Edward Miller I (abt. 1642 - abt. 1695)

Born about 1642 in York County, Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Sara (Smyth) Miller — married 1667 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia (assumed)

Descendants

Died about 1695 at about age 53 in Isle of Wight County, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jim Miller [send private message]

Body of email I sent to Liz Shifflett on 12/14/21 after Liz requested a WikiTree merge of two Nicholas Smyth / Smith profiles. The inter-relationships of the families supports the belief that Edward Miller I's wife was Sara Smyth, daughter of Nicholas Smyth:

Liz,

Thank you for finding this likely duplicate WikiTree profile. I did some research and agree to the merge based on inter-relationships of the the families (see below). I also entered a merge request for Ann Unknown-401073 and Ann Norsworthy-106.

Research Today: Hester Pitt (1626-1711); the 1st great grandmother of Nicholas Miller III’s wife and the 2nd great grandmother of William Miller II’s wife.

Also Hester Pitt is the sister of Elizabeth (Pitt) Norsworthy (c. 1645 (I think her WikiTree est. birth year is incorrect); died prior 1725). Elizabeth (Pitt) Norsworthy was the mother of Ann Norsworthy.

Ann Norsworthy appears to have married Nicholas Smyth / Smith after her 1st husband’s (Humphrey Marshall) death per a duplicate Wikitree profile on Nicholas Smyth / Smith I merged today per your request.

Nicholas Smyth & Ann Norsworthy were the parents of the wife (Sara Smyth) of Edward Miller I (c. 1642 - c. 1695).

Edward Miller I (son of James Miller; c. 1616 to June, 1656 York Co. VA) was the 1st great grandfather of Nicholas Miller III and William Miller II (both these Miller men married women who descend from Hester Pitt (1626-1711).

NOTE: Also the sister (Ann Miller) of my 5th great grandfather, Christopher Miller (c. 1708-c. 1757) daughter’s husband (John Pitts, Sr.; c.1726-after 1780) was the great grandson of Hester Pitt (1626-1711)’s brother (Henry Pitt; 1645-1715).

Jim

I did a WikiTree Family List of William Miller (Patrick Miller, Sr. b-1620 father) and noticed to-date there were NO identified Edward Miller’s in any of the Miller branches expect Isle of Wight County branch up to 1803. However in 1803 two Edward Miller’s are born to two separate Middlesex Co., VA branch male Miller’s around Amelia Co., VA.

NOTE: I SINCE DETERMINED THE TWO EDWARD MILLER'S BORN IN/NEAR AMELIA CO., VIRGINIA AROUND 1803 WERE LIKELY NAMED AFTER NEAR TERM ANCESTORS NAMED EDWARD ON THEIR MATERNAL SIDES. SO NO CONNECTION TO EDWARD MILLER'S IN ISLE OF WIGHT CO., VA IN THE 1600's and 1700's.

The only other Edward Miller (outside of Isle of Wight Co., VA Miller's) that I recall I have seen in Virginia in the 1600's/1700's was in 1643 an Edward Miller's transport was paid by Henry Neale for 50 acres of land in James City Co., Virginia - (maybe the "poor" Edward Miller that fought in 1676 in Bacon's Rebellion?).

The fact two Middlesex Co., VA descended Miller’s were named Edward Miller in 1803 could be that Edward Miller-IV of Isle of Wight Co., VA had no children and other family members named children in honor of him. This would indicate Edward Miller-IV (WikiTree ID: Miller-52936) may have died around 1803. Edward Miller-IV would have been about 65 in 1803.

