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Hilgay
postmill |
Hilgay postmill stood just to the east side of West End and was probably operating on its site for at least 250 years. |
JOHN WHITTOME Wheel & Millwright, Joiner & General Smith Thanks his friends for their patronage during the last 30 years & solicits a continuance of their commands in the above branches of business. Steam & Horse machines of all kinds carefully attended to. Agricultural Implements of the most approved principles built or repaired. Joiners & Smiths work of every description. Timbers sawn by steam power. Lynn Advertiser - 13th October 1866 |
WANTED immediately, a steady man as JOURNEYMAN WHEELWRIGHT & CARPENTER, constant work for a good hand. Apply to John Whittome, Millwright etc., Hilgay, Downham Market. Lynn Advertiser - 18th November 1871 |
For Sale An Iron Wind Shaft suitable for a post or tower mill. Apply to J. Whittome, Millwright, Hilgay, Downham Market. Lynn Advertiser - 26th June 1880 |
| John Whittome died in 1891 and was buried in Hilgay churchyard, to the south of the church. The distinctive headstone bore the carving of a large tower windmill with a stage, possibly Denver and was inscribed: |
In loving memory of John Whittome died May 10th 1891 aged 74 years also of Elizabeth his wife died March 31st 1894 aged 76 years God is love |
The postmill stood to the south of the footpath, site now two cottages. Family house was built by John Whittombe in Holt's Lane with a steam mill and foundry nearby. Windmill belonged to George Whittome (grandfather) and his cousin Richard Whittombe. Mill demolished before 1900. Frederick Edward Whittombe, 322 Wootton Road, Kings Lynn - 26th May 1972 |
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Postmill top left; Hilgay Ely Road smockmill bottom centre O.S. Map 1890 - 1891 Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey |
It has not been possible to accurately place all individual millers with a respective mill in Hilgay. |
White's 1845: John Scott, millwright White's 1845: William Whitham, beerhouse Whites 1864: John Whittombe, millwright & c. |
The Whittome family also ran Hilgay Ely Road smockmill for several generations. |
| The Great Levell Drayned - Dugdale 1662: Windmill Ogilby Britannia London to Kings Lynn map 1675: windmill Index of Wills 1725: John Eaton, miller Index of Wills 1787: Philip Bovell, miller Poll Book 1802: William Whitsom, miller O.S. map 1824: Windmill Bryant's map 1826: windmill White's 1836: Robert Whitten, corn miller 1850: John Whitton, miller 1853: Robert Whitten, miller White's 1854: Robert Whitten, corn miller 1868: John Whittome, miller & millwright 1872: John Whittome, miller & millwright White's 1883: John Whittome, corn miller, wheelwright, engineer, millwright, iron and brass founder and smith 10th May 1891: John Whittome died aged 74 and was buried in Hilgay churchyard 31st March 1894: John Whittombe's wife Elizabeth died at the age of 76 Kelly's 1896: George Whittome, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1900: George Whittome, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1904: George Whittome, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) Kelly's 1908: George Whittome, wheelwright, engineer, millwright, machinist, smith & miller (wind & steam) 1980: Mill site occupied by two cottages |
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 email or telephone 07836 675369. |
| Nat Grid Ref TL61879825 |
Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2007 |