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THOMAS MILLER junior and HENRIETTA SARAH MILLER (nee PITT)

1811    Born on the 15^th February in the house in Golden Square, near the entrance to the Yard Works (built and sometime occupied by John Horrocks, MP for the Borough). He received the rudiments of his education at the old Grammar School in Stoneygate; afterwards went to the Collegiate School in Manchester; and subsequently pursued his studies in Paris.[1]

1843    Elected Councillor for Fishwick Ward in November.[2]

1845    Refused the opportunity to become mayor. A year later he would willingly have accepted the office, but was now denied it through a devious manoeuvre by the Preston tories … The embittered Miller vowed never to accept the mayoralty, and adhered to his decision for the rest of his life, despite several subsequent approaches.[3]

1846    On the death of Mr George Jacson in March, Thomas Miller was made an Alderman.[4]

1846    Thomas Miller was a trustee of St Mary's Infants School, and a churchwarden.[5]

1847     Actively opposed the Ten Hours Act, a rare display of direct political involvement.[6]

1850    One committee member who attended none of the meetings [of the General Purposes Committee of the Preston Local Board of Health] in the first year was the greatest mill owner in Preston, Thomas Miller, who was running Horrocks Miller & Co. [47]

1851    In 1851, or thereabouts, the Addisons left 7 Winckley Street, the first house in Winckley Square at the south-eastern corner of Winckley Street. The house was taken over by Mr Thomas Miller, of the cotton firm, Horrockses Miller, the most powerful cotton manufacturer in the town. Whilst resident there he built his own splendid house on the garden of no.7, demolishing houses in butler's Court, off Fishergate, to accommodate it. [7] [8]

1852    His political allegiance lay with the conservative wing of the Liberal party, and in the general election he had sponsored the candidature of C.P.Grenfell. [9]

In 1852, Alderman Thomas Miller, a very distinguished personage in the town of Preston, where he owned several cotton mills, bought the Singleton Park Estate from the Hornby family, pulled down the church (which had been built only fifty-three years earlier, to replace a tiny dilapidated building) and erected a handsome new edifice big enough to seat 300 people. [49]

1853    In 1853 he led the employers in a 39 week lockout of operatives for which he gained a reputation as a vindictive opponent.[10]

On 5^th August collectors at Horrockses were seized by the police (acting on instructions from Thomas Miller), charged with begging, and locked up for the night. … When the weavers met on 11^th August to discuss the implications of the Stockport triumph [where mill workers had gained an advance in wages], George Cowell launched into the first of many bitter attacks on Miller, who, he claimed, had said in Manchester that all the mills in Lancashire should be closed in order to starve the Stockport strikers into submission. (Miller indignantly denied the charge, which Cowell later withdrew). The weavers took a less than charitable view of a man who, in George Cowell's words, "had become notorious for screwing down the operatives in his employ", paying miserly wages and maintaining harsh discipline in his mills. That Miller was a stern and self-righteous man is suggested by his (infrequent) public utterances during the strike, … In Thomas Miller the operatives had a stubborn and unforgiving opponent.[11]

1853    In 1853 [Singleton estate] was purchased from Joseph Hornby of Ribby through the Trustees of Hugh Hornby by Alderman Thomas Miller of Preston.[12] Thomas Miller Esq of Preston purchased the manor and greatly improved the property by draining the low lands known as Singleton Carrs, which in former times were often partially inundated.[13] Mr Miller, after becoming the owner of Singleton, took a very warm interest in all that concerned the physical, educational, and spiritual welfare of the locality, and his memory is revered and loved by every inhabitant of it.[14] [15]

1853   Alderman Thomas miller, cotton manufacturer of Preston, bought Singleton for £70,000 in 1853 and pulled the old village down. He then began rebuilding it. He built the church, the school and most of the houses. Hewitson, a journalist from Preston, said of Singleton in 1872 'the houses are ranged in couples, they have pretty garden plots, you meet first two whitewashed houses and then a couple of red brick houses, the population is altogether agricultural and in regular employ on the estate'. [48]

