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WILLIAM GEORGE PERCIVAL MILLER and NORAH MILLER (nee QUILTER)

1881

1881

1895    With golf and shooting (Willie Miller got his first woodcock) fun and games continued at Thistleton and Singleton, … [1]

1895    Tommy's next saloon coach conveyed a large party, including many ladies, from Belfast to Portrush on Monday morning 17 May after a rough crossing from Fleetwood. Jessop, Brada and young Willie Miller were among those present, determined to combine the Ladies Irish Open Championship with a little sight-seeing and some golf for themselves. [2]

1896    [This] year, Willie's twenty first, with lots of golf on the new links and plans for the new clubhouse, romance was blossoming to the click of the cleek. Up to London for the Quilters' dance on 9 July, where he took Brada into supper, escorted her back in a hansom and to Eton v Harrow at Lord's during the next two days. Back home there was boating with him on the lake at Hulton Park and for his birthday at Thistleton on Sunday 25 October all the family were there.  

1896     On Sunday the continuous ringing of the bells at Singleton Parish Church announced to the villagers that Mr W. G. P. Miller, eldest son of Mrs W. P. Miller, of Merlewood, had come of age. The Miller family have been long resident in the Fylde, and Singleton (where Mr and Mrs T. H. Miller reside) and Thistleton are invariably described as the model villages of the Fylde. It was only natural that the tenants on both estates, but more particularly those at Thistleton, should take the utmost possible interest in Sunday's event. The celebrations were postponed till Monday, when the peals were again sent forth from the belfry of Singleton Church. It is but three years since Mrs W. P. Miller was left a widow with four sons and two daughters. Mr W. G. P. Miller, whose "majority" has been celebrated this week has evinced the greatest possible interest in his tenantry, and has shown every desire to follow in his lamented father's footsteps. To mark Sunday's joyous event, the tenantry, even down to the smallest cottager on the estate, contributed towards the purchase of a handsome oak clock, which was presented to the younger squire at a dinner held on Monday at the Miller's Arms, Singleton. [16]

1897    had begun as usual at Singleton; lots of fun, golf, pantomimes with the Millers and five dances and supper with Willie at the Preston Royal Infirmary Ball. Brada, who had been taking singing lessons for some time made her first stage appearance, singing solos for his mother's concert in the Village Hall. Young Willie Miller, now an Old Harrovian, arranged tickets for the Eton v Harrow match at Lords Again too it had been supper with Willie at the Quilters' July dance and doubtless friendly badinage between Millers (Harrow) and Hultons and Hulton-Harrops in the latter's coach, Hugh de Lacy then being an Eton boy of seventeen. On October 4 Brada received a nasty shock when a letter from Mrs Willie Miller to Papa said that her son Willie was engaged to Miss Norah Quilter.

1897    Lindale Jubilee rejoicings. The various committees are now well in hand with the proceedings… Mr W Miller, who is chairman, is sending a supply of fireworks, rockets and stars, and coloured fire, red and green, for the occasion… [3]

1898    At the New Year … Brada and Charles enjoyed themselves at Singleton with Tom, Tubs and Winifrede Miller, Willie being absent in London with his future in-laws.

… Brada had soon lost any animosity she may have felt towards Willie and Norah Miller, who were married during the year. Norah came to lunch at Astley House on her way north to Thistleton 'looking very handsome and smart'. [4]