Timeline:

Abt. 1738 - Edward Miller-IV born likely in Isle of Wight Co., VA 1757 - Edward Miller-IV and his father Thomas mentioned in Edward’s mother, Rebecca Robinson’s father’s Isle of Wight Co., VA will 1783 - An Edward Miller appears on the Henrico Co., VA Census (this Edward at Abt. 45?)

https://memory.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd0001/2008/20080313002co/20080313002co.pdf

From link above on "The Trotman Family"; Entries in Cam Register; Edited by W. P. W. Phillimore; printed by John White, Stroud, Gloucestershire in 1892; several Symth's are noted to have married Trotman's (of the Throckmorton Trotman family group). Edward Miller's mother was likely Mary Trotman of this same Trotman family group; and Edward appears to have married a Sara Smyth/Smith.

http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=D2957%2f1%2f216%2f29&pos=38

From link above it appears the Smyth's of North Nibley, Gloucestershire, England associated with the Trotman's (Edward Miller's mother is believed to be Mary Trotman (from likely the Gloucestershire area of England):

"North Nibley: Lease for 98 years of land in North Nibley, John Smyth of Northnibly, gent; and Mary his wife to William Trotman of Stinchcombe, yeoman" (Note: Mary Trotman, Edward Miller's likely mother had connected Trotman family members in Stinchcombe, England).

12/5/1791 Isle of Wight County, Virginia records: A John Nelson marries Mary Whitfield alias MILLER - Not sure which Miller this Mary Whitfield/Miller was married to (he would have past away prior to 12/5/1791).

THE BELOW SEEMS TO TIE THIS EDWARD MILLER, I (EDWARD MILLER, II WOULD BE TOO YOUNG IN 1682) TO MY MILLER'S IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA. I have not identified any other Edward Miller that this could have been to-date. The only surname in the document that may relate to this Edward Miller I would be Smith (Edward's wife was a Sara Smith). Also many of the surnames are Scottish: Mackrory; Williamson; Robinson.

10/3/1697: Source: "Middlesex County, Virginia Wills, Inventories & Accounts, 1673-1812" published in 1989:

"(p. 110) John Sheppard....3 Oct 1682 / 7 Feb 1697... Son John Sheppard and daughter Frances Sheppard (both underage). Wife Frances Sheppard. Daughter Clara Sheppard. Brother Mr. Alexander Sheppard in Parham - Latcheston In Suffolk CO in England. Goddaughter Frances Mackrory and godson Robert Williamson. Godson Richard Robinson and goddaughter Ann Robinson. Kinsman Mr. Richard Robinson, brother Mr. Christopher Robinson and Mr. Alexander Smith. Exors: Wife and son. Wit: Thomas Hucklescott (?), Joseph Smith and EDWARD MILLER (Thomas Hucklescott and Joseph Smith appeared at the probate in 1697)." EDWARD MILLER may not have appeared at the probate due to the fact he likely past away several years after the will was written but prior to when it was probated.

NOTE: Parham, Suffolk County, England is 100 miles northeast of London near the North Sea about 150 miles due west of the Netherlands/Belgium across the sea.

NOTE: It is estimated that the Edward Miller I on this profile died about 1695; so he would not have been around to sign John Sheppard's will's probate in 1697 as noted above (another indication that the Edward Miller on this profile is the Edward Miller that witnessed John Sheppard's will in 1682).

I have found a record of an Edward Miller in Isle of Wight Co., VA, age noted as 40; he could not be the Edward Miller on this profile since his father James Miller notes Edward as under age in James' 1656 will (see link and verbiage below):

http://braswellgenealogy.blogspot.com/2007/09/isle-of-wight-county-virginia-records.html?m=1

1665: "pg. 544 A marriage contract between Richard POOL and Mary, relict and admr. of John DAVIS, deceased, is made. EDWARD MILLER, deposes, aged 40, that 28 years ago there was a little house between Col. Robert PITT and Mr. IZARD which was without the survey, which house was called 'Seward's Quarter,' 9 Mar. 1665". I estimate the Edward Miller of this profile was born about 1644; so he would have been only about 21 in 1665 (not 40 years old). This older Edward Miller may have been the poor Edward Miller that joined Bacon Rebellion in 1676.

12/14/1664: An "Dying intestate, administration requested by Edward Miller" for a Stephen Trotman; R. 1/19/1665. Security: Thomas Edwards and George Bell. NOTE: Edward Miller I would likely have been in his early 20's in 1664.

