The first part of this web page provides some older (1963, 1978, 1995) publications about Peter Miller, born Sept. 11, 1739, and his descendants. The second part of this web page provides supplemental information about the Miller individuals in those books who are my ancestors.
Free download: "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" book
The book "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" is available below as a free download, or to read online. This book was originally written in 1899 by William J. Miller of Hamilton Nebraska, and then updated by an unknown author and published in 1963 in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. The book focuses on the descendants of Peter Miller, who was born in Altenkirk Helmeroth Germany on Sept. 11, 1739. Peter Miller was married to Elizabeth Gaver, Rebecca Gaver and a Miss Ruddock, and lived in Frederick County, Maryland. He is an ancestor of many of the families tracing back to Somerset County, Pennsylvania, including many of America's Amish families.
Free download: "The Family of Harvey Miller and Belinda Baer Miller"
Click here for a pdf copy of the 1978 book "The Family of Harvey Miller and Belinda Baer Miller" (26,314 KB pdf). This book was published by Harvey and Belinda Miller's son Harvey A. Miller. The pdf was made from my uncle Ralph Dietle's copy of the book, and incorporates some looseleaf update sheets that were kept in the book.
Free download: "Genealogy of the Relatives of Jacob Peter Miller and Catherine Bare Miller".
2024 Jacob P. Miller Reunion Harvey & Belinda (Baer) Miller, and their ancestors
Harvey & Belinda (Baer) Miller family materials
Jacob P. and Catherine (Bare) Miller family materials
Peter D. and Mariah (Harden) Miller family materials
David and Fraina (Livingood) Miller family materials
Peter Miller family materials
Volume 1 of the 1992 book “The Gaver Families: A Jigsaw Puzzle History” indicates that Peter Miller and Elizabeth Gaver were married on July 10, 1760, and indicates that Elizabeth was a daughter of Johannis Peter Gaver. The book also mentions Peter’s marriage to Elizabeth’s sister Rebecca Gaver, and indicates that the name of Peter’s third wife was Catherine Rothruck. The book lists nine children of Peter Miller: Peter, Catherine, Jacob, John, Jonathan, David, Abigail, Elizabeth, and Mary. The book also indicates that:
After aquiring a copy of the 1992 book "The Gaver Families: A Jigsaw Puzzle History", I corresponded with the author. She was not aware of the 1963 book "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller".
The "Gaver's Recovery" tract references Peter Miller's "Millers purchase" tract (surveyed November 26, 1789), which is in turn referenced by the November 18, 1791 survey for Peter Miller's "Addition to Millers Purchase" tract.
Most of the above tracts are referenced by, and incorporated in, the survey for Peter Miller's "Millers farm" tract (an October 22, 1804 resurvey).
The 2019 book "Descendants of Peter Muller" indicates that Peter Miller's wife Rebecca Gaver was born in 1741 and died in 1776, and Peter Miller died in Frederick County, Maryland on January 13, 1829.
Click here to see a brief written history of the Pleasant View Church near Broad Run that mentions Peter Miller and Peter Gaver.
Peter Miller and Peter Gaver appear in a transcript of the 1790 census records of Frederick County, Maryland.
When reviewing 1700s Miller records, it is useful to keep in mind that the 1963 Miller book indicates that Peter Miller's son Peter was born on December 18, 1777. While I don't know if that son ever bought land in Frederick County, based on a December 18, 1777 birth date, he would not have turned 18 years old until December 18, 1795, and he would not have turned 21 years old until December 18, 1798.
Emmert F. Bittinger's 1990 book "Allegheny passage: churches and families, West Marva District Church of the Brethren, 1752-1990" indicates that:
A letter that was published in the 1879 issue of "The Brethren's Almanac" indicates that Peter Miller and Peter Gaver came to Frederick County from Pennsylvania.
Click here for information on Peter Gaver, the reported father-in-law of Peter Miller.
