**2nd-Great maternal Granduncle/aunt of Eula Claudine Reed
Andrew Miller:
Parents: John Miller & Lucinda Stevenson
Born: May 28, 1789 (Abbeville County, South Carolina)
Died: April 17, 1868 (Rusk County, Texas)
Buried: Unknown (unknown)
Rachel F. Cherry (first spouse):
Parents: Moses Cherry & Elizabeth Talbert
Born: About 1783 (Chester County, South Carolina)
Married: April 2, 1808 (Pendleton District, South Carolina)
Died: Before 1850 (unknown, unknown)
Buried: Unknown (unknown)
Children:
- John Cherry Miller (Born: 12/13/1808);
- Homer Virgil Milton Miller (Born: 4/29/1814);
- Mary Isabella Miller (Born: about 1823);
- Elizabeth Rachael Ester Miller (Born: 2/22/1823);
- Andrew James Stevenson Miller (Born: 5/28/1825).
Genealogical Sketch:
Rachel Cherry was the daughter of of French Huguenot parents Moses Cherry and Elizabeth Torbert.[1] Born in Virginia, Moses Cherry moved to South Carolina and is believed to have married Elizabeth Torbert about 1775 in South Carolina. Moses Cherry was living in Chester County when he died at the age of 36 on December 17, 1782. About 1790, the widow Elizabeth Cherry married Samuel Weir in South Carolina prior to moving to Georgia (between 1806-1811) and then Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) where she died in 1821.
- Moses Cherry served in Colonel Thomas Brandon’s militia regiment (known as Second Spartan Regiment) fighting the British at the fall of Charleston on May 12, 1780.[2]
In the April 2, 1808, Issue of the Pendleton Messenger announced on Tuesday the 8th of March Mr. Andrew Miller had been married to Mrs. Rachel F. Crawford by B. Starret Esq. Both Andrew Miller was married to Mrs. Rachel F. Crawford were residents of the Pendleton District, South Carolina.[3] Although this suggests Mrs. Rachel F. Crawford was a widow, nothing more is known about her prior husband.
In 1811, the father of Andrew Miller (John Miller) left him 200 acres on the waters of Twenty Three Mile Creek in Pendleton County, South Carolina. Similarly, in her will (prepared on October 23, 1821), Elizabeth Weir “bequeathed to her son-in-law Andrew Miller” her “third of the tract of Land on which” she “formerly lived” in Pendleton District, South Carolina.[4]
Section of the 1825 Mill’s Atlas Map of Pendleton District of South Carolina.
According to his obituary, Andrew Miller served as a “Lieutenant in the army of the war of 1812” and “in 1816 he was elected to the Legislature from Pendleton” in which he “served ten years in that body“. However, the obituary states Andrew Miller moved to Georgia in 1820 indicating his service in the South Carolina legislature ended around 1820. His obituary also indicates Andrew Miller was friends and worked with John C. Calhoun (the Abbeville native that would serve as the Vice President from 1825-1832).[5]
Andrew Miller’s friend, John C. Calhoun was named Secretary of War by President James Madison in 1817. On February 27, 1819, John C. Calhoun negotiated the Treaty of Washington in which the Cherokee ceded the land that created Rabun County (Georgia) on December 21, 1819. Andrew Miller seized the opportunity and left the South Carolina legislature to farm the new land in Raburn County in 1820.[6]
As one of the first settlers in the county, Andrew Miller was named (along with Chesley McKenzie & James Dillard) as “Trustee” of the “Rabun County Academy” on December 21, 1821.[7] Andrew Miller was elected to the Georgia state senate “in 1823 and remained a member of that body, with exception of one year, till 1830“. In the Georgia Senate, Andrew Miller “wielded a large influence” and “in 1827 he excepted the position pf Major General in the Georgia Militia, which he held for many years“.[8]
- “Under the supervision of his pious and accomplished mother” (Rachel Miller), the son of Andrew Miller (Homer Virgil Milton Miller) “was educated at home by a private tutor”. Before he was of age, in 1835 Homer Virgil Milton Miller “graduated from Medical College of South Carolina” in Charleston. After studying two years in Paris, Homer Virgil Milton Miller opened a medical practice in Cassville. Georgia.[9]
- On October 22, 1829, the son of Andrew Miller (John C. Miller) married Isabella Thompson in Habersham County, Georgia.[10]
Habersham County (George) Marriages Book A (1820-1841), Page 170.
