Return to
Millwrights page

Phillip Keymer was born c.1815 in Salthouse, Norfolk, the son of William and Sarah Keymer (née Warnes). He married Frances, daughter of one William Cubitt. In 1851 he was given as a millwright aged 36 living in Drayton with his wife Frances, 38, sons Phillip, 13, William, 8, and Henry, 1, and daughters Maryann, 15, Charlotte, 11, and Elizabeth, 5. All the family had been born in Salthouse except for Henry, who had been born in Drayton. Phillip Keymer had been a millwright in Salthouse before moving to Drayton.

In 1860 he may have been in the employment of Thomas_Smithdale. An employee named Keymer was working on Bird’s mill, Philadelphia Lane in April 1860.

In 1861 he was given as a millwright aged 46 living on the west side of Hall Road, Lakenham with his wife Frances, 48, sons Henry, 11, and Robert, 8 and daughter Charlotte, 21.

Phillip and Francis also had a son, Jeremiah Keymer, who later, also became a millwright.

In 1871 he was given as a millwright aged 56 living in Carrow Road, St. Matthew’s with his wife Frances, 58, son Robert S., 18, widowed daughter Charlotte Hood, 37, granddaughter Fanny Hood, 3 and widowed sister Elizabeth Youngs, 60.

In 1881 he was given as a millwright aged 66 living in St. Catherines Place, St. John de Sepulchre with his wife Frances, 68, and granddaughter Fanny Hood, 13.

Philip Keymer died in Blackwall Reach, Gorleston, Norfolk in 1890.

Philip Keymer of Salthouse was my direct relative - Great Great Grandfather. He was a renowned millwright in Salthouse and ended his days in Gorleston - Blackwall Reach. During his life he worked in Drayton and Carrow.  His descendents worked for Colman at the Carrow works.
Rosalyn Burgess - 29th April 2025

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

All historical material within this page © Michael Roots & Jonathan Neville