THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS KINDLY SUPPLIED BY ANNETTE MILLER AUSTRALIA
Alexander Miller of Downpatrick, Agent to the de Cliffords, was a son of John Miller. In my research I found that he applied for the quartering of the heraldic arms of a William Gamble of Derry on the grounds that he was the grandson of Robert Miller of Coleraine. Robert Miller was married to Mary Anne Gamble who was the daughter and heir of William Gamble. I am sure that John Miller had siblings and there are connections. I have no other information about this Robert.
In 1972 an aunt of my father left him the Miller family bible. In the front was a marriage of a Croker Miller to a Matilda Kinchela and the listing of their 11 children.
The first was born in Sydney, Australia, the next two in Poona, India, the next at sea, and the remaining children in Ireland. My mother decided to see whether she could trace all 11 children. This began a 40 year project.
Croker Miller was the third son of William Miller (eldest son of John Miller). The name Croker came into the family because William married Catherine Croker, daughter of John Croker, Surveyor-General of Ireland for Customs and Excise from Waterford. Once we started talking to members of the family, we discovered that Croker’s military records still existed and that his wife had kept many of the letters written to her by her husband and members of the family. Matilda’s father was John Kinchela, a former mayor of Kilkenny and Attorney General of the colony of NSW. Croker came to Australia as the junior officer of the guard on a convict ship in 1830. I have in my possession the journal that he wrote on the voyage. While in Sydney, he met and married Matilda Kinchela. When his regiment moved to India, Matilda followed her husband to India. They eventually returned to Ireland when he contracted hepatitis. Matilda gave birth to a daughter off St Helena Island, bringing the name Helena into the family. I am descended from their son Rowley Croker Miller who was born in Buncrana, Donegal, after they returned to Ireland. Croker died in Ireland. Matilda eventually returned to Australia. Her mother was still living in Australia. A younger child had developed consumption and she made the decision to bring him to a warmer climate. Unfortunately he did not survive the voyage. The ship called into Plymouth and he is buried at Plymouth, England. The shipping company would not refund the passages, so the ship’s register reveals his name crossed out and the adding to two other children to the list in the cabin class.
In researching the family, we discovered the family link to Moneymore in Northern Ireland. John Miller had been the Agent for the Rowley family and when the estate was taken over by the Drapers Company of London, the Miller family continued the management the estate. In recognition of the significance to the family, John Miller named a son Rowley Miller.
I decided to relook at pieces of information that I had about the Miller family that remained in Ireland. My focus has been on confirming the identification of the siblings of William Miller and seeing how far I could follow these branches. The name Rowley, through the generations, was used through all the different branches of the family. A Miller, with the name Rowley attached, is usually the starting point to finding a connection. The existence of a Rowley in the graveyard of Ballyphillip brought my research attention to Portaferry. I had seen the existence of a Conyngham Miller and a Henry Rowan at Portaferry and only in the past month confirmed the link by reading Rowley Miller’s will on the Wills Calendar on the PRONI website. Initially the name being Rowan and not Rowley had led me leave the names as queries.
There is also a Miller connection to a Savage. John Miller’s son Robert had a daughter Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Miller married John Savage of Ballinascreen, Co. Derry at Chapelizod Church of Ireland on 12 January 1827. John Savage, was Surgeon at the Worshipful Drapers Dispensary at Ballynascreen. Witnesses to the marriage were Robert Miller and John Charles Miller. Elizabeth died 9th April 1845, aged 42 years and is buried in the Drapertown St Columba’s Church of Ireland graveyard. John Savage died 28th May, 1847 and is also buried in Draperstown St Columba’s Church of Ireland graveyard.
I notice from the Nugent papers the name Vesey. The Miller family also had connections to the Vesey family.
John MILLAR Down b. abt. 1750; remembered the making of St. Patrick's grave in Downpatrick O'L V1 p 286
John MILLER Down leased part of the Old Mill lands , Downpatrick from the Southwell Estate in 1752 LM 1991 p22
John MILLER Down in Fryars Lane, Castle Quarter, Downpatrick; leased a house to Allen family in 1751 ESRR p2
John MILLER Down a churchwarden at Downpatrick Church of Ireland in 1759 DAIPC p13
John MILLER Down of Scotch St, Downpatrick; a whitesmith in 1824 POD
DOWNPATRICK CHURCH OF IRELAND G.Y.
CLIFFORD
Against graveyard wall.
