To be SOLD
A WINDMILL at Wacton near Long Stratton in Norfolk, now in the Use of Robert Edwards, the Owner.
For further Particulars enquire of the said Robert Edwards.
N.B. It is in good Repair and well accustomed.
Norfolk Chronicle - 8th & 15th September 1770

To be SOLD at WACTON near Long Stratton in the county of Norfolk, a compleat WINDMILL in thorough Repair and well situated in Business.
For further Particulars enquire of Mr. William Mills of Horsham St. Faiths or to Mr. William Hoogan Mills, Wacton aforesaid.
Norfolk Chronicle - 24th & 31st August 1782

To be Sold by Auction At the Dukes Head in Wacton On Tuesday 2 June next between the hours of 3 and 5 in the afternoon
A Good-accustomed WIND-MILL situated in Wacton aforesaid near Long Stratton, in the county of Norfolk, with two pair of French Stones and a Flour Mill, with a Dwelling house, bake office, garden, stable and granary, all in good repair.
N.B. To be SOLD. Any quantity from One Score to Thirteen Hundred of exceedingly good Harber, (Hornbeam) Crabtree Spur and other Cogs, fit for immediate use.
Enquire of Mr. Stephen Spratt, Miller at Mendham, Suffolk.
Norfolk Chronicle - 23rd & 30th May 1795

To be Sold by Auction
By John Sharpe
At Wacton Dukes Head near Long Stratton
On Monday September 29, 1788 between the hours of 1 and 4
A WINDMILL with a Cottage belonging to the same, both in the Parish of Wacton.
Enquire of John Sharpe at Long Stratton.
Norfolk Chronicle - 20th September 1788

The Creditors of the late John Spratt of Bedingham in the county of Norfolk, Miller, ... to deliver accounts to Wm. Spratt of Palling, Miller or Stephen Spratt of Wacton, Miller ... his Executors.
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th July 1792

To Miller & Bakers
To be Sold by Auction By H. Balls At the Swan Inn in Long Stratton, Norfolk On Tuesday 26 September 1820 between three and five o'clock in the afternoon
A Very neat and compact little ESTATE on Wacton Common, consisting of a convenient Dwelling house in excellent repair with garden in front, pump of excellent water with brick well, granary, stable, piggery and other conveniences. And a substantial POST WINDMILL admirably suited for wind containing two pair of French stones, one pair about 5 feet and the other about 4 feet, flour mill, cylinder and all going gears complete. Possession at Michaelmas next. A part of the purchase money may remain on security of the premises if required.
The Estate (which comprises about a rood of land) is Copyhold of the Manor of Forncett. Fine Arbitary. Annual Land tax 12s. Quit rent 1s.
Wacton is a very populous and respectable neighbourhood within 1½ miles of the Market Town of Long Stratton, about 10 miles from Norwich and Diss and 6 from Harleston.
The above is an eligible situation for a Baker.
Apply (if by letter post paid) to Mr. John Rivett the Proprietor and Occupier or to Mr. Calver, Solr. Long Stratton.
Norfolk Chronicle - 9th & 16th September 1820

Windmill & Premises at WACTON, Norfolk.
To be Sold by Auction By John B. Sharpe At the Angel Inn, Long Stratton, Norfolk, On Tuesday 5 September 1826 at 4 o'c Unless sooner disposed of by Private Contract of which notice will be given.
A Convenient Dwelling House in good repair with Granary, Stable and other buildings, Yard, Garden and a desirable POST WINDMILL admirably situated for wind, containing two pair of French Stones, Flour Mill, Cylinder and all Going Gears complete.
The above Premises are situated on the Common of Wacton and are now in the occupation of William Free who will give possession at Michaelmas next or sooner if required.
Apply to Mr. James Aldis or to Mr. Daniel Calver, Long Stratton, letters to be post paid.
Norfolk Chronicle - 26th August & 2nd September 1826

To Millers
TO BE LET, a POST WINDMILL with two Patent and two Common Sails, drive two pair of stones, Flour Mill and Cylinder, Round House attached, also a comfortable Dwelling house, Granary, Stable, Cart Lodge and other Outbuildings thereto belonging, where a good Grist and Retail Trade has been carried on for many years, now in the occupation of Mr. Samuel Alexander, whose term expires at Michaelmas next. For further particulars enquire of Mr. Ellis Rivett, Wacton, near Long Stratton, Norfolk.
Norfolk Chronicle - 14th, 21st & 28th July 1860

