Peter Miller and his family immigrated to South Australia, arriving at Adelaide on 20 February 1852.
Peter Miller was born on the Orkney Island of Stronsay on 14 February 1821 to parents William Miller and Janet Miller nee Miller. As a young man Peter worked on Housebay Farm.
Peter married Janet Chalmers on 23 November 1843. Janet was born on 17 June 1821 to parents James Chalmers and Baikie Chalmers nee Reid. As opportunity for the young couple was rather limited on the small island with its population of 1300, in 1851 they decided to immigrate to South Australia with their three children; Peter 7 (1844), James Fotheringham 5 (1846) and William 1 (1850).
Peter and Janet left Stronsay with Janet’s sister Betsy and her husband Peter Sinclair; also Peter’s parents James and Jane Sinclair and Peter’s sister Eliza and her husband William Miller and their daughter Jane Miller. They all left London on the ship Adelaide on the 7 October but due to an outbreak of measles the Miller’s had to disembark at Plymouth and continued their journey on the barque Amazon on 26 November from Plymouth.
In an extract from the Sydney Shipping Gazette we learn that on the Amazon there have been seventeen deaths on the voyage out to Australia, sixteen of them children due to measles and whopping cough outbreaks. There were five births on board including Peter and Janet’s fourth child on 7 December 1851 who they called Janet Amazon Miller. They arrived at Port Adelaide on 20 February 1852 and travelled by bullock dray to spend their first night ashore at the OG Hotel, then kept by a Mr Bayfield.
Peter was engaged by David Randall as overseer for his Glen Para property at Mt Crawford (now known as Corryton Park). He helped with the establishment of vineyards at Glen Para beginning in 1855, and at South Rhine between 1858 and 1860. Peter left his employment with David Randall in 1860. Janet’s sister Betsy Sinclair, had arrived in South Australia with her family shortly before the Millers. A few months later they joined them at Mt Crawford and her husband Peter Sinclair also worked at Glen Para in charge of the dairy.
Peter Miller liked the land that he saw at South Rhine east of Springton and in 1857 he purchased three sections, and settled on his own land in 1860, naming the property Braeside. Peter continued to purchase more land to add to his holding.
By 1865 the family had grown to 10 children; John (1854), Rebecca (1856), Edward George (1859), twins Thomas and Frances “Fanny” (1861) and David (1865).
Cheese and bacon were produced on the farm at South Rhine and taken to Adelaide for sale, from where they purchased stores and provisions for the farm.
By 1864 there was the need for a school to be built for the local children and Peter Miller gave the land beside the One Tree Creek. The school was opened on the 19 November 1864. This building was also used as a place of worship until the Church was completed and opened in August 1882. The significance of the Millers in giving land for the school and Church is recognised in the principal stain glass window of the church being dedicated to Peter and Janet Miller
An extract from the Chronicle 17 December 1867.
At 12 noon today, a fire broke out by or in Mr. Abraham Bowden’s crop which had not been reaped, and travelled into Mr. Miller’s grass paddock and on to his homestead, consuming house, barn, stables, harness, stacks of hay and pigs.
Great exertions were required to keep the fire from the school, situated on a portion of Mr. Miller’s land, and from his wheat, the brush fence being all consumed. During the night, the wind blew in heavy squalls, rendering the smouldering fire very dangerous. Mr. Bowden’s crop was nearly all consumed, a few patches only being left, sufficient, perhaps, for seed and flour for the coming season. Other fires were visible. It seemed as if fires were all around us. No inquest was held, the Mt Pleasant police being in Adelaide.
Neighbours of Peter and Janet Miller, in true neighbourly fashion, were quick to help them rebuild their home. The stone walls were in good order on which to rebuild the roof remembering that it was a thatched roof which burnt very easily.
Peter Miller was a Councillor for the South Rhine District Council and very involved in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church being an elder of the South Rhine Church and a member of the Assembly. Peter died on 26 July 1906 and Janet died on 5 January 1908.
