Near Keedysville in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pry Mill
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007
1. Pry Mill Marker
Inscription.
Pry Mill. . The 20.25 acre property on Little Antietam Creek was bequeathed to Samuel Merritt Hitt by Robert Smith on October 28, 1818. A two-story, two-section grist and sawmill was constructed about 1820 by Hitt, who diverted the established road so traffic would pass his mill. Brothers Samuel and Philip Pry purchased the mill in 1847. Samuel, the sole proprietor in 1850, rebuilt the structure in its present form. Jonathan Letterman selected the mill as one of seven Union hospital sites, and the building became a grisly haven for the wounded of Antietam. Although the war ruined his brother, Samuel prospered. The 1880 Manufacturing Census placed Pry Mill as one of the top five mills in Washington County. The mill remained in the Pry family until 1941, but ceased operations in 1926. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The 20.25 acre property on Little Antietam Creek was bequeathed to Samuel Merritt Hitt by Robert Smith on October 28, 1818. A two-story, two-section grist and sawmill was constructed about 1820 by Hitt, who diverted the established road so traffic would pass his mill. Brothers Samuel and Philip Pry purchased the mill in 1847. Samuel, the sole proprietor in 1850, rebuilt the structure in its present form. Jonathan Letterman selected the mill as one of seven Union hospital sites, and the building became a grisly haven for the wounded of Antietam. Although the war ruined his brother, Samuel prospered. The 1880 Manufacturing Census placed Pry Mill as one of the top five mills in Washington County. The mill remained in the Pry family until 1941, but ceased operations in 1926. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected by Washington County Historical Advisory Committee.
Location. 39° 29.104′ N, 77° 42.823′ W. Marker is near Keedysville, Maryland, in Washington County
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. Marker is on Keedysville Road, half a mile west of Shepherdstown Pike (Maryland Route 34), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keedysville MD 21756, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The mill is now a private residence. Little Antietam Creek runs behind the mill. Just downstream from the point where Little Antietam meets Antietam Creek proper is the historic Pry Ford. The ford was used by Federal forces during the Battle of Antietam.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,861 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