1898    MARRIAGE OF MR. MILLER AND MISS NORAH QUILTER

The marriage of Mr. William George Percival Miller of Thistleton, Lancashire, and Miss Norah Blanche Quilter, youngest daughter of Sir Cuthbert Quilter, Bart, MP of Bawdsey Manor, Suffolk, was celebrated at St. George's, Hanover Square, London, on Thursday afternoon, last week. The wedding was In every way a most brilliant function. The church was early filled with the elite of society, and the magnificent‑ costumes of the ladies present were subjects of much admiration. Lady Quilter, the bride's mother, wore a dress of grey satin, trimmed with chiffon, and point d'Alencon lace; cape of Russian sable, and black chiffon bonnet, trimmed with red roses, and she carried a bouquet of roses. The bridegroom's mother, Mrs. W.P. Miller, of Merlewood, wore a handsome gown of vieux heliotrope peau‑de‑soie, trimmed with chiffon, and some very fine old Spanish point lace. The bride, who was escorted by her father, wore a dress of ivory satin duchesse, trimmed with old Brussels white lace, wide silver belt, full court train of white satin lined with silver gauze, fine old Brussels point lace veil, the gift of her mother; and she wore a diamond necklace, the gift of the bridegroom. She was attended by seven pretty little bridesmaids (all children) : Miss Rhona Miller, the misses Laura and Rosalind Denny (nieces of the bride), Miss Maud Walker, Miss Grace Bevington, Miss Constance Coore, and Miss Esme Pelham; and they made an extremely picturesque bevy, attired in Charles the 1st white satin costumes, Vandyck lace collars, pink rosettes, lace caps, posies of lilies and pink roses. They wore blue enamel brooches, surrounded by pearls, with diamond initials, the gift of the bridegroom. The service was fully choral. As the bridal procession, headed by the clergy and choir, moved up the aisle, the hymn, "Lead us, heavenly father, lead us", was sung. The officiating clergy were the Rev. B.S. Fryer, rector of Sudbury, and the Rev. D. Anderson, rector of St. George's, Hanover Square. The hymn after the tying of the nuptial knot was "0, perfect love", the service concluding with the "Wedding March" (Lohengrin). Mr. Arthur Cuthbert Quilter, Grenadier Guards, acted as best man. A reception was afterwards held by Lady Quilter, at 74 South Audley Street, which was attended by Mrs. Miller, Mrs. W.P. and the Misses Miller, Messrs. T.P., E.C. and J.H. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Denny, and other relatives and friends. Later in the day Mr. and Mrs. W.G.P. Miller left for Barrow Green, Oxtead, kindly lent by Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Denny ... The presents, which were displayed in the Picture Gallery at Sir Cuthbert's residence ... included:- Bride's presents ... Mrs. W.P. Miller, enamel and diamond watch; Mrs. Tom Miller, pearl and diamond brooch; ... members of Miss Quilter's Whitechapel girls' class, enamelled writing table set. Bridegroom's presents, ... Mrs. W.P. Miller, carriage rug and household linen, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, pair of carriage horses; Miss Winifred Miller, turquoise links; Miss Rhona Miller, pearl studs; Mr. T.P. Miller, antique silver spoons; Mr. E.C. Miller, silver mustard pot; Mr. J.H. Miller, dessert knives and forks; ... Sir John and Lady Hibbert, antique silver box; Mr. and Mrs. Hibbert, copper tray; ... the Merlewood servants, pair of field glasses; members of the Thistleton reading‑room, stylographic pen; Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton, book; Mr. and Mrs. Argles, silver inkstand; Mr. Jacob Wakefield, breakfast warmer. The happy event was appropriately celebrated at Bawdsey, Ramsholt and Felixstowe Perry, Sir Cuthbert's tenants and employees, with their wives and children, being entertained on behalf of Sir Cuthbert. [5]

1899    Staying at Thistleton … were Willie and Norah Miller with her mother and brother, Roger Quilter, the composer to be. [6]

1902    Mrs W.Miller is the wife of Captain Miller, of Thistleton, who has lately returned from South Africa, where he accompanied his regiment, after several months' duty at Malta. Their tiny daughter will be one of the youngest family representatives at the Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball. Mrs W.Miller is a daughter of Sir Cuthbert Quilter, Bart. [7] 

1906    Tubs Miller came over from Fleetwood where he and Willie are with the Militia. Norah away while they are building on to their Thistleton House but Willie came over to dinner the following night.

On August 7 Brada read in the Daily Mail that Willie and Tubs were seriously ill with six other officers, poisoned by dirty water from a water cart at the Fleetwood camp when out training. Willie had been taken home to Thistleton, Tubs to Singleton. Brada wrote to Norah but on 1 September Willie was dead from enteric fever, a type of typhoid. Only thirty, he was survived by his mother, "Mrs Willie", his wife Norah and their two children, Ruby (b. 1900) and Eustace (b. 1903).[8]

1906    The enteric outbreak - Capt W G P Miller succumbs …Capt W G P Miller was removed, early on, to his home at Thistleton, and for the past fortnight he has had the undivided attention of Dr Fisher JP who was in residence; and the services of a London specialist were also secured…

He was educated at Oxford, took a commission in the old 3^rd Royal Lancaster, now the 3^rd Battalion Loyal North Lancaster Regiment, and served in the South African War, on his return from which he had a right royal welcome from his tenantry…

The deceased officer was of handsome appearance and soldierly bearing and exceedingly pleasant and agreeable, and previous to being afflicted with enteric, he was the picture of robust health and vigour… He was a very keen sportsman, a good shot, and a hearty, hospitable, honourable young gentleman… He was the president of the Great Eccleston Agricultural Society.

