A Brief History of Nankin Mills (and a few other nearby mills)
Livonia Township, Wayne County, Michigan

Located on present day Hines Drive, just east of Ann Arbor Trail in Westland, Michigan

For more information on Samuel hardenbergh and his interest in Nankin Mill, Plymouth Mill and the Phoenix Mills

In July 1819, James Parmalee bought land from Henry Hunt in order to build a mill. Those holdings were sold to General John E. Schwartz in 1831. In 1835, Noah Hull, agent for General John E. Schwartz, commenced to build a flouring mill in the present site of Nankin Mills. He hewed the timber and raised part of the frame, but after a few weeks work was abandoned. The work resumed in 1841 under the superintendence of Rufus Swift, of St. Clair.[1] Shortly after that, Nankin Mill was bought by Luther Dean and began operation in February 1842. The mill may have been destroyed by fire in 1843. According to folklore, the first mill was burned down due to its use as part of the Underground Railroad. The local abolitionist, Marcus Swift, had his house burned down in 1843, and the mill was supposed to have burned down around the same time, though it may have happened at a later date. It may have been about this time that Luther took on a partner - Samuel Hardenbergh - who became a half owner of the mill; their business was known as "Dean & Hardenbergh".

Construction of a second mill began in 1848 by Samuel Hardenbergh and Luther's son, William Day Dean. By the first of August, 1849, William Dean, was living in the home of Samuel Hardenbergh, while working at the mill.[3]

The 1850 census lists Samuel as a Miller with real estate valued at $4,000 and Luther is listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $4,000.

1850 U.S. Federal Census: Nankin, Wayne Co., Michigan, Reel 355, p.345R
Samuel Hardenburgh 30 M W Miller NY
Julia Hardenburgh 26 F W Ny
Silas Hardenburgh 2 M W MI
Peter Hardenburgh 26 M W NY
William Dean 22 M W NY
Lydia Joy 13 F W NY

On Christmas Day, 1850, Luther Dean died at the age of 47 without writing a will; over the next two years much of his property was sold off to pay his debts, including his undivided half of the Nankin Mill property which was valued at $1140.00.[2] On March 9, 1852, William Dean was paid $970.75 from his father's estate for "Labor & services rendered to deceased in & about his grist mill in Nankin Called Nankin Mills Since 1st day of August 1849 - & also for work & labor on said mill for said estate to this day". He also inherited a little land and some other money. William continued to work at the mill until later in the Spring of 1852 when he left for Sacramento during the California Gold Rush. While he was in the West, the following article was published on October 18, 1852 in the 'Detroit Free Press':

It appears that William arranged for someone to bid on his behalf at the auction while he was in California. Luther Dean's undivided half of the Nankin Mill property was sold at the auction to his son, William D. Dean for $1502.00. The Estate administrators informed the Probate Court of the sale and described the land as, "...one undivided half of the Nankin Mill and lot....

In the summer of 1854 William Dean returned from California. I suspect that William traveled to California with Lydia's father and brother, Bennett Joy Sr. and Bennett Joy Jr. as well as others. The party drove a team across the plains to Sacramento. On the return trip they probably sailed from San Francisco to New York, via Panama, and then returned to Livonia. Bennett Joy Jr. did not return - he died January 23, 1853. On September 14, 1854 William Day Dean and Lydia Joy (sister of Julia Joy Hardenbergh) were married at the Hardenbergh home in Nankin there on the mill property. Their first three children born in 1855, 1857 & 1858 were born in Plymouth Twp. William's son Herbert Dean wrote that his father moved the family to Nankin Mills a few years after Herbert's birth in 1858 and that was where Herbert grew up.[6]

1860 Census, MI, Wayne co., Plymouth Twp. Reel 564, p.465
Samuel Hardenburgh 39 Miller 15000/5000 NY
Julia " 33
Iness " 2
Asa Joy 20
Warren Stockwell 10

In 1860 Samuel Hardenbergh's real estate was valued at $15000. Living at his home in addition to his wife and daughter were his brother-in-law, Asa Joy, and wife's nephew, Warren Stockwell. Also that year, William Dean was enumerated in Plymouth Twp. as a Teamster with Real Estate valued at only $700. Also living at his home was his brother-in-law, James Joy. Had William sold his 1/2 of Nankin Mill by this time? William Dean must have sold his half of the Mill to Samuel Hardenbergh or someone who in turn sold the property to Samuel sometime before 1874 and possibly prior to the 1860 census.

