The Rev George Georgius
Millard or Miller
and Slavery
David Ibberson
September 2014
Left: Engraving of the restored Box Church as it was in 1790
courtesy of Box Parish Council
In the year 1740, as he lay on his deathbed, the Reverend George Miller, Vicar of Box and Calston, could look back with some measure of satisfaction. For nearly 40 years he had served his church well catering for the spiritual needs of his congregations. He had also left a legacy, Charity Schools in Box and in Colston; renovation of the Church in Box; and a brand new Poorhouse in Box. The Reverend Miller could die peacefuly in the knowledge that his life’s work had not been wasted and would survive him for years to come. But who was George Miller?
Early Days
George Miller was one of four brothers born in Boxwell Gloucestershire, the others being William, Thomas and Pauncefort. Who their parents were has not been fully determined, however, the name Pauncefort is sufficiently unusual to suggest it was a family name. Living in Boxwell in the mid 17th century was a Pauncefort Millard who married a widow, Elizabeth Millard. It is highly likely this couple were the parents. Pauncefort was described as a Yeoman and as such would have been a landowner owning more than 100 acres. (In some documents he is described as Pauncefort the elder). The parents of the Miller boys could not have imagined that two of them, George and Pauncefort, would, in the future, be written into the folklore of a small country village remembered for their charitable works, but more sinisterly, a possible association with the slave trade.
Charitable Works
George was appointed Vicar of Box in 1707 and over the next 30 years or so devoted himself to renovating the Church, the building of a Poorhouse and founding the Charity School. Funding for these projects came from three main sources, Dame Rachel Speke of Hazlebury Manor, Henry Hoare’s widow at Stourhead and Pauncefort Miller (brother of George) who was living in Jamaica.
The Jamaica Connection
George was a driven man, passionate about education for the poor and in particular, church music. Unfortunately, these activities cost money and George does not appear to have been over concerned as to where the money came from. Mention Jamaica in today's society and the history of slavery will almost certainly cast its dark shadow. That was not the case in George's time but today we must ask ourselves to what extent was the Miller family involved in the exploitation of slaves and to what extent Box Village benefited from the suffering of their fellow human beings.
We will never know how a country boy, Pauncefort Miller, the son of a Yeoman, found himself in Jamaica. He is described in documents as a merchant of London and Jamaica. This suggests he may well have lived in London before arriving in Jamaica, borne out by the fact that his son, also named Pauncefort, died there in early infancy.
Was the Miller family already established in Jamaica before Pauncefort arrived? The Poet William Congreve, Secretary to Jamaica in Pauncefort's time hinted at earlier involvement of the Millers in plantations and slave trading. Despite describing himself as a merchant, Pauncefort's will (see below) confirms that through his wife, Jane (nee Mitchell), he owned (or part owned) a plantation and was a slave owner. Jane inherited the plantation from Pricilla Stanton the widow of a Colonel Edward Stanton about 1709.
Pauncefort's will makes glowing reference to his friend Andrew Pratter, also a merchant as well as being the Jamaican Agent for the South Sea Company whose principle trading commodity was slaves. As agent, Edward Pratter would buy slaves on behalf of the company and arrange shipment to Spanish America. Did George know of his brother's links with slaves when receiving financial support for his very Christian activities? Almost certainly he did. He was an executor of Pauncefort's will and, like the rest of his society, he accepted it without question.
Family Activity
In 1699 George's brother, William, had a son, also named William. This Miller became known as William the Banker who in 1750 became a partner in Bristol’s first bank. He was also known as a grocer, in those days meaning merchant. When William died about 1781 he left a fortune estimated at £190,000, a huge amount of money which he is unlikely to have accumulated as a shop keeper.
It is believed, though not proven, that he was part owner of one or even two slave ships, the Southwell (1744) and the Invincible (1757). If anyone doubts the brutality of the slave trade consider the early history of the Southwell. In 1746 she delivered 629 enslaved Africans to Jamaica but had lost 150 on the voyage. On a voyage to Angola in 1748 the Captain was instructed to buy 500 slaves; how many he purchased is not recorded but only 284 arrived in America.
Reflection
From the foregoing we can conclude that the Miller family were involved in the activities of slave owners or traders and that Box benefited from their association. Were they aware of the suffering of the slaves? Pauncefort certainly was, perhaps George was not. It is interesting to note that when you ask for the names of those who supported Box Charity School, Dame Rachel Speke and George Miller are readily quoted. Pauncefort Miller has almost been obliterated from memory despite the fact that he was, from the contents of his will, a significant contributor. Of course this is not by design but rather that he was not a local dignitary. However, I do suspect that perhaps we are happier not knowing from whom George Miller raised money for his very worthwhile projects. The truth can be uncomfortable.
Early Days
George Miller was one of four brothers born in Boxwell Gloucestershire, the others being William, Thomas and Pauncefort. Who their parents were has not been fully determined, however, the name Pauncefort is sufficiently unusual to suggest it was a family name. Living in Boxwell in the mid 17th century was a Pauncefort Millard who married a widow, Elizabeth Millard. It is highly likely this couple were the parents. Pauncefort was described as a Yeoman and as such would have been a landowner owning more than 100 acres. (In some documents he is described as Pauncefort the elder). The parents of the Miller boys could not have imagined that two of them, George and Pauncefort, would, in the future, be written into the folklore of a small country village remembered for their charitable works, but more sinisterly, a possible association with the slave trade.
