NEED HELP; Old Photos/History, Stone's/Jone's Mill, Fountain Inn, SC

Hello,

I am Carroll "Doug" Massey of Mauldin.  Some of you in the Gold Strip may be aware of the old Jone's Mill on Durbin Creek on Jones Mill Rd., just a couple of miles outside of Fountain Inn.  FI and its History Center are in the process of renovating the present mill that was built for Jesse K. Stone by slave labor before 1860.  It was known as Stone's Mill until Mr. Stone's death in 1899.  It was sold to R.B. Holland in 1899 then to the Jones family soon afterwards.  Walter T. Jones ground corn and wheat, ran a cotton gin, and operated a small grocery store there for many years.  It was a favorite family place over the years and shut down in the 1950's.

The original mill stones were installed in the mill sometime in the 1860's and then removed to install new stones in/around 1916.  Ironically my Grandfather helped renovate the Mill at that time and according to my Mother's writings, was given the top old mill stone.  Accordingly, my Mother, her 5 brothers and my grandparents all lived in the house adjacent to the Mill at that time.  Going forward, the mill stone has been in my family for approximately 96 years and now rests at my home in Mauldin.

As noted above, the mill is being evaluated for either a static or working renovation by FI and its History Center.  On Saturday, January 12, I met with the Director of the FI History Center, a well-known and respected Mill Expert, an Architect for the mill, and another representative from Greenville County Historical Scoiety.  They looked at, evaluated,,etc. the history of the stone and will now approach the Fountain Inn City Council regarding obtaining the stone.  

In an effort to assist them in the renovation of the Mill and it's history since 1916, I have chosen to write this article to determine if there are any of you who may have information and/or old photographs related to the Mill.  At the moment, the earliest and only photo of the Mill is around 1920, showing three men, some horses and two wagons in front of the Mill.  

I am seeking your help so that FI can put together as mush history and additional photographs as possible to adorn the Mill or the History Center.  I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you or your family members, review any old photos you may have, and listen to anything you can share about life, etc. around the old mill, especially if you have connections to the Stone / Jones families and the Mayfield family that lived in the house adjacent to the Mill.  It has also been learned that a covered bridge existed at the Mill in the past.  Anything you can share will be appreciated.

Thank you, Carroll "Doug" Massey, Mauldin.