Sautee Nacoochee in White County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Millstones
African American Heritage Site
Photographed By Tom Bosse
1. Millstones Marker
Inscription.
Millstones. African American Heritage Site. Quarriers cut millstone blanks from an exposed ledge of gneiss rock adjacent to Mill Rock Branch, a small stream at the upper end of Sautee Valley. They used hardened steel hammers known as mill picks to cut grooves (lands) and ridges to shape the working faces of millstones used in grist mills for grinding corn into grits and cornmeal. Three millstones are on display here. This millstone is unfinished. The millstone to the left of the slave dwelling was at Stovall Mill, and the millstone near the rock wall was a Watts Mill. E.P. Williams, who owned the Nacoochee slave dwelling, operated an “industrial complex” on nearby Sautee Creek where flowing water powered the machinery, and slaves provided labor. A grist mill at this complex used a millstone similar, but somewhat large than these.
Quarriers cut millstone blanks from an exposed ledge of gneiss rock adjacent to Mill Rock Branch, a small stream at the upper end of Sautee Valley. They used hardened steel hammers known as mill picks to cut grooves (lands) and ridges to shape the working faces of millstones used in grist mills for grinding corn into grits and cornmeal. Three millstones are on display here. This millstone is unfinished. The millstone to the left of the slave dwelling was at Stovall Mill, and the millstone near the rock wall was a Watts Mill. E.P. Williams, who owned the Nacoochee slave dwelling, operated an “industrial complex” on nearby Sautee Creek where flowing water powered the machinery, and slaves provided labor. A grist mill at this complex used a millstone similar, but somewhat large than these.
Location. 34° 41.193′ N, 83° 40.562′ W. Marker is in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, in White County. Marker is on Georgia Route 255, on the left when traveling north. Marker located near the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sautee Nacoochee GA 30571, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Slave Dwelling (here, next to this marker); Cooling Vat
This is the millstone from the Stovall Mill that sits "to the left of the slave dwelling".
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2021, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on May 11, 2021, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
