1820
East Harling tower mill built
The mill was probably built in 1820 and first appeared in land tax records under Thomas Burlingham.
Site overview
East Harling tower mill, also known as Kenninghall Road Mill, is a four-storey tarred brick corn mill built probably in 1820. The 35-foot tower had two ground-floor doors, a domed cap winded by a six-bladed fantail, four double patent sails and two pairs of French burr stones. Thomas Burlingham owned the mill in the 1820 land tax records.
It passed through several millers, including Thomas Jary, James Lawrence, Thomas Clarence Lawrence and Christopher George Pattinson. Wind milling ended in 1919, though milling continued for a further three years by oil engine in a separate shed. The mill was later stripped of sails and machinery.
In 1974 it was refurbished with a new cap and a windshaft from Topcroft Mill, and in 1984 residential conversion was approved.
Map
Map markers and directions links are provided for location reference only and do not indicate public access or permission to enter a site.
No site photograph is currently available. Images will be added as field visits are carried out.
History
East Harling tower mill stands on Kenninghall Road. It was probably built in 1820, when it first appeared in the land tax records in the ownership of Thomas Burlingham. The mill was a four-storey tarred brick tower, 35 feet high to the curb, with a 20-foot base diameter and 18-inch walls.
It had two doors on the ground floor. The domed cap was winded by a six-bladed fantail. Four double-shuttered patent sails drove two pairs of French burr stones, a flour mill and jumper, and the shutters were struck by rack and pinion.
The mill was offered for sale at the Swan Inn, East Harling, in 1843, when Thomas Jary was tenant miller. James Lawrence had taken the mill by 1850, and it was again offered for sale in 1854. James Lawrence retired in 1875 and was followed by his son Thomas Clarence Lawrence.
Thomas Clarence Lawrence died at the mill in 1912. In 1913 Christopher George Pattinson bought the mill. It last worked by wind in 1919, but milling continued for three further years by an oil engine in a shed away from the tower, driving a single pair of stones.
The mill was later stripped of sails and machinery. In 1974 the tower was refurbished, a new cap was made and a windshaft from Topcroft Mill was fitted. Breckland District Council granted planning permission for residential conversion in 1984.
Timeline
1843
Mill offered for sale
The tower mill was offered for sale at the Swan Inn, East Harling, with Thomas Jary as tenant miller.
1854
Mill again offered for sale
The mill was again offered for sale by auction at the Swan Inn.
1913
Christopher Pattinson bought mill
Christopher George Pattinson bought the tower mill.
1919
Wind milling ended
The mill last worked by wind in 1919.
1922
Oil-engine milling ended
Milling continued for three further years by oil engine after wind working ended.
1974
Tower refurbished
The tower was refurbished with a new cap and a windshaft from Topcroft Mill.
1984
Residential conversion approved
Planning permission was granted for conversion of the mill to residential use.
Sources and records
Norfolk Mills: East Harling tower windmill
Wikipedia article: Kenninghall Road Mill, East Harling
Windmill World entry: East Harling windmill
Wikimedia Commons photograph record
Wikipedia article: Kenninghall Road Mill, East Harling
Windmill World entry: East Harling windmill
Wikimedia Commons photograph record