Part #8 This post includes the surnames of CUMMINGS, SHREVE, BETHELL, OAKLEY, MOORE, GALLOWAY Mill Sites in Simpsonville Township Rockingham Co. NC IRON WORKS Mill (site) is located on Troublesome Creek, NC State Road 2423, approximately 1.5 miles north of Monroeton. In operation as early as 1770. ************************************************************ After Michael P. CUMMINGS' death in 1893, the mill became the property of his son, William CUMMINGS. Around 1900 members of the MOORE family were millers at the Iron Works, and about that time Monroe MOORE lost a leg in the mill machinery. On 29 March 1905, William CUMMINGS sold the remaining 174 acre mill tract to Rawley GALLOWAY who was trustee for J.W. BETHELL. GALLOWAY as trustee was to receive "all personal property in and about the mill, fixtures, tools, except the bags and some new lumber on the mill yard." On 1 December 1905, J.W. BETHELL and Rawley GALLOWAY sold the mill tract to John R. "Beed" SHREVE for $4,200. The deed describes the Iron Works mill as a roller mill. A sketch of Iron Mill made during this period shows a large three story building with numerous windows. Immediately behind the mill stood a small brick building and adjoining was a shelter that contained a steam operated sawmill. According to tradition, this was not the original mill, as the first mill on the site had burned. Based on the sketch, it is difficult to determine the date of construction of this building. John R. SHREVE (1856-1942) was a merchant and farmer who lived in the Sharon Church Community two miles west of Iron Works Mill. He kept Adelaide Post Office in his store during this period. An article in a local newspaper (Reidsville Review) stated on 5 December 1905. "Mr J.R. SHREVES has purchased from Mr J.W. BETHELL, the Iron Works mill. Mr James OAKLEY will be placed in charge and will be prepared to turn out first class meal and flour. A saw mill is also operated in connection." In May 1906, the following appeared in the same newspaper, Reidsville Review. Messers OAKLEY and HOPKINS are running the Iron Works mills and are doing an immense amount of sawing." Jim A. SHREVE a son of John R. SHREVE, moved to Iron Works and took over the mill operations. Jim SHREVE later recalled that he and his father often kept the mill in operation twenty four hours a day from Monday morning until late Saturday night to take care of all the business. He stated that people came to the mill from as far away as Virginia. Sources: Rockingham Deeds Book 151 page 115 and Book 146 page 449 Carolina Collections Chapel Hill, NC Sketches by Henry Denny Dates from Shreve's tombstone in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetry. North Carolina Post Offices and Postmasters, 1830-1926 The Reidsville Review: December 5, 1905, May 22, 1906, March 13, 1859