Edward Hallock Mills
Edward Hallock Mills, born 25 Mar 1819, Smithtown NY, died 01 Jan 1908 Brookton, NY. Patriarch of the Mills family. Co-owner of E. H. Mills & Co. general store in Corfu NY and owner of E. H. Mills in Motts Corners/Brookton NY.
“our old established merchant”
“for many years a prominent merchant of Brookton”
“his loss seems irreparable”
| Year | Type | Town | Name | Age | Birthplace | Occupation | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | US | Castleton | Edward H. Mills | 42 | New York | Clerk | |
| 1870 | US | Pembroke | Mills Edward | 51 | New York | Dry goods dealer | |
| 1875 | NYS | Pembroke | Edward H Mills | 56 | Long Island | Merchant | |
| 1880 | US | Caroline | Mills Edward. H. | 61 | New York | Merchant | |
| 1892 | NYS | Caroline | E. H. Mills | 73 | Merchant | ||
| 1900 | US | Caroline Town | Mills Edward | 81 | New York | Dealer in general mdse. | |
| 1905 | NYS | Caroline | Mills E. H. | 86 | Merchant |
— United States Federal Census and New York, U.S., State Census, ancestry.com. Click column headers to change sort order. Download source data.
That Edward was born in Smithtown NY is corroborated by two sources explored further below: Edward’s marriage registration to Hannah in Caroline, and his obituary in the notes of Brookton Congregational Church. The 1875 New York State census only specifies Long Island as his birthplace. Generally speaking, whenever Smithtown is referenced in relation to the Mills, it is quite likely referring specifically to Mills Pond.
The family’s whereabouts in 1827 are given in the obituary of Edward’s younger brother, James Thomas Mills:
Mr. [James Thomas] Mills was not born in Suffolk County, but he was only two weeks and two days old when he first came to old Suffolk. He first saw the light of day at Cherry street, New York City, February 13, 1827. He was the son of Jonas D. Mills and Mary Hallock, a Smithtown woman, and before he was three weeks old, his parents came up to Smithtown on a large sailing vessel, to make their home.
The Mills’ return to Smithtown, “two weeks and two days” after James’ birth on 13 Feb 1827, was 01 Mar, the day before James’ and Edward’s mother Mary (Hallock) purportedly died (according to only one source, now defunct, MillsAncestry.org), and just a few weeks before Edward’s eighth birthday.
(The precise day of Mary (Hallock) Mills’ death is given in only one of the three known Mills genealogies, and although it can also be found in a number of user created family trees on Ancestry.com, I have not found one that cites a source for it. I have not yet found documentation independently corroborating this day in my own research.)
25 Apr 1831, Edward’s father Jonas married Mary Platt (Mills) Mills, whose parents were also members of Smithtown Presbyterian.
— Sessional Records of Smithtown L. Island, 1809 to 1850, No 11, U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, Philadelphia PA, p46-47, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
The ceremony was conducted by Reverend Ithamar Pillsbury (22 Aug 1794 to 20 Apr 1862), who was a veteran of the War of 1812, and was witnessed by Benjamin Mills (21 Jul 1791 to 31 Jul 1886), Mary Platt’s brother, and Elizabeth Mills, Mary Platt’s sister, as Mary Platt’s mother Elizabeth died in either 1826 or 1828, depending on the source used. Further down the page, Jonas and Mary Platt are witnesses to Benjamin Mills’ marriage to his third wife, Charity (Smith) Mills (25 Feb 1799 to 14 Oct 1870).
At the time of his marriage to Mary Platt, Jonas lists his occupation as “carpenter” and in his obituary, it is said that “in his young days he learned the wheelwright trade, which at that time included the undertaking business.” (10 Feb 1882, The Long-Islander, Huntington NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org.)
A wheelwright is a craftsman who builds or repairs wooden wheels. The word is the combination of "wheel" and the word "wright", (which comes from the Old English word "wryhta", meaning a worker or shaper of wood) as in shipwright and arkwright. This occupational name became the English surname Wright. It also appears in surnames like Cartwright and Wainwright. It corresponds with skilful metal workers being called Smith.
These tradesmen made wheels for carts (cartwheels), wagons (wains), traps and coaches and the belt drives of steam powered machinery. They also made the wheels, and often the frames, for spinning wheels for home use. First constructing the hub (called the nave), the spokes and the rim segments called felloes, (pronounced fell low), and assembling them all into a unit working from the center of the wheel outwards. Most wheels were made from wood, but other materials have been used, such as bone and horn, for decorative or other purposes.