In the reign of James I, Great Singleton was purchased from the crown by Edward Badbie and William Weldon … Subsequently the manor passed to the Fanshaws, and from them to the Shaws; William Cunliffe Shaw, of Preston, esq., sold it to Joseph Hornby, of Ribby Hall, esq., and afterwards it was purchased by Thomas Miller, esq., of Preston, who greatly improved the property by draining the low lying lands known as Singleton Carrs, which in former days were frequently in a state of partial or complete inundation. [50]

1850s   'The old woman accused of witchcraft' was bought by Mr Miller of Preston, for five hundred guineas. … An intimacy such as frequently exists between artist and patron, arose between Mr Miller and me. I spent many happy hours with him at Preston. He was one of the truest gentlemen and the warmest friend of art for art's sake, that I have ever known.

            I also painted a public-house sign, or, to speak more correctly I assisted in doing so: for Egg worked on one side of it, whilst I attended to the other. The public-house was called The Pilgrim. On Egg's side of the sign the pilgrim, with a cockle-shell and staff, was represented knocking at the door: on the reverse - my side - he was coming out refreshed, and looking up thankfully at a piece of sky, meant to pass for heaven. This work of art was a present to our friend Miller, who had just then purchased an estate in Lancashire, for which he was said to have paid a fabulous sum - as, in addition to many hundreds or thousands of acres, a whole village and the public house were part of the bargain. We fully expected our pilgrim would have been allowed to take the place always allotted to signs at inns - either above the entrance door or in the prouder position on the top of a post, where he might swing and creak after the manner of his kind. But whether from respect for his calling, or for "the artistic merit with which he was invested," he was taken inside and relegated to the bar, where he is more likely to retain his "carnations" than if they were exposed to wind and weather. [16]

            Miller's collection consisted entirely of works of the English school and were displayed in a gallery adjoining his house. Among the outstanding paintings were 'Hunt the Slipper' by Maclise; 'Van Tromp at the Mouth of the Scheldt' and 'Quilleboeuf' by Turner. The Art Journal considered the latter the most sublime of Turner's sublimest essays. … There were seven Friths, including a small replica of 'Ramsgate Sands', five Etty's with 'The Coral Finders' perhaps the most important. Anecdote was piled on anecdote in the works of Leslie, Webster, Elmore, Egg, and Cope. One of Landseer's best productions, 'Highland Game' with its grouse, blackcock, ptarmigan, woodcock, snipe, and partridge was here. One of David Robert's magnificent church interiors and quiet works of Linnell also found their place, while there were a few watercolours - the most important perhaps was 'Cader Idris' by Turner.[17]

1856    Handsome present to the Mechanics Institution. We had yesterday the opportunity of inspecting a very handsome present that has been made by our wealthy townsman, Mr Alderman Miller, to the members of the Preston Mechanics Institution, Avenham. It consists of a series of photographs, by Mr Roger Fenton, taken during the summer of 1855, which include views of the principal scenes in the neighbourhood of Sebastopol and Balaklava… The total cost of these beautiful illustrations is no less than £63…[18]

1856    Preston Free Library and Museum. Subscriptions: Thos Miller Esq £300.[19]

1857    T. Miller supports Liberal candidates at General Election.[20]

1857    Cotton Supply Association formed. T. Miller on council.[21]

1860    Proposed establishment of a School of Art in Preston. …Mr Alderman Miller was warmly received. He proposed the following resolution:- That the spread of art knowledge is a matter of national importance from its tendency to elevate the taste and habits of the people, and also to increase the proficiency in those branches of industry which require in their prosecution artistic skill and ingenuity. "…great as this nation had become by its commerce and other attainments, it had come short in that excellency which ought to characterize the various objects which it manufactured… A nation like this, which had the capability of producing manufactures … must possess that strength of mind which, if cultivated, would make it proficient in the matters of taste." (Loud applause). The resolution was unanimously agreed to.[22]

