Millett Family
A typed, unbound manuscript was given to me, Gregg Millett, by my father, Clinton Charles Millett. It contains a 4-page introduction, 78 additional pages and concludes with 9 pages on the English Milletts. On page 2 it says that the work is by Daniel Caldwell Millett, 1870, Holmesburg, Pennsylvania. On page 10a, in the handwriting of my father, it says "the foregoing work is a copy of work done by Stephen C. Millett Jr. and borrowed from Stephen C. Millett, September 9, 1934. Clinton C. Millett -- Omaha, Nebraska.
I present the document for the historical record.
Introduction, page 1
MILLETT FAMILY (Extract from the "History of Leeds".)
The name is an old one in England and is still
older in France. In the English records it is variously spelled --
Mylet, Mylett, Myllais, Millet, Millett are
among the early forms. The name appears in the English
records early in the Fifteenth Century. The differences
in spelling do not in the least signify any differences
in origin. A person is a liberty to write it as he
chooses. Near relatives often have very different forms.
All genealogical authorities agree that the name, whatever
Its existing orthography, was originally the same. In
Middlesex there are Mylletts and Milletts. In Hereford
There are Mylletts; in Cornwall there are Milletts, and
On the Island of Jersey the name is spelled Millais. The
two artists, the late Sir John Everett Millais of London,
and Mr. Francis Davis Millet, the American Painter, are
from the same stock. The families are all of common or-
igin, and in all likelihood it would be found that their
lines fun back to the same French ancestry as that of the famous
painter of peasant life - Jean Francois Millet.
It has been supposed that the first of the name in England came
with William the conqueror, and that this is indicated
by the mural crown in the crest of arms allowed to John
Millet of Hayes Court, Middlesex in 1616. The first
Introduction, page 2
publicly-recorded instance of the name in England is that
of John Mylet, who came in 1432 as an Ambassador from the
Regent of France, the Duke of Bedford, eldest uncle of
Henry VI. It is thought that he never returned to his
country. In 1513 one of the secretaries of Henry VIII
was named John Millett. In 1516 the same name appears
as that of a clerk of the Signet and also as a Letter of
Exchequer, probably all the same person. Among the ear-
liest mentioned of the family are the Millets of Perivale,
Meddlesex. Henry Millet is recorded as dying on February
5, 1500. In 1575 another Henry Millett of that place was
Lord or the Manor of Cornhill. Though the name is so var-
iously spelled it is noted that there seems to have been
endeavored to keep the original spelling on the monuments,
in records of pedigrees and of visitations in the Heralds
College. The various branches of the family seem to have
radiated from Middlesex, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. John
Millet, of Hayes, Middlesex, was Lord of the Manor there in
1613. In 1616 the "Armes Argent a fess gules between
three dragons' heads erased vert.", was exemplified, that is,
allowed to him, with the crest of an arm armed, the hand
grasping a dragon's head. Arms of that description are
held to represent military distinction in opposition to
Introduction, page 3
tyranny, while the crest with the mural crown is something
granted for the taking of a walled city.
In Cornwall the Milletts were a prominent family.
William Millett was Sheriff of Cornwall in 1566. In
Marazion and Penzance the Milletts were leading people.
The mother of Sir Humphrey Davy, whose monument stands in
Penzance, was Grace Millett. At Rosavern a branch of the
Family lived in one house from 1627 to the present time.
Page 1
ARRANGEMENT
At this date (1870) all the names and descendants
are not collected, but as far as possible they are ar-
ranged in chronological order.
The immediate ancestor is referred to by page and
thus a lineal descent may be traced back to the first
settler in the United States, Viz: -- Thomas Millet.
REFERENCES
"Farmers" Register
Gloucester Records
History of Dorchester
Genealogical History of New England
Essex Institute
Savage's Genealogical Dict. - Vol. 3 - 212-213
Wentworth Genealogical Vol. 1 - 223-224
Babson's Hist. of Gloucester - Pg. 116-117
Douglas Geneal - 478
Page 2
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great
riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold" -
Proverbs XXII :1
In the year of our Blessed Lord 1870 - The
Reverand Daniel Caldwell Millett began these records
for his own pleasure and also for the purpose of hand-
iIng down in the family some record of the ancestors of
the Family of Millett. It is his earnest desire that
this book may be preserved in the family, and such ad-
ditions made from time to time as may be required.
D. C. Millett
Holesburg, Pa.
October 6th A.D. 1870
Page 3
The name of Millett is here used with and
without the final T.