For an exploration of Edward’s Mills ancestry, see Mills Pond NY and Mills Genealogy and Hallocks in Caroline and the Hallock Genealogy.
Ten years later, when Edward was approximately 18 years old, the Mills family moved to Hempstead NY, according to Jonas’ obituary. (10 Feb 1882, The Long-Islander, Huntington NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org.) It appears likely that Edward followed the rest of the family to Hempstead, as it is noted in the Hempstead Sentinel that Edward lived there at one time.
...in 1837 [Jonas Mills] came to [Hempstead], where he has ever since resided, with the exception of a few years.
Mr. E. H. Mills, a former resident of this village, and a brother-in-law of the late Samuel M. Pine, was married December 30th, the bride being Mrs. Hannah Eastman. They are residents of Brookton, Tompkins county, this State.
Jonas and Mary Platt Mills’ first child Sarah died a few years prior to the family’s move to Hempstead, when she was only a year and a half old. When the family arrived in Hempstead, their second child Robert was just a few years old.
In the 1840 census in Hempstead, several related names are found, including Seaman, Rhodes, Bedell, and specifically, Luther Loper, Samuel Pine and Jonas Mills, Edward’s father:
— 1840, United States Federal Census Hempstead NY, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
Hempstead is also referred to historically as South Hempstead, and was part of Queens County before the creation of Nassau County, which then became its designated county.
If Hempstead were to be incorporated as a city, it would be the second-largest city in New York, behind New York City; it is about three times the size of Buffalo, which has long been the state's second-largest city. ...Hempstead is thus the most populous municipality in the New York metropolitan area outside New York City.
...During the American Revolution, the Loyalists in the south and the American sympathizers in the north caused a split in 1784 into "North Hempstead" and "South Hempstead". With the 1898 incorporation of the Borough of Queens as part of the city of New York, and the 1899 split of Queens County to create Nassau County, some southwestern portions of the Town of Hempstead seceded from the town and became part of the Borough of Queens.
For Edward to move to Hempstead as a young man fits with other known facts and greatly adds to our understanding not only of his early adulthood, but the rest of his life. In Hempstead, Edward met two very important residents: Mary Ann Pine, who became Edward’s first wife and mother of Emily Mills, and Mary Ann’s brother, Charles M. Pine, who became Edward’s employer and mentor in the grocery business.
A few years prior to the Mills’ move to Hempstead, Charles M. Pine was already living there, a newly married co-proprietor of the general store Weekes, Seaman & Pine. Hempstead was presumably when Edward’s and Charles’ paths first crossed, and it would seem likely that Edward may have initially worked at Weekes, Seaman & Pine. To understand Edward’s life, one must understand the life of Charles Pine, which Edward emulated in many ways.
Vol. V, No. 238 - February 21, 1835.
… In Hempstead, L.I., Mr. Charles Pine, of the firm of Weeks, Seaman & Pine to Almira Jane, daughter of Luther Loper. …
— 1835 Feb 21, Christian Intelligencer of the Reformed Dutch Church, Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
On 14 Dec 1843, Edward’s sister Emily Tabitha (Mills) Huntting (19 Jun 1821 to 11 Apr 1849) married John Smith Huntting (12 Dec 1817 to 21 Nov 1893) in Smithtown. They were members of Smithtown Presbyterian where their three children were baptized. Emily died nine days after giving birth to Emily Mills Huntting (02 Apr 1849 to 1932). I believe it is Emily Mills Huntting who appears to be referenced in the sales records of the Mills’ store as “Emily Huntting”.
Jonas’ obituary, shown further below, noted that he lived in Hempstead “with the exception of a few years”, which included 1850, where he is recorded in the United States Federal Census in Islip NY, at age 55, a “farmer”. The family appears to return to Smithtown by 1851, when Mary Platt is readmitted to Smithtown Presbyterian on 03 Jan 1851 and then returns to Hempstead as evidenced by her removal from the church, “by certificate to Hempstead” 05 Jun 1858.
— 15 Sep 1850, United States Federal Census, Islip NY, p18, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— Sessional Records of Smithtown L. Island, 1809 to 1850, No 11, U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, Philadelphia PA, p158, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
For more information on Hempstead, see Hempstead NY and Pine, Seaman Genealogies.
