Wm. J. Mills & Co.: A Legacy of Sailmaking on Long Island
Nestled in the maritime village of Greenport, Long Island, Wm. J. Mills & Co. holds the remarkable distinction of being the oldest sailmaking company in the United States. With roots stretching back over 144 years, this enduring family enterprise embodies tradition, innovation, and resilience. It is not just a business—it is a living testament to American craftsmanship that has withstood the tides of time, from the age of sail to the present day.
From Scotland to Long Island
The company’s origins trace back to Robert Mills (July 1838 – April 20, 1920), a skilled sailmaker born in Glasgow, Scotland, to Irish parents. He immigrated to New York in 1854, became a U.S. citizen in 1861, and built a life with his Scottish-born wife, Catherine G. Campbell (1838–1911). Together, they raised a large family while Robert established himself in the rapidly growing maritime trade of New York including Long Island.
By the 1870 census, Robert was listed as a sailmaker in Port Jefferson, owning $3,000 in real estate and $1,000 in personal assets—a reflection of both his skill and financial success. In 1878, The Suffolk Times reported that he would be opening a branch in Port Jefferson, further expanding what was already a flourishing business. Over the following years, he operated in Patchogue, Northport, and ultimately Greenport, where he formally founded Robert Mills & Son: The Long Island Sail Makers.
Establishing a Maritime Presence in Greenport
By 1881, Robert’s son Archibald Mills (1859–1901), later known as Archibald Mutch, was advertising himself as a “Practical Sailmaker” in Greenport. Company advertisements and letterheads from the late 1800s show the family working under the Robert Mills & Son brand, establishing an early and respected commercial identity.
A revealing 1885 advertisement from Archibald, published in the Suffolk County Journal, shows his entrepreneurial spirit and hints at internal family tensions:
“My short business acquaintance with the public of Northport was of a nature so gratifying to me as to lead me to desire to continue the same; and though my immediate business connection with them (by reason of my forced separation from the firm of Mills Bros.) was suddenly cut off, yet I would be pleased to continue a business of intercourse with them… I invite correspondence in regard to prices and solicit orders.”
— Archibald Mutch (formerly Archibald Mills), Sailmaker, Patchogue, Long Island
Despite parting ways with the firm, Archibald remained devoted to sailmaking before later transitioning to a successful career as an attorney.
A Growing Industry and a Growing Family
The late 19th century was a golden era for Long Island’s maritime economy. Whaling, shipping, and the oyster industry were booming, creating strong demand for skilled sailmakers. By 1879, Robert Mills had expanded operations across Long Island, culminating in the permanent establishment of the Greenport location.
The Mills family’s business acumen extended far beyond sailmaking. Recently gifted family record books and archives reveal the true scale of their diversified ventures—most notably their substantial role in Long Island’s thriving oyster industry through the Cedar Island Oyster Company. Long thought to be a modest operation, the company log books reveal it as a major enterprise that played a significant role in the region’s maritime economy. The Mills family owned extensive oyster beds, employed local workers, and kept meticulous records detailing vessels, sales, and daily operations. Central to this legacy was William J. Mills, who maintained a close working relationship with Jacob Ockers, the renowned “Oyster King of New York.” Mills ultimately succeeded Ockers in their joint ventures, and just before the collapse of the shellfish industry in 1924, the Mills family sold the company. Among the newly donated materials is the original bill of sale for the business’s remaining assets—including two New Haven sharpies and a commercial Ford truck—offering a rare and tangible window into the commercial maritime history of Long Island. Spanning generations, the family’s involvement in both sailmaking and the oyster industry reflects not only entrepreneurial vision but a deep-rooted connection to the maritime fabric of the region.
Passing the Torch: A Multi-Generational Business
Robert Mills fathered ten children, two of whom—William James Mills (1862–1940) and Robert F. Mills Jr. (1868–1925)—would become pivotal in carrying the business into the 20th century. After Robert Jr.’s death in 1925, the company was likely renamed Wm. J. Mills & Co., formalizing the name that remains iconic today.
