Robert T. Miller1

#617, (1805-14 June 1874)
ChartsFairclough Family - descendants
Mike Hill - ancestors
Last Edited12 May 2023
WikiTree ID:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Miller-92241.

Short Biography

     Robert T. Miller was likely born in 1805 in Preston, Lancashire..

He married Mary Fairclough at St. Andrew's in 1835 in Leyland, Lancashire. Mary and Robert went on to have eight children together.

He seemingly was involved in the cotton trade all of his life. He began as a bookkeeper, and ended up as a mill manager.

Five years of serious depression in the cotton industry must have affected the Miller family: "handloom weavers' wages had been cut by 25 per cent and spinners by 10 per cent." During hard times the Miller family was a support to Cuerden Mill, especially with its school in January 1863. It was thought that they responded very liberally, providing 37 cottages for which they did not seek the rents for more than a year. They also distributed coal and food to all of their operatives including bread and soup, scouse, bacon and potatoes. Some were apparently loaned money.

His wife Mary died 7 September 1869 at the approximate age of 58 years, leaving him a widower.

Robert likely died on 14 June 1874 in Goosnargh, Lancashire, where he was described as an inmate. He died of hypertrophy of the heart and chronic angina pectoris, which had been going on for a week. He was likely buried on 17 June 1874 in Goosnargh, Lancashire.
Robert Miller signature
Source: his marriage certificate 1835
     NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
+ + + + + + + + + +


Robert T. Miller was likely born in 1805 at Preston, Lancashire. Marriage banns for Robert and Mary Fairclough were published 14th December 1834, 21st of December 1834 and 28th December 1834 at St. Andrew's, Leyland, Lancashire.2 Robert lived in January 1835 at the village of Cuerden near the town of Leyland, Lancashire.3,4

He married Mary Fairclough, in a Church of England ceremony at St. Andrew's on Sunday, 4 January 1835 at Leyland, Lancashire. Robert signed his name, but Mary made a mark instead. When they married, Mary was four months pregnant with their first child.. Mary and Robert went on to have eight children together.5,3,6,7 Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived on 3 May 1835 at Hopwood Street, Preston, Lancashire.8 Robert T. Miller was a bookkeeper on 3 May 1835.8 Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived in June 1836 at Brook Street, Preston, Lancashire.9 Robert T. Miller was an overlooker, and remained one for the next ten years. There was also another overlooker called Robert Miller in the same area who worked for Thomas Miller Esq. on 19 June 1836.9,10 Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived in February 1837 at Preston, Lancashire.11,12 Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived on 31 December 1837 at St. Peters Square, Preston, Lancashire.13 Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived on 21 February 1840 at Sleddon Street, Preston, Lancashire.14

He was recorded as head of household in the 1841 census with Mary Fairclough (which other records indicate is his spouse) at Preston, Lancashire. The 1841 census only recorded adult ages rounded down to the nearest 5 years; his approximate age was recorded as 30 years old. Also in the household were his two young daughters.15 His occupation was recorded as being a cotton mill manager in the census.15

Five years of serious depression in the cotton industry must have affected the Miller family:
"Wages were cut, causing resentment among cotton workers across the whole of Lancashire. In August the threat of further wage cuts brought the Manchester workers out on strike. Within a week the strike spread to all the north-west mill towns. In Preston there was already widespread discontentment. Handloom weavers' wages had been cut by 25 per cent and spinners by 10 per cent."16

Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived on 4 October 1844 at North Road, Preston, Lancashire.17
St. John's Preston. This church was the site of many events in the Miller family.
(source: Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_St_John's_Church,_Preston.jpg)
Robert T. Miller was an 'overlooker of weavers' in July 1846.18 Robert (and presumably his spouse Mary) lived circa October 1850 at 135 North Road, Preston, Lancashire.19

Robert and Mary Fairclough became the parents of Martha Alice Miller on Sunday, 3 November 1850 at Preston, Lancashire. She was reportedly born at 2:30am.20,19

He was recorded as head of household in the 1851 census with Mary Miller as his spouse at 13 Great Shaw Street, Preston, Lancashire. Also in the household were five of their children.21

