BADGER FAMILY CHRONICLES

© Christopher Earls Brennen

Appendix 8A. Miller Families

This appendix delineates several Miller families which may be related but whose precise connection has not been established.

Family of Joseph Millar:

  1. Joseph Millar, a farmer, was the father of:
    1. Joseph Millar was born about 1854. On 8 Aug 1876, Joseph Miller, full age, bachelor farmer (father: Joseph Miller, farmer) was married to Maria Watson, full age, spinster, of Lear (father: James Watson, farmer) in Banagher Presbyterian Church, Parish of Banagher, Civil District of Londonderry, County Londonderry (Banagher is just southwest of the town of Dungiven). The witnesses were John and William Galbraith. In the 1901 Census Joseph and Maria Millar are recorded as living at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane. Joseph is listed as a 47-year-old Presbyterian carter (born in Co. Tyrone) and Maria as a 44-year-old Presbyterian housekeeper (born in Co. Derry). Living with them are their children Tilda, Robert James, Joseph, William John, Maggie and Alexander (see details below), all born in Co.Tyrone. Joseph must have died before 1911 for in the census of 1911 the 57-year-old widow Maria Millar (Presbyterian and born in County Derry) is listed as living at 16 Bridge Street, Strabane South, Co. Tyrone, with her children Robert James, William John, Margaret and Alexander (see details below). Also living with her are five boarders and her mother, the 76-year-old Mary Anne Watson (Presbyterian and born in County Derry). Looking back at the 1901 Census the only listing consistent with the data is a Mary Anne Watson, a 67-year-old Presbyterian widow (born in County Derry) who is living in house #2 in Blakes Lower, Bannbrook, Londonderry, and is living on income from an annuity. Living with her is her son, Henry Cooke Watson, a 30-year-old unmarried dentist born in County Westmeath. The children of Joseph and Maria Millar:
      1. (Ma)tilda Millar, a daughter of Joseph and Maria Millar, was born about 1884 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 17-year-old unmarried Presbyterian flax spinner (born in Co.Tyrone) living with her parents at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane.
      2. Robert James Millar, a son of Joseph and Maria Millar, was born about 1886 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 15-year-old unmarried Presbyterian general labourer (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his parents at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 25-year-old unmarried Presbyterian labourer (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his mother at 16 Bridge Street, Strabane South.
      3. Joseph Millar, a son of Joseph and Maria Millar, was born about 1888 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 13-year-old unmarried Presbyterian scholar (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his parents at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane.
      4. William John Millar, a son of Joseph and Maria Millar, was born about 1892 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 9-year-old boy (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his parents at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 20-year-old unmarried Presbyterian shop assistant (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his mother at 16 Bridge Street, Strabane South.
      5. Margaret Millar, a daughter of Joseph and Maria Millar, was born about 1895 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 6-year-old girl (born in Co.Tyrone) living with her parents at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane. In the 1911 Census she is listed as a 16-year-old unmarried Presbyterian scholar (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his mother at 16 Bridge Street, Strabane South.
      6. Alexander Millar, a son of Joseph and Maria Millar, was born about 1898 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 3-year-old boy (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his parents at 10 Townsend Street, Strabane. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 13-year-old unmarried Presbyterian scholar (born in Co.Tyrone) living with his mother at 16 Bridge Street, Strabane South.

Family of William Thomas Miller:

