"In 1658, the town granted this mill privilege to the first John Pickering, who came to Portsmouth in 1636. And from whom all the families of the name in the neighborhood are descended. The grant was made upon condition of his keeping in repair a road over the dam for foot passengers going to church. The bridge at first was but six feet wide. Mr. Pickering built at the same time the mill which stood here until recently. The property remained in the family until about 1790."

Excerpted from The Portsmouth Guide Book, 1896, by Sarah Haven Foster.

Inscription reads, "South Mill."