George Peake (Cleveland) facts for kids

George Peake (1722 – 1827) was an amazing African American inventor. He created a special hand mill that helped people grind grain and corn more easily.

George Peake's Life Story

George Peake was born in Maryland in 1722. He lived in Pennsylvania for a while. Later, in 1809, he moved to an area that would become the city of Cleveland, Ohio. George bought a farm on the edge of this new settlement. He might have been the very first African American person to live in Cleveland!

Reports say he fought in the French and Indian War. This was a big war that happened a long time ago.

George Peake married a woman from Maryland. They had four sons. Two of his sons came with him to Cleveland. The other two joined them later. One of his sons, Joseph Peake, became a well-known farmer in Cleveland.

Peake's Clever Invention

George Peake was known for inventing a hand mill. This machine was used to grind grain and corn into flour. Before his invention, people often used a tool called a mortar and pestle. This was a lot of hard work!

Peake's hand mill made grinding grain much simpler and faster. It was a very helpful invention for people living in his time.