Elizabeth (Hunkins) Miller (1764 - 1839)

Born 1764 in Hampstead, New Hampshire

Ancestors

Wife of Samuel Miller — married 1786 in Bradford, Orange, Republic of Vermont

Died 30 Dec 1839 at about age 75 in Johnson, Lamoille, Vermont, United States

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Biography

Elizabeth (Betsey) was born in 1764. She was the daughter of Capt. Robert Hunkins and his first wife Phebe Emerson^[1].

A few years after the close of the Revolutionary War, Elizabeth married Samuel Miller. The Hunkins family's homestead adjoined the Miller farm in Bradford, Vermont. The marriage date is not precisely known, but it is clear that the marriage took place when Betsey's father arranged in either 1785 or 1786 for the pastor Mr. Richards to cross the Connecticut River from the NH side so that the marriage could be performed in the Hunkins' house in Bradford^[2].

After living for a short time after marriage in Bradford, Samuel and Betsey moved to Johnson, Vermont, where they lived for the rest of their lives. They appeared in Johnson on the 1790 Census^[3]. On that census, they lived next door to Samuel's sister Hannah (Hastings) and to brother-in-law Nehemiah Barnett.

Samuel and Betsey had 2 sons and 7 daughters, as follows:

1. Lydia? b. abt. 1790; m. Mr. Simons, had dau. Diana Simons
2. Betsey b. 1792; m. Theodore Dyke; d. 1869
3. Elmira b. 1795; m. 3 May 1821 Joseph Wilder
4. Robert Emerson b. 1797; m. 22 July 1817 Margaret Olds (parents of Narcissa Miller 1820-1909, Mrs. Loyal Potter)
5. Samuel Rogers b. 1799; m. 8 May 1823 Phebe Bachus; d. 1854
6. Phebe b. 1801; m. 17 Apr 1823 Ransom Smith; d. 15 Feb 1841
7. Arvina b. 1802; m. 6 May 1823 John Simons Jr.; d. 16 Aug. 1832
8. Clarissa b. 1806; m. 1 Dec. 1825 Josiah Smith, and
9. Abigail b. 1815; m. abt 1835 Daniel C. Hulbard.

Most of these children were listed in Samuel's 1820 and 1823 depositions in connection with his military pension application. 1820 was the time when Samuel first applied for a military pension (through the Vermont courts, since he lived in Johnson). He was granted a pension of $8 per month. His deposition explained that neither he or his wife were able to do hard labour, yet they were caring for two daughters and a grand-daughter. Even his son Robert was apparently sick and unable to work. The family continued to appear on the census's for Johnson, in 1800 (7 children under 16), 1820 (7 children under 25), and 1830 (2 children under 20)^[4])^[5][6].

Betsey lost her husband in 1837 in Johnson at the age of 78. His death date is confirmed in the War Pension files referenced above. She then obtained the survivor's pension of $36 per year, until her death in Johnson on 29 Dec. 1839, at the age of 75. She was interred next her husband^[7].

Sources

1. ↑ A History of Bradford, Vermont, by Rev. Silas McKeen, Montpelier, Vt., 1875| Page 207
2. ↑ Revolutionary War Pensions, New Hampshire, Nbr. W19880, Attestation of John Hunkins, and Lydia Atwell, siblings of the Bride
3. ↑ 1790 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Town of Johnson, Line 20
4. ↑ 1800 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Franklin County, Town of Johnson
5. ↑ 1820 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Franklin County, Town of Johnson
6. ↑ 1830 United States Federal Census, State of Vermont, Franklin County, Town of Johnson
7. ↑ FindAGrave| Betsey Hunkins Miller