(This page is a placeholder for my research on my Miller family of Northern Ireland, Pennsylvania, Spartanburg, South Carolina and Franklin County, Georgia - it is a work in progress.)
The earliest ancestor that I have researched is James Miller (1780-1827) who died in Franklin County, Georgia. He was from South Carolina, probably born in the present day area of Moore in Spartanburg County along the Tyger River (this was Ninety Six District in the 1780s). He married Adenia Mayson, the granddaughter of Colonel James Mayson. Their son, Samuel Miller (1817-1883) married Permelia "Betsy" Crump.
Regarding James' ancestry, I have done very little research personally so the following information is what I have obtained from the internet which I have not been able to verify so please consider this speculative at best: James' parents are said to be James Adam Miller (1724-1795) and Mary Neely (d.1827). Mary Neely was the daughter of Henry Neely who was the first ruling elder of historic Bethesda Presbyterian Church in York, SC. [1] My own anecdotal info that I can add to this is that this part of SC was predominantly Scots-Irish Presbyterian citizenry and as such it was a "hotbed" of Whig (Patriot) activity during the American Revolution and the Neely family was no exception. Henry's son Samuel was a Captain and his daughter Sarah married the Revolutionary War soldier Major Michael Dickson. Major Michael Dickson and Sarah Neely are buried near present day Pendleton SC - only a few miles from the graves of my Miller ancestors (Franklin County, GA). Also, my notes from several years ago (before I did started any Miller research) include another anecdotal story that Adenia Mayson met her future husband James Miller when she was visiting her aunt, Miriam Mayson Anderson the wife of Colonel David Anderson. And Col. David Anderson's brother is Captain John Anderson who married Jane Neely the daughter of Henry Neely. If correct, this not only shows a relationship between the Neely family and the Miller family, it places James Miller birthplace near present day Moore, SC. Note that Moore SC is just to the north of the confluence of the North and South Tyger Rivers. The 1790 and 1810 censuses for Spartanburg District show a James Miller and David Anderson living close to one another. The Rev War pension applications include the names of several James Millers from South Carolina - one of these could be James Miller Sr.. More research is needed to sort this Miller family out. Note that the Nazareth Presbyterian Church cemetery contains the graves of many of these early settlers and the church's history is linked to the early history of the "backcountry" of South Carolina. These families are mostly Northern Irish (Scots-Irish) who immigrated to Pennsylvania and then likely followed the Great Wagon Road southward winding up in western South Carolina.
James and Adenia had at least two children: Samuel and Mary. Mary married George Kesler and Samuel married Mary Permelia Crump the daughter of Richard L. Crump and Elizabeth Kesler (sister of George Kesler).
(Pencil sketch; Source - unknown family member)
In addition to having several daughters, Samuel and Betsy had three sons - all of whom fought for the Confederacy. The Civil War deeply affected Samuel and Betsy since two of their sons died in that war: James M. Miller and Robert F. Miller. They both were Privates with the 43 Inf. Regt., Company D. Robert died in July 1862 of disease while at home on sick furlough and James died in December 1862 in Chattanooga. The other son, Richard Lane Miller, may have also served: The marker on his grave shows he was with the 16th GA Cavalry but I cannot find such a unit. The NPS lists a 16th Battalion GA CAV but his name is not listed.
Frances Elizabeth Miller is the daughter of Samuel Miller and Mary Crump
George W. Kesler, Jr. is the son of George Kesler and Mary P. Miller
(Source: Unknown family member)
Another daughter of Samuel Miller and Mary Permelia Crump is Mary E. Miller who married the Methodist Minister Rev. Joel Parks Ledbetter (my maternal 2nd great grandparents).
Anyone interested in further research on this Miller family should try to locate the research done by Charles Miller (aka Bonedigger). Charles did a great deal of work on our Miller family and some of his work can be found on the internet. I hope to located all of his research at some point. Charles died a few years ago.
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[1] Note that I discussed the Presbyterian Neely family in my book since many of the descendants wound up in the Atlanta area.
(This page was created on 8/9/2023)