1860    Patriotic Ball, Preston, Wednesday February 1^st. The proceeds to be given to the Preston Rifle Corps. Patrons: … T.Miller Esq, Winckley Square.[23]

1860    Preston Town Council - The Police Force. Mr Alderman Miller impressed upon the Watch Committee the necessity of their giving attention to the strength of the police force with the view of increasing it by an additional number of men, not according to any plan of government, but solely with reference to the wants of the borough. On all sides it was admitted that we had too few policemen. The outside of the town and the unoccupied spaces were crowded on the summer evenings and holidays with idlers and gamblers. Forty men were too few to watch over so large a population as ours…[24]

1860    In 1859 [Singleton] Church was … pulled down, and the present handsome and larger Church erected on the site, chiefly through the munificence of Alderman Thomas Miller of Preston, then lord of the manor. The cost was about £4,000. It was consecrated on the 12^th July, 1860. The seating accommodation is 300. … There are several mural monuments within the Church, the principal one being to the memory of Thomas Miller. … There are nine stained glass windows, three of which were presented in 1860 - the East window by Thomas Miller; …[25]

1860-61 The buildings of E.G.Paley: Singleton, St Anne, new church, Early English style. [51]

1861

1862        Cotton Famine.

February: Preston Relief Fund subscriptions reported: T.Miller £100.[26]

October: Thomas Miller, for fuel, £500. The Times correspondent wrote: "The millowners … have done little or nothing to improve the position … One gentleman has generously given £500 for the purchase of fuel … For the last six weeks the Preston poor have been supported mainly by the grants from London and Manchester." [27]

The buildings of E.G.Paley: Singleton, Singleton School. [52]

1863    Acquisition of land subsequently developed into Miller Park.[28]

1864   Alderman Miller's gift to the town [of Preston] of Miller Park, 11 acres.[30]

1865    Death and funeral of Mr Thomas Miller. …During the recent trying and lengthened period of distress … his generosity and benevolence, to his own operatives especially, displayed abundant goodness of heart. When they worked less than four days per week, he gave them half a day's wages more than they had earned; and on their annual summer excursions he invariably provided all that was requisite for their enjoyment … leaving them subject to no expense, but the mere excursion trip fare. On the last of these occasions, in August, he defrayed the whole of the expenses, including the railway fare, and paid them all their day's wages besides.

His wife is a niece of Mr John Horrocks, the founder of the firm.

Buried at St John's, Lytham.

One of the largest landowners in the Fylde.

Ten mills, employing 3,200, making 400,000 yards, or 227 miles, of cloth weekly.

Born in Golden Square, opposite the entrance to the Yard Works, 15 February 1811.

Died 24 June 1865, "the sole representative of the far-famed firm of Horrockses, Miller & Co".

Became managing partner in 1836, as his father had been before him.

Married late 1844 or early 1845 and moved to Winckley Square.[31]

1865    THE LATE ALDERMAN MILLER - VOTE OF CONDOLENCE. The Mayor said: Before we proceed to the business of the Local Board, Mr Alderman E.Birley will move a resolution, and Mr Alderman Goodair will second it.

Mr Alderman E.Birley then rose and said: Mr Mayor and gentlemen, I rise to ask you to agree with me in adopting a resolution, and in asking you to do so, I fear I shall very inadequately express the sentiments of this Council, or even my own. … Very few months ago, I asked you, in this room, in the presence of the late Mr Alderman Miller, to accord him a vote of thanks, for the very liberal gift he had made, in presenting to this Council a large extent of land in Avenham Park - that gift being accompanied, as all the members of Council are well aware, by a stipulation that the chief educational establishment in this town should receive additional support. … It has been justly said by a writer in one of the Preston newspapers that the late Mr Alderman Miller did generous acts without the slightest ostentation, and without seeking for public approbation. … He has been amongst you as a member of this Council for a great many years; and although he did not attend committee meetings to the same extent as many of you have done, and still are doing, yet I may say he was always at his post at a time when his services were required for the welfare of the town at large. …  