On 31 December 1855, a Robert Miller, a cotton manufacturer in Preston, Lancashire, dissolved his partnership with William Lancaster by mutual consent.22 Robert lived on 23 May 1857 at Mill Bank, Preston, Lancashire.23 He was a manager on 23 May 1857.23

On 4 February 1858, a Robert Miller, a cotton manufacturer in Preston, Lancashire, dissolved his partnership with Henry Wilkinson by mutual consent.24 At one time (most likely later than this), Cuerden Mill claimed to have the biggest spinning floor in the world. It was owned by G. R. Dewhurst.25

He was recorded as head of household in the 1861 census with Mary Miller as his wife and children Frederick (14), Patty (10) and Thomas living at at 35 New Row in the village of Cuerden near the town of Leyland, Lancashire; he was recorded as being 56 years old.26 Robert T. Miller was was manager of Cuerdon Mill employing about 800 operatives. in January 1863 at Cuerden, Leyland, Lancashire.27

During hard times the Miller family was a support to Cuerden Mill, especially with its school in January 1863:
"The relief generally is administered under the superintendence of Mr. Daniel Arkwright, manufacturer, of Preston, who from the first, and in consequence of his business connection with Cuerden Mill, has taken a very active and laudable part in attending to the wants of the operatives, and in carrying out the liberal measures proposed by the Messrs. Dewhurst. Mr. Robert Miller, manager at the mill, also labours most assiduously in supervising and directing the relief administered. But this is not all. About two months ago this firm decided to open an industrial school in one of the rooms of their mill in the cloth warehouse, a light, well-ventilated place to the north-east of the establishment. It is supported by the Messrs. Dewhurst and Mr. R. Townley Parker, of Cuerden Hall. The former admit a number of their own hands; the latter gentleman, by his contributions, makes provision for several females residing more immediately in his own neighbourhood. The school is open four days a week - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays - from nine till twelve, and from one till four. The average daily attendance is 150. Each of the females receives 6d per day, or 2s. per week. They make shirts, chemises, petticoats, &c, for the Bamber Bridge Relief Committee. Mrs. Miller, the Misses Miller, of Cuerden, Miss Wignall, of Bamber Bridge Parsonage, and Miss Barton visit and superintend the school. When we visited it, all the females were at work. A more cheerful, busy, or contented place we never saw. No traces of distress were visible here. All were sewing away pleasantly, and everything seemed to be going on merrily. The girls were scrupulously clean, and a more rosi-faced, neatly-dressed class of females we hardly ever beheld."27



During the 'distress' it was thought that they responded very liberally, providing 37 cottages for which they did not seek the rents for more than a year. They also distributed coal and food to all of their operatives including bread and soup, scouse, bacon and potatoes. Some were apparently loaned money.28,29 Robert and Mary lived in May 1865 at at Cuerden Cottage in the village of Cuerden near the town of Leyland, Lancashire.30,31

Robert, as the father of the groom, along with Mary may have attended the wedding of Frederick and Sarah Rowe in a Church of England ceremony at Manchester Cathedral on Saturday, 21 September 1867 at Manchester. Others who may have attended include . Sarah and Frederick went on to have just one child together.32,33

Robert, as the father of the bride, along with Mary may have attended the wedding of Emma and James Child Breach in a Church of England ceremony at St. Peter's on Wednesday, 6 May 1868 Emma's father was a cotton mill manager at Bolton, Lancashire.. Others who may have attended include Mary Child as mother of the groom and James Breach as father of the groom. Emma and James went on to have six children together.34 Robert T. Miller was a manager of a cotton mill in September 1869.35 Robert and Mary lived in September 1869 at Hulme, Manchester.36 He witnessed his wife Mary Fairclough's death on 7 September 1869 at 35 Fenwick street, Hulme, Manchester.35,36

His wife Mary died 7 September 1869 at the approximate age of 58 years, leaving him a widower.35

He was recorded as head of household in the 1871 census at 20 Fylde Street, Preston, Lancashire. He was recorded as living with his daughter Ann.37 His occupation was recorded as being a cotton overlooker in the census.37 Robert lived circa 1872 at The Poplars Preston Lane, Preston, Lancashire.1

