Flour Bag Seal, Charles Horsley & Son, Fakenham, Image & Found by Michael Coggles
Found just outside Fakenham, 17mm.
C. HORSLEY & SON curving downward .FAKENHAM. curving upward in annulus border // VICTORIA / A H
"1873: Charles Horsley, miller & tenant of Grove Farm, took on lease of Sculthorpe towermill" taken from Norfolk Windmills.
Charles Horsley & Son are mentioned in Kelly's Business Guide as millers & corn & seed merchants in Fakenham mills from 1879 to 1908. The full entry states, "Horsley Charles & Son, millers (steam, wind & water) & corn & seed merchants, Fakenham mills & Railway station; & at Sculthorpe towermill & Wendling"
"Horsley & Son, Millers and Merchants;
Granaries, Fakenham and Wendling
The business controlled by Messrs. Horsley & Son, millers and merchants, is one of the most extensive and influential of its character in the county of Norfolk. It was founded many years ago, and has grown and prospered at a steady and substantial pace right from the start, a result which furnishes abundant testimony to the enterprise and ability displayed in its management. The mills are situated on the river side, a few minutes' walk from the Eastern and Midlands Station and Great Eastern Station, and are of a very extensive character. They are equipped in part with the best improved roller plant, the firm still retaining the advantages of the old-fashioned stones. The general arrangement of the mills is especially admirable and convenient, Messrs. Horsley having spared no expense to turn out the very best productions. They employ a large number of hands, and experience no difficulty in meeting all demands in the promptest style.
The firm is also well known as general corn merchants, for the convenience of which business they utilise spacious granaries near the Great Eastern Station, besudes others at Wendling Station near Dereham. In leading commercial circles of the county Messrs. Horsley's name is held in high repute, and it can be safely predicted that so long as their business is conducted on the same able and enterprising lines as hitherto it will continue to prove prosperous and progressive." (Norfolk Mills) NIAS Norfolk Directory - 1890