Family of James M. Miller

**2nd-Great maternal Grandparents of Eula Claudine Reed

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James M. Miller**:

Parents: John Miller & Lucinda Stevenson
Born: August 3, 1786 (Abbeville County, South Carolina)
Died: About September 20, 1859 (Tippah County, Mississippi)
Buried: Unknown

Sarah Brownlee** (spouse):

Parents: George Brownlee & Sarah Caldwell
Born: January 12, 1795 (Abbeville, South Carolina)
Married: About 1813 (Abbeville, South Carolina)
Died: February 27, 1859 (Tippah County, Mississippi)
Buried: Oak Plain Cemetery (Tippah County, Mississippi)

Children:

• Jane Miller (Born: 7/29/1814);
• Andrew J. Miller (Born: 8/6/1816);
• George B. Miller (Born: 7/27/1819);
• Mary Miller (Born: 10/21/1821);
• John M. Miller (Born: 8/13/1822);
• Elizabeth R. Miller (Born: 3/14/1825);
• M.J. Miller (Born: 10/20/1829);
• Sarah J. Miller (Born: 9/20/1830);
• James Allen F. Miller (Born: 6/28/1832);
• Rachel E. Miller** (Born: 3/31/1835);
• William Henry Miller (Born: 6/28/1838).

Note: Listed in family records provided by Opal Moonie, the children of James Miller and his wife Sarah were: Jane Miller, Andrew J. Miller, George B. Miller, Mary E. Miller, John M. Miller, Elizabeth R. Miller, S.J. Miller and M.J. Miller (twins), J.A.F. Miller, Rachel E. Miller, W. Henry Miller, S. J. may have been the Sarah T.J. Mary E. could have been Mary C. There is no mention of a son, James M. Miller.

 

Genealogical Sketch:

James M. Miller and Sarah Brownlee were married in Abbeville, South Carolina. Since their first child was born in 1814, the date of their marriage is estimated to have been in 1813. Sadly, their first daughter died in at the age of two in 1818 (per family records provided by Opal Moonie).

On March 23, 1827, James Miller was registered as having been awarded Land Grant #5 in District 1 of Cotweta County of the Georgia Land Lottery.[1] The Land Lottery was distributing land ceded from the Creek Confederacy under the Treaty of Indian Springs signed by William McIntosh (the chief of the town of Coweta) on February 12, 1825. The Lower Creek  tribes did not recognized the authority of William McIntosh and he was killed by 200 Creek (Muscogee) on April 30, 1825. Nonetheless, the treaty was ratified by the U.S. and the Creek Indians were removed from the land.

According to the 1830 Federal Census, a James Miller (40-49) was living in Coweta County, Georgia. James Miller was living with a 30-39 year-old free white male, a 30-39 year-old free white female (his wife Sarah), two 10-14 year-old free white males (sons Andrew & George), a 5-9 year-old free white male (son John), a 5-9 year-old white female (daughter Elizabeth), and two free white females under 5 (twin daughters S.J. and M.J.). In addition, one female slave (10-23) lived at the household. Their daughter nine year-old Mary Miller does not appear to have been listed.

• Living close by was Robert P.H. Miller (30-39), with his wife (20-29), and son (under 5). Robert P.H. Miller owned two slaves.

On October 21, 1837, James Miller was listed as one of the charter members of the “The White Oak Presbyterian Church” organized by Reverend J. Y. Alexander in Newman (Coweta County, Georgia). The other charter members were: Robert Russell, James Thomp-son, Arthur Carmical, James Young, Samuel P. Evans, Thomas Holinghead, Robert Wadel, John McLure, Mary Russell, Mary Atcherson, Elizabeth Thompson, Esther Young, Mary McLure, Mary Evans, Margaret Wadel, Isabella Holinghead.[2]

On January 1, 1838, Augustus H. Stokes sold 810 acres to James Miller for $1,500. The land included a saw mill (Lot 76) along with three other lots (85, 108, & 109) in the Second District of Coweta County, Georgia. James Miller was also allowed access to timber for the saw mill “out of the pine timber growing on Lot No. 115“.[3] On October 2, 1838, the same 810 acres along with the timber rights of Lot 115, and the saw mill equipment, were sold by James Miller (of Coweta County) to Robert Y. Brown for $1,700.[4]

On February 13, 1839, James Miller (of Coweta County) sold 60 acres to John Benton for “the sum of four hundred Eighty dollars“. The 60 acres was located “west of Big White Oak Creek and south of Little White Oak Creed” in Coweta County, Georgia. The transaction was witnessed by Robert Rupell, James Miller, and William Rupell; and recorded by Batty H. Mitchell (Clerk) on February 28, 1839. (need citation).

