Martin's Grist Mill

Martin's Grist Mill. . , Down the hill from where you are standing is the site of Martin's Mill constructed by brothers George and Francis Martin around 1804. Powered by water, early 19th century grist mills were essential to the success of Fauquier County farmers, providing an efficient means to process locally grown corn and wheat to be transported to distant markets. Martin's Mill was a wood frame structure with a raised stone foundation that stood three stories along the banks of the Rappahannock River. It was noted for its "undershot," interior water wheel, which turned with the flow of the water that was dammed and channeled through a mill race, a feature still visible today., The miller's house, described as a "two story, metal roof, frame building," stood above the mill. After the deaths of George Martin in 1822 and Francis Martin 1824, Elizabeth Martin, George's widow, lived on the thirteen acre mill tract with her son Charles, 31 enslaved people, and one free man of color who most likely assisted in the operation of the mill., Martin's Mill changed ownership several times, known as Morgan's Mill during the Civil War, the George Lewis Flour and Grist Mill by 1880, and in the early 20th century, the mill of P. B. Lewis and Son, "manufacturer of high, patent, family and extra four." The grist mill served the surrounding area for more than 100 years until 1920 when it was conveyed to A.R. Hord who along with other investors, developed it into the short-lived Remington Electrical and Light Power Company Plant. , , (sidebar) , August 1862 - Morgan's Mill and the reconstructed Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge, This picture was taken from the south bank of the river after the first Battle of Rappahannock Station, during which the railroad bridge was burned. In his reconnaissance report made on April 7, 1862, Federal Lt. Col. T. J. Lucas described to his superior, "The earthworks command the ford at the burnt bridge. The river at the ford is about 300 feet wide...situated on the northeast bank is a large flouring mill, owned by a person in the Confederate Army and said to contain a considerable amount of grain.", Please tread lightly and with consideration. You are walking on an archaeological site.