Thomas Willcox (Wilcocks) was born in Ivy Bridge, Devonshire, UK, a small villahe not far from Plymouth. Plymouth had significance concerning the port where the Mayflower set sail from to the New Land.

Wilcox and business partner, Thomas Brown, built a dam on the West Branch of Chester Creek in 1727, leased the land the dam was on, then built the second or possibly third paper mill in the colonies in 1729. These mill ruins belong to the rebuilt mill from 1829, the first mill having served well for 100 years. The 1829 mill was built much of wood, with long rectangular, verticle openings in the wall. One whole stone wall was 3.5 stories high, including the basement foundations and was 4 bays wide. This is the majority of the ruins today.

Wilcox's arrangement with Brown was half interest in the mill, twp parcels of land, and 2/5th of the mills profits. A friendship with Ben Franklin resulted in the mill being the paper source for Poor Richard's Almanac and other printing needs of Franklin. The mill also printed colonial and continental currency, even into much of the western hemisphere. Writing paper for ordinary everyday use was also produced.

Thomas' son, Mark, began operating the paper mill in 1776. He was also into politics and served from 1791-1824 as an Associat Judge of Delaware Co., being apoointed by then Gov. Thomas Mifflin.

Ivy Paper Mill got its name from the Ivy that was brought over from Devonshire, England by Thomas. He planted it about parts of the mill. The road became known as Ivy Mill Road after the mill name.GPS: 39' 53.14'N, 75' 29.16'W Ele. 213'/65 meters Media Quadrangle