Peter Miller was born to Peter and Janet Miller (nee Chalmers) on 13 April 1844 on the Orkney Island of Stronsay.
He, along with his parents and brothers, James and William, came to South Australia on the boat Amazon. His sister Janet was born on the boat on the voyage to Australia.
Peter married Mary Trail Shearer on the 31 March 1869. Mary Trail who was the third daughter of James Shearer and Frances Shearer, (nee Sketheway) was born on the 26 October 1845 on the Orkney Island of Shapinsay.
Peter and Mary’s first home was on the property known as the Pine Paddock, (Section 110) at South Rhine, purchased in 1869. They moved to
Craggy Lea in 1887 having purchased Section 86 and others also at South Rhine and lived there for the rest of their lives.
Peter and Mary had five children,
1. Peter Trail born 12 March 1870. His story is here.
2. Frances Baikie born 14 October 1871. Her story is below.
3. James born 26 March 1874, died on 21 December 1878 aged 4 years and 9 months
4. William Chalmers born 15 August 1875. His story is here.
5. John born 24 January 1880. His story is here.
Peter was very involved in the church at South Rhine; he was an Elder in the church and a member of the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
Peter leased land at Sanderston along the Saunders creek, from William Rowe in 1900 which was subsequently purchased in 1910. He was now able to grow more cereal for the stock. His sons Peter, William and John helped work the two properties as one.
Peter was recognized for his expertise with horses and was called upon to be a judge at country shows. He was also a Special Constable for the
district from 1898 -1914.
Mary died on 14 April 1908 aged 62 years and Peter died on 18 Oct 1926 at the age of 82.
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Frances Baikie Miller second child of Peter and Mary, known as Fan, was born on the 14 October 1871 at the Pine Paddock and moved to Craggy Lea with her parents and brothers Peter, William and John. Fan married her cousin James Shearer Godfree on the 15 February 1905 at Craggy Lea, the home of her parents. James was born on the 28 June 1873.
James’ parents were Richard and Janet Godfree (nee Shearer). Janet, known as Jessie was the first daughter of James and Frances Shearer (nee Skethway). She was born on the Orkney Island of Shapinsay and was the sister of Mary Trail Miller, Fan’s mother.
James and Frances (Fan) Godfree (nee Miller)
James and Fan lived at Hilton Heath at Sanderston on land that had been purchased by John Godfree, James grandfather. On the 16 March 1905 while James and Fan were at the Mt Pleasant Show, their home at Hilton Heath was burgled and a lot of their valuable things stolen including wedding presents.
The Godfree’s were a wealthy family and were among the first in the district to own a motor car and wireless which enabled them to listen to church services and test cricket.
Fan was close to her brothers, especially Jack who lived not very far away. She remained involved in the South Rhine church as she was very good at singing and would sing duets with her brother William.
Fan was a good horse woman and there are many photos of her with horses, and also a very keen gardener, having a beautiful garden at Hilton Heath.
James and Fan sold Hilton Heath in 1926, and retired to Adelaide to a home on Ormond Grove, Toorak Gardens. They called this new home Shapinsay, after the Orkney Island
birthplace of both of their mothers.
Fan died on the 23 June 1933 aged 61 years and James on the 18 June 1934 just short of his 61st birthday . Both are buried in the Payneham cemetery with James’ parents, his brother John and wife Ada.
