Stauffer / Zartman Mill: 690 Old Pike. Lititz, PA

Above: The Zartman Mill as seen on Google Earth.

This grist mill on the Hammer Creek was built ca. 1775 by Christian Stauffer (1736-1808). This mill replaced an earlier mill built by Christian's father Jacob Stauffer (1713-1775) a Mennonite miller who had emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1732 from the Palatinate, Germany. Jacob had built that first mill by 1759.

Christian's mother was Magdalena Hess (ca. 1717-1784). Magdalena's brother, Jacob Hess (ca. 1706-1741) settled the Hess Homestead in 1734.

This miller, Christian Stauffer, married Anna Eby (1745-1826). Their son Peter Stauffer (1783-1851) became the miller, here, following in the footsteps of his father Christian. Edward L. Kreider owned the mill in 1864, and in 1899 it was owned by E. B. Brubaker. The mill was later known as Zartman's Mill. 

Satellite View: 

View this mill in a larger Google map.

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Zartman Mill Photo ca. 1905,

By Lititz Photographer Dillman Bomberger:

Above: Zartman Mill Glass Plate Negative: Private Collection.

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93 Receipts and Other Documents,

Dated 1760s to 1804,

of the Miller Christian Stauffer, Owner of this Stauffer / Zartman Mill:

These manuscripts provide a glimpse into the world of Christian Stauffer, the miller here here at the Stauffer / Zartman Mill. The most unusual items in this collection are six papers that confirm that Christian Stauffer chose not to serve in the Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolutionary War era.

The six papers are receipts for fines Christian paid for non-attendance at Militia drills and other military activities. The fines are date 1777 to 1798. During the Revolutionary War, and later, Mennonites typically paid fines as conscientious objectors, in accordance with their religious beliefs about war and violence. The final two receipts are for militia fines paid by Christian's son Peter, date 1804 and 1805.

Also included are a 1765 receipt for linseed oil and rum, a 1760s receipt for dry goods, Christian's tax receipts from the 1780s, a 1785 receipt for 47 bushels of wheat, a 1788 list of payments made by Christian, a 1790 receipt for a pair of mill stones from John Funk, receipts for bolting cloth used at the mill for sifting flour, a 1794 receipt for household items from Lancaster merchant Paul Zantzinger, receipts for house construction supplies, a receipt for rye and corn purchased by Speedwell Forge, a receipt for textiles and household items purchased from John Weidman, a list of children of Jacob Reist, son of Peter and Ann Reist, a list of funeral expenses of Magdalena Stauffer, etc. (Documents: Clarke Hess Collection)

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A ca. 1795 Wallpaper Document Box,

Owned by Christian Stauffer at the Stauffer / Zartman Mill:

This wallpaper box is inscribed on the lid "Samuel's Stauffer's Deeds." It contained the documents associated with Christian's brother Samuel Stauffer (1754-1825), a clockmaker in Manheim, Lancaster County. In 1794 Christian was appointed legal guardian of his brother Samuel, when the brother was declared mentally incompetent.

Christian acquired this box to hold his brother's papers, and inscribed with lid with the notation. The documents included receipts for Samuel's property in Manheim. The box is made of pressed board covered in hand-printed wallpaper. (Wallpaper box: Clarke Hess Collection)

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A ca. 1790 Tallcase Clock,

Inscribed "Samuel Stauffer / Manheim No. 51",

(Saumel was the brother of the Miller Christian Stauffer.)

This Germanic clock was made by Samuel Stauffer, who is also described above. Samuel crafted this clock with a 30-hour movement, a red-painted dial, and pewter chapter ring and spandrels. The walnut case was made by an anonymous cabinetmaker who probably lived in the town of Manheim. For more information about this important clockmaker see the book Mennonite Arts, by Clarke Hess, page 81. (Clock: Clarke Hess Collection)