According to the 1830 Federal Census, Andrew Miller (40-49) was living in Rabun County, Georgia. Andrew Miller was living with his wife (40-49), his son (15-19), daughter (5-9), and son (5-9). Andrew Miller owned four slaves.
- Living in the next household was the son of Andrew Miller, John C. Miller (20-29). John C. Miller was living with his wife (20-29) and daughter (under 5). John C. Miller owned one slave.
- In 1832, Andrew Miller and his son John C. Miller (both residents of Cass County, Georgia) provided supporting affidavits for the Revolutionary Application of William Thompson.
- In 1835 (possibly October 22), the son of General Andrew Miller (Homer Virgil Milton Miller) married Harriet Perry Clark.[11]
In 1837, Andrew Miller was actively involved in Georgia’s attempts to remove the last of the Cherokee Indians from their lands. As an “agent of the Bank of Georgia“, Andrew Miller arranged a loan of $25,000 through a bank in Rome (Georgia) to fund “the removal of the Cherokees“.[12] The leaders of the Cherokee Nation, Major Ridge and John Ross, lived near Rome operating plantations and profitable businesses.
In April-May 1838, as part of the Indian Removal Act the Georgia militia constructed an open air stockade on the Etowah River one mile east of General Andrew Miller’s land (near Rome, Georgia). The Georgia militia forced hundreds of Cherokee Indians from their lands into the stockade prior to moving them to Ross’s Landing beginning the “Trail of Tears“. By the end of June, the stockade was abandoned.
According to the 1840 Federal Census, a Andrew Miller (50-59) was living in District 822 of Cass County, Georgia. This Andrew Miller was living with a free white male (15-19), a free white female (15-19), and owned three slaves.
- Living nearby in District 828 of Cass County was the son of General Andrew Miller, H.V. Miller (20-29). H.V. Miller was living with his wife (20-29) and daughter (under 5). H.V. Miller owned ten slaves;
- Living one household away may have been the son of General Andrew Miller, James Miller (20-29). James Miller was living with his wife (15-19) and owned four slaves.
In 1840, General Andrew Miller retired from public office. In the Spring of 1844, General Andrew Miller moved from Georgia to Rusk County (Texas) where he turned his focus to agriculture. General Andrew Miller “planted and successfully grew the first apple orchard in Rusk County, demonstrating this fruit could be successfully grown in this climate“.[13]
- In 1846, the son of General Andrew Miller (Dr. Homer Virgil Milton Miller) “became professor of obstetrics in the Memphis Medical College”. After 1849, Dr. Homer Virgil Milton Miller returned to Georgia as a “professor of physiology at the Medical College of Georgia” until the start of the Civil War.[14]
On May 5, 1850, Andrew Miller (?) is believed to have married Rachael Adair in Rusk County, Texas.
According to the 1850 Federal Census, A. Miller (66) was a farmer living in Rusk County, Texas. A. Miller was living with his wife Rachael Miller (62). Both were born in South Carolina.
- Living in the preceding household may have been the son of General Andrew Miller, Adren J. Miller (25). Adren J. Miller was a Physician born in Georgia.
According to the 1860 Federal Census, Andrew Miller (76) was a farmer living in Beat 2 of Rusk County, Texas. Andrew Miller was living with his wife Rachel Miller (73). Both were born in South Carolina.
- Living nearby was the son of General Andrew Miller, J.C. Miller (51). J.C. Miller was a farmer living with his wife Mary E. Miller (39), son Henry L. Miller (17), son Andrew J. Miller (5), son Horno Miller (3), daughter Rachel L. Miller (2 months). J.C. Miller and his wife were born in South Carolina and their children were all born in Texas. Also living with the family was R.F. Mitchell (35), his wife Josephine Mitchell (24), and the overseer Wiley Ewen (25);
- Living in Beat 2 (Rusk County) was J.F. Miller (37). J.F. Miller was a farmer born in South Carolina living with his wife Martha A. Miller (35), daughter M.J. Miller (18), and son W.R.H. Miller. Martha A. Miller and the children were born in Georgia.
