Sunderland near the Sea, monumental inscriptions

[Jomot]

Just to add to the earlier posting by Angelfish, the article in the Newcastle Courant 13 Aug 1796 does refer to John as "of Keeper" and goes on to say that Hugh Miller will continue the Wine & Spirit Business and also the Brickyard at Keeper.

The implication is therefore that John ran the brickyard, although Keeper isn't anywhere Ive come across before, although there are some very knowledgeable people on here who I'm sure can help further.

[J11]

Thank you, Jomot.
That would make that John Miller born about 1749 with Hugh about 1756, fitting in with the name order on the parents gravestone, and plenty of room for Charles in the middle.  The 1817 Charles Millar of Whitburn born approx 1854 looks a contender.  All three are compatible with a mother born in 1716.  And there may be more daughters in Scotland who aren't on the gravestone as they were still living.  Margaret was named, died in 1789, and I came across Isabella as sponsor on Charles's illegitimate daughter's birth entry.  The farm at Nether Tomdow passed out of the family on William Miller's death in 1794 so the brothers had no financial reason to return.

Had a quick look into Keeper, couldn't find it but wondered if it might have become Keepershield where there was a brickworks for a short time at the end of the 19thC.  Thinking of N and S Shields, it seems to be a local term.  Once again thanks for all your help.

[J11]

There is what appears to be a burial record for him at the High Street Independent Chapel in Lancaster:

May 21 1825, Hugh Miller aged 69, Common Brewer of Sunderland.

The grave reference is given as 165. J5. 195, which looks like it may have been a common grave as it isn't unique to Hugh Miller, but this has then been crossed out and the words "removed to Caton" added.

Just as a clarification for anyone else researching this line, the grave at Lancaster contained Hugh Miller and two Bell children.  Hugh's daughter had married the Rev Samuel Bell who took up the parish at Caton where Hugh and the children ended up.  I've a copy of the microfiche for Caton with Littledale, Lancashire, St. Paul's: Monumental Inscriptions.  The inscription reads:

In the vault beneath deposited the remains of Hugh Miller of Sunderland in the County of Durham Gentleman who died at Lancaster the 17th day of May 1825 aged 69 years.  Thomas Miller who died in the County of Middlesex..... the younger son of the above who departed this life the 19th day of August 183? aged 29 years.... (rest unreadable)

[J11]

Just to add to the earlier posting by Angelfish, the article in the Newcastle Courant 13 Aug 1796 does refer to John as "of Keeper" and goes on to say that Hugh Miller will continue the Wine & Spirit Business and also the Brickyard at Keeper.

The implication is therefore that John ran the brickyard, although Keeper isn't anywhere Ive come across before, although there are some very knowledgeable people on here who I'm sure can help further.

Looking at this again and just came across the UK poll book of 1790 with the following entries under Freeholders in the Easington Ward:

Freeholders Name   Place of Abode   Place of Freehold   Of What consisting    Occupier
Miller Hugh             Sunderland        Sunderland          House                      Thos Stafford + others
Miller John              Kepier               Sunderland          House                      John Branson + others
Miller Charles          Sunderland        Sunderland          House                      Safford + others

I believe that Kepier/Keyper is in Durham itself?