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Last Update: July 22, 2024
The earliest German records documenting our Müller family date back to 1672 to the Dörrenbach Evangelische Reformierte Kirche records. Johannes Müller, c. 1625 has been proven as the grandfather of our Palatine immigrant, Johann Michael Müller, born March 28, 1696. Johann Michael Müller was the son of Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707 of Dörrenbach, Germany. Baptism, confirmation, marriage, and death records helped build the foundation for our early Miller genealogical research. These records were recorded in the book, “Familenchronik für Dörrenbach, Werschweiler und Wetschhausen 1672-2002,” by Reimund Benoist. It is believed that the Müllers most likely lived in that area of Germany for possibly 1,300 years prior to the Thirty Years War, 1618-1648. This region, now called the Saarland, is located in the southwest corner of Germany, bordering France and Luxenbourg and sitting near the country of Belgium. The small village of Dörrenbach is located just southeast of Sainkt Wendel and is a short drive from the towns of Fürth, Werschweiler, Wetschhausen and Niederlinxweiler. The people around the Rhine River descended from early Celtic and Germanic tribes.
Extensive geographical and historical research by Dr. Kenneth Doyle "Ken" Miller Jr. of Austin, TX in 2012-2013 gives us an idea of how the area was transformed from Roman rule to present day Germany. In the 6th Century, the Franks conquered the Roman Empire. Invasions in the area were commonplace, with the French Catholic ruled armies ravaging villages and towns, killing thousands of inhabitants, and destroying many churches throughout the 1600's. These invasions,several harsh winters, and a desire for a better life led Johann Michael Müller of Dörrenbach, a poor serf, to seek a new start in America.
Big Y 700 testing in 2020-2021 has identified two specific SNPS, Z27998 and Z27999 as Miller SNPS shared by each Miller. These two SNPS may date back to the 1500-1600's. Further testing that is presently pending may help estimate that time period. The Miller-1750 Rowan NC Project tested Hugo Müller in 2013 and in 2021 tested two Germans, Gerd Müller and Horst Müller, of Ottweiler, Germany, both second cousins of Hugo Müller. These three Germans descend from
In the Spring of 2021, a second line of closely related Millers in Catawba Co. NC, was proven by Big Y 700 testing.
Johann Michael Müller 1696 Comes to America and Settles in Pennsylvania
The Müllers sailed to America in 1739 on the ship Samuel captained by Hugh Percy and landed in Philadelphia on August 27, 1739. The book, Rupp's 30,000 Immigrants, compiled in 1975 lists Michael Müller among the 340 passengers. He was the son of Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707 and the grandson of Johannes Müller 1625-1681. Dörrenbach Church Records and Werner Hacker Immigration Records show that Michael Müller paid 40 guldens to bring his wife Anna Maria
Later in 1743, Michael is noted as a founder of the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, PA in Lancaster Co. PA. Michael Müller and wife, Anna Maria, are found several times in church records as sponsors of baptisms. In 1745, a son, Johann Christian Müller was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church. Their son, Wendel Müller was confirmed in 1749 at age 16 and his sister, Catharina, was confirmed in 1750. There are many entries for the Müllers in the church records, including
A second Wendel Müller and wife, Anna Maria are also found in the Christ Lutheran Church records during the 1740s-1750's. This Wendel Müller came to America from Niederlinxweiler, Germany (just west of Dörrenbach) in 1748. He was born in about 1717 and later migrated to Patterson Creek in Hampshire Co. VA. He was killed by Indians there in 1763. It has not been proven that he was related to Wendel Müller 1733, the son of our immigrant, Johann Michael Müller. In 1992,
Wendel Müller 1717 had three sons, George Miller, Michael Miller, and Henry Miller that migrated to Coshocton Co. OH about 1820. Two male individuals have done the YDNA test and did not match the Rowan Co. NC Miller line, nor did they match each other. Further YDNA testing is necessary at this point to prove or disprove the relationship between the two Wendels. Many Ancestry trees designate Wendel Müller 1717 as the father of Wendel Miller 1733 and any references to
There were several Michael Millers in the Lancaster and Berks Co. PA area, but after thorough research identifying each Michael Miller's wife's name and also following several Michael Millers through church records and land records, Kevin Miller feels that the Tulpehocken Forge Michael Miller is the same Johann Michael Müller who left Dörrenbach in 1739, arrived in Philadelphia that fall, and later migrates to Rowan Co. NC in 1753. Another Michael Miller lived in the Plumton
1. Maria Catharina Müller (4 Jan 1722-22 May 1722)
2. Johann Adam Müller (6 Jul 1723-1757)
3. Johann Peter Müller (26 Jul 1726-1771)
4. Johann Nicholas Müller (6 Feb 1729-1807)
5. Johann Caspar Müller (13 Jun 1731-1802)
6. Johann Wendel Müller (12 Oct 1733-1805)
7. Anna Katharina Müller (1 May 1735-Unknown)
8. Johann George Müller (5 Nov 1737-Unknown)
9. Johann Christian Müller (1745-Unknown)
Johann Adam Müller was baptized on July 6, 1723 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical Reform Church. He was the oldest son of Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler and may have been the Johann Adam Müller listed on the Ship Samuel in 1739. He is likely the John Adam Miller listed in Christ Lutheran Church list of members that attended the cornerstone ceremony in 1743 in Stouchsburg, Lancaster Co. PA. He married Maria Magdalena Conrad, daughter of Johann Peter
It is believed that descendants of Nicholas Miller, born 1749, the oldest son of Johann Adam Müller and Maria Magdalena Conrad moved westward. Two of our YDNA and Big Y 700 matches, John Allen Miller #847443 and John Patrick Miller #868975 descend from Johannes "John" Miller Sr. 1770-1857, born in Bern Township, Berks Co. PA who married Susannah Berlet 1781-1868 on January 22, 1797 at Schwartzwald Reformed Church in Executor Township, Berks Co. PA.
Peter Miller and his wife Maria Catherine Christ had six children, all baptized at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Tulpehocken Township, PA. The first born, a daughter, Maria Margaretha Müller was born on November 18, 1748, baptized on December 4, 1748. A second daughter, Maria Magdalena Müller, was born on January 16, 1751, baptized on March 3, 1751 followed by a third daughter, Maria Catharine Müller, born on January 16, 1756, baptized on February 3,
According to the Records of Pastoral Acts at Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA, Anna Margaretha Müller was confirmed on Pentecost, no year given, either 1763 or 1764. Maria Magdalena Müller was confirmed in 1765, aged 15 years and there is a second Maria Magdalena Miller confirmed on Pentecost 1766, aged 15-1/2 years. The third child, daughter Maria Catharine Müller, is not found on the confirmations lists from 1766, 1768, 1771-1776. Years 1767,
Peter's oldest daughter, Maria Margaretha Müller married Johannes Leininger, 1753-1802, on December 24, 1776 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA. Peter Miller is listed as the father and lived in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster Co. PA. Heinrich Miller married Marie Noll on November 21, 1781, after proclamation, no parents listed.
The youngest daughter, Eva Elisabetha Müller married Daniel Lucas Sr. on December 18, 1781 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA. She is listed as the surviving daughter of Peter Miller. Eva and Daniel had 10 children with the oldest two sons, Johannes and Heinrich Lucas, being baptized at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA. Johannes Lucas was born on October 24, 1782, baptized on December 1, 1782 and Heinrich "Henry" Lucas
By 1784, the Daniel Lucas Sr. family was living in Cumberland Co. PA and by 1787, they had moved to Dauphin Co. PA. According to the 1820 Augusta Co. VA Census, Daniel Lucas Sr., Henry Lucas, Daniel Lucas Jr., and Georg Peter Lucas were listed as residents. The oldest son, Johannes "John" Lucas may have stayed in Cumberland Co. PA. Henry Lucas moved to Rockbridge Co. VA by 1830.
Eva Elisabetha Müller Lucas left a will in Augusta Co. VA on October 3, 1843, probated on October 5, 1843 in which she named her children: John, Henry, Daniel, Peter, Elizabeth, Jacob, and David.
Cumberland Co. PA was formed from Lancaster Co. PA in 1750 and Dauphin Co. PA was formed from the northern half of Lancaster Co. PA in 1785.
Wendel Miller Comes to Rowan County, North Carolina in 1753
Johann Wendel Müller, born on 1733 in Dörrenbach, Germany, left Berks Co. PA in 1752 with his parents, Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler Müller, to settle on Dutch Second Creek near Rockwell in Rowan Co. NC. Settlers would generally leave their homes in the spring to make the migration, build their new homes, and plant their crops in time to harvest in the fall to prepare for the harsh winter. The Müllers came down the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania
Michael Miller is found on the 1759 Rowan Co. NC Tax List and on the 1778 Rowan Co. NC Tax list he is found in Captain Berger's District. He is last found in the Rowan Co. NC Superior Court on January 19, 1779 facing treason charges. Michael Miller would have been almost 83 years old as he appeared before Matt Troy and Michael Brown, Justices of the Peace for Rowan Co. NC. Also appearing in court that day was John Randleman, Philip Brown, Nicholas Miller, Jacob Yoast,
These men had acknowledged and declared that they had signed a piece of paper (now lost) stating that they were for peace and would not take up arms either for or against the State of North Carolina and further said that they meant not to hurt or injure the American. Schlenker's manuscript states that these men werepacifists, subjected to a four-fold tax, and could have shared the views of the Herrnhütters (Unitas Fratum) and held an adherence to a pacifist doctrine. It is
Family traditions state that Johann Wendel Müller took an Indian woman named Red Fern as his common law wife. It is believed that Red Fern was Cherokee and may have lived in Virginia first. It is doubtful that Wendel and Red Fern were ever married for early North Carolina laws prohibited marriages between whites, blacks, mulattoes, or Indians. Much has been written supporting this union and while many researchers have not accepted this discussion. Either way, Wendel
Nicholas Miller
Notes from Ken Miller, April 8, 2015: (needs editing)
Casper Miller
Johann Casper Miller, born on June 13, 1731 in Dörrenbach, Germany left Berks Co. PA as early as 1757, according to Rowan Co. NC Court Records. or possibly earlier. Casper Miller married Maria "Mary" Schwenk/Swink. She was born about 1740, probably in PA, and died in Rowan Co. NC. Sons, John and Jacob, were born about 1768. Which son was older is unknown. No death date is known for either of them. Some propose that both died in Washington Co. IN since their older brother, Adam Miller, is known to have migrated there and died there on July 8, 1851. Adam Miller, born in 1764 in Rowan Co. NC, married Hannah Schütz/Sheets on March 27, 1791 in Rowan Co. NC. She was born about 1771 in Rowan Co. NC and died June 27, 1836 in Washington Co. IN. Adam and Hannah had 6 children that lived to adulthood. Jim Miller of Oden, IN is a descendant of Caspar Miller and has matched YDNA with Rowan Co. NC Miller lines.
On October 16, 1766 Caspar Miller, sometimes called Gaspar, bought 540.75 acres on the north side of Grant's Creek from George Christoph Knortzer and wife Eva. The land was adjacent to Georg Brunner and Johannes Lang. Knortzer held 17.25 acres in reserve for himself. This transaction was proved in October Court 1766. This tract of land had been purchased from Conrad (Coonrod) Arrant in 1764. Conrad Arrant moved to Craven Co. SC (Kershaw Co. SC) in 1764. He later names Michael Miller as one of the executors of his will on January 31, 1779. The relationship between this particular Michael Miller and the Rowan Co. NC Miller lines is unknown but this is most likely the same Michael Miller Sr. that bought land along the Lynches River in 1760 from James McManus.
