Henry Millington
Born 28 Oct 1840, died 3 Sept 1911
Born in Bath as the eldest son of William Millington—a notable landscape and architectural artist—Henry Millington displayed immense musical talent from a young age. The family moved to Trowbridge when he was an infant, bringing with them a long-standing musical pedigree. For a century, the Millingtons served as vicars choral or lay vicars at Chester Cathedral. Critics and friends alike regarded Henry as a prodigy, particularly on the side drum, though his vast repertoire also included the piano and organ.
Early Career and Appointments
In 1847, at just seven years old, Henry played for services at the Parochial School while the Parish Church underwent restoration. He secured his first official appointment in 1856 as the organist for Conigre Chapel. Later, at the request of the Rector of Trowbridge, Rev. J.D. Hastings, he moved to the parish church. He remained there as organist and choirmaster for forty-three years, eventually resigning in 1906 with a formal testimonial of gratitude.
Business and Royal Patronage
Millington’s influence extended into the local business scene when he became manager of the Trowbridge Music Saloon in 1861, purchasing the establishment only a few years later at age 21. His professional relationship with the Duke of Albany (Prince Leopold) earned him the right to display the Duke’s coat of arms and the “By Appointment” title above his shop. In 1879, he rebuilt the premises currently known as “Shaggers” hairdressing saloon.
Military Service and Musical Leadership
As bandmaster of the Trowbridge Rifle Volunteers, Henry took command of the local rifle corps band before advancing to battalion bandmaster for the 1st Wiltshire V.R.C. and the Western Counties’ Volunteer Brigade. Highlights of his military career include:
Royal Requests: The Duke of Albany requested Henry to arrange the music for a garden party at Boyton Manor.
Imperial Recognition: During the Jubilee Review at Windsor, Kaiser Frederick William personally congratulated Henry after stopping to listen to the Wiltshire Battalion Band play Rossini.
Local Legacy: He arranged the music for the regimental march The Vly be on the Turmuts and later served as the organist for Pewsey Church.
Artistry and Influence
Contemporary accounts describe Henry as a musician “through and through,” driven by a reverence for the masters of his craft. He moved in elite circles, counting Charles Dickens, Thackeray, and famous performers like Toole and Paul Bedford as personal acquaintances. As a composer, he saw his works performed at the Crystal Palace under Sir A. Manns.
Beyond performance, he shaped the next generation of musicians as a local examiner for the Royal College of Music. He mastered the Mustel organ under Chevalier Lemmens and studied piano with Sir Julius Benedict. Henry also founded the Musical Union, hosting numerous concerts featuring the era’s musical celebrities.
Engineering and Personal Life
Henry’s technical expertise led him to prepare the construction specifications for organs at Steeple Ashton, Holt, North Bradley, and the Trowbridge Tabernacle. A prominent Freemason, he served as Provincial Grand Organist for Wiltshire six times. He married Sarah Cogswell, the daughter of a local cloth manufacturer; together they raised four daughters and three sons.
Final Years
Henry died at age 70 at Avon View, a mansion his father had designed and built for him at the corner of the Down and Canal Road. His funeral, conducted by Rev. G.E. Watton of St. Thomas’s Church, saw a massive turnout of family, including his sons, brothers, and sons-in-law. To honor his memory, the Conservative Club and the Constitutional Association offices lowered their flags to half-mast. He rests today in the cemetery near his former home.
