Wells Mill Farm tower mill was built c.1827 alongside an earlier postmill on the same site at Mill Farm on the north side of Mill Lane. The mill had a four storey tower and in 1864 was using 2 pairs of patent sails to power 1 pair of 4 ft. 8 ins. and 2 pairs of 4 ft. French burr stones, 2 flour mills and a jumper. (2 pairs stones in 1849). A bake office and a horse mill were operated on the site. The mill stood on 17 perches of copyhold land.

To Millers
WELLS NEXT THE SEA
To be Let for a Term of Years with Immediate Possession
Those two excellent TOWER & POST CORN WINDMILLS with very convenient Family Residence, large Garden, stabling for 4 horses, extensive flour house, horse mills, two granaries and an inclosure of land containing 4 acres adjoining the same situate at Wells aforesaid. An extensive and advantageous Retail Trade has been carried on by the family of the Proprietor for 40 years on the above premises. The Tower_Mill was erected about 12 years ago at a very considerable expense upon the most improved principle. The Post_Mill is replete with every convenience, they are both eligible situated for wind and trade and from the locality of the property and the many advantages it possesses an excellent opportunity now offers to persons engaged in the above business.
Apply to Mr. Hudson, Warham, Norfolk.
Norfolk Chronicle - 31st August, 14th, 21st & 28th September 1839

Tithe Award 1845
Map, Edward Boughton, Surveyor, 1843
Owner: Peter Hudson
Occupiers: West & Nichols

As both the towermill and the postmill were working on the site in 1843 was probable that West and Nichols were each operating one of the mills although they could have been in partnership.

WELLS, Norfolk
To be Let
A TOWER WINDMILL driving two pair of stones, with an excellent DWELLING HOUSE, Garden, Stable, two Granaries, Cart Lodge and Gig House. Also if required a Flour House and Horse Mill attached, with a pair of stones and Baking office.
Immediate possession.
For particulars apply to Mr. Hudson, Blakeney or Mr. Garwood, Wells.
Norfolk News - 25th December 1858

THE HURRICANE OF TUESDAY
WELLS
One accident of a serious character occurred to a miller in the employ of Mr. Brett. While attending to the sails a sudden gust of wind carried away some of the flyers and the poor fellow had on of his ribs broken, but is now doing well.
Norfolk News - 3rd March 1860

Local Bankrupts (From London Gazette)
Tuesday March 3
Daniel Brett, Wells, Miller
Norfolk Chronicle - 7th March 1863

Bankruptcy Act, 1861
Order of Discharge
... Court ... Adjudication of Bankrupt made on 26 February 1862 against Daniel Brett of Wells ... did on the 17th day of April 1863 grant the Discharge of the said Bankrupt ...

To be Sold by Auction by Mr. Spicer at the Globe Inn, Wells, on Monday 11 July 1864 at 3 o'c
A large and commodius Messuage next Mill Lane
Also a Piece of Lans containing 1r. 19p. whereon stands a POST_WINDMILL, one pair of 4 ft. 10 in. French Burr Stones, 2 patent 2 common sails, with Flour mill, Flour house, Granaries, Stables, Cart sheds and other Buildings.
Also an Inclosure of Fertile ARABLE LAND contiguous to the said premises containing nearly 4 acres.
The above premises are all Freehold.
Also 17p. of LAND Copyhold whereon stands a BRICK_TOWER_WINDMILL, Patent sails with four floors driving one pair 4 ft. 8 in. and two pairs 4 ft. French Burr Stones, with Flour mills and Jumper, situated in Mill Lane aforesaid.
The above mentioned House, Mills, Land and other property were formerly in the occupation of Mr. Peter Hudson and are now in the occupation of Mr. David Brett whose tenancy expires on the 11th October next ...
Apply to Mr. Garwood, Solr. Wells or the Auctioneer, Wells.
Norfolk Chronicle - 18th & 25th June & Norfolk News - 2nd & 9th July 1864