In England to this day the name ends with two
T's but the early records of the family in America often
show that only one was used - Millet and Millett
are one and the same family.
D.C.M.
Oct. 6, 1870
Other forms are also to be found such as Myllet -
Myllett - Millette - Millet, and Millett.
Thomas, the first who came to America in 1635
spells his name (as per deed) thus -
Thomas Millett
the l's with a double loop.
Page 4
COAT OF ARMS
"Millett"
"Dunham, Bucks and Middlesex"
silver
fesse gu - between three dragons,
torn green
heads erased, vert.
CREST
embattled
Out of a mural coronet - an arm in pale habited
gold silver
or - grasping in a glove a
dragon's head - erased - vert.
MOTTO
"Manus Haec inimmica tyrannis"
Hall Manus &c is better.
Patent (exemplified D.D.M.) granted in 1616 by Camden
Clarenceux - King of Arms.
John Richard Nicholas Millett, Esq., of Penzance - Cornwall,
England - 1870 bears these arms.
Page 5
There is a pedigree of the family to be found in
"The Visitation of Buckinghamshire.
"Hall Manus inimical tyrannis" is the motto on the
coat of arms of Lord Carysfort.
There are various families by the name of Millet
and Millett and Millette in the United States.
1st - The descendants of Thomas who came from near London.
2nd - Those who came to Philadelphia about 1875 from Liverpool.
3rd - Those who came to New York City from about Dublin.
4th - Those who came to Cape Ann about 1860 from France.
Page 6
Thomas Millet, son of Henry Myllet of Chertsey,
England, Att.-at-law, Staples Inn, Holborn - married
Joice, daughter of John Chapman of Chertsey -
In the Athenaeum Phila in a book entitled "Early
Emigrants to New England" is the following:
"In the Ship Elizabeth of London - Wm. Stagg, Master -
these underwritten names brought certificates from the
Minister of St. Saviour's, Southwark - of their conformities --
Thomas Millet, 30 (age)
(Clxoz) Marie Millet, 29
Thomas Millet, 2
Ursula Greenoway, 32
Hoshua Wheat, 17
John Smith, 12
Ralph Chapman, 20
This book edited by John Camden Hotten, State Dept Record
Office, England.
Page 7
Thomas Millett
Born in Chertsey, England, A.D. 1605.
Married Mary Greenoway in England, A.D. 1630.
Mary Greenoway born in England, A.D. 1606.
Mary Greenoway died Sept. 27, A.D. 1682
Thomas died in Brookfield, Mass., A.D. 1675
Children
Page 12: Thomas - Born in England 1633.
Page 16: John - Born in Dorchester, Mass., May 8 1935.
Jonathan - Born May 27th, 1638, died June 15, 1638
Page 17: Mary - born June 26, 1939.
Mary married - Riggs - Died at Gloucester, Mass., Jan. 23, 1695.
Page 18: Mehitable - Born June 1, 1641, in Dorchester, Mass.
Page 19: Bethia - Born June 1, 1643 in Dorchester, Mass.
Page 20: Nathaniel - Born 1647, in Dorchester, Mass.
Page 8
Thomas Millet, Senior came to the U.S. in 1635 from
Southwark, England (a parishioner of St. Saviour's Church),
In the Ship Elizabeth - Capt. Stagg, of London, with his
wife Mary, daughter of John Greenoway. They brought with
them their son Thomas, aged 2 years. They settled in Dor-
chester, Mass., where they resided about twenty years.
Thomas joined the Dorchester Church about 1636, was made
"Freeman about 1637, and was a grantee of land the same
year. In 1655 Thomas bought of William Perkins, who had
been a teaching elder in the church in Gloucester, all the
property the latter owned in the town. He came here
(Gloucester) with the rare title of "Mr." - a distinction
to which he was entitled by the place he filled in the
Church, for he was the successor of Mr. William Perkins in
his religious office, as well as in the possession of his
lands. His name does not appear among the Ministers of
his time, but it is certain he labored here in spiritual
things. Tho' perhaps his office in the Church was an
anomalous one, its pecuniary rewards were not always vol-
untarily bestowed as the court records testify and indeed
these alone furnish information that he was engaged here
in the Ministry of all. It is supposed he removed from
town several years before his death, and became a resident
Page 9
of Brookfield at which place he and his wife gave their
consent June 3, 1675 (?) to the sale of a house and land
on town Neck to Francis Norwood. He died within a year
from that time and his wife was deceased September 27, 1682.
In 1665 he conveyed to his son, Thomas, lands lying in
Gloucester near the old meeting house plain.
-- Gloucester Records.
