Surnames mentioned in this file include HIGHERS, MILLER, HILL, RYMAN, HUNT, BURNETT, SLADE, RUSSELL, DOBBS.

This essay was handwritten by Ella Frances Miller Highers, about 1929/30, as an application for membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy. At the time of writing, she lived in Dixon Springs (Smith Co.), TN. Ella was born in Sewanee (Franklin Co.), TN, 8 Sept., 1879 and died in Dixon Springs, 16 April, 1965. She was married to Simon Claiborne Highers. Transcribed by Fran Cutrell Rutkovsky (prutkov [at] garnet [dot] acns [dot] fsu [dot] edu), granddaughter of Ella.

“My grandfather George S. Miller was born somewhere in Virginia and was married to America Ann Hill. To them seven children were born five sons and two daughters, Thos., Edward, Joseph, James, Robert, Sallie and Francis.

Uncle Tom the eldest was born in Franklin Co. , Jan 15, 1832. I have been informed that they afterwards moved to Cowan, a small town that lies at the foot of Cumberland Mountains and there the other six were born and reared.

When the Civil War broke out only three of the boys inlisted, Uncle Tom, Ed, and Joe, the other two being to young. Tom and Ed inlisted together in the same regiment made up of Nashville and Kentucky under Gen. Zollicoffer. Uncle Tom did scout duty, the horse he rode was very high spirited and at the firing of guns at one time his horse jumped from under him and threw him across a stump hurting his back so badly he had to be carried to a hospital where he remained for months and was totally disabled for farther service.

At the age of 29 he was married to Margerette Ryman, to them were born fifteen children, eight boys and seven girls. Boys names were Charlie, George, Thomas, Horace, ?ton, Frank, and Alex. Girls : Minnie, Mollie, Sallie, Lillian, Maud, Stella and Bessie. She and Uncle Tom being the only survivors of his family.

Uncle Ed was born Jan. 25, 1842. He inlisted at the age of 19. After the closing of the war he was married to Mille Hunt. To them were born five children, 4 boys and one girl. The boys names are Willie, Harry, Charlie, Edward. The girl Addie Belle. Three of the children and their mother are still living, she was 80 years old this past month.”

RESEARCH NOTES: George S. Miller and family are listed in the 1840 U.S. Census for Franklin Co. , TN. However, the 1860 Census shows them in Davidson Co. The ages of the children do not quite agree with my grandmother’s accounting for years and ages.
1860 U.S. Census, Davidson County, TN: Pg. 457A
Miller, George S. b. Va age 76 School Teacher, 1000/200, America b. VA age 54, Thomas age 24 b. TN, Carriage Maker, 1400/500, Robert age 21 b. TN, Carpenter, Edward age 18; b. TN, Matrass Maker, Joseph age 16; b. TN, app carpenter, , Frances age 19 b. TN F,

James, age 22, is found living in the household of Nat Slade. Sallie is not listed.

The 1870 Census for Davidson Co. lists Thomas H. and Margaret Miller and family, as well as E.H. (Edward) and Amelia (Millie) Miller and their children. The names of the children listed agree with my grandmother’s account. Joseph is not listed.

Marriages found in Davidson Co. for this family are: Thomas H. Miller and Margaret C. Ryman, 22 Aug, 1860; Robert F. Miller and Martha A. Burnett (Ella’s parents), 18 Feb, 1864; Edward H. Miller and Catherine A. Hunt, 17 Dec, 1865; Joseph H. Miller and Delila B. Russell, 7 July, 1867. James Miller married Matilda Dobbs in Sumner Co. 10 Dec., 1865.

My thanks to Jeanne Johnson (jj [at] tampabay [dot] rr [dot] com) for her assistance with the Census and marriage records and for sharing her Ryman family information. Fran C. Rutkovsky, Tallahassee, FL USA, prutkov [at] garnet [dot] acns [dot] fsu [dot] edu.

Know all men by these present that I , George S. Miller of the county of Franklin State of Tennessee for and in consideration of the sum of forty dollars the receipt whereof is herby acknowledged hath this day granted gained sold delivered unto Griffin Lampkin the following property, towel, one cow & yearling, one bed furniture, curtains, three trunks, four chairs, one looking glass, one kettle, two ovens, one skillet, one (something) and Irons, one pot, thirteen plates, one Sett of cups, Saucers, one cream pot, one Sugar dish, a Dozen knives & forks, five large common spoons, three (something), one Churn, three pails and Well Bucket, two fans, one tin coffee pott, two tea pots, one hoe, one Smoothing Iron, and one Saddle and Bridle. To have and to hold the above property (something) from the claim or claims of all and any person or persons whatsoever which property I warrant & defend against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whatsoever as witness my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of November 1828. (signed) Geo. S. Miller (seal)
This bill of sale was duly proven in open court under oaths of James Lewis & Strother Key. Let it be registered (signed) E. Russell, Clerk