Person:Eleanor Miller (16)

Born Eleanor Estelle Miller on September 25, 1910 in Plainview, NY, the only daughter and youngest child of Nathaniel Edward Miller and Eleonora Wilhelmina von Peyn Miller, Estelle was raised in Oyster Bay, Little Neck, and Centerport, Long Island. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1928 and worked for the Long Island Lighting Company in Northport, NY. In June of 1934, she married the Rev. Edgar Newman Jackson, who was serving as pastor of the Centerport Methodist Church, and joined him in his life-long ministry. Together they served churches in Centerport and Mamaroneck, NY, Thomaston, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Winsted, CT. During their 14-year tenure in Mamaroneck, Estelle worked for the Methodist Board of Missions in NYC. In 1965 they retired to Corinth Corner, VT.

In 1937, Estelle and Edgar were one of the 7 couples that founded the Chelsea Farm Society, a cooperative retreat in Corinth. They built a cottage where they and their family spent many happy summers on their beloved hillside.

Estelle was a talented musician, who sang in the church choirs and played the piano. She studied at New York University and Mansfield College, Oxford. She loved to travel and accompanied Edgar on many trips to Europe, Australia and throughout North America. Following his death in 1994, she continued her travels to Europe and around the US with her daughter, Lois.

She loved learning and was a constant reader. She was also a master of all of the domestic arts. She was a fabulous cook and seamstress. She also knitted and crocheted. From 1967-72, she and her daughter ran the Stitchin’ Time Shop, a sewing and knitting supply and crafts shop in Chelsea, VT. Invitations to her legendary dinner parties were greatly sought-after.

She was active in Civil Rights and Women’s rights organizations and was an ardent progressive Democrat. She will be remembered for her ebullient personality, her positive outlook on life, and her concern for others.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1994 and by her two sons: Edgar D. Jackson, 1935-1936, and James W. Jackson, 1938-1972. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Daniel Edward Miller of Centerport NY and Frederick Miller of Huntington NY and Sanibel FL.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Research of Lois E. Jackson (ljackson, add the at, together, add the dot, net).