In 1850, Edward was living in Factoryville (West New Brighton) Staten Island, and he married his first wife Mary Ann Pine (1819-1895) in Hempstead. Charles Pine’s grocery store in Staten Island was established in 1848, likely narrowing the timeframe for when Edward moved to Factoryville.
At Hempstead, L. I., Dec. 29, by the Rev. N.C. Locke, Mr. Edward H. Mills of Factoryville, S. I., to Miss Mary Ann Pine of the former place.
— 03 Jan 1851, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn NY, p2, newspapers.com. View largest available size.
1850.
Mar. 7. Charles T. Ruland and Ann Catherine De Mott.
Marriages BY Rev. N. C, Locke.
Dec. 29. Edward H. Mills of Staten Island to Mary Ann Pine.
— 1922, History and Vital Records of Christ’s First Presbyterian Church of Hempstead, Long Island, New York, Contributed by John Dean Fish, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Volume 53, p256, Google Books. View largest available size.
All of the Mills children were born in Staten Island, and by 1860, the family was living with another of Charles Pine’s proteges, Barlett Brown, in a home adjoining a general store Bartlett had recently purchased.
A more complete exploration of the family’s time in Staten Island can be found at The Mills Family in Staten Island NY.
The family arrived in Corfu NY sometime between 01 Sept 1862 and 01 May 1863. Partnering with Charles Pine, Edward co-owned E. H. Mills & Co. “cash store” in Corfu, “Dealers in General Merchandise, Groceries and Provisions, Yankee Notions and General Variety Store.” Of Edward’s children, there is only evidence that Horace clerked at his father’s store.
— Jun 1863, U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
Horace committed suicide in Corfu in Oct 1876.
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—Yesterday morning a young man named Horace Mills, residing at Corfu, Genesee County, attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself with a revolver. The ball passed through his body and is supposed to have perforated the liver. The young man fired the shot while lying in bed, and it is thought the wound will prove fatal. The would-be suicide belongs to a very respectable family in the place, and no cause is assigned for his rash act. At last accounts he was still alive.
— 17 Oct 1876, The Buffalo Commercial, Buffalo NY, p3, newspapers.com. View largest available size.
Local Record.
Batavia, Friday, Oct 27, 1876.
…
DEAD—Horace Mills, the young man who shot himself at Corfu, on Monday, 16th last, died Saturday last.
— 27 Oct 1876, The Progressive Batavian, Batavia NY, fultonhistory.com. View largest available size.
More information about the family’s time in Corfu can be found at The Mills Family in Corfu NY.
In Mar 1879, Edward, then 60, moved his family again, this time to Motts Corners, an earlier name for Brooktondale. At Motts Corners, Edward restarted his grocery and dry goods business on his own as E. H. Mills. Both Jonas and Emily clerked for their father.
Edward’s father Jonas died in 1882.
LONG ISLAND
Jonas D. Mills, who died recently in Hempstead, had lived in that town 45 years.
— 06 Feb 1882, The New York Times, New York NY, p8, newspapers.com. View largest available size.
—On Monday evening of last week one of the old residents of Hempstead died. Mr. Jonas D. Mills, who was born at Stony Brook, [Suffolk County?], May [unclear day and year], making him at the time of his death, 86 years, 8 months, and 28 days old. In his young days he learned the wheelwright trade, which at that time included the undertaking business. He subsequently took up farming in Queens County, but for the past 30 years he has not been actively engaged in business. He was married twice, and had two daughters and three sons, the latter still living—Edward H., J. Thomas, and Robert S. Mills. He came to this town about 1838, locating at Trimming (now Franklin) Square; in 1837 he came to this village, where he has ever since resided, with the exception of a few years. He always enjoyed good health, never needing a physician, and died of old age.
—Hempstead Sentinel
Mr. Mills was the father of J. Thomas Mills of Huntington.
— 10 Feb 1882, The Long-Islander, Huntington NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Edward’s son Jonas died after a brief illness in Oct 1885.
