Johannes Miller Sr (1728 - 1819)

Born 24 Sep 1728 in Altenhaßlau, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hessen, Germany

Descendants

Died 17 Jun 1819 at age 90 in Pendleton Co, Virginia (now West Virginia), United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Lewis [send private message]

Biography

From Find a Grave : Johannes Miller's burial location is not certain, but it is believed he is buried in one of the approximately twelve unmarked graves in the Miller cemetery on the homestead in Upper Tract.

Johannes Mueller first appears in Pendleton County Virginia, now West Virginia in 1792. His name appears on the marriage bond of John Miller and Elizabeth Lough, dated January 10, 1792. signing the consent is Johannes Miller, and George Miller. The first John Miller mentioned buying land in Pendleton Co is on October 7, 1793, when John Miller purchased 90 acres at the mouth of Mallows Run from Christian and Christina Straley. The land is stated to be opposite Adam Moser adjoining Mallow and Shelton's land. Land was delivered to John Miller on April 7 1794. Later, on April 7, 1801 John Miller Sr. sells to his son, John Miller Jr. 148 acres at the mouth of Mallo Run, opposite the Upper Tract. listed as 90 acres adjoining Mallow conveyed to Miller October 7, 1893, 38 acres patented March 29, 1796, 20 acres patented March 30, 1796. Signed Johannes Muller. Prior to his arrival in Pendleton County Virginia, there is evidence that John Miller and his wife Anna Margaretha were in Brunswick Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania. This is now known as Schuylkill County. Birth and Baptism records for the Old Red Zion Lutheran Church mentions the birth and baptisms of the following children of Johannes and Anna Margaretha Mueller; Anna Magdalena Mueller, 6 weeks old (no date), Christina Margaretha Mueller born May 5 1766, baptized June 8, 1766, Johann Conrad Muller, born January 9, 1772, baptized April 20, 1772, also baptized in 1775 were a Johann Jurg Mueller, and Matthes Mueller, no parents listed indicating they were probably older. Between 1757 and 1765 the Congregation had to flee the area of Brunswick Twp, over the Blue Mountains to Maxatawney to avoid Indian trouble. A second Church was built over the old one, which was burned by Indians. It was not until 1771 that actual record were kept again. So it is likely the Matthes and Johann Jurg were born during that time period. Other births and baptisms in this church which indicate that the Millers came from this area, are that of a Bergerhoff child, born August 14 1791 and baptized on November 10, 1791 child of Nicholas and Elizabeth Bergerhoff, who was a daughter of John Miller, according to his will. Also Adam Heiser, born February 20 1792 baptized April 9 1792 son of Carl and Maria Miller Heiser, sponsors were Adam Heiser and Margaretha Miller. Johannes and Margaretha Miller are also noted as sponsors for the daughter of Philip and Julianna Paul; The birth and baptism of Margaretha Paul is mentioned in the records of Old Red Zion Church, Brunswick Township, Berks Co. (now Schuylkill Co.) Pennsylvania. Paul, Margaretha born 4 weeks tomorrow baptized 18th Sunday after trinity Abt 1 Oct 1775 d/o Philip and Julianna Sponsor, Johannes and Anna Margaretha Muller Margaret Powell later married Jacob Sines are said to have moved to Perry Co. Ohio. The Red Zion Church is located in West Brunswick Township, one and a half miles southeast of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. The first Millers In Brunswick Township, which was in Lancaster County at the time, was 1742. They were Andreas, Nicholas, Michael, and Johannes Mueller. It is unknown if these Millers were related, Andrew and Michael lived in Bern Township, and in the nearby township of Pinegrove, a Peter, John and Adam Miller lived between 1754 and 1759. The Blue Book of Schuylkill County, states that the latter mentioned Millers were probably sons of the pioneers who were present in 1742. Another Miller mentioned living in Brunswick Township was Heinrich (Henry) Mueller. The Blue Book of Schuylkill County states that Heinrich Mueller and his wife Magdalena came from the Rhine Pfalz, Oderscheim, Palatinate, Germany, August 15, 1750 on the ship Royal Union, Captain Clement Nicholson, sailing from Rotterdam. He first came to relatives in Bern Township, Landcaster Co. Pennsylvania, then to Brunswick Township. The area where John Miller lived was located between the Blue and Sharp Mountain east of the Schuylkill river. This land was part of a purchase from the Indians in 1749. At that time between thirty and fifty people lived in this area including the Millers mentioned. In 1755 the people of this area built the Zion Lutheran or Red Church, a small log church, that was burned to the ground during the Indian attacks in 1757. The Indian trouble the Millers and other settlers experience in the area broke out November 24, 1755. For nearly two years, people in this area endured the trouble until 1757, when murder and rapine drove the remaining settlers including the Millers to flee over the Blue mountains into Bern Township. They remained in Bern until about 1765, when people began returning to Brunswick township to rebuild. Some brief notes from the material in the Journals of Rev. Robert J. Miller on his visit to Pendleton County in May and June, 1813. Rev Miller was a Lutheran missionary from NC who visited Pendleton County. The following notes are from Rve. Miller's Journal for the month of June, 1813. Thurs. 3rd, Across the north mountain [North Fork mtn] with John Miller, to Daniel Mouse's on the North Fork. D. Mouse and Frederick Headrick [Hedrick] are the elders. Friday, June 4th 1813, Preached at the church on the North Fork to an attentive congregation from John 3:14-15, and Brother Sherer from Joshua 24:15. Joined a congregation of 14 families, 79 persons and 8 young people. Received $2.16cts. Parted with Brother Sherer and Mr. Gobal. I then rode across the mountain with John Miller, and came to his house, where his father lives with him, who is a German, and who came to America when he was 26 years of age: he is now in his 86th year, and ripe I hope for glory, being as I am informed, a pious man. According to this information from the Rev. Miller, John Miller Sr. would have came to America in the year 1753 give or take a year. Also this place his birth year as 1727. John Miller Sr. died in 1819 making him 93 years old at the time. Comparison of the known signature of Johannes Miller on a bond for his son Mathias Miller dated Oct 1793 in Pendleton Co. West Virginia with that of Johannes Miller's signature who was aboard the ship Friendship arriving in Philadelphia Oct. 21, 1754 show great similarities and is mostly likely that of John Miller Sr. of Pendleton Co. The John Miller aboard the ship Friendship was also listed as John Miller "sick on board". The passengers Of the Ship Friendship are from the Hesse and Franconia area of Germany.

