Capt. Simon Miller

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Miller-432

Simon Miller was born in about 1642 (according to his will dated Feb 16, 1679 he says that he is thirty-seven years old "or thereabout.".) On November 5, 1673 he patented 817 acres of land in old Rappahanock County, granted to him for the transportation of 16 people to the colony of Virginia. Symon refers to owning land near "Pumans Inn." This corresponds to "Peuman's End" or "Peumansend Creek." Present-day Peumansend Creek (38.1284, -77.2246) in present-day Caroline County, Virginia, flows into Mill Creek, which flows north into the Rappahannock River.

Symon Miller was a shipwright or shipbuilder in Virginia.

He apparently earned the title of Captain for leading troops in Bacon's Rebellion.[1]

He married Margaret Prosser the widow of John Prosser of Golden Valley whose will was proved June 30, 1677.

Simon Miller died sometime before May 2, 1684, when his will was proved in old Rappahanock County. Old Rappahannock County was a Northern Neck county that existed from 1656 to 1692. In his will he names his wife, Margaret, his children Simon, William, John, Isabella, Margaret and Susannah, as well as Margaret's son from her first marriage, Anthony Prosser. He also mentions the "sons of John Prosser" implying that in addition to her child Margaret also had step-sons in her first marriage.

• Reference: Geni Named as overseer in his 1679 will:

His will dated Feb. 16, 1679 is filed at the Essex County, Court House. It was proved in Rappahannock County, , Virginia May 2, 1684

Historical Southern Families Vol XIX, pp 97 - 107

Tyler's Quarterly Magazine Vol 12, pp 237 - 243

Old Rappahannock County, Virginia Will Book 1682-1687 pp 13-15

IN THE NAME OF GOD Amen. The last Will & Testament of Symon Miller of the Freshes of Rappa aged Seaven and thirty yeares or hereabout being of true and perfect memory doe in the first place commit my Soule unto God as a Mercifull Creator relying upon Jesus Christ my Redeemer by whose precious blood I hope to be saved, I commit my Body to the earth to be decently buried I doe will and bequeath as follows:

Item I give unto my Sonn, Symon Miller, halfe the devidend of land I now live on to him and his heires for ever. Any my Son Symon Miller, to cleare and plant as he shall think fitting in his Mothers Life time upon the said Devidend excepting the Plantation. And Further I give to my Son, Symon, a sorrill Mare with a white blaze on the face and all her increase to him forever. And in case I dye it is my will that my Son, Symon be sent the next five years for England.

Item I give and bequeath to my Sonn, William Miller, the other halfe divident of land to him and his heires forever and a Chessnut Mare with her Increase forever and full power

I give to my Son William Miller to clear and plant as he shall think fitting upon any part of the said devidend.

Item I give unto my son, John Miller, two hundred acres of land adjoyning to Doctor Reynolds to him and his heirs forever and a black mare with a hook brand on the near buttock with her increase forever.

Item I give unto my Daughter, Susanna Miller fouwer hundre eight acres and a halfe of land being the halfe devidend of land adjoyning to Col Cadwalldr Jones on the head of Pumans Inn to her and her heirs forever. And my old Mare with her increase for ever.

Item, I give to my daughter Isabella Miller, the other halfe of the devident at Pumans Inn to her and her heires for ever, and a black mare about two years old and her increase forever, The Mare is branded with LM on her near Buttock.

Item I give unto my daughter Margaret Miller, two hundred acres of land on back of my land adjoyning to Doctor Reynolds to her and her heires for ever and a brown mare branded LM with her increase for ever.

And Last of all I leave my wife full Executrix, and the rest of my Estate I give my wife to bring up my chilredn and to be at her disposing after my decease my debts and other my estate to be devided equally betwixt my children.

It is my will that the three Mares given to my son will and my son John and my daughter Susan that the foales they go with all shall goe into the stock and if any of them being a Mare foale it is to be given to my wifes son ANTHONY PROSSER and if they doe bring a mare foale my wife as she thinkgs fitting is to dispose of so much of the stock to purchase her sonn Anthony a mare foale. And all the male increase of all the smares, except my son Symon to goe into ye said former stiock till my children come to the age of fourteen then male and female of the children to have ye full increase and if any of these children dy before they come of lawfull age then that estate land or mare to be equally devided among the survivors and if any of the childrens mare dy then my wife is to by out of the said stock to make good the same.