Mr Alderman Goodair said: Mr Mayor and gentlemen,- In seconding this resolution I do not ask its adoption at the hands of the members of this Council, for I feel that every one present - not only those members present, but also those who are this day absent - will join with me in expressing their feeling of the great loss which they and this town have sustained in the death of our late friend, Mr Alderman Miller. …  Expressions of sympathy have not only been offered by the town, but also by the press, and I would take this opportunity of expressing - what I know to be the heartfelt feeling of many of the inhabitants of this town - my thanks to the press for their notice of the late Mr Alderman Miller. One paper especially - the Herald - deserves mention; and the writer of the article that appeared in that paper, whoever he may be, has conferred a favour upon his fellow-townsmen which will not be forgotten. …  

The Mayor observed: In putting this resolution before you I cannot refrain from expressing my own feelings on the subject. Perhaps there are very few, if any, members of the Corporation who have been more frequently brought into contact with Mr Alderman Miller than myself. We have worshipped in the same tabernacle for that length of time; and we have been connected in a variety of ways, as members of committees, and as trustees of our various schools and churches; and it has been my privilege on very many occasions to call upon him to solicit his assistance for a great many charitable objects. I was trying the other day to tax my memory as to whether I could recall a single instance in which I met with a refusal. I do not believe there is one instance; and his gifts have always been made in the most pleasing way. After making himself master of the project for which his sympathy and assistance were sought, his remark was generally, "Well, what do you purpose raising, and what do you think my proportion ought to be?" I have mostly told him what we sought to raise, but told him that the amount of his gift must rest with himself; and I may say that I do not know one instance in which I was disappointed with the result. I would also wish to make an observation in answer to a remark which I have heard made that Mr Miller took a very small part in the distribution of relief during the late cotton famine. Mr Alderman Miller attended the first preliminary meeting about the distress, and was a member of the first committee; and though he did not take that active part in attending the meetings which some members have taken, yet I do not think there is one in this town who took a greater interest in the operations of the committee, or one who was more desirous of knowing, from time to time, how the committee were proceeding, and whether the arrangements made were likely to meet the desired end. When I had the honour of being entrusted with the chairmanship of Fishwick Ward, Mr Alderman Miller placed his entire establishment at my disposal, with regard to assistance. He said, "If there is any man in my establishment that can render you assistance he is at your command." I made a very free use of that offer, and had, in fact, the whole of his managers in Fishwick Ward, and they rendered most valuable assistance. During the entire distribution, Mr Miller was in constant communication with us, either through myself or through his managers; he repeatedly asked us the course of proceedings; and I know he took the most lively interest in the whole distribution. I do not make these remarks because he was separate and distinct in this respect, but for the purpose of answering a remark which I have heard made. I remember the generous sum with which he opened the first subscription, and I wish now to bear testimony to the very great interest he has taken in it throughout; but, I may say, his is not an isolated case, for the same may be said of all the firms in Fishwick Ward. … I feel thankful in having this opportunity of offering my tribute to the memory of the late Mr Alderman Miller. It was at his very earnest solicitation and request, along with some other gentlemen, that I allowed myself to be placed in nomination as a member of this Council; and on several occasions before that, during the time of his late brother, he was anxious that I should become a colleague of his brother. I had no desire to enter the Council, but, at his solicitation, as well as that of others, some of whom are present, I agreed to come forward; and I have great satisfaction in remembering the very cordial way in which he supported my nomination to the office which I now have the honour to hold, founded as it was, according to his own expression, upon many years experience. It is a matter of thankfulness to me to remember that, and it will continue to be so in after years. Without any further remarks, gentlemen, I will ask you to adopt the resolution which Mr Alderman E.Birley has proposed.

The motion was then carried unanimously.[32]

1865    THE LATE MR THOMAS MILLER The owner of wealth almost fabulous in its amount, the master of nearly four thousand operatives, himself one of the greatest powers in the greatest of England's industries...

