Brown & Mills Jewelry Company History
In July 1902, W. Hunter Brown (1849 – 1917) and Frederick James Mills (1861 – 1937) entered into a co-partnership for the purpose of manufacturing jewelry. Initially, their firm Brown & Mills was established at 409 Pine Street, Providence, Rhode Island.
Both partners had many years of experience in the jewelry business in Providence. Providence native, W. Hunter Brown, for example, had worked for several different firms in various positions since graduating from public schools. Thus, before founding Brown & Mills, he worked for J. A. Deknatel & Son, of New York.
Frederick Mills, who came to Providence from his native Birmingham, England, had been engaged in jewelry business for many years. He was part of the Snap & Tool Co since 1895, and before founding Brown & Mills, he headed Mills & Catlow, a Providence jewelry manufacturing firm.
The firm’s designers and craftsmen handcrafted highly artistic jewelry in the Victorian and Art Deco styles. Traditionally, they used sterling silver and natural stones to create buckles, rings, pendants, hatpins, sash pins and scarf pins.
Business Expansion
The popularity and high demand for Brown & Mills jewelry led to business expansion. Just three years after its founding, Brown & Mills moved from 409 Pine Street to more spacious premises on 100 Stewart Street, Providence. Brown & Mills also opened offices in New York (65 Nassau street, since 1910 – 9 Maiden Lane), Chicago (Columbus Memorial building), and San Francisco (717 Market street).
Co-partnership dissolved
In April 1910 the co-partnership existing between Fred Mills and Brown was dissolved by mutual consent. Fred Mills took over the business, and continued as an individual under the same firm name. Meanwhile, W. Hunter Brown founded Gilbreth-Brown Co., manufacturing jewelers, 99 Friendship Street, Providence. He headed the firm as president until his sudden death from heart disease in 1917.
Incorporation of Brown & Mills
In February 1912, Thomas Curran, Irving O. Hunt and Robert T. Burbank, all of Providence, incorporated Brown & Mills with a capital stock of $8,000. Frederick James Mills became president of Brown & Mills inc, manufacturers high class line of sterling silver jewelry.
Noteworthy, in the 1930s Frederick James Mills opened The Cinderella Jewelry Shop at 346 Main St., Hyannis and gift shop at 571 Main Street. Both shops were operated by Elizabeth M Mills, Frederick James Mills’ wife. After the death of Frederick Mills she took over the Brown & Mills Inc.
Death of Fred J Mills
Fred Mills, president and treasurer of Brown & Mills, Inc., died April 13, 1937. He was a member of the Manufacturing Jewelers’ Board of Trade, Harmony Lodge of Masons, and Providence Council of Royal and Select Masters. Also, Saint Johns Commandery of Knights Templar, Providence Central Club and the Rhode Island Wheelmen.
Interestingly, the Jewelers’ Circular of May 21, 1902, published a story about a jeweler’s heroic act. If not for the courage of Frederick Mills, a jeweler at 409 Pine Street, a bulldog would have seriously injured several children. The dog grabbed one child, then second and third, at which point Mills ran out of the house. He grabbed the dog by the throat, and held it until a police officer shot it. Mills received injuries and many accolades for his actions.
Elizabeth M. Mills
A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Elizabeth M Mills, owner of Brown & Mills Corp., Providence jewelry manufacturing concern, died July 4th, 1950. She had been associated with jewelry manufacturing since they opened their own plant jointly in 1906.