The Joy brothers, Asa, Samuel & James, were brothers-in-law to both Samuel Hardenbergh and William Day Dean since Samuel and William married Joy sisters. Both Asa and Samuel were in the 24th Michigan Infantry and badly wounded at Gettysburgh. Asa's obit from an unknown Plymouth area newspaper, 1915, reads: "...He was mustered out of service on August 1, 1863. Upon his return to Michigan he engaged in the trade of a miller, following this work for many years, and in later years maintaining his interest in it...."

In 1862 William was probably working at Nankin Mill as his son Ernest was born there in April of that year. During the Civil War years of 1862 and 1863 work focused on the construction of the mill building which can still be seen today. This second Nankin Mill was said to have opened the same day that Lincoln gave his Gettysburgh address on November 19, 1863. William Dean's son George was born at Nankin Mills in February 1866. By 1868 William was operating a grocery in the town of Wayne. William's son Bennett recorded in his diary that his father ran Nankin Mills "as owner" for about 15 years.⁴  

"Hartenburg's Mills"  [Northville Record 9/25/1869; This is a newspaper article that I have not seen yet. If you have access to the Northville Record on microfilm and would be willing to look this up -- please let me know]

In 1870 Samuel Hardenbergh, age 50, was a "Manufacturer of Flour" with Real Estate valued at $50,000 and his wife, Julia [Joy] Hardenbergh was 44 years old. In addition to the other family living at the Hardenbergh home was Julia's nephew Warren Stockwell, age 19, "Book Keeper".

Dwelling 523: Samuel Joy, age 28, "Miller" $6,600
Dwelling 526: Wm Day Dean, age 43, "Miller" $6000
Dwelling 204: Asa Joy, age 30, "Works in Grist Mill" $3,500
Dwelling 222: Samuel Hardenbergh, age 50, "Manufacturer of Flour" $50,000

1870 Census, Plymouth Twp., Wayne Co., MI, p.308R, Dwelling 222, family 231
Hardenbergh, Sam'l 50 M W Manufacturer of Flour $50,000 / $16,160 NY
" Julia 44 F W Keeping Houser NY
" Samuel 5 M W - Mich
Seharina, Anna 12 F W Attending School Mich
Stockwell, Warren 19 M W Book Keeper - / 100 Mich
Brincley, Ida 18 F W Domestic Servent Canada

1870 U.S. Federal Census: Nankin, Wayne Co., Michigan, enumerated June 29, p.291, #526, #526
Dean, Wm Day 43 M W Miller $6000 $1400 NY
Dean, Lydia 32 F W Keeping House -- -- NY
Dean, Herbert 11 M W Attending School -- -- MI
Dean, Ernest 7 M W -- -- -- MI
Dean, George 5 M W -- -- -- MI
Dean, Bennett 2 M W -- -- -- MI
Davenport, Lucinda 48 F W Domestic Servent -- -- MI

1870 Fire -- "A Fire in Plymouth. A fire took place in lower Plymouth village Saturday June 4th., by which Mr. S. Hardenburgh, the miller lost three barns, considerable hay, and some farming utensils among which were three reapers and mowers. One horse and buggy, belonging to a friend visiting, was also consumed. The fire originated from some little boys putting lighted matches to the hay, and then attempting to put it out, in which for a while they were successful. A dweling house 12 feet distant was with difficulty saved by the strenuous efforts of the citizens, among the number, Mr. Pooler and Mr. Mathews who are deserving of much credit, having stood between the dwelling and barns when the heat was so intense, that ever alternate pail of water had to be poured over them. Loss $2,000. Insured for $300."   [Northville Record 6/11/1870, p.3]

[Sam Hardenbergh] "Bought land from D. E. Mathews and building Mill"
HARDENBURGH, S. - (PAST OWNER OF BUSINESS) [Northville Record 4/15/1871 -04-03]
[Northville Record 4/15/1871; This is a newspaper article that I have not seen yet. If you have access to the Northville Record on microfilm and would be willing to look this up -- please let me know]

"Changed Hands -- The old Hardenbergh Flouring Mill, in lower Plymouth, of late conducted by H. E. Peters & Sons, changed hands on New Year's day, coming into possession of Homer H. Peters. The new proprietor has hitherto had the business management of the Mill, and although apparently young for such a responsibility, has got the go-a-head spirit in him, which combined with experience, will ensure prosperity in this enterprise. We wish our young friend every manner of success." [Northville Record, January 13, 1872, p.3]

"While on the D. L. & L. M. road to Detroit last week, we were pleased to come across our old subscriber Mr. Samuel Hardenburgh, of Plymouth. He has had a severe time of it since being prostrated by sickness. Though he is looking quite thin he is able to be out of doors and thinks himself improving gradually. His new Mill, lately built on the site of the Mathew's Mill, is a noble looking structure and cost in its erection over $14,000." [Northville Record 4/27/1872]

Samuel Hardenbergh died of consumption on January 4, 1874 at Plymouth, Wayne Co., MI. GENDIS says that he was married, 53 years of age, born NY, a Miller, parents names not recorded.