Born in Golden-square ... 15 February 1811 ... education .. in part at the old Grammar school, partly at Manchester, and finally in Paris ... the son of a man who had risen from the people, he had none of those unpleasant traits of character which are too commonly attributed to the cotton lords of Lancashire That he was (Preston's) foremost inhabitant was universally acknowledged the largest employer of labour in North Lancashire ... and by far the wealthiest man in the district... on every occasion he acted with the Liberal party ... he chose to live the life of a plain useful citizen, rather than become that which he might readily have been, a great popular leader and benefactor ... His conduct towards (his employees) during the late crisis is also deserving of notice ...(he) kept his mills working more or less throughout the whole of the time. and at times at a great loss to himself, for a considerable period too, when matters were at their worst. his work people were paid one‑fifth more than they earned. In addition to this., he subscribed liberally on three different occasions to the Relief fund., the amount he gave in one instance being £2000 ... quite recently he has given £1000 to the Infirmary fund ... His wife .. was the niece of Mr John Horrocks ... at St. John's (Lytham) ...rested the remains of one of Mr Miller's daughters ... "In memory of Louisa, daughter of Thomas Miller, Winckley. Square. Preston; died 3rd September 1860, aged 14 months".

The establishment now consists of ten mills ... 2,775 looms and 154,334 spindles driven by twelve engines of 540 horse-power. ...now employ about 3,200 operatives when the establishment is in full operation it can spin nearly 100,000 lbs of yarn every week, and 400,000 yards - about 230 miles of cotton cloth.[33]

1865    Many times strong desires were expressed that he should serve the office of Mayor, but his extensive business engagements were pleaded as his chief reason for not assuming the dignities and cares of the Mayoral office. Though a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the County, he excused himself for similar reasons from serving the office of High Sheriff, and, on like grounds, declined to allow himself to be put in nomination as a Candidate for the Parliamentary representation of the Borough.

In everything that related to the benefit of the town or concerned the welfare of the inhabitants, Mr Miller ever showed the greatest interest, and was an earnest advocate especially of any project that could tend to increase the rational enjoyment of the working classes. His donations to the local eleemosynary institutions [almshouses], and to all charitable objects whatsoever, were large and liberal. Nearly every Church and School in the town numbered him among its benefactors. He presented to the Corporation the plot of land in the Avenham Valley which forms the Miller Park, and showed his regard for the Grammar School by concluding with the Corporation an arrangement by which the Exhibition called after his name at one of the Universities was secured to that institution.

He died, amid the deep regrets of the entire community, on the 24^th of June, in the fifty-fifth year of his age.[34]

1865    The son, Alderman T. Miller, who succeeded him, still further consolidated the family fortunes, and established the famous house of Horrockses amongst the world's greatest manufacturing firms. He also did splendid work for the town as a member of the Corporation, and though it is rather surprising that he never occupied the Mayoral Chair, the sole reason was that his ambitions did not turn that way, and he was too busy and too retiring to desire even for a year to shoulder the anxieties, the many and varied duties and the public prominence which the acceptance of office involved.

The country life appealed to him strongly, and when the opportunity occurred of acquiring the Singleton estate from the Joseph Hornby trustees he promptly availed himself of it. He at once commenced to improve the estate, part of which was practically wasted through flooding, spending money freely in building new farms, fencing and draining fields, putting down plantations, housing the labourers in beautiful cottages with an abundance of garden, and taking pains to have both man and beast comfortably housed and well cared for. He also built a handsome stone Gothic church at a cost of £4,000, the whole of which he defrayed out of his own pocket with the exception of £500 subscribed by his personal friends. Such a transformation took place at Singleton in a few years that has not often been equalled in any other part of the county. Both the estate and the town of Preston suffered a great loss when he died at the comparatively early age of 54.[35]