Charitable Works
George was appointed Vicar of Box in 1707 and over the next 30 years or so devoted himself to renovating the Church, the building of a Poorhouse and founding the Charity School. Funding for these projects came from three main sources, Dame Rachel Speke of Hazlebury Manor, Henry Hoare’s widow at Stourhead and Pauncefort Miller (brother of George) who was living in Jamaica.
The Jamaica Connection
George was a driven man, passionate about education for the poor and in particular, church music. Unfortunately, these activities cost money and George does not appear to have been over concerned as to where the money came from. Mention Jamaica in today's society and the history of slavery will almost certainly cast its dark shadow. That was not the case in George's time but today we must ask ourselves to what extent was the Miller family involved in the exploitation of slaves and to what extent Box Village benefited from the suffering of their fellow human beings.
We will never know how a country boy, Pauncefort Miller, the son of a Yeoman, found himself in Jamaica. He is described in documents as a merchant of London and Jamaica. This suggests he may well have lived in London before arriving in Jamaica, borne out by the fact that his son, also named Pauncefort, died there in early infancy.
Was the Miller family already established in Jamaica before Pauncefort arrived? The Poet William Congreve, Secretary to Jamaica in Pauncefort's time hinted at earlier involvement of the Millers in plantations and slave trading. Despite describing himself as a merchant, Pauncefort's will (see below) confirms that through his wife, Jane (nee Mitchell), he owned (or part owned) a plantation and was a slave owner. Jane inherited the plantation from Pricilla Stanton the widow of a Colonel Edward Stanton about 1709.
Pauncefort's will makes glowing reference to his friend Andrew Pratter, also a merchant as well as being the Jamaican Agent for the South Sea Company whose principle trading commodity was slaves. As agent, Edward Pratter would buy slaves on behalf of the company and arrange shipment to Spanish America. Did George know of his brother's links with slaves when receiving financial support for his very Christian activities? Almost certainly he did. He was an executor of Pauncefort's will and, like the rest of his society, he accepted it without question.
Family Activity
In 1699 George's brother, William, had a son, also named William. This Miller became known as William the Banker who in 1750 became a partner in Bristol’s first bank. He was also known as a grocer, in those days meaning merchant. When William died about 1781 he left a fortune estimated at £190,000, a huge amount of money which he is unlikely to have accumulated as a shop keeper.
It is believed, though not proven, that he was part owner of one or even two slave ships, the Southwell (1744) and the Invincible (1757). If anyone doubts the brutality of the slave trade consider the early history of the Southwell. In 1746 she delivered 629 enslaved Africans to Jamaica but had lost 150 on the voyage. On a voyage to Angola in 1748 the Captain was instructed to buy 500 slaves; how many he purchased is not recorded but only 284 arrived in America.
Reflection
From the foregoing we can conclude that the Miller family were involved in the activities of slave owners or traders and that Box benefited from their association. Were they aware of the suffering of the slaves? Pauncefort certainly was, perhaps George was not. It is interesting to note that when you ask for the names of those who supported Box Charity School, Dame Rachel Speke and George Miller are readily quoted. Pauncefort Miller has almost been obliterated from memory despite the fact that he was, from the contents of his will, a significant contributor. Of course this is not by design but rather that he was not a local dignitary. However, I do suspect that perhaps we are happier not knowing from whom George Miller raised money for his very worthwhile projects. The truth can be uncomfortable.
Appendices
We are endebted to Dale Davies who contacted us from Australia with transcripts of original documentation and his notes about the Miller family. Documents endebted to National Archives and Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Magazine, Volume 31, June 1900
1. Four Letters of Rev George Miller 1712 - 18 and Rev George Miller's Will 10 May 1740
We are endebted to Dale Davies who contacted us from Australia with transcripts of original documentation and his notes about the Miller family. Documents endebted to National Archives and Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Magazine, Volume 31, June 1900
1. Four Letters of Rev George Miller 1712 - 18 and Rev George Miller's Will 10 May 1740
| the_will_of_george_miller.pdf |
2. The Will of Pancefort Miller dated 21st December 1726
| miller_pancefort_will_1726.pdf |
3. Will of Susanna Jemima Hicks (nee Horlock)
| hicks_nee_horlock_susanna_jemima_will_docx_pdf.pdf |
4. Family Tree
| miller-millard_top.pdf |
Sources
1. Monumental Inscriptions Jamaica 2 www.jamaicafamilysearch.com
2. Unknown (m) Miller and unknown (f) Miller http://www.brisvegas.org/genealogy/GED-GEN/grpname1.html
3. David Richardson, Bristol, African and the 18th Century Slave Traders
4. National Archives - The Will of Pauncefort Miller
Note: Pauncefort has a variety of spellings Panceford and Pancefort among them. Pauncefort is used for no other reason than I prefer it. The son Pancefort Miller was baptised 21 Jul 1725 at St Andrew Undershaft, London and died 11 Jul 1727.
1. Monumental Inscriptions Jamaica 2 www.jamaicafamilysearch.com
2. Unknown (m) Miller and unknown (f) Miller http://www.brisvegas.org/genealogy/GED-GEN/grpname1.html
3. David Richardson, Bristol, African and the 18th Century Slave Traders
4. National Archives - The Will of Pauncefort Miller
Note: Pauncefort has a variety of spellings Panceford and Pancefort among them. Pauncefort is used for no other reason than I prefer it. The son Pancefort Miller was baptised 21 Jul 1725 at St Andrew Undershaft, London and died 11 Jul 1727.