Eliza Bigler

Elizabeth ("Eliza") Cannon Miller was born May 24, 1817. Her father was William Cannon, born in 1787, was a tailor. Her mother was Elizabeth Scott and they were married about 1812. Eliza's maternal grandparents were John Scott and Martha Bingham who were born about 1765 in County Down.

Eliza's mother, Elizabeth Scott died in 1828 and her father, William Cannon, died 23 March 1865 aged 76 at Ballylesson townland, which was near Drumbo in County Down. His death, which was recorded in the Civil Record, gave his profession as a tailor and stated he was a widower. He had been paralysed for twenty months prior to his death and Martha Crothers had been in attendance when he died.

Eliza had one older sister, Martha Cannon, who was born about 1813. Martha Cannon married James Carothers about 1834. They had two known children, James Carothers, christened 6 July 1835, and Elizabeth Carothers, christened 10 October 1836, both at Drumbo Presbyterian Church. They lived near Ballylesson.

Elizabeth Cannon married John Miller about 1840. John was born about 1813 at Lambeg in County Down which is a few miles from Lisburn. His parents were John Miller and Sarah Elizabeth Stewart who were born about 1788.

In 1861, Jacob Bigler and a few companions arrived on a mission to Ireland and they lodged with Elizabeth and her husband at 31 Irwin Street, Belfast. Therefore, Elizabeth and John are presumed to have become members of the LDS church sometime before then.

Eliza's husband, John Miller, was a carter and he died as the result of an accident on 28 July 1865 when a loaded wagon rolled over him. Following his death Elizabeth went to Salt Lake City where she married Jacob Bigler on 10 October 1867.

The following excerpts are from the book "Freely I gave: The Life of Jacob G. Bigler" by Franklin Keith Brough published by Grit Publishing Co. Wichita, Kansas, pages 133, 153-154:

"Belfast.... hired a cab to take me to Sister Millers where I was well cared for and after taking some sleep...

"By fall little Sister Miller whom Jacob had met on his mission in Ireland, and with whom he and his companions had lodgings at 31 Irwin Strret, had emigrated to Utah. After befriending others throughout her life, she was now without means of support. So with the agreement of his family, Jacob was married and sealed to Eliza Miller at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City on 10 October 1867 by Heber C. Kimball. This was at a time when polygamy was still practiced.... Jacob built a little house for Eliza immediately west of his home which was located at what is now the corner of First North and Main Streets. Later on when the practice of polygamy was halted, she moved in with the family of Abner and Elizabeth Tranter Bigler." [Abner was a son of Jacob]

Amy Bigler Grover, a daughter of Abner remembered those times well. "We always called her Grandma Miller. She had no children, but helped with the other children, the washing and ironing. We loved her dearly. One winter she lived with my father and mother. Our home was small so I slept with her."

John Miller and Sarah Elizabeth Stewart were John Miller's parents. Eliza was sealed to her husband John Miller on 10 June 1896 in Manti and the proxy for her husband was Jeremiah Stringham.

The above information was obtained from Hugh Templeton.