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WILLIAM PITT MILLER and EMILY MARY MILLER (nee SCHULTZ)

William Pitt and Emily Mary Miller moved into Merlewood in 1876. William died in 1893, but his widow continued to live at Merlewood until her death in 1930.

1851

1861

1861   

Thistleton Lodge

1870    COMING OF AGE OF MR. W.P. MILLER - REJOICINGS AT THISTLETON - On Monday last, Mr. William Pitt Miller, second son of the late Alderman Thos. Miller, of this town, attained his majority, and the event was celebrated with due rejoicings and demonstration on his estate at Thistleton, and was participated in by the tenantry thereon, and also by those from Singleton. The weather was beautifully fine during the whole day, and this tended greatly to add eclat to the occasion. Flags were flying from many of the houses in the two villages, and in the vicinity of the scene of the festivities bunting was plentifully displayed. The farmers and residents on the estates had exerted themselves to the utmost to do honour to their young landlord on his entering into possession, and on every hand symbols were shown of their good feeling and respect towards him. A magnificent triune arch, decorated with evergreens, had been erected at the entrance to the village from Singleton. On one side was the motto "Health and happiness to the Miller family" and on the other "Sibimet merces industria". On a field in the farm of Mr. Hodgson, which adjoins the high road, a large marquee had been put up, and it was here where the dinner, the tea parties, and the ball were intended to be held, the whole being under the direction of Messrs. Jennison, of Manchester, to whom had been entrusted the management of the festivities and the dispensing of the hospitality of the young landlord. The marquee was a most elegant structure, composed entirely of wood and glass. In the interior the walls were covered with striped calico, and the windows draped with muslin curtains. Several fine paintings were also placed at each end, and at the head of the table was an excellent representation of the arms of the Miller family. A fine arch had likewise been built at the entrance, on which were the words, "Welcome to Thistleton", and on the other, "Prosperity to agriculture". At the other end of the village a third arch was placed, bearing the mottoes, "Health and happiness to the Lord of the Manor", and "May prosperity attend him". From an early hour in the morning large numbers of visitors began to arrive, and at one o'clock the dinner was held. Subsequently the tenants and cottagers' wives had tea together, and the children were regaled with coffee and buns. A display of fireworks and a grand ball brought the programme to a close. We now proceed to give a detailed account of the day's festivities:

THE DINNER

Was held in the large marquee, when about a hundred tenant farmers sat down. The chair was occupied by Mr. W.P. Miller, the host of the day, and there were also present:- Col. the Right Hon. John Wilson Patten, M.P., Sir Thomas George Fermor-Hesketh, Bart., M.P., T.H. Miller, Esq., Major Cunliffe, Mr. Jacob Fair (vice-chairman), Mr. T. Fair, T. Townley Parker, Esq., R. Townley Parker, Esq., Mr. J.T. Fair, Mr. Cotes, Mr. Jay, the Rev. L.C. Wood, Mr. Bird, Capt. Douglas Kennedy, Mr. Charles Byrne, Mr. Robins; Mrs. T.H. Miller, Mrs. Jeffrey, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Horrocks, Miss Kate Miller, Miss Edith Miller, Miss Emily Miller, Miss Fair, Mrs. T. Fair, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Henry Miller, and Miss Miller. Subjoined is the menu:- Soup, mock turtle; Fish, salmon in mayonnaise, fillet of soles in aspic; Grosses Pieces, raised pies of game, Westphalia ham, roast quarters of lamb, tongues decorated, roast turkey poults, roast ribs of beef, pigeon pies, roast chickens, with cresses; Entremets Sueres, Neapolitan gateaux, Mosaique jellies, apricot creams, fruit tarts, punch jellies, German towets, glazed pastry, Victoria jellies, blanc manger; Dessert, pines, grapes, peaches, nectarines, pears, filberts, etc.; Wines, champagne, sherry, claret.  

After the excellent repast had been done ample justice to, the Chairman rose, amid applause, and proposed the first toast on the list, "The health of the Queen", with "three cheers three".

