Mill Details

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill

Delaware Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Known Dates: First mill 1682, this mill 1797
Township: Thornbury Twp.
Watersource: West Branch of Chester Creek.
Location / Directions

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill

West of Concordsville 1 mile on US 1, turn right on Brinton's Lake Rd. (SRR 23023). Go 1 mile, just past Mill Rd. on the right is the mill.




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Verse for Thought
The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A Shelter in the time of storm. "A Shelter in the Time of Storm" by Vernon J. Charlesworth 19th cent. / Alt. by Ira D. Sankey 1840-1908
({From the Nazarene hymnal - Sing to the Lord})
Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12-22-2008

The main mill structure was the white stuccoed stone building of 2.5 stories. A rough measurement would be about 35'x40'. The other structures are all additions since milling ceased except perhaps for the balconied addition ending in the large chimney to the right.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

This mill was first built in 1682 by early Swedish settlers. By 1770, it was owned by William Brinton. In 1788, Joseph Brinton operated a saw mill, malt house and brewery on the site. In 1802, Joseph's son John and grandson Joseph were operating a grist mill that had been built around 1797. This may have replaced the original mill.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

The millrace depression filled a penstock then was joined to a flume, pouring water over the wheel. In 1815, the grist mill was changed to a woolen factory still operated by John & Joseph. In 1826, the mill was operated and soon purchased by William Marshall, who continued in business until 1835, when portions of the building were destroyed by fire.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Jim Miller 10/1992

A rearview of the main mill structure showing the unstuccoed walls of fieldstone, with a glimpse of the large wheel inside the dining room. The penstock enters below the roof line covered by the green shrubs. At this time, in 1835, Caleb Brinton purchased and rebuilt the mill again as a stone grist mill. He installed a 20' diameter, overshot water wheel. This replaced the old undershot wheel.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

The penstock supplied flume drops water onto the wheel to turn the mechanism. In 1884, while still owned by Caleb, the Robinson family, along with 9 children, moved into the house on the hill and spent the next 12 years helping at the mill. This house, built in 1722, was destroyed by fire in 2000.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

In 1896 the mill was run by one of the Robinson boys. In the early part of the 1900's, the dam broke. Repairs were made, but the mill started into a decline. About 1916 the mill fell into disuse. In 1920, the mill was purchased by the Brinton Lake Ass. For use as a club house and Speakeasy. The large water wheel inside of what was the main portion of the mill and more recently was the dining romm of the Old Mill Restaurant by Brinton Lake in the 1970's through the mid. 1990's.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

Financial difficulties resulting from the Depression caused it to be sold in the 1930's. Throughout the 40's and 50's, the mill took on the role of a night club. Many local bands got their start here. The grounds were famous for the boxing matches that took place on the weekends. The wheel may have just been added in this location been for the eatery business ambience; because a large wheel in the middle of a functioning mill would have been impractical.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T.Kinsey 12/22/2008

The gearing and frame with a set of stones was positioned to point out the aspects of a funtioning grist mill. In 1955, the Upperman family began operating a restaurant in the building, named "The Old Mill Restaurant." The restaurant was successful for 38 years; then the manager up and quit, and Sam Upperman closed the doors, without even cleaning the dirty dishes off the tables.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

A spring house behind the mill near the millrace ditch. One and a half years later, in 1994, Mike and Kim Dever converted the mill and its additions into an office building, acting as headquarters for Mike's company, The Brandywine Asset Management.

Brinton's Upper Mill / Painter's Old Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 12/22/2008

The name changed on May 1, 2006 to Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC and moved from Wilmington to Philadelphia. GPS: 39' 53.79'N, 75' 32.26'W Ele. 364'/111 meters West Chester Quadrangle

 
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