To be Sold by Auction by Mr. R. Spicer
At the Globe Hotel, Wells, on Monday 9 July 1866 at 6 o'c in the afternoon by order of the Assignee of the Estate & Effects of Daniel Brett, bankrupt. In one Lot
All that excellent BRICK_TOWER_WINDMILL formerly in the occupation of Mr. Peter Hudson and late of Mr. Daniel Brett, having patent Sails, with four floors, driving one pair of 4 ft. 8 in. and two pair of 4 ft. French Burr Stones, with Flour Mill and Jumper and all the Machinery and going gears in the said Mill.
And also teh newly erected large GRANARY, MILLER'S HOUSE & OFFICES adjoining tjhe Mill and also the Pightle of LAND wheron the Mill and Buildings are erected containing with the site of the Buildings abut 17 perches.
This Lot is all Freehold.
Lot 2.
A POST_WIND_MILL with one pair of 4 ft. 10 in. French Burr Stones, two patent and two common sails, iron winged Shaft and Smut Mill. This Mill now stands on four brick pillars in a piece of land next the Mill belonging to Mr. Southgate. The Mill is to be removed by the purchaser within 14 days from the day of the Sale.
Apply to Mr. Garwood, Solr. Wells or to the Auctioneer.
Lynn Advertiser - 30th June & 7th July & Norfolk News - 23rd June (1 Lot), 30th June & 7th July 1866

Local Bankrupts (From London Gazette)
Tuesday May 22
Daniel Brett, Wells, Miller
Norfolk Chronicle - 26th May 1866

Bankrupts (From London Gazette)
Daniel Brett, Wells, Miller. June 4
Norfolk News - 26th May 1866

Situations Vacant
To Millers
Wanted, a steady Married Man.
Apply to D. Brett, Wells, Norfolk.
Norfolk Chronicle - 17th November 1866

THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1861
THIS IS TO GIVE NOTICE that the Court acting in the Prosecution of an Adjudication of Bankruptcy, made on 19th day of May, 1866, against DANIEL BRETT of Wells in the county of Norfolk, Miller and Merchant, did on 7th day of March 1867 grant the Discharge of the said Bankrupt and that such Discharge will be delivered to the Bankrupt unless an appeal be duly entered against the Judgement of teh Court and notice therof be given to the Court.

WELLS, Norfolk
The property of the Earl of Leicester
To be Let, with possession on 11th October next, a good RESIDENCE, FARM PREMISES, TOWER WIND-MILL, three storeys high and driving three pairs of stones, with a good Granary and Cottage adjoining and from100 to 240 acres of good ARABLE & MARSH LAND as may be desired ...
Application to be made to Mr. Shellabear, Holkham.
7 June 1871.
Lynn Advertiser - 10th June 1871

Mill Farm, WELLS NEXT THE SEA
... Mares ... Miller's Cart ... Pair of 3 ft. French Burr Stones, Mill Effects etc.
SALTER, SIMPSON & SONS
Are favoured with instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. Thomas Lord to Sell by Auction On Monday October 10, 1892
The above valuable LIVE & DEAD FARMING STOCK.
Sale to commence at 10.30 Luncheon at 1.30
Lyn Advertiser - 17th September 1892

Mill Farm, WELLS next the Sea
... Mares ... Miller's Cart ... Pair of 3 feet French Burr Stones, Mill Effects etc.
SALTER, SIMPSON & SONS are favoured with instructions from the Executors of the late Mr. Thomas Lord to Sell by Auction
On Monday October 10, 1892
The above Valuable Live & Dead FARMING STOCK.
Sale to commence at 10.30 Luncheon at 1.30
Norfolk Chronicle - 17th September 1892

Daniel Brett was reported as being discharged of bankruptcy in 1863 and again in 1867, thus it would appear he became bankrupt twice in about 5 years while running the mill.

White's 1836: Robert Brett, millwright, Mill lane

White's 1845: Robert Brett, millwright, Mill lane

1827: Mill built alongside an earlier postmill

O.S. map 1838: Windmill

August 1839: Mill and adjacent postmill advertised to be let

Tithe Award 1845: Owner: Peter Hudson; Occupiers: West & Nichols

White's 1845: West & Nichols, corn millers

1849: Owner: Peter Hudson

March 1849: Mill advertised for sale by auction along with Mill Lane postmill

Dedcember 1858: Mill advertised to be let

1860: Daniel Brett, miller

Tuesday 28th February 1860: Mill employee injured by mill sails during a hurricane

17th April 1863: Daniel Brett, miller, discharged of bankruptcy

White's 1864: Daniel Brett, miller, also at postmill, Mill Lane

June 1864: Mill and adjacent postmill advertised for sale by auction

May 1866: Daniel Brett, bankrupt

1866: Daniel Brett left the mill

June 1866: Mill advertised for sale by auction - adjacent postmill also advertised for sale and to be removed

7th March 1867: Daniel Brett, discharged of bankruptcy

1871: Mill owned by Earl of Leicester

June 1871: Mill advertised to be let

O.S. map 1886: Windmill

September 1892: Mill stones, carts etc. advertised for sale by auction

c.1892: Mill dismantled

Copyright © Jonathan Neville 2012