Here lieth the body of Hugh Clifford of the QUOYLE CASTLE who died 5th April 1798 aged 74 yrs.
Also his wife Elizabeth Clifford who died 13th June 1804 aged 82 yrs.
Also 4 of his children.
MILLER
Here lieth the body of Margt. Miller who died 26th July 1806 aged 3 yrs.
John MILLER Esq. J.P Comber; Down born 1796, son of Andrew Miller & Elizabeth Tate of Downpatrick; lived Downpatrick St & Bridge Sts & Aureen, Comber; a malster & distiller in 1825 & partner in Johnston, Miller & Co by 1831 ; husband of Agnes Pirrie; no children; buried Comber Non Subscribing Presbyterian graveyard; mentioned on Railway Prospectus 6 May 1845; railway committee Oct 1853; appointment to the magistracy 24 Feb 1866; attack on him 13 Apr 1867; his widowed sister-in-law Eliza Pirrie & childred came to live with the family c. 1867; proprietor of Comber Whiskey distillery, death notice 20 Jan 1883 (DR & NC); photo available ; left money for inmates of Downpatrick Workhouse for Easter treat 31 Mar 1883 MID p42, 43; JRWC p51; POD 1852; DR; NC; AG; OSM V7 p 33 , 39 ; SG; TOOC p52,61; DR*
MILLER
Box tomb
Erect. by John Miller of Comber in mem. of his father Andrew Miller, late of Downpatrick,
merchant, who died 12th Feb. 1832 aged 64 yrs.
Also Elizabeth his wife and 3 of their children who died young are interred here.
Andrew MILLER Down a churchwarden at Downpatrick Church of Ireland in 1812 DAIPC p14
Andrew MILLER Down of Irish St, Downpatrick; a leather cutter & seller in 1824; died 12 Feb 1832 aged 64 ;husband of Elizabeth Tate; father of John Miller of Comber (1796-1883) & Margaret (1805-1848 & Elizabeth; buried Church of Ireland graveyard; will probated 9 Oct 1832, executor was Margaret McEvoy of Downpatrick POD; MIs; IIW # 46308
MILLER
Two tablets on the SALL vault enclosed by rails
Enclosed by the adjoining rails is the burying ground of Alexander Miller, Justice of the Peace for the Co. of Down,
and Lord de Clifford’s agent and seneschal for the Manor of Downpatrick, A.D. 1830.
Alexander MILLER Esq.
J.P. Down born 1775 in Londonderry, son of John Miller; came to Downpatrick in 1802 to succeed his brother William as agent for Lord de Clifford; lived English St, Downpatrick; married Dorothy Potter of Killinchy in 1810 ; father of 12 children ; Collector of Excise 1817-1824; a magistrate in 1824 & 1852 ; donated £1 to the victims of the great storm in Newcastle 28 Jan 1843*; Seneschal at court leet for Downpatrick; secretary of Hospital & Widows Committee in 1846; on Board of Downpatrick Gaol in 1852; a seatholder at Downpatrick Church of Ireland in 1858; buried Church of Ireland graveyard, Downpatrick POD; DR; V17 p 36, 50, 51 OSM; DAIPC p63,64; MIs
Alexander MILLER Down a churchwarden at Downpatrick Church of Ireland in 1811 & assistant churchwarden in 1826 & 1827 DAIPC p14,26
William MILLER Down an assistant churchwarden at Downpatrick Church of Ireland in 1776 DAIPC p24
William MILLER Down agent for Lord De Clifford; brother of Alexander who was born in 1802 Co. Derry MID p 43
SON
In loving memory of John Miller M.A., J.P. formerally of Linsdfort House, Buncrana, died at Ardview, Killinchey,
5th July 1898 aged 85 yrs.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Rev. XIV. 13. [REVELATIONS 14 VERSE 13.]
John MILLER Esq. J.P. ;
M.A. Killinchy of Ardview House; land owner & land agent; son of Alexander & Dorothy Miller of Downpatrick; appointed as a magistrate 27 Jul 1891; member of Ulster Defense Union against Home Rule 21 Oct 1893;died 5 Jul 1898 aged 85; buried Church of Ireland graveyard; will probated 2 Dec 1898, executor was Miss Margaretta S. Miller of Ardview & Mason Alcock of Co Dublin RNPHCPI; BWN; MIs
Thomas Potter MILLER Killinchy of Ardview House, agrarian outrage 10 Jan 1880 DR; POD
Residents of a house 2 in Killinchy (Killinchy, Down) 1911
Miller Margaretta Sarah 60 Female Head of Family Irish Church Co Donegal Farmer Read and write Single
McMaster Jane 49 Female Servant Irish Church Co Down Cook Domestic Servant Read and write Single
Davies Anna Maria 21 Female Servant Irish Church Co Tyrone Parlor Maid Domestic Servant Read and write Single
Murphy Joseph 23 Male Servant Presbyterian Co Down General Man Domestic Servant Read and write Single
SAVAGE
Here lye the remains of Andrew Savage of Portaferry who died 22nd July 1791 aged 36 yrs.
