Joshua and Perry Clarke’s gristmill and sawmill, powered by an undershot waterwheel, were about to undergo major technological changes…
Ready for change…
Perry’s son Simeon Perry Clark (1819-1887). He would drop the “e” from Clarke.
Simeon Perry Clark..
Across the river the water rights had been partially owned by the Hoxie Family for generations…
Anne Hoxie’s home
Hoxie Homestead
An agreement signed in 1848 with the Hoxie family gave Simeon enough rights to allow him to expand his business plans…
Now a new dam could be constructed…
Simeon Clark had the Horseshoe Falls built to help power the future…
Would provide power for generations….
Ready for expansion….
Sun rising on a new era…
Iron Bridge over the Pawcatuck River…
New engineering…
Construction…
Forebay…
Spillway…
The Original Stone Mill
Built in 1848…
Anne Hoxie: “Opposite the gristmill there was a little old store. It always looked lonesome to me as if waiting for its customers to return. It had outlived its day like many human beings. There were two old stone mills wheels that for years leaned up against the corner of the building. They had done their work, also, and rested from their labors. How they had gone round and round! Life was just one long grind for them until the end came. Think of the mouths they helped to fill! Someone carried off the mill wheels at last and I hope they rest in an honored niche somewhere.. Adjoining the store was a horse shed. Everyone who came to the gristmill as the store, had a place to stable his horse. Folks were not in a hurry in those days and probably stayed all day. Here, in the bend of the road was a spring. For several generations it gave refreshment to man and beast alike.”
Powerhouse with waterwheel in foreground…
Newly constructed…
Finely appointed…
Rear view….
Rear view looking from West…
Proud and happy days….
Simeon Perry Clark had helped to usher in a new age in the Village…
Simeon had a new home built for his family….
Home still standing…
Notable picket fence…
7th, 8th, and 9th Generation since Dr. Clarke and his brother Joseph arrived in the New World in 1638…what would be next?