Kings Mill
in
Franklin Township, New Jersey

Kings Mill

The Place that I think is the most historic is the King’s Mills Built in 1799.

In the early days it was known as “Twinings Mills,” and earlier possibly as another name-such as “Dilworth’s.” But by any name it had, the mills have been the leading feature as far back as anything definite can be learned about this small town. The deed of Thomas Twining, and his wife Sarah, to Joseph King, dated September 30, 1811 , express the mills, the mansion and considerable farm land for $ 10,666.67.

Twining is credited with having built a fulling mill here, but just where it was, or whether it ever became prosperous , history doesn’t tell us. He also said to have built the stone grist mill in 1799. This date is apparently correct, as is also the name of the builder, though some claim that King built it. This can scarcely be the case since he was not here till later day. This stone grist mill- probably not the first here-did a successful business for almost a century and then went in to retirement. It is still standing as a monument to past enterprise and to a dying industry.

King built the first oil mill here, in Franklin, two years after coming into possession of the property, and established the business of turning flax seed in to oil and “cake meal.” The original mill , being found by unsatisfactory for the growing business, a more extensive one was built on the same spot in 1827.

I picked the King’s Mills because I knew the last person who owned it, Ms. Lawson. She died two and a half years ago. If she hadn’t I would have asked her more about the mill. Her father was Albert Lawson and he bought the mills after it had been converted to a privet residence. Ms. Lawson was a nurse in World War 2 and died when she was 91. I think that this is the most historic place in Franklin Township because Ms. Lawson told me stories that were from a long time ago and they were about her family.

Tate
Spring, 2002

Kings Mill

Joseph King bought the property of Kings Mill in 1811. King built the mill in 1813. The mill turned flax seed into oil and cake meal. The mill used a trip hammer which is a heavy piece of wood which is approximately 10 feet long. The mill workers dropped it on bags of flax. It squeezed the oil between two presses of wood. This process became outdated and the mill was closed.

Jeff B.
Spring, 2000