In January 1840, court records filed in Coweta County indicate the court had assigned Dr. A.B. Calhoun and William Nimmons as “guardians” to represent the legal interests of the minor children of James Miller. Based on the language filed in Mississippi in 1841, this would indicate James Miller had invested some of the inheritance of his minor children (from their grandfather George Brownlee**) in the property seized from Henry Keller by the Coweta County Sheriff. However, the court ruled Henry Keller was entitled to compensation for the improvements he made on the property.

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Seizure and Public Sale dated January 7, 1840:

“Wheras, in obedience to a writ of ______, issued out of the Supreme Court of the County of Coweta, at the suit of Andrew B. Calhoun and William Nimmons, guardians of the minors of James Miller, against Henry Keller; and William Watkins and Thomas Hughey, Sheriff of the county aforesaid, did lately seize the lot of parcel of land hereinafter described as the property of Henry Keller and after being duly and publicly advertised, agreeable to law, did on the Seventh Day of this month in the year, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, at the place of public sales in the County of Coweta, expose the same at public outcry when James Miller being the highest bidder, the same was knocked off to him at the price or sum of six hundred fifty dollars. Now this indenture made the Seventh Day of January in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty between the said Thomas Hughey, Sherrif, as aforesaid of the one part and the said James Miller of the other part, witnesseth that the said Thomas Hughey, Sherrif, as aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars to him, in hand, paid by the same James Miller, at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt, wherof, is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell, as far as the office of sheriff authorizes, him unto the said James Miller, his heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the fifth district of said county, it being eleven acres and half off of lot number eight in said district adjoining the lot whereon Henry Keller now lives. Together, with all and singular the rights, members and appurtenances thereof unto the said tract of land being and belonging or any way pertaining and also the estate, right, title, interest. property, claim and demand of the said Henry Keller in law, equity or otherwise, whatsoever, or in or to the same , to have and to hold the said tract of land and premises and every part thereof, unto the said James Miller, his heirs and assigns to the only proper use, benefit and behalf of the same James Miller, his heirs and assigns forever, in fee simple, in a full and ample manner as the said Henry Keller or his heirs and assigns did or might have held and enjoyed had it not been seized and sold under the execution aforesaid. In witness, whereof, the said Thomas Hughey hath herunto set his hand and affixed the seal the day and year first above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of William Nimmons, Thomas Hughey, Sheriff, Thomas Hudson, H. Mitchell”

Recorded January 14, 1840 Coweta County, Georgia:

“Mary C. Miller, John M. Miller, Elizabeth R. Miller, Sarah T.J. Miller, James M. Miller and Rachel E. Miller, minors and children of James Miller are without legal guardian and are entitled in their own right to a considerable portion of property and William Nimmons and A. B. Calhoun, appearing in open court and being willing to undertake the guardianship of said minors and the said minors consenting thereto, it is hereby ordered by the court that the said William Nimmons and A.B. Calhoun be and they are hereby appointed the legal guardians of the said minors as aforesaid. Petitioners giving bond in the amount of $14,000 with Joel W. Terrell, John Bowen, Wm. U. Anderson, Henry Keller, John __ton, Richard B. Wooten and Willis Kilgore as securities to the same in terms of the law made and duly served.”

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On February 17, 1836, the father of Sarah Miller died leaving an extensive estate in Abbeville County, South Carolina. In his will, George Brownlee** (1756) “bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Miller one fourteenth part of my estate to her and her heirs forever”; and “bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Miller one fourteenth part of my estate to be shared alike for each child and their heirs forever”. On February 20, 1840, James Miller of Tippah County (Mississippi) appointed Allen T. Miller (his step-brother) of Abbeville District of South Carolina as his attorney in fact “to demand ask for and (?) any and all money that may be coming to me in the right of my wife from the Estate of George Brownlee deceased…“[5]

Power of Attorney filed by James Miller in 1840.

• Tippah County (Mississippi) was formed on February 9, 1836 from lands ceded by the Chickasaw Indians following the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek.

According to the 1840 Federal Census, James Miller (50-59) was a farmer living in Tippah County, Mississippi. James Miller was living with with a free white female (40-49), a free white male (40-49), a free white female (15-19), two free white males (10-14), a free white female (10-14), two free white males (5-9), a free white female (5-9), a free white male (under 5), and a free white female (under 5). James Miller owned four slaves.

