Heroes and Rebels in the Family Tree—William Miller and the Unfaithful Wife Part 2

 In Part 1 of the story of William Miller, we learned of the accusations of adultery from William’s second wife and his acquittal in court.  But, another story published in the Suffolk Chronicle almost 13 years earlier, now becomes relevant to the earlier case.

Suffolk Chronicle 26th Sept 1857



 

 

On Friday evening a lad named William Miller, son of Mr. W. Miller, blacksmith of this town, in attempting to draw up a bucket of water from the well-yard, was, for some unknown cause, precepitated down.  Dr Matcham was soon in attendance, when it was found he had sustained a severe fracture to his skull.  It is supposed death was instantaneous.

 

            William Alfred Miller was born in 1843 and was the third child of William Miller (1818-1898) and his first wife Ann Wyatt (1818-1844).  After the death of Ann, his father, William Miller, married Harriet Risebrooke in Norwich on August 18, 1845.  Harriet then became step-mother to the three young children—Lucy Dorothy Miller (1839-1921) [later married to Daniel Yallop]; Ann Eliza Miller (1842-1906) [married Jonas Williams] and William Alfred Miller (1843-1857).

            Both of the girls testified during the trial of William Miller when he was accused of adultery by his wife, Harriet.  You may recall that the unlawful affair between Harriet and a man named Huke began around 1854.  William Alfred was nearly 11 years old when the affair began and several years passed before his father became suspicious and found out about his wife’s unfaithfulness.  You may also recall how the girls testified about the ill-treatment received from their step-mother.  But why wasn’t young William Alfred called to testify about what he knew and witnessed?  On Friday evening on September 25, 1857, the young lad was sent to fetch water from the well-yard and for some unknown cause, he fell into the well and died.

            It doesn’t take much to begin thinking that, this wasn’t an accident.  Perhaps it was an act done to silence the boy. Once William came to find out about the ill-treatment of his daughters, he removed them from the care of his wife, Harriet.  But it was too late for young William Alfred Miller.

            The 1861 census reveals the name of the man accused of having an affair with Harriet Miller.  Along with William’s youngest daughter, Ann Eliza Miller, age 19, the census records that Harriet Miller, 43 (laundress) took on a boarder by the name of Charles Huke, age 30.



Harriet Risebrooke had no children with her husband William Miller or her lover,Charles Huke.  However, she did have one illegitimate daughter named Emily Risebrooke.  Emily was born in 1836 and her father is not known.  By 1861, Emily was living with her 75 year old grandmother in Frettenham, Norfolk, England.  Her grandmother died soon after and on January 27, 1868, she married Ezekiel Starke and the family moved to Chelsford, Essex, England.

            Between 1871 until her death in 1889, very little is known about Harriet Miller (nee Risebrooke).  One may assume she became sick and frail, and having nobody to take care of her, she most likely died alone. Perhaps as just retribution for her crimes that were never punished during her lifetime.  Her lover, Charles Huke, never married and died at age 61, in Suffolk County.  He spent his entire life working as a carman and general laborour and living as a lodger in someone else’s home.

 

 

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