Millmore Mill, Circa 1800, Hancock County

Located on historic Shoulderbone Creek at Georgia Highway 77, this landmark grist mill has had several names, including Harris’s Mill, Baxter’s Mill, Sparta Mill, and Millmore Mill. A mill at this location has served the community for over 200 years, though its early history is a bit unclear. The area was the site of an unofficial treaty between pioneer settlers and Creek Indians and an early village of Hancock County. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in Georgia.

I was thrilled to hear from Martha Harris, who writes: …I am a direct descendant and live one mile from “Harris’s Mill” up 77. My people built the current structure and owned it up until the 40’s, maybe, need to check my documents. Growing up as a child, we knew it as “Millmore Milling Company” owned by the Lovejoys…it was operating during my childhood from the 50’s till mid 70’s, I think or 80’s. Some of my reference material says that the original mill by the Baxter’s burned…

13 thoughts on “Millmore Mill, Circa 1800, Hancock County

  1. Bradford Electric

    I have posted some original blueprints of the Millmoore Milling Company’s James Leffel turbine water wheel installation in 1944 on my oldwoodward.com history site. You can e-mail me with any questions about the Woodward Governor Company’s water wheel governor applications.

    Reply
  2. marthaharris55

    This is Martha Harris, and I am a direct descendant and live one mile from “Harris’s Mill” up 77. My people built the current structure and owned it up until the 40’s, maybe, need to check my documents. Growing up as a child, we knew it as “Millmore Milling Company” owned by the Lovejoys…….it was operating during my childhood from the 50’s till mid 70’s, I think or 80’s. Some of my reference material says that the original mill by the Baxter’s burned, obviously and the current one is as was.

    Reply
    1. Brian Brown Post author

      Thank you so much for sharing, Martha. I’ve been unable to find much about this historic place and your memories add a lot to what I’ve learned. Please share if you can recall when it was rebuilt. That would be an important addition to the historical knowledge.

      Reply
    2. Donna Archer Parker

      Mrs Harris, I am also a descendant of a Harris family from Hancock Co. My 3rd g grandparents were William M Archer and Giddy Harris Archer. I have no info on her. Can you help? Thank you, Donna Archer Parker

      Reply
    3. Melinda M Cresap

      Hi, i’m doing my family history & they owned a lot of land along the Shoulderbone, beginning in 1795. They were McGiboney’s & according to census, lived next or near the Moore & Veazey & Alexander families, not far from Jerrill’s. I’m looking for the old McGiboney homestead. Do you have any info about that? Or know who I could contact in that area?

      Reply
  3. Merilyn Kaufmann

    This was part of an orig. grant for service in Rev. War to Samuel Harris from a Maryland regiment. See Houses of Hancock 1785-1865, by John Rozier. Harris descendants still reside in suburban Atlanta, GA.

    Reply
  4. Scarlett Sears

    Please contact me for updates related to Millmore Mill. It is not for sale, I am the owner. The original turbines have been refurbished and rebuilt and additional equipment has been added to now generate hydroelectricity.

    Reply
  5. Tommy Perkins

    I made a Polaroid photo of the mill a long time ago, around 1972 or 1973. It was painted black then and had a sign on the front “MILLMORE MILLING CO.” When was it painted the red color it now sports? Are there any photo’s, drawings or paintings of the early times? I painted it from the photo around 1980 or so.

    Reply

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