A BRIEF HISTORY
(IN PROGRESS)
April 5, 2024
The Earth shook Taylor's Mill... and it held the line.
On April 5th, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Readington Township shook Taylor's Mill causing the corner of its front facade to collapse, spilling stones into the road. The Readington Department of Public Works responded very quickly. Using a front-end loader, they saved the stones, moving them to the side of the road.
The Friends is actively seeking architectural engineering guidance to ensure the stability of Taylor's Mill and looks forward to partnering with the Township to facilitate the repacking of the corner and the stabilization of the facade.
As alarming as the earthquake was for everyone in the area, damage could have been much worse.
Just remember: the earthquake was the strongest to hit this region since 1783...
and Taylor's Mill survived THAT, too.
December 2023
Skilled masons repack the corner of the mill after a plow or truck hit it during a 2022 snow storm, dislodging several large corner stones.
The work was done following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards which call for special care of historic places. By using materials (in this case mortar) created and applied in a way that respects the historic building, we know the work will last- and the mill will not be damaged.
OCTOBER 2023
More than 40 citizen volunteers help clean up the mill site, taking away twenty bags of trash and debris after three hours of work. Trees growing into the mill's roof were removed and the interior of the building and entry were swept of broken glass and garbage.
21ST CENTURY
The mill's presence reminds us of battles fought long-ago, people who sacrificed for the greater good, and a spirit of community that we treasure today.
Photograph: Mill (2023)
Despite being hit by a truck, the mill stands strong a testament to its construction and its legacy.
20th century
Into the 20th century, the mill maintained much of its original fabric (materials).
Photograph: Mill (c. 1915)
19th Century
As demonstrated by this map from 1851, the mill continued to operate, serving farmers and families throughout the area. The mill was important enough to merit its own designation in the map ("Gr. Mill")!
Map: Hunterdon County (1851)
New roads brought new life for the mill, making it easier to get to and fro.
18th Century
"The Taylor's Mill Historic District is comprised of a c. 1760 grist and flouring mill with its hydro-system...
During the Revolution, there was a great need to draw on the countryside for supplies of every kind. Moore Furman, Esq., Deputy Quartermaster General of the Continental Army for New Jersey moved his commissary to Pittstown, in Hunterdon County (Franklin/Alexandria Townships), during 1778-80. Records abound of his requisitioning of supplies throughout the area.
[Miller Ephraim Bush] said that he attended the mill of Col. John Taylor for two years, 8 months previous to May 1781 and that the Colonel took in grain "for the use of the publick, that a greater part of what he took in was applied to the use of the Publick. . .that the grain was applied to the Use of the Army," adding "that he made up the invoices and sent on the Flour to the Army —— that it was about the time General Washington made the requisition throughout the great part of the state...."
John Hoffman testified that "in the winter of 1779 and 1780 at the time the magistrates were going round to collect provisions for the army, he sold 12 bushels and a half of wheat to Col. John Taylor" part of it "for the use of the Army...." Taylor had told the deponent he would pay him in money if he could get it, but could not. He believed the Colonel expected to get the money from the public. He added that it was "common report that a considerable quantity of wheat was brought into his mill for that (Army) use."
Document: Taylor's Mill National Register Nomination