JAMES MILLER WAS A LAND OWNER IN 1707 IN PORTAFERRY
BALLYPHILLIP GRAVEYARD PORTAFERRY
MILLER
[OF CIRCA 1800]
Near this stone lyeth the remains of two infant children of Capt. Miller'
Rowley and Jane.
BALLYHALBERT OLD GRAVEYARD
MILLER
Here lyeth the body of Joseph Miller leat [late] of Portaferry who died April the 11th 1758 aged 42 yrs.
Also his son James Miller who died in ye 10th year of his age.
Also 2 daughters Elinor and Ann.
SLANES GRAVEYARD
MILLER
[STONE BROKEN IN 3 PIECES]
Here lieth the body of Robert Miller of Portaferry, merchant, who died 17th April 1749 aged 40 yrs. [BORN 1709]
Ann WARD daughter of John Wards [sic] merchant in DUBLIN and grand-daughter of the above Robert Miller, who died 10th April 1778 aged 19 yrs.
Also of Annie Miller his wife who died 10th June 1781 aged 70 yrs. BORN 1711
Also James Miller of Portaferry, merchant, who died 12th June 1786 aged 46 yrs.
Also the body of his daughter Mary, who died 3rd. Nov. 1797 aged 42 yrs.
MILLER
Here lyeth the body of Essy Miller wife to Samuel Miller, who died 4th Nov. 1770 aged 56 yrs.
Also their son James Miller who died 6th Nov. 1769.
Mr George MILLAR Ballyphilip agent for Mr Nugent in 1836
C MILLER Ballyphilip of Portaferry; executor in the will of Henry Rowan in 1835
Conyngham MILLER Ballyphilip agent for A. Nugent in Portaferry in 1846
Mr Henry Rowan MILLER Ballyphilip harbour master in Portaferry in 1846 & magistrate in 1862
Henry Rowan MILLER Ballyphilip of Portaferry ; owner of schooner 'Mary Ann' (built 1847) , wrecked 1877 & brigantine 'Fortuna' (built 1821) wrecked 1880 & schooner 'Alfred' (built 1815) wrecked 1882 & brigantine 'Diana' (built 1852) wrecked 1883
Mr MILLER Ardkeen a miller in Ardkeen & owner of 'La Belle Marie, Portaferry's first steam schooner c. 1817; it carried his meal over to Glasgow, Cardiff, London & Dublin; then lived in Castlehill & Church St, Portaferry with 2 sisters; deaf JUAHS 1977 p15, 21
THE "LA BELLE MARIE"
LITTLE STEAMER OF 20 OR 25 TONS.
BUILT OF WOOD AT GLOUCESTER IN 1866.
BOUGHT IN THE EARLY 1890’S BY
MR HENRY MUSGRAVE OF BELFAST
MANAGED BY MR HENRY R MILLER PORTAFERRY WHO WAS WELL KNOWN ABOUT BELFAST DOCKS
CAPTAIN/FIRST OFFICER WAS JOHN ------- FROM PORTAVOGIE MAN OF OVER 6 FEET TALL, EARRINGS IN BOTH EARS, STANDARD HIGH HEELED SHOES, OR HIGH LOWS. & BELL MOUTHED TROUSERS. HE BORE THE CHARACTERISTIC STAMP OF HIS ANCIENT SEA-FARING RACE. HE SPOKE THE QUAINT SCOTCH- IMPRESSED LANGUAGE OF THE “BACK SHORE”
ENGINEER & FIREMAN WILLIAM -------- FROM PORTAVOGIE [PROBABLY JOHN’S BROTHER.]
AN A.B. SEAMAN
& A COOK.
