Capt. John "Racoon" Miller, Sr.

Perhaps the best source of information regarding the life of John Miller comes from a collection of family histories compiled by Thomas Howe R. Neal of Knoxville. His compilation published in 1971, Part 4-- The Millers -- Neal indicates John Miller was born in Newberry County, South Carolina in 1747.

John Miller, called Racoon Miller, (Neal's spelling) to distinguish him from another John Miller who was in the area at the time, served in the American Revolution in 1776 under Colonel Joseph Martin. His length of service is not known. That same year he married Eva Weidner, daughter of a German immigrant, Lewis Weidner, born in Germany in 1725, and migrated to the Pennsylvania Colony in 1747. Lewis Weidner served in the American Revolution and also in the Campaign against the Cherokees in 1776. Eva was born in 1753.

In 1777, John (Racoon) Miller migrated to Hawkins County, Tennessee. Later, on February 17, 1794, a Warranty Deed conveyed 1000 acres in this valley to John (Racoon) Miller. Three years later on May 22, 1797, John (Racoon) Miller bought an additional 600 acres from Stockly Donaldson. This purchase increased Miller's holdings to 1600 acres in Knox County (now Union). We should remember that during this period the northern bound ¼ of Knox County was the Clinch River.

John (Racoon) Miller was commissioned a Captain in the Knox County Militia by Governor John Sevier on October 10, 1796. Early records indicate Captain John (Racoon) Miller settled 2 or three miles down the valley below Maynardville. A son-in-law, Jacob Cox, settled about 6 miles below John (Raccon) Miller's at Holmack's Station--or Bull Run Blockhouse, the plantation of Cox being near the plantation of Haywood Stanley. (Holmack's Station may have been situated near what is today Hansard's Chapel)

Captain John (Racoon) Miller died in the valley that was his home for 40 years on August 25, 1832. His grave, in the Ousley Cemetery, is clearly marked, reflecting his service in the war of Independence.

Some speculate that the site of the blockhouse of John (Racoon) Miller may have been closer to Bull Run Creek further down Ailor Gap Road, while others claim it stood near where John Woods had a potato house. Esco Heiskell claims the area between his home and Highway 33, was the site of the Miller Blockhouse. Judging from the amount of land Miller owned, the size of his family, many of whom migrated with him, his wealth and talents, and the enterprises that he engaged in, such as producing raw silk, one might conclude that the blockhouse may well have been the center of a compound that contained many early cabins which was traditional.

There were eight known children born to John (Racoon) Miller and Eva Weidner, they were: Polly, John, Nancy, Isaac, Lewis, Jacob, Elizabeth, and Rachel. The genealogy of these children is traced through Mr. Neal's research.

The Union County Historical Society is the proud sponsor of the erection of a Tennessee Highway Marker placed near the site of the Racoon Miller Blockhouse. The Society acknowledges the cooperation of the Tennessee Historical Commission, Department of Conservation, whose Executive Director and State Historical Preservation Officer, Herbert L. Harper, helped in having this marker approved. We are also grateful to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Knoxville and to Mr. Wayne Lockett, Engineering Associate, who took time to install the marker on June 25, 1985.

The Union County Historical Society honors Captain John (Racoon) Miller with the erection of the marker. It will stand as a symbol of westward migration in the early history of our county and territory that later became part of our beloved nation.

-WGT

For more information on this article or any article or publication of the Union County Historical Society please write them at:

Union County Historical Society

P.O. Box 95

Maynardville, TN 37807

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 4 FLOWERS 10 Family Members Spouse Photo Eve Widner Miller 1751–1853

Children Photo Rebecca Miller Rice 1767–1831

Photo John Miller 1786–1843

Photo Isaac Miller 1791–1878

Photo Nancy M Miller Loy 1792–1875

Photo Elizabeth Miller Graves 1799–1870

Inscription North Carolina, Sgt, Porter's Co. NC Regt., Revolutionary War.

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