1865    Workpeople of the late Mr Miller have got up an address for presentation to Mrs Miller. … The recollection of his worth, and especially of his munificent liberality during the late unparalleled distress, will long prevail.[36]

1865    Greatest of the cotton lords was Thomas Miller. The son of the elder Thomas Miller, he exercised vast personal influence through the firm which at his death operated ten mills, 155,970 spindles, 2,865 looms, twelve steam engines (540 h.p.), and employed three thousand 'hands' to spin 104,000 lbs. of yarn and weave 227 miles of cloth each week. The Yard Works was the largest 'single site' in Lancashire, perhaps even in the world. His death caused great consternation among the Horrockses workforce, and all the town's councillors and clergy followed the former alderman's funeral procession around the town. Some 2,500 of his former employees walked in ranks from the Yard Works to line the route from the Corn Exchange to Miller's splendid Italianate-style town house at the top of Winckley Square, before his body was put on to a train for burial at Lytham.

To many of the Horrockses workforce he must have indeed seemed a father figure. … His role as leader of the Preston Masters during the Great Lockout forgotten, his obituary stressed his generosity during the late Cotton Famine. The mills had continued to run half-time and had avoided closing, the reduced wages had been subsidised from his own pocket and he had contributed to the Preston Relief Fund. Thomas Miller was also 'An ardent lover and warm patron of the fine arts. His gallery of paintings by modern artists is one of the best selected and most valuable in the Kingdom'. In addition, 'A firm and conscientious supporter of Liberal principles,' he had given freely to churches and schools, and presented the land for Miller Park to the town. Investing in fine art and an extensive estate in the Fylde, this second generation master, son 'of a good practical weaver,' had clearly ascended into the ranks of the landed gentry.[37]

1865    The window in the north transept [of St John, Lytham] is to Thomas Miller.[53]

1865    Thomas Miller's death in 1865 severed the Miller connections with the company.[38] His sons were uninterested in the business.[39]

1865    WILL - All manors … and real estate, except Greenhalgh with Thistleton, Elswick, Little Eccleston with Larbreck and Whittingham, and except mansion house in Winckley Square, to eldest son Thomas Horrocks Miller;

            Manors … and real estate in Greenhalgh etc to second son William Pitt Miller;

Mansion house in Winckley Square, to wife Henrietta Sarah for life rent free, also leasehold house at Lytham, and annuity of £2,000;

Annuity of £500 to Frederick Earnshaw Marshall for 12 years;

£30,000 each to children, including Thomas Horrocks Miller and William Pitt Miller;

£1,000 to Henrietta Sarah within one week for immediate occasions, and so much and such of my wines and spirits … as she shall select not exceeding altogether one hundred and fifty dozen bottles, remainder to be divided equally between Thomas Horrocks Miller and William Pitt Miller;

Stocks and shares in any gas or water company, and in the Winckley Club and in the Preston Literary and Philosophical Institution to William Pitt Miller;

£100 each to sisters Eliza Horrocks, Catherine Jeffray and Mary Cairns;

£50 to sister-in-law Caroline Miller, widow of Henry;

£100 each to nephews Frederick Earnshaw Marshall, John Marshall, William Marshall, and William McNeile Cairns;

£50 each to nieces Emily Marshall, Julia Catherine Rawstorne, Caroline Mary Marshall, Eliza Fanny Elgee, Sarah Maria Marshall, Katherine Jeffray, Katherine Maria Cairns, Rosanna Matilda Cairns, Mary Elizabeth Miller, Caroline Louisa Miller, Emily Georgiana Miller;

£500 each to executors Frederick Earnshaw Marshall of Penwortham Hall, William Percival Elgee of Preston, and William Marshall of Penwortham Hall;

Henrietta Sarah, Frederick Earnshaw Marshall and William Percival Elgee to be guardians of children under 21;

Effects sworn under £600,000.[40]

1871

1880s   Miller, Mrs Henrietta, 5 Winckley Square, Preston, and 3 West Beach, Lytham.[41]

