This small, restored grist mill is the second to occupy the site. The first brick mill of 1818 was destroyed by fire and the present mill built in the 1870's, probably using some of the same brick on the lower foundation from the old mill.

The brick foundation, using some of thew same brick and perhaps some original walls of the old 1818 mill, are 2 feet above grade on the front side and 7 feet above grade on the rear where the wheel is mounted. A pair of bedstones, worn very thin, are used as stepping stones in front of the mill at the bottom of the stairs leading down from the road.

the restored mill, with its Fitz waterwheel, sits behind the 16 acre millpond form off the Southern Branch of Black Creek. A bead gate on the dam controls the flow of water to the mill from the millpond.

A view of the waterwheel & side of the mill in its woodland setting. Samuel Bailey owned the mill property as early as 1782, and first mention was from an 1818 New Kent County plat with the mill named "Bailey's Mill".

This 1950 replacement boathouse, located on the east bank of the millpond, is sided in board & batten, giving it an authentic early 1900's nappearance. GPS: 77' 05.35W, 37' 32.41N

From 1833 through 1872, Sheldon Crump and/or the Crump family owned the mill, slling it in 1872. It burned and was eventually rebuilt, in 1882, as it is today following lengthy litigation. After a succession of brief owners, it was the property from 1895 to 1955 of the Richardson family, the last to operate the mill.

For the next five years Wilbert J. Ennis owned it before selling it to H. Brice Graves. In 1997 it was purchased by the present owners, William Downs and Deborah Hayes Downs. They have undertaken the restoration of the mill and the preservation of the millpond. The owners of the mill are building have built large modern dwelling & shed on the hill above the mill.