On December 30, 1791, Caspar bought 140 acres from Christian Coughenour on the waters of Grant's Creek. This land was adjacent to his 1766 land and also Henry Swink. Both tracts of land are just north of Spencer, NC today. On January 25, 1800, Caspar Miller sells 150 acres to his son John Miller. This land was the 1791 land purchased from Christian Coughenour and also 10 acres off of Caspar's old tract of land purchased in 1766. On September 19, 1801, son Jacob Miller sells 155 acres of the old Caspar Miller 1766 tract of land to Resin Williams. In this transaction, Caspar Miller is listed as deceased. One can deduct from these land records and other guardianship records that Caspar Miller died sometime in 1800 or 1801.
Dwayne Meyer, a descendant of Caspar's son Adam has done extensive research on this line.
There was a second Caspar Miller on Abbott's Creek in Rowan Co. NC that died in 1778 and left an orphan son named Michael Miller. It is unknown if the Dörrenbach Caspar Miller was the father of the younger Abbott's Creek Caspar Miller or no relation. There is also a third Caspar Miller listed in land records in Rowan Co. NC in the 1827 and 1843. The location of these two tracts were listed on the southside of the Yadkin River, believed to be near Grant's Creek. Also, when researching the name Caspar Miller, one has to also study the names Jasper Miller and Gasper Miller which are listed on Rowan Co. NC records from the 1700's and early 1800's.
To further complicate the research of Caspar Miller are several transactions from 1799-1803 that list 200 acres of George Miller on the southside of the Yadkin River. Gasper Miller is listed on each of the three transactions which mention George Miller, who is the orphan of George Miller. The younger George Miller moves to Cocke Co. TN by 1803. It is unproven that this younger George Miller is the ancestor of Beth Miller Little of Eufaula, OK whose brother, James Michael Miller, was the first YDNA tester from 2003 and led the enormous recruiting of Millers taking the YDNA test with FTDNA. There are now 40 Millers who match YDNA on the Miller-1750 Rowan NC Project.
Many of the Millers stayed in Rowan and surrounding counties, but Frederick Miller 1756 and Peter Miller 1771 migrated to Jefferson Co. KY in 1806 and 1794 respectively. Frederick helped establish the first Lutheran Church in Jeffersontown, KY in 1818. He is listed in the Jeffersontown Lutheran Church Records taking the Lord's Supper throughout the 1830's.
Christian Miller 1770, John Miller 1771, and David Miller 1792 all leave Rowan Co. NC for Union Co. IL in 1817. Dewalt Miller 1801 follows in the 1840's. A descendant of John Miller 1771-1854 (Ken Miller), a son of Nicholas, brother to Wendel, has matched DNA with Wendel descendants. A descendant of David Miller 1792-1872 (Jack Miller), the youngest son of Wendel, also matched DNA. These Millers were founders of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Dongola, IL in Union Co. IL.
A third line through Wendel's brother, Casper Miller (James Arthur Miller) settled early Washington Co. IN about 1820. This line has also matched DNA through Casper Miller's son, Adam Miller. This line of Millers were Dunkers and left Rowan Co. NC to practice their religious faith on the western frontier.
Another line of Rowan Co. NC Millers migrate to Lincoln Co. NC and then on to Catawba Co. NC in the early 1800's. They have added three DNA matches, (Allen Miller, James Arthur Miller Sr., and James Woodward Miller), to the Miller DNA Project. These three lines have not been able to run their paper trails to the Wendel Miller family.
Two of Wendel Miller's sons, Jacob Miller 1763 and John Jacob Miller 1766, move down toward Ryles Creek near the Stanly Co. NC line. Many of these descendants live in the townships of Providence and Gold Hill. It is also believed that Nicholas Miller's son Michael Miller, 1752-1793, also moved to this area. This younger Michael Miller's sons, Solomon 1780, Abraham 1784, Samuel, and Jonathan all raised large families. Solomon's children all moved to Knox Co. KY by 1830, except his oldest son Richard Caswell Miller, born 1808. A Miller DNA descendant (Brent Miller) matches the Wendel Miller DNA perfectly at 67/67 markers.
Millers found in early Rowan Co. NC such as George Miller of Abbotts Creek and George Miller of Cabarrus Co. NC and George Jacob Miller have not matched Wendel Miller descendant's YDNA. Others such as Henry Miller, born 1776, and Christian Miller also settled in Rowan Co. NC about the same time as Wendel Miller.
South Carolina Connections
Several Miller YDNA connections to the Rowan NC Millers come out of South Carolina. The Miller-1750 Rowan NC administrator's ggg-grandfather, John Miller Sr., was born in SC in 1770 and moved to KY in the early 1800's. It is believed that John Miller Sr. 1770-1842 came from northern Chesterfield Co. SC near the North Carolina line. Extensive research has been done on the association between George Miller and William Hendry who both seem to own land along the Lynches River in Lancaster Co. SC and then later in Fairfield Co. SC. One key document identifies George Miller of Lynches as a son-in-law of William Hendry. Hendry gives George Miller a deed of gift. It is believed that George Miller may be the father of John Miller Sr. and is first married to an unidentified daughter of William Hendry. This George Miller later raises a second family, wife Elizabeth Singleton (Ingleman) along the Lynches River and this line is very well documented and also a YDNA match with all of the Calloway Co. KY Miller descendants.
Records in Chesterfield Co. SC from 1790 and 1800 lead this researcher to believe that John Miller Sr. lived there. He may have been in Kentucky as early as 1807 and a marriage record from Christian Co. KY in 1797 muddies the water with John Miller marrying Elizabeth Chapman. John Miller Sr. names a son born in 1797, Chapman Miller.
Land records first show John Miller Sr. owning a 200-acre plantation in 1814 on the Piney Fork of the West Fork of the Red River in western Montgomery Co. TN. He sells this plantation in 1821 and is listed on the deed of sale as John Miller of Calloway Co. KY. It is also believed that he may have owned land in Christian Co. KY and lived on the West Fork of the Red River near Miles Reeves whose son, Joseph Reeves, had married John Sr's oldest daughter, Rhoda Miller, in Montgomery Co. TN in 1808. There are two John Millers on the Christian Co. KY Tax Lists from about 1805 to 1813 and are listed each year with same land entries. John Miller is also listed on the will of Miles Reeves in 1821 in Christian Co. KY. The Reeves family has passed down through several generations that the first wife of John Miller Sr. was Hannah Mires (Myers).
John Miller Sr. had three groups of children by three wives. The first two wives' names are unproven, Martin, Myers, Russell are listed on several Ancestry trees, but no documentation has been found to prove any of these. The following descendants of John Miller Sr. match YDNA with each other: William Miller 1795-1858 (Bowling Read Miller, John Hunter Miller); John Miller Jr. 1802-1858 (John Allen Miller, Hubert Earl Miller); Robert Rutherford Wilcox Miller 1825-1892 (Kevin Sawyers Miller, William Sawyers Miller, Thomas Hawkes Miller); and Washington Armstrong Miller 1829-1860's (Rodney Blaine Miller). Descendants from four sons of John Miller Sr. through William 1795, Chapman 1797, Chaney 1799, and John Jr. 1802 moved to Texas in the 1870s-1880's. More descendants of John Miller Sr. younger sons, Robert 1825 and Washington 1829 moved to Arkansas and Missouri.
Three YDNA matches come from the Lynches River area of Lancaster Co. SC (Fred Miller) and Chesterfield Co. SC (Ed Miller & Gareld Miller). George Miller 1740 and an older, Michael Miller Sr. purchased land on Lynches River in 1760 from James McManus. George's son, George Jr, settled in Lancaster Co. SC and son, Michael, settled in Chesterfield Co. SC. Beth Miller Little, the original DNA volunteer who first tested in 2004, descends from another George Miller possibly from early Laurens Co. SC, Chesterfield Co. SC, or early Rowan Co. NC. Linda Melton Snipes, a cousin of Fred Miller, was instrumental in helping the Miller DNA Project make connections in Dörrenbach, Germany to Hugo Müller, a descendant of Johann Wilhelm Müller, 1657-1698. Wilhelm 1657 and Wendel 1658 were brothers and both sons of our oldest known ancestor, Johannes Müller. Hugo Müller's DNA also matches the Wendel Miller descendants, thus proving our paper trail back to Dörrenbach.
The earliest German records documenting our Müller family date back to 1672 to the Dörrenbach Evangelische Reformierte Kirche records. Johannes Müller, c. 1625 has been proven as the grandfather of our Palatine immigrant, Johann Michael Müller, born March 28, 1696. Johann Michael Müller was the son of Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707 of Dörrenbach, Germany. Baptism, confirmation, marriage, and death records helped build the foundation for our early Miller genealogical research. These records were recorded in the book, “Familenchronik für Dörrenbach, Werschweiler und Wetschhausen 1672-2002,” by Reimund Benoist. It is believed that the Müllers most likely lived in that area of Germany for possibly 1,300 years prior to the Thirty Years War, 1618-1648. This region, now called the Saarland, is located in the southwest corner of Germany, bordering France and Luxenbourg and sitting near the country of Belgium. The small village of Dörrenbach is located just southeast of Sainkt Wendel and is a short drive from the towns of Fürth, Werschweiler, Wetschhausen and Niederlinxweiler. The people around the Rhine River descended from early Celtic and Germanic tribes.
Extensive geographical and historical research by Dr. Kenneth Doyle "Ken" Miller Jr. of Austin, TX in 2012-2013 gives us an idea of how the area was transformed from Roman rule to present day Germany. In the 6th Century, the Franks conquered the Roman Empire. Invasions in the area were commonplace, with the French Catholic ruled armies ravaging villages and towns, killing thousands of inhabitants, and destroying many churches throughout the 1600's. These invasions,several harsh winters, and a desire for a better life led Johann Michael Müller of Dörrenbach, a poor serf, to seek a new start in America.
Ken Miller continues on April 8, 2015: Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707 of Dörrenbach, Germany was the father of our German immigrant male ancestor to the American Colonies, Johann Michael Müller 1696. The wife of Johann Wendel Müller 1658 (and Johann Michael’s mother) was Maria Liß Menge. She was born in Steinbach, near Dörrenbach. The Dörrenbach Church recorded her maiden surname was not listed as being Neufang, rather it is listed as being Minge. The “Liß” is “Liss” is a nickname for Elisabetha, hence, her full maiden name was Maria Elisabetha Menge, and she was called “Liß”, i.e., “Liss.”
Johann Wilhelm Müller 1657-1698 was the older brother of Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707. Both are sons of Johannes Müller and wife Dorothea. As recorded in the Dörrenbach Familienchronick Book, with records taken from the Dörrenbach church records, there were only two sons and three sisters. At the top of Page 376 in the Dörrenbach Familienchronick Book, one sees a listing of Johannes and Dorothea’s children with the exception that their grandson Johann
Michael “Hans Michael” is listed first. Apparently in the past someone annotated on the page where Johannes and Dorothea’s children are listed the name of their grandson who emigrated from Dörrenbach to “Nordamerika” because that was such an unusual occurrence for someone who lived in the Dörrenbach area to have done. Johannes and Dorothea only had two sons, Johann Wilhelm Müller 1657 and Johann Wendel Müller 1658.
It was not recorded where Johannes or Dorothea was born or married, but the church record does indicate that both died in Dörrenbach (indicated in the church records as “Dö”). All of their children with the exception of Johann Wendel 1658 have “Dö after their names, indicating having been born in Dörrenbach. If Anna Catharina was born in Dörrenbach in 1656, Johann Wilhelm in 1657, Anna Barbara in 1659, and Eva Katharina in 1661, it stands to reason that Johann Wendel
1658 was also born in Dörrenbach. The families were “tied” to the land as serfs and were not free to migrate around. Johann Michael Müller 1696 was not able to leave Dörrenbach for America until permission was finally given that it could be done if a certain financial price was paid, but before that time, it was not possible to emigrate from where they lived. Serfs could not even move around in Germany.
The father of Johann Wilhelm Müller 1657 and Johann Wendel Müller 1658 was Johannes Müller 1625. Johannes is the first Müller listed in the surviving data of the church records in Dörrenbach that was used to reconstruct the information which the church published, and which is the source of the digital photographs. Dorthea’s “saints” name is not recorded, only her “called” name, and also her maiden name is not recorded in the Dörrenbach Lutheran Church record book.
