An earlier migration had occured from Normandy with William the Conqueror and the spelling (perhaps phonetic then since few were able to read and write), at the time, was Mylet and was probably pronounced "Millay". The French branch who remained in France produced the painter Jean Francois Millet, a member of the Paris Communard in the turbulent 19th Century. He was a proto socialist.
A deceased uncle of mine whose career inclinations and contacts as a military security officer gave him a head start in a field of inquiry about English geneology. The foregoing summary of the two major moves from france and then from England were from my uncle's report he prepared sometime in the early 1970's before the advent of computer technology.
He had discovered that when the British transported the Magna Carta and other important artifacts from England during the dark days of WWII to Canada for safe keeping, that the complete British geneological records data base was sent as well. Copies were made and the complete collection up until 1940 was archived at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, one of the Atlantic Maritime Provinces of Canada. Perhaps by now this data base or the British collection itself is web available today.
He traveled to Dalhousie University and patiently searched all the British records and found the earliest ones available. He hadn't researched those in Normandy because he hadn't the funds or inclination to travel that far and he didn't speak a bit of French.
The Milletts who came to England settled in Cornwall as well as Northumberland. Among them we found a Sheriff of Nottingham--and the myth of Robin Hood being so strong, I've not been sure whether we were the "bad guys" or not!
I hope this helps a little.
Bradburne L. Millett <[email protected]>
Children were:
i.
Elizabeth Millett HICHENS was born in 1823 in St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
She died on 30 Apr 1883 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.
(175) Father Thomas Hichens, Gentleman; mother Grace Millett Hichens;
born Cornwall; in NZ 30yrs; informant TRP Hichens, nephew, of Avonside. She
was buried at Avonside Cemetery on 4 May 1883 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New
Zealand. Rev JC Gilbert, Church of England, officiating. She Cause of Death
Diabetes. Last seen by Dr Townsend on 30Apr1883.
21 ii.
Grace Millett' HICHENS.
iii.
Benjamin HICHENS was born about 1840 in St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
He died on 9 Jun 1886 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.
(176) Benjamin Hichens, 46yo gentleman born Cornwall; in NZ 33y; father
Thomas Hichens, mother Grace Millett Hichens; informant Faberg? Eggleston, Undertaker.
Died at Christchurch Hospital. He was buried at Avonside Cemetery on 10 Jun
1886 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Rev Wm Pascoe, Church of England,
officiating. He Cause of Death Diabetes. Last seen by Dr FG Westman? on 08Jun1886.
iv.
Samuel Millett HICHENS was born about 1841 in St Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
He emigrated about 1871 from Cornwall, United Kingdom. Date estimated from
death cert; but differs from rest; maybe Samuel came later??? He was a Farmer
between 1883 and 1890 in West Melton, Otago, New Zealand.
(6) He died on 25 Feb 1897 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
(177) Samuel Millett Hitchins; 55yo Farmer, born Cornwall, in NZ 25yrs;
son of Martin! Hitchins and Elizabeth Millett Hitchins; married in Cornwall!
aged 21 to Catherine Hitchins; survived by 4 males aged 18, 20, 22/7? and 28;
and 4 females aged 13, 16, 30 and 32; attended by James Cookes?, last seen 12Feb1897;
informant SI Hitchins, son, of Kirwee. He was buried at West Melton Cemetery,
Row C, plot 40 on 28 Feb 1897 in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Rev HG Hawkings,
Church of England, officiating. He Cause of Death Phthisis Pulmonalis, duration
1yr.
Return to Table of Contents