In 1760, John Righter, "son of Bartle Righter of Roxborough and brother to Peter, the Schuykill ferryman," was a yeoman living in Lower Merion. He bought a tract Of 102 acres from the widow of Richard Harrison. This farm, lying across Mill Creek valley, extended from Summit avenue to Gladwyne, and downstream from Murray's mill to a bridge where, at that time, Righter's Mill Road crossed. In 1760, this road was a mere horse path.

Just above where path met creek, John Righter built a dam, and created a stone grist and saw mill. On the strength a these improvements, in March, 1763 he petitioned the Court of Quarter Sessions to have the horse path reviewed and opened as a public road. The following September, it was approved.

Righter had, meantime, bought an additional 75 acres, adjoining his mill property to the east. But he evidently overstretched himself, much like some of today's entrepreneurs. In 1769, handbills advertising tile sale of his personal property were posted at the local taverns by the sheriff. Joseph Redman. Among the effects were "2 wagons and gears, a pair of timber wheels, screw and carriage ... a parcel of buckwheat in the mill and a quantity of scantling boards and logs, a crosscut saw, chain millstone etc. Likewise, a Negroe (sic)man about 25 years of age, who understands milling and sawing."

In the following year, Righter put up for sale all his real estate, comprising 175 acres "in Lower Merion, about 8 miles from Philadelphia," including "a valuable and well-accustomed grist-mill, with two pair of stones, one French burr, the other country stones, together with two hoisting gear.

(Falling Wateres: Growth depends on Power & Its source is water. by David Schmidt. www.lowermerionhistory.org/texts/schmidts/falling_water.html )

Joseph Price's Diary - January 1789 -14th went to Leverings & Loyd Jones, Robert Came after me to make John Righters Coffin (son of Bartle Righter) finishd it about 10 [O] Clock at Night, 15 went to town very soon brought the Corps[e] to his fathers very Cold fine Slaying 16th went to bury him at Church Crow preachd, in afternoon mended Tunis's Reel 17th went to Phila got thirty pounds of old Shippin Somewhat warmer Snowd a little, Evening Wind got West snow showers and Cold bought 35s of paper for 29s2 hard to pay tax give 7s6 for two planes to make the joint of a table leafe bought 1 peck of salt 71/2 [pence]