David and Deborah Zook Miller of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Missouri
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Ancestors and Descendants of
David and Deborah Zook Miller

Surnames
Miller/Mueller Zook/Zug Abell Holmes
Harris Anderson Craven

Under Construction!

For those who snatch and grab names and dates be aware that you are guaranteed to get some bad information out of this site. It will be changing constantly as new information is found and old information is confirmed or disproved. We are looking for descendants who can help straighten out the information that we have and are therefore posting information we know is probably not correct. We will correct it as quickly as we can do the appropriate research but much of it takes a great deal of time! If anyone can help please email Nadine on the About Us Page on the Woodward site (Use the back button on your browser to return here).

A number of people have researched parts of this family and I do not wish to encroach on their research. Some of it may be posted here in an effort to locate someone who can help untangle things. With that in mind, be aware that my own research may not include all information about each family, and it may include incorrect information. I am most heavily indebted to cousin Art Miller for his massive research on this family. The research that I have done is the result of his information on times and places where the Miller family lived. Where I have used information from other researchers I will give them proper credit.

Possible German Origins and Possible Ancestors

The David Miller of interest to us was born between about 1744 and 1754, likely in Pennsylvania. He married Deborah Zook, daughter of Peter Zug and his first wife whose given name is unknown. This is proven in the death record of Deborah which gives her as daughter of Peter Zug. She was born about 1760 in Pennsylvania according to her 1850 census record in Kentucky. David died about 1848 and Deborah died in 1853 in Marion County, Kentucky. Deborah Miller is found with the David Miller, Jr., family in 1850 in District 1, Marion County, Kentucky, age 90, born Pennsylvania. The marriage record of David and Deborah Zook Miller has not been found. We know from Church of the Brethren History that Peter Zug was a member of the Church of the Brethren which makes it likely that David Miller also was of that faith. The Church of the Brethren members were much persecuted in the 18th century in Pennsylvania and thus kept few records. Marriage records were not kept - the couple announced their marriage intentions three times at church meetings, and were then married, without a formal record of the transaction.

Since David died in 1848 we do not know his age or his birthplace for sure. If he was born 1744 he would then have been 104 at his death - not unusual in those days, but it certainly seems it would have been noted in the history books or newspapers! A descendant wrote a history of the family (in the possession of Art Miller) indicating that David was born in Germany but he also indicated Deborah was born in Germany as well and we know that was an error. If David was indeed born in 1744, then Deborah was considerably younger than David and might have been a second wife. Many, many young women died in childbirth in this time period, particlarly with their first baby so there is always the possibility David had another wife regardless of his birthdate.

Deborah Zook Miller's Ancestors

We are greatly indebted to Harry Zook for the information that Deborah Zook was another daughter of Peter Zug. This information is not included in his genealogy of the Zook Family (ref below) but was a private communication to Art Miller. Peter Zug died about 1804 and the given name of his first wife is unknown. Unfortunately, Peter Zug did not give the names of any of his children, except David Zug, in his will. Peter was the son of Ulrich Zug, born 1690, and he in turn was son of Hans Zug born 1664.

Some Scenarios of Possible Ancestors for David Miller

Miller families in Pennsylvania are legion and we have not specifically located a family that without a doubt included our David Miller. Below are some likely candidates:

Possible ancestors: Isaac and Katherina Brandt Miller

Isaac Miller, born in Holland, and died in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Isaac was son of Isaac Miller, Sr., born about 1650 in Frankinberg, bank of Eider, Germany, and died 1720 in Utrecht Holland. Research on this family was done by Jim Sandy and published as a history of the Isaac Miller family.

There is hesitation in assigning David Miller to this family as David and his descendants did not use the name "Isaac" as would have been usual in that time period if there was a close relationship. David however named his first daughter Catherine, perhaps for the wife of Isaac Miller, Jr. Isaac Miller, Jr., had a son, John Miller, who married Catherine Zuck, another daughter of Peter Zug, and sister of Deborah Zook Miller. David's first daughter might also have been named for her. According to lore in this family, Peter Zug performed the marriage of John Miller and Catherine Zuck, indicating that he was a Church of the Brethren minister. Two brothers marrying two sisters was a very common occurence in this time period. People married within a very close circle as time and transportation for courtship did not encourage relationships unless they were very near the home farm. Overheard one day at a local LDS Library: "when son wanted to borrow the horse to go courting, daddy told him the horse was tired and son would have to walk." This comment appears to be right on target!