Peter Muller family materials
Although the 1963 book "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" does not name the father of the Peter Miller who was born on September 11, 1739, it does indicate that the father died in Frederick County, Maryland.
Although Volume 1 of the 1992 book “The Gaver Families: A Jigsaw Puzzle History” does not name the father of the Peter Miller who was born on September 11, 1739, it does indicate that according to tradition the father:
Click here for a pdf copy of the 1995 book "Genealogy of the Relatives of Jacob Peter Miller and Catherine Bare Miller" (23,276 KB pdf). This book is made available here courtesy of the Jacob P. Miller Reunion organization.
The 68th Annual Reunion of the Descendants of Jacob Peter Miller and Catharine (Bare) Miller will be held at the Greenville Lutheran Church Grove/Pavilion on August 18, 2024. (2706 Greenville Road, Meyersdale, PA 15552). Start time is 12:30 PM with a covered dish meal to begin at 1:00 PM. Delicious fried chicken will be provided. Bring your family pictures, Bibles and memories to share with the Miller members. Checkout the pictures and messages on our Miller Facebook page: Jacob P. Miller Reunion. Everyone is welcome to come earlier to worship and enjoy the Miller and Bare stained glass windows at the Greenville Evangelical Lutheran Church starting at 9:45 AM. All are welcome! Any questions, simply call David Meese, cell #814-442-0980 or e-mail: davidlmeese@gmail.com.
This part of the webpage provides links to supplemental information about Harvey & Belinda (Baer) Miller of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and their ancestors. Harvey and Belinda Miller were the parents of my grandmother Alma Caltherine (Miller) Dietle, who was the wife of Irvin Henry Dietle. Click here to visit a web page about the Dietle family that settled in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It includes detailed information about the families of Alma Catherine (Miller) Dietle and her sister Mildred (Miller) Dietle.
Page 29 of the "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" book states, " Harvey Miller, oldest son of Jacob P. and Catherine (Bare) Miller, was born ... in Greenville Twp., Somerset Co., Pa., Sept. 21, 1873. ... On Jan. 6, 1898 he married Belinda Baer, daughter of Elisha and Polly (Beal) Baer. She was born May 28, 1875. ... In the fall of 1899 they bought the Peter D. Miller farm at Pocahontas, Pa."
Page 24 of the "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" book states, "Jacob Peter Miller was born Oct. 24, 1845 in Greenville Twp., Somerset Co., Pa. He ... married Catharine Bare who was born Nov. 1840, then purchased the William Bare farm from his father-in-law in 1878."
Page 9 of the "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" book states, "Peter Miller was born in Greenville Twp., Somerset Co., on March 10, 1808. Mariah Harden was born in Southampton Twp., Somerset Co., Pa. on May 28,1810. They were married January, 1836."
Page 4 of the "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" book states, "David Miller was born December 18, 1775. Fraina Livengood was born November 13, 1780. They were married January 5, 1802." The book indicates David Miller died on July 14, 1856 and Fraina (Livengood) Miller died on January 8, 1861.
Beginning on page 2, the 1963 book "Genealogy of the Relatives of William J. Miller" states, "Peter Miller was born in Germany in the parish of Altenkirk Helmeroth, September 11, 1739. He came to America September 25, 1749. He was married to Elizabeth Gaver July 10, 1760 in Frederick Co., Maryland." ... His second wife, Rebecca Gaver, was a sister to the first. ... he chose for his third wife a Miss Ruddock by whom he had the remaining eight children."
The 2019 book "Descendants of Peter Muller" indicates that a Peter Muller who was born on January 28, 1690, and his wife Anna Thimothea Fisher, were the parents of the Peter Miller who was born on September 11, 1739. The book also indicates that Peter and Anna Muller had a daughter named Christina who was born on September 23, 1736, and a daughter named Veronica Gertrude who was born in 1741. The book doesn't provide a basis for its information about Peter Muller.
