Red Mills' Revolutionary War roots

In 1756, Col. Beverly Robinson and Col. Roger Morris constructed a grist mill near Lake Mahopac. Both men were married to Philips sisters whose family owned much of what is today Putnam County.

Robinson’s mill was constructed of red cedar and painted red, thus the name Red Mills, which identified the mill and the surrounding village.

It secured its water power from both Lake Mahopac and Kirk Lake.

In 1777, the Red Mill and its general store were seized by the Continental Army. Confiscated grains included bushels of wheat, Indian corn, oats, buckwheat and flour, along with 91 barrels of ham and beef and more than 1,000 pounds of butter, as well as flax, pearl ash and potash.

The mill and surrounding area were guarded by troops and local militia while provisions and grain from the mill were sent to the Continental Army’s storehouses at Continental Village in Philipstown, providing a significant resource for colonial troops and local militia.

The mill remained intact until 1881, when the land was purchased by New York City to secure its water supply.

Article courtesy of the Putnam County Historian's Office