Robert Millett was the eldest son of Leonard Millett and Wilmot Dunstan.
Robert’s will held at Cornwall County Record Office shows his occupation as a mariner which covered fishermen at that time. It is known from a dispute concerning non-payment of tithes for fish taken that Robert’s merchant son Leonard at one time had fishing interests so he could have inherited that same Prosperous from his father Robert and later sold it.
Robert was Mayor of Marazion in 1694.
Robert married Margaret Oke (1673 – 1712)
There are big questions over how and when Robert’s death occurred. Even though it had been thought he died at sea (see below) there are no records to support this other than hearsay. It is believed he died in 1707.
Robert who was by occupation a mariner was recorded in 1694 as mayor of the small town of Marazion located by road over 280 miles (450 kl) from London so by 1707 it was not likely he could have become a naval officer and holder of the important position of Secretary of the Commander-in-Chief of the English Fleet
In the book An Historical Survey of the County of Cornwall Vol.2 1820, mentions Robert as the son of Leonard Millett who lived in Marazion in the time of Charles II as “one of the brave but unfortunate naval officers who were lost with Sir Cloudesley Shovell on the Rocks of Scilly, 22nd October 1707.
Tony Millett, the Millett family genealogist from New Zealand has done a lot of research. He writes: “Robert Millett, Mariner, was probably not the Secretary of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell – if so, his death date is not known, although it must have been before 1708, and was possibly prior to 1706. His wife may have been Jane Hill — see his will admon dated 29 April 1708, which refers to wife Jane. St Hilary Burials 1700-1709 states that “Millet, Robert, of the town, son of Jane, widow” was buried on 3 March 1706. “
Tony provides five well researched reasons why he, and other researchers, believe this is not the case. He documents these on his website, tonymillett.tripod.com/myths.html.
