William Miller (abt. 1750 - 1793)

Born about 1750 in Essex, Virginia

Descendants

Died 1793 at about age 43 in Essex, Virginia, United States

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Biography

William Miller was the only son of Major Simon Miller of Essex County, Virginia. He was named in his father's will dated 25 April 1792.^[1] His father bequeathed the lifetime use of his plantation in Essex County to him per the following excerpt from the elder's will...

I lend my son William Miller the tract of land and plantation whereon I now live, during his natural life, he not to sell any Timber off the sd. Land, or cut down more than is necessary for fire wood and Timber for the support of the plantation, and after the decease of my son William, it is my will and desire that the said land and plantation shall go to my grandson Simon Miller, son of my son William Miller, to him and his heirs forever, if he should survive his Father, but if not, to his eldest brother to have the like estate also the like condition and so to any other son which may be lawfully begotten by my son William having regard to priority of age, but if my son William should leave or have no such son, then it is my will that my Grandson Simon Miller son of Sarah Miller shall have the said Land to him and his heirs forever. Item I lend my son William Miller during his natural life one seventh part of my Negroes (except Harry) after my debts are paid, and after his death tis my will that the Negroes bequeathed him for life be equally divided among all his children lawfully begotten to them and their heirs forever.

William served for at least 7 months over 7 years during the American Revolution. Affidavits given on his behalf, when claiming Bounty Land, and on the behalf of his heirs after his death, indicate he entered the service as a Cadet in the 7th Virginia Continental Regiment at the beginning of the War, and was soon promoted to Capt. Lt. of Col. Charles Harrison's Artillery, serving until the close of the War. ^[2]

William's own will was dated 29th January 1793 and his death occurred in either January or February of 1793, shortly after his father and before the latter's estate had been divided. His will was proved 15th April 1793 and he appointed Capt. William Waring and Capt. Henry Garnett to be his executors.

William's estate is mentioned several times in the accounting of his father's estate. Much information about William and his children can also be gleaned from numerous Chancery suits which followed his death. His birth year is only estimated by him being father to five children at his death, indication he had been married for over 10 years, and him having entered the service in 1776. His eldest son Simon, who was named in his grandfather's will, appears to have been nearing the age of maturity. William's widow Susanna remarried in March of 1796 to Andrew Boulware. William's minor children, numbering five, were named in Chancery cases as follows.

1. Simon Miller
2. John Miller
3. William Miller
4. Catherine Miller
5. Susanna Miller

Sources

1. ↑ [1]Will of Simon Miller, dated 25 April 1792, proved 25 October 1792. Essex County Will Book 14 (1786-1792), pp. 337-339.
2. ↑ [2] Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters. Bounty Land Warrant information relating to William Miller VAS687. Transcribed by Will Graves.

• [3]4 Dec 1793 Division of Slaves of Simon Miller, Simon Miller, et al. vs. Executors of Simon Miller. Legatees of daughter Ann (Miller) Rennolds named. LVA Digital Memory Collection. Essex Co. VA Chancery index #1796-005.

• [4]GDN(S) OF Simon Miller vs. Andrew Boulware & WIFE. LVA Digital Memory Collection. Essex Co. VA Chancery index #1804-003.