Thought our list might enjoy reading about this item. I have MATTHEW FARFAN's permission to reprint here. JSR http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/millstone.html PIONEER MILLSTONE DISCOVERED IN ROCK ISLAND (November 12, 2004) By Matthew Farfan Rock Island, located on the Canada-U.S. border, was the site of one of the first grist mills in the Eastern Townships. In fact, the village, which is now a part of Stanstead, was once known as Kilborn's Mills. It was named after Charles Kilborn who built a gristmill and sawmill on the Tomifobia River after immigrating from New England in 1804. The spot Kilborn chose was ideal, since the flow of water at that location was extremely fast, due to the steep incline and the waterfalls further down. In time, a number of other mills and factories would be built along this short stretch of river, and Rock Island would evolve from a pioneer village into a booming industrial town. Recently, an interesting discovery was made at the historic Lee Farm property, on what is now town land. A large, well-worn millstone, measuring some six feet in diametre and made of solid local granite -- "Stanstead Grey", as it is called -- was unearthed at the site of an old barn slated for demolition. The stone at its new location in Banting-Holmes Park. (Photo: Matthew Farfan) As a testament to the village's origins, the municipality decided to save the stone and to place it in nearby Banting-Holmes Park, which is located on the Tomifobia River just upstream from the site of Rock Island's very first mill. It is not known how old the stone is, but it certainly dates to the 1800s. It may well be one of Kilborn's own, which could make it 200 years old. The town plans to install an interpretive plaque next to the stone, describing the history of mills in Rock Island and the purpose of millstones. Visitors will learn that millstones such as this one always came in pairs, and that untreated grain (grist) would be ground into flour between the two stones, which would be rotated simultaneously by means of either waterpower (see diagram, left), or a windmill (diagram, right). In the case of Rock Island's mill, a large water wheel, powered by the rushing current of the Tomifobia, would have supplied the necessary power to turn the stones. Millstones in operation. (Source: The Mill) ======================= VISIT THE WEBSITE: <http://www.quebecheritageweb.com/> www.QuebecHeritageWeb.com <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/> www.TownshipsHeritage.com Newsletter / Bulletin November 29, 2004 / 29 novembre 2004 (Vol. 3, No. 10) LINKS: <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Org/Museums/M_ecole.html> What’s New! http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Org/Museums/M_ecole.html Here are some new features (available in English) on Townships Heritage WebMagazine: Features: News & Events: Autoroute http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/autoroute.55.html 55 to Be Named after Inventor of Ski-Doo Historic http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/Hatleyhall.html Hatley Village Hall to be Restored The <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/sunshine.inish.2.html> Cripple of Inishmaan <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/sunshine.inish.2.html> at Arts <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/sunshine.inish.2.html> Knowlton Winter http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/uplands.winter.2004.html> Art Show at Uplands Pioneer <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Articles/News/millstone.html> Millstone Discovered in Rock Island And Don’t Forget Our <http://www.townshipsheritage.com/events.html> Calendar of Events!