Bobb's / Latshaw's / Saylor's Grist Mill - Berks Co. Pennsylvania

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Bobb's / Latshaw's / Saylor's Grist Mill
Mill No: Pa-06-43-01-Bobb's-Latshaw's-Saylor'sMill

State -	Pennsylvania
County -	Berks Co.
Township -	Washington Twp.
Year -	c. 1729
Water Source -	NW Br. Perkiomen Creek.

Pictures by: Jim Miller 10/92 - An old mill dating from the early 1700's considered a double mill. Built of stone/stucco 2-3 stories, and 1-2 stories of wood frame. More information is forthcoming when it can be found.

Picture: Jim Miller 10/92 An old mill dating from the early 1700's considered a double mill. Built of stone/stucco 2-3 stories, and 1-2 stories of wood frame. More information is forthcoming when it can be found.

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 09/28/2006 - *Update: This mill was actually built by Christian Beidler around 1729. My 6th great grandfather, John (Johann) Conrad Bobb bought it from Beidler in 1744. Daniel Bobb Sr. (who fought in the Revolution), one of Conrad's sons, bought it from his mother after the death of his father. It then stayed in my family from 1744 through 1876 or thereabouts. Some of my cousins might have even more information.

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 09/28/2006 *Update: This mill was actually built by Christian Beidler around 1729. My 6th great grandfather, John (Johann) Conrad Bobb bought it from Beidler in 1744. Daniel Bobb Sr. (who fought in the Revolution), one of Conrad's sons, bought it from his mother after the death of his father. It then stayed in my family from 1744 through 1876 or thereabouts. Some of my cousins might have even more information.

Pictures by: Arlene Buch Houghton - Update cont'd: I have more recent photos and from different angles. If it is still for sale, I have a fantasy of getting it back into the family. Thanks, Arlene in Sonoma Co., Northern California, born in Philadelphia, where my Bobb family moved from Pennsburg prior to 1910. --Arlene Buch-Houghton, 04/04/05*

Picture: Arlene Buch Houghton Update cont'd: I have more recent photos and from different angles. If it is still for sale, I have a fantasy of getting it back into the family. Thanks, Arlene in Sonoma Co., Northern California, born in Philadelphia, where my Bobb family moved from Pennsburg prior to 1910. --Arlene Buch-Houghton, 04/04/05*

Pictures by: Arlene Buch Houghton 12/01 - The Bobb Homestead farmhouse. *Update: The GPS coordinates which are N40'23.85, W75'36.74. Thanks to Michael A. Miller, 04/09/05*

Picture: Arlene Buch Houghton 12/01 The Bobb Homestead farmhouse. *Update: The GPS coordinates which are N40'23.85, W75'36.74. Thanks to Michael A. Miller, 04/09/05*

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 09/28/2006 - Update: *My cousin, Hyde Ballard, bought the mill from Mrs. Saylor who was the last operator in the 1960's. The mill shut down in the 1950's do to either lack of business or because the building was no longer structurally sound. There are some major cracks in the stone walls and walking on the first floor is like walking on a waterbed.

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 09/28/2006 Update: *My cousin, Hyde Ballard, bought the mill from Mrs. Saylor who was the last operator in the 1960's. The mill shut down in the 1950's do to either lack of business or because the building was no longer structurally sound. There are some major cracks in the stone walls and walking on the first floor is like walking on a waterbed.

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 09/28/2006 - Update cont'd: The mill was expanded to its present size about 1902 and updated to water turbine power. A flood the following year jambed these turbines full of mud, so it ran off steam power from then on. The engine and engine room to produce steam power are no longer there, but most of the other equipment remains. Ballard sold the property in the early 1980's. Submitteed by Andrew Mackay 07/12/2005*

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 09/28/2006 Update cont'd: The mill was expanded to its present size about 1902 and updated to water turbine power. A flood the following year jambed these turbines full of mud, so it ran off steam power from then on. The engine and engine room to produce steam power are no longer there, but most of the other equipment remains. Ballard sold the property in the early 1980's. Submitteed by Andrew Mackay 07/12/2005*

Pictures by: Robert T.Kinsey 09/28/2006 - It looks as though some repair work has been done to the exterior; some boards have been replaced and the bottom doors have been painted. The millers house has been spruced up as well.

Picture: Robert T.Kinsey 09/28/2006 It looks as though some repair work has been done to the exterior; some boards have been replaced and the bottom doors have been painted. The millers house has been spruced up as well.

Directions: Take Barto Road to the right 2 miles west of Bally, Pa., on Pa 100. Go north on Barto Rd. 1 mile to Old Pa 100, turn right, go 0.5 miles and turn left on Forgedale Road. Travel about 1000'/1500'to house and barn on the left/west side of Forge Dale Road. It seems as if a piece of old highway goes up past the mill, which is past the house on the opposite side of the old road/lane from the barn. The mill is snuggled up to the treeline.

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Psalm 51:10&11 NKJV

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