William Augustus Mills
Encyclopedia
William Augustus Mills was a Major General in the War of 1812
and early settler of Livingston County, New York
. Mills was born in New Bedford, Connecticut and came to the Genesee Valley
with his father. In 1794, he settled at Mount Morris, New York
. In 1801, he built a large log cabin on a brow overlooking the Genesee Valley to which he brought his new wife, Susanne Harris of Tioga Point, Pennsylvania, in 1802. As the family grew, he expanded the cabin and lived there quite comfortably until 1838, when the family moved to the new brick house known today as the Gen. William A. Mills House
.
Mills served in the War of 1812 where he reached the rank of Major General. He served during the defense of the Niagara frontier and commanded the New York militia from six counties. He was also well respected by the Native Americans of the Livingston County area who gave him the nickname "Big Kettle." The General served as a mediator between the Native Americans and white men of the area and was known for his generosity.
General Mills founded the town of Mount Morris in 1818 and the county of Livingston in 1821. He served as the first justice of the peace, then as town supervisor for 20 years. He gradually expanded his land holdings in the Genesee Valley to 1100 acres (4.5 km²). He helped finance the first dam along the Genesee River
in 1833 and built the raceway
from the river to the village of Mount Morris
for water power. He also organized the first militia
in the county, served as a director of the first Livingston County Bank, and was one of the organizers and first president of the Livingston County Agricultural Society. General Mills died in 1844.Many of his descendants still live in Mount Morris.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and early settler of Livingston County, New York
Livingston County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,328 people, 22,150 households, and 15,349 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 24,023 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
. Mills was born in New Bedford, Connecticut and came to the Genesee Valley
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
with his father. In 1794, he settled at Mount Morris, New York
Mount Morris (town), New York
Mount Morris is a town in Livingston County, New York, United States. The population was 4,567 at the 2000 census. The town and village were named after Robert Morris, the financier of the American Revolution....
. In 1801, he built a large log cabin on a brow overlooking the Genesee Valley to which he brought his new wife, Susanne Harris of Tioga Point, Pennsylvania, in 1802. As the family grew, he expanded the cabin and lived there quite comfortably until 1838, when the family moved to the new brick house known today as the Gen. William A. Mills House
Gen. William A. Mills House
Gen. William A. Mills House is a historic home located at Mount Morris in Livingston County, New York. Constructed in 1838, the Mills Homestead was the last home of Gen. William Augustus Mills , who was the founder and first permanent white settler of Mount Morris. It is a -story brick dwelling...
.
Mills served in the War of 1812 where he reached the rank of Major General. He served during the defense of the Niagara frontier and commanded the New York militia from six counties. He was also well respected by the Native Americans of the Livingston County area who gave him the nickname "Big Kettle." The General served as a mediator between the Native Americans and white men of the area and was known for his generosity.
General Mills founded the town of Mount Morris in 1818 and the county of Livingston in 1821. He served as the first justice of the peace, then as town supervisor for 20 years. He gradually expanded his land holdings in the Genesee Valley to 1100 acres (4.5 km²). He helped finance the first dam along the Genesee River
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
in 1833 and built the raceway
Raceway
Raceway may refer to:* Race track, a place where races are run or operated* In construction projects, a surface mounted wire moulding* A mill race, the current or channel of a stream...
from the river to the village of Mount Morris
Mount Morris (town), New York
Mount Morris is a town in Livingston County, New York, United States. The population was 4,567 at the 2000 census. The town and village were named after Robert Morris, the financier of the American Revolution....
for water power. He also organized the first militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
in the county, served as a director of the first Livingston County Bank, and was one of the organizers and first president of the Livingston County Agricultural Society. General Mills died in 1844.Many of his descendants still live in Mount Morris.