Several Millers have taken the Big Y Test with Family Tree DNA and those results have now refined the Miller Haplogroup from R-M269 to DF19 through the subclade DF88. This Haplogroup originated approximately 4,300 years ago in northern Germany and Denmark according to P312 Haplogroup and DF19 Subclades administrators Wim Verelst and George Ranney who in 2017 confirmed Kenneth Miller's analysis of the possible Müller migration southward into
Germany. It may well have happened in the context of the Frankish kingdom, which expanded into that direction in the 6th century AD, and where at the end of the 8th century Charlemagne had his palace and court in the city of Worms.
Big Y 700 testing in 2020-2021 has identified two specific SNPS, Z27998 and Z27999 as Miller SNPS shared by each Miller. These two SNPS may date back to the 1500-1600's. Further testing that is presently pending may help estimate that time period. The Miller-1750 Rowan NC Project tested Hugo Müller in 2013 and in 2021 tested two Germans, Gerd Müller and Horst Müller, of Ottweiler, Germany, both second cousins of Hugo Müller. These three Germans descend from
Johann Wilhelm Müller 1657-1698, a brother to Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707, and both sons of the patriarch, Johannes Müller 1625.
The Miller-1750 Rowan NC Project at Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) now has 11 subgroups of closely related Miller lines from the family of Johann Michael Müller, the immigrant from Dörrenbach, Germany. Many of the subgroups, such as subgroup #1 Wendel Miller have very well documented lines. This particular subgroup now has 5 lines that have tested through the Big Y 700 through Wendel's sons: Frederick 1756-1840, John Philip 1759-1835, Jacob 1763-1842, Peter 1771-1850,and David 1792-1872. This extensive testing within this one line has produced valuable YDNA information and is now posted on the Big Tree, branch R-DF19/S232 managed by Alex Williamson at: www.ytree.net/DisplayTree.php?blockID=183
The Miller-1750 Rowan NC Project at Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) now has 11 subgroups of closely related Miller lines from the family of Johann Michael Müller, the immigrant from Dörrenbach, Germany. Many of the subgroups, such as subgroup #1 Wendel Miller have very well documented lines. This particular subgroup now has 5 lines that have tested through the Big Y 700 through Wendel's sons: Frederick 1756-1840, John Philip 1759-1835, Jacob 1763-1842, Peter 1771-1850,and David 1792-1872. This extensive testing within this one line has produced valuable YDNA information and is now posted on the Big Tree, branch R-DF19/S232 managed by Alex Williamson at: www.ytree.net/DisplayTree.php?blockID=183
In the Spring of 2021, a second line of closely related Millers in Catawba Co. NC, was proven by Big Y 700 testing.
Johann Michael Müller 1696 Comes to America and Settles in Pennsylvania
The Müllers sailed to America in 1739 on the ship Samuel captained by Hugh Percy and landed in Philadelphia on August 27, 1739. The book, Rupp's 30,000 Immigrants, compiled in 1975 lists Michael Müller among the 340 passengers. He was the son of Johann Wendel Müller 1658-1707 and the grandson of Johannes Müller 1625-1681. Dörrenbach Church Records and Werner Hacker Immigration Records show that Michael Müller paid 40 guldens to bring his wife Anna Maria
Linxweiler and 7 children to America. Upon arrival, Michael Miller would have had to pay for his manumissions, thus being classified as a Redemptioner. It is perceivable that the Müllers could have lived outside of Philadelphia with Michael working as a linen weaver, his trade, prior to their moved to the Palatine Settlement on the Tulpehocken Creek in Lancaster Co. PA. The Familienchronick für Dörrenbach, Werschweiler und Wetschhausen 1672-2002 lists Michael Müller
as a leinenweber. During the period between 1739-1742, no records have been found on our Müllers.
Johann Michael Müller's older sister, Anna Barbara Müller Christ, also left Dörrenbach and arrived in Philadelphia September 24, 1742, on the ship Robert & Alice and settled in the Tulpehocken area with her family. Her family is also listed in the Christ Lutheran Church records in Stouchsburg, PA.
Johann Michael Müller's older sister, Anna Barbara Müller Christ, also left Dörrenbach and arrived in Philadelphia September 24, 1742, on the ship Robert & Alice and settled in the Tulpehocken area with her family. Her family is also listed in the Christ Lutheran Church records in Stouchsburg, PA.
Later in 1743, Michael is noted as a founder of the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, PA in Lancaster Co. PA. Michael Müller and wife, Anna Maria, are found several times in church records as sponsors of baptisms. In 1745, a son, Johann Christian Müller was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church. Their son, Wendel Müller was confirmed in 1749 at age 16 and his sister, Catharina, was confirmed in 1750. There are many entries for the Müllers in the church records, including
the marriages of sons Johann Peter Müller and Johann Nicholas Müller. Michael's grandchildren are also baptized during the 1750's-1760s, being the children of his oldest three sons, Johann Adam Müller born 1725, Johann Peter Müller born 1727, and Johann Nicholas Müller born 1729.
A second Wendel Müller and wife, Anna Maria are also found in the Christ Lutheran Church records during the 1740s-1750's. This Wendel Müller came to America from Niederlinxweiler, Germany (just west of Dörrenbach) in 1748. He was born in about 1717 and later migrated to Patterson Creek in Hampshire Co. VA. He was killed by Indians there in 1763. It has not been proven that he was related to Wendel Müller 1733, the son of our immigrant, Johann Michael Müller. In 1992,
Dr. Johannes L. Schlenker states in his manuscript on the Miller Family of Rowan Co. NC that the two Wendels could have been cousins. He believed that the 1717 Wendel was not born in Niederlinxweiler because his birth was not found in the Lutheran church records there.
Wendel Müller 1717 had three sons, George Miller, Michael Miller, and Henry Miller that migrated to Coshocton Co. OH about 1820. Two male individuals have done the YDNA test and did not match the Rowan Co. NC Miller line, nor did they match each other. Further YDNA testing is necessary at this point to prove or disprove the relationship between the two Wendels. Many Ancestry trees designate Wendel Müller 1717 as the father of Wendel Miller 1733 and any references to
that relationship is erroneous.
Michael Müller, yeoman, and Anna Maria, his wife, of Tulpehocken Township in Lancaster Co. PA, purchased two tracts of land on March 1, 1748, in Lancaster Co. PA, one tract of 61 acres in Heidelberg Township, the second tract 88 acres in Tulpehocken Township. He later sold these two tracts, now in Berks Co. PA, in 1752to Amos Garrett, ironmaster, of Baltimore, MD. His co-owner of one of the tracts, John George Nickolls, was a hammerman. Michael Müller and John George
Michael Müller, yeoman, and Anna Maria, his wife, of Tulpehocken Township in Lancaster Co. PA, purchased two tracts of land on March 1, 1748, in Lancaster Co. PA, one tract of 61 acres in Heidelberg Township, the second tract 88 acres in Tulpehocken Township. He later sold these two tracts, now in Berks Co. PA, in 1752to Amos Garrett, ironmaster, of Baltimore, MD. His co-owner of one of the tracts, John George Nickolls, was a hammerman. Michael Müller and John George
Nickolls had started the Tulpehocken Forge in 1749, today called the famous Charming Forge. These records are found in Lancaster Co. PA Deed Book C, pages 159-169 and in Berks Co. PA Deed Book A1, page 1-4, 119-120. These land records were found in 2010 by Kevin Miller.
There were several Michael Millers in the Lancaster and Berks Co. PA area, but after thorough research identifying each Michael Miller's wife's name and also following several Michael Millers through church records and land records, Kevin Miller feels that the Tulpehocken Forge Michael Miller is the same Johann Michael Müller who left Dörrenbach in 1739, arrived in Philadelphia that fall, and later migrates to Rowan Co. NC in 1753. Another Michael Miller lived in the Plumton
Manor and attended the Rieth Church and was neighbor of the Dörrenbach Michael Miller. The death date of Johann Michael Müller is unknown and unproven.
Some researchers have listed his death in 1749 in Pennsylvania. There is also a record of a Hans Michel Müller, linen weaver master, former citizen of Dörrenbach,now residing in Tulpehocken in Pennsylvania, donating ten florins from his inheritance he had gotten on May 21, 1748 on condition that from his inheritance 10 florin were taken and the interest of that 10 florin would be given to the poor of the parish annually on St. Michael's Day. This record is written in the Dörrenbach Church Book and signed by several members of the church. This entry was published by the PA-German Society in the periodical, "Der Reggeboge," The Rainbow,
Some researchers have listed his death in 1749 in Pennsylvania. There is also a record of a Hans Michel Müller, linen weaver master, former citizen of Dörrenbach,now residing in Tulpehocken in Pennsylvania, donating ten florins from his inheritance he had gotten on May 21, 1748 on condition that from his inheritance 10 florin were taken and the interest of that 10 florin would be given to the poor of the parish annually on St. Michael's Day. This record is written in the Dörrenbach Church Book and signed by several members of the church. This entry was published by the PA-German Society in the periodical, "Der Reggeboge," The Rainbow,
Volumes 16-21, 1982.
The Children of Michael Müller 1696
According to the research of ...... and recorded in the Dörrenbach Familienchronick Book (p. 378), Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler had 8 children prior to coming to America in 1739. The Hacker records state that the Müllers brought 7 children with them on the voyage. The oldest child, a daughter, Maria Catharina Müller, was born and died in 1722 in Dörrenbach. The Palatine Project listed 8 children, including Johan Conrad Müller, age 16 on the Ship Samuel
According to the research of ...... and recorded in the Dörrenbach Familienchronick Book (p. 378), Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler had 8 children prior to coming to America in 1739. The Hacker records state that the Müllers brought 7 children with them on the voyage. The oldest child, a daughter, Maria Catharina Müller, was born and died in 1722 in Dörrenbach. The Palatine Project listed 8 children, including Johan Conrad Müller, age 16 on the Ship Samuel
in 1739. This entry is taken from previous work done by Annette Kunselman Burgert in 1985. The Dorrenbach Chronicle Book and Rupps 30,000 Immigrants book does not support the addition of an older son, Johann Conrad Müller.
1. Maria Catharina Müller (4 Jan 1722-22 May 1722)
2. Johann Adam Müller (6 Jul 1723-1757)
3. Johann Peter Müller (26 Jul 1726-1771)
4. Johann Nicholas Müller (6 Feb 1729-1807)
5. Johann Caspar Müller (13 Jun 1731-1802)
6. Johann Wendel Müller (12 Oct 1733-1805)
7. Anna Katharina Müller (1 May 1735-Unknown)
8. Johann George Müller (5 Nov 1737-Unknown)
9. Johann Christian Müller (1745-Unknown)
It is believed that Michael Miller and his son, Wendel Miller, each migrated to Rowan Co. NC about 1753 and that Nicholas Miller and Casper Miller each migrated to Rowan Co. NC a few years later. James Carter was the surveyor for #7519 on 29 Nov 1753 for a parcel of land in Rowan County (640 acres) for Michael Miller which was executed 12 Jan 1757, granted 1761. A second document #7520 for Michael Miller on 12 Jan 1757 (633 acres on both sides of Second Creek) where
Wendel Miller appears listed as a chain-bearer (along with George Henry Berger) and W. Churton was the surveyor. In Nicholas Miller's #7521 warrant dated 29 Nov 1753, James Carter surveyed a parcel of land (640 acres) on Clarks Creek above the Gum Log ford in Rowan Co., NC. Signed 17 Jul 1753. Plat #7522 for Nicholas Miller on 12 May 1754 for 431 acres on the North Side of a branch that runs into Clark’s Creek about 1/4 mile above Gum Log ford. Warrant dated 29
Nov 1763 and it is noted that on the back of the document it says Grant 10 Jan 1761.
