John Balls of Aldeburgh (1758)

[windy_miller]

I have a miller located at Aldeburgh going by the name of John Balls.  He seemed to be charged with baking when not qualified?

I'd be interested in any info regarding his marriage, and any other villages in the neighbourhood he was in around this time.

Thanks in advance,

Windy

[maddys52]

What event occurs in 1758 - his birth, death, or the incident?

Not really near Aldeburgh, but there is a John BALLS, miller of Wenhaston married Hannah WINCOP of Halesworth on 12 Jan 1763 at St Mary Halesworth.
https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/62136524f493fdc0a98ba3d1

[maddys52]

Again, not quite near Aldeburgh, but I can also see references to a John BALLS , miller of Middleton near Fordley, bankrupt in 1760.

[windy_miller]

Hi Maddy52,

He was charge with baking when he had not done an appropriate apprenticeship.

Quite possible that John is a brother (the Balls family were a big milling family in Suffolk at the time).

Windy

[maddys52]

Ok, thanks.

There is a will for John BALLS, miller of Middleton at Norfolk Record Office, died 1781.
https://nrocatalogue.norfolk.gov.uk/index.php/balls-john-miller-of-middleton-suffolk

[windy_miller]

Thanks Maddys52,

Looks like a trip to Norwich is on the cards!  BTW what is the difference between Middleton and Middleton cum Fordley?  I assume they are the same place with Fordley (hamlet?) tacked on?

It looks like the Balls family held a mill at Middleton (cum Fordley) from 1757 till 1837.

Windy

[maddys52]

Not sure re Middleton and Middleton cum Fordley - I saw them both in mentions of the bankruptcy, so presume Middleton is just a shorter version?

[windy_miller]

Same.  I have one windmill in Middleton and one in Middleton cum Fordley.  Millers seem to overlap so I suspect its the same edifice.  Just easier to double enter than untangle later if I find they were two seperate buildings

[maddys52]

I did see this (published 1931)

"MIDDLETON-CUM-FORDLEY

Middleton is a village of 500 inhabitants, situated 5 miles from Saxmundham, and 3 miles from Darsham Station, L.N.E.R. Fordley is a hamlet, at one time a separate parish, and of greater population than Middleton. The two parishes were united by Oliver Cromwell. ..."

Publication:    Suffolk County Handbook and Official Directory