… The remains of Jonas Mills, a son of E. H. Mills, a former resident of this village, now of Brooklyn, New York, were brought to this place yesterday afternoon for interment. …
— 16 Oct 1885, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Edward’s obituary mentions that he was “postmaster during the Cleveland administration” which I can confirm refers to the first Cleveland administration from 1885 to 1889. (As this is written, Cleveland is the only president to have two non-consecutive terms.) A partial list of Brooktondale postmasters from usps.com, beginning with the very first, up to the 1970’s:
| Name | Title | Date appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Willet Terry | Postmaster | 30 Jul 1832 |
| William Mott 2nd | Postmaster | 14 Jan 1833 |
| John Hardenburgh | Postmaster | 04 Aug 1849 |
| John Bull | Postmaster | 31 Mar 1852 |
| John B. Lull | Postmaster | 28 Jul 1853 |
| Orrin D. Lull | Postmaster | 01 Oct 1855 |
| John J. Bush | Postmaster | 21 Oct 1858 |
| George T. Sanders | Postmaster | 20 Jul 1861 |
| Walker V. Personius | Postmaster | 16 Dec 1864 |
| Reuben G. Tucker | Postmaster | 13 Jun 1866 |
| Walker V. Personius | Postmaster | 15 Oct 1867 |
| Valentine Vandemark | Postmaster | 15 Nov 1871 |
| Walker V. Personius | Postmaster | 20 Feb 1873 |
| Walker V. Personius | Postmaster | 19 Jan 1883 |
| Edward H. Mills | Postmaster | 28 Jul 1885 |
| Willis Shurter | Postmaster | 13 May 1889 |
| Frank L. Mulks | Postmaster | 31 Oct 1893 |
| Fred B. Lounsbery | Postmaster | 29 Nov 1897 |
| Mrs. Agnes C. Van Demark | Acting Postmaster | 20 Jun 1933 |
| Mrs. Agnes C. Van Demark | Postmaster | 08 Sep 1933 |
| Charles C. Vorhis | Acting Postmaster | 31 Oct 1945 |
| Charles C. Vorhis | Postmaster | 25 Mar 1949 |
| Gerald L. Jordan | Officer-In-Charge | 01 Oct 1971 |
— usps.com. Click column headers to change sort order. Download source data.
William Mott II…deposed the postmaster [Willet Terry] at Terryville (on Coddington Road) and moved the post office to his store at 559 Brooktondale Road. The town, called Mott's Hollow or Mottville, became Mott's Corners with the opening of the post office in 1836.
An example of a postmark a week before Edward became postmaster:
— 20 Jul 1885, Bradnack envelope closeup, digital photograph by Annie Doubleday published here with permission, personal correspondence 06 Feb 2023. View largest available size.
New Mail Distributors.
Among the fourth-class postmasters appointed by the postmaster-general yesterday were the following: William S. Leggett, Speedville; J. P. Thatcher, at West Danby; E. H. Mills, at Brookton; D. C. Heaton, at Jasper; and A. H. Hoyt, at East Aurora.
— 30 Jul 1885, Elmira Daily Advertiser, Elmira NY, p5, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
The following are examples of Edward’s postmark during his time as postmaster:
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
JUN 2 1886
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
JUN 14 1886
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
JUN 14 1886
— 22 Dec 1886, Bradnack envelope front, digital photograph by Annie Doubleday published here with permission, personal correspondence 06 Feb 2023. View largest available size.
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
DEC 22 1886
— 22 Dec 1886, Bradnack envelope front closeup, digital photograph by Annie Doubleday published here with permission, personal correspondence 06 Feb 2023. View largest available size.
There will be a donation for the benefit of Rev. Mr. Bradnack on Thursday evening, Jan. 6th, in the basement of the Congregational church.
— 13 Dec 1886, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
— 17 Oct 1887, Fish envelope front, digital photograph by Annie Doubleday published here with permission, personal correspondence 06 Feb 2023. View largest available size.
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
OCT 17 1887
— 17 Oct 1887, Fish envelope front closeup, digital photograph by Annie Doubleday published here with permission, personal correspondence 06 Feb 2023. View largest available size.
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
MAY 26 1886
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
SEP 1 1886
BROOKTON, NEW YORK
TOMPKINS CO.
E. H. MILLS, P. M.
SEP 30 1886
— Tompkins County History Center, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
(date unclear)
— Tompkins County History Center, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
BROOKTON.
