Mott Davenport Grist Mill, built C. 1798 at 72 Gristmill Road, Randolph NJ. Was built by Joshua Mott and his sons when they settled along Mill Brook and began operating this mill.
The fulling Mill in Mott Hollow was operator by Joshua Mott Senior and his son John. Located upstream from the grist, in it newly woven wool cloth was clean, shrunk, thicken and napped in order to make clother more serviceable. The final preparation of cloth was at accomplished only by the constant pounding and soaking provided by the heavy wooden mallets run off the water wheel of the mill. The carding of wool was not originally water powered it was located closer to grist Mill Road southwest of the carding Mill. There was tanyard also run by the Motts, which provided leather to the shoemaker shop.
By 1821 The Motts Mill was one of the only oil producing mills in Morris County. The purpose of an oil Mill was to grind flack seed to release the center of the kernel which after much pressing and squeezing became linseed oil. Linseed oil, a natural drying oil, was the primary ingredient and oil paints, use for all architectural purposes and for some decorative painting.
The Randolph Township Historic Geotrail tour project was developed between Randolph Township and The Northern New Jersey Cachers, NNJC.org who have partnered, volunteered their time, expertise and assistance and help develop and implement the Randolph History tour and Geotrail.
The Randolph Geotrail caches are placed with approval by Randolph Township Parks department, any new caches will only be allowed by first obtaining written permission by Randolph Township.
The Northern New Jersey Cachers, NNJC is about promoting a quality caching experience in Northern New Jersey. For information on The Northern New Jersey Cachers group you can visit: www.nnjc.org.
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