  1. William Thomas Miller was born at Newtownstewart in 1865 and was educated at the Model School, Newtownstewart, the Intermediate School, Newtownstewart, and the Methodist College, Belfast. William Thomas Miller was married to Clara Phyllis Flatman on Nov.11, 1896, in Saint Columbs Church of Ireland, Parish of Templemore, Civil District of Londonderry, County Londonderry. In the 1901 Census, 35-year-old William Thomas Miller (Justice of the Peace and farmer with private means, Church of Ireland, born in County Tyrone) and his 30-year-old wife Clara Phyllis Miller (born in England) are living in house #13 in Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone, with their daughter Irene Muriel Phyllis Miller. Also in the household are two servants and two visitors from Australia, Alice Josephine Stirling Steen (married, 37 years old) and Nina Wood (married, 35-years old, an obstetric nurse). In the 1911 Census, 45-year-old William Thomas Miller (Justice of the Peace) and his 41-year-old wife Clara Phyllis Miller (born in England) are living at house #4 in Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone, with their 6-year-old son, Herbert William Miller (born in County Tyrone), and a servant. He became the Chief Registration Agent of North Tyrone Unionist Association. Hon. Secretary of North Tyrone, Tyrone, and Fermanagh and Tyrone Unionist Associations. Member of Strabane Rural District Council. Member of Tyrone County Council. Justice of the Peace for County Tyrone. Deputy Grand Master and Assistant Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Contested North-West Tyrone in the 1918 United Kingdom general election. An Ulster Unionist member. Sat for Fermanagh and Tyrone from the general election of 1921, and for North Tyrone from the general election of 1929, until his death in October 1930. William Thomas Miller of Brook House, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, M.P. died on Oct.6, 1930: administration of his will was granted to Clara Phyllis Miller, the widow. His effects were £1135 13s. 6d. Clara Phyllis Miller of Brook House, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, widow, died on Mar.30, 1934, and administration of her will was granted to Herbert William Miller. Her effects were £1265 18s. 11d. The children of William and Clara Miller:
    1. Irene Muriel Phyllis Miller is listed in the 1901 Census as living with her parents in Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone. She may have died before the 1911 Census.
    2. Herbert William Miller was born about 1904 and is listed in the 1911 Census as a 6-year-old living with his parents in Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone. He administered his mother's will in 1934.

Family of Thomas S. Miller:

  1. Thomas S. Miller was born about 1842. Thomas S. Miller was married to Margaret Jane Patterson on Nov.3, 1896, in Newtonstewart Methodist Church, parish of Ardstraw, Strabane. In the 1901 Census 58-year-old farmer Thomas S Miller (Methodist, born in County Tyrone) and his 34-year-old wife, Maggie Miller, are listed as living at house #2 in Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone, with their six children as indicated below and two servants, 26-year-old Thomas Patterson (who may be Margaret's brother) and Casey Cane. Thomas Miller died before the 1911 Census (administration of the estate of Thomas Miller, late of Grange, County Tyrone, farmer, who died on May 13, 1901, was granted at Londonderry to Maggie J. Miller, the widow.) In the 1911 Census 42-year-old widowed farmer Margaret Jane Miller (Methodist, born in County Tyrone) is listed as living at house #1 in Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone, with six children as indicated below. The children of Thomas S and Margaret Jane Miller:
    1. Mary Miller was born about 1890 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 10-year-old living with her parents in Newtownstewart. In the 1911 Census she is listed as a 20-year-old living with her mother in Newtownstewart.
    2. Elizabeth Miller was born about 1892 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 8-year-old living with her parents in Newtownstewart. In the 1911 Census she is listed as a 18-year-old dressmaker living with her mother is Newtownstewart.
    3. Margaret Miller was born about 1894 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 6-year-old living with her parents in Newtownstewart. In the 1911 Census she is listed as a 16-year-old living with her mother is Newtownstewart.
    4. Anne Miller was born about 1896 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 4-year-old living with her parents in Newtownstewart. In the 1911 Census she is listed as a 14-year-old living with her mother is Newtownstewart.
    5. Thomas Miller was born about 1898 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 2-year-old living with his parents in Newtownstewart. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 12-year-old living with his mother is Newtownstewart.
    6. Joseph Miller was born about 1900 and is listed in the 1901 Census as living with his parents in Newtownstewart. In the 1911 Census he is listed as a 10-year-old living with his mother is Newtownstewart.

