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labor at the mill


Between 1770 and 1799, Washington employed three different millers to operate his mill: William Roberts, Joseph Davenport, and Patrick Callahan. The job of the millers was to operate the mill machinery, oversee the workforce, and record all business transactions. William Roberts was also a trained millwright. A millwright could not only operate the mill but also repair the machinery as needed.

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In addition to the hired miller, several slaves worked at the mill complex. Ben was an enslaved miller who ran the mill in the absence of the hired white miller. Forrester worked in the mill as well. He probably helped clean the mill and pack the barrels. Tom, Jacob, and Moses worked in the cooperage, which was located at the mill complex, constructing the wooden barrels used to ship goods to market.

George Washington’s gristmill complex demonstrated his creativity as a businessman and entrepreneur. By 1799, both his gristmill and distillery provided profitable means to diversify his agricultural output and highlighted his belief that American success lie in agriculture and the ability to diversify and sell American products around the world.