Our Story
Built from a Pastor's need for rest. Shared for yours!
Rev. Dr. James “Jim” Miller’s connection to Frenchboro began in 1967, when he first arrived with his wife Janet and their young family. What started as a seasonal visit quickly became something far deeper. It was a lifelong bond with the island, its people, and its rhythms.
From those early summers, Jim and Janet, along with their children Jane, Jim, and Jennifer, became woven into the fabric of island community with Jim serving as the "August Minister" for the island church. They didn’t just visit Frenchboro… it was a special piece of their lives. Summers were filled with hiking, fishing, boating, friendships, and the kind of simple, meaningful living that shapes both character and community.
In the 1990s, that connection took on new form. Through the generosity of an island friend, Rev. Miller was given a piece of land for a small amount of money. With determination and vision, he began clearing it by hand. He and the family transformed raw island ground into something lasting. By 1999, Jim and Janet had built their own home on Frenchboro, a place that would become a cornerstone for their family for generations to come.
Their children grew up alongside island kids, forming friendships that reflected the tight-knit nature of the community. As time passed, those bonds extended into the next generation. Grandchildren followed in their footsteps, building relationships with the children of those same families—continuing a legacy of connection that spanned decades.
Among them, Jim’s oldest grandson Mitch developed a particularly deep tie to the island. As a boy and into his early adult years, Mitch worked alongside local lobstermen, learning the trade and embracing the hardworking, saltwater life that defines Frenchboro. Those experiences not only shaped him, but also strengthened the family’s enduring connection to the island and its people.
Even as the years went on, Frenchboro remained a place of renewal and rest for Rev. Miller. It was where he could step away from the demands of ministry, reflect, and recharge. Something he would later hope family and others could experience as well.
In time, a rare disease made it impossible for him to return to the island he loved so dearly. Rev. Dr. James Miller passed away in 2019 from Lewy body dementia, leaving behind a legacy not only of faith and leadership, but of deep-rooted relationships and a place that had become sacred to his family now connecting across four generations.
His wife Janet, who had shared in every step of that journey, continued on for several years before passing away in 2022 after her own long battle with a rare disease. Together, they left a legacy of love, preaching, music, resilience, and intentional living.
But the story did not end there.
Carrying forward that legacy, Mitch partnered with two friends in ministry and with the help from close family members the three partners came together to form Promise Adventures LLC. With a shared vision, Mitch and then later the friends in ministry purchased the Miller home on Frenchboro, not just to preserve it, but to extend its purpose to anyone who wants to come and enjoy it.
Today, the home stands as more than a family property. It is a place of rest, renewal, and retreat for anyone who, like Rev. Miller once did, needs space to recharge and reconnect. It is also a place where family and friends can continue to gather, creating new memories while honoring old ones.
Frenchboro remains what it has always been for the Miller family:
a place of belonging, a place of legacy, and a place where adventure, family, and community meet.
Rachel Field spent several summers on Sutton's Island in the 1920s & 1930s where she wrote extensively. This poem is thought to have been written for Islesford. Others think it refers to Sutton, and still others to Great Cranberry. But the sentiment holds true for Frenchboro as well.
If once you have slept on an island
You'll never be quite the same;
You may look as you looked the day before
And go by the same old name,
You may bustle about in street and shop
You may sit at home and sew,
But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.
You may chat with the neighbors of this and that
And close to your fire keep,
But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell
And tides beat through your sleep.
Oh! you won't know why and you can't say how
Such a change upon you came,
But once you have slept on an island,
You'll never be quite the same.
We look forward to helping you with your next time away on the island!
-The Promise Adventures Team
Investing in Our Community
Together, we can make a difference
Supporting Local Artists
Promise Adventures proudly supports local artists by showcasing their work in our vacation home and we will be providing ways to purchase pieces of art here on this website in the future. We believe that art is a vital part of our community's culture, and we strive to provide a platform for local talents to shine. Please visit the Museam on the island and support it by purchasing a gift often made by islanders!
Keep Frenchboro looking great!
We need to preserve the natural beauty of Frenchboro. Our guests are invited to join in these efforts, fostering a sense of stewardship and connection to the island. Together, we can protect our environment for future generations. If you see trash around on the island please pick it up! Connect with us on other ways you can help.
Partnerships with Local Businesses
Promise Adventures collaborates with local businesses to promote sustainable families, tourism, and help support the island's economy. By partnering with fishermen, family businesses, artisans, and service providers, we create unique experiences for our guests while benefiting the community.
