John A. Miller

Basic Info

Birth Name	John A. Miller
Birth Date	1/29/1839
Marriage Date	3/21/1861
Death Date	5/11/1905
Gender	male
Age at Death	66 Years, 3 Months, 13 Days
Relation to Lemuel David Miller	Grandfather
Literate?	Yes
Military Service	Forced Conscription into Virginia Militia & Confederate States Army

“When the war began I was drafted and sent off to Winchester and made to work on breastworks... I did nothing voluntarily. When I was going, I felt willing for the cars to veer off the track and kill me rather than go into the army. I told them in the camp, that if I had to take my choice, and Abe Lincoln was before me, and I had to shoot him, or be shot, they would have to shoot me."

-John A. Miller Recollection of forced conscription & Confederate camp
at Winchester, VA in 1861. Taken from SCC Deposition, 1875.

Parents & Siblings

Parents
Relation	Name	Birth date	Death date
Father	Miller, Samuel	02/23/1815	01/31/1883
Mother	Glick, Catharine	07/08/1819	01/04/1859
Step-Mother	Greer, Mary Ann	05/04/1821	10/08/1903

Siblings
Relation	Name	Birth date	Death date
	Miller, John A.	01/29/1839	05/11/1905
Brother	Miller, Martin M.	06/07/1841	1914
Sister	Miller, Elizabeth	08/25/1843	07/13/1913
Sister	Miller, Mary	05/19/1846	06/04/1901
Brother	Miller, Abraham B.	01/03/1849	12/21/1933
Brother	Miller, William	06/24/1851	09/11/1924
Sister	Miller, Susan	09/07/1853	06/15/1916
Sister	Miller, Lydia	12/02/1855	08/08/1862
Brother	Miller, Joel Daniel	05/15/1858	07/16/1915

Others in Childhood Home
Relation	Name	Birth date	Death date
Paid Residential Farm Laborer c. 1860	Eavers, John	about 1828	Unknown
Paid Residential Farm Laborer c. 1860	McCulloch, Robert	about 1798	Unknown

Spouse & Children

Spouse
Name	Birth Date	Marriage date	Death date
Miller (née), Elizabeth F.	11/18/1840	3/21/1861	03/11/1905

Children
Relation	Name	Birth date	Death date
Child	Miller, Abraham Martin	09/15/1862	05/12/34
Child	Miller, Sarah C.	08/17/1864	08/21/1865
Child	Miller, Silas Benjamin	07/01/1866	08/16/42
Child	Miller, Nancy Susan	09/16/1868	03/31/16
Child	Miller, David S.	08/15/1870	02/25/03
Child	Miller, John William Franklin	05/20/1872	11/08/45
Child	Miller, Mary E	12/25/1873	11/19/15
Child	Miller, Solomon Garber	07/01/1876	04/16/35
Child	Miller, Adam Joel	05/11/1880	10/10/1894

