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.
Back To In Service To
Their County