Isaac Milles
Encyclopedia
Isaac Milles or Mills was an English cleric, often described as the model parish priest of that day.
, near Bury, Suffolk, and baptised 30 September 1638. Of his elder brothers, Samuel, of Queen’s College, Cambridge, was a vicar of Royston, Hertfordshire
, and John ‘a very considerable tradesman’ at Dedham, Essex
. After spending seven years at King Edward VI’s School. Bury, where Lord-keeper North was among his schoolfellows, Isaac was admitted at St John's College, Cambridge
, in 1656, and graduated M.A. in 1663. His tutor at Cambridge was Francis Turner
, afterwards the nonjuring bishop of Ely, who was his lifelong friend.
On leaving the university Milles took holy orders, and became curate in sole charge of Barley, Hertfordshire
, the rector, Dr. Joseph Beaumont
, master of Peterhouse
, being non-resident. In 1674, by the influence of his friend Chief Baron
Atkins, he obtained the vicarage.
There he made the acquaintance of Henry Dodwell
, and became intimate with Dr. Martin Lluelyn, whose epitaph in Wycombe Church he wrote.
While at Cambridge he had met Edward Colman
, Titus Oates
’s victim, and seems to have read Colman’s letters to Père la Chaise
before they were printed. He came to the conclusion that no popish plot existed, and gave offence by expressing his conviction to that effect in his sermons. It was only the reputation which his high character had won for him which save him from prosecution.
In 1680 he was presented by Sir Robert Sawyer
to the living of Highclere, Hampshire, where he remained till his death. Milles took pupils there, including the sons of Thomas Herbert, eighth earl of Pembroke
, the new proprietor of Highclere. Chief among his friends at this period were Dr. George Hooper
, incumbent of East Woodhay and Ashmandsworth, afterwards bishop of St. Asaph and Bath and Wells, and his successor at Woodhay, John Herne, canon of Windsor. For some time he had scruples taking the oath of allegiance after the revolution, Turner the nonjuror appears to have persuaded him to do so.
Milles, a strong tory and high churchman, was a model parish priest. The parish register of Highclere describes him as ‘for 39 years 2 months and 7 days the constant resident rector and pastor of this parish,’ and records his ‘primitive integrity and piety’ and his charity to the poor. ‘He never refused any of his neighbours that desired to borrow any money of him, leaving it to them to take their own time to repay it, without usury.’ He laid out between 400l. and 500l. on the parsonage house and outhouses but ‘never exacted the utmost of his tithes.’
He died of paralysis on 6 July 1720, and was buried on 9 July in the chancel of Highclere Church, where a black marble slab with a Latin inscription was put up to his memory by his children. A white marble monument with inscription was also placed by his eldest son on the north wall of the chancel. Bromley mentions a rare engraved portrait of him, signed by George Vertue
.
His eldest son, Thomas Milles, bishop of Waterford.
Of his younger sons, Jeremiah Milles (1675–1746), fellow and tutor at Balliol College, Oxford, from 1696 to 1705, became rector of Riseholm, Lincolnshire, in 1704, and was rector to Dulce, Cornwall, from 1704 till his death; his son Jeremiah was dean of Exeter.
Another son, Isaac Milles the younger (fl.
1701-1727), B.A. of Balliol College 1696, graduated M.A. from Sidney Sussex, Cambridge, in 1701, was treasurer of the diocese of Waterford 21 May 1714, and prebendary of Lismore 6 Sept. 1716, but was non-resident, and carried on his father’s school at Highclere. In 1727 he resigned his Irish benefices to become rector of Ludshelfe or Litchfield, Hampshire.
His life
Milles was born on 19 September 1638, the youngest son of Thomas Milles, esq., of Carrington's Farm, CockfieldCockfield, Suffolk
Cockfield is a village and civil parish located approximately 3½ miles from Lavenham in Suffolk, England. The village consists of a central point and several outlying hamlets: Buttons Green, Colchester Green, Cross Green, Great Green, Oldhall Green, Smithwood Green and Windsor Green...
, near Bury, Suffolk, and baptised 30 September 1638. Of his elder brothers, Samuel, of Queen’s College, Cambridge, was a vicar of Royston, Hertfordshire
Royston, Hertfordshire
Royston is a town and civil parish in the District of North Hertfordshire and county of Hertfordshire in England.It is situated on the Greenwich Meridian, which brushes the towns western boundary, and at the northernmost apex of the county on the same latitude of towns such as Milton Keynes and...
, and John ‘a very considerable tradesman’ at Dedham, Essex
Dedham, Essex
Dedham is a village within the borough of Colchester in northeast Essex, England, situated on the River Stour and on the border of Essex and Suffolk...
. After spending seven years at King Edward VI’s School. Bury, where Lord-keeper North was among his schoolfellows, Isaac was admitted at St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, in 1656, and graduated M.A. in 1663. His tutor at Cambridge was Francis Turner
Francis Turner
Francis Turner was a worker for the U.S. government to whom the creation of the Interstate Highway System is attributed.-Background and education:Frank was born on December 28, 1908, in Dallas, Texas, and spent his childhood in Texas...
, afterwards the nonjuring bishop of Ely, who was his lifelong friend.
