He moved to Otonabee Township, where he set up a sawmill and gristmill on the Indian River with Zacheus Burnham and later opened a general store and distillery. The settlement of Gilchrist’s Mills (later Keene) developed around these mills.
After relocating to Otonabee Township, he set up a sawmill and gristmill on the Indian River alongside Zacheus Burnham.  He then opened a general store and distillery, which contributed to the development of Gilchrist's Mills (later Keene).