Capt Miller was placed on the Commission of the Peace for the County, and occasionally sat in his petty sessional division. The captain was the nephew of Mr T H Miller of Singleton Park, who thought very much of him. Mr Miller and the captain entertained Lord Onslow to luncheon during his visit to northern Lancashire as President of the Board of Agriculture. His lordship was accompanied by the Earl of Derby, KG, and it was quite clear at that time that the captain was preparing himself very earnestly for still greater responsibilities which would in time have devolved upon him.

Capt Miller and his brother, who is suffering from enteric at the residence of his uncle at Singleton, joined the procession and shared in the festival at the Preston Guild of 1902, and the captain, his mother, and his wife and brother were among the guests at the grand ball given by the Earl and Countess of Derby. [9]

1906    THE LATE CAPTAIN MILLER - MILITARY FUNERAL AT SINGLETON - IMPRESSIVE SCENES

With military honours befitting his rank, the remains of the late Captain William George Percival Miller, J.P., of Thistleton Lodge, were interred on Tuesday afternoon in the burial ground adjoining the parish church of Singleton. Captain Miller was the third officer of the 3rd L.N.L. Regiment to succumb to enteric fever while in training at Fleetwood, and the death of the young squire, who since taking up his residence at Thistleton had won the affections of his tenantry, has plunged the countryside in mourning... Still lying at Singleton Park, another victim of the enteric outbreak, is Captain Ernest Miller, who for obvious reasons is as-yet in ignorance of his brother's fate, and it was therefore considered necessary, in view of the fact that the musket and bugle would be within earshot of the sufferer, to dispense with certain military formalities.

...In the van walked a captain's escort and firing party, consisting of 120 officers, non‑commissioned officers, and men of the 3rd L.N.L., of which deceased was senior captain, and with which he had served in South Africa. Then came the regimental band and the bugles, followed by a gun carriage of the Royal Field Artillery, drawn by a full team, driven by bombardiers, and carrying the coffin enveloped in the national emblem, and surmounted with deceased's sword, helmet and belt, partially hidden by beautiful wreaths, representing the regimental colours. On each side of the carriage walked the pall bearers, who were Mr T.H. Miller, uncle; Mr. T. Miller and Mr. J. Miller, brothers ... Major J.A.C. Quilter, who wore the full dress uniform of a Grenadier Guard; Lieutenant W.E. Cuthbert Quilter, Mr. R.C. Quilter, Mr. P.C. Quilter; Lieutenant E.C. Quilter, who ware, the uniform the Suffolk Hussars Imperial Yeomanry; and Mr. F.A. Denny, brothers-in-law.

There were only two private carriages in the procession. The first conveyed the widow and her mother, Lady Cuthbert Quilter, and in the second was Sir Cuthbert Quilter, father-in-‑law, and Mrs. Denny. Then followed a large body of the tenantry ... representatives of the county bench and of organisations with which deceased had been prominently identified, as well as neighbours and friends ... joined the cavalcade. They included the Rev. P.J. Hornby (Vicar of St. Michaels), the Rev. Mr. Holmes (vicar of Weeton), Colonel Addison Birley, JP, Mr. W. Fitzherbert-Brockholes, JP, DL, Mr. P.L. Birley, JP, Mr. Hutton Birley, JP, Mr. H.L. Birley, Mr. J.S. Fair, JP, Mr. J. Talbot Fair, Mr. Marcus Rea, Dr. Fisher, JP, Mr. A. Shuttleworth, Mrs. Hamilton (Windermere), Mr. A. Hamilton (Windermere), Mr. H.L. Wright, Mr. H. Hollins, Mr. T. Eccles, Mr. H.W. Gardner, Mr. H.H. Owtram, Mr. J.H. Hulton, Mr. W. Cookson (Lytham), Captain Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wakefield (Sedgwick), Colonel Weston, Mr. D. Haslam, Mr. R. James and others. The Great Eccleston Agricultural Society, of which the deceased ... was president last year, was represented ... (also) the Blackpool Division Conservative Registration Association. Among the relatives who attended at the church were:‑ Mrs. W.G.P. Miller (widow). Mr. T.H. Miller (uncle) and Mrs. T.H. Miller, Miss Winifred Miller and Miss Rhona Miller (sisters) Mrs. Percival (aunt), Mrs. Byrne, Miss Byrne and Miss Cunliffe.