At such a meeting as the present the health of Her Majesty was invariably drunk with every demonstration of enthusiasm, and he knew that the present would prove no exception to the past. The toast having been cordially given, Robert Townley Parker, Esq., then rose and said: Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, - As I have been invited by the hero of the day to enjoy his hospitality, it may seem somewhat unbecoming in me if I venture to say that I cannot follow his example in cutting so short as he has just done the toast that has been given to me to propose. We have met at this morning's entertainment to celebrate the coming of age and the entry, as it were, into life of a young gentleman, of whom I hear on all sides only the most flattering remarks. (Hear, hear). Sir, it is my duty to allude more particularly to the several duties which devolve upon you, not only as the representative of a house long esteemed in this neighbourhood, but also as possessing in that capacity a very great interest in the property of this district. (Hear, hear). I have some faith, indeed I may say I have great confidence, in the hereditary succession to virtue and to conduct, and in that light I look upon you, as I hope, a faithful representative and exponent of the high character which was borne by him who preceded you. (Hear, hear). It must be interesting to the tenants to find in you a young man who has such prospects before him - who has wealth to encourage agriculture in the manner that his father had done before him, who combined in his character all those attributes which I trust and hope are possessed by his honourable son. If this is a day of peculiar interest to our host, so also is it a day of high interest to his tenants upon this estate; and I may say that I have remarked since I came here one circumstance which leads me to believe that he would do well if he were to change the name of the property he possesses. It is called Thistleton; but I have not seen a single thistle upon the whole estate. (Hear, hear, laughter, and applause.) Sir, 1 am sure, under the cultivation of your farmers, and with the assistance and advice your tenants will receive, there is no chance of that noxious weed being allowed to cumber the ground. (Applause.) Although this is a day of festivity and rejoicing, I think we can look forward to one of even greater interest - I think, sir, you understand my allusion - I mean when you shall take to yourself some one who may rival but cannot exceed the lady who has blessed your brother with her hand. (Cheers.) I hope when that happy moment arrives you will place beside your esteemed mother one whom she will be equally ready to receive, and on whom she will bestow her fondest regards. That Mrs. Miller is prepared to receive on your part such a one I have no doubt, and that she will do justice to her merits I am quite confident, because - and I believe I am truly representing Mrs. Miller's sentiments - she is of all parties, except the husband, the most desperate admirer of your brother's partner in life. (Laughter and applause.) Such meetings as the present are happy gatherings; may we arrive in due time at the other celebration to which I have referred. But I don't wish to hurry a young man who is only twenty-one. I wish him to look round, and whether his bride shall come from the east, the west, the south, or the north, I am quite sure you will be as ready to admit her merit as you are now that of the lady who comes from the Southern States of America. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, I have a request to make to you that each man will look to his right and his left and see that the toast I have to propose, namely, the health of Mr. William Miller, is drunk in a bumper. (Applause.) I am reminded by Mrs. Miller that the name is William Pitt Miller. Sir, that name of Pitt I have honoured all my life, and I would be the last man in the world who would lay it aside, or consider it unworthy of the most hearty admiration. (Applause.) I have great pleasure in giving you the toast of the day, "The health of Mr. William Pitt Miller." (Applause.)  

The toast was drunk amid loud cheers.  

The Chairman, in responding, said; Ladies and gentlemen, - I thank you very heartily for the cordial manner in which you have drunk my health, and also to Mr. Robert Townley Parker for the kind way in which he proposed the toast. It gives me great pleasure to be amongst you here today, and I hope to see you on another occasion - (laughter) - but I don't think it will be so soon as Mr. Parker seems to think probable. Again I have to tender you my sincere acknowledgements for the regard you have evinced for me by so cordially drinking my health, (Applause).  

The Vice-Chairman said that the time had arrived for him to propose a toast, but he was sorry on many accounts that it had fallen into such feeble hands, because many gentlemen around that table could have done it so much more efficiently. Admitting that, however, he must tell them that nobody in this room, or who had attended these festivities, could do so with greater pleasure or interest than himself. He became acquainted with, and he hoped gained the confidence of, the late Mr. Miller in 1852, and down to the year 1865, when unfortunately he was taken from this world, very few men saw more of that gentleman than it was his good fortune to do. He was highly pleased with the allusion which had been made by Mr. Parker to the character of the father of their host. When he (the speaker) first commenced looking after property in this he began with an estate called Singleton, and a great many more had afterwards been added. He believed he could appreciate the qualities of the late Mr. Miller as well as any man in England. (Hear, hear.) A more deserving man never lived in this world; a more kind or encouraging landlord could not have existed. (Applause.) He hoped generally, if not without exception, the tenants had improved their position by taking holdings under the late Mr. Miller; and he believed that in his sons they would find kind, indulgent, and unexceptionable landlords. (Renewed applause.) Having alluded to the great resemblance in manner and appearance between Mr. W.P. Miller and his father, he expressed the hope that those properties would go on prosperously, and in such a manner as to contribute to the happiness of the tenants and occupiers. He trusted also that the same benevolent character which existed in the father might be found in his sons, and that their tenants might receive the same kindness, and indulgence as they had done in the past. He had now to propose "The health of the tenantry of Thistleton, Singleton and the other estates", and with that toast he would associate the names of Mr. Butler, Preesall; Mr. Gardner, Singleton Lodge, and Mr. Hodgson, Thistleton. (Applause.) The first-named gentleman was unable to attend; but he hoped the other two would respond on behalf of the tenant farmers on those estates. (Applause.)  