THIS IS PROBABLY JOHN
Residents of a house 3 in Portaferry Quay (Ards Upper, Down)1901
Shaw Robert 21 Male Prespeyterian Co Down Ordinary Seaman Read and write Single
Mc Vea John 51 Male Head of Family Church of Ireland Co Down Sea Captain Read and write Married
Mc Vea James 26 Male Son Church of Ireland Co Down Mate Mariner Read and write -Single
Mc Vea John 24 Male Son Church of Ireland Co Down A B Seaman Read and write Single
NEWTOWNARDS CHRONICLE 1890 JAN 11th
SALE BY AUCTION.
HENRY MCGRATH, AUCTIONEER, PORTAFERRY AT PARKS HOTEL, PORTAFERRY IN THE MATTER OF
HENRY ROWAN MILLER BANKRUPT ON 14th JAN.
DWELLING HOUSE WITH SUITABLE OUT OFFICES BESIDE A GOOD LABOURER’S OR HERD’S COTTAGE ON THE PREMISES.
ABOUT 60 ACRES OF THE LAND KNOWN AS CASTLE HILL [ARDKEEN & BALLYWARD] AND HAS A GOOD SUPPLY OF SEAWRACK. [SEAWEED FOR FERTILIZER
Residents of a house 7 in Church Street (Ards Upper, Down) 1901
Miller Heny Rowan 75 Male Head of Family Ch of Ireland Belfast City Merchant Read and write Not Married BORN 1826
Boron Sarah 40 Female Servant Ch of Ireland Portferry, Co Down General Servant Domestic Read and write Not Married
ARDQUIN GRAVEYARD
LAWSON
[IN a high railed enclosure with a masonic compas and square at the top]
Erected by John Lawson of Priest-town, 1820.
Here lie the remains of Edward Lawson who died 25th dec. 1817 aged 68 yrs.
Also the remains of Jane Lawson his wife who died 20th Oct. 1814 aged 5 yurs.
Also the said John Lawson who died 25th Nov.1861 aged 74 yrs.
Inscribed by Ann Lawson in memory of her son Wm. H. MILLER Lawson who died 25th Jan.1898 aged 16 yrs.
Also her husband John Lawson who died 29th June 1899.
David John Lawson died 22nd. June 1958.
Name: Samuel Little
Male
Marriage: 1799
Marriage Place: Presb Church, Kircubbin, County Down, Northern Ireland
Spouse: Hanna Millar
Source: Z. Mettam. Northern Ireland Marriages, Volume 1 (Manuscript found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City on microfilm 824282, item 2).
Hugh MILLER Inishargy married Mary J.McKee at the Kircubbin Presbyterian Church in 1836
John MILLER Ballyphilip of Portaferry drowned in Strangford Lough 16 Aug 1834 N
NORTHERN WHIG. AUG. 14th 1834
TUESDAY 12th AUG. 1834 SOME GENTLE MEN AND TWO BOATMEN; 7 IN ALL WENT FROM P/FERRY ON A PLEASURE CRUISE UP STRANGFORD LOUGH. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER YACHT THE PROPERTY OF COLONEL NUGENT.
THE WEATHER WAS SQUALLY WITH A STIFF BREEZE FROM THE SOUTH.
RUNNING BETWEEN AUDLEY’S POINT & KILLILEAGH THE BOAT OF 7 PERSONS CAPSIZED.
THE CREW OF COL. NUGENT’S YACHT PICKED UP 3 OF THE DROWING MEN BUT THE REMAINING 4 WERE LOST.
THESE WERE.
MR JOHN MILLAR/ER SON OF CUNNINGHAM MILLAR/ER OF PORTAFERRY MR M McCLINTOCK SON OF MR McCLINTLOCK OF DRUMCAR, FORMERLY M.P. FOR CO. LOUTH.; REV. ANDREW O’BEIRNE PRINCIPAL OF PORTA DIOCESAN SEMINARY; & NOLAN THE BOATMAN.
Residents of a house 1 in Ballywallon (Ards Upper, Down) 1901
Miller John 20 Male Head of Family Church of Ireland Co Down Farm Servant Read and write Not Married
Miller Dora 50 Female Mother Church of Ireland Co Down General Servt Domestic Cannot read Widow
Dash John 6 Male Nephew Church of Ireland Co Down Scholar Read Not Married
Dash William 4 Male Nephew Church of Ireland Co Down - Cannot read Not Married
Graham Agnes G 7 Female Niece Church of Ireland Co Down Scholar Read Not Married
FOR BALLYHALBERT MILLERS SEE LINK
http://www.worldfamilies.net/forum/index.php?topic=9089.0
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