Nicholas Miller 1729 made arrangements to have land surveyed in 1753, a document signed on 17 Jul 1753 and a warrant for the land dated 12 May 1754. He did not immediately move to Rowan Co. NC because he had a daughter Catherine Elizabeth (Catharina Elisabetha) b. May 1755, a daughter Maria Margaretha b. Sep 1757, and son Christian (Christian #1) b. Sep 1759, all born in Berks Co., PA as recorded in baptism records in the Christ Lutheran Church Record in
Stouchsburg, PA. He and his family would not have migrated from Berks Co., PA to Rowan Co., NC until after Sep 1759, in all likelihood in late 1760.
The 1778 Rowan County Tax Record of Nicholas paying the four-fold tax (and also his son Michael) in 1778 and there is also a court record that he appeared in Superior Court Salisbury on 15 Mar 1779.
Johann Adam Müller was baptized on July 6, 1723 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical Reform Church. He was the oldest son of Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler and may have been the Johann Adam Müller listed on the Ship Samuel in 1739. He is likely the John Adam Miller listed in Christ Lutheran Church list of members that attended the cornerstone ceremony in 1743 in Stouchsburg, Lancaster Co. PA. He married Maria Magdalena Conrad, daughter of Johann Peter
Conrad, on August 19, 1746. at the New Hanover Lutheran Church, Philadelphia Co. PA. Johann Peter Conrad was a church council member.
Adam Miller and his wife Maria Magdalena Conrad had four children, all baptized at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Tulpehocken Township, PA. The first born, a son, John Nicholas Müller was born on June 22, 1749, baptized on July 9, 1749. A daughter, Anna Maria Müller, was born on March 30, 1751, baptized on April 21, 1751 followed by a second daughter, Christine Elisabeth Müller, born on about January 10, 1754, baptized on January 24, 1754. The last child, John
Adam Miller and his wife Maria Magdalena Conrad had four children, all baptized at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Tulpehocken Township, PA. The first born, a son, John Nicholas Müller was born on June 22, 1749, baptized on July 9, 1749. A daughter, Anna Maria Müller, was born on March 30, 1751, baptized on April 21, 1751 followed by a second daughter, Christine Elisabeth Müller, born on about January 10, 1754, baptized on January 24, 1754. The last child, John
George Müller, was born on September 17, 1756, baptized on October 8, 1756.
This was a period of unrest in Berks Co. PA, which was on the frontier. The Blue Mountain separated the German settlers from the Delaware Indian tribes, who lived "over the mountain." The Delaware Indians sided with the French and fought the English during the French and Indian War from 1754-1763. Forts were erected along the base of the east side of the Blue Mountain, and small detachments of soldiers were stationed in them to guard the neighboring settlers from the atrocious cruelties of the Indians. During the years, 1755-1757, the Indians attacked the German settlers, burning their homes and barns. Hundreds of inhabitants of Berks Co. PA were killed and scalped or taken prisoners. The cruelties of the Indians and the unsettled condition of the inhabitants of the upper section of the county led many to flee back eastward back toward Reading and Philadelphia to safer grounds.
This was a period of unrest in Berks Co. PA, which was on the frontier. The Blue Mountain separated the German settlers from the Delaware Indian tribes, who lived "over the mountain." The Delaware Indians sided with the French and fought the English during the French and Indian War from 1754-1763. Forts were erected along the base of the east side of the Blue Mountain, and small detachments of soldiers were stationed in them to guard the neighboring settlers from the atrocious cruelties of the Indians. During the years, 1755-1757, the Indians attacked the German settlers, burning their homes and barns. Hundreds of inhabitants of Berks Co. PA were killed and scalped or taken prisoners. The cruelties of the Indians and the unsettled condition of the inhabitants of the upper section of the county led many to flee back eastward back toward Reading and Philadelphia to safer grounds.
As reported in the book, "The History of Berks County, Pennsylvania," by Morton Luther Montgomery, 1886, Conrad Weisner was appointed Lt. Colonel of the Second Battalion of the PA Regiment, which consisted of nine companies. He would oversee the military intervention in the area and would communicate with the Governor of Pennsylvania about the attacks and invasions of the Delaware Indians. The following forts were erected in the territory which was embraced in Berks County, the first four having been along the Blue Mountain, and the last at Shamokin (now Sunbury): Fort Henry (Bethel Township), Fort Dietrich Snyder (Broad Mountain, north of Fort Northkill), Fort Northkill (Upper Tulpehocken Township, near the Northkill, a branch of the Tulpehocken Creek), Fort Lebanon (on the forks of the Schuykill, beyond the Blue Mountain, near the outlet of the Little Schuykill), Fort Franklin (frontier of Berks County several miles above the Blue Mountain on Lizard Creek) and Fort Augusta.
The English, under General Braddock, were defeated by the French and Indians on the July 9, 1755, in the western part of the vicinity. This victory encouraged the Indians to move eastward, and it was this movement by them which threw terror into the quiet rural districts of this vicinity. On the November 24, 1755, Conrad Weiser, Emanuel Carpenter, and Adam Simon Ruhm addressed communication to the Governor stating, since the last cruel murder committed by the enemy, most of the people of Tulpehocken have left their habitations; those in Heidelberg moved their effects; Bethel township is entirely deserted. It would seem that the Indians confined their invasions into the county beyond the Blue Mountain before 1756, to the west of the Schuylkill. But in the beginning of 1756, they reached the district along the mountain to the east of the river and committed similar outrages upon the unprotected settlers. In one particular incidence, in March 1756, the Indians burned the house and barn of Barnabas Seitel and the mill of Peter Conrad, killed Balser Neytong’s (Neufang) wife and took a son eight years of age captive. (It is unclear if this was Adam Müller's father-in-law, Peter Conrad)
The Conrad Weisner Papers, in the Manuscript Department of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania contain much material related to the French and Indian War. A list of Berks Co. PA settlers killed in Indian attacks, possibly identifies our John Adam Müller. The first entry reported by Peter Spycker on November 28, 1757 in Tulpehocken, stated, "Adam Miller killed and scalped in April 1757 over the mountain." The second entry stated, "April 28, 1757, John Adam Miller, killed." By adding the following confirmation records and marriage records below, it is believed by this author that the Adam Miller mentioned in the Conrad Weisner Papers is most likely Johann Michael Müller's oldest son, Johann Adam Müller.
On June 17, 1764, Nicholaus Müller, age 14, "the late Adam's son," and on March 30, 1766, Christina, no age listed, "the late Adam Miller's daughter", were confirmed in the doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Faith at the New Hanover Lutheran Church in Philadelphia Co. PA. On February 12, 1771, Christina Müller, "single daughter of the late John Adam Müller," married Andreas Allebach and on September 8, 1772, Anne Marie Müller, "legitimate single daughter of the lateJohn Adam Müller and stepdaughter of Jacob Camby," married Conrad Ferner. It also states that both were single and lived "beyond the Mountains on the Long Run." Both marriages are listed in the Christ Lutheran Church Book Marriage Records, Volume 2.
It is believed that descendants of Nicholas Miller, born 1749, the oldest son of Johann Adam Müller and Maria Magdalena Conrad moved westward. Two of our YDNA and Big Y 700 matches, John Allen Miller #847443 and John Patrick Miller #868975 descend from Johannes "John" Miller Sr. 1770-1857, born in Bern Township, Berks Co. PA who married Susannah Berlet 1781-1868 on January 22, 1797 at Schwartzwald Reformed Church in Executor Township, Berks Co. PA.
Both John and Susannah died in Van Wert Co. OH.
John Miller Sr. and Susannah Berlet had 11 children: Mary 1798, John Jr. 1799-1872, Katharine 1803, William 1806, Samuel T. 1810, Abraham 1812-1895, Joseph 1814, Gregory Henry 1819, Jacob, Daniel, and Elizabeth Rachel. They moved from Berks Co. PA to Columbiana Co. OH (adjacent to the west border of Pennsylvania) about 1820. There, John Miller Jr. married and later moved to nearby Portage Co. OH about 1828. Later, in 1842, John Miller Sr. moved from
John Miller Sr. and Susannah Berlet had 11 children: Mary 1798, John Jr. 1799-1872, Katharine 1803, William 1806, Samuel T. 1810, Abraham 1812-1895, Joseph 1814, Gregory Henry 1819, Jacob, Daniel, and Elizabeth Rachel. They moved from Berks Co. PA to Columbiana Co. OH (adjacent to the west border of Pennsylvania) about 1820. There, John Miller Jr. married and later moved to nearby Portage Co. OH about 1828. Later, in 1842, John Miller Sr. moved from
Columbiana Co. OH to Allen Co. IN. (which borders Wert Co. OH)
Peter Miller Stays in Berks County, Pennsylvania, One Daughter Migrated to Virginia
Johann Peter Müller was baptized on July 26, 1726 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical Reform Church. He was the second oldest son of Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler. He is likely the John Peter Miller listed in Christ Lutheran Church list of members that attended the cornerstone ceremony in 1743 in Stouchsburg, Lancaster Co. PA. He married Maria Catherina Christ, daughter of Johannes "John" Christ of Northkill, on February 17, 1748 at the Christ Lutheran
Peter Miller Stays in Berks County, Pennsylvania, One Daughter Migrated to Virginia
Johann Peter Müller was baptized on July 26, 1726 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical Reform Church. He was the second oldest son of Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler. He is likely the John Peter Miller listed in Christ Lutheran Church list of members that attended the cornerstone ceremony in 1743 in Stouchsburg, Lancaster Co. PA. He married Maria Catherina Christ, daughter of Johannes "John" Christ of Northkill, on February 17, 1748 at the Christ Lutheran
Church, Stouchsburg, Lancaster Co. PA.
Maria Catherina Christ, also from Dörrenbach, Germany, was the daughter of Johannes Christ and Anna Barbara Müller. Maria Catharina Christ was baptized on March 19, 1722 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical Reform Church. Her mother, Anna Barbara Müller, baptized on June 29, 1685 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical ReformChurch was an older sister to Peter Miller's father, Johann Michael Müller. Her father, Johannes, was a "hirte," or shepherd. This would make Peter Miller and
Maria Catherina Christ, also from Dörrenbach, Germany, was the daughter of Johannes Christ and Anna Barbara Müller. Maria Catharina Christ was baptized on March 19, 1722 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical Reform Church. Her mother, Anna Barbara Müller, baptized on June 29, 1685 at the Dörrenbach Evangelical ReformChurch was an older sister to Peter Miller's father, Johann Michael Müller. Her father, Johannes, was a "hirte," or shepherd. This would make Peter Miller and
Maria Catherina Christ first cousins. The Christ family came to America in 1742, with three children arriving in Philadelphia on September 24, 1742, on the Ship Robert & Alice, and lived in Tulpehocken, Berks Co. PA.
Peter Miller and his wife Maria Catherine Christ had six children, all baptized at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Tulpehocken Township, PA. The first born, a daughter, Maria Margaretha Müller was born on November 18, 1748, baptized on December 4, 1748. A second daughter, Maria Magdalena Müller, was born on January 16, 1751, baptized on March 3, 1751 followed by a third daughter, Maria Catharine Müller, born on January 16, 1756, baptized on February 3,
1756. A son, Henrich "Henry" Müller, was born on June 5, 1757, baptized June 19, 1757. Two more children were born to Peter Miller and Maria Catherine Christ,a daughter, Eva Elisabetha Müller, born on February 19, 1760, baptized March 16, 1760 and Georg Peter Müller, born on October 8, 1763, baptized October 23, 1763.
According to the Records of Pastoral Acts at Christ Lutheran Church, Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA, Anna Margaretha Müller was confirmed on Pentecost, no year given, either 1763 or 1764. Maria Magdalena Müller was confirmed in 1765, aged 15 years and there is a second Maria Magdalena Miller confirmed on Pentecost 1766, aged 15-1/2 years. The third child, daughter Maria Catharine Müller, is not found on the confirmations lists from 1766, 1768, 1771-1776. Years 1767,
1769, 1770 are missing. Heinrich Miller, son of Peter Miller was confirmed on the Holy Festival of Pentecost 1773. Eva Miller, 14 years, daughter of Peter Miller, was confirmed on the Holy Festival of Pentecost 1774 after the required instruction and admitted for the first time to Holy Communion. Last born, Peter Miller, age 15, was confirmed on the Festival of Pentecost 1778, after instruction received, and admitted to Holy Communion.
