Robert Slater Miller (1832 - 1907)

Born 6 May 1832 in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Louisa (Morgan) Miller — married 30 Sep 1858 in Cambria, Swansea, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 28 Aug 1907 at age 75 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

Robert was the second child of the eleven children of Alexander MILLER and Ann SLATER, and was baptised at the Congregational Church in Kirkwall, Orkney, on the 2 June 1832. ^[1]

1841 Census - with parents and siblings at Bridge St, Kirkwall: Robert, aged 8.^[2]

1851 Census - with parents and siblings in Albert St, Kirkwall: apprentice blacksmith, aged 18. ^[3]The family were still living in Albert Street in 1855.^[4]

His father Alexander MILLER died in Kirkwall on 3 Aug 1856. By the time of the 1871 Census only Robert's younger brother Alexander and family remained in Orkney. Their mother Ann (SLATER) MILLER and the younger children moved to Edinburgh some time after the 1861 census.

Robert followed his older brother Peter to Tasmania, and emigrated on Great Tasmanian departing Liverpool 14 Nov 1856 & arriving Hobart Tasmania, 27 Jan 1857: Bounty ticket 429 - Robert MILLER, 24, description: Tall, stout figure, oval face, quiet looking, brown hair; Church of Scotland, read and write, native place - Orkney; Blacksmith; name of person on whose application sent out - Peter MILLER; Certified Feb 11th, Payable as before - £16. On board were 256 adults and 91 children. 1 child died, 3 born. Majority of single adults passengers Irish, a few English; while the majority of families English and Scots.^[5]

It appears that both Peter and Robert MILLER, from the beginning, took an interest in politics Perhaps it was that interest that was passed on to their grandsons, Senator Robert WARDLAW, Allan WARDLAW MHR and Brian Kirkwall MILLER MLC? As early as December 1856, less than two years after their arrival in the colony, Peter was a signatory to a Petition to the Governor, His Excellency Sir H. E. F. Young, from Swanport residents, regarding the Norfolk Island prisoners. And in 1858 Peter and his brother Robert both signed the Petition to His Excellency asking for Glamorgan to be proclaimed a Rural Municipality. The Valuation rolls for Glamorgan in 1858 show that the MILLER brothers were occupying a “house and forge” at “Cambria”, John MEREDITH proprietor. The following year, after Robert’s marriage, they occupied two houses and the forge. The new arrivals must have soon become actively involved in community activities in the district. The Launceston Examiner 22 September 1857 has an article about the third annual Glamorgan Ploughing Match. It tells us that a special prize of £1, given by Mr. Adams, of Launceston, for the best mould furrow, was won by F. Patmore. And, “…The Stewards also awarded to Peter Miller, carpenter, and Robert Miller, blacksmith, a prize of £5, for the best plough made in the district…”^[6]

Robert married Mary Louisa MORGAN, in the residence of Peter MILLER, at Cambria on 30 September 1858.^[7]

They lived at Swansea during the years their eight children were born, later setting up in business in Hobart. As a Blacksmith, Robert was reputed to have a special way of tempering steel, the secret of which went to the grave with him. He is especially remembered for the lacy wrought iron fence that used to surround Franklin Square in Hobart - it was melted down for the First World War effort.^[8] A number of photographs can be viewed at Tasmanian Archives online.^[9]

Robert's land holdings appear in Tasmanian Lands Department indexes until 1910.

Death: ^[10] MILLER.-Entered into rest on August 28, 1907, at his residence, No. 7 Wilmot-street, Robert Slater, beloved husband of Mary Miller, aged 74 years.

Burial at Cornelian Bay Cemetery Hobart - SCOT, Section E, Number 99: Robert Slater Miller, engineer, of Wilmot street; born Scotland; aged 74 years. Funeral on 30 Aug 1907, Rev. BROWN officiating; William J. Clark undertaker. ^[11]

In Memoriam: ^[12] MILLER.—In memory of my dear father, Robert Slater Miller; died August 28, 1907. Inserted by his son Doug.

A great photograph of the fence around Franklin Square, reputedly made by Robert, can be seen on the Libraries Tasmania website at https://stors.tas.gov.au/NS526-1-14

Sources

1. ↑ 02/06/1832: Baptism of Robert Millar, 1832 Robert Millar, Son of Alexander Millar & Ann Slater from Kirkwall was baptised on 2/6/1832 at Congregational Ch, Kirkwall by R Paterson [Baptismal Registers, held at Orkney Archives, Kirkwall]
2. ↑ Orkney Family History Society - Census 1841
3. ↑ Orkney Family History Society - Census 1851
4. ↑ Kirkwall Valuation Rolls 1855 - viewed at Orkney Archives, Kirkwall: #111; Grass Park at East Road; Proprietor Frederick Dundas Esq; Tenant/Occupier Alex’r Miller carter; annual valuation or rent £27. ¶#212; House and Stable Albert Street; Mr George Omond, Edin’r; Alex’r Miller carter; £3.13. ¶#529: One park off Nicolson St; Thomas Robertson merchant; Alex’s Miller carter; £1.15; remark [added in pencil] John Spence Esq.
5. ↑ https://stors.tas.gov.au/CB7-12-1-7$init=CB7-12-1-7P53
6. ↑ P. Buchanan, Our Orkney Forebears, published privately, Nov 2020 edn, p. 97.
7. ↑ Although not appearing in the Tas marriage registrations, the marriage is in the Presbyterian Marriage Register for Swansea
8. ↑ pers. comm. Brian Kirkwall MILLER
9. ↑ For example: Tasmanian Archives Online - ¶Photograph - St David's Cathedral as viewed from Franklin Square. View online at https://stors.tas.gov.au/PH30-1-1775. ¶AND: Photograph - Post office from Franklin Square showing fence - W. J Little photographer (1914) at https://stors.tas.gov.au/NS869-1-439J2K$init=NS869-1-439. ¶AND: a glimpse of the fence with crowds of people welcoming the Duke of York in 1902 can be seen at https://stors.tas.gov.au/PH40-1-1668. ¶AND along the Elizabeth Street view from Davey Street corner: https://stors.tas.gov.au/PH30-1-7654
10. ↑ Mercury 29 Aug 1907
11. ↑ https://stors.tas.gov.au/AF70-1-30$init=AF70-1-30P358JPG
12. ↑ Daily Post (Hobart) 29 Aug 1910