In Their Own Words
August 30, 1739
Saw Mill Destroyed by Flood
William Stephens wrote of the destruction of a saw mill at Ebenezer by flood waters:
“…The frequent heavy Rains which had fallen this Summer, gave me sometimes fearful Apprehensions of great Damage ensuing: And the ill News we now received, shewed those Apprehensions not to be vain; for by a Letter from one Tyrrel, appointed Director of the Saw-Mill Work at Old Ebenezer, to Mr. Jones last Night, we were informed in few Words, that a great and uncommon Flood came down upon them, and had blown up the Mill; and therefore desiring some Direction as soon as possible might be sent, or given, what they must do. This was judged impossible without seeing it; wherefore it was proposed, that some of us should go up thither, and upon viewing it, give such Directions as we then found necessary…”
Source: Allen D. Candler, ed. The Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Vol. IV, Stephens’ Journal 1737-1740, Atlanta, GA, 1906, p. 402.