Mrs. Ellen Lounsbery and Miss May Tobey have just returned from a visit of several weeks with friends in the west. –George Jansen goes to Dakota this week. –Miss Fannie Allen, of Cortland, and Miss Carrie Quick, of Catatonk, have been visiting friends here recently. –Miss Lettie Quick has gone to Chautauqua Lake with a party of friends from Ithaca, intending to stay two weeks. –Mrs. Jerome Seager is visiting friends in Auburn. –Mrs. C. L. Tisdale accompanied by her niece, returned on Friday from a visit to her mother. –W. F. Graham and wife have been spending a week on the shore of Cayuga Lake. –The postoffice has been moved to its new quarters in E. H. Mill’s store, with George Richardson as postmaster.
— 13 Aug 1885, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
BROOKTON.
Ezra Puderbaugh, of Freeville, has returned and is again employed at Lull’s blanket mill.
George Richardson is again at the postoffice, having been absent a few days on account of sickness.
Miss Dora Morgan, who for some time past has been suffering with a throat difficulty, is convalescent.
Mrs. VanKeuren and her daughter Florence, left this morning for an extended visit among friends in Ulster and Orange counties.
The Young Ladies’ Aid Society of the Congregational church will give a strawberry and ice cream festival at the rink on Monday evening next. Everybody is invited.
The “Trip around the World” at the rink last Saturday evening was taken by a fair audience. The scenes were not as distinctly shown as they might have been had the hall been higher. The entertainment, however, was no fraud; the scenes being far superior to an ordinary magic lantern show. The manager promises to visit us again soon with new scenes now in preparation.
The members of the G. A. R. of this place will observe Memorial Day after the following program: Meet at the Grand Army hall at ten A. M., march from there to Cooper’s and Quick’s cemeteries, and thence after decorating the graves, to the basement of the Congregational church for refreshments. Addresses will be delivered at the church by Assemblyman Smith and Frank M. Leary, of Ithaca.
— 27 May 1887, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
JOHN FOOTE IN JAIL.
CHARGED WITH A SERIOUS CRIME-HIS SINGULAR CAREER.
E. H. Mills, postmaster at Brookton appeared before U.S. Commissioner Van Cleef last Friday and entered a complaint against John Foote, charging him with stealing a registered letter containing $50 in cash, a note and checks for $90. A warrant for Foote’s arrest was placed in Deputy Marshal Norton’s hands and he went to Caroline Depot on Saturday morning. He found that the accused had come to this city and returning here the officer arrested Foote about 5 o’clock in the afternoon and placed him in jail.
FOOT’S CHECKERED CAREER.
John Foote is about 22 years of age. He is the younger son of W.J.P. Foote the florist of this city, and up to eighteen months ago the young man was as highly respected as any youth in Ithaca, but within the period mentioned he has been implicated in two or three questionable scrapes and his conduct has been such as to cause his friends to question his sanity.
Without any apparent cause young Foote threw up a clerkship at Jackson & Bush’s store and during the summer spent time idly cruising about the lake in a steam launch which he had purchased. Later Foote was given a place at Sherwood’s store where he learned the business of shirt cutting. He was liked by his employer, as he proved an apt apprentice and skillful workman. But after remaining about a year with Mr. Sherwood Foote suddenly left town and it was rumored that he did so to avoid the consequences of speculations. He afterwards made restitution from a small legacy bequeathed him by a relative and for a time nothing more was heard of him and last spring his friends were shocked to learn that he had married a woman of this town. The wedding took place at the office of Justice Spencer and Foote afterwards declared that he was drunk and insensible when he assumed the marriage vows.
A few days after they were married Foote and his wife went to Binghamton. The wife soon returned alone stating that she had let him have her purse containing $125, with which he skipped. After getting the woman’s money, Foote went to New York where he boarded a steamer for Cuba. At that place he was attacked with yellow fever and was thrown into a hospital. Recovering from the fever in about four weeks he found himself destitute of clothing and penniless, the authorities having burned his garments and appropriated his money. He secured enough clothing to cover him and obtaining work as a cabin boy on a vessel made his way back to New York. From that city he tramped to Poughkeepsie. At the latter place the great bridge was in course of construction over the Hudson, and the builder, wanting a man to do some painting on a particularly dangerous portion of it Foote, who said he did not care what became of him, got into the sling and was hauled aloft to the perilous place and did the work. He received three dollars for the dob. Taking to the road again, he tramped to the vicinity of Rochester, where he engaged to a farmer to cut thirty acres of corn at a dollar an acre. While at this job he learned of a chance to get work in an iron pipe establishment at Youngstown, Ohio. He went to that place and remained there until November. On Thanksgiving day a man wearing a ragged greasy coat, old overhauls and hobnailed brogans entered the store of Al. Merrill at Caroline Depot. Newton Foote, a clerk in that store recognized the rough-clad person as his brother John. The wanderer was kindly received and given employment and a home.
