Miller

The first Miller to settle in the Gaspe area was Richard Miller, who arrived single and lived for some time with William Annett in Peninsula. As with many early settlers no written records of their prior life have been uncovered, though several traditional stories tell of their past. In her memoirs, Christie West (nee Ascah), claims that Richard was from Sussex, England. Another story that was handed down through the generations is that his son, James, was "the seventh son of the seventh son." Not surprisingly, if this is true, Richard came from a large family.

Both Raymond Patterson and Dorothy Phillips maintain that Richard Miller owned land in Sydney, Nova Scotia. No record of this appears at the Registrar of Deeds for the County of Cape Breton. Ms. Phillips did uncover a "Richard Miller" on an undated, partial list of Loyalists who made up DesBarres Colony. In 1784 these settlers unsuccessfully attempted to settle the Sydney area. Richard was listed as an individual with no family. There is no concrete evidence that this is the same Richard.

Raymond Patterson's story continues, "Sailing from Quebec City with soldiers and their dependents aboard [could this have been Loyalists?], bound for Louisburg, Nova Scotia, the captain of the ship became ill. Richard, a brave boy, took over the captain's duties and brought the ship safely into port. For this service he was honoured by the King of England a grant of land near Sydney." After realizing that he didn't like the area he moved to Prince Edward Island where he supposedly met William Annett.

Mr. Patterson goes on to say that they left together after a winter of near starvation because of severe crop failure. In the spring of 1792 they arrived in Gaspe and took up residence on Peninsula Point, now part of Forillon Park known as Penouille. ä

It remains uncertain that Richard Miller and William Annett arrived together. Richard certainly was here by 1794 when he married William's daughter, Frances. However, William was residing in Peninsula many years prior to this. A land petition dated March 25, 1793 states that he had resided on the mainland for 4 years. In addition all sources maintain that he initially built a cabin on Peninsula Point. Ken Annett suggests that William arrived in Gaspe around 1780.

Most sources agree that Richard did live temporarily with William Annett. On July 8, 1819 Richard Miller registered a claim for lot #2 in Peninsula. The claim states that he had occupied the land for seven years, constructed a house and had cleared four acres of farmland. That would indicate his homestead on the mainland was established about 1812. It is possible he could have chosen a new piece of land and moved, or one of the land claims could contain incorrect information.

Richard Miller and Frances Annett raised a family of 10 boys and 3 girls, all of whom settled around the Gaspe Bay.

Their sixth son, Henry, married Margaret Patterson of Sunny Bank in 1831. The baptism records of their first three children indicate that they settled first in Sandy Beach. It was related to me by Alfred Miller, a grandson of Henry's that they hauled their house past Gaspe and up the Southwest Arm with horses on the frozen Gaspe Bay during winter. The story goes on to say that a party was held in the house each night, where ever it happened to be. It is certain that their fourth child was born in the "Southwest Arm" in 1838. Their final homestead was on lot 21 in Sunny Bank.

Like his brothers he was a whaler and a farmer. Henry had a family of seven children, of which two boys, Henry Walter and James Thomas remained in Sunny Bank.

The Miller family of Sunny bank, besides taking part in whaling excursions in the summer, became deeply involved in the lumbering industry. During the winter months logs were cut and brought home by horse and sleigh. These were whip-sawed into lumber at the mill set up on the homestead, which was located on the property presently owned by Yvon Cyr. This lumber was sold locally and used largely in ship-building. The Millers also engaged in many seasonal jobs such as barrel-making, shingle splitting, and guiding salmon fishermen.

It was two members of the Miller family who first happened across traces of copper which finally led to the discovery of the Murdochville Copper Mines. Alfred and Frederick, great-grand-sons of Richard persisted through the fall of 1921 searching for copper. They were attempting to find the source of pebbles which Alfred had picked up 12 years earlier while cruising for timber on the upper end of the York River.