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Special thanks too many who assisted in the moving of the pole to its present site, and to Scollard Design Build of Coldwater for their assistance in the installation.
For further information visit our web site at www.coldwatermill.com or e-mail cmhf@rogers.com.
Phone: Laurie 686 3065
The
Coldwater Grist Mill
This Landmark Grist Mill was constructed in 1833-34 for the Ojibwa natives who had been settled on 3969 hectares (9800 acres) between the Coldwater River and the Narrows at Orillia on the western side of Lake Couchiching.
We start restoration by removing the old siding
In 1830 Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada created the Reserve upon which some 500 native people were settled. This was following a battle in which the natives had helped defend York, now Toronto from the Americans.
The native leaders were Chief John Assance, William Muskuakie (Yellowhead) and Joseph Snake.
The original siding was board & batten
By 1831 a good start had been made on farming in the area and some five hundred bushels (17,500 litres) of grain had been harvested and it was evident that it was of little use unless a Grist Mill was established in the area.
Jackposts are used to support the Mill during replacement of footings and beams
A master carpenter named Bell prepared the estimates for the construction of the Grist Mill for the Department of Indian Affairs, based on plans provided by George Philpotts of the
Royal Engineers in 1831.
The original fieldstone footings are replaced with concrete
The Grist Mill was to be 13.5 meters by 8.4 meters (45 feet by 28 feet) with three storeys 2.7 meters, 3.6 meters, and 1.5 meters, (nine feet, 12 feet, and five feet on a 1.5-meter (five-foot) foundation. Consisting of five bents using .3 by .3 meters (12 inch by 12 inch) timbers with 3.6 meters and 4.2 meters (12 foot and 14 foot beams.
New concrete will be overlaid with wood
In the winter of 1831 and 1832 the heavy equipment was purchased and moved to Coldwater as travel with such materials was easier in winter. By March of 1832 two sets of 1.35 meter, (four foot) French buhrstones, and the mill irons had arrived.
The sawmill was built first and the timbers for the Gristmill were prepared, however excavations for the dam and millrace went very slowly.
Steel I beams replace the 12 x 12 wood beams
used in the original construction
Now ready to go with construction of the mill Lieutenant James Givens, Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Upper Canada, refused to provide funds for construction.
160 + years have taken their toll
on the beams and foundation
In the end the natives who were desperate for the mill agreed the 800 pound cost of constructing the mill be deducted from their 1200 pound land money in 1833. They reduced the specifications lowering the costs and work began in early May 1833.
Volunteers play a large part in the restoration
The mill was constructed under the supervision of a man named Anderson, the foreman was Jacob Gill and the Millwright was Henry Hodgson. The Grist Mill was built entirely with Native money. Givens also charged them for the millstones and irons sent up the year before.
The Mill was waterpowered until 1954
The sluiceway directed the flow to the turbines
The building was completed by the end of August and varied from the original specifications. It was 14.4 meters by 8.4 meters (forty-eight feet by 28 feet) and two storeys and there were six bents rather then five.
An additional 400 pounds was required the finish the mill and it was taken from the natives allotment in 1834.
Fieldstone foundation walls and 12 X 12 timbers
supported the mill
AS THE MILL LOOKS TODAY
Please note: Facts and details of this article are taken from a book entitled “MILLS AND VILLAGES OF SEVERN TOWNSHIP” by James T. Angus. The above material has been assembled by Robert (Bob F.J. Shannon.)
Photos by James T. Angus
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