Ancestors

Descendants

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Biography

Robert was a Friend (Quaker)

Records of sufferings show that Robert Miller farmed in the Parish of Dorryhan, County Antrim, in the early 1690s, moving to County Londonderry around 1693, where he lived in the parish of Maghera.^[1]

Robert's son Gawin/Gayen lived with him from 1694 to 1700, and his son James from 1700 to 1704.

It is unclear when he died but he last appeared in the minutes of the Ulster Quarterly Meeting in 1709.^[2]

Research Notes

No birth, marriage or death record located. This is not too surprising, as he lived in County Londonderry in the compass of the Antrim Monthly Meeting, for which all records have, alas, been lost. His birthdate has been estimated based on the birthdate of his son James.^[3]

NOTE (added by Jim Miller); I am going to tie this Robert Miller as a son of my 7th great grandfather, Patrick Miller-29807 (b- 1620 Scotland; D- circa 1675 Middlesex County, Virginia) given Robert Miller's son, Gayen Miller named a son Patrick Miller and many of the given names are the same as other descendants of Patrick Miller (b-1620). Also this family married into several of the families that my known Miller's were connect with. This son/father relationship is by no means certain, but will possibility allow me to make connections in the future. Also my Miller's especially the ones in Isle of Wight Co., VA in the later 1600's and 1700's had connections to known Quakers. Also One of Gayen Miller’s descendant landed in Albemarle Co., VA where some of my known Miller's lived in the later 1700's.

Patrick Miller-29807 is thought to have a son named Alexander Miller who immigrated to Northern Ireland circa 1675 and then to PA right around 1730 with some of his children and grand children. The person that entered Alexander Miller on WikiTree (Bill Miller) is no longer active on WikiTree and notes no sources; however I have seen Alexander Miller's family having some indirect connections with families my known Miller's were connected.

The below is posted on the Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland & Virginia's Northern Neck Counties profile of a Robert Miller noted as the brother of John Miller (my 6th great grandfather) who died in 1742 in Middlesex Co., Virginia. See link and verbiage below:

John Miller who died in 1742 had a daughter who did marry and live in Essex Co., VA where there is a town named Miller's Tavern (property last owned by a John Miller around 1804 per records held by the King & Queen County, VA Historical Society). Miller's Tavern is in Essex Co., VA near the border with King & Queen Co. Several of my Miller's are documented as owning taverns. At least one of the Robert Miller born in Northern Ireland descendants landed in the Eno River Scott-Irish settlement in Orange County, North Carolina. A few of John Miller's daughter (who lived in Essex Co., VA) children also landed in the Orange Co. Eno River Settlement around 1750.

I would not be surprised if a Miller relative of mine operated a colonial era ferry given they appear to have been involved with trade and movement of materials (mainly tobacco). The Ferry operated by Robert Miller noted below would likely been near the point the Piscataway Creek enters the Rappahannock River about 2 to 3 miles down river from the colonial merchant port of Tappahannock.

• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I9993&tree=Tree1

1693-1694 Essex County, Virginia Deed, Will & Order Book; [Antient Press]; Page 158 Essex County Court 12th of December 1693 ROBT. MILLER peticoning this Court that ye late FERRYMAN of PISCATAWAY FERRY being deced, & offering him selfe to attend ye same with all dilligence, this Court hae ordered tht ye said MILLER be allowed in ye next levy after the rate of Two thousand pounds of tobo: & caske p annum for keeping the sd FERRY

=

1694-1695 Essex County, Virginia Order Book; [Antient Press]; Page 256 - At a Court held for Essex County ye 10th: day of September Ano: Dom: 1695 - Its ordered that ROBERT MILLER be allow'd by this County for FERRYING ye Inhabitants thereof over PISCATTAWAY CREEK after the rate of Two thousand five hundred pounds of tobo: & caske p annum, giveing due attendance thereto

My known Miller's had several apparent connections to Quakers; however many appear to have been Presbyterians.

Sources

1. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.ie/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FYMG-2%2F0002&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FCONG%2F1196294 : accessed 18 May 2020), Robert Miller and son Garvin Miller of parish of Maghara have oats, barley and lambs worth 2 pounds 10 shillings seized for tithes; citing YM Sufferings 1694-1705, Congregation year: 1694, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.
2. ↑ "Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Congregational Records"
   Archive: Ulster Friends Trustees Ltd.; Reference: Q.1.1.B
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 29 February 2024)
   John McCoole and Robert Miller have neglected to give account of the accomplishment of the marriage of Joseph Berry and Isabel McWhorter; Event year: 1709; Denomination: Quaker; Meeting: Ulster Quarterly; Meeting name: Richard Boyes; Meeting date: 27/08/1709; Year range: 1694-1717; Register type: Congregational.
3. ↑ Ireland, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Family Lists, image, FindMyPast (https://search.findmypast.ie/record?id=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FROB-DUBLIN-1859%2F0038&parentid=IRE%2FQUAKER%2FBIRTH%2F40068 : accessed 18 May 2020), reference to Robert and Elizabeth Miller, parents of James Miller; citing Dublin MM Family lists 1655-1699, Religious Society Of Friends In Ireland Archives.