John Miller was born 13 June 1844 in Fairlie, the third of ten children born to parents Andrew Miller and Elisabeth Brown.  His siblings were: Robert, born 09 November 1840 Fairlie; Andrew, born 29 August 1842 Fairlie; Elizabeth, born 29 October 1846 Fairlie; Isabella, born about 1848, Loch Melfort, Argyllshire; Daniel, born about 1852 Greenock; Peter, born 06 June 1855 Greenock (died 06 July 1857, aged 2); Peter, born 11 July 1857 Greenock; Agnes, born 15 July 1859 Greenock and William, born 31 May 1862 Greenock.

Andrew Miller and Elizabeth Brown were married 21 December 1839 in Largs.

The 1841 Largs census reveals that Andrew and Elizabeth Millar with their six-month old son Robert, were living at Burnfoot, Fairlie, Largs.  Andrew, aged 25, is employed as a Silk hand loom weaver.

The 1851 Greenock census reveals that Andrew and Elizabeth Miller are now living at St Lawrence Street, Greenock with their five children, including John.  Andrew, now aged 34, is employed as a Labourer (3).

By 1861, Andrew, Elizabeth and their seven children, were living at Lynedock Street, Greenock.  Andrew is now employed as a Dock Porter.  Their eldest son Robert is employed as a Blacksmith and John, aged 17, is employed as a clerk in a boatyard.  Isabella and Daniel are in school.  The family are living in a home with three rooms with windows which gives an indication of their economic status.

Andrew Miller accidently drowned on 05 February 1869.  He had been working as the Foreman Porter for Messrs Burns’ Belfast and Liverpool Steamers at Greenock when the steamer Racoon arrived in the harbour at 4.30am.  Due to a strong wind off the quay, she struggled to berth, and her ropes couldn’t reach the hands at the quay.  Andrew Miller threw them a line from the quay, which he had first tied round his left hand so, he wouldn’t lose it in the strong winds.  The rope was caught by the crew of the Racoon, and made fast, but due to the winds, the steamer drifted quickly away from its berth, and Andrew Miller unable to disentangle himself from the line, was dragged into the water.  The crew of the steamer Racoon, on realising what had happened dragged Andrew Miller onboard, but sadly it was too late, and he drowned.  At the time of his death Andrew and his family were living at 29 Lynedock Street, Greenock (4).  His son Robert registered the death.

Note:  A “Register of Corrected Entries” goes with Andrew’s death certificates providing the results of the Procurator Fiscal.

The 1871 census reveals that Elizabeth, now a widow, is still living in Lynedock Street, with five of her children.  Elizabeth is supporting herself and her younger children by working as a Milliner.  Robert is still employed as a blacksmith and her daughter Isabella is employed as a dressmaker.  13-year-old Peter is working as a Message Boy.

John’s brother Andrew followed him out to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he married Julia Peixoto (5).

Elizabeth Miller, nee Brown, died on 17 March 1886, 7.45pm, at 39 Kelly Street, Greenock, aged 68.  Her cause of death was given as Pneumonia.  Her son William registered her death.

In 1869 John Miller returned to Scotland to visit family.  He died 06 October 1886, 0.50pm, at 235 Bath Street, Glasgow, aged 42.  His occupation at the time of his death was General Merchant.  His cause of death was listed as Aneurism of the arch of the aorta.  His brother William registered his death.

Andrew Miller (Charles’s grandfather) was born 11 March 1816 in Fairlie, the first of nine children born to parents Robert Miller and Isabella McKay, who were married 21 April 1815 in Paisley.  His siblings were: Robert, born 25 January 1818; Elizabeth, born 26 November 1819; Daniel, born 24 November 1821; Catherine, born 04 October 1824; John, born 08 January 1826; Isabella, born 16 March 1828; Peter, born 20 February 1831; and William, born 13 March 1835.

Robert Miller died 24 June 1837 in Fairlie and is buried in Largs Old Parish Church (Skelmorlie Aisle), Grave No. 229.  His headstone reveals that Robert was born on 17th July 1792, but regrettably his birth was not registered.  Isabella’s death certificate reveals that he was employed as a hand loom weaver.  (Monumental inscription and map are included)

The 1841 census reveals that Isabella and seven of her children were living in Burnfoot, Fairlie, next door to her son Andrew and his family.  Now widowed, Isabella was working as a Sick Nurse to provide for her family.  Her son Robert and Daniel were both working as Hand Loom Weavers, Robert producing silk, and Daniel cotton.

By 1851 Isabella, now aged 55, is listed as a House Proprietor.  Her son Daniel is now working as a grocer and her youngest son William, aged 16 is still in school.  Staying with the family on census night was two-year-old Alex McHay.

The 1861 census reveals that Isabella is living in a home with six rooms with windows.  Living with her is her daughter-in-law Hester and four-year-old grandson Robert.  By 1871 Isabella is listed as an Annuitant and is still living in Burnfoot, in a six-roomed house.  Staying with her on the night of the census is her nine-year-old granddaughter Hester.  Her son Daniel married Hester Brown in 1858 in Glasgow.  Hester was born in Trinidad, West Indies.  After their marriage they settled in Largs.  The 1871 census reveals that Daniel, Hester and four of their five children are living next door to Isabella.  Daniel is employed as a grocer.  Also living with Daniel’s family on the night of the 1871 census is a sixteen-year-old general servant, Jessie Thomson.

By 1881 Isabella now aged 85, has moved into a smaller two-roomed house in the Burnfoot area of Largs.

Isabella McKay died on 04 August 1882, 10.30pm at Fairlieburn, Largs, aged 88. Her cause of death was listed as Senile Decay.  Isabella was born 11 February 1795 in Stirling the third of three children born to parents Donald McKay, a Policeman, and Elizabeth Pope.  Her siblings were: Peter, born 1790 and Robert, born 1792, both in Balfron, Stirlingshire.

Elizabeth Brown (Charles’s grandmother) was born 25 July 1817 in Largs, the fifth of ten children born to parents Robert Brown and Elizabeth Dickie, who were married 03 July 1804 in Mauchline.  The marriage registration reveals that Robert was employed as a Merchant in Ayr and Elizabeth was living at Welton in Mauchline.

Elizabeth’s siblings were Hugh, born 1808; Mary, born 1811; Jean, born 1813; John, born 1815; Janet Lang, born 1819; Marrion, born 1822; William, born 1824; William, born 1827 and Ann, born 1832.  All the children were born in Largs.

The 1841 census reveals that Robert and Elizabeth Brown were living in Boyd Street, Largs, and that Robert was employed as a Prinot Coastwaiter (Customs house officer).  By 1851 Robert, now aged 69, has his occupation recorded as ‘Superannuation Coustoms’. Elizabeth Dickie died 19 November 1853 in Largs and was buried in Largs Old Parish Churchyard (Skelmorlie Aisle) on 24th November 1853.  Her husband Robert Brown died 28 August 1859, 12.40pm, Boyd Street, Largs, aged 80.  His cause of death was listed as Hydrothorax (an accumulation of fluid in the thoracic cavity).  They don’t have a headstone in Largs Old Parish Churchyard.