On leaving the university Milles took holy orders, and became curate in sole charge of Barley, Hertfordshire
Barley, Hertfordshire
Barley is a village and civil parish in the district of North Hertfordshire, England. According to the 2001 census, it has a population of 659. The place-name refers to a lea or meadow and not to the grain-producing plant...
, the rector, Dr. Joseph Beaumont
Joseph Beaumont
Joseph Beaumont was an English clergyman, academic and poet.-Life:The son of John Beaumont, clothier, and of Sarah Clarke, his wife, he was born at Hadleigh, Suffolk, on March 13, 1616. He was educated at Hadleigh grammar school, and proceeded to Cambridge in 1631, where he was admitted as a...
, master of Peterhouse
Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...
, being non-resident. In 1674, by the influence of his friend Chief Baron
Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer
The Chief Baron of the Exchequer was the first "baron" of the English Exchequer of pleas. "In the absence of both the Treasurer of the Exchequer or First Lord of the Treasury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it was he who presided in the equity court and answered the bar i.e...
Atkins, he obtained the vicarage.
There he made the acquaintance of Henry Dodwell
Henry Dodwell
Henry Dodwell was an Anglo-Irish scholar, theologian and controversial writer.-Life:He was born in Dublin, Ireland. His father, William Dodwell, lost his property in Connacht during the Irish rebellion and settled at York in 1648...
, and became intimate with Dr. Martin Lluelyn, whose epitaph in Wycombe Church he wrote.
While at Cambridge he had met Edward Colman
Edward Colman
Edward Colman or Coleman was an English Catholic courtier under Charles II of England. He was hanged, drawn and quartered on a treason charge, having been implicated by Titus Oates in his false accusations concerning a Popish Plot...
, Titus Oates
Titus Oates
Titus Oates was an English perjurer who fabricated the "Popish Plot", a supposed Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II.-Early life:...
’s victim, and seems to have read Colman’s letters to Père la Chaise
François de la Chaise
François de la Chaise was a French Jesuit priest, the father confessor of King Louis XIV of France.-Biography:...
before they were printed. He came to the conclusion that no popish plot existed, and gave offence by expressing his conviction to that effect in his sermons. It was only the reputation which his high character had won for him which save him from prosecution.
In 1680 he was presented by Sir Robert Sawyer
Robert Sawyer (Attorney General)
Sir Robert Sawyer, of Highclere was the Attorney General for England and Wales and, briefly, Speaker of the English House of Commons....
to the living of Highclere, Hampshire, where he remained till his death. Milles took pupils there, including the sons of Thomas Herbert, eighth earl of Pembroke
Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke
Thomas Herbert, 8th Earl of Pembroke, 5th Earl of Montgomery, KG, PC, FRS was a British politician during the reigns of William III and Anne....
, the new proprietor of Highclere. Chief among his friends at this period were Dr. George Hooper
George Hooper
George Hooper was a learned and influential high churchman of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. He served as bishop of the Welsh diocese, St Asaph, and later for the diocese of Bath and Wells, as well as chaplain to members of the royal family.-Early life:George Hooper was born...
, incumbent of East Woodhay and Ashmandsworth, afterwards bishop of St. Asaph and Bath and Wells, and his successor at Woodhay, John Herne, canon of Windsor. For some time he had scruples taking the oath of allegiance after the revolution, Turner the nonjuror appears to have persuaded him to do so.
Milles, a strong tory and high churchman, was a model parish priest. The parish register of Highclere describes him as ‘for 39 years 2 months and 7 days the constant resident rector and pastor of this parish,’ and records his ‘primitive integrity and piety’ and his charity to the poor. ‘He never refused any of his neighbours that desired to borrow any money of him, leaving it to them to take their own time to repay it, without usury.’ He laid out between 400l. and 500l. on the parsonage house and outhouses but ‘never exacted the utmost of his tithes.’
Later life and family
Milles married in 1670 Elizabeth Luckin of Springfield, Essex, who died of smallpox on 4 Jan. 1708.He died of paralysis on 6 July 1720, and was buried on 9 July in the chancel of Highclere Church, where a black marble slab with a Latin inscription was put up to his memory by his children. A white marble monument with inscription was also placed by his eldest son on the north wall of the chancel. Bromley mentions a rare engraved portrait of him, signed by George Vertue
George Vertue
George Vertue was an English engraver and antiquary, whose notebooks on British art of the first half of the 18th century are a valuable source for the period.-Life:...
.
His eldest son, Thomas Milles, bishop of Waterford.
Of his younger sons, Jeremiah Milles (1675–1746), fellow and tutor at Balliol College, Oxford, from 1696 to 1705, became rector of Riseholm, Lincolnshire, in 1704, and was rector to Dulce, Cornwall, from 1704 till his death; his son Jeremiah was dean of Exeter.
Another son, Isaac Milles the younger (fl.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1701-1727), B.A. of Balliol College 1696, graduated M.A. from Sidney Sussex, Cambridge, in 1701, was treasurer of the diocese of Waterford 21 May 1714, and prebendary of Lismore 6 Sept. 1716, but was non-resident, and carried on his father’s school at Highclere. In 1727 he resigned his Irish benefices to become rector of Ludshelfe or Litchfield, Hampshire.