In Montville
Township, just at the junction of River Road and Church Lane are
the remains of the stone foundations of Josiah Zabriskie’s
Gristmill.
The exact date of
the construction of the gristmill is unknown, but it already
existed on property when it was purchased in 1781. It is probable
that the construction occurred around 1760. The mill was a small
structure with two runs of stones and an undershot water wheel
powered by the Rockaway River. The force of the running river
turned a paddle wheel which rotated a large mill-stone on a
bed-stone, and was used to grind grain into flour.
Just across the
road from the mill was the home of Zabriskie family.
Today, all that
remains of the gristmill are some of the stones of the foundation
of the mill and the support for the water wheel. The old dirt roads
are now paved streets. Across the road from the remains of the mill
are the former Montville Township municipal building, the local
animal shelter, some ball fields, and the local recycling center.
The house on the corner River Road and Church Lane may well be home
of the Zabriskie family.
In order to
preserve this 250 year-old historic site, the cache is NOT located
in or on the stone foundations. Please be respectful and do not
remove or disturb any components of the structure. Enjoy the
history!