Philip John Miles (1773–1845) was an English landowner, slave owner, merchant, shipowner, banker and politician from
Bristol. Through his banking interests he found himself on the register of owners of slaves on plantations in
Jamaica though only as mortgagee in possession in cases when his bank had taken possession of plantations through the default of their owners on mortgage payments.[1] He left an estate of over £1.2 million (equivalent to £126,300,000 in 2021), making him the first recorded millionaire of Bristol.[2][3]
Life
He was born on 1 March 1773, the second but only surviving son of William Miles (1728–1803), a Bristol West India merchant, and his wife Sarah Berrow.[4] His elder brother William died aged 23 in 1790, and he inherited from his financier father in 1803.[2]
He sat three times as a Member of Parliament, for
Westbury from 1820, for
Corfe Castle from 1829, and for
Bristol from 1835.[4] Under the
Slave Compensation Act 1837 he received money from properties in Jamaica and
Trinidad in compensation for the release of more than 2000 slaves.[7][8]
Miles died on 24 March 1845.[4] His lifelong friend
John Benett wrote in his private diary
"Philip John Miles of Leigh Court near Bristol died from the effects of influenza in his 72nd year. He was one of my oldest and most valued friends - he was a sensible and pruent man; highly honest in all his mercantile and other dealigs with the world - a kind husband, father and master to his servants, and in money matters I would say liberal. He was a steady and sincere friend and as such I lament the loss of him. He died surrounded by 13 children and his wife."[9]
The Bristol Mercury wrote
"His manners and deportment were plain and unassuming, free alike from affectation and coarseness, they bore the English stamp of honest and hearty sincerity. His disposition corresponded with his appearance. He gave away much in charity, but he gave it without the slightest ostentation."[10]
Edward Peach William Miles (born 1829 at Abbots Leigh - died 1889 at Raglan, New Zealand),[17] married Olivia Caroline Cave (1831 - 1870) and had three children; great-grandfather of
Peter Miles (courtier)[18]
Henry Cruger William Miles[19] (1832-1888) died unmarried, lived with brother John William Miles and sister Clarissa Philippa Miles at Penpole House. High Sheriff of Bristol in 1866.