FullScottish Millers Come to N.C.
Located here was the McPhaul’s Mill complex, started in 1761 by Scottish immigrant John McPhaul and his son Neill. According to a booklet for the unveiling of the related state highway marker (on NC 211):
“Old John McPhaul had been a miller in the old country and had brought his millstones with him. He and his son, finding the run of the Little Raft admirably suited to their purpose, soon built a grist mill which drew customers from far and near among the many Scottish Emigrants (sic) who eventually settled thickly there between the waters of the Cape Fear and Pee Dee Rivers. With the passing years, the mill and tavern became a gathering place for the community.[1]
A descendant states that John and Neill met a widow who ran a tavern, Ann Perkins, whose daughter was known as “Pretty Molly.” Dad married the mom, and Niell the daughter![2] Since John then become the owner of her property under the laws of the time, perhaps the tavern here was already Ann’s, and he then built the mill. Regardless, it seems likely she would have continued to run the pub.