Robert likely died on 14 June 1874 at Goosnargh Hospital, Goosnargh, Lancashire, where he was described as an inmate. He died of hypertrophy of the heart and chronic angina pectoris, which had been going on for a week.38,39,40 He was likely buried on 17 June 1874 at St. Mary the Virgin, Goosnargh, Lancashire.41 He was thought of as an industrialist after his death.42

Timeline

DateEventPlace
Family
1805Birth-LikelyPreston, Lancashire
Marriage BannSt. Andrew's, Leyland, Lancashire2
1835Residence the village of Cuerden near the town of Leyland, Lancashire3,4
1835MarriageLeyland, Lancashire5,3,6,7
1835ResidenceHopwood Street, Preston, Lancashire8
1835Occupation8
1836ResidenceBrook Street, Preston, Lancashire9
1836Occupation9,10
1837ResidencePreston, Lancashire11,12
1837Occupation-hide43
1837ResidenceSt. Peters Square, Preston, Lancashire13
1840ResidenceSleddon Street, Preston, Lancashire14
1840Occupation-hide14
1841Census (Eng) 1841Preston, Lancashire15
1841Occupation15
1842Quotation type 316
1844Occupation-hide17
1844ResidenceNorth Road, Preston, Lancashire17
1846Occupation18
1846Residence-hidePreston, Lancashire18
1846Residence-hidePreston, Lancashire44
1846Occupation-hide44
1850Occupation-hidePreston, Lancashire19
1850Residence135 North Road, Preston, Lancashire19
1851Census (Eng) 185113 Great Shaw Street, Preston, Lancashire21
1855Note memo only CR CRPreston, Lancashire22
1857ResidenceMill Bank, Preston, Lancashire23
1857Occupation23
1858Note memo only CR CRPreston, Lancashire24
Note memo only25
1861Census (Eng) 1861 ex at 35 New Row in the village of Cuerden near the town of Leyland, Lancashire26
Occupation-hide45
1863OccupationCuerden, Leyland, Lancashire27
1863Quotation type 227
Note memo only CR CR28,29
1865Residence at Cuerden Cottage in the village of Cuerden near the town of Leyland, Lancashire30,31
1867Occupation-hide
1868Occupation-hide34
1869Occupation35
1869ResidenceHulme, Manchester36
1871Census (Eng) 187120 Fylde Street, Preston, Lancashire37
1871Occupation37
1872ResidenceThe Poplars Preston Lane, Preston, Lancashire1
1874Death-LikelyGoosnargh Hospital, Goosnargh, Lancashire38,39,40
1874Burial-likelySt. Mary the Virgin, Goosnargh, Lancashire41
Occupation-hide46
Note memo only42

