This mill was one of the oldest in Whitpain Township.
History
In 1742, John Phillips of Wales purchased 140 acres in the Washington district of Whitpain Township, located along Township Line Road, just south of Stony Creek and North Wales Road. He paid 150 pounds sterling, about $38,099 in today's dollars. Between 1746 and 1747, he built a home and grist mill. In 1751, he sold his property to fellow Welshman Jesse Morgan. In 1762, either Valentine Shearer or John Robinson built a one-story, stone house on the west side of Stony Creek. It's unclear who later built the stone barn in 1776. Valentine found the old home insufficient and built a two-story stone home in 1799. Years later, it become the home of the Custer family.
Reverend Henry Geisenheimer purchased the property in 1810. He went bankrupt in 1821 and his property was seized by Sheriff Phillip Sellers. The property was then sold to Reverend George Wack (1776-1856). The mill became known as Wack's mill. He was responsible for building the eastern end of the stone mill.
In 1846, Rev. Wack sold 64 acres to Herman Custer (1788-1871) for $2,700 ($105,838 in today's dollars). He would then pass the property on to his son, Philip B. Custer (1821-1900). Rev. Wack sold the mill and 22 acres in 1852 to George Erb (1821-1901), a miller from Gwynedd. It then became known as Erb's Mill. He sold his property in 1876, but it came back into his possession in 1891.
After George died, his daughter Mary Erb (1847-1933) owned the property. According to his will, he gave $300 to his great-granddaughter Mary Farrington and to his three grandchildren: Frank, Mahlon, Kate, and Ellen.
Bibliography
Franklin Survey Co. Atlas: Montgomery County 1935 Vol B, Plate 8, 1935.
Hopkins, G.M. Atlas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Page 031, 1871.
"Local History Sketch. Interesting Local Matter Collected by 'E.M.' The Old Mill at Custer--Its Building by John Phillips--Valentine Shearer--Rev. George Wack--The Custer Farm--Rev. Henry Geisenheimer." Ambler Gazette. December 17, 1908. Page 7. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_4496.
Morris, William E, and Smith & Wistar. Map of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: from original surveys. [Philadelphia: Smith & Wistar, 1849] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012590207/.
Smith, J. L. Montgomery County 1893, Whitpain and Worcester Townships, Bethel Hill, Fairview, Cedar Hill, Washington Square, Broad Axe Left, 1893.
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