Personal Timeline

Date	John's Age	Event & Sources	Place
01/29/1839	0Y	Birth of John A. Miller. Source: 3a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
around 1855	c. 16Y	Joined with the Brethren (neu-täufer), (alt. German Baptist) (1708-1908). Location Assumed. Source: 3a	Bridgewater, Virginia
TM Note - Context: Both the date and location of the religion in this context are referencing the approximate date that he "joined" with the Brethren church based on the fact that it happened before the civil war but likely when he was an adult given the particular style of adult-baptism practiced by the Brethren. Also, the location is assumed as Rockingham County was his primary residence - but not given more specifically as i am unsure where he would have been at that time.
01/27/1844	Almost 5Y	Death of paternal grandmother, Esther Bowman. Location assumed - stated as "nearby". Buried in Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren Cemetery. Sources: 6a, 7a	Bridgewater, Virginia
12/01/1850	11Y	John A. Miller Appears in the 1850 Census. Source: 1b	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
10/30/1852	13y	Death of paternal grandfather, Martin Miller. Location given alternatively as Shenandoah and Roanoke County. Source: 6a, 7b, Chancery	Unknown.
12/18/1856	17Y, 10M	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: "A saddle, bridle, and martingales worth $20. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
1857	18Y	Occupation: Farm Laborer. Source: 8a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
01/04/1859	19Y, 11M	Death of mother, Catharine Glick. Source: 6b	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
about 1860	c. 21Y	Father's (Samuel) 2nd Marriage, to Mary Ann Greer. Source: 5a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
TM Note - Context: The 1860 Census Records the Marriage as happening "within the year." Location also inferred from Census report. This marriage was possibly arranged in some aspects by the Brethren - it was not uncommon to pair widowers and widows with other members of the community that needed help raising children or managing land. It is important to note that the use of the word "marriage" in this context was only possible because Catharine Glick had died - and even then it was not uncommon for 2nd marriages to, despite possibly being arranged by the Brethren, also not be recognized as "marriages." The description as a "marriage" here is then important because it speaks directly to a more moderate religious interpretation on Samuel's behalf.
03/20/1861	22Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: $5 cash (Likely for wedding). Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
03/21/1861	22Y	John's wedding to Elizabeth F. (née) Miller. Source: 6c	Rockingham County, Virginia
04/12/1861	22Y	American Civil War - Start	Fort Sumpter, SC.
Around 05/01/1861	c. 22Y	Forcibly Drafted into Virginia Militia as a Private. Source: Chancery, SCC.	Rockingham County, Virginia
Around 05/01/1861	c. 22Y	Sent to Winchester, VA with the Virginia Militia. Chancery, SCC.	Winchester, VA., Confederacy.
TM Note - Context
around 08/01/1861	c. 22Y	Samuel Miller hires a Substitute to serve/work on John's behalf in the Virginia Militia. cost likely around $1500-$2000. Source: 3a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
12/12/1861	22Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: 1 horse worth $100. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
01/18/1862	22Y 11M	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: Harnesses for two horses worth $33.30. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
01/18/1862	22Y, 11M	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: One bed and bedding worth $20. Source: 5a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
TM Note - Detail & Context: "One bed and bedding worth $20." This appears likely to be related to, and to give an indication of when, John moved to Elizabeth F. Miller's father's (Abraham Miller, 3/1/1817–7/19/1882) farm/house.
06/09/1862	23Y	American Civil War - Battle of Port Republic	Port Republic, VA
08/08/1862	23Y	Death of sister, Lydia Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 1g	Rockingham County, Virginia
09/15/1862	23Y	Birth of son, Abraham Martin Miller. Source: 6c, 6d, 6e, 9a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
10/11/1862	25Y	Act of the confederate congress: "Substitute & Fine Law". Source: 10b	Rockingham County, Virginia
TM Note - Context: Important to note that this was a separate law from the Virginia Substitute & Fine Law that had been passed previously. This law was not enacted with any provision for those who had already paid similar, state level fines for exemption - thus it is likely that Samuel paid for a John A. Miller's substitute a second time.
around 09/20/1864	25Y	Union safeguard protected their house outside of Mt. Crawford on Abraham Miller's Land [Father-in-law]. Source: 10b	Abraham Miller Farm, VA
08/17/1864	25Y	Birth of daughter, Sarah C. Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 5a	Abraham Miller Farm, VA
08/21/1865	26Y	Death of daughter, Sarah C. Miller. Location Assumed.Source: 6c	Abraham Miller Farm, VA
07/01/1866	28Y	Birth of son, Silas Benjamin Miller. Source: 6c, 6e	Bridgewater, Virginia
TM Note - Context: Silas Benjamin Miller's Birth location being listed as Bridgewater, VA appears to indicate that John, Elizabeth, and family moved from Abraham Miller's farm near Mt. Crawford to Bridgewater, near Samuel's farm, sometime after the Civil War. This birth location could also mean that Silas was, in fact, born at Samuel's house/farm.
09/16/1868	29y	Birth of daughter, Nancy Susan Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 6e, 6f	Bridgewater, Virginia
08/15/1870	31y	Birth of son, David S. Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 6c	Bridgewater, Virginia
03/11/1871	32Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: One pig worth $2. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
09/12/1871	32Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: $105 cash. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
09/12/1871	32Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: One steer worth $16. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
05/20/1872	33Y	Birth of son, John William Franklin "J.W.F." Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 6c	Bridgewater, Virginia
12/26/1872	33Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: Lumber for barn worth $122.29. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
01/01/1873	34Y	Will Advances (2 ledger entries) from Samuel Miller: $100 cash & $65 cash. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
12/25/1873	34Y	Birth of daughter, Mary E. Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 6c	Bridgewater, Virginia
06/22/1875	36Y	Submitted claim to the Congressional Southern Claims Commission (SCC) for losses during the Civil War. Source: 3a	Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
06/22/1875	36Y	Residence listed in SCC Claim indicates own farm near Bridgewater, VA. Source: 6c	John A. Miller Farm, Virginia.
07/01/1876	37Y	Birth of son, Solomon Garber Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 6g	John A. Miller Farm, Virginia.
02/15/1877	38Y	Will Advance from Samuel Miller: $200 cash. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
05/11/1880	41Y	Birth of son, Adam J. Miller. Location Assumed. Source: 6g	John A. Miller Farm, Virginia.
01/31/1883	44Y	Death of father, Samuel Miller. Source: 6b	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
1888	c.49Y	John A. Miller & Sons Cannery Opens outside Bridgewater. Source: 4a	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
Detail: John Wayland stated the following about the John A. Miller & Sons Cannery, "The Miller cannery at Bridgewater, the first in the county, dates from 1888. It's products take high rank." Source: Wayland, John W., A History of Rockingham County, Virginia, P. 318.
10/10/1894	55Y	Death of son, Adam J. Miller. Source: 6c	John A. Miller Farm, Virginia.
10/10/1903	64Y	Death of step-mother, Mary Ann Greer. Source: ?	Martin & Samuel Miller Farm, Virginia
03/11/1905	66Y	Death of wife, Elizabeth F. (née) Miller. Source: 6c, 8b	John A. Miller Farm, Virginia.
05/11/1905	66Y, 3M, 13D	Death of John A. Miller. Source: 8a	John A. Miller Farm, Virginia.
05/14/1905	Deceased	John A. Miller was buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Bridgewater, VA. Source: 5a	Oak Lawn Cemetery, Bridgewater, VA.

