Robert Mills (c1791-1849) optician of 49 Southampton Street, Pentonville and 35 Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields
1841 Listed at 49 Southampton Street, Mills Robert, telescope maker.[1]
1841 Living at 49 Southampton Street, St. James, Clerkenwell: Robert Mills (age c50), Optician. With Harriott Mills (age c30). Three other surnames at this address including Robert Mills (age c1).[2]
1849 Will of Robert Mills, Optician of Clerkenwell, Middlesex.[3]
1851 Their sons Robert (age 10) and Alfred (age 7) are listed at Park School, Totteridge, Herts.[4]
1852 Listed at 49 Southampton Street, Mills Harriet (Mrs), telescope maker.[5]
His wife Harriet re-marries but carries on the business of making telescopes at the same address
1861 Living at 49 Southampton Street, Clerkenwell: George Onwhyn (age 51 born Stratford, Essex), Wine merchant. With his wife Harriett Onwhyn (age 51 born Woolwich), Optician (Telescope Maker) and the step-children Robert Mills (age 20 born Clerkenwell), Assistant (Optician / Telescope maker); Alfred Mills (age 17 born Clerkenwell), Assistant (Optician / Telescope maker). Also Richard Tamsett (age 14 born Woolwich), a nephew. One servant.[6]
Presumably the business is sold or closed between 1861 and 1871
1871 Living at 13 Russell Street, Covent Garden: George Onwhyn (age 61 born London), Wine Merchant. With his wife Harriett Onwhyn (age 61 born Woolwich). One servant.[7]