Matters proceeded smoothly until last week when the mail pouch from Brookton was robbed. The mail from Brookton is opened at Caroline Depot and rearranged. Foote had access to the key of the pouch and when assorting the contents he found a registered letter which he is accused of appropriating. This letter contained the cash and papers alluded to at the beginning of this article. Foote destroyed the note and check and putting the cash in his pocket came to Ithaca Friday and was found in a drunken sleep at the rooms to Torrent Hose No. 5.
A DENIAL
When Foote was charged with the theft he denied it and declared he had no recollection of the matter. While he was in this city, however, he displayed a roll of money containing ten and five dollar bills, and the friend who took him home said Foote had about $48 after he became intoxicated. A search for the missing money disclosed it wrapped in paper and immersed in the center of a jar of preserves.
The young man has retained J.H. Tichenor as his counsel. His examination before Commissioner Van Cleef is set down for Thursday of this week.
The friends of the accused say that there are many things in his history of the past two years which point to the unsoundness of his mind. They assert that no sane person could have acted as he has done and they think he should be cared for as one irresponsible for his acts.
— 28 Jan 1889, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
The examination of John Foote, on the charge of stealing a registered letter, is in progress to-day before U.S. Commissioner Van Cleef.
— 31 Jan 1889, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, fultonhistory.com. View largest available size.
Several of our citizens were called to Ithaca last Thursday as witnesses in the mail robbery case.
— 09 Feb 1889, Brookton, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Mary Ann died on the eve of their 45th wedding anniversary. One year and two days later, Edward married Hannah (Thatcher) Eastman (1824-1917). Edward and Hannah joined Brookton Congregational Church on just the third to last Sunday before their marriage ceremony, which took place “at the bride’s residence in Brookton”.
DEATH OF MRS. E. H. MILLS.
Event occurred in Brookton, Tompkins County—Interment at Corfu.
Corfu, Dec 31.—The remains of Mrs. E. H. Mills of Brookton, Tompkins county, arrived here on the 4:26 p. m. train yesterday and were interred in Evergreen Hill Cemetery. The deceased was the wife of Edward H. Mills who was for many years a prominent merchant in this village who removed to Tompkins county sixteen years ago, re-engaging in mercantile pursuits, and where he has since resided.
Mrs. Mills was in usual health a week ago yesterday morning, but before night complained of a soreness in one of her fingers. Her daughter examined it and found what appeared to be a small splinter of wood, which she removed and which appeared to relieve her, but blood poisoning ensued and she continued to grow worse until Saturday, when death relieved her of her suffering. Her remains were accompanied by her husband and an only daughter, Emily Mills, who alone survive her and who possess the heartfelt sympathy of many friends in this vicinity who remember her as a kind friend and a devoted Christian whose sublime faith made her life beautiful and to the last degree exemplary.
Mr. Mills and daughter spent last night with Mr. and Mrs. W. W. McGregor and returned home this morning.
— 31 Dec 1895, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Barbara Kone compiled information on Caroline Marriages at CarolineHistorian.org that lists Edward’s marriage to Hannah and identifies Edward’s parents:
Reg. Num.: 216 Date: Dec 30, 1896 Name of Groom: MILLS, Edward H Residence: Brookton Age: 77 Occupation: Merchant Place of Birth: Smithtown Father's Name: MILLS, Jonas D Mother's Maiden: HALLOCK (Halloch),Mary Name Num.: 2 Marr. Name of Bride: EASTMAN, Hannah Married Name: Mills Residence: Brookton Age: 72
— New York State Marriage Index, 1896, accessed via ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 1896, New York State Marriage Index, accessed via ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— New York State Marriage Index, 1896, accessed via ancestry.com. View largest available size.
Dec 14 1896
At a regular Communion Service of the Congregational Church held Dec 13th The Rev Geo H Danforth officiating. Mr Edward Mills Mrs Hannah Eastman and Mrs. Arthur Green were on confession of faith served as members into the church - and the rite of Baptism was administered to the infant sons of Mr and Mrs George W Danforth and Mr and Mrs Arthur Green After which the sacrament of the lords supper was observed
George Wolcott
Clerk.
