildings, all in the possession of Mr. Disney the proprietor, who intends to retire from the milling business.
The above premises are in excellent repair and are well situated for the business of a miller or corn merchant, being only two miles distant from the navigable river leading from Yarmouth, three from Loddon, nine from Bungay and thirteen from Norwich, all good corn markets.
Five hundred pounds, part of the purchase money may remain on the security of the premises if required.
Apply to Sewell & Blake, Solrs. Norwich.
Norfolk Chronicle - 29th May, 5th & 19th June 1813

To Millers
To be Let For a Term of Years
A Good Dwelling House with requisite outbuildings. Also an excellent Brick Tower Windmill capable of doing an extensive business. These premises are situate at Thurlton, within 3 miles of Loddon, 5 of Beccles, good market towns and within 2 miles of the Navigable river which runs from Norwich to Yarmouth.
Apply to Sewell & Blake, Solrs. Norwich or the Mr. James Disney of Norton.
Norfolk Chronicle - 29th November 1817

To Millers
To be Let at Lady Day next 1830
That substantial Brick TOWER WINDMILL situated at THURLTON and now in the occupation of Thomas Sayer, with a neat Dwelling house and every requisite accommodation for a genteel Family and is well situated having good Retail Trade and being only three miles from Loddon, five miles from Beccles and two do. from Norton Staithe on the Yarmouth River.
Apply to Mr. James Disney, Thurlton, the Proprietor.
Norfolk Chronicle - 13th March 1830

Tithe Award 1840
Owner: James Disney
Occupier: do

To Millwrights and others
To Millers
WANTED, a Pair of Second hand 4 ft. 4 in. Mill Stones.
Apply to J. Disney, Thurlton.
Norfolk News - 30th August 1862

Situations Vacant
To Millers
WANTED, a Single Young Man to work a WINDMILL.
Apply to J. Disney, Thurlton, Loddon.
Norfolk News - 17th February 1866

To Millers
To be Let at Michaelmas next
A CAPITAL BRICK TOWER WINDMILL and House and Garden in the Parish of Thurlton, where a good Retail Flour and Grist Trade has been carried on for many years.
For further particulars apply to James Disney on the premises.
Norfolk News - 30th June 1866

THURLTON
Four Miles from Haddiscoe Station, four Miles from Loddon and six Miles from Beccles.
Messrs. Spelman have received instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. Disney to Sell by Auction on Faraday July 16, 1869 at 4 for 5 o'c at the White Lion Inn, Beccles.
Lot 1. A well built Dwelling House, Stable, Outhouse and a BRICK TOWER WINDMILL. Four floors, four Patent Sails, iron Wind Shaft, drives two pairs of Stones, Flour Mill etc.
The Mill stands well for retail trade; and is in the occupation of Mr. Frederick Disney whose lease expires at Michaelmas next.
Particulars of Messrs. Keith, Blake, Keith & Blake, Solrs. Norwich and of the Auctioneers, Norwich and Yarmouth.
Norfolk Chronicle & Norfolk News - 26th June, 3rd & 10th July 1869

Miscellaneous
WANTED, a PAIR of MILL STONES of good free quality, 4 ft. 4 ins. New or Secondhand.
George Hupton, Thurlton Mill, Norfolk.
Norfolk News - 22nd October 1870

Frederick Disney had moved to Thurlton postmill by 1875

White's 1836: James Bexfield, farmer

White's 1845: James Bexfield, tenant farmer

Kelly's 1879: James Disney, farmer

White's 1883: Mr. James Disney
White's 1883: Mrs. Margaret Hupton, shopkeeper

Kelly's 1904: John Bexfield, market gardener

Kelly's 1908: John Bexfield, farmer

1806: James Disney, miller

1813: James Disney, miller

May 1813: Mill advertised for sale

1817: James Disney, owner

November 1817: Mill advertised to be let with a ten year lease

Bryant's Map 1826: Mill

1830: James Disney, proprietor; Thomas Sayer, tenant miller

March 1830: Mill advertised for sale

White's 1836: John Bexfield, corn miller

Tithe Award 1840: Owner & occupier - James Disney

White's 1845: James Disney, corn miller

White's 1854: James Disney, corn miller

White's 1864: Robert Disney, corn miller & farmer

1865: James Disney, miller

1866: James Disney, miller

June 1866: Mill advertised to be let

1869: Frederick Disney, miller

June 1869: Mill advertised for sale by auction

1870: George Hupton, miller & shopkeeper

Kelly's 1879: George Hupton, corn merchant, miller & shopkeeper

White's 1883: George Hupton, miller

O.S. map 1884: Great Goliath Mill (Corn)

1888: Henry Arthur Pike, miller

White's 1890: Henry Pike, miller

Kelly's 1892: Stephen Nicholls Disney, miller (steam & wind)

c.1894: Mill ceased to work with wind power

Kelly's 1896: Stephen Nicholls Disney, miller (steam) corn merchant & miller & farmer, Thurlton mill

Kelly's 1900: Stephen Nicholls Disney, miller (wind & steam) corn merchant & farmer; & at Thurlton postmill

Kelly's 1904: Walter Rump, miller (steam)

Kelly's 1908: Ezra Hupton, miller (steam)

Kelly's 1912: Walter Rump, miller (steam) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

Kelly's 1916: Walter Rump, miller (oil) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

Kelly's 1922: Walter Rump, miller (oil) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

Kelly's 1925: Walter Rump, miller (oil) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

1926: Mill used as a store

Kelly's 1929: Walter Rump, miller (oil) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

Kelly's 1933: Walter Rump, miller (oil) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

Kelly's 1937: Walter Rump, miller (oil) - (Thorpe near Haddiscoe)

c.1940: Mill tower with broken conical roof

1949: Mil tower still standing with upper storey removed

1977: Mill used as 3 storey residential accommodation with a flat roof

2009: Mill shell still standing in good condition with flat roof

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2005