Miller-Bradford Pedigree and Brick Walls

Now and then I like to add a pedigree to the blog so we don't get lost in who we are talking about (sorry it's a little fuzzy):

This chart shows where the work is cut out for us:  

1. Finding the parents of  Rosannah Roddy
2. Finding the parents of Samuel Bradford (1727-1782)
3. Finding the parents of Samuel Bradford (1705-1767) and of his wife, Margret.

I hope you will join me in trying to break through these research "brick walls"!!

In addition, I have only shown William and Rebecca's son, Samuel (and his wife, Rachel Dawson) in this chart.  Now and then I write about Samuel and Rachel, but I would be happy to add posts about William and Rebecca's other children if any of you would like to email me stories and pictures about them!  The same goes for information about Samuel and Rachel Dawson's many children.  It would be wonderful for all of us to find out more about our "cousins."  Thank you!

Did William Serve in the Revolutionary War?

I have had this copy of a military document for many years, but I can find no proof that this is our William Miller.

To begin with, there is no indication of which part of Maryland this person is from.  According to Wikipedia, the 3rd Maryland Regiment was organized on 27 March 1776 of eight companies from Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Talbot, Harford and Somerset Counties of the colony." From everything we know about our William, at this point in time he owned property and lived in Cecil County, Maryland.  I also have records proving that an unrelated William Miller lived in Harford County at this time.

Additionally, according to Wikipedia, this regiment served from 1776 until 1783. We know from an extract of Cecil County marriage records that our William married Rebecca Bradford on 13 June 1778.  While this marriage date does not preclude military service, I think it is unlikely that our William, 46 years old when married, was serving at this time of his life.

Finally, our William is listed in the National Patriots Index, p. 470, National No. 300007, National Archives: "Miller, Wm.: b 2-22-1732  d 1814  m Rebekah Bradford  PS MD."  A letter from a fellow researcher, Ann Curnow, notes that PS stood for "Patriot Service" and meant civilian service.

If anyone has further information to prove this is our William Miller, it would be great if you could comment below or email at the address to the right.

Thanks!

More Information From Member, Don Lancaster

Here is more information from follower Don Lancaster about his ancestors in Cecil County, MD: 

I believe Foard is interchangeable with Ford.

We are trying to see if there is a connection between the Lancasters and the our Millers via the Fords (see previous post for more information). 

PLEASE NOTE:  The last paragraph below mentions that William Miller was co-owner of a mill with Richard Ford in Cecil County, MD.  The land record that I have (which I will try to publish in the next post) says that William and Rebecca own this land that they previously purchased for a "water mill" and are selling it to Richard Ford and to William's brother, Benjamin Miller in September 1780.

Hispaniola & Bullen's Range is another piece of the history of the Fords, Biddle, and Alexander Family through William Bouldin.

His son Richard and Mary Hews daughter, Mary Tamizon Bouldin, married Richard Foard part of that property was willed to his wife and Richard Foard, sister Tamizon Foard, married Eli Alexande brother of David and son of Martin Alexander.

Another Brother of Richard Foard George and John, George had two daughter’s that married into Bouldin family and John Foard, son Richard Sr daughter Sarah married a Biddle sister of my 4^th Grt Grandmother Lydia Rebecca Foard Lancaster.

I also have an Abraham Miller that I don’t think is of the Millers of Washington Co Md he married a Mary Zeller abt 1808.  This date is of when it was filed so they may have married before abt 1804.

I have a Jesse Hollingsworth of Cecil Co Hollingsworth,  make a very large land transaction to a John Miller of Washington Co in 1792  we believe that Daniel B Miller is the Father of Abraham.

Also Mary Zeller Miller remarried 1810 to a Nathaniel Cromwell and she dies in 1824

My Lancaster family married into the Ford Family as I had said before the grandfather of this marriage was an Uncle to Sarah Husbands and she married a Col Henry Hollingsworth brother of Jesse Hollingsworth.

And the Richard Ford Jr, co-owner with William Miller on that mill was brother-in-law to the Lancaster/Ford Marriage.  My 3^rd Grt Grandfather was John W Miller Born 1805-1887, and he named his son’s Daniel W, John Luther, Jacob Andrew, and David Zeller miller.

Thanks for the information Don (I thought I posted this last year, but I just found it in "Drafts"...sorry Don!).

