Thomas Windmills

London c. 1672 - London 1737

By: Amelia Aranda Huete

English watchmaker Thomas Windmills was the son of Joseph Windmills, who was also a watchmaker (active from 1671 to 1723). Thomas must have been born in around 1672 as he started his apprenticeship at the family’s workshop in 1686. He joined the Clockmakers’ Company in 1695. In December 1696 he employed his first apprentice at his workroom. He was made a master in 1719. He inherited the family’s Tower Street workshop and worked there from 1719 to 1737. He went into partnership with Thomas Bennet in around 1735. He was in charge of the maintenance of the clock at the Tower of London. He died on 23 May 1737.