B
BigDan
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- #1
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I got out to the woods along the Mackinaw today for some exploration. In the "What is it" section, I posted some pictures which I'm looking for help identifying. I won't repeat myself here...but I will add to the details of my day.
The millright Abraham Champion operated the mill in the 1850's. I have a very small area to search, fortunately. I started intentionally on the wrong side of the river to take long shot pictures of the bank. I knew a bridge had crossed the river near the mill. But, I found three bridge locations, I think. The modern bridge, Rt. 29. An older bridge, and it was easy to find because a second bridge leading up to it is still sitting in the woods...oddly enough, I walked around it...no water under it! I'm not even going to try to figure that out...as it leads off away from where I need to look anyway, and it is still too new (1920's or 30's).
As I search the south side, I found the "sluice?" pictured in the "What is it?" forum.
Eventually I made my way to the north bank, where my maps show Champion owned the land. Exactly where I THINK the mill sat, I stepped onto a rock filled "sand" bar (all rock) and found a brick and an old shard of stoneware. If I'm right, when the river goes down I'll find much more evidence. I also found the 1800's road...(you know, they are easy to find...they just don't change much.) I followed it and it took me to the other item I have listed in "What is it?"...I know, or believe, it is part of the bridge I was looking for. But the bolt in it has me put off. But, who's to say that the 1850's bridge wasn't replaced later, but before the 1920s-30's bridge was built?
If this was the bridge location, from the 1850's, than I'm convinced I've found the mill. I believe, most of it sat on poles above the water, and the heavy stuff is in that stone "sand bar". I'll be speaking with the landowner this weekend, his family is excited about my search and is very supportive. I did NOT remove anything today...but, I have my eye on a few pieces and I'll be talking removal and preservation with him.
Oh, man I love this hobby!
The millright Abraham Champion operated the mill in the 1850's. I have a very small area to search, fortunately. I started intentionally on the wrong side of the river to take long shot pictures of the bank. I knew a bridge had crossed the river near the mill. But, I found three bridge locations, I think. The modern bridge, Rt. 29. An older bridge, and it was easy to find because a second bridge leading up to it is still sitting in the woods...oddly enough, I walked around it...no water under it! I'm not even going to try to figure that out...as it leads off away from where I need to look anyway, and it is still too new (1920's or 30's).
As I search the south side, I found the "sluice?" pictured in the "What is it?" forum.
Eventually I made my way to the north bank, where my maps show Champion owned the land. Exactly where I THINK the mill sat, I stepped onto a rock filled "sand" bar (all rock) and found a brick and an old shard of stoneware. If I'm right, when the river goes down I'll find much more evidence. I also found the 1800's road...(you know, they are easy to find...they just don't change much.) I followed it and it took me to the other item I have listed in "What is it?"...I know, or believe, it is part of the bridge I was looking for. But the bolt in it has me put off. But, who's to say that the 1850's bridge wasn't replaced later, but before the 1920s-30's bridge was built?
If this was the bridge location, from the 1850's, than I'm convinced I've found the mill. I believe, most of it sat on poles above the water, and the heavy stuff is in that stone "sand bar". I'll be speaking with the landowner this weekend, his family is excited about my search and is very supportive. I did NOT remove anything today...but, I have my eye on a few pieces and I'll be talking removal and preservation with him.
Oh, man I love this hobby!