Contact Don Lancaster at:  tracker1961@centurylink.net   or  tracker1961@gmail.com

Our Miller's of Lifford, County Donegal, Ireland

RIVER COTTAGES, LIFFORD
(Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
~fantham/lifford_hall.jpg)

Below is a copy of an actual 1706 document held at the Public Records Office of Ireland (PRONI) and graciously made available through the Ulster Ancestry organization.  

This letter actually lists David Miller, the grandfather of our William Miller and father of Abraham Miller. David was living in Newcastle County, Pennsylvania [later Delaware], and apparently he, his family and friends were appealing to Presbytery in Scotland, their "mother church," for aid in building their congregation there in America.

This is a critical document because it contains the "motherlode" of all genealogical research--the identification of where our immigrant ancestors came from! We read that "...the greatest number of us [were] born and educated in (sic) Irland under the ministry of one William Traill, a (sic) presbiterian minister formerly of Lifford, Co. Donegal [Ireland]..." We not only learn that the Miller's were from Northern Ireland, thus being part of the Scots-Irish Ulster plantations, but we can actually pinpoint the town they hailed from in Ireland! Jackpot!

As you examine the signers of this letter, you find not only the name of our ancestor, David Miller, but also his brother, Alexander Miller, as well as Abraham Emott (a brother-in-law of David and Alexander, having married their sister, Jane), and Abraham's brother, John Emott.

So our Miller ancestors came from Lifford in County Donegal, Northern Ireland! For more information about their connection to the Reverend Traill, enter "Traill" in the search box of this blog.

Here is a youtube video that will give you a taste of what this village looks like now! Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to visit there in person? Someday... (it might not come through as a hot link, so you''ll have to cut and paste this website address into your server's address box):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-0OjxxnID8

Hitting Head On The Wall !!!

Old New Castle town, New Castle County, Delaware

Dear Readers,

Taking another break from the Abraham Miller/Holland series of posts in order to explain why I am hitting my head on the wall right now!

I spent a little time on the Mocavo Genealogy Search Engine looking for our William Miller this evening, and just came across this listing of New Castle County Delaware Marriages. Remember that land records indicate William lived in New Castle County when he was younger, and that many of the Miller's had land in that county as well as nearby Cecil County, Maryland. It seems that they moved back and forth between these very close-lying areas regularly.

If you peruse down the list, you will see seven William Miller's!! Granted, we can toss out the two who married in the 1840's and for good measure the one who married in 1820. That leaves four William Miller's living in the same general area and time period as our William, and whose land, court, military, etc. records we may have been incorrectly attributing to our William!

Arghhh !

Here is the record. Would really appreciate any input! - Donna

"DELAWARE GENEALOGY TRAILS"

NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE MARRIAGES 1645-1899
FHL Film Number 0006414 to 0006422

Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy
This is a transcription of a transcription. You need to take the time to confirm ALL data for yourself!"

William Millar	Rhoda Heaton	24 May 1794
Richard Millason	Ann Millason	11 Feb 1789
David Millen	Margaret Kennedy	8 Nov 1787
Abraham Miller	Mary O'Neil	17 Sep 1828
Alexander Miller	Beats Turner	13 Jul 1752
Andrew Miller	Ann Silsbee	1 Jan 1789
Archibald Miller	Jane Boyd	4 Sep 1758
Benjamin Miller	Hannah Martin	30 Jul 1771
Frederick Miller	Catherine Graubein	6 Jun 1758
George Miller	Sarah Taylor	31 Dec 1801
George Miller	Susannah Bird	1 Jan 1744
Hannah Miller	Rachel Paulson	11 Oct 1756
James Miller	Jane Enkins	4 Feb 1768
James Miller	Mary Miller	1 Jan 1744
John Miller	Rebecca Reynolds	20 Feb 1809
John Miller	Eleanor Latimer	3 Jan 1788
John Miller	Margaret Scott	21 Jan 1813
John Miller		27 Mar 1772
John Miller	Anne Thompson	9 Sep 1754
Joseph Miller	Sarah Garland	11 Mar 1834
Joseph Miller	Margaret Sharp	15 Oct 1761
Joshua Miller	Sarah Davis	17 Jul 1799
Levi Miller	Mary Razell	27 Dec 1819
Levi Miller	Esther Ann Martin	25 Jan 1825
Martin Miller	Ann Justison	26 Sep 1832
Robert Miller	Ann Vance	2 Dec 1816
Robert Miller	Jane Eliza Burke	25 Jul 1835
Robert Miller	Ann Miller	28 Nov 1816
Samuel Miller	Elisabeth Smyth	26 Apr 1827
Tholly Miller	Mary MacFadden	19 Sep 1756
Thomas Miller	Lavinia Ann Townsend	14 May 1840
William Miller	Elizabeth Walker	1 Apr 1820
William Miller	Jean Magee	1 Jun 1746
William Miller	Sarah Hall	23 Jun 1759
William Miller	Hannah Hancy	31 May 1789
William Miller	Rebecca McMullen	31 May 1845
William Miller	Elizabeth Chamberlain	21 Oct 1796
William H. Miller	Eliza Tatem	1 Jan 1846

