Buckingham Mills: Baber Mill
Baber Mill, c. 1965, Courtesy Bernard Baber
Mills are always a favorite subject at Slate River Ramblings. And, like so many in Buckingham County, Baber Mill is no longer standing.
Thanks to Bernard Baber, great-grandson of C.S.A. veteran and mill owner Robert Lindsay Baber, here is a look at the ruins and site of Baber Mill as it existed c. 1965.
This map shows the approximate location of the once productive mill.
For more on the mill and the Baber family, enter Baber in the search box to the right and enjoy the results!
slate river ramblings . . . . 
This is so fascinating! Robert Lindsey Baber is my 3rd great grandfather. Thanks so much for all of your diligent research!
Amanda,
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you found your way to Slate River Ramblings.
Joanne
Yes. Henry St. George Harris’ land lay to the east of Baber Mill. It was the former John M. Harris property. At this time, his cousin, Norborne Harris was living closer to the mill.
Not only his neighbors, but men from throughout the James River and Slate River districts signed this appeal to keep R L Baber’s services during the war, excusing him from service. History tells us it did not prevail, for Robert Baber served valiantly for the 4th Va Calvary.
To the Honorable, Jas. A Seddon, Secretary of War,
We the undersigned neighbors and patrons of Baber Mills in the County of Buckingham & State of Va would respectfully represent that R. L. Baber having had his claim for exemption before the Board for this county refused & believing it was occasioned by his claim not being properly represented before the Board of exemptions.
Would respectfully ask that he be detailed or exempted for the following reasons. He is the owner of a grist & saw mill & has been giving them his constant personal attention for the last four years and in the event of his being taken away, said mills would be necessarily stopped. He has been doing the grinding & sawing for his neighborhood now almost exclusively for the last four years and that he has been furnishing the families of soldiers at his will with meal for the last two years at prices stipulated by the county court. His former application was as miller only.
We would further represent that the said Baber has a farm & three hands attached to his mills & generally produces a good deal of forage, etc for the government. And we further represent that he has a large family consisting of a wife and eight children, the oldest boy being only 13 years old. Should the prayer of your petitioners be granted, the said Baber is perfectly willing to cover notes bonds with sufficient sureties to furnish the provisions & his satisfaction to the Government & soldiers families as the law directs, as is duty bound will serve.
P.M. Jones L Bolling
J.R. Agee John R Layne
F N Maxey Marcellus Layne
Wm H Smith Ths Ferguson
Thos A Norvell Thos C. Tapscott
Joseph S. Moon Walter L Hamner
Jas. F. Hamner Eliza C. Tapscott
John H, Tapscott Hen. S. Layne
Jno. W. Brown H. St.Geo Harris
Norborne E Harris Geo W Maxey
William Dameron Saml H Duncan
____ ? P. R. Gantt
Geo. Baber M W Brown
Thomas Baber David Benton (Burton?)
We would state that R.L. Baber has been furnishing us with saddle tree timber for Cavalry Saddles and has agreed to furnish us with all that we may want, therefore we would respectively ask that he be detailed.
Brown, Venable & Co.
Gov. Contractor for Ordinance Defense
Howardsville, Va
May 19, 1864
Great document. Thanks!
Henry St,Geeorge Harris signed the document. Thanks