Biography:
1. Robert Hilton was born circa 1766 and appointed Surgeon on the 1st April 1791 (Supply 5/217 dated 3rd July 1795, and remained in that capacity on the same salary until the 18th June 1807, according to a document of that date (Supply 5/226 ). In the remarks column of this document, it also stated that in addition to his salary, each of the Foremen and Labourers paid Robert Hilton an allowance of 6d per month for medicines, . This was also the case in August 1808, and in September 1810.
2. List of Officers and Other Persons Employed dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) stated that Hilton was earning £63.17.6d, and confirmed that in addition to his salary, each of the Labourers paid him an allowance of 6d per month for medicines .
3. Winters (op.cit., p.122) confirmed he was appointed Surgeon to the Mills in 1791, and retained that position until 1839.
4. In 1814 Robert's Terms of Employment were changed, insomuch as he received a lump sum of £50 per annum in lieu of stoppages for medicines from the men (Supply 5/230 dated 13th February 1814).
5. Supply 5/231 dated 25th June 1818, confirmed that he was employed as Surgeon, that he was 52, resided at Waltham Abbey, and was married with 7 children. It also confirmed that he was appointed on the 1st April 1791, and that his salary in 1818 was £63.17.6d per annum. In additon, he was allowed £50 per annum in lieu of "stoppages for medicines". He did not have a house, but was "Upon the Establishment".
6. According to a further List of Employees (Supply 5/231dated 19th May 1819) Mr. Hilton was still the Surgeon, he was then aged 53, and all the other information given previously remained the same.
7. List of Employees dated the 13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) updated the previous entries; his age was given as 55.
8. List of Officers and other Persons Employed dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) confirmed that Robert Hilton was still Surgeon, that he was then aged 55, was married with 7 children and resided in Waltham Abbey.
9. Supply 5/232 dated 6th February 1822 indicated that Hilton was still paid £63.17.6d, plus £48.8.0d per annum for medicines, giving him a total income of £112.5.6d. He had served for nearly 34 years, was 56 years old, and was married with 7 children.
10 In June 1822, the Establishment at Waltham Abbey was reduced, and with the decrease in numbers, the Board ordered the Storekeeper to reduce Hilton's salary to £40 per annum, and that the allowances for medicines should be discontinued (Supply 5/232 dated the 16th July 1822).
11 According to the document, 'Alteration in Return A' dated the 1st April 1823 (WO54/542) Mr. Hilton's salary was confirmed at only £40 per annum, with his allowance for medicines discontinued. His family details and date of appointment were also confirmed.
12 Hilton was replaced as Surgeon at the Mills by Edwin Wheble in 1839 (Winters, op.cit.p.132).
13 It is possible that Robert had died, since the 1841 Census recorded that only Charlotte Hilton, Independent aged 70, Frederick Hilton, Surgeon aged 45, and Marriett Goss, female servant aged 20, were all living in Sewardstone Road.