"The funeral services of Samuel Hardenberg, took place at the Baptist Church, at 10:30 A.M. Jan. 6th., Rev. J. M. Gelston officiating. A large concourse of people assembled, to pay the last tribute of respect to one, who has long been known, and respected as a business man, and a citizen. He was buried under the auspices of the 'Odd Fellow Fraternity.'" [Northville Record, 1/17/1874]

Hardenburgh Mill [Northville Record 9/21/1878 & 11/30/1878; These are two newspaper articles that I have not seen yet. If you have access to the Northville Record on microfilm and would be willing to look this up -- please let me know]

According to the "Northville Record", 5/3/1879--"The Joy Bros. have put a patent puritor in their mill, and are now prepared to make the best quality of patent process flour." -- Does this refer to Asa and Samuel? Does it refer to Nankin Mill, Phoenix Mill or other Mill? Probably not - What Mill were they working at?

1880 U.S. Federal Census: Plymouth, Wayne Co., MI, p.303D, LDS Film #1254610
Asa Joy Self M Male W 40 MI Miller MI MI
Helen Joy Wife M Fem W 37 MI Keeping House CT CT
Eva S. Joy Dau S Fem W 13 MI At School MI MI
Mary Joy Dau S Fem W 8 MI -- MI MI
Maggie Joy Dau S Fem W 2 MI -- MI MI

1880 U.S. Federal Census: Plymouth, Wayne Co., MI, p.303D, LDS Film #1254610
Samuel Joy Self M Male W 37 MI Miller & Farmer MA NY
Olivia L. Joy Wife M Fem W 34 MI Keeping House VT VT
Mary M. Joy Dau S Fem W 13 MI At School MI MI
Fred D. Joy Son S Male W 6 MI -- MI MI

In 1880 Appolos Cudworth (son of Mary Joy Cudworth, newphew of Samuel Hardenbergh, William Dean, Asa Joy, etc.) was working at a mill.:
1880 Census: Plymouth, Wayne, Michigan
Apollos Cudworth, 21, miller, MI
Hattie Cudworth, 21, MI
Earl cudworth 4months, MI
1880 Census

1880 Census: Plymouth, Wayne, Michigan; National Archives Film T9-0610, Page 314A
Julia A. Hardenbery Self F W W 53 NY Occ: Keeping House Fa: MA Mo: MA
Samuel J. Hardenbery [Hardenbergh] Son M S W 15 MI Occ: At School Fa: NY Mo: NY

1880 U.S. Federal Census: Nankin, Wayne Co., Michigan, #101/108
Dean, William Day, 51, head, Miller, b. New York, parents b. New York
____, Lydia, 48, wife, house keeper, b. New York, parents b. Mass
____, Herbert, 21, son, Miller, b. Michigan
____, Ernest A., 15, son, farm laborer, b. Michigan
____, George B., 14, son, b. Michigan\
____, Bennett, 12, son, b. Michigan
____, Helen E., 7, daughter, b. Michigan
____, Bessie E., 1, daughter- adopted, b. Michigan, father b. new York, mother b. Michigan.

Samuel Hardenbergh's son, Samuel J., sold a mill to Isaac Lewis in 1887. Mr. Lewis replaced the water wheel with a turbine. In 1897 Isaac Lewis sold the mill to his son Ransom Lewis, who installed rollers to replace the mill stones.

Dean Family Photo c.1899
of nearby Phoenix Mill which burned in 1905

The dam washed out in 1904 and the mill was closed until 1909. George Middleton owned the mill from 1915 to 1917 and sold it to Floyd Bassett. In 1918 Henry Ford bought it from Bassett and remodeled the mill in the 1920's to be used as a factory and a source of electricity.

Dean Family Photos of Nankin Mill c.1925

William D. Dean's granddaughters,
June & Louise Dean
outside the Mill in 1925

Clara Ford deeded the mill over to the Wayne County Road Commissioners to be incorporated into Hines Park in the 1940's.

More recently, Nankin Mills Nature Center has served the public as a Natural History Museum. The Mill building was reopened in January 2001 as a Museum and interpretive center.