Were William Miller's Ancestors Covenanters?

Strabane, near Lifford, County Donegal, Ireland

In the last post, we raised the question of whether William Miller descended from members of the group known as Covenanters, and specifically the group that lived in Northern Ireland (see post entitiled "Where In Ireland - Part Two"). We can theorize, but are there any records tying the Miller's to this very persecuted group?

To set the stage, it must be remembered that William, his parents and grandparents owned properties in the Elkton, Cecil County region of Maryland and in adjoining Newscastle County, [eventually] Delaware. This area was then known as the province or territory of Pennsylvania. William's father was Abraham, and Abraham's father was David Miller. David was married to the daughter of Ninian Dunlap. A 1711 Cecil Co. land record notes that Ninian granted land to his "beloved son-in-law," David Miller, land along Christiana Creek. This is just one of several land records that verify this relationship (see previous post entitled "Miller Genealogy by Chalmers Williams - Part I" dated May 5, 2010).

Meanwhile, during the previous decades, across the sea is far-away Scotland, persecution of the Covenanters grew. A famous minister, Robert Traill, was so severely persecuted that he finally fled to Holland (http://www.covenanter.org/RTraill/roberttraill.htm). His son, Reverend William Traill, carried on his father's work, and also suffered religious oppression. One of the congregations William served was in Ballindrait near Lifford, on the eastern border of County Donegal, Ireland, near the Northern Ireland town of Strabane, County Tyrone . Of his time in Lifford we read: "The very public case of Rev William Trail at Lifford in 1681-82 raised the intensity even more. Trail, a member of a prominent Scottish family, was then serving as minister in Ballendrait, near Lifford. He and several other ministers were accused of fomenting opposition to the Oath of Supremacy and illegally calling for a fast in 1681. They were tried and imprisoned in Lifford for eight months for refusing to pay the excessive fine levied against them. They were released in Spring of 1682, but their case had been closely followed by the Ulster Scot community and no doubt seen as another object lesson.(http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/Scotch-Irish/2008-07/1215977935).

The 1680's were an especially difficult time for the Ulster Scots Covenanters (http://covenantersinulster.typepad.com/), so it is no surprise that the religious tolerance offered in America was appealing to this people. Maryland was particularly attractive in that it had passed the act of Religious Toleration in 1649 which provided that "no (Christian) person should be persecuted on account of religion, and the Eastern Shore [of Maryland] was particularly open to alternative religious persuasions."

So is there a connection between our Millers and Reverend William Traill?

A document in the Archives of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has provided us with an astounding link between our Millers and Reverend Traill. The document cut and pasted below is exactly as it appears in the PRONI records, except that I have bolded parts pertinent to our search. The question marks in brackets indicate suggested readings of unclear words or spelling corrections by the PRONI researchers. Scholars concur and related documents confirm that the minister referred to is certainly William Traill (http://www.ulsterancestry.com/newsletter-content.php?id=227">http://www.ulsterancestry.com/newsletter-content.php?id=227).

Address by the Presbyterians of Newcastle, Pennsylvania 1706
Source: T 3762/1:PRONI
Archive: The Public Record Office, N. Ireland.
Date 11/02/1706

Right Reverend and honorable

We undersubscribers and the greatest number of us born and educated in Ireland under the ministry of one [William?] [Traill?] a presbiterian [Presbyterian?] minister formerly of Lifford, Co.Donegal] are by divine providence settled with our families at Newcastle and about it in the province of Pensilvania [Pennsylvania?] and we have for present one [Mr?] John [Wilson?] a Scots man who preacheth amongst us to whom [affordeth?] a few of different nations as we do but they are neither capable to maintain a [church?] nor build a [meeting?] house and so we are in fear dayly [daily?] to be cast [outside?] and to our great grief we and our posterity left as a prey to superstition and heresies Therefore though it may be unusual yet out of pure necessity and consideration of our soul circumstances we do most humbly address our [selves?] to you as unto our mother church and to [give us?] your advice in this our uncertain condition and if ther [there?] can be any supply granted for our small congregation which is the custom of other persuasions to doe for them of their way.

