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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Joseph Miller’s Probate Estate Feb. 3, 1873, Rockbridge, Virginia


Joseph Miller farmed land in Walkers Creek District, Rockbridge Co., Virginia. The land was the 70-acre parcel he bought in 1823 from Michael and Ann Wardlow which he kept throughout his lifetime.  When a young man, Joseph married Sarah Hawpe Nov. 13, 1813. They would become the parents of eight children:
         
          John, born ca 1815           
          Eliza Catherine, married Joseph Groah           
          Henry, married Elizabeth Bosserman               
          Nancy Jane, married William K. Clemmer        
          Joseph Andrew, married Frances Ellen Dull               
          Sarah, married John A. Lucas               
          Rachel, married John Cunningham        
          Ananias, married Margaretha Jane Bosserman

By 1840, Sarah Hawpe died, and Joseph remarried July 16, 1846 to Isabella (McKenny) Kennedy in Rockbridge County. Isabella mothered the younger Miller children. Joseph became a widower once again when Isabella passed in June 1858. 4th Great Grandfather Joseph Miller died Jan. 11, 1873 at the age of 82 years.

Great Grandfather didn’t prepare a will so when his time came, the family needed to petition Rockbridge County, Virginia Court to appoint an estate administrator.

   Know all men by these presents, that we Robert D. Firebaugh, Henry Miller, and Wm. K. Clemmer, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the just, and full sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars, to the payment whereof, well, and truly to be made to the said Commonwealth of Virginia, we bind ourselves and each of us, our, and each of our heirs, Executors, and Administrators, jointly, and severally, firmly by these presents, Sealed with our seals, and dated the 3rd day of Feby. one Thousand – eight hundred and seventy three. The condition of the above obligation is That if the said Robt. D. Firebaugh who has been appointed administrator of the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of Joseph Miller deceased, shall truly, and faithfully discharge the duties of his office or trust according to law; then the obligation to be void, else to remain in full force.
                                                                      R. D. Firebaugh
                                                                      Henry Miller
                                                                      W. K. Clemmer
   At Rockbridge Court Feby. 3rd 1873
   This bond was acknowledged in Court by the obligors thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
                                                                      Teste.
                                                                      J. P. Moore C. C.
[Source Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, page 567]

The three men named in the bond were family. The appointed administrator, Robert D. Firebaugh, was a grandson-in-law. Son Henry Miller and William K. Clemmer, a son-in-law, promised the Court Robert D. Firebaugh would settle the estate.

The administrator presented an appraisal of Great Grandfather’s personal estate in Rockbridge County Court March 3, 1873. The appraisers, Joseph McFaddin, Enos Ott, and John W. Beard, might have been friends or neighbors of the Miller family. They determined Joseph’s personal belongings worth $804.52.


Appraisal, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, page 575


Appraisal and Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 576-577

In case you happened to visit Great Grandfather, there were plenty of beds to sleep in and a good stock of apple butter and honey, bacon, apples, beets, and potatoes to eat.

Feb. 13, 1873 a sale of Joseph Miller’s personal estate was held. The sale brought $1,032.79 to the estate. Remember this is Great Grandfather’s personal holdings, not his lands.
  

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 578-579

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 580-581

Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, pages 582-583


Sale, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 20, page 584

The appraisal provided me with a peek inside Great Grandfather’s home and farm. I recognized many names in the sale bill belonging to family members. No doubt the neighbors and acquaintances picked up some bargains too.

R. D. Firebaugh’s final settlement was presented to the Rockbridge County Clerk March 27, 1874. After debits and credits were taken into account, $751.84 remained to be shared equally among Joseph Miller’s heirs and children--$93.98 for each.

Joseph’s parents aren’t known to me. I do know of a Henry Miller who died in Rockbridge 1826 whose will reveals he had a son Joseph. Could this be my Great Grandfather Joseph?

Questions and more questions! Dear Readers if you can help, please do.



Settlement, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 21, pages 110-111


Settlement, Rockbridge Co. VA Will Book 21, pages 112-113



2 comments:

  1. Very nicely presented. My husband also descends from Millers from Rockbridge County, VA. He descends from Henry Miller and Rebecca Boggs. I do have a Miller - Beaman Tree on Ancestry.com.

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    Replies
    1. Sharlene,
      I know Henry and Rebecca. I was hoping they were the parents of my Joseph Miller 1790-1873. It seems like another Henry Miller who died 1826 is a better candidate. I'm going to enjoy looking at your ancestry.com tree.

      Thanks for visiting.

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