I02 THE SYCAMORE MILL. 



existence well on into the latter part of the " sixties," when 

 it finally dissolved. The letter of Minshall Painter, above 

 referred to, indicates that the Union Library Company, at the 

 time of writing, was at the point of disbanding. Its last 

 days were sad ones, as history has it that it was distrained 

 upon for rent during the time that Joseph D. Velotte owned 

 the property. A public sale of the books was held in the 

 building of the Institute of Science, in Media, shortly after 

 the latter society erected its new home here. 



Many of the books of the old Library came into the pos- 

 session of the Institute by purchase or donation, and some of 

 the books are still on the shelves of the latter institution. Dr. 

 George Smith, in his " History of Delaware County," writing 

 about 1862, gives the Union Library, among others, as con- 

 taining 1400 volumes, while the Institute of Science in the 

 same year is credited with only 1000 volumes. 



The views accompanying this article are explained by 

 their respective legends. To aid in properly orienting the 

 pictures it may be mentioned that the creek at this point runs 

 in a general southeastwardly direction, the old mill ruins and 

 the majority of the buildings being on the northeast bank. 



The majority of the photographs for the illustration of 

 this article were furnished In- Mr. Battles, and it is through 

 his kindness that the Institute is enabled to reproduce them 

 herewith. 



Despite diligent search, the Institute has been able to obtain 

 but one view *)f the mill as it was before its destruction. This 

 is a photograph of modern times, taken by Dr. W. T. W. 

 Dickeson, of Media, who has kindly furnished a cop\' for 

 reproduction. 



REMINISCENT. 



The foregoing comprises, so far as the information is avail- 

 able, what may be termed the formal histoiy of the Upper 

 Providence Mill and its surroundings. There still remain, 

 however, many personal reminiscences of those who knew the 