- During the Civil War, General Andrew Miller’s son Dr. H.V.M. Miller was appointed surgeon of the 8th Regiment of Georgia Infantry in the Confederate Army. He was later made medical director, surgeon of posts, and inspector of hospitals in Georgia.
Below is the obituary from the The Abbeville Press, Issue of Friday, June 19, 1868:
DEATH OF GEN. ANDREW MILLER
“Gen. Andrew MILLER died at the residence of his son, Judge John C. MILLER in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas at 20 minutes past 9 o’clock on the 17th of April from general debility arising from extreme old age, in his 89th year.
Gen. Miller was born in Abbeville district, S.C. on May 28, 1789, commencing life with the second year of the United States government. He lived to see it subjected to many trials and revolutions; and leaves it in a very different condition from that which marked its early history.
His public life commenced in 1814 , fifty-four years ago. He was a Lieutenant in the Army in the War of 1812. In 1816 he was elected to the Legislature from Pendleton, S.C. He served ten years in that body, distinguishing himself as a man of great energy and ready comprehension in legislative matters. Calhoun was then in his prime; he and Gen. Miller were friends and peers.
In 1820 Gen. Miller removed to Georgia, was elected to the State Senate in 1823 and remained a member of that body, with the exception of one year, 1830. He wielded a large influence in the legislature. In 1827 he accepted the position of Maj. General in the Georgia Militia which he held for many years. With the close of the Presidential campaing of 1840 he dated the close of his political course. During this campaign he filled the position of Elector, for the State at large, on the Houston ticket, with much honor to himself and to the Whig Party. In the Spring of 1844 he removed to Texas, settled in Rusk county, directing his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. Though often solicited, he would never run for office in Texas.
Gen. Miller was a man of superior intellect, and retained the vigor of his mind to the last. He was all of his life a student, was a profound politician, an accurate historian, thoroughly versed in all agricultural subjects, and one of the best Biblical scholars. He took great interest in the natural resources of the country.
Gen. Miller, after his removal to Texas, gave much attention to domestic
matters; to the making of his home pleasant and inviting. He planted and
successfully grew the first apple orchard in Rusk county; demonstrating that this fruit could be successfully grown in this climate; the prevailing opinion is to the contrary notwithstanding. His orchard still remains in a flourishing condition, a monument to his enterprise and good taste. In the death of Gen. Miller, a great and good man has been removed.”
The son of Andrew Miller, Dr. Homer Virgil Milton Miller was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate on July 28, 1868, and served until March 3, 1871.
Drawing of Dr. Homer Virgil Milton Miller courtesy of U.S. Senate Historical Office
Gravestones:
Unknown.
[1]The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 2, Page 391.
[2]Moses Cherry, Account Audited (File No. 1222) Of Claims Growing Out Of The American Revolution, South Carolina Department of Archives.
[3]Marriage & Death Notices from Pendleton (S.C.) Messenger 1807-1851 by Brent Holcomb, Page 2-3.
[4]Pendleton Messenger Issue of Wednesday, June 10, 1868; The Abbeville Press, Issue of Friday, June 19, 1868.
[5]The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 2, Page 391.
[6]The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 2, Page 391.
[7]Georgia’s Landmarks, Memorials and Legends by Lucian Lamar Knight, Page 948.
[8]Pendleton Messenger Issue of Wednesday, June 10, 1868; The Abbeville Press, Issue of Friday, June 19, 1868.
[9]Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) Wills, Vol. (1821-1855), Page 17-18.
[10]Georgia Compiled Marriages (1754-1850).
[11]The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 2, Page 391.
[12]Lost Towns of North Georgia by Lisa M. Russell, Page .
[13]Pendleton Messenger Issue of Wednesday, June 10, 1868; The Abbeville Press, Issue of Friday, June 19, 1868.
[14]The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 2, Page 391.
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