Saturday, January 19, 2008

Mills?

Just a brief note, having just returned home from a talk that I gave on mills. The Historical Society of Carroll County asked me to speak on the subject and the Maryland Humanities Council co-sponsored the event. The crowd--about 200--was great.

There were many questions about technology and such, and it all made me realize that we have not yet broached the question of milling in the Port Tobacco drainage. Sure, there would have been flour mills grinding local grain into flour for local use, but what about bakeries preparing hardtack for outward bound ships in the 18th century? Did the local mills supply them and, indirectly, the tobacco fleet?

So there it is, on the list of things we will eventually research and, no doubt, to which we will find answers outside of the narrow limits of the town.

Jim

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