Possible ancestors: Descendants of Johann Michael Miller b. 1692

The descendants of Johan [Hans] Michael Miller are documented in the Miller reference below under "sources." Hans Michael Miller was son of Johann Michael Mueller born 1655 in Zollikohen Switzerland and died 1695 in Steinwenden, Germany. Son Hans Michael Miller immigrated to America in the early 1700's. There are several possibilities in this family for a relationship to our David Miller. This family was also Church of the Brethren which makes them good candidates.

Hans Michael Miller had a son David Miller born about 1719 who in turn had a son David of whom nothing further is known. David Miller, Sr., is of an age to be a possible parent of our David Miller. However the family seemed to live in Washington County, Maryland and we don't know of further migrations west. David Miller, Jr. had a brother Daniel who went first to Huntingdon Co, Pa and then to Ohio. Huntingdon County was next to Bedford County where Peter Zug was living at the probable time of David and Deborah Zook Miller's marriage. There is actually a David and a Daniel Miller living side by side in Bedford County in 1790. This David Miller's family is of an age and size that could fit our David. We believe however that this David and Daniel were sons of Philip Jacob Miller.

Hans Michael Miller had a son Philip Jacob Miller born 1726. Philip also had sons Daniel (born 1755) and David (born 1758). This David married Magdalene Maugens. David and Daniel and a Daniel Magon are living next to each other in Bedford County, Pa in 1790. Philip Jacob Miller and Peter Zug are also found in Bedford County in 1790. We know that Philip Jacob Miller went on to Kentucky [Campbell Co] in about the same time period as our David [mid-1790's]. The question then becomes whether this David's wife Magdalene might have died young and David married again. A cautionary note in considering second marriages is that often a child of the second marriage was named in honor of the first deceased wife.

Hans Michael Miller had a son Lodowich born 1724. He too is old enough to be father of David. Lodowich translated into English as "Lewis" and David did name a son Lewis. Lodowich had a son David born 1750 who married Mary Magdalena Eickenberry but again they lived in Washington County, Maryland. This David had a brother Daniel who married an Elizabeth Zug (parentage unknown). We do find a will in Fayette County, Pennsylvania (next to Washington County) in 1808 for Ludwig Miller that names sons Samuel, Nicholas, Soloman, David, Jacob, and Abraham, as well as daughters Catharine, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Mary.

Possible ancestor: Samuel Miller

A Samuel Miller had a will probated in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1821 naming sons Isaac, John, James, Samuel, Robert, and David and daughters Jennet, Agnes, Mary, Elizabeth, and Martha. Son David was executor for the will which seems to rule out our David. We have however found several of our other ancestors who made incredible journeys of great distances to transact business in other states, sometimes at an advanced age. This Samuel and his son John served in the Revolutionary War which probably rules out a Church of the Brethren background.

Possible Ancestors? Relatives?: Abraham Miller; Jacob Miller; William Miller

Another possibility we have yet to pursue in depth is that David was the son of an Abram Miller found on the same page in the Washington County census in Pennsylvania in 1790. Abram and his wife were without a family in 1790 so could be of an age to be parents of David. David possibly named a son Abraham Miller who is found next to him in the 1810 census in Washington County, Kentucky. More likely this 1810 Abraham was a son of Jacob Miller. Art Miller tells us Abraham is given as the son of Jacob Miller in his wedding bond which was signed by our David Miller. This Abraham Miller is found in 1820 in Hardin County, Ky near David's proven son Samuel. There is no doubt that Jacob Miller and his son Abraham were closely connected with David Miller. Whether or not there is a connection to Abram Miller in Washington County, Pa is unknown at this time - it is only a clue. Jacob, John A., and Christian Miller families were found in the Washington County census together on the page prior to Abram and David Miller. There were young children in the families so they were likely of about the same age range as David. There were also two Jacob Miller families with young children in Bedford County, Pa in 1790 where David previously resided.

Two doors from David Miller in the Washington County 1790 census was a William Miller and wife with no young children so he is another candidate for parent or relative of David Miller.

David Miller in Pennsylvania - some possibilities

There were 17 David Millers in the 1790 Pennsylvania census. We have investigated only those in the western part of Pennsylvania where we believe our David would be found as a natural progression of his migration to Kentucky.