Peter's oldest daughter, Maria Margaretha Müller married Johannes Leininger, 1753-1802, on December 24, 1776 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA. Peter Miller is listed as the father and lived in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster Co. PA. Heinrich Miller married Marie Noll on November 21, 1781, after proclamation, no parents listed.
The youngest daughter, Eva Elisabetha Müller married Daniel Lucas Sr. on December 18, 1781 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA. She is listed as the surviving daughter of Peter Miller. Eva and Daniel had 10 children with the oldest two sons, Johannes and Heinrich Lucas, being baptized at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, Berks Co. PA. Johannes Lucas was born on October 24, 1782, baptized on December 1, 1782 and Heinrich "Henry" Lucas
was born in December 1784, baptized on December 25, 1784. The other eight children were: Andrew 1787, Daniel Jr. 1788, Georg Peter 1791, Johann Georg 1793, Elizabeth 1795, David 1801, Jacob 1802, and Ann 1804.
By 1784, the Daniel Lucas Sr. family was living in Cumberland Co. PA and by 1787, they had moved to Dauphin Co. PA. According to the 1820 Augusta Co. VA Census, Daniel Lucas Sr., Henry Lucas, Daniel Lucas Jr., and Georg Peter Lucas were listed as residents. The oldest son, Johannes "John" Lucas may have stayed in Cumberland Co. PA. Henry Lucas moved to Rockbridge Co. VA by 1830.
Eva Elisabetha Müller Lucas left a will in Augusta Co. VA on October 3, 1843, probated on October 5, 1843 in which she named her children: John, Henry, Daniel, Peter, Elizabeth, Jacob, and David.
Cumberland Co. PA was formed from Lancaster Co. PA in 1750 and Dauphin Co. PA was formed from the northern half of Lancaster Co. PA in 1785.
Wendel Miller Comes to Rowan County, North Carolina in 1753
Johann Wendel Müller, born on 1733 in Dörrenbach, Germany, left Berks Co. PA in 1752 with his parents, Johann Michael Müller and Anna Maria Linxweiler Müller, to settle on Dutch Second Creek near Rockwell in Rowan Co. NC. Settlers would generally leave their homes in the spring to make the migration, build their new homes, and plant their crops in time to harvest in the fall to prepare for the harsh winter. The Müllers came down the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania
through Virginia to North Carolina.
On November 30, 1753, Michael receives a Warrant for 640 acres on Dutch Second Creek. On Jan 12, 1757 a descriptive reference for a plat of 633 acres is givento Michael. On January 8, 1761, Michael is given a deed for this land with Wendel Miller and George Henry Barrier as chain carriers. Later, other brothers, Johann Nicholas Müller and Johann Caspar Müller, also came to Rowan Co. NC. Wendel and his father Michael, are shown as "Original Grantees in the Irish and
On November 30, 1753, Michael receives a Warrant for 640 acres on Dutch Second Creek. On Jan 12, 1757 a descriptive reference for a plat of 633 acres is givento Michael. On January 8, 1761, Michael is given a deed for this land with Wendel Miller and George Henry Barrier as chain carriers. Later, other brothers, Johann Nicholas Müller and Johann Caspar Müller, also came to Rowan Co. NC. Wendel and his father Michael, are shown as "Original Grantees in the Irish and
Trading Ford Settlements, 1747-1762," in the book, "Carolina Cradle," by Robert W. Ramsey, 1964. Michael was lot #157 and Wendel had two lots, #158, pages108-109. During this time the name Müller was Anglicized to Miller.
Michael Miller is found on the 1759 Rowan Co. NC Tax List and on the 1778 Rowan Co. NC Tax list he is found in Captain Berger's District. He is last found in the Rowan Co. NC Superior Court on January 19, 1779 facing treason charges. Michael Miller would have been almost 83 years old as he appeared before Matt Troy and Michael Brown, Justices of the Peace for Rowan Co. NC. Also appearing in court that day was John Randleman, Philip Brown, Nicholas Miller, Jacob Yoast,
Andrew Hartman, Jacob Hartman, Henry Hartman, George Tarr, and Frederick Pecke. Randleman and Philip Brown were assigned as security in 2000 pounds eachand with the other eight men assigned as principals bound in five hundred pounds each.
These men had acknowledged and declared that they had signed a piece of paper (now lost) stating that they were for peace and would not take up arms either for or against the State of North Carolina and further said that they meant not to hurt or injure the American. Schlenker's manuscript states that these men werepacifists, subjected to a four-fold tax, and could have shared the views of the Herrnhütters (Unitas Fratum) and held an adherence to a pacifist doctrine. It is
unknown what Michael Miller's death date was. Nicholas Miller's oldest son was also a Michael Miller.
Wendel Miller became a founder of the Organ Lutheran Church about 1774 and many of his children and grandchildren were baptized at Organ Lutheran Church. Wendel took a different path during the Revolutionary War and became a Lieutenant in the North Carolina Militia. His travels taking him to Charleston, SC and his oldest two sons, Frederick and John Philip, served under his command. Frederick Miller's pension papers speak of his service in Lt. Wendel Miller's unit.
Wendel Miller became a founder of the Organ Lutheran Church about 1774 and many of his children and grandchildren were baptized at Organ Lutheran Church. Wendel took a different path during the Revolutionary War and became a Lieutenant in the North Carolina Militia. His travels taking him to Charleston, SC and his oldest two sons, Frederick and John Philip, served under his command. Frederick Miller's pension papers speak of his service in Lt. Wendel Miller's unit.
Descendants of Frederick 1756-1840 (Jim Miller) and John Philip 1759-1835 (Ralph Miller) have matched YDNA.
November 11, 1775, Wendel is nominated for Lieutenant by the Rowan County Committee of Safety and recommended by the North Carolina Provencial Congress for confirmation. (North Carolina Colonial Records, Volume 10 page 320) Wendel served as a Lt. in Berger's Militia then Captain in the Continental Army until about 1781.
Family traditions state that Johann Wendel Müller took an Indian woman named Red Fern as his common law wife. It is believed that Red Fern was Cherokee and may have lived in Virginia first. It is doubtful that Wendel and Red Fern were ever married for early North Carolina laws prohibited marriages between whites, blacks, mulattoes, or Indians. Much has been written supporting this union and while many researchers have not accepted this discussion. Either way, Wendel
fathered two families. The first set of children were: Frederick 1756, Catherina 1758, John Philip 1759, Jacob 1763, Phillipina 1760, Susannah, John J., Anna Maria. His second wife was Christina Fisher.
(needs editing) Researcher Ken Miller, a descendant of Nicholas Miller 1729-1807, states on January 6, 2017: In Reviewing Wendel Miller's Will from 1805 and reviewing his children, especially sons, ONLY his living sons by his first marriage, John Philip Miller 1759 and Jacob Miller 1763, are not mentioned regarding inheritances from their father. Longwell explains that “Both Philip and Jacob had previously received land from their father.” Thus, both had already received their inheritances from their father and did not inherit anything further that was mentioned in the Will.
His youngest sons from both marriages, Peter Miller 1771-1850 (first marriage) [article #2] and David Miller 1792-1872 (second marriage) [article #3], are givenidentical amounts of money, 350 Spanish milled Dollars. His oldest son Frederick Miller 1756-1840 [article #6] was given a small amount of money, 25 Spanish milled Dollars, but remember that Frederick and his family had migrated to Jefferson Co. KY. His son of his first marriage referred to as “John” [article #7] received 20 Spanish milled Dollars – “John” is John Jacob Miller who refers to himself as “Johannes” in the letter he wrote to his brother Peter in Oct 1797 when
Peter was living in Jefferson Co., KY as was the oldest brother Frederick.
His son of his first marriage named John Philip (whom Wendel refers to as being “John”) was named as one of the three executors (i.e., George Henry Berger, wife Christina, and son Philip are listed in Wendel’s wills as the executors). As Longwell commented, son Philip (John Philip) had already received his “inheritance”in the form of land from his father, as had son Jacob, so they were not named again in Wendel’s Will as inheriting anything else.
His son of his first marriage who was named Daniel (b. abt.1752) had already died in Apr 1794, well before his father Wendel died, so naturally he is not mentioned. The existence of this individual (Daniel Miller) and this information is revealed in the “Addendum” to Longwell’s book which is included in the letter from “Johannes” (i.e., John Jacob) who lived in Rowan Co., NC to his brother Peter who lived in Jefferson Co., KY.
Wendel’s plantation is left to his sons George and Henry [article #4] who were sons of his second marriage.
Wendel’s Will provided for his daughters from both marriages and for his step-daughter as well, 100 Spanish milled Dollars each [article #5].
Nicholas Miller
Notes from Ken Miller, April 8, 2015: (needs editing)
Johannes “John” MILLER 1771 migrated from Rowan Co., NC to Union County in the Illinois Territory. A brother Christian MILLER, who also migrated along with his wife and children from Rowan County to Union County, Illinois Territory. Since John MILLER’s land record is dated 6 Mar 1818, he and his brother Christian and their families left Rowan County about 1817, probably in the Summer as they would have had to have traveled so far and wanted to be in Illinois and settled in before cold weather set in. There had been cabins built earlier by settlers who migrated to the Illinois Territory but later left, and it was these cabins that were used by new arrivals and their families until they could get their own land purchased in Kaskaskia at the Federal Land Office and a cabin built on that acquired land.
Both were sons of Nicholas MILLER 1729, the German immigrant son of Johann Michael MÜLLER 1629 and Anna Maria LINXWEILER MÜLLER. Many people have assumed that the brother of John who went to Illinois was the Christian who was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church in Tulpehocken Township in PA on 7 Oct 1759 and who is recorded on those church records as having been born on 11 Sep 1759, was the man who married Mary Marcella “Polly” SCHUMAN (b. abt. 1778 Schuylkill, Schuylkill Co. PA – d. Aug 1850 Union Co., IL) and had multiple children, including your ancestor Margaret Rebecca “Peggy” MILLER (b. 6 Nov 1800 Rowan Co., NC – d. 3 Jan 1874 Alexander Co., IL) who married Moses CRUSE (b. 15 Dec 1802 Rowan Co., NC – d. 13 Jan 1862 Union Co., IL). The census records do not support that. The man named Christian MILLER who migrated with his wife and children to the Illinois Territory and settled in Union County was NOT that old according to census records.
There was a tradition among the German people which carried over to the German immigrants to the American Colonies, that if a child dies, then another child of that gender which is born was named in honor of that dead son or daughter. That is what seems to have happened in the case of Christian. The first Christian MILLER was born 11 Sep 1759 and can be referred to as Christian #1. Then following his death, a second son was born who was named Christian by his parents in honor of his dead brother Christian Miller as well, so that he can be referred to as Christian #2. It is Christian #2 who married Mary Marcella “Polly” SCHUMAN 1778 on 27 Jul 1797 in Rowan Co., NC.
Johannes “John” MILLER was born 24 May 1771 in Rowan Co., NC and he died 17 Nov 1854 in Union Co., IL. He settled in Union County in the Illinois Territory on a land grant. Christian MILLER was born in 1776 in Rowan Co., NC and died in Nov 1844 in Union Co., IL. Since a specific “born” date is known for John, Christian #1 had to have died after John was born in 1771 or he would have been named Christian, i.e., Christian #2. So, Christian #1 had to have died after John was born in May 1771 and before 1776, dying as a teenager somewhere between 13 and 16 years old.
Notes from Ken Miller, January 14, 2016: (needs editing)
Christina Miller was born 6 Jul 1753 Berks Co., Pennsylvania Colony.
