Person:Jacob Miller (80)

Information on Jacob Miller

From "The Allegheny Passage, Churches and Families West Marva District, Church of the Bretheren, 1752-1900", by Emmert F. Bittinger:

The will of Jacob Miller (whose son witnessed the will of Jacob Chrisman, Jr., in 1800) was probated in Hardy County on June 11, 1787. It named sons Jacob and Anthony Miller, and assigned wife Barbara as executor along with son Jacob. Some of these Millers are believed to be Brethren, and will be discussed later. Witnesses to this will were Jacob Chrisman, John Naylor, and Charles Cracraft (Judy, 303). Jacob Miller purchased 350 acres of land on Lost River, a tributary of the Great Cacapon, in 1772 from Abraham Fry and 36 acres from Joseph and Abigail Claypoole in 1773. Witness to the second purchase was Benjamin Frye, a land owner on the Cacapon Creek (Sage and Jones, 9, 21).

Cornelius Vandeventer wrote his will on July 9, 1782 and it was probated on Nov. 12 of the same year. He names his wife Jannetee, and son Peter, as executors. Other children named are Nicholas, John, Cornelius and Molly. The secretary was Stephen Ruddle, and other Witnesses were Jacob Miller, John Philips, and Peter Vandeventer (Sage and Jones, 136).

South of Capon Bridge in the territory which was to become Hardy County in 1786, lived the Pecks, Bakers, and several Millcrs, e.g., George, Isaac, Jacob and Daniel. Jacob Miller is of special interest because he remained in the local area. When Jacob purchased 350 acres of land on Lost River of Cacapon from Abraham Frye in July of 1772, he was identified as being from Augusta County. There were no witnesses to the transaction. He also bought 36 acres of land on May 3, 1773 from Joseph Claypool.

The will of Jacob Miller names some members of his family and trusted friends. Probated June 11, 1787, the year after Hardy County was formed (Bk. 1, 13), the will names his wife Barbara, sons Anthony, Jacob and mentions unnamed daughters. Witnesses were allegeded Dunker, Jacob Chrisman, Charles Cracraft, and John Naylor.