Miller Bedroom

In 1825, George Macculloch’s only daughter, Mary Louisa married young lawyer, Jacob Miller. Together Mary and Jacob lived a life of political success and public service. When in Morristown, this was their room and it is his portrait over the mantle.

Mary Louisa was born in London in 1804. When she was 2 years old, she emigrated from London with her parents and older brother, Francis, to the United States. After an elementary education by her parents at home, Mary was enrolled in Madame Heloise Chegary’s girls’ school in New York City. There she polished her social skills, artistic talents in drawing and painting, and continued her study of philosophy, religion, and French. In 1824, Mary was part of the decorating committee for the gala ball held at Louis Sansay’s dancing academy on DeHart Street honoring the Marquis de Lafayette’s return visit to Morristown.

Jacob Miller was born into a wealthy Morris County farming family in 1800. He studied law in the office of Samuel Southard, future Governor of New Jersey. George Macculloch had hired Jacob to protect the Morris Canal from land speculators, but they were unsuccessful. In 1840, after two years in the New Jersey Senate, he was elected to the United States Senate on the Whig political ticket. His greatest effort was in 1845 when he led the fight against the annexation of Texas.

Before gas fixtures or electricity, candles were the light sources in the house. Please touch the spiral candlestick. One like this may have been used at Macculloch Hall. It has a handle that can move up and down the spiral to raise or lower the candle. As the candle burned and became shorter a person could raise it.

The tool next to the candlestick is a candle extinguisher. It was used to put out the candle flame. It would help to reduce the amount of smoke that blowing out a candle causes.