1680: Will of Thomas Ellms? was witnessed by Edward Miller, Thomas Ryall, and Nicholas Ogbourne (Osborne?). Other's mention in will: Son Thomas Ellms?; Son John Ellms?; land adjoining William Dower?; Charles Edwards; and Capt. John Gutrich. Thomas Ellms? died 9/1/1680 and his will was probated on 10/9/1680.

1682: NOTE: ALEXANDER SMITH (noted as a "brother" of John Sheppard's 1682 will) also was an Exors. of a William Gordon's 1685 will with a JOHN BATCHELDER. John Batchelder was the grandfather of Joseph Batchelder (1727-1785) who married the grand daughter of John Miller (son of Patrick Miller b-1620 in Scotland), Michael Miller. So there seems to be a tie between the EDWARD MILLER in John Sheppard's 1682 will and the family of Patrick Miller b-1620 in Scotland:

4/3/1685 probate: "(p.23) William Gordon... 13 Feb 1684 / 5 Apr 1685... Wife Mary Gordon. Mr. Segar, Mr Tibe and Mr. Boodle. Exors: Mr. ALEXANDER SMITH and MR. Richard Willis. mr. JOHN BATCHELDER. Wit: ALEXANDER SMITH, John Smith, Lazarus Uffington and JOHN BATCHELDER."

1699: JOSEPH SMITH who witnessed John Sheppard's will died: "(p.29) Inventory of Estate of Joseph Smith, decd. 23 May 1699" Another note in the source book on page 166 gives Joseph Smith's wife's name as Elizabeth (maiden name unknown).

2/8/1689 (8 years prior to John Sheppard's death) John's Godson Richard Robinson appears to have imported a number of people to the Virginia colony including Thomas Hucklescott AKA Hucklescot who witnessed John's will (but will was witnessed in late 1682, 6 years prior to the importation of this Thomas Hucklescott - however was not probated until 8 years after the importation:

2/8/1689: "(p.448) RICHARD ROBINSON imports: Richard Robinson, Francis Dodson, Richard Farrington, Marmad Redding, Thomas Thomson, Mary Hasleton, Elizabeth Hasleton, Richard Robinson from England, Mary Manton, Dennie Cromer, Thomas Carrington, William Williams, THOMAS HUCKLESCOT (?), Mary Simpson, William ______ A SCOT, Richard Robinson twice from Madera, William ________ A MILLER, Edward Maxfield, Sara Grinstead, Richard Robinson twice from Barbados, Robert _____, John Dingwell, William Powell, Edward Hughs, John Alexander, Corenlius More, John Rochford, Francis Mathews, John Day, John Magore, William Holley, Jdeffry Adamson, Richard Robinson, Jr., Martha Dagg, John Thomas, John Marten, Ann Marten, Joane Browne and 16 negroes."

NOTE: Robinson; Thompson; Thomas; Williams; Hughes; and Brown are all surnames of DNA cousins of mine (but not that uncommon surnames in America)

http://www.selectsurnamelist.com/robinson.html "Christopher Robinson emigrated to Virginia from Cleasby in north Yorkshire in 1670. Eight years later he built his home, later called Hewick, in Middlesex county along the Rappahannock river. The Robinson family there became one of the leading families of Virginia. Hewick still stands today."

"Three centuries ago, in 1678, one of the most significant manor homes in Virginia, originally named The Grange, was constructed by Christopher Robinson, who had arrived in the Colony from England about 1666. This home was the gathering place for many of the important families of Virginia who helped shape the colony into the commonwealth it would eventually become.

His son, Christopher Robinson II, upon inheriting the estate, renamed the plantation Hewick for the Robinson ancestral home in England. Christopher Robinson II was Clerk of Middlesex County and served in the House of Burgesses. He was a member of the Kings Council, appointed the Secretary of Foreign Plantations and was an original Trustee of the College of William and Mary.

