Lower Chichester Township Mills - About the year 1750, a grist mill was erected on Chichester creek, at what is now Trainer's Station, John Price then owning the land. In 1790 his son Samuel owned the mill, which was operated by George Pearson. In 1806 David Trainer purchased the grist mill, and in 1811 John R. Price built a saw mill near by on his father's estate, which he later sold to David Trainer, who with his partner, Gideon Jacques, operated both the grist and saw mills. It was to accommodate the rafting of logs to this saw mill that the Act of Assembly was passed March 24, 1817, which declared Lower Chichester creek "from the mouth thereof up the same to the mill of David Trainer and Gideon Jacques be and the same is declared a public highway for the passage of rafts, boats and other vessels." In 1837 the old grist mill was changed into a cotton factory and enlarged. This was operated by David (2) Trainer and John (2) Hastings until 1842, when the failure of a commission house, largely in their debt, caused a dissolution, Mr. Trainer, however, continuing the business, but under very discouraging circumstances. In 1846 he exhibited at the National Fair in Washington, receiving special notice for the excellence of his goods. In 1849 he became owner of the mills by inheritance from his father, David (1) Trainer, and was engaged in prosperous business until October 13, 1851, when an incendiary fire swept away property to the value of $50,000, on which an insurance of only $18,000 was carried. He at once rebuilt, and by August 1, 1852, the old mill had been replaced by a much larger building, filled with new and improved machinery. In 1865 he enlarged his mill, and in 1869 erected mill No. 2, followed in 1873 by the erection of mill No. 3, and the firm, enlarged by the admission of his sons, became David Trainer & Sons. In 1878, at the Paris Exposition, they were awarded a bronze medal for the superiority of the tickings made at their mills. This has ever been one of the well known successful manufacturing plants of Lower Chichester.
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