George Washington's Gristmill

Steve Bashore, the Master Miller at Mount Vernon, speaks with Rob Grassi about the history and role of French Burr stones in colonial mills. The two also discuss how these important stones were maintained and kept sharp. Learn more about the Gristmill at Mount Vernon at Mountvernon.org/gristmill.

[@MirahCarter]

Love the fact ya'll are keeping good care of our General's farm and his properties. Well done.

[@NsXy]

Mirah Harrison he was a slave owner tho no?

[@NeTxGrl]

Yup, thankful that his estate is being maintained.

[@the_old_young_man]

Great !

[@ArnaGSmith]

Fantastic!

[@mikewurlitzer5217]

Fantastic information. Question is the reasons for French stone: 1) The actual stone is harder 2) The French craftsmen at the time were the most experienced 3) Or, the anything not from here is better?

[@mountvernon]

Thank you for your questions! Our director of historic trades answered them and wrote the following: The French buhrstone was discovered, first used in France as early as the 1300s. The French water quartz is the hardest stone, and therefore was quarried for French mills. The quality and results from using this type of stone was apparent to early millers, and so its reputation (almost like branding today) spread, and soon it was being exported. The first reference to a French buhrstone being exported to England is the year 1372. The French millstone makers were very skilled, but so where others in other countries. The point was this type of quartz from the Marne River was found to have the premium qualities for grinding wheat into very fine flour. The main quarries were at La Ferte sous Jouarre: www.elve.net/mol/laferte.htm The exports extended to the new world and thousands were brought into America. Washington and most mill owners or millers knew very well their quality. The small holes, or tiny pits in the stone face of the French buhrstones, allowed for some airflow during the grinding process, so the flour would not heat up as much during milling. The rough edges of these pits, along with the cut furrows (obviously, the furrows cut by the miller in the grinding face of each stone were more key for grinding), but these edges of the tiny holes did provide some additional cutting surface. These qualities made the French stones sought after and therefore used throughout the colonies and in America, and imports continued into the early 20th century, when the quarries fell into disuses as milling techniques changed over to the roller mills. Other good sources of similar stone was found in Georgia, USA, and also in Ohio, where chert was available.

[@mikewurlitzer5217]

@@mountvernon WOW! Thank you for that detailed and highly informative response. It is fantastic we still have people who take the time to research and retain such information and are willing to share. We certainly enjoyed our visit to the mill this summer. Thanks again!