Alburgh Post Mill

Alburgh post mill had a single storey roundhouse and a tailpole. The mill was powered by two common sails and two double shuttered patent sails, each with 7 bays of 3 shutters and 1 bay of 2 shutters.

The mill was almost certainly Hardwick west postmill that had been brought the 4 miles to Alburgh on a trolley by its builder, millwright Stephen Cox c.1826, which would mean that it was probably erected to replace an earlier mill.

Stephen Cox the millwright was born c.1815 at Mendham and in 1841, 1851 and 1871 worked as a miller. He was living at Hardwick c.1864 and in 1869 and 1871 was living at Aldburgh and was also a farmer. No other reference found to him working as a millwright. His son, Stephen Cox the miller was born at Woodham Mortimer, Essex in 1850.

Other Alburgh Post Mill news from the past . . .

Wanted a single man as Miller.
Apply R. C. Harvey, Alburgh, Harleston, Norfolk.
Ipswich Journal – 9th March 1816

Tithe Award 1843
Map, Newton & Woodrow, Norwich, 1840
Owner Charlotte SUTTON
Occupier John BARBER
No 77 Windmill Pasture 34p 9d
No 78/82 House etc 7a. 0r. 32p £2 1s 3d

Commission of bankruptcy against
Robert Crytoft HARVEY of Alburgh, Edward HILL of Wortwell
Millers, Flour Merchants, Dealers & Chapman, co-partners in Trade to surrender 26 January instant.
Norfolk Chronicle – 7th January 1826
Commission of Bankrupt dated 24 Dec. 1825 against Robert Crytoft Harvey, of Alburgh, Co. of Norfolk, and Edward Hill, of Wortwell, said Co., Millers and Flour Merchants. Accounts to be audited.
London Gazette – 21st March 1828

MR. DEBENHAM
Is instructed to Sell by Auction at the Kings Head Inn, Bungay on Monday March 28, at 3 for 4 o’c in four lots the following VALUABLE FREEHOLD ESTATE Lot 3. A Desirable Property known as “ALBURGH MILL”, Alburgh, Norfolk with Dwelling house, Building & nearly 8 Acres of productive Land, let to Mr. COX on lease for four years unexpired at £50 per annum.
Particulars & Plans may be obtained at the place of Sale, of Wm. HARTUP, Esq. Solicitor, Bungay & of Mr. DEBENHAM, Auctioneer, Land surveyor & Estate Agent, 80 Cheapside, London, who will forward them by post on application.
Norfolk News – 12th March 1859

ALBURGH, Norfolk
MADDISON & MILES are instructed by the Executors of Mr. S. COX, deceased to Sell by Auction at the Swan Hotel, Harleston on Monday 13 June 1887 at 6 for 7 o’c in the evening, in Two Lots
A Desirable OCCUPATION containing 7a. 2r. 2p. of Arable & Pasture LAND with Brick & Tile RESIDENCE, PREMISES & Freehold Post WINDMILL in good working order, late in the deceased’s occupation; also a Freehold DWELLING HOUSE near Lot 1 with spacious Blacksmith’s & Wheelwright’s shop. All Land Tax Redeemed.
Messrs. HAZARD & PRATT, Harleston, Vendors’ Solicitors.
Auctioneers’ Offices Cantley, Yarmouth & Harleston.
Norfolk Chronicle – 4th June 1887

Mr. Herbert George Cox, of the Wellington Inn, at Chediston Green, near Halesworth, Suffolk, where he has been a licensee for thirty-five years and is now retiring, is the third generation of a south Norfolk milling family. He is 71 years of age.
“My grandfather, Stephen Cox”, says Mr. Cox, “was a mill-wright. My father Stephen was a miller.
My grandfather built the post mill at Hardwick, Norfolk, and moved it on a trolley to Alburgh. Then he erected a brick round house for it. Its sails were so light that there were days when they would be turned, but those of other mills for miles round were stationary. They were made of sail cloth. This was the biggest post mill in Norfolk”.
Milling – 15th March 1958

For more history about this mill and many others, please visit – www.norfolkmills.co.uk