Our History

In the late 1600’s Thomas Mills lived and worked in Framlingham. He was a trained wheelwright, a timber merchant and he was a dissenting Baptist. He was a wealthy man inheriting a timber importing business in Wapping from his wife. Thomas also owned land in Dallinghoo, Dennington, Parham, Ufford, Pettistree, Wickham Market and Framlingham. When in Framlingham he and his wife would stay in Tomb House. In secret, Thomas would meet fellow Nonconformists at Lincoln’s Barn, which has conveniently discrete and away from prying eyes. Thomas Mills died in 1703 and being a dissenter he was not offered an Anglican burial in the churchyard; he was buried in a tomb in his garden. His trusted servant William Mayhew is also buried in this tomb. J and F Packard have written a concise history of Thomas Mill’s life.