 In 1772, brothers Andrew Ellicott, John Ellicott and Joseph Ellicott moved from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and bought land along the Patapsco Falls near Banneker's farm on which to construct gristmills, around which the village of Ellicott's Mills (now Ellicott City) subsequently developed.The Ellicotts were Quakers who held the same views on racial equality as did many of their faith.Banneker studied the mills and became acquainted with their proprietors.