should keep scales and weights on hand for the ensurement of accurate measures.[1] In 1649, there were five water-mills in Virginia, four windmills, and a great number of horse, and hand mills.[2] Some years later, it became necessary to make the regulations adopted to secure accurate weights still more rigid, as there was a stronger disposition to disregard them. All grain received was to be carefully weighed, as well as all meal delivered. Stilyards or statute scales were to be used. A fine of one thousand pounds of tobacco was to be imposed in every instance in which there was an intentional failure to observe these requirements.[3] In 1667, the number of mills in the Colony was not sufficient to supply the needs of the population, and valuable inducements were offered to encourage their erection, these inducements being the same as those extended in the case of fulling mills at a later date, that is to say, if the person who wished to erect a mill was in possession of land lying only on one side of the stream upon which he proposed to build, he was granted the right to appropriate an acre on the other side, two commissioners being appointed by the court to appraise its value. The appropriation, however, was not permitted, and this, we have seen, was also the case in the instance of falling mills, if it involved the destruction of houses, orchards, and other conveniences.[4]
- ↑ Hening’s Statutes, vol. I, p. 347.
- ↑ New Description of Virginia, p. 5, Force’s Historical Tracts, vol. II. See also Records of York County, vol. 1684-1687, p. 12, Va. State Library. Henry Spratt, in 1688, owned two hand-mills and one horse-mill. See Records of Lower Norfolk County, original vol. 1686-1695, f. p. 95. Among the entries in the inventory of Ralph Wormeley’s estate were horse millstones. See Records of Middlesex County, original vol. 1693-1713, p. 124.
- ↑ Hening’s Statutes, vol. I, p. 485.
- ↑ Ibid., vol. II, p. 260.
