Barometers Realm

John Lilley & Son, Ltd. were English opticians, nautical and mathematical instrument makers, and compass makers. London addresses: 7 Jamaica Terrace, Limehouse (1846-1865); 9 London St., Fenchurch St. (1865-1885); 10 London St. (1890-1901). They also traded at The New Quay, North Shields, Tyne & Wear. The company started as a partnership between John Lilley and his son John.

John Lilley the elder (fl.1811-1845) was an optician, and nautical and mathematical instrument maker of London, England. Addresses: Commercial Place, Commercial Rd.; Christopher St., Hatton Garden (1811); Globe St., Bethnal Green (1818-1821); 7 Jamaica Terrace, Limehouse (1823-1845); Jamaica Terrace, Commercial Rd., Near West India Docks (1826); 29 Beaumont Square, Mile End Rd. (1851). John Lilley was bound as an apprentice to Michael Dancer in August 1801, but was re-bound as apprentice to James Archer Lilley of the Merchant Taylors' Company in October 1801. There are no official guild records for this as a turn-over, and it may have been for convenience. This would allow him to complete his apprenticeship under the tuition of Dancer, yet gain his freedom of the Merchant Taylors' Company, which was recorded in 1811. In 1846 he entered a partnership with his son, John), and began trading as John Lilley & Son.

According to their trade card dated 1865, "John Lilley & Son, 9, London Street, Fenchurch Street, London, E.C.Nautical & Mathematical instrument manufacturers to Her Majesty's Royal Navy. Inventors & Patentees of the new liquid steering compass." Another trade card states, "John Lilley & Son, Nautical and Mathematical instrument makers to Her Majesty's Royal Navy & the Honble. East India Company. Sole proprietors and manufacturers of Sir W. Snow Harris's steering compass, and Correctors of local attraction in iron ships by magnetic operations, and Tables of deviations computed. 7 Jamaica Terrace, Limehouse, London."

In 1913 the company merged with Wilson & Gillie. In 1919 the company was listed as "John Lilley & Sons, Ltd., Wilson & Gillie), Messrs., The New Quay, North Shields', as a member of the British Optical Instrument Manufacturers' Association.

In the 1929 British Industries Fair, the catalogue entry for John Lilley & Son, listed them as a compass and binnacle maker, offering: Sounding machines; Nautical instruments and chronometers; Standard and steering compasses; Semaphores; Liquid compasses for trawlers and lifeboats, etc.; Morse lamps; Q.E.D. pelorus; Ships logs; Chart appliances; Clock cases; Pendulums; Sounding machines; Depth recorders. The New Quay, North Shields, and London. Telegrams: "Gillie North Shields" (Note, Q.E.D. refers to Q.E.D. Patents). In 1943 the merged company was renamed John Lilley & Gillie.