Old accounts of Hewick describe it as being located amidst beautiful trees, with a lane lined by sixty ancient oaks on each side, leading to the house, and with beautiful lawns bordered by the poplar boxwood. It was a village unto itself with a blacksmith, carpenter, cobbler, and butcher shops to take care of the plantation needs. The slave quarters were near the river where there were docks for the loading shipments of tobacco to England and receiving manufactured goods. The grounds included gardens and orchards, family burial grounds, spring and spring house.

Hewick was a gathering place for the Robinsons, Wormsleys, Beverleys, Braxtons, and others to discuss the affairs of the Nation they were helping to build. With all the strength and elegance today as it epitomized three centuries ago, it is indeed a monument to the past where these men met "Who first placed the name of Virginia on the maps of all the civilized world and laid the foundation for her greatness."

Hewick is currently undergoing an extensive restoration. The plantation grounds are available as a full service wedding and event venue, offering simple elegance in an historical setting. It is listed in the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register and on the National Register of Historic Places."

Other references from same book source noted above to John Sheppard AKA Shepherd and Shepperd that indicated John's wife and all his heirs died shortly after his death around 1697 as well as who appears to be his son (also a John Shepherd living in North Carolina):

2/6/1698: "(p.267) Will of John Shepperd, decd., left to his dear Wife and children and to his goddaughter Frances Mackrory, godson Robert Williamson and goddaughter Ann Robinson. (John Shepperd's wife and children are now dead without heirs.)"

1767: "Note states...'Sir - it is supposed that Mr. John Shepherd is Still Living though he has not been in Virginia since June 1st 1767 his abode was in North Carolina William Shepherd Lives in North Carolina Those are Mrs. Crittenden's Brothers' To Benjamin Dabney from E. Williams."

I HAVE SINCE DETERMINED THAT "APPHYA" MILLER WAS ROBERT MILLER OF ELIZABETH CITY COUNTY (HIS 1693 WILL) WIFE, "APPHYA" (PRETTYMAN) MILLER. "APPHYA" ACTUALLY MARRIED A PRETTYMAN 1ST and ROBERT MILLER 2nd (CANNOT RECALL IF I DETERMINED HER MAIDEN NAME)

There is no documentation that Apphya is Edward's daughter however it is possible based on some association of signers of wills, and other documents.

It is also possible that Apphya Miller was Apphya Wilson (who would have been living about this time) who married a Miller who died young and Apphya then remarried at least one additional husband.

Association of Edward Miller-I of Isle of Wight Co., VA with his likely nephew, Robert Miller of Elizabeth City Co.: "Will"iam Lowry was noted as a friend & Augustine Moore, Jr. as God-son in the 1693 will of Robert Miller of Eliz. City Co.) History of Hampton and Elizabeth City County, Virginia: William Lowry and Augustine Moore, Sr. were on the County Bench in 1699; as well as a William Wilson & Anthony Armistead. A Charles Jenings was Clerk in 1699. Justices included Col. Charles Moryson. All these surnames were later families the Miller’s married into. William Wilson was associated with Robert Miller's father (John Miller's) 1689 Elizabeth City County will as well as John Miller's likely 1/2 brother (Edward Miller-I) living in Isle of Wight County, VA in 1689.

Biography

I have found several records of an Edward Miller in Isle of Wight, Virginia including a land patent on 3/11/1666 for land (250 acres) near the Isle of Wight/Surry County, Virginia line. Also an Edward Miller witnessed a will with a William Wilson and a William Wilson was noted as the Ext. of John Miller (b- Abt. 1635) estate along with John's daughter (Margaret). So it is likely that Edward Miller and John Miller (living in Elizabeth City Co., Virginia at the time of his death) were the brothers (half). William Wilson may have been Margaret's husband. I will add comments on the other documents noting an Edward Miller in Virginia (between 1660 and 1690) in the future.