— 14 Dec 1896, Digitally photographed entry in Congregational Church 1868-1933 Minutes of Meetings and Membership, used with permission from Caroline Valley Community Church. View largest available size.
12-13-95 Rec.
Mr. Edward Mills
Mrs. Hannah Eastman
Mrs. Arthur Green
— 13 Dec 1895. Digitally photographed entry in Congregational Church 1868-1933 Minutes of Meetings and Membership, used with permission from Caroline Valley Community Church. View largest available size.
Tompkins County vs. E. H. Mills. Edward N. Burdick for plff. C. R. Wolcott for deft.
— 14 Oct 1896, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p6, nyhistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Mr. E. H. Mills, our old established merchant, was married to Mrs. Hannah Eastman Dec. 30, by Rev. W. A. House. Rev. House also officiated at the wedding of Clarence Wheeler and Miss Emma English, which occurred Dec. 23. The many friends of the newly married people which them much happiness.
— 07 Jan 1897, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p6, nyhistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Mr. E. H. Mills, a former resident of this village, and a brother-in-law of the late Samuel M. Pine, was married December 30th, the bride being Mrs. Hannah Eastman. They are residents of Brookton, Tompkins county, this State.
…
MILLS—EASTMAN—At the bride’s residence in Brookton, Tompkins county, N. Y., Dec. 30th, 1896, by the Rev. W. A. House, Mr. E. H. Mills, formerly of Hempstead, and Mrs Hannah Eastman, both of Brookton.
— 14 Jan 1897, The Sentinel, Hempstead NY, p2, fultonhistory.com. View largest available size.
COURT RECORD
VERDICT FOR THE STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY.
… The next case tried was that of Tompkins County vs. E. H. Mills. Edward H. Burdick for plaintiff, C. R. Wolcott for defendant. This was a case similar to the Beardsley case, an agent of the State Board of Pharmacy, purchasing poisonous drugs at the store of Mr. Mills in Brookton. In this case the jury took a different view of the matter and brought in a verdict of $50 in favor of the plaintiff.
— 18 Mar 1897, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p6, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Edward lent money to Samuel Onan and his wife for a land purchase, later transferring it to Culver Little, Edward Lounsbery’s brother-in-law:
…
Year Mortgagees Mortgagors Book Page Location Block Lot TRACT Acres 1897 Mills, Edward H. John J. Onan et al 93 196 Danby 18 1897 Mills, Edward H. Samuel Onan et al 93 196 Danby 18 …
— Index to Mortgages Tompkins County, N.Y. 1860-1912 Inclusive. p38, Tompkins County Clerk, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
— Mortgages, Book 93, p196, Tompkins County Clerk, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
— Mortgages, Book 93, p197, Tompkins County Clerk, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
— Mortgages, Book 93, p198, Tompkins County Clerk, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
— 22 Feb 1898, Tompkins County Clerk. View largest available size.
—E. H. Mills, an aged resident and for many years a prominent merchant of Brookton, is critically ill.
— 24 Nov 1906, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p6, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Emily officially joined the church rolls in the months immediately following Edward’s illness. Emily is the first to note Edward’s death in the sales journal of E. H. Mills general store, on an otherwise normal day of the store’s operation:
— 01 Jan 1908, E. H. Mills Family A/C, Mills Store Sales Journal No. 41, inside back cover, digital photograph of book owned by Brooktondale collector. View largest available size.
…E H Mills Died
Jan 1st 1908…
— Notebooks of George E. Jansen, Tompkins County History Center, Ithaca NY. View largest available size.
EDWARD H. MILLS.
Edward H. Mills died on January 1 at the advanced age of 88 years. Mr. Mills was a merchant in Brookton for the past twenty-nine years, and was postmaster during the Cleveland administration. He is survived by his wife and one daughter. The funeral was held on January 2 and the burial took place Friday last in Corfu.
— 06 Jan 1908, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Former Corfu Merchant Dead.
Corfu, Jan. 6. —The body of E. H. Mills, who conducted a general store in Corfu over 25 years ago, was brought on Friday evening from Ithaca and buried in Evergreen Hill cemetery. The Rev. W. W. Robinson conducting the services. The body was accompanied by Mr. Mills daughter, Miss Emily Mills. Mr. Mills was 89 years old.
— 06 Jan 1908, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p4, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
1908 Deaths Continued
Edward Hallioch Mills Died Jan 1st 1908 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. He was born at Smithtown L.I. March 25, 1819 - lacking less than 3 mos. of 89 yrs.
In Mar. 1879 He came to Brookton from Corfu N.Y. with his family and has lived among us nearly 29 years.
He united with this Ch. Dec. 13, 1896. A few remarks were made by Rev. Woodworth, Jan 3. The trend of thought was that a good man had gone - to which every heart present I feel sure responded. His interest in this Ch was unwavering and his loss seems irreparable. His body was taken to Corfu where his first wife and two sons are buried.
In this connection it seems proper to mention the death of Mrs. Mary A. Mills, although she died Dec. 28, 1895, yet I find no mention of it in these records. She was born at Hempstead L. I. Feb 8, 1819. Mrs. Mills was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Corfu N.Y. She united with this Ch by letter June 13, 1880. Her life was a blessing to all who knew her. She was a noble, consecrated Christian.
— Digitally photographed entry in Congregational Church 1868-1933 Minutes of Meetings and Membership, used with permission from Caroline Valley Community Church. View largest available size.
Mr Edward H Mills dead
— Digitally photographed entry in Congregational Church 1868-1933 Minutes of Meetings and Membership, used with permission from Caroline Valley Community Church. View largest available size.
M. Emily Mills was made administrator of the estate of Edward H. Mills, who died in Caroline on January 1. The estate amounts to $5,000 in personal property and $800 in realty.
— 07 Apr 1908, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
— 07 Apr 1908, Admin Minutes, Orders, Decrees, Vol 056, p416, Surrogate Court, Tompkins County, Ithaca NY, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
The final accounting in the estate of Edward H. Mills, who died in the Town of Caroline, was rendered by Tompkins, Cobb & Cobb. The estate is valued at $4,000.
— 02 Aug 1909, Ithaca Daily News, Ithaca NY, p5, fultonhistory.com. View largest available size.
— 02 Aug 1909, Minutes, Orders, Decrees, Vol 55a, p159, Surrogate Court, Tompkins County, Ithaca NY, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
Edward is interred at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, 112 Alleghany Rd, Corfu NY 14036.
Notes for Future Researchers
The following news item from Mott’s Corners, approximately nine months after the Mills family arrived, describes a “firm of Mills & Co.”. I haven’t yet find another reference to this firm, and in the 1880 census, I have not found anyone else with the last name Mills, yet aside from the apparent coincidence, I cannot link this to Edward H. Mills, nor have I found a mention of the firm’s existence before the Mills family move to Mott’s Corners, which would presumably rule out a connection.
MOTTS’ CORNERS.
—Thanksgiving services, conducted by Rev. Mr. Brown were held in the Congregational church last Tuesday. In the evening supper was served in the basement; although not so largely attended as some former ones, it passed off pleasantly.
—Willis G. Besemer intends to erect a fine dwellling house near the depot.
—Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Personius and May Tobey returned last Wednesday.
—The firm of Mills & Co., shipped about two tons of poultry last week.
—The young people will hold a neck-tie party in the church basement on Thursday evening of next week. All are cordially invited to be present.
—The many friends of Mr. S. B. Landon will be pleased to learn that he is to remain in this place, at least until next spring.
—School commenced last week with a very large attendance.
Zoe.
— 03 Dec 1879, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p4, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Possibly this is a misspelling of a similar name, such as “Mulks”, “Miles” or perhaps even “Miller”? There is also a farmer in Caroline with the name Gills. I will also note that in January 1875, there is a “new Ithaca poultry journal, to be called ‘The Poultry Organ’” (02 Jan 1875, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p4).
There is an Edward H. Mills and a corresponding E. H. Mills & Co. in Gloversville NY in the 1880’s that was a “knitting factory” and one that is written about in some detail in local historical accounts. I have not investigated this family very much beyond ruling them out as the subjects of my research.
— The Gloversville, Johnstown and Kingsboro Directory for 1882-3, p85. View largest available size.
— Gloversville, Johnstown City Directory 1886, p77. View largest available size.
The members of the Gloversville Mills family can just barely be made out in the 1875 New York State Census in Fulton County:
— 11 Jun 1875, New York State Census, Gloversville NY, p3-4, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
Edward Hallock’s family are accounted for in the same census in Genesee County:
— 29 Jun 1875, New York State Census, Pembroke NY, p39, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
