Damant Castell of Occold in about 1822

[windy_miller]

Hi Rooters,

I'm looking for any info on a miller called Damant Castell.  He was associated with one of the mills in the village and I understand he may have moved to Brooke in Norfolk later.

Any nuggets would be good but family (wife's maiden name) and even correct spelling of his name would help!!!

Cheers,
Windy Miller

[Mabel Bagshawe]

he's still alive in 1881, aged 83, retired farmer, living in Castle St Framlingham. Pob given as Denton, Norfolk

Dammant Castell
Baptism    11 Nov 1798, Denton, Norfolk
Father:    Salter Castell
Mother:    Rachel Castell

[Mabel Bagshawe]

1851 provides some children born after registration began. Living in Earsham, Norfolk. Children all born Brook

Damant Castell    52
Sophia Castell    47 - b withersdale
Alfred Castell    17
Emma Castell    15
John Castell    12
William Castell    8
Rebecca Frewer    16 - servant

HO107, 1821, 19, 30

CASTELL, WILLIAM        mmn RACKHAM
Q3 1842  LODDON AND CLAVERING UNION  Volume 13  Page 197

CASTELL, JOHN        mmn RACKHAM
Q3 1838  LODDON AND CLAVERING UNION  Volume 13  Page 180

[Mabel Bagshawe]

One generation back - but no sign of Damant and Sophia's wedding

Salter Castell
Rachael Matthews
Marriage 28 Jun 1795     Denton, Norfolk, England

[windy_miller]

Hi Mabel,

Thanks for this.  It means Damant was 23 when he had the mill in Occold.

One branch of the Rackham family were millers in Suffolk, most notably at Wickham Market.  May there is a connection there?

Windy

[Annette7]

Damant Castell married Sophia Rackham 12/11/1821 Ashfield Thorpe, Suffolk (per Suffolk Marriage Index).

Annette

[Sarricell]

Hi there!
Bit late to the party with my reply as I've only just discovered your query. Damant was my 3 x Great grandfather; he was born at Denton, Norfolk in 1798 and dies at Framlingham in 1885 aged 87. He was the son of Salter Castell, and the grandson of the Reverend John Castell of Brooke in Norfolk. He spent his life as miller and farmer, and I have a copy of a portrait of him, although sadly not one of his wife, my 3 x great grandma Sophia Rackham, although I do have copies of portraits of both of Damant's parents. Damant was the first ancestor I can remember being told about, and he fascinated me, seeing his portrait. My own father was born in Suffolk at Buxhall Mill, his father was miller there for  the Clovers, and there is rumour that my illegitimate grandmother's mysterious father was a Hitchcock, so I suppose you could say that East Anglian mills are in the blood one way or another!! (My 2 x great grandfather, Damant's son Alfred, was miller at Rattlesden and Onehouse at different times)
Hoping this has been of interest to you.

[windy_miller]

Hi Sarricell,

Very interesting indeed!  And very late in getting back to you.  I've been a rooter for some time, but I dip in and out as my windmilling research leads me everywhere, and I duly follow (mostly down rabbit holes).

Thanks,
Windy