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Archiver > SUFFOLK > 2000-11 > 0973085566


From: "david kindred" <>
Subject: Re: Thomas Mills of Framlingham
Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 13:32:46 GMT


Carolyn,

As a follow up to Pat's reply, I was in Framlingham last summer and have a
couple of photos of "Tomb House" which I can pass along if you like. (I
would attach them here for all to see but don't have access to my home
system from here at work - don't tell my boss, OK?)

Regards,

David C Kindred
Toronto, Canada


From: "Patricia Bridges" <>
To:
Subject: Thomas Mills of Framlingham
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2000 10:15:55 -0000

Carolyn, I think anyone who knows Framlingham today, will know that Thomas
Mills is buried in the grounds of his former home, a grand tomb stands in
the front garden* behind iron railings. You can't miss it ! He was born
1624 (approx) the son of a yeoman, John Mills of Bramford. He became an
apprentice wheelwright to Edward Smith of Fram in 1640. Although Smith and
his wife Mary were unsure of Thomas' Baptist religion, he preached at
Lincoln's Barn on the edge of Fram on Sundays, Smith witnessed a meeting and
became impressed with the apprentices sincerity and the two men became great
friends. When Edward Smith died, he left his Garden House*, Brook Farm and
the wheelwrights business to Thomas. He married Alice Groome (nee Briggs)
in 1661, she had considerable property in the area, and his business
interests continued to grow. When they were away they would leave the day
to day running of the business in the care of William Mayhew, and on Alice's
death in 1691 William and Thomas moved to Garden House (nowadays referred to
as Tomb House). Thomas died in 1703 and bequeathed all his messuages,
lands etc for the building of Almshouses for the poor. The almspeople had
coals, clothing and a weekly income of 5 shillings amongst the many benefits
offered.
His Will supported many charities for the 'education and benefit' of the
poor.
The Girls Grammar School, using money from the Thomas Mills Trust, was
built in 1902 with an entrance on Fore Street and one on Fairfield Road.
(www.streetmap.co.uk Framlingham, Suffolk). The boarding house was at
Cransford Hall, in the nearby village of Cransford. When the school closed,
the land was used to build a residential and day care centre for the
elderly, it is now called Mills Meadow, so the name still continues in
Framlingham.
In 1979 when Mills Grammar amalgamated with the Framlingham Modern School,
which had been the area school, the new comprehensive school changed its'
name to The Thomas Mills High School. You can find more on their web-site,
including a link to Mills Grammar School web-site
http://www.thomasmills.suffolk.sch.uk

Regards, Pat ...

Hon Sec - Suffolk Family History Society
Co-ordinator - Address Check Project for Suffolk Rootsweb List
LHR - Little Waldingfield - Suffolk Local History Council



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