Even as wind power gave way to steam and internal combustion engines, the family business evolved rather than faded. Transitioning from traditional sails to marine canvas products, including awnings, custom Boston Whaler covers, and other nautical canvas work, Wm. J. Mills & Co. expanded its offerings while preserving its heritage.
The Greenport Sail Loft: A Home Anchored in History
The company’s historic home at 125 Main Street in Greenport has its own legacy. Originally built between 1863 and 1870 as a sail loft for Fordham & Edwards, it was acquired by the Mills family around 1880. In his Long Island Forum article (May 1946), historian Clarence Ashton Wood notes the company’s move from Glen Cove to Greenport—a natural transition to one of the busiest ports on the East End.
Around 1980, the Mills family relocated their operations to their current location, but the original sail loft building on Main Street still stands today, now serving as a storefront. More than just a commercial space, the structure remains a rare and tangible example of living maritime heritage—its weathered walls echoing the craftsmanship and labor of generations past.
The Mills Family Tree: Sailmakers, Oystermen, and Innovators
The Mills family’s legacy reads like a cross-section of American maritime and industrial evolution. Here are just a few notable names and roles:
Robert Mills (1838–1920) & Catherine G. Campbell (1838–1911) Originally from Scotland
Their Children:
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- Anne Mills (1858–1941)
- Archibald “Archie” Mills (1859–1901)
- Sailmaker (advertised as early as 1881)
- Changed name to Archibald Mutch around 1885
- Owned shares in the vessel Grace Bailey (1882–1889)
- William James Mills (1862–1940)
- Sailmaker who expanded the family business alongside brother Robert F. Mills
- Married Fannie Warren Lewis
- Mamie Mary Mills (1864–1955)
- Thomas A. Mills (1866–1878)
- Robert F. Mills (1868–1925)
- Sailmaker who continued the family craft
- Married Ella Rose Smith
- Phebe Dubois Mills (1870–1962)
- Lena Mills (1873–1967)
- Marguerite Mills (1875–?)
Second Generation: Children of William James Mills & Fannie Warren Lewis
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- Walter Edgar Mills (1885–1972)
- Proprietor of Cedar Island Oyster Company, Greenport
- Married Cornelia Potter
- Children: Verginia, Bernice, and Jane Mills
- William Campbell Mills (1891–1961)
- Executive in paperboard manufacturing
- Married Dorothy Port
- Children include: Shirley Port Mills; William Campbell Mills Jr., WWII Navy veteran and insurance professional; Sherley Mills; and Robert John Mills, marine insurance agent
- Robert Lewis Mills (1896–1966)
- Secretary of Cedar Island Oyster Company
- Married Kathleen Baldwin
- Children: Margaret Ann Mills; Mary Mills; and William J. Mills (1922–2016)—sailmaker, WWII Navy pilot, Yale graduate, and oysterman
- Walter Edgar Mills (1885–1972)
Third Generation: Children of William J. Mills (1922–2016)
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- William J. Mills III – Wm. J. Mills & Co.
- Robert L. Mills – Wm. J. Mills & Co.
- Robert L. Mills III – Wm. J. Mills & Co.
- Sarah Mills (Sands)
Preserving History, Honoring Craftsmanship
Several original sail plans and documents from Wm. J. Mills & Co. are now preserved at the Mystic Seaport Museum, ensuring that their contributions to maritime history remain accessible to future generations. While other sailmakers—like Ratsy of City Island, founded in 1902—also left their mark, Wm. J. Mills & Co. stands out for its unbroken family continuity and deep local legacy.
More Than a Business—A Living Legacy
From outfitting 19th-century vessels to crafting custom canvas for modern boaters, Wm. J. Mills & Co. is not just a business; it is a living artifact of American maritime ingenuity. Each sail, awning, and canvas cover they produce is stitched with more than skill—it carries the weight of over a century of dedication, craftsmanship, and family pride.
In Greenport and beyond, the name Mills remains synonymous with quality, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the sea.