Wimbotsham
Lynn Road postmill |
Wimbotsham postmill stood a few yards inside the Wimbotsham parish boundary with Downham Marketand the property had a 176 foot frontage to the east side of the Lynn Road. The mill had patent sails and a fantail that powered two pairs of 4ft. French burr stones. A bakery and a steam mill were also on the site and the steam mill used a 12 h.p. beam engine to drive another 2 pairs of 4ft French burr stones and 1 pair of 2ft 10ins Grey stones, a boulting mill and a wheat cleaner. |
Royal Exchange Fire Insurance policy 83562 |
William Smith of Gaywood in the County of Norfolk, Miller, as Proprietor & Thos. Masters of Bawsey in the said County, Farmer, as Mortgagee. On a Windmill timber built situate at Wimbotisham in the County aforesaid in the Occupation of Mr. Balding, £100. 22nd April 1782 |
Royal Exchange Fire Insurance policy 97258 |
Stephn. Baldwin of Stow Bardolph in the County of Norfolk, Miller as Proprietor, & Thos. Masters of West Acre in the said County as Mortgagee. On Houshold Furniture in the Dwelling House of the said Stephen Baldwin brick built and thatchd situate in Stow Bardolph aforesaid - £15. On Utensils and Trade in the same - £5. On a Windmill timber built and boarded situate at Wimbotsham in the County afsd. in the Occupation of the sd. Stephen Baldwin - £100. On Utensils and Stock in Trade therein - £20. 18th April 1786 |
Notice to Debtors & Creditors of Estate & Effects of Mr. John Elmer late of Downham Market, Miller ... |
For Immediate Disposal |
To Millers & Bakers |
To Millers & Bakers |
Wimbotsham |
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Cruso & Wilkin, Estate Agents, Kings Lynn. |
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Lynn Advertiser - 15th, 22nd & 29th December 1888 |
Wimbotsham |
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Cruso & Wilkin, Estate Agents, Kings Lynn. |
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Lynn Advertiser - 5th January 1889 |
Preliminary Advertisement |
To Millers & othersWimbotsham Mills, Downham Market, Norfolk |
In the matter of the Deed of Assignment executed on the 14 th day of December 1888 by George Thomas Merrington of Downham Market in the county of Norfolk, Miller. |
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22 May 1889 |
Reed & Wayman Downham Market |
Lynn Advertiser - 25th May 1889 |
To be Let or Sold |
To Millers & others |
In the matter of John Kemp of Downham Market, Miller |
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Wilfred A. Mellor, Solr Downham Market |
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Lynn Advertiser - 15th & 29th August 1891 |
Downham To end up the day’s disasters the windmill on the Lynn Road belonging to Mr. Pope was completely destroyed by fire in the night. The occurrence is directly traceable to the force of the wind which carried the sails round at such a tremendous rate as to cause combustion, the gear which controlled the sails having been broken. The Downham Fire Brigade were on the spot with all possible speed, but their efforts were unavailing to stop the spread of the flames and the mill was entirely destroyed. Dereham & Fakenham Times - 30th March 1895 |
A windmill on the Lynn road, belongoing to Messrs. Pope & Sons, was burnt to the ground, the fire being caused through the rapid moition of the sales producing unusual friction. |
It was known in the town that great fears were entertained for the safety of Mr. W. Pope’s windmill situated on the Lynn road & in the occupation of Mr. Redill. Everything was done to check the speed of the sails & Messrs. Redill & Son thought they had successfully weathered the storm; but about 1 am. On Monday morning the mill was discovered to be on fire. The fire bell quickly rang out its sepulchral clang & the firemen under the captaincy of Mr. Neal were promptly on the spot; but it was soon found that it would be impossible to save the mill & it was ultimately burned to the ground. The men, however, worked with a will to save the outbuildings … |
At Downham Market during the cyclone of Sunday March 24, Messrs. A. Pope and Son's windmill on the Lynn Road took fire, owing to the excessive friction generated, and was burned to the ground. |
In 1971 it was related that the mill had burnt down in a gale about 75 years ago (1895). The site, opposite Mill Lane, was then occupied by the bunglaow Hillcrest at 170 Lynn Road (Broomhill) and occupied by Mr. Perry. |
O.S. Map 1886 Courtesy of NLS map images |
O.S. Map 2007 Image produced with permission of Ordnance Survey |
Ogilvy Plate 43, London to Kings Lynn 1675: Windmill 1782: Stephen Baldwin, miller April 1782: William Smith, owner, insured the mill for £100 with Royal Exchange Fire Iinsurance April 1786: Stephen Baldwin, miller, insured the mill for £100 with Royal Exchange Fire Insurance c.1792: John Elmer, miller Faden's map 1797: Windmill 1803: Edmund Merrington, miller on a 14 year lease with 3 years unexpired at a rent of £15 per annum November 1803: Mill advertised for sale by auction 1806: Edmund Merrington, miller September 1806: Mill advertised for sale by auction 1822: Charles & Edward Merrington, millers Bryant's map 1826: Windmill Pigot's 1830: Charles Cambridge, miller, Lynn road White's 1836: Charles Cambridge, corn miller, Lynn road 1845: Charles Cambridge, miller 1846: John Harrod, miller 1850: John Harrod, miller
1853: Charles Cambridge, miller White's 1854: Charles Cambridge, corn miller, Lynn road White's 1864: Charles Cambridge, corn miller, Lynn road 1865: Charles Cambridge, miller 1868: George Thomas Merrington, miller 1884: George Thomas Merrington, miller White's 1888: George Thomas Merrington, corn miller, Lynn road 14th December 1888: George Thomas Merrington, made a Deed of Assignment for the benefit of his creditors December 1888: Mill advertised for sale or let under the name Wimbotsham Mills February 1889: Mill advertised for sale by auction under the name Wimbotsham Mills August 1889: Mill advetised to be sold or let 1890: Albert Morley, miller May 1890: Mill advertised for sale by auction under the name Wimbotsham Mills Kelly's 1892: William Porter Register, miller (wind & water), Lynn Road 1895: Redill & Son, tenant millers. Mill owned by William Pope Monday 25th March 1895: Mill destroyed by fire in a gale Kelly's 1896: Elias Russell jnr, hay & chaff dealer, Old Mill house, Lynn road 1971: Mr. A. C. Canham, Ramblers, 164 Lynn Rd; Walter Russell, Westdene, 199 Lynn Rd. |
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Nat Grid Ref TF61750395 | Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2006 |