Benjamin Harrison Mill
Charles City Co. | Virginia | USA
Watersource: Harrison Lake.
Benjamin Harrison Mill
This mill is located at the Edgewood Plantation, about 8 miles west of Charles City on Sr 5. The mill sits back off the road on the north side of Sr 5, but can be seen from the road. The address is 4800 John Tyler Memorial Highway/Sr 5.
This mill is on the grounds of the Edgewood Plantation, which was at one time part of the Berkley Plantation.
The present owner reports that the mill was built in 1725.
Another source says the mill was built during the 18th century by Benjamin Harrison V of Berkeley Plantation; who was born on the Berkley Plantation.
The mill was visited during the Revolutionary War by British troops led by Benedict Arnold.
Benjamin Harrison V was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a governor of Virginia.
The photo shows a millstone set or run with the second run of stones casing and part of the stone hoist.
The location of the water wheel that is no longer in place. The wheel pit is inside the mill. The mill ceased operations in 1938.
The mill is not in real good condition. In 2009 the north wall was just about gone.
The house was built c. 1854 for Richard S. Rowland who moved here from New Jersey to operate the grist mill.
The mill is 2.5 stories frame with gable roof, the stone sets are somewhat intact, but the interior waterwheel gone. The mill, at one time, housed an 'Oliver Evans' fully automated system.