• Living in the next household was the Justice of the Peace, Daniel Gassoway (30-39), his family, and seven slaves;
• Also living in Tippah County was Andrew J. Miller (20-29) and his wife (20-29), daughter (under 5), and son (under 5);
• Also living in Tippah County was James R. Miller (40-49), a free white female (30-39), free white male (20-29), a free white male (15-19), two free white females (10-14), a free white male (10-14), two free white females (5-9), and three free white females (under 5). James R. Miller was “employed in Navigation of the Ocean”.

 

• Note: Living two households away from son Andrew J Miller was the family of Samuel Reddlesperger (40-49). Samuel Reddlesperger was living with a mother free white male (30-39), a free white female (30-39), a free white male (10-14), a free white female (10-14), a free white male (5-9), a free white female (5-9), a free white male (under 5), and a free white female (under 5). Samuel Reddlesperger was a farmer and owned one slave. F. P. Riddlesperger and husband, S. V. Riddlesperger, were listed as heirs of James M. Miller in his probate records (Florence Parthenia Miller is believed to have married Samuel Van Buren Riddlesperger in 1860 in Tippah County, Mississippi).

On February 25, 1841, Document No. 9605 (MS2930) was issued to James Miller for purchasing (cash entry) a 159.88 acre land patent in Tippah County, Mississippi. Recorded at the Pontotoc land office, the land description was “1 SE Chickasaw No 6S 3E 3“. Curiously, this land appears to have been conveyed by James Miller and his wife Sarah Miller to Orlando Davis a few month later.

On September 7, 1841, James Miller and his wife Sarah Miller filed a Deed of Trust recording the sale of their land, three slaves, and 20 head of cattle, to Orlando Davis in Tippah County, Mississippi.[6] The detailed and lengthy deed indicates James Miller and his son Andrew J. Miller as guardians of James Miller’s remaining minor children (George, Mary, Joh., Elizabeth, Sarah, James, Rachel, & William) had used money the the children had inherited from the estate of George Brownlee to purchase this land. Consequently, James Miller and his son Andrew J. Miller as guardians were required to “pay off and satisfy” the minor children within thirty days after they become of legal age (see below). A later notation to the Deed of Trust indicates these terms had been satisfied by May 12, 1852.

Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1840-1843) Vol. D, Page 257.

• “where as at the October term 1839 of the Probate court of  the said county of Tippah the said James Miller and Andrew J. Miller his son were by order of the said court appointed guardians of George B., Mary C., John M., Elizabeth R., Sarah I. J., James A. J., Rachel E., and William H. Miller, minors and childen of said James Miller & Sarah his wife.” (page 257);
• James Miller and Andrew J. Miller as guardians received a unspecified amount of money “from the Estate of George Brownlee Senior deceased as distribution” for “the said minors and children of the said James Miller and Sarah Miller his wife” (pages 257-258); George Brownlee was the father of Sarah Miller and died in South Carolina on February 17, 1836. In 1844, the estate for the deceased George Brownlee Sr sold for an reported $8,816.73. The estate had included “fifty-six shares in the Bank of South Carolina, 175 shares in the Planters and Mechanics Bank, and one thousand dollars in city of Charleston bonds”.[7]

Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1840-1843) Vol. D, Page 258.

• “James Miller and his wife being willing and (?) to secure the said Andrew R. Johnson and John Mundin against any expenses or loss by reason of their being such securities” (page 258);
• The description of the “Chickasaw Lands” conveyed: “The South West Quarter of Section No. 2 of Township No. 6 in Range No. 3 East, The South East quarter of Section No. 3 of Township No. 6 in Range No. 3 East” (page 258);
• “Also one negro man slave named Dick age about forty five years, one negro woman slave named Lucinda age about 16 years and one negro boy slave named joe age about 8 or 9. And also 20 head of cattle worth ten dollars a head” (page 258);

Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1840-1843) Vol. D, Page 259.

• “This conveyance nevertheless is made upon the following conditions and trust that is to say the said James Miller covenants and agrees for himself and his heirs executors administrators and assigns to pay off and satisfy his said children for whom he and his son Andrew J. Miller were appointed guardians as aforesaid the full amount that may be due and owing to each of them on account of monies of effects which was have come or may at any time here after come to the hands of the said James Miller or the said Andrew J. Miller by virtue of (?) office of guardian as aforesaid within thirty days after each of the said children and wards may become legally entitled to receive his or her full amount from the lands of their said guardians. And in case the said James Miller his heirs executor administrator or assigns shall at any time fail to pay off and satisfy any of the said wards in thirty days after they may become legally entitled to receive the same then the said Orlando Davis shall be authorized to parcel to sell such portion of the property a (?) mention as may in his opinion be sufficient to pay off the Legaces or Shares of the wards.” (per the 7th Sec. of the 5th Chapter of the Acts of the Mississippi State Legislature in 1840) (pages 258-259);

Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1840-1843) Vol. D, Page 260.

• “The foregoing Deed of Trust from James Miller and wife to Orlando Davis Trustee for the use of Andrew R. Johnson and John Mundin was filed in my office for Record on the 8th day of September 1841 and was duly Recorded on the 10th of September 1841″ by Daniel Gassaway, Acting Justice of the Peace (page 261).

Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1840-1843) Vol. D, Page 261.

On October 7, 1841, for $300 a deed was executed from “from James M. Miller, of Campbell County (previosuly Coweta County) to Benjamin Lewis, of Carroll County Georgia“. The deed was for “101 ½ acres described as the SW side of land lot #2, Carroll, now Campbell County, Georgia“. The transaction was “witnessed by Thomas M. Hogan, Moses Hartsfield and Jeremiah Matthews“.[8]

On December 3, 1842, for $300 a deed was executed “deed from Benjamin Lewis of Campbell County to James M. Miller of Carroll County“. The deed was for “202 ½ acres lying in land lot #56, District 2, Carroll County, now Campbell County“. The transaction was witnessed by Henry Mitchell and Elijah Hammond (Justice of the Peace).[9]

• On June 15, 1843, Document No. 13589 was issued to Andrew Miller for purchasing (cash entry) a 159.88 acre land patent in Tippah County (recorded at the Pontotoc land office with description of “1 SE Chickasaw No 3S 4E 35”).
• On August 12, 1843, the son of James Miller, George B. Miller acquired land in Tippah County (Mississippi) from the estate of the deceased John Wells. George B. Miller was listed as an heir of John Wells.[10] George B. Miller is believed to have been married to Hannah Parthenia Wells, the daughter of John Wells and Hannah Livingston. Hannah Parthenia Miller is believed to have died in 1842, possibly giving birth to a daughter named Pathenia Miller.
• In the 1845 county census, Samuel Riddlesperger was listed as the head of a household (5 males & 4 females) living in Tippah County, Mississippi. It is believed that a granddaughter of James Miller (Florence Parthenia Miller?) married a S.V. Riddlesperger. 

On February 16, 1847, James M. Miller of Franklin County appointed Caleb G. Gillespie his “lawful Attorney…to bargain sell and convey in fee simple and title to lot #5 in the First District of Coweta County in said state containing two hundred two and a half acres be the same more or less“. The Power of Attorney was witnessed by George Patterson and Wm. T. Wiley; and signed by James M. Miller.(need citation)

• On September 3, 1849, the daughter of James M. Miller, Sarah J. Miller married John B. Morrow in Pontotoc County, Mississippi.[11] By 1870, Sarah and her husband John B. Morrow had relocated to McLennan County, Texas. 
• On December 21, 1849, the son of James M. Miller, John M. Miller married Nancy P. Walker in Pontotoc County, Mississippi.[12]

According to the 1850 Federal Census, James Miller (64) was a farmer living with his family (household 687) in District 2 of Tippah County, Mississippi. James Miller living with his wife Sarah Miller (55), son Allen Miller (17), daughter Rachael E. Miller (15), and son William H. Miller (12). James Miller was born in South Carolina, Sarah Miller was born in South Carolina, and the children were all born in Georgia.

• Living in the next household was the son of James Miller, John Miller (23). John Miller was a farmer living with his wife Nancy Miller (17). John Miller and his wife were both born in South Carolina;
• Living nearby (household 698) was the oldest son of James Miller, A.J. Miller (29). A.J. Miller was living with his wife Elizabeth Miller (22), daughter Martha Miller (4), and son James Miller (3). A.J. Miller was a carpenter born in South Carolina, Elizabeth Miller was born in South Carolina, and both children were born in Mississippi;
• Living nearby (household 652) was the son-in-law of James Miller, George Johnson (34). George Johnson was a farmer living with his wife Mary Johnson (30), daughter Arabella Johnson (9), daughter Josaphine Johnson (6), son Henry Johnson (4), and son Wilton Johnson (1). George Johnson and Mary Johnson were both born in South Carolina; and their children were all born in Mississippi; 
• Living nearby (household 790) was the son of James Miller, George Miller (30). George Miller was a farmer living with his wife Jane Miller (20), Mary P. Miller (9), and daughter Beunavesta Miller (1). George Miller was born in South Carolina, Jame Miller was born in Georgia, and both children were born in Mississippi;
• Living close by (household 557) was the daughter of James Miller, Elizabeth R. Drummond (26). Elizabeth R. Drummond was living with her husband N.G. Drummond (35), daughter Evaline Drummond (7), and daughter Mary Drummond (2). N.G. Drummond and his wife Elizabeth were both born in South Carolina and the daughters were born in Mississippi.

