Sunday, June 27, 2010

Will We Ever Know?
















[pictured above - Sloop Ship "Constellation" at
www.hnsa.org/ships/constellation.htm]


A fascinating and persisting family legend (I call it a legend, as we have no hard proof yet) is that William Miller was a boat-builder. Some say that he build sloop ships during the Revolution for General George Washington's Chesapeake Bay campaign, but decades of research has not turned up any proof of this. [Would love to find it, though!].

The legend goes on to say that after their move to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, he and his sons built flat-bottom boats along the Youghigheny River a. That might be easier to prove--see a previous post dated August 27, 2009, as well as the research I did in Salt Lake City below:


Page 116: Boats loaded with iron from the Union Furnace sometimes left in fleets of three boats at a time for a southern delivery. Itemized lists of iron and the names of the boatmen for each boat were carried on the books of Mr. Meason
and always headed "Adventure to Pittsburgh," "Adventure to Kentucky," or "Adventure to Limestone," in accordance with the intended destination of the boat. The wharf and boat yard at the mouth of Dunbar Creek were busy places. The teams from the furnace kept the saw mill supplied with logs, which furnished a crew of boat builders with material from which flat boats, sometimes called Kentucky boats, were built in lengths from twenty to forty-five feet. Some of the old timers who worked in the boat building crew were Joseph and William Miller, John Winnings, Christopher Taylor, Uriah Springer and his brother, Crawford Springer. The last two were grandsons of Hannah Crawford, widow of the ill-fated Colonel William Crawford, who lived nearby. Closely allied with the Union Furnace and Isaac Meason, is a commercial triumph, which adds still more luster to the historic record of old Fayette County. The claim for that achievement has now stood undisputed for more than a century, and the admission must therefore stand unchallenged for all time.

#2: 975.11 H2 K2W (SLC) "The Swedes and Dutch at New Castle" (Delaware)
There are land records dated 20 May 1735 that name both a
William Miller and Joseph Miller!! No other info. This is too early to be our William, but could these be uncles? Also, Abraham Miller, William's father is mentioned often, and there are lots of references to the Springers and theCrawfords mentioned in the records of this county. Could these families have had a long neighbor/business relationship in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania?

We certainly need more research done on the Miller's and boat-building, but these are surely fascinating clues.

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If any of you have family history stories, research, pictures, etc., that you wish to share on this blog, please email them to me at: miller.and.bradford@gmail.com and I will post them in the future. Thanks! - Donna

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Miller Genealogy by Chalmers Williams - Part 3

Picture: Elkton area, Cecil Co, MD

From the Maryland State Archives: Assessment of 1783, Index, Cecil County, MSA S 1437, the following Millers have property located near William’s mill property.

Andrew Miller. Three Bohemia Sisters [Three Bohemia Sisters is also Richard Ford's and other Ford's property - perhaps a connection], pt, 55 acres. CE 2nd District, p. 10. MSA S 1161-3-8 1/4/5/46

Andrew Miller. 55 acres. CE 2nd District, p. 5. MSA S 1161-3-8 1/4/5/46

Benjamin Miller. Sims Forest, pt, 380 acres. CE 2nd District, p. 12. MSA S 1161-3-8 1/4/5/46

Benjamin Miller. Sims Forest, pt, 20 acres. Notes: and Richard B. Ford of John. CE 2nd District, p. 12. MSA S 1161-3-8 1/4/5/46

Benjamin Miller. 390 acres. CE 2nd District, p. 5. MSA S 1161-3-8 1/4/5/46

Samuel Miller. CE 2nd District, p. 6. MSA S 1161-3-8 1/4/5/46

Inhabitants of Cecil County, 1649-1774, by Henry C. Peden, p 109, lists Abraham Miller as having been taxed as the owner of Simms Forest from 1755 - 1766.