And to the sons of Mr Prosser every one of them are to have a heifer delivered to them one after anoth when they come ti eighteen years of age to be delived by executors after my decease.

Item I give unto my wife Margaret Miller the plantation and houses I not live in during her natural life. And in case she should mary one that should lett the house and orchard goe to Ruin then she is to return to her thirds accouding And I make James Ashton overseer over my estate and children and the overseer Jas Ashton to dispose of the children at sixteen years of age as he shall think fitt but in case the said Mr James Ashton dyeth en the children to be at their own disposing if they lie to goe to any handy craft trade they have a mind unto. Sealed and delivered in the presence of us

1. Nathaniell Tomlin
2. Francis Thornton SYMON MILLER
3. James Taylor

Mr Francis Thornton aged about 32 yeares or there abouts saith that on Febby 18 1679 was at the house of Capt Symon Millers and he then and there called me into his inner room and presented this Will to me and said it was his which accordingly I witnessed it further saith not. FRANCIS THORNTON Juratus est THORNTON in Cur Com Rappa quinto die 7bris Anno 1683 I the Subscriber doe hereby testifie and declare that I did see with testar signed and publish this with in mentioned to be his last Will and Testament and that he was then in perfect sense and memory to the best of mthis deponts knowledge and Further saith not JAMES TAYLOR

Juratus est TAYLOR in Cur Com Rappa 7 die Maii Ano 1684 Probtr p Sacrament Recordatr xx2 die May Ano 1684 TEST WM COLSTON Cl Cur

• Reference: Family Tree Maker

Simon Miller was born 1619 in ,,,England, and died 1671 in ,,,England.

Children of Simon Miller are:

1. Sarah Miller, b. 1670, Albermarle, Virginia, USA, d. 08 Nov 1764, ,Essex, Virginia, USA.

• Reference: Hinds KW

Born: 1619-00-00

Died: 1671-00-00

Marriages:

• 1.

Children of Simon Miller and (unknown) (unknown):

• Sarah Miller b. 1670-00-00

Notes:

• This is not the Simon Miller who married Margaret not-Gaines.

--

Virginia Colonial Abstracts Vol 1, p253

Deed 1693-01-14. Simon Miller, planter, of Essex Co, to Tho Parke, schoolmaster, of Essex Co,:

"know ye that I the said Simon Miller for several good considerations me hereunto moving and likewise for the Love and affection that I the said Simon Miller bear unto the Parke of the County of Essex schoolmaster", as much land as he shall have use of during his (Parke's) life, in Richmond County, and at his death to return to Miller's estate. This land "in the County of Richmond on the North side of the Rappahannock River on the back side of Mr Hugh French his plantation on the further side of a Marsh of Water between the line of Mr Antho Savage and the Line of Robert Paine".

• Signed Simon Miller
• Wit Rees Evand, Samll Jacques
• Rec 1694-01-20
• Hinds Site: Genealogy of Ken Hinds -- page 32583

