The first beginnings of the mill are unclear. A goods list from 1580 mentions a “wijndtmolen”.
This “Statement of Goods” was drawn up at the closure of the Carmelite monastery in Woudsend, an order of Carmelites that had been established in Woudsend since 1337.
The current mill was built in the second half of the 17th century to replace a standard mill.
Not much is known about the earliest history of the current mill.
An advertisement in the Leeuwarder Courant of June 10, 1840 mentions the sale of “A well-known, considerably renovated and much improved rye, wheat, peeling and mustard mill with mill house and hunting lodge”. A unique combination!
In the 17th century, many ships were supplied in Woudsend for long journeys by sea. Gort was the food of choice to take on board. Mole 't Lam will undoubtedly have played an important role in this supply. On their return journey from the Baltic Sea, in addition to wood and grain, the same ships also took mustard seeds with them to be processed into mustard at the mill.