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About 1820, James and John Hazen built a mill on the Connoquenessing Creek. Patents were granted to Issac Hazen by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on a tract of land in North Sewickley Twp., containing three hundred ninety three acres. The Grant, however, makes no mention of the Creek. October 1, 1807, Issac and his wife Mary conveyed ninety seven acres of this land to Andrew Nye, with no mention of a mill or creek. December 11, 1811, Andrew Nye and Rachel, his wife, deeded the ninety seven acres to James and John Hazen. During the four years, Andrew Nye had built a house on the land since the deed mentions building, barns, stables, wood, but no stream.
James and John Hazen owned the land for about twenty four years, 18111835, and during that time the mill and dam were built by them. April 7,1835, James and John Hazen, their Wives, Jurusha and Rebecca, conveyed fourteen acres for the site of the mill. James Hazen retained the land at the left end of the dam. On April 7,1835 to March 20, 1845, the ground changed hands. On the last mentioned date the fourteen acres were owned by John Latshaw of Butler County and Abraham Latshaw of Franklin Twp. These last two named men sold the land for $3000.00 to William Gile and William Mellon. They were not able to hold it, and at a sheriffs sale, was sold to Thomas Mellon, Dec. 12,1860. On April 14, 1862, the land was sold by Thomas Mellon to Edward Pierce and John W. Wilson.
In 1865, Pierce and Wilson sold to Jos. Hazen and William Mellon. In 1868, Mellon sold his undivided half to Absolom R. Hazen. In 1870, Hazen sold to Robert C. Aiken and Alexander Gardner. On April 1, 1870, these two sold the undivided half to Jos. Hazen. Hazen purchased the other half on April 1, 1871, coming into ownership of the entire property. He then, probably began to operate the mill that was 60 years old. Joseph Hazen ran this mill for about twenty years, when it was taken over by Enoch Hazen.
The land changed hands several times again, being owned by James N. McBride, George Walker, who left it to his heirs, Samuel, Henry, and John Walker, who sold it in 1918 to A C. Miller of Franklin Township. Miller made improvements, adding new machinery until August, 1926, when the property was sold to the Circle Lumber Company and W. J. Vance. When the Zelienople, Ellwood Rd. was paved, the location of the bridge was changed to a position nearer the dam, and very soon after the old dam was carried away in one of the Connoquenessing floods. This ended the career of the old mill, which had depended upon the dam for its power. Soon the race seemed a part of the creek, the old water wheels were covered with mud and the song of the mill was stilled forever.
Arthur Milnes purchased the old mill in June, 1932. It was razed later in the summer, and during the razing one of the old stones fell into the creek where it was left, the only reminder of the mill.
Hazen's saw mill was located on the east bank of the Connoquenessing Creek, just south of the grist mill. It was operated by Joseph Hazen, who manufactured coffins principally, although other articles of wood were produced. Contrary to general opinion, it was stated by Miss Carrie Hazen that most of the woodwork was done in a small shop at the rear of his home, on the opposite side of the creek instead of at the saw mill. The lumber, however, was sawed at the mill.
Simon P. Fisher, founder of Frisco, had a saw mill and a gun works at the west end of Hazen dam. He was permitted by deed to operate his mill by use of the dam overflow. This arrangement, however, was not satisfactory and led to many disputes in and out of court.
SECOND ORRIN NEWTON MILL The second Orrin Newton mill was built about 1824 on the north side of the Connoquenessing Creek at the foot of Fourth Street, just above the old covered bridge between Hazel Dell and Ellwood City. It was of long construction and contained one run of "Country Stone." In 1834, Jordan M. Nye purchased and operated the mill until 1840, when it was burned through the carelessness of persons who were fishing along the creek.
During North Sewickley's early years, many coal mines were in operation. They included the Solomon Marcus Coal Co., Bennett's Run Road; Kinsley Mine, Snyder Bros., Bennett's Run Road; Kuglic Bros., Bologne Valley; Douglass Bros., Route 65.