The Franklins had three farms in the Radford Ford area and farms in other areas also, and 
operated three mills
In 1804, John Franklin bought 27 acres with grist mill on the north side of Staunton River.
In 1821, Henry Franklin bought from John Say, 27 acres with grist mill on the north side 
of Staunton River.
In 1837, Henry bought from Eldred Mitchell, 50 acres adjacent to John Lynch and John 
Saunders.
In 1857, Benjamin H. Franklin bought from Simeon Buford, five acres and mill on west 
prong of Goose Creek.
In 1875, John C Franklin bought from J.G, Kasey, 27 acres with mill and fixtures, and 54 
acres on Radford Ford Road adjacent to James Lynch. This property had a mill which 
was also used for social events. Many dances were held there.
One old Franklin homestead was located on what is now Village East, a subdivision on 
Route 654. The mill, (now under water), was unusual, called an undershot wheel. There 
was a small island at the edge of the river, and just north of the island, where the river 
flowed between the island and shore was a large rock. The falls over the rock were so 
swift they turned the wheel from underneath the water. This was a beautiful mill with a 
stone foundation. The last miller was John Burnett.
John Franklin also had a mill near Halesford Bridge. His children sold the mill to John 
Hundley in 1899. It was known as Graves Mill.
In 1855, Henry W. Franklin bought from Clifton Peters, 289 acres on Staunton River at 
Radford Ford.
In 1891, J.H.. Franklin bought from R.H. Creasy, 250 acres on Staunton River near 
Radfords Ford.
From 1850 Bedford County census at Roanoke Virginia Library are some older Franklins 
and their connections:
Archibald Franklin, born 1780 
John Debo, born 1793
James Franklin, born 1790 
William Franklin, born 1785 
William A. Adams, born 1778 
John Saunders, born 1785 
Hendrick Nichols, born 1793
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