Catharina Elisabetha (Catherine) Miller was born 1 May 1755 in the same place.
Maria Margaretha Miller was born 22 Sep 1757 in the same place.
While Nicholas Miller’s Will mentions his sons John and Christian by name, there is no mention of the name of any daughter or even how many daughters were living at the time his Will was written.
Notes from Ken Miller, March 16, 2016: (needs editing)
Peter Hartline 1763’s daughter Barbara Hartline was the granddaughter of Nicholas Miller 1729 (as were all the children of Peter and his wife). Peter had to be married to a daughter of Nicholas Miller, name unknown.
Barbara Hartline’s mother may or may not have been alive, according to the document that researcher Margaret Black found and shared. It is interesting that although Barbara’s father died in 1807, the Guardianship paper is dated for the May Session 1812. Since a male Legal Guardian had to annually appear before the court to give an accounting of his managing of a minor child’s inheritance, this may just be that annual accounting for 1812.
Peter Hartline 1763 was more likely married to a daughter of Nicholas Miller and Maria Catharina (Walborn) Miller who was younger than the three known daughters who were born in Berks Co., PA Colony – Christina b. 6 Jul 1753, Catharina Elisabetha b. 1 May 1755, and Maria Margaretha b. 22 Sep 1757.
Notes from Ken Miller, March 20, 2016: (needs editing)
Nicholas Miller’s wife Maria Catharina (Walborn) Miller died in Rowan Co., NC 22 Feb 1796 with her funeral performed at Organ Church by Pastor Storch (Leipolz, Rev. C. A. G. Storch, p. 38). They were married on 9 Apr 1751 in Berks Co., PA according to Christ Lutheran Church records in Stouchsberg. This document lists her as "the wife of Nicholas Miller."
According to Christ Lutheran Church records, Nicholas Miller last appears in Berks County on 17 Jun 1764 as baptismal sponsor for Maria Margaret Walborn, the infant daughter of Martin Walborn and wife Maria. Nicholas Miller and his family were in Berks County at least until sometime later in 1764, but the Rowan County records show that they had acquired land in Rowan County before they moved there from Pennsylvania, as indicated on the records I had sent you earlier.
Notes from Ken Miller, April 2, 2016: (needs editing)
The documentation for the birth date 24 May 1771 for Johannes “John” Miller, son of Johann Nikolaus Müller/Nicholas Miller and Maria Catharina (Walborn) Miller is based upon information on his tombstone at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Union Co., IL. His name on his tombstone is John Miller as also is the case on all land records and on his Will. There is no record of birth document in Rowan Co., NC for him nor for any other children of Nicholas and wife Maria Catharina Walborn Miller born in Rowan Co., NC. There were no official state birth (or marriage) records until on in the 1800s and no minister’s journal containing any birth information for Johannes “John” Miller has ever been found. Also, no church record for baptism has been found for him or any other children of Nicholas and Maria Catharina who were born in NC. Additionally, in John’s case no known record of his marriage to Catharine Hartline has ever been found, although there is a record of his brother Christian Miller’s marriage to Mary Marcella “Polly” Schuman interestingly. Alas, that lack of baptismal records and marriage records in Rowan Co., NC from the late 1700s and early 1800s is a common occurrence unfortunately.
There also is no State of North Carolina, Rowan County nor other North Carolina birth document such as a church baptismal record (like we have for Christian Miller #1 at Christ Lutheran Church in Berks Co., PA on 11 Sep 1759 for instance) for Christian Miller #2. I am aware that Christian Miller #2 died in Nov 1844 in Union Co., IL, but have never found the precise day. Also, I have never been able to discover where he was buried in Union County. Although his brother John Miller was buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Union Co., IL, there is no marker for Christian Miller there nor a listing for him in the St. John’s cemetery book I have that Darrel Dexter of Union County wrote, but that publication was based upon extant grave markers and it is known that some markers no longer exist. Apparently there was no “official” records for who was buried where in Union Co., IL back then, but Darrel Dexter has visited the cemeteries (even small and obscure ones) and has published several books on Union County, Illinois cemeteries.
Casper Miller
Johann Casper Miller, born on June 13, 1731 in Dörrenbach, Germany left Berks Co. PA as early as 1757, according to Rowan Co. NC Court Records. or possibly earlier. Casper Miller married Maria "Mary" Schwenk/Swink. She was born about 1740, probably in PA, and died in Rowan Co. NC. Sons, John and Jacob, were born about 1768. Which son was older is unknown. No death date is known for either of them. Some propose that both died in Washington Co. IN since their older brother, Adam Miller, is known to have migrated there and died there on July 8, 1851. Adam Miller, born in 1764 in Rowan Co. NC, married Hannah Schütz/Sheets on March 27, 1791 in Rowan Co. NC. She was born about 1771 in Rowan Co. NC and died June 27, 1836 in Washington Co. IN. Adam and Hannah had 6 children that lived to adulthood. Jim Miller of Oden, IN is a descendant of Caspar Miller and has matched YDNA with Rowan Co. NC Miller lines.
On October 16, 1766 Caspar Miller, sometimes called Gaspar, bought 540.75 acres on the north side of Grant's Creek from George Christoph Knortzer and wife Eva. The land was adjacent to Georg Brunner and Johannes Lang. Knortzer held 17.25 acres in reserve for himself. This transaction was proved in October Court 1766. This tract of land had been purchased from Conrad (Coonrod) Arrant in 1764. Conrad Arrant moved to Craven Co. SC (Kershaw Co. SC) in 1764. He later names Michael Miller as one of the executors of his will on January 31, 1779. The relationship between this particular Michael Miller and the Rowan Co. NC Miller lines is unknown but this is most likely the same Michael Miller Sr. that bought land along the Lynches River in 1760 from James McManus.
On December 30, 1791, Caspar bought 140 acres from Christian Coughenour on the waters of Grant's Creek. This land was adjacent to his 1766 land and also Henry Swink. Both tracts of land are just north of Spencer, NC today. On January 25, 1800, Caspar Miller sells 150 acres to his son John Miller. This land was the 1791 land purchased from Christian Coughenour and also 10 acres off of Caspar's old tract of land purchased in 1766. On September 19, 1801, son Jacob Miller sells 155 acres of the old Caspar Miller 1766 tract of land to Resin Williams. In this transaction, Caspar Miller is listed as deceased. One can deduct from these land records and other guardianship records that Caspar Miller died sometime in 1800 or 1801.
Dwayne Meyer, a descendant of Caspar's son Adam has done extensive research on this line.
There was a second Caspar Miller on Abbott's Creek in Rowan Co. NC that died in 1778 and left an orphan son named Michael Miller. It is unknown if the Dörrenbach Caspar Miller was the father of the younger Abbott's Creek Caspar Miller or no relation. There is also a third Caspar Miller listed in land records in Rowan Co. NC in the 1827 and 1843. The location of these two tracts were listed on the southside of the Yadkin River, believed to be near Grant's Creek. Also, when researching the name Caspar Miller, one has to also study the names Jasper Miller and Gasper Miller which are listed on Rowan Co. NC records from the 1700's and early 1800's.
To further complicate the research of Caspar Miller are several transactions from 1799-1803 that list 200 acres of George Miller on the southside of the Yadkin River. Gasper Miller is listed on each of the three transactions which mention George Miller, who is the orphan of George Miller. The younger George Miller moves to Cocke Co. TN by 1803. It is unproven that this younger George Miller is the ancestor of Beth Miller Little of Eufaula, OK whose brother, James Michael Miller, was the first YDNA tester from 2003 and led the enormous recruiting of Millers taking the YDNA test with FTDNA. There are now 40 Millers who match YDNA on the Miller-1750 Rowan NC Project.
Notes from Ken Miller, June 19, 2015: (needs editing)
A Legal Guardianship paper for Mary Miller the “orphan” daughter of Casper Miller is dated 23 Aug 1815. She was cared for by Henry C. Kern, a fellow Dunker of Casper Miller, Henry Kern becoming Mary’s legal guardian. And he became her legal guardian in 1815, which goes against Casper Miller dying in or before 1788.
A Michael Miller Legal Guardianship paper of 9 Nov 1788 which describes Michael Miller age 13 1/2 (born about May 1775) who is described as “orphan” of Casper Miller who was apprenticed to Peter Mock until reaching the age 21 to learn the shoemaker’s trade. Based on this information, it has been assumed that Casper Miller had to have died before the date of the guardianship paper, so died in abt. 1788. proposed death date for Casper of 1788 or before 1788 is predicated on the guardianship paper for Michael and I have not found anything to support that date otherwise. The Legal Guardianship document of 1815 would certainly support a death date for Casper Miller of 1815, sometime before 23 Aug 1815. I saw a comment along with the Legal Guardianship paper for Mary Miller, daughter of Casper Miller that maybe Michael was a “problem” son regarding behavior and hence was put up for apprenticeship as a young teen essentially to get him out of their house. No proof of that of course, but it is an interesting concept. Casper’s dying and his wife Mary’s dying in or before 1788 is predicated on this Nov 1788 guardianship record for Michael, but what if that was not right as is indicated by a second guardianship paper for a minor daughter of Casper Miller named Mary, that paper dated 23 Aug 1815.
Dr. Robert Deitch’s “Miller Lineage”, 1977. Casper Miller dying intestate before 1788, and mention of heirs Adam, John, and Jacob Miller as well as his wife Mary. Mary was said to have a maiden surname of Smith and to have been the daughter of David Smith. I notice that there is NO mention of a son named Michael or of a daughter named Mary. We KNOW that Johann Caspar Müller/Casper Miller was born 13 Jun 1731 in Dörrenbach, Sankt Wendel, Saarland, Germany and immigrated with his parents and siblings to the Pennsylvania Colony. The name I have seen for Casper’s wife was Maria “Mary” Schwenk/Swink. She was born about 1740, probably in PA, and died in Rowan Co., NC. I have seen proposed that she died before 1788.
Sons John and Jacob were born in about 1768, give or take a year or two, and which is older is not known. Some propose that both died in Washington Co., IN since their older brother Adam Miller is known to have migrated there and died there on 8 Jul 1851. Adam Miller b. 1764 Rowan Co., NC married on 27 Mar 1791 in Rowan County Hannah Schütz/Sheets b. abt. 1771 Rowan Co., NC – d. 27 Jun 1836 Washington Co., IN. They had 6 children that I am familiar with who lived to adulthood.
From Ken Miller, June 24, 2015: (needs editing)
Only one Casper Miller shows up on the 1790 census living in all of NC, and he lives in Rowan County. He shows on that 1790 census: 3 males 16 or older, 1 male
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Notes from Frances Mendaloff, June 19, 2015: (needs editing)
There were two Casper Millers? Dwayne Meyer descended from one and he was a DNA match. He lists a Michael Miller and wife Cathrina (as parents) who probably left Germany around 1732. Took allegiance at the courthouse in Philadelphia on Oct 17th 1732, sixty-one Palatines, who with their families making in all 169 persons, who were imported in the Pink John & William of Sunderland, from Rotterdam. And as we know, "our Casper Muller" came a few years later.
He lists their children as Hans Miller; Cathrina Miller, Philiphbena Miller and Casper Miller, showing a death date for Casper as 1800. He also includes the information that Casper went to Rowan County, no date and became a prison guard at the Salisbury prison. A list of guards at the Salisbury District Gaol in 1778 & 1779 and Casper's name is there as a Dunker.
Dwayne goes on to list Mary Swink as Casper's wife and their children as Michael, John, Jacob, Mary and Adam.
Now, Longwell says this about Casper Miller…..Johann Casper Muller, born 6-13-1731, (Dorrenbach) went to Rowan. On 10-16-1766, Johann Caspar Muller, called Casper or Gasper, bought from George Christoph Knortzer and wife Eva 540.75 acres on the north side of Grant's Creek, adjacent Georg Brunner and Johannes Lang, excepting 17.25 acres held in reserve by Knortzer for himself, proved in Oct Court 1766.
