Mary Loft was born around 1803 at Northfleet, Kent^[1].

Mary is probably the daughter of Thomas and Mary Loft.  In the 1871 census her daughter Elizabeth Miller is living with Elizabeth Cole (nee Loft) who is recorded as her aunt. Elizabeth Loft was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Loft. Although the Northfleet parish registers show 5 baptisms for children of Thomas and Mary Loft between 1789 and 1808 we have not found a baptism for Mary Loft.

Mary Loft married Henry Miller^[2].

1839

Mary Miller shown as the informant (mother) with an address of Church Hill, Deptford when registering the birth of her son Edmund (though he was born in Dartford) on 15th May 1839.

1841

In the 1841 census the Henry and Mary were shown living at a house in Bridge Street, Dartford with three of their children and a two year old girl, Charlotte Ran^[3], whose relationship is not stated. A fifty year old woman, Elizabeth Cole was also living in the house. Henry’s occupation is given as agricultural labourer.

Two girls of the right age to be Henry’s daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth Miller, were living with Dinah Miller at a house in the High Street, Dartford and it seems highly likely that these are Henry & Mary’s children. Dinah Miller is shown as a 65 year old laundress who was born outside of the county – ten years later Damaris Miller (70) was listed as living in the High Street, Dartford with Elizabeth Cole, one house away from Henry & Mary Miller. It seems probable that Dinah and Damaris were the same person.

1844

Mary Miller (mother) shown as the informant with an address of Overy Street, Dartford when the birth of Henry Andrew Miller was registered on 14th May 1844.

1851

Henry & Mary had moved to a house at 7 High Street, Dartford by the time of the 1851 census and were living with 6 of their children. Elizabeth Miller was living with the family again, but Elizabeth Cole has moved out and is now living with Damaris Miller at 5 High Street, Dartford.

Damaris Miller was 70 years old and was born in Cove, Hampshire. Elizabeth Cole is shown as a visitor, aged 60 who was born at Northfleet in Kent. Both Damaris and Elizabeth are shown as being in occasional employ and receiving poor relief.

1861

Henry (57) & Mary (57) are shown living at 8 High Street Dartford with their daughter Elizabeth(30), son Henry (18), and three grandchildren: William (9), John (7) and Sarah Miller (2).

Damaris Miller, a widow, aged 80 is living at 9 High Street, Dartford with Elizabeth Cook, aged 76, who was born at Northfleet, Kent (is this actually Elizabeth Cole?). Both are shown as working as laundresses. The census records that Damaris was born at Cape Ned Ridgew.

1864

Henry Miller died on September 17th 1864 and he was buried at East Hill Cemetery^[4], Dartford on September 25th 1864. At the time of his death Henry (62) was working as a gardener and his home was located in the High Street, Dartford^[5].

1867

Mary Miller died on October 17th 1867 and she was buried at East Hill Cemetery, Dartford on October 27th 1867. Her age at death was recorded as 64. The burial register states that she was the widow of Henry Miller of High Street, Dartford - a labourer^[6].

Children:

• Sarah Miller
• James Miller
• Elizabeth Mary Miller
• Mary Miller
• George Miller
• William Miller
• James Miller
• Mary Frances Miller
• Edmund Miller
• John Miller
• Henry Andrew Miller