Page 10
From Dover Enquirer, August 1866
Thomas and his wife were at Brookfield June 3, 1665.
He bought land of Goodman Cox and paid for the same in
part with two cows - showing that he removed to Brookfield
with his effects. In about two month after that time
Brookfield was destroyed by the Indians and what became of
Mr. Thomas Millet, or when he died, is unknown. His es-
tate was entered in Essex Probate Court in 1676 and his
widow lived with her children in Gloucester, Mass. 'till
1782 when she died. (See also foot note in N.E. Register 1881).
"His house was burned in 1657 and a part of the
town records were destroyed by the fire". History of
Dorchester - Ursula Greenoway (Mrs. Millet's sister) ac-
companied them to this country July 31, 1635. Israel
Stoughton to John Winthrop speaks of "Brother Millet".
Mass. Hist. - Coll. Vol. 1
Page 10a
The direct line to, and including, the descendants
of Daniel Millet, of Salem, Mass - born 1785 - is marked
with an underline on each page.
Handwritten Note: "the foregoing work is a copy of work done by Stephen
C. Millett Jr. and borrowed from Stephen C. Millett, September 9, 1934."
(signed) Clinton C. Millett -- Omaha, Nebraska.
Page 11
NOTE
Richard
Probably came in the fleet with Winthrop but no more
of him is known than that he requested admission October
19, 1630 when his name is spelt Myllett, and was sworn
Freeman June 11, 1633. See Mass. Hist. Coll. Vol. 1 where
Winthrop speaks of Brother Millet.
Greenoway was first made Freeman in Dorchester -
"Goodman John Greenoway was a man of the first importance
to early settlers - (no sons) and his history sadly ne-
glected. Greenoway came over in the ship "Mary and John"
A.D. 1630, May 30th. See "Register" 1878 - p 55.
There were six daughters.
Page 12
Thomas 2d (son of Tho's) Page 8
Born A.D. - 1633 in England
Married A.D. 1688 - A - Coit Eveleth.
Died June 18, 1707 in Manchester, Mass.
He was buried in Gloucester, Mass.
Children
Thomas (Capt.), born Dec. 20, 1689 at Gloucester, Mass.
John, born April 19, 1692 at Gloucester, Mass.
Nathaniel, born Sept. 27, 1694 at Gloucester, Mass. Died April 12, 1695,
Gloucester
Thomas married for his first wife, Mary, daughter of Sylvester Eveleth, May
21, 1685, who died July 2, 1687. There were no children of this marriage. His
second wife was Mrs. Abagail Eveleth, who's maiden name was Coit. He gave in
his Will to his wife "All ye my house and upland about 5 acres more or
less, situated and lying in Gloucester in ye country of , County of Essex, near
ye mill which was formerly Mr. John Emeeson's - and to my sons Thomas and John
who now liveth with me, all my estate lying part in Gloucester and part in
Manchester."
(From Dover Inquirer, August 1866)
Page 13
Capt. Thomas Millet 3d, settled first at Oyster Bay and built there one ship,
but perceiving that he could find better conveniences at Dover Neck, he removed
to that place, purchasing considerable land, most of it from the Hilton Family,
June 9, 1721 - part of which was on Dover Neck and part on Toll End. He resided
at Dover Neck during the remainder of his life, dwelling on the premises where
Calvin Coleman
now lives. The Henderson Farm was part of his property, being purchased by him
of Capt. Beard.
From the Dover Inquirer, Sept. 14, 1852.
Page 14
From the Gloucester Records
Thomas Millet 2d had land of his father lying near the old meeting house plain in 1635. He held the office of Ensign in the Military Company and served a few years as a selectman, but otherwise his name does not prominently occur. He came into possession of land at Kittle Cove originally granted to Mr. Blynman - this was situated near the Manchester bounds - which Mr. Millet passed and became in the last years of his life a resident of that town. He died there June 18, 1707 but was brought to Gloucester for burial. His widow died March 19, 1726.
Mr. Allen Knowlton - Proprietor of the Crescent Beach House, is the oldest
born resident at Kittle Cove (now Magnolia), Mass. July 19, 1880 Mr. Knowlton
gave to Rev. D. C. Millett a list of the parties who had had possession of the
farm at Kittle Cove, Viz:
1. Benj. Parsons
2. Nath. Parsons
3. Thomas Millet
4. Benj. Ives (Salem)
5. Gifford Goldsmith
6. Oliver Younger
7. Adams
8. Thomas Jefferson Coolidge
Page 15
The present owner at this date, A.D. 1880 - Rev. James Freeman Clark
(Unitarian), has a cottage on the same spot.
