The water pit was the trough in which the new mill’s waterwheel was to turn. dry stone: The stones in the pit were fitted together without mortar. The ship carpenter was an indentured servant of Thomas Fleming (d. 1786), shipwright formerly of Annapolis and now of Alexandria. During the past several weeks, Fleming’s carpenter had sheathed the bottom of GW’s schooner and had made needed repairs (General Ledger A description begins General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , folio 135, 314; General Ledger B description begins General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , folio 10). flatting sand &ca.: GW had materials needed by the stonemasons brought by flatboat up Dogue Creek to the site of the new mill. The sand was to be mixed with lime and water to form mortar needed to build the exterior walls of the mill.