The toast was drunk with great unanimity.  

Mr. Gardner having replied for the tenantry of Singleton, Mr. Hodgson said that it certainly gave him great pleasure to respond on behalf of the parties named in that toast. He was sure they were all pleased with the manner in which their landlord had entertained them, and it was very gratifying that on the first day of his coming into possession he should have dined with them. (Hear, hear.) He hoped it would not be long before they had an opportunity of again meeting together on another occasion which had been alluded to by Mr. Parker. (Hear, hear, and applause.)  

Colonel the Right Hon. J. Wilson-Patten then rose and said: Ladies and gentlemen, - My young friend, to do honour to whom we are assembled here today, out of sheer modesty, I believe, has deputed me to propose to you the only remaining toast which stands upon his list, and which is that of "The Ladies". (Hear, hear.) I gladly accept the commission, for this reason - that it affords me an opportunity, and I am sure that you will have pleasure in joining me, of paying a tribute to one amongst those ladies who on the present occasion is a most distinguished person, and to whom I an quite certain every one here wishes to do honour - I allude to the mother of our host, Mrs. Miller. (Applause.) With every word that Mr. Parker has said with regard to the late Mr. Miller, I cordially agree. (Hear, hear.) From an intimacy with him of many years' standing, I know how true every word that has been uttered with respect to him is, and I know that his example must be one of the securities which we have for the good conduct of our young friend in his future life. But it is not entirely owing to that: it is owing partly to the fostering care of a mother who has nursed him in his childhood, and who has had more than common opportunities of directing and watching over his path in life up to the present time, - (hear, hear) - and I believe that many of the merits of my young friend are due to the advice and direction he has received from that estimable lady his mother. (Applause.) I congratulate her upon her son entering upon the duties of life with such prospects before him, and she may congratulate herself on having arrived at a time when the care and attention she has bestowed upon him is likely to be realised in his happiness and that of those around him. (Hear, hear.) But there are others here present - my young friend is surrounded by his family and his family relations. I have sitting near me his godmother, and I wish to congratulate her upon her responsibilities having been well fulfilled, and that amongst the

qualities of my young friend he is likely to turn out a good Christian. (Hear, hear.) I have sitting around me his young sisters: they are unaccustomed to public speaking, but if they could give utterance to their views on the present occasion I am quite sure they would corroborate what I tell you, that my young friend has been to them a kind and affectionate brother; and I believe they return and reciprocate the love and affection he has borne towards them. (Hear, hear.) He has other relations I see present who take an interest in his welfare, and who have come to take part in these proceedings. I am sure that all present will join with me in doing honour to this toast ... I beg to give you the health of the ladies, long life to everyone of them, and especially to the ladies of the Miller family. (Cheers).  

Mr.    , whose name had been coupled with the toast, said that he had great pleasure in thanking the company for the hearty way in which they had received it ...  

Mr. T. Townley Parker called for three cheers for Mrs. T.H. Miller, which was enthusiastically given.  

Mr. T.H. Miller had great pleasure in thanking them for the cordial way in which they had received his wife's name.  

The proceedings then terminated  

THE SPORTS, TEA PARTIES, AND ILLUMINATIONS  

Immediately afterwards, the field sports commenced on the ground adjoining the tents. The competitions were restricted to those residing, or employed, upon the Singleton or Thistleton estates, but, notwithstanding this, a number of young men entered for the prizes. The list included a flat race of one hundred yards, high leaping, siamese race, running long jump, flat race of two hundred yards for men above forty years of age, sack race, quarter of a mile race, and a jingling match ... Other sports, including children's races, subsequently took place. The wives of the tenant farmers and the old women residing on the estates, to the number of about a hundred, were next entertained to an excellent tea, a la fourchette, which was greatly enjoyed. So that all should participate in the festivities of the day a spread was then made for about one hundred and thirty children, from the Singleton and Thistleton estates... By the time they had finished, everything was ready for the pyrotechnic display which was intended as an appropriate finale to the day's proceedings. The tenants had prepared a vast bonfire which was lighted amid loud cheers, and blazed in grand style. Under the direction of Messrs. Jennison, a number of rockets, shells, and set pieces were then discharged, the whole being brought to a close with a brilliant and effective display of fireworks.  

THE BALL  

took place in the marquee, opening about nine o'clock. The company was a very select and respectable one, consisting almost wholly of the tenant farmers, their wives, and families. Dancing was indulged in with much zest and spirit, and the party appeared highly to enjoy the gyratic amusement. The gathering was altogether of a most pleasant and enjoyable character. Subjoined are the names of the invited guests:  

1871