Nathaniel was the son of Andrew Ellicott (1733-1809), one of the founders of Ellicott City, and brother of George Ellicott (1760-1832) whose house is opposite the old EC mill on the Patapsco River. All three are buried in the Ellicott family cemetery in Ellicott City.
John Davis 1803 book:
IN the Bull-Run Mountains rises a river, which retains the Indian name of Occoquan, and after a course of sixty miles falls into the Potomac, near the little town of Colchester. In America there are few or no rivers without falls; and at those of Occoquan, are erected a couple of mills, which by the easy and safe navigation of the Potomac, the richness of the adjacent country, and the healthfulness of the climate, induced the Proprietor to project the plan of a city, and invite strangers to build on it; but his visions were never realized, and Occoquan consists only of a house built on a rock, three others on the riverside, and half a dozen log-huts scattered at some distance.
… vessels taking on board flour under the foam of the mills, and others deeply laden expanding their sails tor the breeze; while every face wears contentment, every gale wafts health, and echo from the rocks multiplies the voices of the waggoners calling to their teams.
I had been a fortnight at Alexandria, when, in consequence of a short advertisement I had put in the Gazette, a gentleman was deputed to wait on me from a Quaker, on the banks of the Occoquan, who wanted a Tutor for his children.
The following evening, I left Alexandria on horseback, to visit the abode of Mr. Ellicott. … I proceeded to Occoquan; but so steep and craggy was the road, that I found it almost inaccessible. On descending the last hill, I was nearly stunned by the noise of two huge mills, whose roar, without any hyperbolical aggravation, is scarcely inferior to that of the great falls of the Potomac, or the cataract of Niagara. My horse would not advance; and I was myself lost in astonishment.
On crossing a little bridge, I came within view of the Settlement, which is romantic beyond conception. A beautiful river rolls its stream along mountains that rise abruptly from its bank, while on the opposite rocky shore, which appears to have been formed by a volcano, are seen two mills enveloped in foam, and here and there a dwelling which has vast masses of stone for its foundation. The eye for some time is arrested by the uncommon scene; but it is soon relieved by a beautiful landscape that bounds the horizon In a word, all the riches of nature are brought together in this spot, but without confusion.
Friend Ellicott and his wife received me with an unaffected simplicity of manners, whom I was happy to catch just as they were going to dinner. An exquisite Virginia ham smoked on the board, and two damsels supplied the guests with boiled Indian corn, which they had gathered with their own hands.—Friend Ellicott, uncorrupted by the refinement of modern manners, had put his hat to its right use, for it covered his head. It was
Our agreement was soon made. Quakers are men of few words. Friend Ellicott engaged me to educate his children for a quarter of a year. He wanted them taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. Delightful task! As to Latin, or French, he considered the study of either language an abuse of time; and very calmly desired me not to say another word about it.
The School-house at Occoquan was entirely my own. It was a little brick structure, situated about three hundred yards from the house on the rock. The front casements looked upon the Occoquan river, and commanded the variegated prospect of hill and dale.
It was my custom every Saturday to ride to Alexandria, where I read the northern papers at the Coffee-room I had been three months at Occoquan, when I so often caught myself stretching, yawning, and exhibiting other symptoms of Ennui, in my chair, that I began to be of opinion it was time to change my residence.
I, therefore, resigned my place to an old drunken Irishman of the name of Burbridge, who was travelling the country on foot in search of an Academy; and whom Friend Ellicott made no scruple to engage, though, when the fellow addressed him, he was so drunk that he could with difficulty stand on his legs. I remonstrated with Friend Ellicott on the impropriety of employing a sot to educate his children. “Friend,” said he, “of all the schoolmasters I ever employed, none taught my children to write so good a hand, as a man who “was constantly in a state that bordered on intoxication. They learned more of him in one month, than of any other in a quarter. I will make trial of Burbridg3."
Davis, John. Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America During 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801… London: 1803
Merchant's Grist Mill & Mill House (Ruins), Mill Street, Occoquan, Prince William County, VA HABS LC HERE
"About 1759 (with additions and alterations). Built for (first owner): John Ballendine who also operated a neariy iron foundry. After ten years of effort he sold out and moved to Little Falls where he operated a sawmill. Destroyed 1924. Significance: This appears to have been the structure owned in the late l8th century by Thomas Ellicott and developed by him into a mill of international fame. Ellicott improved upon the inventions of Oliver Evans, Millwright of Philadelphia, who assisted George Washington in the construction of the mill at Mount Vernon. Ellicott's mill had three water wheels and six pairs of stones and was oriented so that wheat could be delivered by ship or wagon. The description of his masterpiece appeared in the Repertory of Arts and Manufactures: from Transactions of the Philosophical Societies of All Nations, published in London, 1796. (Vol.IV, pp 319-328, with engraved plate). See also John Davis, Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America during~1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, and 1802. New York 1909."
Repertory of Arts and Manufactures: from Transactions of the Philosophical Societies of All Nations, published in London, 1796. (Vol.IV, pp 319-328, with engraved plate)
©2026 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD
No comments:
Post a Comment