1650 Grist Mill

The 1650 Grist Mill waterwheel on Mill Brook, in New London, Connecticut. Historic American Buildings Survey, after 1933. Library of Congress: 024588.
The 1650 Grist Mill waterwheel on Mill Brook, in New London, Connecticut. Historic American Buildings Survey, after 1933. Library of Congress: 024588.

Gristmills and sawmills were necessary for establishing 
towns.

In 1650 New London, Connecticut (fifty miles southeast of 
Farmington), John Elderkin built a gristmill for Gov. John 
Winthrop Jr.

Farmington’s John Bronson is thought to have built a sawmill and later sold it to Deacon Stephen Hart, 
before 1650. At some point Farmington also had a gristmill.”
—from Julius Gay, Farmington Papers, p. 271; and David N. Camp, History of New Britain, with Sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut, 1640–1889, p. 20.

“The main New London waterwheel was rebuilt in 1892; and rebuilt from the hub out in 1930. The original oak frame, with the exception of a few rafters and plate in the upper part of the roof (as of 1930) had not been replaced.”—Library of Congress, from Frances Manwaring Caulkins, History of New London, 1612–1680.

Gears in the Old Town Grist Mill.  Historic American Buildings Survey, after 1933. Library of Congress: 304777.
Gears in the Old Town Grist Mill. Historic American Buildings Survey, after 1933. Library of Congress: 304777.
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