ID: I722

• Name: Symon Miller
• Sex: M
• Birth: 1642 in england
• Death: 1684 in in Old Rappannoch County va.
• Occupation: Capt.
• Note:
• Notes for isabelle Miller: Daughter of Captain Simon Miller, who was the son of Captain John Miller, a noted ship builder of old Rappahannock County. Symon Miller was born in England in 1642. He sailed out of Bristol about 1673. It is possible that was his British home. It is not known who his parents were. However, there is a book written by John Poindexter at the Austin Library in Texas that states his father was Simon Miller born 1631 (impossible) at Blackfriers, St. Anne’s parish England. He patented 817 acres of land in Old Rappahannock County on Nov. 5, 1673 for the transportation of 16 persons into the colony. It is not known who those persons were. He became a very important person in the community right away. The Virginia Historical Magazine, Volume 3, page 37 contains an article entitled "Causes of Discontent in Virignia. A letter is quoted to the King from the Fresh of Rappahannock and it was signed by Cadwallader Jones and John Badse of Citternborn Parish March 8, 1676/7. It lists the attacks, death and destruction by Indians "thus our Enimies reigned till at yast yt Fire Brand, which with our Good Major jt had by God's assistance soe well defended us sent to our assistance one Capt. Simon Miller a Liver amongst us and Scince his time wee have had noe men killed nor great damage in our stocks though scince this war begun, wee have lost above 600 pounds Sterl: Now scince by an Evil hand wee his Majesties always, leige people have in a maner had our lives defended by ye said Miller. In gratitude wee desire he may be looked upon with an eye on favour." High praise indeed.
• This letter is repeated again in The Virginia Historical Magazine, Volume 12, page 237 in an article about Simon Miller, Captain in Bacon's Rebellion. The Fire Brand noted in the letter was Nathaniel Bacon.
• From Wagnall's encyclopedia: BACON'S REBELLION, uprising in 1676 of Virginia farmers, under the leadership of Nathaniel Bacon(1647-76), against the colonial authorities headed by Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia. Among thegrievances of the colonists were the Navigation Acts of 1651 and 1660, which forced them to trade only withEnglish firms and individuals at prices established in England, and the intolerably high export duties levied bycolonial officials. In addition, the colonists were outraged by Governor Berkeley's monopoly of the fur tradewith the Indians. Toward the end of 1675 the Indians began a series of raids on the frontier plantations of Virginia. Fearful of jeopardizing his trade with them, Berkeley made only a half-hearted attempt to repel the attacks. The colonists then formed an army of their own and named as its leader Nathaniel Bacon, a plantation owner and member of the Governor's Council. Bacon marched his army against the Indians on his own authority, defeated them, and then occupied Jamestown, the capital of the colony. Forcing the governor to give him a commission, Bacon led another expedition against the Indians, defeating them at the Battle of Bloody Run. While Bacon was engaged in this effort, Berkeley began to raise a force to fight him. Marching against Jamestown a second time, Bacon captured the city and burned it in September 1676. The following month, while marching to meet a hostile force sent against him by the governor, Bacon died of malaria. His rebellion immediately collapsed. The governor took revenge upon Bacon's followers, executing some and confiscating the property of others. Some historians interpret Bacon's Rebellion as the forerunner of the American Revolution.
• Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia gives the following details. "Nathaniel Bacon was a young lawyer who had emigrated from London to become a planter in Virginia. The Virginia colony at that time was badly misgoverned by Sir William Berkeley. In addition, the Indians regularly attacked outlying plantations. When no official measures were taken to stop the Indian outrages, Bacon organized his neighbors and punished the guilty tribes. The movement broadened into a rebellion of the democratic element among the colonists against the aristocratic clique who supported the governor. In the course of the conflict Bacon burned Jamestown, and the governor took refuge on an English ship. Soon after this Bacon died suddenly and the rebellion collapsed. Governor Berkeley hanged more than 20 of his foes. King Charles II was emphatic in his disapproval of Berkeley. The affair created a great stir in London and brought more attention to the needs and wishes of the colonists." Symon survived the anger of Berkeley. Symon seemed to have arrived in the colonies alone and in his 30s. The Plague was found throughout England in the 1660s. It is possible that he wed in England but his family died there.

Symon married the widow Margaret Gaines Prosser about 1668 in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia. The current Rappahannock County is on the east side of the Virginia mountains, but the original county was on the south side of the Rappahannock River. Margaret and John Prosser were of Golden Valley. They had sons mentioned in Symon's will.

The children of Symon and Margaret were

1. Simon, born 1668
2. Simon, born 1670 (Colonel)
3. William, born 1670
4. John, born 1675
5. Margaret, born Feb.16, 1678/9 twins, wed James Hord
6. Isabella, born Feb.16, 1678/9 wed William Triplett
7. Susannah, born 1681 wed Henry Brice

The names and dates of his children came from the Ancestral World Tree on the Web. It is possible that there was only one Simon, born 1668. But it was common when a child died to name the next child the same name. Tyler's Quarterly Magazine, Vol. 12 contains an article, "Simon Miller, Captain in Bacon's Rebellion" in which all children are named but the first Simon.

