Elizabeth (Laughton) Miller (abt. 1784 - 1863)

Born about 1784 in Orkney, Scotland

Wife of John Miller — married 14 Nov 1814 in Sanday, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

Died 6 Sep 1863 at about age 79 in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

The daughter of William LAUGHTON and his wife Jane MOWAT, Elizabeth, also known as Betsy, was born about 1784, in Eday, Orkney.^[1] She married John MILLER, in Lady Kirk Manse, Parish of Lady, Sanday, on 14 November 1814, witnesses James SLATTER & Jannet MILLER in Lady.^[2]

They had at least four children, all born in Kirkwall. According to the SINCLAIR family tree info [Held at Orkney Family History Society] "John (architect)" is one of their children of Peter MILLER and Margaret LYALL; who married Elizabeth ?LAWTON (illegible), 4 children: Peter (married), John (d young), Elizabeth? (d young) and Mary (married).

The following records for these children have been identified:

1. Peter, born (or baptised?) on 3 November 1816.^[3] Nothing further known.
2. Elizabeth, born 8 July, and baptised 28 July 1819.^[4]
3. John, born (or baptised?) on 6 July 1822.^[5]
4. Mary, born (or baptised?) on 22 May 1825.^[6] She married David MOWAT some time before 1849. She died 15 February 1878, i Kirkwall.^[7]

Elizabeth was widowed in 1834, when her husband John Died:
Gravestone in St Magnus Cathedral Churchyard: In memory of JOHN MILLER, Mason, who departed this life 6 Jan 1834 aged 45 years. Erected by his spouse ELIZABETH LAUGHTON.^[8]

St Magnus burials 1822–1855: ^[9] John MILLER, 43, mason died 7, buried 11 Jan 1834.

Widow Elizabeth is in census returns as:^[10]

• 1841 Catherine Place Kirkwall age 50 Straw Plaiter.
• 1851 Catherine Place Kirkwall age 66 widow, pauper, born Eday.
• 1861 Long Wynd Kirkwall, age 78, widow, Pauper, Masons Widow.

Death: Betsy Laughton died on 06 Sept 1863, aged about 79 yrs in Long Close Kirkwall - Widow of John Miller, stone mason. Father: William Laughton (dec). Mother: Jane Mowat (dec). Informant: David Mowat (Son-in-law) Cause: Old age, no medical attendant.^[11]

Burial register, St Magnus Cathedral: died 6 Sept 1863, buried 10th, Betsy LAUGHTON or MILLER fee paid = poor [ie, the parish Poor Rolls covered any fee for her].

Sources

1. ↑ See death; and 1851 Census.
2. ↑ Marriage: Lady Kirk session [transcription viewed on computer at Sanday Heritage Centre in 2018]: 14 Nov 1814; John Miller in Lady & Elizabeth LAUGHTON in Lady; at Lady Kirk Manse (source: list of marriage 1811 - 1818, Orkney Archives OCR/15/8).
3. ↑ Birth of Peter Millar (M), 1816-11-03, Kirkwall & St Ola. Son of John MILLAR & Elizabeth LAUGHTON [IGI/OPR Index: 1816-021]; viewed at Orkney Family History Society
4. ↑ Birth of Elizabeth Millar (F), 1819-07-28, Kirkwall & St Ola. Dau of John MILLAR & Elizabeth LAUGHTON [IGI/OPR Index: 1819-021]; viewed at Orkney Family History Society. Note: Ancestry.com gives birth 8 July and baptism 28 July 1819. Died young - information from Sinclair family tree.
5. ↑ Birth of John Millar (M), 1822-07-06, Kirkwall & St Ola. Son of John MILLAR & Elizabeth LAUGHTON [IGI/OPR Index: 1822-021]; viewed at Orkney Family History Society. "Died young" according to the Sinclair Family Tree.
6. ↑ Orkney Family History Society Birth 70253; 22/05/1825: Birth of Mary Miller (F), 1825-05-22, Kirkwall & St Ola. Dau of John MILLER & Elizabeth LAUGHTON [IGI/OPR Index: 1825-021]
7. ↑ DEATH: Mary Miller died on 15 February 1878 aged 52 in Kirkwall - Married to David Mowat, general labourer. Father: John Miller, Mason (master) (deceased). Mother: Betsy (Laughton) Miller (deceased). Cause of death (a) Morbus Cordis unknown. (b) General Anasarca 1 month, as certified by John Bruer[?] MB. Informant: David Mowat, widower.[Death Cert: 1878-021-00-0011] Viewed at Orkney Family History Society
8. ↑ Note the transcription by Orkney Family History Society gives the year as 1845; however, a careful inspection of the stone by Pip O'BRIEN in 2018, confirms the correct date is 1834, as per the St Magnus Burial register.
9. ↑ Orkney Archives, Kirkwall, microfiche 21/
10. ↑ http://raymillar.co.uk/getperson.php?personID=I14934&tree=Eday1
11. ↑ Scotland Death Cert: 1863-021-00-0070; viewed at Orkney Family History Society website.