WACTON
Messrs. ELLIOTT & SONS have received instructions to Sell by Auction at he Swan Inn, Long Stratton on Tuesday 1 October 1861 at 5 o'c
All that substantial and well accustomed POST WINDMILL admirably situated for wind with bricked Roundhouse, two pairs of stones (one of which are French), Flour Mill, Cylinder and other going gear complete.
Also a convenient Dwelling House ... Granary adjoining, Stable, Cart Lodge, Cattle Shed, Piggery and other buildings, Yard and Garden, well situated on Wacton Common and now in the occupation of Mr. William Betts.
Particulars of Messrs. Hotson & Furness, Solrs. Long Stratton or the Auctioneers, Thelton, Tradeston and Diss.
Norfolk Chronicle - 14th September 1861

WACTON
Messrs. ELLIOTT & SONS have received instructions to Sell by Auction at he Swan Inn, Long Stratton on Tuesday 1 October 1861 at 5 o'c (pursuant to the Will of the late Mr. Ellis Rivett)
All that substantial and well accustomed POST WINDMILL admirably situated for wind with bricked Roundhouse, two pairs of stones (one of which are French), Flour Mill, Cylinder and other going gear complete.
Also a convenient Dwelling House ... Granary adjoining, Stable, Cart Lodge, Cattle Shed, Piggery and other buildings, Yard and Garden, well situated on Wacton Common and now in the occupation of Mr. William Betts.
Particulars of Messrs. Hotson & Furness, Solrs. Long Stratton or the Auctioneers, Thelton, Tradeston and Diss.
Norfolk News - 21st & 28th September 1861

A Dividend Meeting of the Creditors of Henry Stimpson of Winfarthing and of Wacton, both in the county of Norfolk, Tailor, Draper, Flour Seller, General Shopkeeper and Mill, who was adjudicate rd Bankrupt on the 24th May 1865, will be held ... on the 20th day of February 1868 ...
Norfolk News - 1st February 1868

Between Long Stratton and the great Aslacton
Lies the notorious parish known as Wacton.
In the olden days 'twas a place of enterprise -
Old time Gentry and Girls with Blue eyes.

Workmen's homesteads dotted here and there
Around a green forming Wacton square.
A cottagers shop stood on this green -
Not much to look at if you have not been.

Famous beer drinkers lived on this green;
Some were fat and some were lean.
To Stratton they'd go every Saturday night
For a weekly shave, sing-song, or fight.

On the edge of the green the tin chapel stood
Where brother Ludkin told you how to be good.
They had no Reginald Forte the organ to play,
Someone would start, then all blaze away.

Not far from the green stood the Parish church,
A fine font and pulpit where the parson would perch,
Pews on each side and a centre aisle
Where the Wacton choir marched in double file.

In the centre of the common stood Wacton windmill
It has since departed, but the house is there still.
The sails turned gracefully in the days of yore
And ground all gleanings of the commoners poor.

The dear old miller was Butler by name
His Wacton bran made Bran mash fame
He ground wheat, beans, barley and peas,
But the poor man had wobbly knees.

The old windmill was the common landmark
Angels hovered over it when it was dark.
Butler the miller lost vane after vane,
And finished up down Butlers Lane.

Squire Snelling farmed on a big scale
He chased up his men so they didn't grow stale
From field to field he would tour in a trap
Dressed in a bowler - looked a neat little chap.

Now Wacton possesses a great common of fame
Wacton Great Common is its correct name.
Acres of grass where cattle graze
Outlets and Inlets are narrow by-ways.

Farmers all round of this common are fond
Very rich pastures and a mighty big pond
Farm and cottages form one side
Who bathe in the pond at low tide.

Anonymous

WACTON COMMON
Robert Borrett is instructed by Geo. Danielli, Esq. to Sell by Auction on Thursday August 21, 1902 at the Dukes Head Inn, Wacton at 6 for 7 o'c in the Evening, DWELLING HOUSE, WINDMILL and Portable STEAM ENGINE, in Three Lots, viz:
Lot 1.
Freehold RESIDENCE with Stables, Sheds etc. Garden and Paddock situate on Wacton Common, the whole containing 0a. 1r. 18p. Immediate Possession.
Lot 2.
Post WINDMILL and Brick Roundhouse with all the contents, to be removed at the Purchaser's expense, if Purchaser of Lot 1 is not the Purchaser.
Lot 3.
Eight h.p. Portable STEAM ENGINE,
Further Particulars from the Auctioneer, Pulham Market, Norfolk and from the Vendor's Solicitors,

PROPERTY MARKET
WACTON
Mr. Robert Borrett acting under instructions from Mr. G. F. Danielli sold at the Dukes Head Inn, Wacton on Thursday the following properties:- House and buildings upon Wacton Common (subject to enfranchisement rent charge) Mr. Lazarus Tooke, £50. Windmill (to be removed) Mr. R. T. Barnes, £!3. Portable Steam Engine, Mr. R. Browne £5.
Norfolk Chronicle - 30th August 1902

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