A Essay To

United Daughters Of The Confederacy

 

 

Transcribed by Fran Cutrell Rutkovsky granddaughter of Ella.

 

Questions or Comments to Fran Rutkovsky CLICK HERE

 

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 Sewanne (Franklin Co.), TN 8 Sept., 1879 and died in Dixon Springs,

16 April, 1965.  She was married to Simon Claiborne Highers.

 

Surnames mentioned in this file include HIGHERS, MILLER, HILL, RYMAN,

HUNT, BURNETT, SLADE, RUSSELL, DOBBS.

 


 

  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 for her assistance with the Census and marriage records and for sharing her Ryman family information.

 

 

 

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