(D.C.M.H. Aug. 1880)
Standing on the piazza back of the "Crescent Beach House" Mr.
Knowlton pointed out the place between Mr. Coolidge's barn and his house - the
spot where Mr. Millet's house stood and Mr. Knowlton remembered the excavation
(the cellar) of the house now filled up.
D.D.M.
Page 16
JOHN
Son of Thomas 1605 - Page 7
Born May 8, 1635 in Dorchester, Mass.
Died Nov. 3, 1678 at Gloucester, Mass.
Married July 3, 1663 by Gov. Endicott to Sarah Leach born 1645 - Died June 20,
1725
CHILDREN
John, born Oct. 23, 1665 - died the same day.
Hannah, born Mar. 9, 1667 - died 1690. Married Thomas Sawyer.
John, born Apr. 12, 1669 - died a bachelor
Thomas, born Nov. 23, 1671 - at Gloucester, Mass.
Sarah, born July 1, 1674 - died May 1, 1675
Andrew, born May 9, 1676 - died May 13, 1676
Elizabeth, born Oct. 24, 1677 married Samuel Foster, born in 1678.
Thomas (1671) and his son John (1695) removed with their families to
Falmouth, Maine about 1724.
Essex Institute Vol. 3 - p. 48
Will of John recorded 1679
Page 17
MARY
Daughter of Thomas -- Page 7
Born June 26, 1639 at Gloucester, Mass.
Died Jan. 23, 1695 at Gloucester, Mass.
Married Thos. Riggs of Gloucester, Mass., June 7, 1658
Thos. Riggs born 1632, died Feb. 26 1722
CHILDREN
Mary, born Mar. 6 1659 at Gloucester, Mass.
Thomas, born Jan. 23, 1660 - died February 1, 1660
Sarah, born February 16, 1661 at Gloucester, Mass.
Ann,a born April 27, 1664 at Gloucester, Mass.
Thomas, born December 7, 1666 - Died 1756, Gloucester, Mass.
John, born December 12, 1669, Gloucester, Mass.
Elizabeth, born April 22, 1672, Gloucester, Mass.
Abigail, born Dec. 29, 1678, Gloucester, Mass.
Andrew, born Jan. 8, 1681-2 (?)
Page 18
MEHITABLE
Daughter of Thomas - Page 7
Born June 1, 1641 at Dorchester, Mass
Died September 1699 at Gloucester, Mass.
Married Isaac Elwell - born December 27, 1642 in Salem. Died June 16, 1722
Gloucester, Mass.
Isaac married 2d wife, Mrs. Mary Rince Rowe.
CHILDREN
Isaac, Born Jan. 15, 1667-1666 (?) died Jan. 5, 1690-1
Jane, born Nov. 21, 1668
Jonathan, born Oct. 21, 1668
Elleazer, born July 16, 1673
Abagail, born April 13, 1676
David, born March 10, 1678-9
Bethia, born April 5, 1682
Hannah and Joshua (twins) born Feb. 4, 1687
All the children were born in Gloucester, Mass.
Page 19
BETHIA
Daughter of Thomas - Page 7
Born 1643 in Dorchester, Mass.
Died February 2, 1669
Married 1666 to Moses Ayres of Dorchester, Mass.
CHILDREN
Moses
One daughter
Page 20
From Thomas, 1675 (see below) comes a long line, spreading from New England out
to the Western prairie lands - and numbering many names.
Andrew, 1681 (see below) also had descendants not as numerous - and from Nathaniel (1685) is a long line including the Artist Millet - Lost on the Titanic.
NATHANIEL
Son of Thomas (1605) - Page 7
Born at Dorchester, Mass., 1647
Died at Kittle Cove - Gloucester, Mar. 9, 1718
Married Ann Lyster, May 3, 1670
CHILDREN
Mary, born June 29, 1671 -- Gloucester, Mass. Died January 2, 1681
Daniel, born July 1673. Died Gloucester, Mass., 1673
Thomas, born Jan. 9, 1675. Died Gloucester, Mass.
Nathaniel, born Mar. 1677. Died Jan. 25, 1682
Abagail, born Oct. 12, 1679. Died Nov. 20 1723. Married John Ring, Dec. 24,
1722
Andrew, born July 6, 1681
Nathan (page 22), born Jan. 11, 1683 at Gloucester, Mass.
Nathaniel, born July 11, 1685
Mary, born Mar. 26, 1687. Died Jan. 12, 1692
Elizabeth, born September 23, 1690
Hannah, born Nov. 2 1694. Married Wm. Rawlins, Jan. 22, 1719.