Sources

• Edward is noted in his father's will dated 6/24/1656.
• Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, 1647-1800; Quote: HIGGINS, Roger: Leg. mother Mary Lupo; at the death of mother my cattle at Edward Millers and Thomas Wombwells to be divided between my brother James Higgins and my Godson Roger Hodges; to my brother Robert Hodge's eldest son; to his second son Elias; to his third son Roger; to James Lupo; to Ann the wife of Nicholas Ogburne. Brother Robert Hodges Ex. D. April 16, 1672. R. Aug. 10, 1672. Wit: Edmond Prime, Nicholas Ogburne. Page 113

1625: Estimated year an Edward Miller was born per doc on WorldCat: https://www.worldcat.org/title/seventeenth-century-isle-of-wight-county-virginia-a-history-of-the-county-of-isle-of-wight-virginia-during-the-seventeenth-century-including-abstracts-of-the-county-records/oclc/754117613/viewport "A marriage contract between Richard Pool and Mary relict and admire. of John Davis, deceased, is made. Edward Miller, deposes, aged 40, that 28 years ago there was a little house between Col Robert Pitt and Mr. Izard which was without the survey, which house was called 'Seward's Quarter', 9 Mar., 1665" This likely is a different Edward Miller given I estimate the Edward Miller on this profile was born 19 years later. Could this earlier born Edward Miller be the Edward Miller that was in Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 (at age 51)?

Est. 1644

Edward Miller son of James Miller of Scotland & Mary born

ALL THE BELOW WERE NOTED ON DOCUMENTS FROM ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, VA

12/14/1664: An "Dying intestate, administration requested by Edward Miller" for a Stephen Trotman; R. 1/19/1665. Security: Thomas Edwards and George Bell.

1654: From Servants to Foreign Plantations VOL. I, 1654-63; Transcribed by R. Hargreaves-Mawdsley: Page 3: "Stephen Trotman (of Nibley); destination Virginia ----- Jesse Trotman (of Nebley); destination, Virginia." Nibley is on the northeast side of Bristol, England.

FOUND MORE INFO. ON JESSE TROTMAN & STEVEN TROTMAN ABOVE:

• http://www.virtualjamestown.org/indentures/search_indentures.cgi?search_type=adv&start_page=0&db=bristol_ind&servant_ln=&servant_fn=&servant_place=&servant_occ=&spouse=&destination=Virginia&ship=&indenture=&s_month=&s_day=&s_year=&r_year-ops=&r_year=&r_year1=&parent_ln=&parent_fn=&parent_occ=&agent_ln=&agent_fn=&agent_place=&agent_occ=&agent_spouse=&result_order=&submit=Initiate+Search

From above link: Jesse Trotman of "Nibley, Gloucestershire" & Stephen Trotman of the same location were imported to Virginia on 10/14/1654 by Richard Nelme of "Nibley, Glos" a "planter"

NOTE: 35 years prior to Richard NELME importing Jesse & Stephen Trotman to Virginia; a Christopher NELME arrived on the 1st ship of about 35 colonist to Berkeley Hundred on 9/15/1619 on the ship The Margaret of Bristol. Christopher Nelme is listed as "shooomaker 3 years 30 acre (dead)". I not sure of the possible relationship of Christopher NELME to Richard NELME. See my 1/17/19 EM's. One of Edward Miller of this profile's descendants (George Miller if I recall correctly) had shoe making materials noted in his estate inventory.

8/11/1663: "Thomas Trottman, bound to Elias Trottman for 5 yeeres in Maryland." On the same date two other persons were bound to Elias Trottman: Joseph Williams and Tobias Fowler per link: http://www.virtualjamestown.org/indentures/search_indentures.cgi?start_page=163&search_type=adv&db=bristol_ind&servant_ln=&servant_fn=&servant_place=&servant_occ=&spouse=&destination=&ship=&indenture=&s_month=&s_day=&s_year=&r_year-ops=Range&r_year=1600&r_year1=1750&parent_ln=&parent_fn=&parent_occ=&agent_ln=&agent_fn=&agent_place=&agent_occ=&agent_spouse=&result_order=&submit=Initiate+Search

https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2AAvycdC94C&q=lupo#v=onepage&q=Bidgood&f=false:

1664: "In 1664, William Dawson and Joan, his wife sell to Edward Miller land where he lives between Mr. Edward Bennett's and John Davis. This is the last record of William Dawson. In 1671 Edward Miller sold this land, 'Formerly sold by Captain...'"