18 March 1817. Will of John Miller Sr. In the name of God Amen I John Miller senior of the County of Pendleton and state of Virginia being very weak in body but of a perfect mind and memory thanks be giving unto God calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die once do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all pre commence my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body pre commence to the earth to be buried in a descent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estates where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life. I likewise give divide An dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First I will that my funeral charges and all other debts be paid and secondly i will that my eldest daughter, Julianna is to have five pounds out of my Estate only. Thirdly I will that my grandchild Barbery Barbara Miller daughter of my son Mathias Miller deceased, is to have fifteen pounds of my estate and she the said Barbara Miller now the wife of James Bush is not to have any of the money until she gets in great extreme need of sickness or helplessness, and he the said Bush nor nobody is to have any part of the money but she the said Barbara alone. And the said money willed to Barbara Bush is to remain in the executors hand until she becomes needful. Fourthly the children of my daughter Magdelene shall enter their mother's equal share when they come of age. Children George, John, Conrad, Mary Hiser, Eve Hoffman widow, Elizabeth Bergerhoff, Margaret King, and Catherine Wise: all to have equal share of moveables. Estate the children of my daughter Magdalene is not to have any part of the said money until they pay their father's debt that he owes to the said estate. And further will that none of my children shall pay any interest of the sums of money that they are indebted to my estate from first to last and I appoint my grandson John G. Miller and my son Conrad Miller to be my executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow rewrite and dis-anual all other former testaments, wills, legaeis, bequeths and executors by me in any way before. Willed bequeth ratify and confirm this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness where I have here unto set my hand and seal this 18th day of March one thousand eight hundred and seventeen. Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said John Miller Sr. as his last will and testament in the presence Johannes Miller (seal) of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have here unto subscribed our names Adam G. Miller Adam Lough Johanes Lough

Will was proved by Conrad Miller and John Lough on 6th July 1819. Inventories book 4 pg. 189-190 7th August 1819, Appraisal of John Miller. Includes German Bible, notes on Jacob King, Nicholas Bargerhuff, Barbara Bush, Conrad Miller, John Miller of George, Henry Wise, Jacob Turnipseed, John Miller son of the old man's, George Miller, Charles Heiser, Adam Miller of George, and Henry Peters. signed; Reuben Dice, Jacob Clayton, Elisha Stonestreet. Inventories 4 pg 306 4th September 1821 Settlement of the estate of John Miller Sr. with John G. Miller and Conrad Miller executors. Balance $1450.07 signed Reuben Dice and John Hopkins

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109752017/johannes-miller
• http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=39509220&pid=2205