... The service ... was conducted by the Rev. L.C. Wood, the venerable vicar of Singleton, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Fryer, of Bury St. Edmunds, and the vicar of Lindal (sic).

... The grave, situated in the south‑east corner of the churchyard, was lined with maiden hair fern ... (No farewell shot, and buglers blew Last Post and reveille inside the church with doors closed).

Wreaths were sent by Mrs. W.G.P. Miller (widow), Eustace and Ruby (son and daughter), "Mother", Sir Cuthbert Quilter, Lady Quilter, Maud and Fred Denny; ... Rhona, Winifred, Uncle Tom and Aunt Belle, Mr. T.P. Miller, Nurse Pells, Edith and Emily, servants at Thistleton, Nurse Daley, Aunt Minnie, Catherine Hamilton ... Mr. and Mrs. S. Schultz ... servants at Merlewood, from Hampsfield ... Mr. and Mrs. George Podmore. [10]

1906    Great Eccleston and District Show. At the Luncheon, the Chairman referred to "the calamity ... in the death of Captain Miller .... He came among them and impressed them most favourably" Dr. Fisher, who had been connected with the public health of the district for 20 years, "wished to say that ... if the typhoid had arisen from water the typhoid bacilli had been generated and contracted in a localised part of the Fleetwood camping ground". [11]

1906    Greenhalgh Parish Council. Clerk was directed to send letter of condolence to Captain W.G.P. Miller's widow. Meeting referred to his great worth, and the loss which the surrounding district has sustained. [12]

1906    Fleetwood Urban Council. Interim report presented on outbreak of enteric fever early in August at the camp of the 3rd L.N.L. Regiment (Militia) in the Fleetwood district ... the outbreak was not connected with the water supply. [13]

1907    By 1907 a white marble tablet had been put up for Willie Miller; his grave has just a plain granite cross. … The new wing that Willie and Norah had built [at Thistleton Lodge] made it look larger and charming inside; … [14]  

1908    In memory of the late Capt W.G.P.Miller (son of Mrs Pitt Miller, of Merlewood) and two other officers of the 3rd Battalion of the North Lancaster Regiment, a tablet was unveiled in Preston Parish Church on the 27th of June, when a number of relatives and friends of the deceased officers were present. [15]

[1] Hogg, A. 1989. The Hulton diaries 1832-1928. Chichester: Solo Mio Books, p.101.

[2] Hogg, A. 1989. The Hulton diaries 1832-1928. Chichester: Solo Mio Books, p.101.

[3] Westmorland Gazette, 19 June 1897, p.8

[4] Hogg, A. 1989. The Hulton diaries 1832-1928. Chichester: Solo Mio Books, p.104-107.

[5] Westmorland Gazette, 12 March 1898 p.2

[6] Hogg, A. 1989. The Hulton diaries 1832-1928. Chichester: Solo Mio Books, p.108.

[7] The Gentlewoman, 30 August 1902, Supplement.

[8] Hogg, A. 1989. The Hulton diaries 1832-1928. Chichester: Solo Mio Books, p.144-145.

[9] Gazette News for Blackpool, 4 September 1906, p.4

[10] Preston Guardian, 8 September 1906

[11] Preston Guardian, 15 September  1906.

[12] Preston Guardian, 22 September  1906.

[13] Preston Guardian, 29 September  1906

[14] Hogg, A. 1989. The Hulton diaries 1832-1928. Chichester: Solo Mio Books, p.153.

[15] Grange Red Book, 1909, p.99

[16] Westmorland Gazette, 7 November 1896, p.2.

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