Family of William Miller of Newtownstewart:

  1. William Miller was married to Matilda McElrea on Dec.6, 1866, in Douglas Bridge Presbyterian Church, Strabane. The children of William and Matilda Miller:
    1. Thomas Miller was born to William Miller and Matilda (McElray) on May 16, 1868, in Newtownstewart, Co.Tyrone.
    2. Margaret Miller was born to William Miller and Matilda (McElray) on Apr.3, 1871, in Newtownstewart, Co.Tyrone.
    3. Mary Ann Miller was born to William Miller and Matilda (McElray) on Oct.12, 1873, in Newtownstewart, Co.Tyrone.

Miller family of Ardstraw and Virginia:

  1. John Miller. The children of John Miller:
    1. Alexander Miller was born in 1720 in Antrim, Ireland. Alexander Miller married Jane Evans in Ardstraw, Co.Tyrone, Ireland about 1748. Jane Evans was the daughter of David Evans and Jane (Norton). Jane Evans was born about 1724 in Glasgow, Scotland. Alexander died in Dayton, Rockingham County, Virginia, USA. Jane died in 1793 in Rockingham County, Virginia. The children of Alexander and Jane Miller:
      1. Brice Miller
      2. John Miller was born in the Parish of Ardstraw, County Tyrone, Ireland, Jan.10, 1749. He was brought to America by his parents about the year 1750. They settled on a farm in that part of Augusta County, Virginia, now called Rockingham County. This John Miller married Margaret Hicklin, daughter of Captain John Hicklin, of Augusta County, Virginia, on Nov.27, 1778. Margaret was born on Feb.9, 1760. Her parents had emigrated to Virginia from Durham, England. John Miller was a soldier in the Revolution, serving three terms as an officer in the Virginia militia during the Revolutionary War. John Miller and his family removed to Madison County, Kentucky, in the year 1811, settling near Richmond where their son, Dr. Alexander Miller, had previously located in the year 1806. John Miller and Margaret Hicklin were the parents of ten children.
      3. Alexander Miller was born about 1740 in Ardstraw, Co.Tyrone. On Jun.6, 1782, in Rockingham County, Virginia, Alexander married Sarah Crawford, born about 1771 in Ireland. Alexander died after 1821 in Rockingham County and is buried in Cooks Creek, Virginia. Sarah died after 1821 and is also buried in Cooks Creek. The children of Alexander Miller and Sarah (Crawford):
        1. John Wallace Miller was born in 1796 in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia, and died in 1858.
        2. Margaret Miller was born in 1800 in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia.
        3. Jane Miller was born in 1803 in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia.
        4. Alexander Miller was born on Apr.12, 1787, in Cook Creek, Rockingham County, Virginia, died in 1843 and is buried in New Erection Cemetery, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
        5. James M. Miller was born on Aug.3, 1795, in Rockingham County, Virginia. On Jan.28, 1821, James married Sarah Boyd, born about 1797 in Lincoln, Illinois. James died on Nov.3, 1874, in Bloomington Township, McLean, Illinois and is buried in Scogin Cemetery, Bloomington, Illinois. Sarah died on Dec.13, 1885, in Lincoln, Illinois and is buried in Lows Grove, Illinois. The children of James and Sarah Miller:
          1. James T. Miller was born on Jan.17, 1823, in Harrisburg, Rockingham, Virginia and died on Mar.20, 1904, in Iowa.
        6. Samuel Miller was born on Nov.27, 1784, in Rockingham County, Virginia, and died in Rockingham County.
        7. Isaac Miller was born on Dec.1, 1792, in Rockingham County, Virginia, died on Jan.21, 1857, and is buried in Scogin Cemetery, Bloomington, Illinois.

