THK FLOOD OF 1843. 



( Concluded. ) 



It has already l)een Dhserved that the Brandywine was not 

 much raisetl. One of its triliutaries, however, partly within 

 the borders of this county, was raised to an inordinate height, 

 and was productive of considerable damage. This stream is 

 called Beaver creek, and in its course crosses the circular line 

 which divides this county from the state of Delaware more 

 than once. The first mill on it is a saw-mill belonging to 

 keece Perkins — his dam was broken, and his race was injured, 

 but his loss was not heavy. The next mill below was in the 

 state of Delaware. It was a stone woollen factory, owned 

 by Charles Dupont, and occupied by Lewis Sachriste. So 

 much of this factory building was washed down, that it may 

 be considered as a total loss. The dam, which was very 

 large, was entirely swept out, and all the machinery, stock, 

 &c., in the mill, was washed out, and carried off. The loss 

 to Messrs. Dupont & Sachriste, was very heavy. The meadow 

 of Nathaniel Newlin, below this dam. was damaged to the 

 amcjunt of two hundred dollars. Next below, the dam of 

 Philip Hizer's woollen factory was all taken away, and the 

 race washed out. Opposite to Hi/.er's, but over the State 

 line, J. Chandler's smith shop, was swept off with its con 

 tents — the water here rising eight feet above its usual level, 

 and four feet higher than the flood of 1795, and according to 

 tradition, the same height above a flood which is said to have 

 occurred in 1740. The smith shop was standing in 1795, and 

 had a mark on it showing the height of the flood of that 

 year. Next below Hizer's factory is the paper mill of Daniel 

 I-'arra. The dam was taken away, with a considerable 

 amount (^f personal property. The water here was ten feet 

 above its usual level. Mr. Farra had a dam on a small 

 stream which empties into Beaver creek, which was also 

 carried away. Higher up on this branch the dam and race 

 of Mr. M(irrison's smitherv was broken. Next below Mr. 



