referred to as the " Mill" operated as a soap factory. John Leslie acquired this mill from the Duke of Cambridge in 1820, after he arrived on the Island. According to Doris MacDonald , formerly of Greenwich , John Leslie , who is her great-grandfather, moved to the Island in 1820 and was quoted by Bishop McEachern as "the greatest blessing God ever sent to this country." (62) It is known that oatmeal was ground at this mill. In 1836, however, the Leslie Mill met with disaster when a fire destroyed the mill: On Tuesday, the 22nd inst, the Run Mills, situate near St. Peters Bay , the property of Messrs. Leslie and Pope, were totally destroyed by fire, together with the kiln, in which the fire originated. This occurred in the afternoon when several persons were present, but so rapid was the progress of the devouring element, that notwithstanding the greatest exertions, not so much as a single tool was saved. A considerable quantity of grain including the whole provision for the coming summer was destroyed. We hear that no part of the property was insured. (63) DIXON 'S MILLS John Dixon operated one of the early mills in the St. Peters area. According to George Mclnnis : John Dixon was a real mill man. The mill he built ground wheat flour, barley flour, and oatmeal - three different processes. It also had a carding mill, which is an elaborate and complicated piece of machinery, and machinery for thickening, dyeing, and dressing woolen cloth of which much was woven in the hand looms of the neighborhood; and a saw mill as well (64) After John died, his son Frank took over the mill, whom George Mclnnis worked for it stating, "I could and did at different times operate every Piece of equipment." (65) Frank Dixon sold this mill to Jack Lewis around 1897. John Dixon also owned a mill located near the McAskill River . This mill is listed in Teare 's 1880-1881 directory as he "Glenfinlas Cloth & Gristmills" in Goose River . Henry Hayden ran this mill. 131