On Aug. 21, 1771, Lawrence Harrison conveyed by deed 294 acres in what became Dunbar township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania to William Miller. This tract was originally patented by Battle Harrison, Lawrence's son. The deed was not recorded until April 9, 1788.

Children of William Miller and Rebecca Bradford are:

I. William Miller, B: 20 Aug 1779 in probably Cecil Co., Maryland, D: 25 Aug 1840 in Connelsville, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania.

ii. James Miller, B: 21 Jun 1781, D: 12 Dec 1849 in Carroll, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA, M: 10 May 1810 in Poland, Mahoning, Ohio.

iii. Samuel Miller, B: 01 May 1783 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania, D: 19 Apr 1850 in North Benton, Smith, Mahoning, Ohio, M: 06 Jun 1810 in Poland, Mahoning, Ohio.

iv. Abraham Miller, B: 04 Nov 1785 in Dunbar, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania[3], D: 19 May 1855 in North Benton, Mahoning, Ohio, USA[3], M: 04 Apr 1811 in Columbiana Co., Ohio.

v. Jesse Miller, B: 07 Aug 1787 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania, D: 24 Jun 1872 in Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania.

vi. Stephen Miller, B: 1790 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania, D: 08 Sep 1826 in Bethlehem, Clark Co., Indiana.

vii. Rebecca Miller, B: 21 Jul 1792 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania, D: 30 Oct 1840.

viii. David Miller, B: 09 Oct 1794 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania, D: 08 Sep 1873 in Greene Co., Missouri, M: 14 Jan 1836.

Generation 4

5. William Miller-4(William Miller-3, Abraham Miller-2, David Miller-1) was born on 20 Aug 1779 in probably Cecil Co., Maryland. He died on 25 Aug 1840 in Connelsville, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. He married Grace Gallaher. She was born on 22 May 1793 in Ireland. She died on 15 May 1851 in Dunbar Tsp., Fayette Co., Pa.

Children of William Miller and Grace Gallaher are:

I. Bradford Miller, B: 13 Jun 1825 in Dunbar Tsp., Fayette Co., Pa..

ii. Mary Miller, B: 27 Mar 1827 in Dunbar Tsp., Fayette Co., Pa..

iii. William Miller, B: 06 Jun 1829 in Dunbar Tsp., Fayette Co., Pa., D: 15 Feb 1849.

iv. Nancy Miller, B: 31 Dec 1835 in Dunbar Tsp., Fayette Co., Pa., D: 08 Mar 1854 in Dunbar Tsp., Fayette Co., Pa.

6. James Miller-4(William Miller-3, Abraham Miller-2, David Miller-1) was born on 21 Jun 1781. He died on 12 Dec 1849 in Carroll, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA. He married Mary Dawson on 10 May 1810 in Poland, Mahoning, Ohio, daughter of Jacob Dawson. She died on 08 Mar 1859 in Carroll, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes for James Miller: Lived in Mercer Co., Pa.

Children of James Miller and Mary Dawson are:

I. William Miller.

ii. Lavina Miller.

iii. Rachel Miller.

iv. Rebecca Miller.

v. Honor Miller.

vi. Solomon Miller.

vii. Stephen Miller.

viii. Isaac Miller.

ix. Sarah Miller.

x. Mary Miller.

7. Samuel Miller-4(William Miller-3, Abraham Miller-2, David Miller-1)[4, 5] was born on 01 May 1783 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania. He died on 19 Apr 1850 in North Benton, Smith, Mahoning, Ohio. He married Rachel Dawson on 06 Jun 1810 in Poland, Mahoning, Ohio, daughter of Jacob Dawson. She was born on Bet. 1785-1790 in Pennsylvania. She died on Abt. 1856 in North Benton, Mahoning Co., Ohio.

Source of Samuel as a son of William is Bill Charpier, a descendent of Samuel.