Then she goes on to tell about Michael, age 13 1/2 orphan of Casper, was apprenticed to age 21 to Peter Mock for learning the shoemaker's trade. She also mentions sons Jacob and wife Mary, Adam and John.
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The Old Wagon Trail opened up from PA through VA and down through NC and into SC in the late 1740's. Where the children and grandchildren of Johann Adam Müller moved to, is unknown. One of Johann Peter Müller's daughters, Eva Müller married Daniel Lucas at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, PA before moving to Augusta Co. VA about 1800. Two Miller descendants (Russ Miller, Lyle Miller) also match the Wendel Miller group. Their lines never cross into North Carolina and are well-documented back to a John Miller, born between 1763-1766. It is believed, but unproven, that descendants from these two sons.. of Michael Miller may have settled in Virginia.
A second Wendel Miller, born about 1717 in Niederlinxweiler, Germany came to America in 1748. This town is just a few miles west of Dörrenbach and this Wendel Miller is also a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, PA at the same time that Michael Müller and his family are in the area. The older Wendel's children are also baptized in the early 1750's at Christ Lutheran Church. This line eventually settles in Hampshire Co. VA. Wendel Miller is killed by Indians in 1763 and several of his sons migrate on to Coshocton Co. OH by 1820. Sons, George 1750, Michael 1752, and Henry 1756 have been followed and researched in an effort to link the two Wendels genetically. Two DNA samples did not match the Wendel Miller group.
A second Wendel Miller, born about 1717 in Niederlinxweiler, Germany came to America in 1748. This town is just a few miles west of Dörrenbach and this Wendel Miller is also a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Stouchsburg, PA at the same time that Michael Müller and his family are in the area. The older Wendel's children are also baptized in the early 1750's at Christ Lutheran Church. This line eventually settles in Hampshire Co. VA. Wendel Miller is killed by Indians in 1763 and several of his sons migrate on to Coshocton Co. OH by 1820. Sons, George 1750, Michael 1752, and Henry 1756 have been followed and researched in an effort to link the two Wendels genetically. Two DNA samples did not match the Wendel Miller group.
Many of the Millers stayed in Rowan and surrounding counties, but Frederick Miller 1756 and Peter Miller 1771 migrated to Jefferson Co. KY in 1806 and 1794 respectively. Frederick helped establish the first Lutheran Church in Jeffersontown, KY in 1818. He is listed in the Jeffersontown Lutheran Church Records taking the Lord's Supper throughout the 1830's.
Christian Miller 1770, John Miller 1771, and David Miller 1792 all leave Rowan Co. NC for Union Co. IL in 1817. Dewalt Miller 1801 follows in the 1840's. A descendant of John Miller 1771-1854 (Ken Miller), a son of Nicholas, brother to Wendel, has matched DNA with Wendel descendants. A descendant of David Miller 1792-1872 (Jack Miller), the youngest son of Wendel, also matched DNA. These Millers were founders of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Dongola, IL in Union Co. IL.
A third line through Wendel's brother, Casper Miller (James Arthur Miller) settled early Washington Co. IN about 1820. This line has also matched DNA through Casper Miller's son, Adam Miller. This line of Millers were Dunkers and left Rowan Co. NC to practice their religious faith on the western frontier.
Another line of Rowan Co. NC Millers migrate to Lincoln Co. NC and then on to Catawba Co. NC in the early 1800's. They have added three DNA matches, (Allen Miller, James Arthur Miller Sr., and James Woodward Miller), to the Miller DNA Project. These three lines have not been able to run their paper trails to the Wendel Miller family.
Two of Wendel Miller's sons, Jacob Miller 1763 and John Jacob Miller 1766, move down toward Ryles Creek near the Stanly Co. NC line. Many of these descendants live in the townships of Providence and Gold Hill. It is also believed that Nicholas Miller's son Michael Miller, 1752-1793, also moved to this area. This younger Michael Miller's sons, Solomon 1780, Abraham 1784, Samuel, and Jonathan all raised large families. Solomon's children all moved to Knox Co. KY by 1830, except his oldest son Richard Caswell Miller, born 1808. A Miller DNA descendant (Brent Miller) matches the Wendel Miller DNA perfectly at 67/67 markers.
Millers found in early Rowan Co. NC such as George Miller of Abbotts Creek and George Miller of Cabarrus Co. NC and George Jacob Miller have not matched Wendel Miller descendant's YDNA. Others such as Henry Miller, born 1776, and Christian Miller also settled in Rowan Co. NC about the same time as Wendel Miller.
South Carolina Connections
Several Miller YDNA connections to the Rowan NC Millers come out of South Carolina. The Miller-1750 Rowan NC administrator's ggg-grandfather, John Miller Sr., was born in SC in 1770 and moved to KY in the early 1800's. It is believed that John Miller Sr. 1770-1842 came from northern Chesterfield Co. SC near the North Carolina line. Extensive research has been done on the association between George Miller and William Hendry who both seem to own land along the Lynches River in Lancaster Co. SC and then later in Fairfield Co. SC. One key document identifies George Miller of Lynches as a son-in-law of William Hendry. Hendry gives George Miller a deed of gift. It is believed that George Miller may be the father of John Miller Sr. and is first married to an unidentified daughter of William Hendry. This George Miller later raises a second family, wife Elizabeth Singleton (Ingleman) along the Lynches River and this line is very well documented and also a YDNA match with all of the Calloway Co. KY Miller descendants.
Records in Chesterfield Co. SC from 1790 and 1800 lead this researcher to believe that John Miller Sr. lived there. He may have been in Kentucky as early as 1807 and a marriage record from Christian Co. KY in 1797 muddies the water with John Miller marrying Elizabeth Chapman. John Miller Sr. names a son born in 1797, Chapman Miller.
Land records first show John Miller Sr. owning a 200-acre plantation in 1814 on the Piney Fork of the West Fork of the Red River in western Montgomery Co. TN. He sells this plantation in 1821 and is listed on the deed of sale as John Miller of Calloway Co. KY. It is also believed that he may have owned land in Christian Co. KY and lived on the West Fork of the Red River near Miles Reeves whose son, Joseph Reeves, had married John Sr's oldest daughter, Rhoda Miller, in Montgomery Co. TN in 1808. There are two John Millers on the Christian Co. KY Tax Lists from about 1805 to 1813 and are listed each year with same land entries. John Miller is also listed on the will of Miles Reeves in 1821 in Christian Co. KY. The Reeves family has passed down through several generations that the first wife of John Miller Sr. was Hannah Mires (Myers).
John Miller Sr. had three groups of children by three wives. The first two wives' names are unproven, Martin, Myers, Russell are listed on several Ancestry trees, but no documentation has been found to prove any of these. The following descendants of John Miller Sr. match YDNA with each other: William Miller 1795-1858 (Bowling Read Miller, John Hunter Miller); John Miller Jr. 1802-1858 (John Allen Miller, Hubert Earl Miller); Robert Rutherford Wilcox Miller 1825-1892 (Kevin Sawyers Miller, William Sawyers Miller, Thomas Hawkes Miller); and Washington Armstrong Miller 1829-1860's (Rodney Blaine Miller). Descendants from four sons of John Miller Sr. through William 1795, Chapman 1797, Chaney 1799, and John Jr. 1802 moved to Texas in the 1870s-1880's. More descendants of John Miller Sr. younger sons, Robert 1825 and Washington 1829 moved to Arkansas and Missouri.
Three YDNA matches come from the Lynches River area of Lancaster Co. SC (Fred Miller) and Chesterfield Co. SC (Ed Miller & Gareld Miller). George Miller 1740 and an older, Michael Miller Sr. purchased land on Lynches River in 1760 from James McManus. George's son, George Jr, settled in Lancaster Co. SC and son, Michael, settled in Chesterfield Co. SC. Beth Miller Little, the original DNA volunteer who first tested in 2004, descends from another George Miller possibly from early Laurens Co. SC, Chesterfield Co. SC, or early Rowan Co. NC. Linda Melton Snipes, a cousin of Fred Miller, was instrumental in helping the Miller DNA Project make connections in Dörrenbach, Germany to Hugo Müller, a descendant of Johann Wilhelm Müller, 1657-1698. Wilhelm 1657 and Wendel 1658 were brothers and both sons of our oldest known ancestor, Johannes Müller. Hugo Müller's DNA also matches the Wendel Miller descendants, thus proving our paper trail back to Dörrenbach.
Notes from Linda Melton Snipes, December 6, 2013: (needs editing)
1739 PA Old Michael, age 42, arrives, with family including son George age 1, on Ship Samuel
Also on ship Young Michael, age 21, possibly unmarried, since no family is listed but could have married shortly after if our George I-d 1829 is HIS son
1740 PA Our George I-d 1829 is born, but is his father Old Michael or Young Michael? Either would work but unlikely [see birth date of 1750] that Old Michael would name another son George. A son of Young Michael works best. If Young Michael married shortly after arriving he could be the father of 6 or 7 children by the time we see him again after 1750.
George on Ship Samuel still a child
It's entirely possible that Old Michael/s wife died after arrival and Old Michael remarried to a MUCH younger woman. All their older children could have married during their trek to SC, or able to petition in their own right, but if this was case George when he petitioned for land would have mentioned more children.
1740-1748 The Miller family and friends are 'drifting' south through PA, MD, VA, NC to SC
1748 SC Leah Townsend mentions that Dunkers are already on Broad, mentions Lawrence Free, also M. Edwards says Michael Miller....Free... with their wives ..... This could either be Old Michael or Young Michael, in either case, wife was living. If this Michael is young Michael possibly the father of our George I-d1829 it doesn't play that our George could be born in 1750 in PA because he and wife were in SC by then.
1750 PA Alternate - our George I-died 1829 is born, but is father Old Michael or Young Michael?I f this is a true birth date he couldn't be a son of George age 2 in 1739. Unless Old Michael's wife on ship died and he remarried and she had other children, "Ship Samuel wife" would be rather old to have another child, and though I've seen it, why name two sons George?
George on Ship Samuel is barely a teen.
1753 NC Henry Whitener & Michael Miller [Old or Young] took state oaths. Emery says that's Michael of Killlian's Creek
1754 NC Michael Miller [Old or Young-or is he even ours?] granted 300a Killians Creek
1754 NC Michael Miller [Old, Young....] sells land for L30 on Killian's Creek
1755 SC George, age 2 in 1739, is now age 17, can be granted some land himself but probaby not able to buy and sell land, He petitions for King's bounty land for 'aged' father Michael [now age 58] at this time; George possibly traveled with Jacob Free who peitioned same date? Doesn't mention a living wife, just himself, sister [maybe born after George or a spinster sister? If Old Michael's wife is dead then she couldn't be a 2nd wife of Frederick Henry? The ship's list does not say how old wife is - but at least 40ish in 1739 based on age of children.
Michael is granted 200a which appears right amount for him and 2 children, and none allowed for wife though a person did NOT have to petition for all allowed. This grant could only be for aged father, wife and daughter at home, if George knowing that he would soon marry and be granted his own land, didn't ask for any for him, though wording in the copy you sent sounds like he's asking for himself, sister and father. If M. Edwards is correct about 'wives' then possibly wife is deceased between 1748-1755.
1760 NC later SC Chesterfield Michael Miller Senior buys 140a for L21. If this is Old Michael he's now age 63, If Young Michael he's 42 - old enough to have sons George & Michael - whether one is 21 is the question here - Someone might fudge a bit to get a land grant [by the time of survey, plat they'd be of age] but since George Miller witnessed for Frederick Henry - wouldn't it invalidate the sale if witness was found to be underage? But if Michael Miller is denoted as Senior there must be another Michael Miller of age around to make legal transactions whether related or not. Maybe this was Old Michael Miller [can't travel to Charleston but 'cause of Indian troubles made it to Anson C.H.] and his grandson George
1760 NC later SC Chesterfield George Miller buys 100a for L15. George age 2 in 1739 is now 23
1760 NC later SC Chesterfield, Frederic Henry buys land. He and George Miller witness each other's deed indicating closeness. Side note: There are a lot of Henry surnames in that Anson county book.