David Miller family of Londonderry:

  1. David Millerwas born in County Donegal about 1855 and married Mary ?, born in County Derry about 1860. In the 1901 Census 45-year-old David Millar, a landsteward, and his 40-year-old wife, Mary, are listed as living in house 29 in Ballynashallog, parish of Templemore, Lower Liberties, Londonderry, with their four children as listed below. In the 1911 Census 67-year-old milk server and his 55-year-old wife Mary are listed as living at house 15 in Barry Street, Londonderry, with three of their children as indicated below. The children of David and Mary Miller:
    1. James Miller was born in Derry about 1883 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 17-year-old unmarried shirt cutter living with his parents in house 29 in Ballynashallog, parish of Templemore, Lower Liberties, Londonderry.
    2. Sarah Miller was born in County Derry about 1887 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 14-year-old schoolgirl living with her parents in house 29 in Ballynashallog, parish of Templemore, Lower Liberties, Londonderry. In the 1911 Census, 23-year-old Sarah Miller, an unmarried seamstress, is listed as living with her parents at house 15 in Barry Street, Londonderry.
    3. David Miller was born in County Derry about 1889 and is listed in the 1901 Census as a 11-year-old schoolboy living with his parents in house 29 in Ballynashallog, parish of Templemore, Lower Liberties, Londonderry. In the 1911 Census, 21-year-old David Miller, an unmarried collar cutter, is listed as living with his parents at house 15 in Barry Street, Londonderry.
    4. Mary Miller was born in County Derry about 1892 and is listed in the 1901 Census as an 8-year-old schoolgirl living with her parents in house 29 in Ballynashallog, parish of Templemore, Lower Liberties, Londonderry. In the 1911 Census, 18-year-old Mary Miller, an unmarried seamstress, is listed as living with her parents at house 15 in Barry Street, Londonderry.

The John Miller Family of Moneymore:

  1. John Miller, in his own writing, "came into the management of an estate at Moneymore in 1779". Where he came from is unknown. He had been appointed agent by members of the Rowley family of Admirals who were the prime tenants, for three lives, of the estate at Moneymore of the Drapers Company of London. He was still there in 1817 when the Drapers took over from the Rowleys and was retained as their agent. He was succeeded by his son, Rowley Miller. John married a woman named Margaret. There are two plaques stored in the tower of St. John's Church, Moneymore which were salvaged after a fire in the church in 1889 and never remounted. One is dedicated to John Miller and his wife Margaret. The other is described below. John Miller had at least two sons:
    1. William Miller was named in deference to his father's patron, Sir William Rowley. William Miller was the great great grandfather of Viktor Miller (v.j.miller@quicknet.se) who supplied information on this family.
    2. Rowley Miller was also named in deference to his father's patron, Sir William Rowley. Rowley Miller served in the British Army as a Major and succeeded his father as the agent for the Draper's Company on the Moneymore Estate. After years of faithful service, Major Rowley Miller was succeeded by one of his sons, John Rowley Miller who predeceased his father and was succeeded by his son, Henry Rowley Miller. Henry Rowley died young and the Miller saga at Moneymore was over. Rowley Miller of Moneymore in County Londonderry died on Jul.15, 1866; his will was proved at Londonderry by the oath of Alexander Rowley Miller of Lissan (Moneymore), one of the executors. The second of the two plaques mentioned above lists those responsible for the erection of a window dedicated to the memory of Major Rowley Miller. It also refers to his only surviving son, Alexander Rowley, and his grandsons, including Rowley Alexander. Rowley Miller had sons:
      1. Alexander Rowley Miller, the son of Rowley Miller of Generosus, Co. Derry, graduated from the University of Dublin with a B.A. in 1831 and an M.A. in 1841. He became a Church of Ireland minister and married Maria Elizabeth ?. He proved his father's will. Alexander died on Apr.3, 1877. The will (with one codicil) of Alexander Rowley Miller, late of Lissan Rectory, Moneymore, County Londonderry, who died Apr.3, 1877, at same place was proved at Londonderry by the oaths of his executors, Maria Elizabeth Miller, his Widow, and Joseph Diver of Moneymore, gentleman.
      2. John Rowley Miller succeeded his father as the agent for the Draper's Company on the Moneymore Estate but died before his father on Dec.25, 1862. Letters of administration of the personal estate of John Rowley Miller of Moneymore, County Londonderry, who died Dec.25, 1862, in Moneymore were granted at Londonderry to his son, Henry Rowley Miller. John Rowley Miller's son:
        1. Henry Rowley Miller succeeded his father as the agent for the Draper's Company on the Moneymore Estate. He married Elizabeth Sawyer, the daughter of W.H.Sawyer, Secretary to the Worshipful Drapers Company, London. Henry died young on Jul.18. 1873, predeceasing his father. The will of Henry Rowley Miller, late of Moneymore, County Londonderry, was proved at Londonderry by the oath of Elizabeth Miller of Moneymore, widow and sole executrix. His wife Elizabeth appears to have returned to live in London; she remarried in 1897, to Walter Hilton Nash, the architect (1850-1927).