Children of Samuel Miller and Rachel Dawson are:

I. Amy Miller [mother of Allen Miller Charpier]

ii. Nancy Miller.

iii. Rebecca Miller.

iv. Milton Miller, B: 1816 in Smith, Mahoning, Ohio[6, 7].

v. Harvey Miller, B: 1817 in Smith, Mahoning, Ohio[8].

vi. Phineas Miller, B: Smith, Mahoning, Ohio.

vii. Mirian Miller.

viii. Sarah Miller.

8. Abraham Miller-4(William Miller-3, Abraham Miller-2, David Miller-1)[3, 9, 9] was born on 04 Nov 1785 in Dunbar, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania[3]. He died on 19 May 1855 in North Benton, Mahoning, Ohio, USA[3]. He married Agnes NANCY Blackburn on 04 Apr 1811 in Columbiana Co., Ohio, daughter of John Blackburn and Jean (Jane) Armstrong. She was born on 13 Aug 1789 in Letterkenny Twp., Franklin Co., Penn.. She died on 17 Nov 1829 in North Benton, Smith, Mahoning, Ohio.

Children of Abraham Miller and Agnes NANCY Blackburn are:

I. Anne Miller.

ii. Jane Miller, B: 13 Feb 1813[10].

iii. Jesse Miller.

iv. William Armstrong Miller, B: 23 Feb 1825 in North Benton, Smith, Mahoning, Ohio[11], D: 20 Apr 1885 in Smith, Mahoning, Ohio.

v. Sally Sarah Miller, B: 08 Apr 1812 in North Benton, Mahoning Co., Ohio, D: 08 Sep 1860 in North Benton, Smith, Mahoning, Ohio, M: 1830 in North Benton, Smith, Mahoning, Ohio.

vi. John Blackburn Miller, B: 13 Feb 1816 in North Benton, Columbiana, Ohio[12], M:

02 Dec 1834[13].

vii. Stephen Bradford Miller, B: 13 Dec 1817 in North Benton, Columbiana, Ohio, D:

07 Oct 1895 in Alliance, Stark, Ohio, USA[14], M: 06 Apr 1840.

Page 8 of 10 Friday, July 31, 2009 1:25:22 PM

Descendants of David Miller

Generation 4 (con't)

9. Jesse Miller-4(William Miller-3, Abraham Miller-2, David Miller-1)[15, 16] was born on 07 Aug 1787 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania. He died on 24 Jun 1872 in Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. He married Martha Allen, daughter of George Allen and Jane Paull. She was born in Fayette Co., Pa..

Miller, Jesse. (Book B-31) Will Wr. 21 Feb. 1870. Rec. July 1872. My dau. Catherine Miller, homestead farm in Dunbar Twp., Fayette Co., Pa. Her children, namely Lowry B. Miller, Sarah Jeanna Miller, Charles Miller, William Miller and Mary Miller or survivors of them, reserving one half acres for the family burying ground, granting to James and Mary Allen, a right of way to and from coal bank to and from Youghiogheny River, privilege of mining and hauling coal. My niece, Maria Miller, two feather beds; my brother, David Miller, James Allen Johnson, exec.

Child of Jesse Miller and Martha Allen is:

I. William Miller, B: 1816 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania.

10. David Miller-4(William Miller-3, Abraham Miller-2, David Miller-1) was born on 09 Oct 1794 in Dunbar, Fayette, Pennsylvania. He died on 08 Sep 1873 in Greene Co., Missouri. He married Susanna Warne on 14 Jan 1836. She was born on 13 Jun 1816 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. She died on 13 Feb 1889.

Children of David Miller and Susanna Warne are:

I. Lucinda Miller.

ii. Clarissa Miller.

iii. Albert Miller.

iv. Clarinda Miller.

v. Elvira Miller.

vi. Martha Miller.

vii. Jesse Miller.

viii. Ethan Miller.

ix. Virgil Miller.

x. Milton Miller.

xi. Oriella Miller.

xii. Serena Miller.