Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill
Lancaster Co. | Pennsylvania | USA
Watersource: Kauffman's Run, trib. to Swarr' Run, trib. to Cone
Nolt's Mill / Kauffman's Mill
From Lancaster City center, take Pa. 23 west for 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Stone Battery Rd., go 1 mile and turn right on Church St. In 1/2 mile , turn left on Nolt Road. Mill is about 1/4 mile on the left at intersection with Snapper Rd. (T. 633) and Kauffman's Run (stream).
Also known as Kneisley's Mill, The 2.5 story, 30'x50' sandstone mill is one of the older mills still standing in Lancaster Co. Built by George Kneisley between 1773 and 1779. Tax records show G. Kneisley paying taxes on a grist mill from 1779 to 1786, then John Kneisly from 1787-88. In 1792, taxes were paid on a saw mill by John Kneisly at the site. Records from 1824 indicate a saw mill owned by a Hershey. From 1864 through 1899, it was a grist mill owned by Christ N. Nolt.
One overshot wheel was used to power the millstones after the waters of Kauffman's Run had traveled 1,300' along the headrace, dropping 2' to the wheel. The mill was at times a grist, saw, & flour mill. As a flour mill, it was capable of producing 8 barrels/day. At one time it was also a hemp and woolen mill operated by Christ Kauffman. Hemp production gave the name for E. and W. Hempfield Townships. In 1969, the mill was empty and deteriorating badly. Thanks to some foresight by a homebuyer, in the 1970's, the ediface had been converted into a beautiful residence. By 1992, the mill was preserved without compromising very much of it's integrity as a mill structure.
*Update: Georg(e) Kneisly born 1711-died 1785. His wife was Catherine Nolt/Noltz/Nolte, daughter of Philip Nolt of Silver Spring, Lancaster Co., Pa. Their son John Kneisly died in 1812. Janice Patterson 03/14/2007*