Person:Elizabeth Smith (708)

Obituary

Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, whose maiden name was Smith, was born in Allegheny county, Pa., Aug. 5th, 1813, and entered into rest at Wilkesville, Ohio, August 24, 1896, aged 83 years and 19 days. She united with the Presbyterian church at Mentours, Pa., at the age of 18, and was a faithful member of the church for sixty five years.

She was married to Thomas Miller February 16th, 1832, and removed with him to Wilkesville township, in 1845. They were the parents of seven sons and two daughters, John, Jacob G., Philip, Isaac W., Thomas Seaton, Cyrus C., Henderson, Elizabeth J., and Catharine.

One son, Thomas Seaton was killed fighting for his country on the battlefield of Stone River. Both of the daughters went before their mother to the better country. Six sons are living.

Her sons and their wives cared for her last days with great tenderness and devotion, and were richly repaid by her gratitude and love. Her mental powers were retained and her trust in God unshaken to the last. With perfect calmness she made every preparation, even to the minutest detail, for her death and burial, asking that her grandsons should prepare her resting place in the cemetery on the hill.

Her funeral took place on the 26th, being conducted by Revs. Taylor and Simmons. Thus passed away the oldest members of the church, and the widow of one of its most prominent elders. The memory of the just is blessed.

A Standard History of Ross Co., pg. 738 & 739:

"Thomas Miller married Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania August 5, 1813, a daughter of Philip Smith, who was a very remarkable character. He fought with the American army in the struggle for independence during the Revolution, but he continued to live on for many years and reached the remarkable age of one hundred and thirteen. He was an expert shingle maker, and his wonderful vitality is indicated by the fact that when he was one hundred and nine years of age he took a contract to rive the shingles for a large barn. In that he set as his stint the riving and stacking of 500 shingles per day, a performance which, considering his age, was probably never equaled. Mrs. Thomas Miller died August 17, 1896. Her nine children who grew up were John, Jacob G., Philip, Elizabeth, Isaac W., Thomas S., Cyrus C., Henderson S. and Catherine."

Story of the Presbyterian Church at Wilkesville, Ohio - Excerpt

by Rev. Charles B. Taylor, Ph.D., Pastor

pg. 6
"For a number of years after Mr. Bascom's removal, the church was irregularly supplied. Abraham Blakely, Nathaniel Cobb, John Elliot and Calvin P. Hogshead each supplied the church for a time. Members died and removed until at one period only eleven were left.

In 1850 through the exertions of Elder Thomas Miller, Mr. Howe was induced to return to the field and remained two years and in 1855 Rev. Thomas Welch began his labors here. He remained nearly eight years. In 1856 Mr. Welch assisted by Rev. Chas. Merwin of Amesville conducted a series of meetings which results in a great revival, and though nearly forty years after passed away, the church still feels the effect of that season of refreshing. A considerable number of those who are now office-bearers and faithful members of the church professed their faith in Christ at that time. Another revival blessed the church in 1860.

These revivals strengthened the church and prepared it to pass safely through the trying years of the war. Fourteen of those who were at that time members of the church were soldiers in the war. By the merciful providence of God all but two of them returned.

The fourteen were Thomas Seaton Miller, killed at the battle of Stone River, December 31st, 1862. Abraham Strasbaugh, died at Memphis, Tenn., July 26th, 1868.

pg. 7
Charles E. Hawk,
Jacob G. Miller,
Cyrus duvault,
Michael Strasbaugh,
James B. Miller,
William Cavit Miller,
Cyrus C. Miller,
John R. Steel,
Joseph C. Stewart,
James M. Steel,
Richard C. Stewart,
John Lewis.

Rev. Warren Taylor came to the pastorate of the church just as the war was closing, in March, 1865.

My own personal acquaintance with the church and neighborhood began shortly after. I was mustered out of the U.S. Service the last day of July and arrived in Wilkesville on the 2d day of August 1865.

I recall the next Sabbath as though it were yesterday. The old church on the hill, the gathering of the neighbors from the country, the Sabbath school, and the earnest heartiness of the services moved me strangely. The old church is gone, the old session are gone, and the old pastor is gone.

John Miller was Superintendent of the Sabbath School then as now and led the singing then as now.

pg. 10
THOMAS MILLER
Was born in the state of Pennsylvania, January 14th, 1809. The death of his father in early life left him to encounter the battle of life hampered by great difficulties and with limited knowledge of books. He and Elizabeth Smith who afterwards became his wife and who still survives him, became members of the Mentours
pg. 11 - Presbyterian Church about September 1st, 1831, under the ministry of the Rev. John Cunningham.

They were married February 16th, 1832, and removed to Wilkesville township in 1845 bringing a letter from the Westfield Presbyterian church where their residence had been for some years. Mrs. Miller still has the following document:

    "Westfield, Pa., Sept. 27th, 1845
    This may certify that Mr. Thomas Miller and his wife Elizabeth Miller are members in full communion and in regular standing with the Westfield Presbyterian Church and that their children, John, Jacob Guy, Philip, Elizabeth Jane, Isaac Whitman, and Thomas Seaton are baptized members of the church and that the family are at their own request dismissed to any church within whose bounds they may reside.
    Algernon Sidney McMaster, Pastor.
    September 18th, 1845. Cyrus Cunningham Miller baptized this day by me.
    Algernon Sidney McMaster, Pastor."

pg. 12
In one respect this is a model Presbyterian document and deserves notice. It includes the name of every baptized child and then states that the "family are at their own request dismissed."

That is in accordance with Presbyterian belief and practice. We believe in God's covenant with families.

We hold fast to his promise to be a God to us and to our children. We reverently rejoice as we read in his word: "As for me, this is my covenant with them saith the Lord; my Spirit that is upon me, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of they seed, nor out of the mouth of they seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever." Isaiah 59:21

At the time when Mr. Miller became a member of the Wilkesville church the membership had been reduced by death and emigration to eleven. He was made an elder and set about earnestly to revive the waning interest of the discouraged church. His venerable widow tells me that at one time, when canvassing the congregation to secure funds so as to procure the services of Father Howe, he told her that as he passed the old church on the hill the tears gushed unbidden from his eyes as he thought of the desolation of Zion. He attended the meetings of the Presbytery, procured temporary supplies, and finally secured the return of Mr. Howe. He lived to see the church grow strong and to see his place in the session occupied by his son.

He was a trifle more than ordinary height and very straight. I remember with interest his prayers in the church. Like most men he was apt to repeat certain forms of expression in his prayers and I recall still some
pg. 13 - sentences whose faulty construction showed the limited opportunities of his laborious youth. There was a reverent solemnity and a tender, quiet earnestness in his prayers, which showed they were not meant for the ears of men but were indeed addressed in faith to him who heareth his children when they cry.

Mr. Miller died December 20th, 1881."

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 A Standard History of Ross County eBook: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Civic and Social Development, Volume 2. (Online - Chicago and New York: Google - Lewis Publishing Company, 1917)
   Vol. 2 / pg. 306-309.

   eBook Available on Google Play
   Biography of Newton A. Vaughan family
   (https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=jDgVAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA738.w.1.5.0)

2. ↑ Find A Grave.

   Elizabeth Smith Miller