The following is the family of Rowley Alexander Miller, a grandson of the above Major Rowley Miller:

  1. Rowley Alexander Miller was born about 1849 in County Louth and graduated from the University of Dublin in 1877 with a B.A. About 1877, he married a woman named Ella Frances (Fracey?)??, born about 1854 in "Harryshire", England. In the 1901 Census of Ireland he is listed as the 51-year-old clerk of the Petty Sessions in Omagh, County Tyrone, living with his 47-year-old wife Ella F., their two children as listed below, two servants, 26-year-old Mary Miller and 20-year-old Sarah Ballintine, and a visitor, 67-year-old Sarah Fracey (born in County Armagh, perhaps Ella's mother?), in house #1 on Millburn Terrace, Omagh. The family belongs to the Church of Ireland. Major Rowley A. Miller is listed as the Clerk of the Petty Sessions in Omagh and as a resident at "Millbank" in the 1910 directory for Omagh, County Tyrone. In the 1911 Census 61-year-old Rowley Alexander Miller and his wife, 57-year-old Ella Frances Miller (born in England), are listed as living at house #21, Mountjoy Road, Omagh, with their daughters as listed below and a 24-year-old servant, Rebecca Graham. They have been married 34 years and had 4 children, 3 living. Miss Winifred Lees of Cookstown has rental receipts for "a holding in Ballybriest", rented to her grandfather by Major R.A.Miller in 1909 and 1910. The Misses Ethel and Winifred Rowley Miller, the daughters of Major R.A.Miller were apparently still receiving this rent in 1925. Rowley Alexander Miller died on Jun.16, 1915, in his residence, "Millbank", Omagh, County Tyrone. The will of Rowley Alexander Miller of Millbank, Omagh, County Tyrone, Major (Retired) who died Jun.16, 1915, at the Hospital Omagh was probated at Londonderry to Richard S. Holland, solicitor. The children of Rowley Alexander and Ella Frances Miller:
    1. Alexander Rowley Miller, First Lieutenant in the Inniskilling Fusiliers, died in the Boer War on May 15, 1902, at Kaffirkop, Orange River Colony, South Africa. The administration of his estate was granted at Londonderry to Rowley A. Miller, Major.
    2. Ethel M. Miller was born about 1878 in England and is listed in the 1911 Census as a unmarried 33-year-old living with her parents in house #21 on Mountjoy Road, Omagh. As mentioned above Miss Ethel Miller was receiving rental incoming from the Lees family of Cookstown for "a holding in Ballybriest", at least for the period 1909 to 1925.
    3. Winifred S. Rowley Miller was born about 1879 in County Tyrone and is listed in the 1901 Census as an unmarried 22-year-old living with her parents in house #1 on Millburn Terrace, Omagh. She is also listed in the 1911 Census as a unmarried 32-year-old living with her parents in house #21 on Mountjoy Road, Omagh. As mentioned above Miss Ethel Miller was receiving rental incoming from the Lees family of Cookstown for "a holding in Ballybriest", at least for the period 1909 to 1925.
    4. Inglis R. Miller was born about 1893 in County Tyrone and is listed in the 1901 Census as an 8-year-old living with his parents in house #1 on Millburn Terrace, Omagh. Inglis Francis Rowley Miller, Lieutenant in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers died during the First World War on Sep.14, 1914, at Cambrai Hospital, France. Administration of his will was granted at Londonderry to Rowley Alexander Miller, Major (retired).

Christopher E. Brennen