Database Info

TM Database Number	I0031
Henry Number	165341

Sources

Source	Citation
1a	U.S. Census, 1850: Heads of Families. Washington: Government Printing Office, State of Virginia, Rockingham County, District 5, Page Unlisted, Sandy, Silas. Accessed 2018.
1b	U.S. Census, 1850: Heads of Families. Washington: Government Printing Office, State of Virginia, Rockingham County, District 1, P. 165 (Alt. P. 329), Miller, Samuel; Glick, Catherine. Accessed 2018.
1c	U.S. Census, 1880: Population, Heads of Families. Washington: Government Printing Office, State of Virginia, Rockingham County, Ashby Township, Supervisor's District No. 4, Enumeration District No. 77, Page No. 26, Rows 1–10: John A. Miller, 6/11/1880. Accessed 2018.
2	United States Congress, Southern Claims Commission, Approved, Virginia: John A. Miller, 6/22/1875. Transcription by Miller, Tyler M. 2020.
3	Rockingham County Courthouse, State of Virginia, "Chancery Case #129 - Samuel Miller: Plaintiff: Mary A. Miller, etc; Defendant(s): John A. Miller, etc.", Library of Virginia, Commonwealth of Virginia, Chancery Records, Rockingham County, Index #1887-098. 1887.
4a	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 4.
4b	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 8.
4c	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 25.
4d	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 67.
4e	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 77.
4f	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 69.
4g	Miller, J. [James] Carson, Jacob Miller of 1748: His Descendants and Connections, Part III., Self-Published, Moores Store, VA. 1938. Page 78.
5a	Find A Grave, “Memorial Page for Miller, Esther," Memorial no.63901916. https://www.findagrave.com. 3/27/2019.
5b	Find A Grave, “Memorial Page for Miller, Martin," Memorial no. 63901720. https://www.findagrave.com. 3/27/2019.
5c	Find A Grave, "Memorial Page for Miller, John A," Memorial no. 35599293. https://www.findagrave.com. 3/27/2019.
5d	Find A Grave, "Memorial Page for Elizabeth F. Miller," Memorial no. 35599373. https://wwwlfindagrave.com. 3/27/2019.
6	Rockingham County Courthouse, State of Virginia, "Deed Book #75, Page 600, Deed of Partition for John A. Miller's Heirs," Rockingham County, VA. Accessed 2019.
7a (old 6a)	Rockingham Register. 1905. "Obituary: John A. Miller." May 16, 1905. Page unknown.
7b (old 6b)	Rockingham Register. 1905. "Obituary: Elizabeth F. Miller." March 3, 1905. Page unknown.
8 (old 7)	"FamilySearch: Virginia Births & Christenings, 1584-1917: Abraham Martin Miller Excerpt," FamilySearch.org, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed March 15, 2019, https://www.familysearch.org/en/.
9 (old 8)	Wayland, John W., A History of Rockingham County, Virginia, Ruebush-Elkins Company, Dayton, Virginia, 1912.
10	Unknown Photographer; scan & ed., Miller, Tyler M. 2021, “Lemuel D. Miller & Carrie B. Caricofe Wedding Portrait, c. 2/13/1916," D.L. Miller & A.J. Mathis Collection, c. 2/13/1916; 2021.

Basic Info

Parents

Siblings

Others in Childhood Home

Spouse

Children