3/11/1666 Edward Miller (James Miller's son Edward @ age 22?)assigned these Isle of Wight headwrights to a W.m Cook Sen R) for the Importaçon of Sarah HITLON [HILTON?], Eliz.a NEWMAN, Anne BROOKES; Elizabeth BURGAN, & Joan MORGAN, haveing assigned his right of this Certificate to W.m COOK Sen.r

1671: Edward Miller sells land purchased in 1664 (see 1664 note above)

1675: https://books.google.com/books?id=Z2AAvycdC94C&q=lupo#v=onepage&q=Bidgood&f=false: "John Browne, shipwright, sells to Robert Smyth, both of I. of W. Smyth a Mariner, the hull of a new bark lately built called, 'Isabella' of 40 tons but then now riding at anchor in Pagan Creek. Smyth paying 10,000 lbs. tbco. 23 Nov. 1675. Richard Sharpe, Thos. Woodward." NOTE: EDWARD MILLER'S FATHER, JAMES MILLER ARRIVED IN VIRGINIA IN 1637 WITH HIS WIFE MARY AND A SERVANT, WILLIAM BROWNE, WHO MAYBE HAVE BEEN AN INDENTURED CARPENTER. IT IS POSSIBLE THIS JOHN BROWNE DESCENDS FROM WILLIAM BROWNE.

4/9/1677 Edward Miller (James Miller's son Edward @ age 33?) signs oath (in Isle of Wight) to Gov. Berkley after Bacon's rebellion "We the subscribed haveing drawn up a paper in behalf of y" inhabitants of Isle of Wight Co. as y e greivanees of said county," recant all the "false and scandalous" reflections upon Gov. Sir Wm. Berkeley K* contained in a paper 1 presented to the Commis- sioners, and promise never to be guilty again of "y e like mutin- ous and rebellious practices." Ambrose Bennett, John Marshall, Eichard Jordan, Eichard Sharpe, Anth ffulgeham, James Bag- nail, Edward Miller, John Davis X his mark, Eichard Penny E. P. his mark. Acknowledged 9 April 1677.. Test. Jno Brom- field CI. Cu.

John Marshall begs pardon in court on his bended knees for

1 See Va. Mag. of Hist, and Biography, Vol. II., p. 380, where this paper containing the grievances oi Isle of Wight is published in full.

EDWARD MILLER-I's son EDWARD MILLER-II's wife's (Martha Jennings) father JOHN JENNINGS WAS A KEY PLAYER IN THE 1676 BACON's REBELLION: "In Bacon's Rebellion (1676) Isle of Wight was the scene of constant foray. Col. Joseph Bridger 1 headed the followers of Berkeley, and John Jennings, clerk of the court, was the most noted of Bacon's adherents. He was banished from the colony, but died before the decree could be carried into effect."

5/28/1680 Edward Miller (James Miller's son @ age 36?)- 3 persons Surry Co. (Lawnes Creek Parish) Tithables; would this indicate that this Edward Miller is not a landowner? Maybe Edward Miller b- Abt. 1644 son at age about 15?

5/28/1680 Augt Hunicutt Jun: r, Jn.o Miller, Charles Dennison - 3 persons Surry Co. (Lawnes Creek Parish) Tithables - Edward's son?

9/1/1680: A Thomas Ellms dies and Edward Miller witnesses his will along with Thomas Ryall and Nicholas Ogborune; also mentioned in document is William Lewer; John Jennings; Charles Edwards; and Capt. John Gutrich.

