Christian Miller (1744 - 1836)

Born 1744 in Germany

Husband of Catharine (Whisman) Miller — married 1771 in Shenandoah Co., VA

Died 1 Apr 1836 at about age 92 in Woodstock, Shenandoah, Virginia

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Biography

Christian Miller was born 1744 in Germany.^[1]

North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000

Name: Christian Miller

Gender: Male

Age: 92

Birth Date: 1744

Birth Place: Germany

First Marriage Date: 1770

Death Date: 1836

Death Place: Woodstock, VA

Spouse: Catharine Wiseman

Child: Mary Miller

Christian Miller (1744-1836) was drafted from Woodstock in the militia under Capt. Jacob Rinker, 1780; went to Hilsboro, NC and guarded the prisoners taken by Greene. In 1832 he was allowed a pension for service as sergeant, Virginia troops. He was born in Germany; died in Woodstock, Virginia. Also No. 36036

From August 1780 to May 1781 he was a Sergeant in Captain Jacob Rinker's Virginia Company of Continental Soldiers. Kercheval, the historian, refers to him several times regarding some of the old Germans customs and the Indian raids around Woodstock. He has been described as being "rather tall and portly with brown eyes and clean shaven face, his hair in a quene. He wore a cocked hat, long blue coat, agrilled shirt and stock, yellow waistcoat, grayish homespun breeches and low shoes with silver buckles". He was comfortably well-off.

U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900 Name: Christian Miller Pension Year: 1838 Application State: Virginia Applicant Designation: Widow's Pension Application File Second Applicant Name: Catharine Miller Second Applicant Pension Year: 1832 Second Applicant Application State: Virginia Archive Publication Number: M804 Archive Roll Number: 1723 Total Pages in Packet: 56

A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia by Wayland, pg 710-713
Christian Miller, b. 1744 d. April 28, 1836 aged 92 years. A newspaper account of his funeral says that he was the last of the Revolutionary War soldiers in Shenandoah County and that the funeral was the largest ever seen in Woodstock. From August, 1780 till May, 1781 he served as a sergeant in Capt. Jacob Rinker's company of Virginia soldiers. Kercheval refers to him several times regarding old German customs and Indian raids. In 1771 he married Catharine Wiseman, b. 1746 d. May, 1837. She bore him ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity and married, leaving descendants in sixteen southern and western states. In all branches of the family there are many who have held offices of public trust and honor - from the lowest county offices up to those of member of the Assembly and State Auditor; one sat in Congress for several years, and another was the personal friend and business partner of President Cleveland and his Commissioner of Internal Revenue for eight years. Christian Miller's descendants have done their duty on the battlefield also; two sons and a grandson as private, corporal and ensign in the War of 1812; a grandson and a great-grandson each gave up his life as private and captain in the Mexican War; nineteen grandsons and great-grandsons did their duty in the Confederate army as follows: ten privates, one musician, one sergeant, two lieutenants, three captains, and two majors - one of the latter being a personal friend and staff officer of Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson; and lastly four great-great grandsons and one great-great-great grandson served their country as two privates, a corporal, a captain and a major in the war with Spain. As to occupation, they are farmers, merchants, lawyers, doctors, civil engineers, etc. Their names are found on the rolls of the leading colleges of their native states as for example in Virginia - The University (since 1830), V. M. I., Randolph-Macon, Hampden-Sidney, University College of Medicine, Hollins Institute, Fairfax Hall, Episcopal School at Staunton, and the Weslyn Female Institute at the same place.

U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970

Name: Christian Miller

Birth Place: Germany

Death Date: 1 Apr 1836

SAR Membership: 35222

Role: Ancestor

Application Date: 5 Oct 1921

Father: Jacob Miller

Mother: Barbara Miller

Spouse: Catherine Whisman

Children: John Miller

Sources

• U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
• U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970

1. ↑ North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000