At a glance
The Grave
Life story
Further information
Death
Worthing Gazette - Wednesday 13th May 1903 - Interment at Heene Cemetery - The respect in which the deceased gentleman was held was seen in the numerous assembly at his funeral on Monday afternoon. The first portion of the service was held in Holy Trinity Church, conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. C. J. Hollis, and the Rev. G. H. Johnson. It commenced with the hymns, "Art thou weary; art thou languid?" which was succeeded, after the lesson, by the hymn, "Now the labourer's task is o'er," the music being led by the boys of the Choir, under the direction of Mr. C. Pratley, the Organist, who, as the funeral cortege left the Church played the impressive voluntary, "O rest in the Lord." At the Graveside - The interment took place at the Heene Cemetery, the mourners being met at the entrance by the Rev. J. P. Fallowes, the Rector of the parish, while the Rev. C. J. Hollis again officiated at the graveside. The grave was partly lined with moss and flowers, and the remainder was brick lined. The funeral was conducted by Mr. W. A. Hewer, of Rowlands Road; the coffin, of polished elm, with brass mountings, bearing the simple inscription: "George Jonathan Mills. Died 7th May 1903. Aged 83 years."
Census and miscellaneous information
living in St. Clements, Hastings, Sussex - George Mills, 20yrs, Fishmonger, wife, Jane Mills, 20yrs,
living at 3, Billingsgate, London - George J. Mills, 30yrs, Fish Salesman, son, John Rous Mills, 4yrs,
living at 7, Lower Thames Street, Billingsgate - George J. Mills, 40yrs, Fish Factor, wife, Jane, 40yrs, son, George, 17yrs, Fish Factor, Mary A. Tyhurst, mother-in-Law, 76yrs, James Meadowy, 16yrs, nephew, Fish Factor, Amelia Meadowy, 8yrs, niece, Matilda Meadowy, 19yrs, niece, Housekeeper
living at 4, Seldon Terrace, Worthing - George J. Mills, 50yrs, Fish Factor, wife, Jane, 50yrs, grandson, George J. Mills, 2yrs, Matilda Meadowy, 29yrs, niece, Mary A. Tyhurst, 86yrs, mother-in-law, plus a Cook and Housemaid,
living at 33, Gratwicke Road, Worthing George J. Mills, 60yrs, Landowner, wife, Georgiana, 33yrs, children, Jane, 2yrs, James, 2 months, they employ a Cook, Nurse, and Domestic Servant
lodgers in Lowestoft - George J. Mills, 70yrs, retired Fish Factor, wife, Georgiana, 43yrs, daughter, Georgiana, 15yrs
living at 33, Gratwicke Road, Worthing - George J. Mills, 80yrs, living on own means, wife, Georgiana, 53yrs, son, Frank, 14yrs, , plus Ladies Companion, Cook, Parlourmaid and Housemaid.
Anecdotes and Obituaries of George Jonathan Mills 1820 -1903 - Daily Express -
The life of Mr. George Jonathan Mills, whose funeral took place in Worthing on Monday, is a romantic contribution to the annals of individual commercial effort. Born of humble parentage at Hastings, and originally intended for the shipbuilding trade, he persuaded his father to let him try his luck on the beach as a fish buyer, and on the first day realised 5s. for some flat fish which cost him 2s 6d. This was a fitting start to his commercial career, which next took him to London, where in Thames Street he started a dry goods establishment, which he made second to none in the trade. In 1856 he purchased land in Hastings, was a large purchaser at Sir Morton Pete's sale at Lowestoft, and then turned his attention to Worthing, the development of which during the last thirty years is largely due to his marvellous shrewdness as a bargainer. His property is expected to realise a quarter of a million of money. Mr. Mills has for many years been a large owner of property at Lowestoft.
Daily Telegraph & Courier - 9th May 1903 -
"The rapid development of the town (Worthing) five and twenty years ago was largely due to his extraordinary energy and shrewd foresight." George Jonathan Mills, to whose enterprise the locality owes more than to any man living.
Hastings and St. Leonard Observer - 20th June 1903
"He never entertained the idea of failure. Even in the dark days of 1893 Mr. Mills' faith in the future of Worthing was unshaken due to his perseverance, his sound judgement, and his originality of thought." But above all these things, we remember now the respect in which Mr. Mills was held by all classes. In his long life no breath of dishonour ever reached his name. His word was taken as his bond.
Land Registry Property Register for 7 St Michael's Road
Part C: Charges Register.
1. A Conveyance dated 2 August 1877 made between (1) the Heene Estate Land Co. Ltd. (2) George Jonathan Mills (Purchaser) contains covenants the details of which are set out....
It goes on about responsibility to repair and maintain the frontage and about the erection of 2 villa residences costing not less than £750 each in labour and materials, or pairs of semi-detached dwelling houses.....
It looks as if George Mills sold that piece on to George Baker by 1880. All sorts of restrictions and covenants etc. Fascinating. Glad we kept it!
Evidently George Mills bought the land to sell on!