The History Behind Township at Jennings Mill
Ruins of Jennings Mill, The ruins of Jennings Mill and the old mill wheel, probably taken about 1975. It is understood from the manager of the apartments on the property that many of the old stones were salvaged and used in constructing common grounds for the complex. The wheel is suppose to be relocated to a public spot somewhere in Athens.
Grandpa secured 3,000 acres of land in Clarke County, Georgia. He sold 1,000 acres to his Ruins of Jennings Millbrother-in-law William Eidson and 1,000 acres to his brother Robert and retained 1,000 acres for himself. McNut Creek ran through Grandpa’s estate. He built a large merchant grist mill, for flour and meal both. A merchant mill is one where they grind for toll. A customer brings his grain and gives a certain amount to the miller for his pay. The Miller takes his toll and sells it for his money.
Grandpa also had a tan yard where they tanned animals hides and converted them into leather. He had a brick yard to make brick, and a cotton gin. Of course all these machines were run by water from old McNut Creek from the old mill pond.
Almost two hundred years ago the Jennings family ran the “Jennings Mill” for generations to serve the Athens community. History lives on as the original dam still stands to this day protecting the putting green along with the pump house near the driving range at present-day Jennings Mill Country Club nearby.