1888    DEATH OF MRS MILLER. We regret to have to announce the death, which occurred on Sunday morning, at her Lytham residence, of Mrs Henrietta Sarah Miller, widow of the late Mr Thomas Miller, of Winckley-square, Preston, and West Beach, Lytham. The deceased lady had for many years past been in the habit of spending the summer months at Lytham, and in accordance with her usual practice, she took up her residence at the house in West Beach about two months ago. For some time past her health had been failing, but when she arrived at Lytham on the last occasion she was considered by members of her family to be comparatively well. She took carriage exercise with her accustomed regularity, and no serious apprehensions were entertained respecting her. About ten days ago, however, Mrs Miller was seized with paralysis. Her medical attendant, Dr Fisher, of Lytham, was hastily sent for, and subsequently Dr Brown, of Preston, was called in consultation. These gentlemen rendered such aid as lay in their power, but from the first they entertained very slight hope of the patient's recovery. Towards the close of last week Mrs Miller grew worse, and the members of her family who had been previously summoned were in almost constant attendance. From the first seizure the patient almost up to the end was more or less conscious, but on Saturday night it became manifest that the end was approaching. Mrs Miller became worse, and died on Sunday morning. All the members of her family, including Mr Thomas Miller, of Singleton Park, Mr William Pitt Miller, of Merlewood and Thistleton, sons of the deceased, and Mrs Jessop, of Dublin, Mrs Gardner, of Rugeley, Staffordshire, and Mrs Percival, of Berkshire, were present at the time. The remains of Mrs Miller will be interred near those of her late husband in the family vault at St John's Church, Lytham, on Wednesday morning. The interment is to be of a strictly private nature. Mrs Miller, since the death of her husband, which occurred in 1865, had lived a comparatively quiet and retired life, but she was very highly esteemed by numerous friends throughout this part of Lancashire for her charitable and genial disposition. The deceased lady was in her 69th year. [54] 

1889    Thomas Miller, of the widely-known firm of Horrockses, Miller & Co, formed the notable Collection of Paintings described in the following Catalogue…

Of the following Collection, 69 of the Paintings in Oils, and four of the Water Colours - those by Turner - were on loan at the recent Winter Exhibition of the Royal Academy. In response to wishes generally expressed, the owner of the Oil Paintings, T.H.Miller Esq of Singleton Park, Lancashire, and of those in Water Colours, W.Pitt Miller Esq of Merlewood, Grange, have afforded, through the Corporation of Preston, the present opportunity to the inhabitants of the Borough and neighbourhood of becoming acquainted with the entire Collection formed by their late father, now for the first time publicly exhibited.[42]

1889    THE MILLER COLLECTION OF PICTURES. ... Some idea of the extent of the Miller Collection may be formed when it is stated that the walls of the Assembly Room - which have been draped from ceiling to floor with dark maroon hangings - are entirely occupied by the oil paintings alone. Indeed, they overflow on to the screens which have been arranged in the centre of the room, and where the magnificent collection of water colours - the property of Mr. W.Pitt Miller - is very effectively displayed. The coup d' oeil is charming....[43]

1946    Oil paintings, then the property of the late Thomas Pitt Miller Esq, [Thomas Miller's grandson] were sold at Christie's (London) on 26^th April.[44]

1992    A unique archive of approximately 400 unpublished letters from Royal Academicians, all to the collector Thomas Miller of Preston, dated 1845 - 1865 were sold at Christie's (London) on 3^rd April. This remarkable correspondence highlights the struggles experienced by contemporary artists in their attempt to secure patronage and gain admission to the Royal Academy. [45] The letters were bought for £5280 by a London book dealer.[46]

[51] Price, J. 1998. Sharpe, Paley and Austin: a Lancaster architectural practice 1836 - 1942. CNWRS, University of Lancaster. p.77.

[53] Porter, J. 1876. History of the Fylde of Lancashire, p.446.

[54] Preston Guardian, 15 August 1888, p.6

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