Lacy Spring Mill - Rockingham Co. Virginia

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Lacy Spring Mill
Mill No: Va-78-08-01-Lacy Spring Mill

State -	Virginia
County -	Rockingham Co.
Township -	Plains Twp.
Year -	Early mill c. 1800, this mill c.1888
Water Source -	Lacey Spring, source of Smith Creek.

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 - The original mill is credited to have been built c. 1800 by Capt. John Koontz on land perhaps owned by either President Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, or more probably by his grandfather, Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln's maternal grandfather, John Hank, was also a resident of Rockingham County about the time the mill would have been built.

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 The original mill is credited to have been built c. 1800 by Capt. John Koontz on land perhaps owned by either President Abraham Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, or more probably by his grandfather, Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln's maternal grandfather, John Hank, was also a resident of Rockingham County about the time the mill would have been built.

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 - The first mill was operated by Jacob Nicholas Lincoln from the 1850's until he was attacked in a mysterious event the night of February 20, 1880. His brother Abraham Lincoln took grain to the mill the next day and found Jacob severely struck about the head and barely alive. He died the next day. George W. Wood was implicated, tied, convicted and sentenced, along with two other men of killing Lincoln with a rock after a card game at the mill had gone sour. A large amount of money known to have been on Lincoln's person was also missing, some notes being found near the scene.

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 The first mill was operated by Jacob Nicholas Lincoln from the 1850's until he was attacked in a mysterious event the night of February 20, 1880. His brother Abraham Lincoln took grain to the mill the next day and found Jacob severely struck about the head and barely alive. He died the next day. George W. Wood was implicated, tied, convicted and sentenced, along with two other men of killing Lincoln with a rock after a card game at the mill had gone sour. A large amount of money known to have been on Lincoln's person was also missing, some notes being found near the scene.

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 - The old mill was was run by Charles H. Nicholas, Lincoln's son-in-law after Lincoln's death. The old mill was large, 3-4 stories tall, with a cooperage nearby. Three wheels were used, one for wheat flour, one for grinding corn for meal and limestone for plaster, and one waterwheel for powering the saw mill. The mill, also known as Lincoln Mill and Nicholas Roller Mill, produced Cream Rose Flour. It burned sometime about the year 1887 and the new, present mill was built in 1888.

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 The old mill was was run by Charles H. Nicholas, Lincoln's son-in-law after Lincoln's death. The old mill was large, 3-4 stories tall, with a cooperage nearby. Three wheels were used, one for wheat flour, one for grinding corn for meal and limestone for plaster, and one waterwheel for powering the saw mill. The mill, also known as Lincoln Mill and Nicholas Roller Mill, produced Cream Rose Flour. It burned sometime about the year 1887 and the new, present mill was built in 1888.

Pictures by: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 - The photo shows where the wheel pit was behind the stone wall under the now porch when this second (1888) mill was operating. The porch was nonexistant, the raceway/sluice coming from the left to empty onto the top of the wheel (Wheels). The front of the mill, the right gable end above, held three vertical doors up the face with some type of sack hoist in place near the gable peak. The mill was owned by S.S. Shaver in and around 1910.

Picture: Robert T. Kinsey 04/29/2006 The photo shows where the wheel pit was behind the stone wall under the now porch when this second (1888) mill was operating. The porch was nonexistant, the raceway/sluice coming from the left to empty onto the top of the wheel (Wheels). The front of the mill, the right gable end above, held three vertical doors up the face with some type of sack hoist in place near the gable peak. The mill was owned by S.S. Shaver in and around 1910.

Pictures by: Robert Kinsey 04/29/2006 - After the mill closed, it was used as housing for turkeys. The mill, bereft of all equipment, is today in 2006, being renovated by its Winchester owner, Jim Deskins for a home to spend his retirement years.

Picture: Robert Kinsey 04/29/2006 After the mill closed, it was used as housing for turkeys. The mill, bereft of all equipment, is today in 2006, being renovated by its Winchester owner, Jim Deskins for a home to spend his retirement years.

Directions: Form Harrisonburg, Va. go north on US 11, turn right on Sh 806/Martz Road, cross I-81,turn left on Sh 986/Stoney Point Road, go 0.6 miles, turn right and the mill is at the bottom of the incline, end of road.

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
Proverbs 15: 13 NKJV

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