THOMAS MILLER senior and CATHERINE MILLER (nee MAY)

   

1790s   The circumstances of that first meeting [between John Horrocks and Thomas Miller] as related by [John's] granddaughter Clara make interesting reading. She wrote that as her grandfather was walking along Fishergate one day, 'a labouring young man approached him and asked to be directed to Mr Horrocks' mill. He said he had walked from Cumberland looking for work, and at Garstang was told that he would surely find a job at Mr Horrocks in Preston'. There and then John Horrocks did indeed offer him work as warehouseman and he soon proved to be a good employee. [12]

1798    As the years passed Miller took on more responsible jobs and was obviously a capable and intelligent man. In 1798 at St John's Church he married Catherine May of Preston who took in washing and sold eggs for a living. She was given a job as laundress to John Horrocks' family in their home at Golden Square. One day she was there in the kitchen ironing shirts when the mill-owner came in, sat down, and made a startling announcement which left her dumbstruck:

'Mrs Miller, I have this day given your husband sufficient capital wherewith to become a partner in my firm, and I have also given him this house. As I am going to live in Penwortham the house is now yours and you are its mistress. You need no longer do the work that you are now doing.'

Mrs Miller said afterwards that on hearing this she was made speechless and could not answer but just sat and stared at her master.

Clara wrote, 'From that day until the day on which she died the Horrocks children and their families had no more true friend than Catherine Miller. She was grateful to her heart's core for all that had been done for her, for her husband and for her children.'

This was the beginning of the long and remarkable association between the Miller and Horrocks families which would bring great wealth and status to both, but also some heartache and troubles along the way. [13]

1799    Already employed by John Horrocks: Longridge Warehouse - Thomas Miller - total £1562.9s.1d; Preston Warehouse - Thomas Miller - total £303.11s.6d.[1]

 

1802    The family connection with Preston commenced in 1802, when Mr. T.H. Miller's grandfather, who was then in business in Bolton as a small manufacturer, and was understood to be very clever in that particular branch of weaving known as "clouding", was recommended to the notice of Mr. John Horrocks as suitable to take the management of a portion of his establishment. An engagement followed, and Mr. Miller was taken into partnership seven years later.[2]

1814    Following the Declaration of Peace after victory in the French Wars, London was ablaze with triumphant rejoicing and the people went wild with excitement. No one could blame the Horrockses for forgetting their mourning [following the death of Robert Robbins, brother-in-law of John Horrocks] and leaving the widow at home. Joined by brother Samuel, and Thomas Miller his partner, they followed the excited throngs. [14]

1818    Miller, Thomas, manufacturer, house Golden Square, Church St.[3]

1820-1 Mayor and Alderman. He retained his seat on the Aldermanic Bench until his death.[4]

 

1821    Claiming that his family had been settled at Bampton, Westmorland, for 200 years, Thomas Miller, Mayor of Preston, applied for a grant of arms 1821. He was the son of Henry Miller, of Whitehaven, merchant, who appears to have been baptised at Bampton 1739, son of Thomas Miller, of Hegdale, Shap. The younger Thomas (d. 1840, aged 73) became a partner in the great firm of Horrockses, Miller & Co., cotton manufacturers, Preston, c.1801. He was Mayor of Preston 1820, 1826 and 1835, an alderman and magistrate, and the owner of estates in Cumberland and Westmorland. … Arms. Azure on a fess Argent between two bees volant in chief Proper and in base a wolf's head couped Or a wheelshuttle in fess also Proper. Crest. A demi wolf Erminois gorged with a collar gobony Argent and Azure supporting with the paws a spindle erect Proper (CA xxii/347).[5]

 

1825    Thomas Miller paid £70 to John Law for "All that undivided moiety or half part or share and all other the part or share of him … John Law … in all those yearly free rents issuing or payable out of … six several messuages or dwellinghouses situate in Whitehaven … Cumberland in … Strand Street and also four several messuages or dwellinghouses situate in New Town near Whitehaven in … Pipe Lane which said moiety of the said rents amounts to the yearly sum of [£2/15/-]" [6]  

…a comment in a letter from William Wordsworth to his sister Dorothy: 'Miller is a native of Whitehaven but of vulgar manners'. [15]

1826-7 Mayor.[7]

  1836    First mayor after the passing of the Municipal Reform Act.[8]

  1840    Interment of Thomas Miller Esq - Yesterday morning the mortal remains of this much respected gentleman were interred at St Paul's Church. There was a very large concourse of spectators, and the following was the order of the procession:-

Mute		Mute
The Rev J.H.Le Mothe		The Rev J.Rigg
Mr Harrison		Mr Brown
T.German Esq		W.Taylor Esq
E.Grimshaw Esq		R.Palmer Esq
R.W.Hopkins Esq		T.S.Shuttleworth Esq
J.Addison Esq		T.B.Addison Esq
W.H.Whitehead Esq		J.Bairstow Esq
H.Capper Esq		J.H.Kerfoot Esq
The Rev R.Harris		The Rev L.W.Jeffray
H.Miller Esq		T.Miller Esq
Mr J.Marshall	Mr F.Marshall	W.Marshall Esq
Mr W.Marshall	N.Cairns Esq	S.Horrocks jun Esq
Mr Slater		Mr Wilson
Mr Jackson		Mr Bolton
Overlookers and Managers
Servants
Undertakers