10/10/1689 Edward Miller (Edward Miller's son @ age 23?) witnesses John Grave's will in Isle of Wright along with Jno. Carrell, William Wilson, & Thomas Proud - SEEMS TO BE A TIE BETWEEN EDWARD MILLER & JOHN MILLER (ELIZ. CITY) THROUGH WILLIAM WILSON

• A Capt. John Grove or Groves (who came from Bristol) was justice

of Surry Co., and died about 1673. The testator above may have been some relation of the Quaker Joseph Groves, who wrote "New England Judged" — a book contining a full account of the sufferings of the people called Quakers at the hands of the Puritans in New England. A copy is in the State Library. At Bristol are the wills of John Grove (1634), Alice (1630), Poulke Grove (1630), Thomas (1593 and 1693.)

Isle of Wight County Records. 247

ing desired Thomas proud to send a coppie of this my will to whom I do give my money in England, which I account to be about sixty pounds — that is, forty pds. to my sister's son Walter Potter and the remainder to my nephew Peter Grove and to Peter Grove aforesaid I give to him and his wife six lbs. of dowlas and six lbs. of canvass. And to theire son John Lewis my darke col- ored serge Coate, 10th of 10th month, 1689. John Grove. Wit- nessed by Tho. Taberer, Jno. Carell, Edward Miller, William Wilson, Thomas proud, and proved by the oaths of John Carrell, Edward Miller and William Wilson June 9th, 1691.

1 This was probably Col. William Wilson, of Elizabeth City, progeni- tor of the Wilson families of Elizabeth City and Lower Norfolk Cos. His daughter Mary married Miles Cary, of Elizabeth City Co., also from Bristol.

1782 James Miller listed with John Miller on Isle of Wight heads of family (no white/black noted) William Miller and Robert Miller listed just below James & John above on Isle of Wight heads of family (no white/black noted)

2/22/1795 Isle of Wight Orphans: Ann Miller (father - Joseph); James Miller (F-Samuel); Lucy Miller(s) (F-Samuel/Richard Miller/James Miller); Thomas Miller (F-Copeland) - see my 6/16/17 email (likely these Miller’s are not directly related to me; since my Miller family generally were nummerous enough to take in family orphaned children).

EDWARD MILLER DESCENDANTS IN ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION WITH QUAKERS:

Several persons the Miller family associated with were known or thought to be Quakers (one example the Bennett's): The Southside counties had many dissenters among their population. Col. Byrd attributed the fact to the low grade of tobacco grown in those counties, which rendered the support of a competent clergy difficult and precarious. At an early day a con- siderable Puritan party developed, at the head of whom were the brothers, Eiehard and Philip Bennett, who had settled in Nanse- mond county. Upon their invitation New England sent to Vir- ginia three Congregational ministers, but Governor Berkeley gave them a dose of the medicine, which they had long been ad- ministering to Episcopalians in their own country. He banished them from the colony, and got the Legislature to enact a law against all non-conformists. The consequence of this ill-advised policy was that there was a considerable emigration to Maryland. Prom Lower Norfolk county William Durand and Dr. Thomas Harrison, who were in charge of the churches there, carried off quite a number of prominent families — Lloyds, Marshes, Pres- tons, etc. They settled along the river Severn, in Maryland, and, after the Puritan spirit, soon tried to dictate to Lord Baltimore.

Eiehard Bennett, however, though obtaining large tracts of land in Maryland, lived most of his life and died in Nansemond, managing to keep in some sort of conformity with the Church of England, for Puritanism did not necessarily mean Congrega- tionalism, or severance from the Church. His grandson, Eiehard Bennett, was the richest man in Maryland. His uncle, Edward Bennett, of London, left two daughters, one of whom, Mary, married, first, Thomas Bland, of London; second, Luke Cropley. The other, Silvestra, married Major Nicholas Hill, who came to Virginia, and was one of the leading men of Isle of Wight county. Mary, a daughter of the first-named daughter, Mary Bland-Cropley, married James Day of Isle of Wight, Va., and Mary, a daughter of Silvestra Hill, the other daughter of Edward Bennett, married John Jennings, son of the clerk of the same name.

After the restoration of King Charles II. the Quakers had a strong following, especially in the Upper parish. William Ed-: