This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RobertaEstes13 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.rockingham/3274/mb.ashx Message Board Post: As the DNA surname administrator of the Brethren Miller project, and also a Miller descendant myself, documents often come across my desk, either sent by another genealogist or discovered in one of my journeys. If you are interestd in the DNA project, please contact me at restes@comcast.net or bobbi48114@yahoo.com This line of the Michael Miller (Susanna Bechtol) family through Lodowich Miller migrated to the south into Virginia. This is an excerpt from a book, which I don't have and don't have the title for either, but the information may be helpful to someone nonetheless. Michael Miller and Magdalena Lair of Augusta Co., Va. Son of David Miller and Magdalena, son of Lodowich Miller, son of Johann Michael Miller and Susanna Berchtol, our immigrant ancestors. Book name is missing but begins on page 4. In March 1962 after further research this farm was located on the map by court records and visited on the South River north of Waynesboro, Va. Oral tradition was that Michael Miller Sr. came from Maryland. It could have been David Miller they had in mind. Records give Augusta Co. Va. as the birthplace of Michael Miller Sr. Elder John Wine says his father John Wine and his mother, Ann Catherine Miller were second cousins. His grandfather Christian Wine and Michael Miller Sr were first cousins. His great-grandmother Susanna Miller Wine and his great-grandfather David Miller were brother and sister. As Susannah and her husband Michael Wine lived in Boonsboro, Maryland, for 10 years after they were married and before they moved to Shenandoah Co., Va. in 1782 or 83, it is likely that David, her brother, was from Maryland or Pennsylvania. It is not known which of David Miller's children were oldest. It is evident that he came to Augusta Co. on or before 1783 since his son Michael was born there and in this year. David and Magdalena his wife, and children lived in the area of South and Middle Rivers, tributaries of Shenandoah River. Michael Miller Sr. Lived on South River about midway between Grottoes and the present village of Hariston on Route No. 340. His home, facing the river, is illustrated in this book showing a rear view. Recently it was razed after a modern home was built nearby. All that remains is a very large pile of stoen from the foundation and chimney. This chimney in the center of the house with a large fireplace heated one side of the house. The other side was heated with a very large stove connected with the chimney. This stove was made in 1768. On one side of this stove was a picture of a boy hanging in a apple tree as his trousers had caught on a limb. In his hands was a hat full! of apples. A farmer was approaching the boy with a hoe in his hand. The barn site was nearby to the south and a short distance farther on was a small cemetery with some and wooden markers. The latter were made from locust timber. There were no inscriptions as the elements had been at work. No respect for age was shown here as the graves were for children and adults. The soil of this farm is sandy and needs care to keep it in the best state of productivity. This information relative to this home is related by Mrs. Lula V. Gordon Diehl, a descendant of Barbara Miller. These Millers were members of the German Baptist Brethren, so named until 1908 when the name of the faith was changed to the Church of the Brethren. No church of this faith was in this area when David Miller came to Augusta Co. One was organized in the last decade of the 18th century. Its members as was the custom then worshipped in homes of the members until in 1824 when one was built. In this year a church was built of brick on Middle River and was for 50 years known as the Brick Church Congregation of Augusta Co. It is presently known as Middle River. Peter Miller, 3, son of David Miller 1, became a minister and elder, serving in this capacity for more than 30 years. It is likely Michael Miller 2 and his family worshiped in this new church before moving to Tennessee. In time the Miller descendants became scattered for various reasons. Many of them married members of other churches and some of these followed their companions. Some located in cities without a church of their choice and united with other denominations. Thus the descendants have become communicants of many faiths. During this period of exodus to the west and southwest was a continual flow of emigrants. News traveled then as now except at a much slower pace, bringing back the prospects of great opportunities. This may have had its influence on Michael Miller 2. A study of this family will show where these descendants migrated, as a general rule, some of their relatives went along or followed them later. The exact date of the move of Michael from Virginia is not known. We know when he sold his farm and at least two of the younger children were born in Tennessee. Dec. 31 1832 between Michael Miller and Magdalena his wife of Augusta Co. to Samuel Patterson of the same..in consideration of $2400 Virginia money.two tracts adj each other the first containing 265 ac being the same conveyed into Michael Miller by John Miller and others by deed Aug 5 1828.the second tract containing 15 acres and granted to Michael Miller by patent bearing date March 31 1818. Signed Michael Miller, Magdaline Miller her X mark. Rockingham Co., Va. justices examine her separately. During the Civil War, the South used he cave as a gunpowder factory, it's deposits of bat guano provided a handy source of saltpeter. One of these factories was located on the farm of and operated by Michael Miller Jr, 12, Hawkins Co., Tn. When John Wine came with his parents in 1837 from Shenandoah Co., Va. to Washington Co., Tn. , Susan, his 12 year old sister walked this distance of more than 300 miles leading a cow. Peter Miller's mother-in-law, Katherine Loudermilk Simmons had a sister, when she married walked 26 mile sot her new home leading 2 cows and carrying a churn. The following is a sample of early 19th century family records used not only because of its interests but this family was closely associated with the Michael Miller family. Christian Simmons (1765-1822) In the year of our Lord 1765 Christian Simmons was born and being 24 years of age until he was married unto his wife which was formerly called Catherine Amend. And in the 92 on December the 9th the Lord blessed me with a young daughter Margaret and again the Lord had blessed me with a young daughter Elizabeth ninety four in June 16th. Again the Lord has blessed me with a young daughter Susanna born July 19 1796 and again the Lord has blessed me with a young son Jacob Aug 20 1798. In the year of our Lord 1801 my daughter Catherine was born in September 9th and in the year 1803 in April 6th my daughter Mary was born. And in the year of our Lord 1806 the Lord has blessed me with a young daughter Martha September the 23. Samuel Simmons was born in the year of our Lord 1809 Nov 15th. George Simmons was born in the y4ar of our Lord 1811 December the 17th day. Anne Simmons was born in the year of our Lord 1816 January the 20th. During the Civil War William Burner who had married one of the descendants of David Miller hid in the garret of his home, former home of Michael Miller Sr on South River, Augusta Co., Va. The soldiers came and found him and carried him away. In East Tennessee during the Civil War much enmity existed among the people, brought about by some citizens sympathized with the South, others with the North. There were a minority with conscientious scruples, governing their conduct in such matters. One of the Miller sons who had a family came into the house one day with an armful of firewood. H is wife, at the window, saw soldiers coming toward the house. As they approached the door Miller dropped the wood, went under the bed and drawled out the back door left partly open as he came in. The bed and other parts of the house were quickly searched giving Mr. Miller enough time to escape into the timber. For the next 30 months or so he was a refuge in Ohio. In the interim his family received a message as to his safety. This work is about Michael Miller Sr 2 and his descendants. However, since members of his parents' family tree have been found, they are given. A family tree is usually thought of when genealogy is mentioned. Instead of preparing a tree, the author has chosen to give below in tabular form the children and known grandchildren of David Miller, I , with the names of husbands and wives when known. The data in hand are not sufficient to determine the order in which the children were born. Children and grandchildren of David Miller and Magdalena, last name unknown. [RJE note - we know David to be the son of Lodowick Miller, son of Johannes Michael Miller and Susanna Berchtol, the immigrant ancestors.] 1. Michael Miller 2 m married Magdalene Lair: A Barbara Miller 7 m Benjamin Sherfy B Susanna Miller 8 m Joseph Sherfy C David Miller 9 D Magdalene Miller 10 m William Molsbee E Hannah Miller 11 m Christian Simmons F Michael Miller jr 12 m Nancy L Kinkead and later Mary M. Isenberg G John Miller H Elizabeth Miller 13 m Benjamin Isenberg I Peter Miller 14 m Elizabeth Jane Simmons J Ann Catherine Miller 15 m John Wine 2. Peter Miller 3 m Barbara Laird (Lear) A Samuel Miller m Bettie Wine B John Miller C Daniel Miller D Anna Miller m Jacob Brower E Mary Magdalene Miller F Barbara Miller 3 John Miller 4 m Elizabeth "Betsey" 4 Barbara Miller 5 m Daniel Whitsel A Hannah Whitsel m William Burner B Mattie Whitsel 5 Hannah Miller 6 m John Brower A Samuel Brower B Daniel Brower C John Brower Jr D Magdalena Brower E David Brower F Fanny Brower G Enoch Brower H Abraham Brower I Joseph Brower J Elizabeth Brower K John Brower Jr L Lydia Brower M Polly Brower Elder Peter Miller 3 lived for a time in Rockingham County and in Augusta Co in the Middle River area the remaining years of his life. John Miller 4 owned land in the Middle River area but is not known how long he lived there. Barbara Miller 5 lived on the South River and some of her descendants live there at the present time. Hannah Miller 6 lived in Rockingham Co., Va. Elder John Brower, her husband, died in 1842. In 1844 Hannah, with 4 of her children, moved to Allen Co., Ohio. David Miller 1 is the earliest known ancestor of our Miller family known to date. Therefore he will be known as number 1. Before proceeding to the genealogy of Michael Miller Sr, 2, and his descendants, David Miller 1 and the first generation of his descendants will be given. David Miller 1 b 1750 d Jan. 23, 1828, Augusta Co., Va. married Magdalena, last name unknown, died Dec. 3 1835, Augusts Co., Va.. Children were: Michael Miller 2 B Sept 19 1783 Peter Miller 3 b Nov 27 1785 John Miller 4 Barbara Miller 5 Hannah Miller 6 b July 7 1793 (1795) This book will now be limited to the descendants of Michael Miller Sr 2 of the second generation, son of David Miller of the first generation. Michael Miller Sr 2, son of David Miller 1, b Sept 19 1783 in Augusta Co Va died Oct 22 1855 in Hawkins Co., Tn., married March 29 1817 in Virginia to Magdaline Lair, born April 19 1795 in Shenandoah Co., Va. d Dec. 7 1866 in Hawkins Co., Va. Children: Barbara Miller 7 b June 1 1818 Susannah Miller 8 b Sept 28 1819 David Miller 9 b Feb 7 1821 Mary Magdalene Miller 10 b March 6 1823 Hannah Miller 11 b Dec 13 1826 This is followed by a photo of the Michel Miller home, which I've posted with this message, and that is the end of what was sent to me. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.