Family

Mary Fairclough (c 1812-7 Sep 1869)
Children

Citations

  1. [S458] The Register (Adelaide), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 22 Aug. 1902 p.4.
  2. [S776] Leyland Parish Registers for St. Andrew, http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Leyland/standrew/…
  3. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Marriages 1834 - 1837, Page 41, Entry 122, LDS film 93953.
  4. [S702] Lancashire Anglican Parish Registers, Lancashire, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754 - 1936 Banns - Name: Robert Miller; Gender: Male; Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 28 Dec 1834; Parish: Leyland, Lancashire, England; Spouse: Mary Fairclough; Register Type: Parish Register.
  5. [S776] Leyland Parish Registers for St. Andrew, Register: Banns 1832 - 1849, Page 55, Entry 273; Source: LDS Film 93953.
  6. [S833] Boyd's Marriage Index 1538-1840 Transcription findmypast.com, (www.findmypast.com) Marriage year: 1835; Place: Leyland; County: Lancashire; Country: England.
  7. [S242] General Register Office, England - Marriage Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, 1850 Preston district, Preston sub-district No. 499.
  8. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Baptisms 1832 - 1836, Page 348, Source: LDS Film 1278755.
  9. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Baptisms 1836 - 1838, Page 27, Entry 210 Source: LDS Film 1278755.
  10. [S538] The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, 'Deaths' 20 Mar 1858 p.5.
  11. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Register: Burials 1832 - 1837, Page 430, Entry 3437.
  12. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Register: Burials 1832 - 1837, Page 429, Entry 3429.
  13. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, 1836 - 1838, Page 254, Entry 2031 Source: LDS Film 1278755.
  14. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, 1838 - 1840, Page 244, Entry 1951.
  15. [S397] National Census for England, 1841 (online image) Class: HO107; Piece: 499; Book: 11; Civil Parish: Preston; County: Lancashire; Enumeration District: 41; Folio: 31; Page: 17; Line: 1; GSU roll: 306888. (http://search.ancestry.com.au/Browse/View.aspx).
  16. [S1308] Grace's Guide (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/) Horrockses, Miller and Co - https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Horrockses,_Miller_and_Co.
  17. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, 1842 - 1845, Page 347, Entry 2771.
  18. [S228] General Register Office, England - Birth Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, Preston Registration District, 1846, Sep Qtr., Vol.21, p.638.
  19. [S228] General Register Office, England - Birth Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, 1850, Preston district, Preston sub-district, No.499.
  20. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Batch/Film C007135 Serial/Sheet 5593.
  21. [S392] National Census for England, 1851 (online image) Parish of Preston, Ecclesiastical District of Holy Trinity Church, Borough of Preston p.488.
  22. [S784] The London Gazette, London, England, 8 January 1856, p.83.
  23. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Baptisms 1815 - 1900, Page 199, Entry 1592.
  24. [S784] The London Gazette, London, England, 9th Feb 1858, p.633.
  25. [S788] Dr. David Hunt, The Victorians: Directory of the Cotton Mills of South Ribble
     p.4.
  26. [S398] National Census for England, 1861 (online image) Civil Parish of Cuerden, Registration district Chorley, sub district Leland, piece 3117 folio 93 p.26.
  27. [S538] The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, 'The Distress' 24 Jan 1863 p.6.
  28. [S825] The Oxford Times, Oxford, England, Saturday 31 January 1863 p.6.
  29. [S826] The Morpeth Herald, Morpeth, Northumberland, England, Saturday 08 November 1862 p.6.
  30. [S242] General Register Office, England - Marriage Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, Jun Qtr.1865, Manchester Vol.8e, p.512.
  31. [S824] The Blackburn Standard, Blackburn, Lancashire, England, Wednesday 17 May 1865 p.3.
  32. [S758] Manchester, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930 (Cathedral) Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com) Marriage Date: 21 Sep 1867; Parish:      Manchester, St Mary, St Denys and St George; Father's Name: Robert Miller; Archive Roll: 735.
  33. [S538] The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, 28 Sep 1867 p.5.
  34. [S454] Parish Registers for St. Peter's, Marriages 1865 - 1869, Page 183, Entry 365.
  35. [S400] General Register Office, England - Death Certificate, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Deaths, Chorlton Registration District, 1869, Sep Qtr., Vol.8c, p.460.
  36. [S538] The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, 'Deaths' 25 Sep 1869 p.5.
  37. [S412] National Census for England, 1871 (online image) District of Preston, Ward of St. George p.6.
  38. [S400] General Register Office, England - Death Certificate, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Deaths, Preston Registration District, 1874, Jun Qtr., Vol.8e, p.442.
  39. [S456] Parish Registers for St. Mary the Virgin (Church of England), Burials 1867 - 1926, Page 20, Entry 157; LDS Film 1470931.
  40. [S538] The Preston Chronicle, Preston, Lancashire, England, Saturday 20 June 1874 p.5.
  41. [S456] Parish Registers for St. Mary the Virgin (Church of England), Register: Burials 1867 - 1926, Page 20, Entry 157 Source: LDS Film 1470931.
  42. [S242] General Register Office, England - Marriage Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, 1875 Vol 8a Entry 314.
  43. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, 1836 - 1838, Page 254, Entry 2031.
  44. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Baptisms 1845 - 1847, Page 285, Entry 2278.
  45. [S398] National Census for England, 1861 (online image) Civil Parish of Cuerden, Registration district Chorley, sub district Leland, peice 3117 folio 93 p.26.
  46. [S400] General Register Office, England - Death Certificate, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Deaths, June Qtr, Preston, Vol. 8e page 442.
  47. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Baptisms 1832 - 1836, Page 348.
  48. [S246] Preston Parish Registers for St. John, Baptisms 1836 - 1838, Page 27, Entry 210.