Page 21
Nathaniel received grant of land on the westerly side of Annisquam River and it
is probable that he had his residence there. He finally settled in Kittle Cove,
where, in 1700 he and his sons had lands granted them which were "not to
be alienated" from the family as long as any of them survived. His three
sons, Thomas, Andrew and Nathan all settled near their father at Kittle Cove
and each had a family that included sons.
From Glou. Records.
"Millett Island" is on the map of Gloucester in the book of the History of Gloucester by Babson.
This Island is in the Annisquam River.
There is also a ledge of rocks off Pigeon Cove - Cape Ann which is called "Millett Ledge".
Page 22
NATHAN
Son of Nathaniel (1647) -- Page 20
Born Jan. 11, 1683 at Gloucester, Mass.
Was drowned near Manchester Jan. 6, 1724
Married to Sarah Babson by Justice White.
Sarah was born in Gloucester, Mass., Jan. 12, 1688
They were married February 3, 1709
CHILDREN
Sarah, born Aug. 6, 1709 at Gloucester, Mass. (page 78)
Mary, born Feb. 28, 1711 at Gloucester, Mass. (page 78 ½)
Jonathan, born February 9, 1713 at Gloucester, Mass. (page 23)
Daniel, born May 30, 1715 at Gloucester, Mass. (no record)
Anne, born March 25, 1718 at Gloucester, Mass. (page 78)
Andrew, born March 25, 1720 at Gloucester, Mass. (no record)
Hannah, born April 9, 1722 at Gloucester, Mass. (page 78)
Nathan, born May 12, 1724 at Gloucester, Mass. Nathan died in Camp at the siege
of Louisburg (Capt. Byles Co.) July 24, 1765. He married Miss James, 1756
Page 23
JONATHAN
Son of Nathan (1683) -- Page 22
Born February 9, 1713 at Gloucester, Mass.
Died at Salem, Mass. about 1742.
Married Mary, daughter of Jos. And Lydia Henfield
Married at Salem, May 15, 1734.
Mary Henfield, born Mary 20, 1716.
Jonathan received into 1st Church, Salem, June 15, 1734 from
Manchester.
Page 23
CHILDREN
Jonathan, born in Salem, Dec. 25, 1735, (page 53). Jonathan was baptized
January 5, 1736 (?)
Joseph, born in Salem, Mass., June 21, 1737 (page 24). Joseph was
baptized June 26, 1737.
NOTE – Jonathan probably in Salem Custom House, March 29, 1768.
See Essex Institute Vol. 8 – p. 16.
On board “Helen” 1812
Page 24
JOSEPH
Son of Jonathan (1713) – Page 23
Born in Salem, Mass., June 21, 1737.
Died in Salem, Mass., Aug. 16, 1797.
Married at Salem, Mass., Elizabeth Bullock.
Elizabeth Bullock born in Salem, February 7, 1736.
Elizabeth Bullock died in Salem, Sept. 26, 1826.
Baptized in 1st Church, Salem, June 26, 1737.
CHILDREN
Joseph, born March 10, 1768 – Salem (page 69).
Mary, born about 1770 (page 71).
Stephen born 1773 (a bachelor).
Anna born 1775, Salem (page 73).
Andrew S. born March 1, 1778 (page 74).
Betsy born 1779 – Mar. Saunders, Salem.
Jonathan, born July 16, 1781, Salem (page 75).
Benjamin, born 1783 – Mar. a Bryant.
Daniel, born May 15, 1785 (page 26).
See next page (25)
Page 25
“An industrious faithful man. He was of a remarkable strong and vigorous
constitution of body – and invited those qualities to such an inflexible
integrity and constancy of heart, that he was selected by Colonel Pickering,
then at the head of one of the Army Departments, to be his confidential bearer
of dispatches, which duty he executed with such fidelity, courage and perseverance
that he was soon after called in the same capacity by General Washington in
behalf of the Government. Such was the dangerous duty (when the Southern States
were infested by the “Cow Boys” that he was directed to ride with his
dispatches fastened to the muzzle of his pistol, that he might be able to
destroy them and defend himself at the same discharge”. (From Salem Gazette,
Aug. 18, 1797)
A tradition in the family says that Jos. Millett was granted a patent of land which was never recovered, owing to the destruction of important papers in the Treasury Building at Washington, which was destroyed by fire.
Page 26
DANIEL
Son of Joseph – Page 24
Born May 15, 1785 at Salem, Mass.