Murray's Grist Mill

    The next stop on our list of mills is Murray's Mill, either walk or drive to the dam at Tomlinson Run Lake. There is nothing left to view today. In 1941 when the dam was constructed to form Tomlinson Run Lake, everything was covered. It must have been a good spot for a mill site. Stop and think about it! As a matter of fact it was the best and most logical location. Murray's grist and saw mills were constructed where the North and South Forks of Tomlinson Run meet. Twice as much water would flow past here and it would prove to have good access in later years.

    Some facts for the historian are needed at this time. Reading everything about William Murray's mill and property led me to a point of confusion. One history book, I will not mention the title or author, put the location of Murray's grist and saw mills at Mineral Spring. The book further went on to state that the town of New Lexington was located there with a population of approximately 50. While walking around Mineral Spring looking for signs of New Lexington, etc. something did not appear to be correct.

    Upon further investigation these facts became apparent. Looking at the map of the Pan-Handle of 1871, its included on The Early Years page, New Lexington was located at the mouth of Tomlinson Run, along the Ohio River and is now named Moscow! William Murray never did own Mineral Springs, in his day this property was owned by the Silverthorn family. William C. Murray, son of William, purchased this tract of land January 7, 1878 maybe because of the sawmills. Tracing the deeds at the Brooke and Hancock County court houses and referring to a map in the office of Tomlinson Run State Park proves William Murray's grist and saw mills were located at the "intersection of the North and South branches in Poe District Hancock Co. and State of West Virginia." William C. Murray's will located in will book A, pages 222-223 at the Hancock Co. court house  provided the preceding quote.

    Do you remember the name Peter Peterson? Peter settled where the two forks of Tomlinson Run converge, in 1794. Here he built the first grist mill in what is now Hancock County. In the deed book #4, page 26, at the Brooke Co. Court House reads; "In the year 1805 Michael Myers of Jefferson Co. Ohio sold to Peter Peterson of Brooke Co., Va. for $475.oo a water grist mill and 100 acres on Tumblesons run. Michael Myers acquired the land on May 30. 1793 via a deed of conveyance from the heirs of Benjamin Johnston, Dec. The Mill being built in the year 1787 by Dr. Benjamin Johnston and Peter Peterson."

     Peter's name was mentioned in the deed between the heir's of Benjamin Johnston with John Hunter and Robert Bowland. "Peter Peterson hath a claim to two hundred acres which is to be laid off, so as to include his mill seat," On May 19, 1813 Peter entered into an Article of Agreement with Doctor Benjamin Johnston Sr., Robert Bowland, and John Hunter. Under this agreement the title for Peter's land would go to his son, Thomas. 

    William Murray, on April 24, 1818 purchased the mill seat and land containing 84 acres  from Thomas and his wife, Mary, for the price of $750. December 9th 1833, William C. Murray bought the mill from his father for $600. This deed of William C. Murray showed the mill site and surrounding land to contain 155 acres.

     William C. Murray and John C. Chambers entered into an agreement February 14, 1881. The agreement was to sell the mill to Chambers for $5000. $1000 was due April 1, 1881, $500 per year due the first day of April until paid plus interest. Chambers was also to supply natural gas to the Murray's house nearby. The acreage listed in the deed was 21 acres, 2 rods, and 13 perches.   February 27, 1886 Emily Jane Murray, wife of William C. Murray, deceased, completed the sale of the mill to John Chambers. In the deed of that date there is mention of the mill being destroyed by fire, and the gas agreement was still in effect. Emily later purchased the mill site from John C. Chambers and his wife, Martha V.,  on May 16, 1890 for $1000. The acreage is still listed as 21 acres, 2 rods, and 13 perches.   The grist mill was never rebuilt after this. Some of the later owners of this property are included in the following table.

There is a severe lack of photographs of this site! If anyone has a picture of what they believe to be of Murray's Grist Mill please contact me.                        

                          Click on the above mailbox to send an e-mail directly to me!

    We do have one photograph of this area, it was taken some time during the early 1920's. The photo is of Levi Dallas Mercer's house. The home was situated along the North Fork of Tomlinson Run, opposite of what was Murray's Grist Mill. This photograph was donated by Doris Mercer Carpenter.  

     The next mill site is near the Group Camp. Take Beech Trail and follow it to where it crosses Tomlinson Run. The site is down stream about one hundred yards. On your right hand side is an entrance to the foundation of the mill. The mill races, sandstone steps, and the location of the water wheel are clearly visible. I have been unable to find any information or early photographs on the ownership or operation of this mill. The property itself remained part of the Pugh Mill Tract through the 1800's. Any volunteers, click on mailbox above!

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