The William and Mary Quarterly in an article on the Triplett Genealogy, Vol XXI, page 42, states that Symon Miller was a noted shipbuilder during Colonial times and a large landowner.

Symon Miller died in 1684. His will was proved May 2, 1684 in Old Rappannoch County. It was dated Feb. 16, 1679. He names at least children John and Margaret.

_RIN: 1 1

• Change Date: 27 AUG 2002 at 11:29:26
• Father: John Miller b: in old Rappahannock County
• Marriage 1 Margaret Gains b: 1644

Children

1. Isabella Miller b: 16 FEB 1678/1679 in Rappahannock,Va
2. Jane Miller

Sources:

• Title: GEDCOM File : gentracker.ged
  • Author: Joesph Lafayette Murray
  • Abbrev: fate murray
  • Abbrev: GEDCOM File : gentracker.ged
  • Date: 8 JAN 2002

Symon Miller was born in 1642, possibly in Bristol, England.

Symon Miller immigrated to the Virginia colony before 1665. He witnessed the land deed of John PROSSER in Old Rappahannock County, VA on 10 MAR 1664/65. This is the oldest record known for our Symon Miller.

In 1669 John PROSSER sold 1,000 acres of land in the Freshes of Rappahannock to Symon Miller for 11,700 lbs. of tobacco, a common means of barter or trade at the time. At the time of this purchase, Symon Miller was a known shipwright (ship builder) in the Lower Norfolk County area.

In 1673 Symon Miller sold 605 acres along the "Penmansind" which had been granted him by the King, for £40 sterling and a man servant. That same year Symon patented 817 acres of land in Old Rappahannock County for transporting 17 people into the colonies.

Around 1676 the inhabitants of Old Rappahannock were feeling slighted by their government. Indians were attacking and the colonists felt they were owed better protection than they were getting. Nathaniel Bacon led an uprising against the Crown. During Bacons' Rebellion, our Symon Miller served as a Captain in his troops. The "Grievances of the Inhabitants of Cittenborne Parish, Rappahannock County" written 8 MAR 1676/77 state:

Thus our enemies reigned till at last that Fire Brand (Nathaniel Bacon)... sent to our assistance one Capt. Simon Miller, a liver amongst us and since his time we have no men killed nor great damage in our stocks, though since this War begun we have lost above £600 sterling. No since by an evil hand we his Majesty's always liege people have in a manner had our lives defended by the said Miller. In gratitude we desire he may be looked upon with an eye of favor.

It is thought that Symon Miller was married at least twice. Some have speculated that a woman Anne was first, and then secondly in about 1678 to Margaret, the widow of John PROSSER who died in 1677. Many have stated that Margaret PROSSER was actually Margaret GAINES, the daughter of Daniel GAINES and Margaret BERNARD. This appears unlikely as the 1682 will of Daniel GAINES states that he has no grandchildren and Margaret Prosser Miller had at least 4 Prosser sons by that time.

On 16 FEB 1679 Symon Miller wrote his will. He begins by mentioning that he is about 37 years old, hence his birth year of 1642. In the will he remembers his sons Symon, William, and John, daughters Susanna, Isabella, and Margaret. He names his wife Margaret. He mentions Anthony PROSSER, the son of his wife. He also names the "sons of Mr. PROSSER", and states that all his children are under 14 years of age.

Captain Simon Miller was gentleman Justice of Essex County 1747

He was candidate for Burgess from Essex County 1741

References:

1. Virginia Historical Genealogies By John Bennett Boddie. Page 70 Google Books Captain Miller’s wife appears to have been the widow of John Prosser, whose Will was probated in Rappahannock in 1677”
2. https://thekentonkin.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/can-ancestry-com-dna-... English immigrant and ship-builder Simon Miller I (1642 – 1683) and his second wife, Margaret Gaines (corrected 10 Apr 2016, this had “first wife”).
3. https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I2279...

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Miller-432