On September 20, 1859, an Executors Bond was posted by David A. Black (with W. H. Wiseman & Hugh Wiseman) for the Estate of James Miller in the Probate Court of Tippah County, Mississippi.[13]

• Large file of vouchers, claims against estate, etc. Cite: Mary Johnson and husband, George Johnson; Elizabeth Drummond and husband, N.G. Drummond, F. P. Riddlesperger and husband, S. V. Riddlesperger, 29 Nov., 1865. List of heirs included those named above and A.J. Miller, Pontotoc Co.; R.E. Burns and husband, W. L. Burns, Tishomongo Co.; Allen, Henry, John and George Miller, Sarah Morrow and her husband, J.B. Morrow, non residents. Receipts as follows: Elizabeth Drummond and her husband and A. J. Miller says “part of money willed to me by my father, James Miller“. F.P. Riddlesperger says “money willed to me by my grandfather, James Miller.” (Found after Historical Society published a book on Court records)
• R.E. Burns is Rachel E. Miller Burns, wife of J. L. (James Love) Burns (“W.L.” appears to be an error in transcription).
• Allen Miller mentioned is believed to be James A.I. Miller mentioned in family records and the guardianship document above. The name Allen appears in census records with James and Sarah Miller.

 

• John M. Miller married Nancy Walker and went to Gonzalez County, TX. He and Nancy are in the 1880 census for Gonzales County living in the household of their son-in-law, Oren Chandler. John died on August 1, 1890 and Nancy died November 26, 1920. Nancy P. Miller is buried in the Smiley Cemetery in Gonzales County.

 

Gravestones:

Photo of Oak Plain Cemetery provided by Thomas Maclin (fidagrave.com).

Sarah Miller is buried in Oak Plain Cemetery in Tippah County. Her husband, James Miller, is also believed to be buried in Oak Plain Cemetery. However, his gravestone has not been located.

• Oak Plain Cemetery is a small rural cemetery located in Tippah County, Mississippi. From Highway 15 in Ripley, go South on South Main (CR 700) for 8.9 miles. Turn left on CR 727 and go .4 of a mile. Turn right on the first dirt road. Walk about 600 yards under the power lines. The cemetery is in the woods on the left.

Photo of the gravestone of Sarah Miller provided by Angela (findagrave.com).

 

Photo of the gravestone of Sarah Miller provided by Jerry Owen (findagrave.com).

The daughter of James and Sarah Miller, Elizabeth R. Drommond (Drummon per 1900 census) is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Navarro County, Texas. According to her headstone, Elizabeth R. Drommond was the wife of N.C. Drommond; was born on March 14, 1827; died on November 14, 1909.

Enter a caption

The daughter of James and Sarah Miller, Sarah J. Morrow is buried in Harper Cemetery in McClennen County, Texas. According to her headstone, Sarah J. Miller Morrow was born on September 20, 1830, and died on May 12, 1892.

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[1]Official Register of Land Lottery of Georgia 1827; 15th Day’s Drawing-March 23; Franklin. Page 43.

[2]White Oak Presbyterian Church records, MS 595. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

[3]Coweta County (Georgia) Deed Book E, Page 390.

[4]Coweta County (Georgia) Deed Book F, Page 232.

[5]Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1839-1840) Vol. C, Pages 378-379.

[6]Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1840-1843) Vol. D, Page 257-261.

[7] “Silver Spoons and Spyglasses: The Lifestyle of Abbeville Gentry, 1820-1860” by Larry S. Bell & Marvin L. Cain, The South Carolina Historical Magazine, October 2014, Volume 115, No. 4; Page 312.

[8]Campbell County (Georgia) Deed Book C, Page 464.

[9]Campbell County (Georgia) Deed Book, Page 373.

[10]Tippah County (Mississippi) Deeds (1843-1844) Vol. E, Page 288-289.

[11]Mississippi Marriages (1776-1935).

[12]Mississippi Marriages (1776-1935).

[13]Tippah County (Mississippi) Record of Bonds and Letters, Volume 1 (1858-1914), Pages 258.

 

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