1761 SC Michael Miller granted 200a Broad River. Possibly the Young Michael Miller on Ship Samuel [now age 43 or even a son of his?] Maybe Michael who sold land on Killian's creek?
1763 SC George Miller granted 150a on Broad River. George 2 in 1739 would be about 27. Possibly married [to Frederic Henry's daughter] grant is enough for him and a wife? BUT the Ship Samuel George can't be our George I d.1829 if that 'born in Penepac PA" in either 1740 or 1750 is true
1767 SC "John George gains another neighbor - Frederick Henry, who's [sic] first wife after being widowed, became Fite Risinger's second wife" . We've got the wrong people dying - if we want 'son in law' to signify a Frederick Henry marrying a Miller widow. http://boards.ancestry.netscape.com/localities.northam.usa.states.southcarolina.schist.craven/22.1.2.2/mb.ashx. I believe this indicates a Frederick Henry died then so there must be a son since we have the 3 'Deed of Gift"
1771 SC Frederick Henry's - Deed of Gift to 'son in law' George Miller, and his own sons William Henry, and Peter Henry. The only possible widow Miller he could have married would be Michael's - unless other sons of Old Michael also moved to SC and named a son George - those listed on Ship Samuel except maybe oldest could not be father of a George b. 1740, though some could easily be father of a George b. 1750
From this I feel that 'son in law' DID mean 'husband of his daughter'
1780's SC Michael Miller is loyalist. Since only a private was his 'sins' forgiven after war. Young Michael would be 62 by now if still living. Old Michael 83. Even Young Michael is pretty old though age didn't always matter - these were tough people but I think it's more likely this Michael was a son of Young Michael on board Ship Samuel.
1795 SC Newberry Co. Date will written of William Henry, haberdasher; only one son mentioned - George Henry - A Frederick Henry is a witness. Is old Frederick Henry still living -- a Frederick Henry also witnesses a will 3 years later. "Newberry Co. SC: historical & genealogical annals" George Leland Summer p 346 mention of this will, no further details, the next page is not shown; no index, probably nothing on next page.....I'll check further if I find it in a library!
1815 SC Spartanburg - Will of a Michael Miller, but named no sons Michael or George in will. Going back to the Ship Samuel - Old Michael would be 118, Young Michael 97 - don't think it's them! If connected to our Miller's then probably a son of Young Michael [aged about 77?].
All this makes me believe that our George b. 1740/50 d. 1829 has to be a son of Young Michael but how was he born there if Michael is all over the place. Did he travel back and forth leaving them in PA? In reading some of the journals of people like Gist they seemed to travel quite a lot.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to find the 'original' story of our George - where he was born and year. I'm pretty sure I used b. 1750 until I realized it didn't work with him purchasing land. [I've got some of the first 'genealogies' somewhere sent to me in 1998 but as far as I remember none included proof or where that info was obtained - wish I'd questioned more then. I'm trying to decide the best way to the 'root' of his birth. Unless that George wrote it himself in a family bible it is only hearsay or at best secondary. Even if he wrote it himself it's kind of 'iffy' primary - he could have written what he pleased.
Notes from Linda Melton Snipes, March 4, 2016: (needs editing)
My cousin, Fred George Miller did Family Tree DNA testing for our line. Our DNA is a close match to other German Millers who settled in Rowan County, NC who descend from a Michael Miller who arrived PA in 1739 on Ship Samuel.
Until our DNA matches, we only knew the handed down story that our George Miller was born in Penepec, PA.
Another researcher, now deceased, believed George and Michael came from the Broad River area of Fairfield District. There was a Michael who settled there in 1753-54 who had a son named George. We know that because George traveled with another neighbor to petition for land for his father who was too infirm to travel to Charleston to petition. They may be the same Michael and George Miller who fled Indians along with other settlers from the Broad River area and bought land on Lynches on the same day they purchased land and from the same man-James McManus.
One of the neighbors on Broad River was a Frederick Hendry (Henry) who witnessed the deeds on Lynches. Later Frederick gives a "deed of gift" to George Miller his son-in-law of Lynches. This suggests that George was married first to a Hendry or a Henry. Before this we only knew of George's marriage to Elizabeth Singleton (Ingleman). I descend from this marriage. Kevin Miller may descend from the marriage of George to Hendry (Henry).
Notes from Ken Miller, March 7, 2015: (needs editing)
The Dörrenbach Lutheran Church records list a child of Johann Michael and Anna Maria named Johann Georg and that record indicates his date of birth as 5.11.1737, i.e., 5 Nov 1737. When the family arrived in Philadelphia 27 Aug 1739, Johann Georg (listed as “Johan Gerog”) is indicated to be 1 year old, which is correct because he would not have been 2 years old until 11 Nov 1739. So it is known for certain that Johann Michael and Anna Maria did indeed have a son named Johann Georg “George” who was born in Nov 1737. That is fact based upon the church records and that immigration ship’s manifest record from ProGenealogists. The older books of Palatinate immigrants to the American Colonies only listed the men 16 and older. They would have seen the name of Michael Miller arriving in Philadelphia aboard the ship “Samuel” on 27 Aug 1739, but they would not have known about the church records in Germany or the listing of the wife and children and their ages as well as the wife’s maiden name as researched by the Ancestry ProGenealogists folks.
The Müller family may not have gone immediately to Tulpehocken. If they did not have the money saved up to pay for the voyage, then yes, the debt of that expense would have to have been worked off. When that obligation was done, then they could settle elsewhere on land in PA. They arrived in Aug 1739 and by May 1743 they were living in Tulpehocken since Michael Miller was one of the Charter Members of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tulpehocken Township, Berks Co., PA. Michael and Anna Maria were baptismal sponsors at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on 25 Aug 1743. So, if Michael had to work off a debt to cover the expense of traveling from Europe to America, he would not have had to work for many years to pay off the debt. There was less than 4 years and the family had to move and get settled in Tulpehocken for him to be a Charter Member of the church in May 1743.
The Palatine Project information lists in the first column on the left of the page under the heading “Name, age” the names of all of the family members of Michael Miller’s family and the children’s ages at arrival, Michael’s age at arrival, and the maiden name of Michael’s wife but not her age when she arrived. The next column to the right (the middle column) is “Source” and it lists “Bur1985”. The next column on the right (at the right side of the page) is “Remarks” and there is states “Berks Co.” One could logically conclude from that that the family arrived in Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA in Aug 1739 and then went to Berks County, but we both know that Berks County wasn’t formed until 1752, so they couldn’t have gone to Berks County in 1739 because Berks County didn’t exist then. That “Remarks” and Berks County must have been a later addition. What we do know is that they arrived in Aug 1739 and by May 1743 they were living in Tulpehocken. We do not know where they were living between arrival and when they are known to have been living in Tulpehocken, and I am not aware of the date when they moved to Tulpehocken.
Notes from Sharon Clontz Rowe, March 20, 2016: (needs editing)
Beth Laney-Smith, an early Miller researcher, published the following article in the "Pageland Journal," on the September 14, 1950. Beth was the author of the book, "The Voices of Pageland."
George Miller, the first Miller in the Carolinas, had come down from Penepec, Pennsylvania somewhere around 1760. By ancestry he was Black Dutch, but like most of the Dutch in America, the family had come by way of England.
On Sept. 20, 1760, George Miller bought land lying on both sides of Lynches River from James McManus. The deed covering this transaction is recorded at the courthouse in Wadesboro, and it lists the land as lying in Anson County, NC witness to the fact that the boundary line between North and South Carolina was not yet settled. (Indeed, dispute over this boundary line continued until after 1800) George Miller made his home in Lancaster County between Lynches River and Taxahaw. He married Elizabeth Singleton and had three sons---George II, William, and Michael--and three daughters--Sarah Jane, Millie, and Barbara. George II lived and died in Lancaster County, beginning a branch of the Miller family in that area. William moved to Alabama, Perry County, where he died about 1841. Michael lived in the Jefferson area and began the branch of the family from which descended the present group of Millers.
Between 1810 and 1819 there was a Miller's Store at what is now Jefferson operated by Michael Miller, who was born in 1784 and died in 1874. He lived in a double log cabin located on the hill back of the Miller cemetery, where he and his wife Frances Welsh, set up housekeeping. Later, he had constructed and moved into the house presently occupied by Miss Fannie Lowery in Jefferson, which is pictured in this edition. This same Michael served as Lieutenant in the War of 1812. He had four sons---Steven, Jackson, James and John S., who was the youngest; and two daughters---Mosley, who married Alexander McMillan, and Harriett, who married John R. Welsh. By a second wife, Emily Cook, who lived until 1915, he had two daughters, Mary, who married John Lowery, and Laura who married Sandy Baker of near Jefferson.
Names of these four sons are still echoing down to us in present day. The most celebrated probably was James, who was captured and killed by the yankees just a few weeks before Lee surrendered, and after whom the James M. Miller chapter of the U.D.C. wasnamed. Following his death, his entire family moved West, where his descendants are to be found today.
Major John S. Miller, born in 1818 and dying in 1888, served in the Civil War under General Wade Hampton, and carried his title with him until his death. Major Miller amassed a fortune in his lifetime and left several monuments to his achievements in theform of gracious homes. His own house stands today as the second oldest in Jefferson and is still celebrated as a noteworthy example of the Low Country Colonial school of architecture. It was designed and built at sometime prior to the Civil War by William Crow from Union County, whose grandson, Major W.C. Heath, lives in Monroe today. The Major Miller home is occupied by Mrs. J.W. Miller, widow of one of the Major's sons.
Of Michael's other two sons, Jackson Miller moved to Texas and took his entire family except one son, Dr. Robert Miller who is the father of Jefferson's Ed Miller. Steven, remaining son, died on his plantation near Lynches' River in 1852. He produced two sons--B.F. Miller of Lancaster, and John Miller who died of typhoid fever in the Confederate Army. Of his two daughters, Louisa married Dr. I.H. Blair of Monroe, and Jane married Thomas McMillan.
Returning to the Miller Store begun by Michael in the early 1800's, the business was inherited by Jackson, Steven, and John S. They dissolved their partnership and Major John S. Miller bought the business.
Major Miller married Elizabeth Fletcher and had three sons--William Michael, John Fletcher, and James; and three daughters--Mary Frances, who became Mrs. Bud Evans; Elizabeth Jane who became Mrs. Calvin Evans; and Susan Alice, who became Mrs. Lewis Gardner, wife of the man whose diary is spoken of elsewhere in this edition.
John Fletcher, who was born in 1863 and died in 1898, married Flora Garland, producing two sons, Carroll and Everett, who live today in Jefferson. His daughters were Rosa, Charlotte and Mildred. William Michael, known locally as Billy, married Sarah Barrier, and their children were: William Walter, who died quite young; Maude, Mamie, Ruth, and Margaret. James married Hattie Gregory and had no children.
The name of Miller is continued today in Jefferson's business world in the firm of Miller Brothers, which sponsors a ginning and fertilizer business. The Cotton Shops, and the newly organized Fashionable Shop. The sons of Carroll Miller, Joe and John Carroll, conduct the Miller business activities in 1950--continuing a tradition begun by a Miller almost 150 years ago.
Notes from Diane Walker, March 22, 2016: (needs editing)
I descend from George Miller II’s son Lovell Miller (1816-1885), his son Steven Miller, his son Bogan Miller, and his daughter and my mother Ruth Miller Melton, still living at 94 in Lancaster, SC. George Miller II and Catherine Terrell had thirteen or fourteen children so there are a great number from this line out there. By the 1830 Census they already had nine children, five boys and four girls, as well as six slaves. I think most of the children are mentioned in George II’s will (1854). My sister Linda Snipes has done some DNA testing on a male first cousin from this line.