Your Supplicants shall ever pray
Newcastle
Feb 11th 1706/5

[William?] [-------?]
Abraham Emott
John Stall
Adam Wallis
James Wallace
John [Colard?]
Matthew Wallace
Thomas Wallace
David Miller
Joseph Hood
John Garner
Sam Wallace
Robert Wallis
Cornilius Cooke
Andrew Miller
David Wallis
William Wallace
Thomas Southerland
Morgan Pallan
John Emott

In addition, other sources also list Ninian Dunlap , David Miller's father-in-law) as one of the signers, including: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/KINCAID/2007-05/1179707901">http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/KINCAID/2007-05/1179707901

The PRONI document above clearly indicates that our Milllers (and perhaps Dunlaps) were from the north of Ireland, and were associated with the Covenanters. Were they part of the Ballindrait/Lifford congregations? Or does it just mean Reverend Traill was connected with those groups? The wording of the document is ambiguous, but could be construed to have the former meaning. Futher research into the records of Counties Donegal and Tyrone is certainly indicated!

(1) It will be convenient if our Miller's were from Donegal, as while it is geographically part of Ulster (Northern Ireland), politically it is part of The Republic of Ireland, and perhaps it's records are more accessible than those of the Northern Ireland counties. Sadly, those records must, by and large, be researched in person at the PRONI. We are very blessed to have the above-mentioned record, as it is one of the rare PRONI documents that is available online.

Bringing over beloved geographical names from the homeland was a very common practice among early settlers in America. It is interesting to note that William Miller's wife, Rebecca Bradford, had a Bradford uncle (James) who lived out most of his life in Strabane, Pennsylvania (see above), very near to where William and Rebecca has moved to in Fayette County. Strabane is in Northern Ireland

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:

#1: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/do/digitalbookshelf/28448425/28448425_part_07.pdf [pictured below: The Meason Mansion]

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.

**************************************************************************

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

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.

Miller Genealogy by Chalmers Williams - Part 1

Pictured: White Clay Creek, Newcastle County, Delaware

[Note: In the past I had difficulty copying and pasting information into the blog, but the trouble seems to have cleared up. So for the next several posts I want to share some of the great research done by others. I am thrilled to start with this wonderful outline about the Miller family, the result of untold hours of research by Chalmers Williams, which he has graciously given permission to reprint here. ]

Descendants of David Miller

by Chalmers Williams with the assistance of Donna Snider, descendants of David Miller’s grandson, William Miller

Generation 1

1. David Miller-1. He died on Bet. 19 Mar 1736/37-1740 in New Castle, Delaware, USA. He married the daughter of Ninian Dunlap.

Thus far we do not know where David Miller was born, but a good guess might be in Ulster Ireland in about 1680. Certainly his father was born there and appears to have been part of the early Scotch migration to this county. The first record of Ninian Dunlap so far discovered is in Somerset Co., Maryland in 1689. It would appear that Ninian was in the New Castle - Cecil Cos. area before 1700.

On April 20, 1703 [another record says 1700], Robert French of New Castle deeds to David Miller of White Clay Creek a tract of land situated on the south side of White Rock Creek bounded by Andrew Tilly and the creek containing 300 acres. Wit.: James Coutts and Roeloffe Dehaes. Recorded: July 28, 1704 (From New Castle County, Delaware Land Records, 1673-1710, by Carol Bryant, p. 105.)

On Nov 11, 1711, John Willson of Christianna Hun., gent., granted to David Miller, yeoman, of White Creek Hun. a 160 acre tract of land in Christanna Creek [Hun.] bounded by land of Robert Hutchinson & Lowdon. In addition to Hutchinson, Andrew Stilly [Tilley] and James Anderson names appear on this document. See p. 106, New Castle County, Delaware, Land Records, 1715-1728, by Carol Bryant

A Minian or Ninian Dunlap of Newcastle Co. granted land to David Miller of Christiana Creek " for great love and affection for well beloved son-in-law." This reference is incomplete and needs additional research; however, see below. Abstracts of Cecil County, Maryland, Land Records, by June D. Brown, p 161. Note that David’s property he purchased from Wilson in 1711 was in Christianna Hun.

In James Anderson's will dated Mar 20, 1716/17, David Miller is referred to as "brother" implying that James married David's sister. Others mentioned in James' will are daughters Hannah, Mary, and sons James, John, Peter, Samuel. A James Anderson appears to have been a local Rev. at the time.

On Jul. 16, 1739, John Miller, David Miller, Rev'd. Thompson and Jno. Bayard, Jr. witness a deed to Samuel McDowell of New Castle Co. John Miller may have been a brother? See p. 106, New Castle County, Delaware, Land Records, 1715-1728, by Carol Bryant.

In a deed recorded Aug. 8, 1749, in Cecil Co. by Robert Ritchy reference is made to a tract of land called "Sligo" and also of a tract called "Momon" [Monyn] which were the estate of Ninian Dunlap by patent granted Oct 10, 1708 and gifted to David Miller Apr. 17, 1714. Miller subsequent sold parts of this land to Robert and John Ritchy. Inhabitants of Cecil County, 1649-1774, by Henry C. Peden, p 24, indicates that Ninian Dunlap patented a 400 acre "Sligo" in 1696. Sligo is a parish of Sligo, County Armagh, Ireland [see comment below]. Samuel Alexander also received half of Sligo in 1714. Abstracts of Cecil County, Maryland Land Records, 1734-1753 by June D. Brown, p 155.

A Ninian Dunlap is in Somerset County in 1689. Migration from Ulster - The early migrations, 1649 - 1717 by Richard MacMaster.

A 1706 petition from Newcastle, Delaware, to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, for instance, noted that "the greatest number of us born and educated in Ireland under the ministry of Mr. William Traill Presbyterian minister formerly at liford" i.e. Lifford, Co. Donegal "settled with our families at Newcastle and about it." The petitioners included Ninian Dunlap, David Miller, and Andrew Miller.

On May 10, 1735, Abraham Miller, farmer, and his wife Rossannah [Susannah] of Pencader Hun., New Castle Co. sell to Samuel Raulston of Mill Creek Hun. for 72 pounds 150 acres acquired by Abraham from David Miller. This tract is on the south side of White Clay Creek and bounds by the property of Joseph Rinkin and Tilly. The tract is ½ of 300 acres acquired by David Miller April 20, 1700, from French (see above) and conveyed to Abraham Feb.1, 1730. Abraham signs his name and Rossanna makes her mark on the deed. Rossanna is examined by James Armitage. Recorded: April 29, 1742. This would indicate that Abraham was born about 1710.

On July 1, 1740, Joseph Miller of Hun. & County of New Castle, cartwright and Mary, his wife sell for 200 pounds to James King, merchant of same place a plantation containing 160 acres. This is part of a larger tract that David Miller, yeoman dec'd seized in his lifetime. The tract is located on the west side of the Delaware River and the north side of Red Lyon Creek and both sides of Pidgeon Run. David Miller granted 150 acres of this land to William Roddey by indenture dated April 7, 1730. The land is bounded by the lands of Peter Anderson, John Garretson and John Reynolds. Said David Miller's Last Will dated March 19 1736/7 devised the remaining 160 acres to son Joseph. The deed is signed by Joseph and Mary makes her mark. Wit: Samuel Plat, John Dawson. Mary is examined by Jno Housman.

On March 31, 1743, Robert Miller of Ocotara Hundred, Cecil County, Maryland, carpenter, and his wife, Jane, convey for 52 pounds to Morton Morton a tract and plantation containing 80 acres. This tact is half on the 160 acres that David Miller owned. David Miller, late of Hun.& County of New Castle, bequeathed by his will equally the 160 acres to his sons Robert and Samuel. Witnesses: Elihu Hall, Elisha Hall, James McMullan. Jean was examined by John Finney. The transaction was recorded June 2, 1743.

According to a deed dated May 18,1762, made by Andrew Miller of White Clay Creek Hun.., mariner, Samuel Miller died intestate and without issue. The deed states that Samuel Miller had two brothers, Abraham and Robert Miller, and a sister, Mary Blackburn, living at his death. Also, Samuel had two other brothers, James and Joseph Miller, who were diseased at Samuel's death but survived by four male heirs, Samuel's nephews. The deed states that Samuel's land was deeded to Andrew Miller, son of Joseph Miller, dec'd., on Nov. 27, 1761. The other nephews are not named. Andrew sold the land to Thomas Moore; witnesses are Thomas Jaquet and Robert Bryan.

(to be continued)

Rebecca Married

According to family legend, William Miller, a young man of around 29 years of age, visited the home and Samuel and Sarah Bradford. Their baby daughter, Rebecca, lay in the cradle. Upon seeing the child, William was so taken with her that he vowed to wait till she grew up so that he could marry her. Apparently this is precisely what happened.

However, the records are then completely silent about Rebecca's life for the next 18 or 19 years, till her marriage in 1778. In the summer of that year on the 13th day of June, Rebecca and William were married in Elkton, Maryland, by a minister *William Thompson (see footnote below).

William was now 46 years old, 29 years her senior! We have found no records to indicate that he was married before. Apparently this was his first and only marriage. If the legend is true, what motivated William to make such a pledge so many years earlier? What motivated him to keep that promise through the long, lonely years that ensued? This is truly one of the most intriguing stories in our entire family tree!

It is tantalizing to make this into a dramatic love story, but was it so? They had lived near each other and must have had contact over the years. As she entered her teens, did Rebecca fall in love with William? Or was it an arranged marriage between William and her parents with little love on her part? Did she learn to love him over the years? Or were they head-over-heels in love all their lives? Unless she kept a diary or journal that miraculously surfaces someday (be still my heart!), this will truly remain one of our own personal "History's Mysteries"! I personally am rooting for the head-over-heels version!

Another interesting aspect of their marriage is that they wed in the midst of the Revolutionary War. While no major battles were fought in that part of Maryland, British and American troops traveling through that area was not uncommon. Did William serve? There are conflicting opinions which we will discuss in a future post. But to be newly married during the American Revolution must have presented a unique topic of conversation over the dinner table!

Rebecca bore William 7 sons and 1 daughter over the ensuing years. She and William farmed the land in Maryland while the children were young, then moved to western Pennsylvania (Fayette County) around 1783, where they lived out their lives. It is no surprise that, with such a great age difference, Rebecca was left a widow for many years, though not as many as one would expect since William lived to the ripe old age of 84! He died in 1814 when his wife was 55 years old, and she outlived him by over 20 years.

Some of Rebecca's children and grandchildren lived nearby during this time. She also had the companionship of her mother, Sarah, for the first 10 of those years. This must have been a great comfort and helped to relieve some of the loneliness.

In March 1835, some 57 years after her wedding in that summer of long ago, this good lady passed away at the age of 76. I like to think that William, who again had to wait many long years for his Rebecca, welcomed her with open arms.


Footnote: It is puzzling that William and Rebecca were married by Rev. Thompson, as he apparently was an Anglican minister (according to: http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?County=Cecil%20County&State=Maryland). Rebecca had assuredly been raised Presbyterian by her Scots-Irish father [we're not sure about her mother], and extensive research by a fellow-researcher, Chalmers Williams, indicates that William also was of Scots-Irish heritage. This would strongly suggest that they were Presbyterian. Perhaps it was simply that Rev. Thompson was the closest minister in the area.

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Here is a link to a wonderful site which describes life in colonial Maryland in Talbot County, Cecil County's neighbor to the south. This family is not connected to our Bradford's and Miller's, but it still gives great insight into the era, as it is a first-person account. Sorry it didn't come through as a link; you will have to cut and paste it into your address box, but I promise it is worth the read!: Go to: http://www.vanderfordfamily.com/html/maryland.htm

William Miller--A Builder of Boats?

One of the burning questions for all William Miller researchers is whether or not he was truly involved in the business of building boats and ships. Family legends hold fast the notion that he built sloop ships on Chesapeake Bay for General George Washington during the Revolution, and that even after moving west to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the family carried on the business of boat-building.

Once source of this legend is this page out of a Fayette County history book which talks about "the Millers" helping to build the flat bottom boats along the Yough [Youghiogheny] River which were used to transport pig iron up to Pittsburgh.

While this is likely our William, there is no proof. But circumstantial evidence certainly points that way. Land records show that a William Miller bought property right along this river--something a boat-builder would certainly do.

It is up to future researchers to find more certain proof, but for now, we cling to the thought of an ancestor involved in such a unique profession.