Some Millers and Zugs in Bedford County, Pennsylvania

A David Miller is found in 1790 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, census page 21: David Miller, 1 male over 16, 2 males under 16, 4 females. Given that David and Deborah Zook Miller married sometime before 1779 they could easily have had this many children by 1790. Adjoining names to David Miller include Daniel Miller, 1 male over 16, 7 males under 16, 1 female and Daniel Magon, 1 male over 16, 2 females. In the Hans Michael Miller descendancy there is a son of Phillip Jacob Miller, David, born about 1758 who married Magdalene Maugon. Phillip Jacob also had a son Daniel, so we believe this Daniel and David are sons of Phillip Jacob Miller. One might consider whether Magdalene Maugon died early and this David was remarried to Deborah Zook? Peter Soock is found in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, page 24 in the 1790 census, 1 male over 16 and 2 females. Abraham Soock, likely son of Peter is found some distance away, 2 males over 16, 3 under 16, 3 females. Four families away from Abraham we find Phillip Miller, 2 males over 16, 1 male under 16, and 7 females. There are numerous other Millers in the 1790 Bedford County census, far too numerous to make any speculations about relationships.

Some Millers in Washington County, Pennsylvania

Art Miller discovered that David Miller purchased land before 1790 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, on Ten Mile Creek (when time permits we will scan and post a map). The 1790 census for Washington County, Pennsylvania includes two David Millers. David, 2 males over 16, 2 males under 16, 2 females is located on the same page as a Samuel M. Miller. We have followed up on this Samuel Miller who had a son David named in his will and have determined he is not likely the father of our David. The other David: 1 male over 16, 2 males under 16, and 3 females, could fit the family profile of our David. On the same page is an Abram Miller, 1 male over 16 and 1 female. On the same page and two doors from David is a William Miller, 2 males over 16 and 1 female. Other possibilites for parents of David?

David and Deborah Zook Miller Family in Kentucky

We have posted some comparative maps (1792 and 1853) in order to follow the Millers in the state of Kentucky. It will be noted that though they are found in different counties in different years, the county boundary's changing may account for part of this instead of actual moves.

There is unfortunately no 1800 census for the state of Kentucky. We believe that David and Deborah went to Kentucky sometime around 1795 to 1797, settling in the part of Nelson County that later became Washington County. In perusing these census records keep in mind that Deborah Zook Miller was probably born about 1760 [based on a single census record!] and could therefore have continued to have children until as late as 1810+. We have noticed in researching many families that women had children into their late 40's and early 50's in pioneer days. Also keep in mind that the social welfare system in this early time period consisted of placing orphans out to work in families, so not all the young children shown in a family may belong to that family even though in some cases they may take the family surname for life. Sometimes this is clarified in wills, sometimes it is not. Also families may raise children of deceased relatives. Sometimes extra young men or women appear in a family as they were single nonrelated males or females who were working for the family. It was customary for young unmarried women to live with other families where the housewife could teach them skills their own mother could not. In return they helped with housework. Another tricky problem in the censuses before 1850 was that the census takers made marks in columns, often on homemade forms and it was easy for the wrong column to be marked.

David and Deborah Miller Family in the 1810 Census

The David Miller family is found in Washington County, Kentucky in the 1810 census: David Miller, 1 male over 45, 2 males 16-25, 3 males 10-15; 1 female over 45, 1 female 10-15, 2 females under 10. Immediately adjacent to David is Abraham Miller, 2 males 16-25, 1 female 16-25, and 2 females under 10. Two Samuel Millers are found in the right area in the 1810 census. Samuel Miller found in Nelson County is too old, being over age 45, as is his wife, and with six children. Samuel Miller found in Hardin County fits: 1 male 26-44, 1 male under 10; 1 female 16-25, 1 female under 10. A biography of Rachel Miller, daughter of Samuel, which will be further quoted when we do a Samuel Miller page, gave her birthplace as Hardin County Kentucky.

We have heard from a great great granddaughter of Abraham Miller, hoping to find his ancestor. If you know this family please contact Web Master Nadine at the email at the bottom of the page and we will pass the information on.

Art Miller tells us that David was briefly in Bullitt County between 1800 and 1810. He appears to be named in a suit in 1808 in Bullitt County where one of the witnesses was a Peter Miller. In 1810 there were two young Peter Millers in Jefferson County next door to Bullitt County with families. Could one of these have been a son of David, named for Deborah's father, Peter Zug?

David and Deborah Miller Family in the 1820 Census

The David Miller family is found in Washington County, Ky, in 1820: 1 male over 45, 3 males 16-26, 1 male 10-16, 1 male under 10; 1 female over 45, 1 female 10-16, 1 female under 10. Immediately adjacent we find son Lewis Miller: 1 male 26-45; 1 female 45+, 1 female 16-26, 2 females under 10.

We find son Samuel Miller still in Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1820: 1 male 26-45, 1 male 10-16, 3 males under 10; 2 females 26-45, 1 female 10-16, 2 females under 10. On the same page we find Abram Miller: 1 male 26-45, 1 male 10-16, 2 males under 10; 1 female 26-45, 2 females 10-16, 3 females under 10.

Daughter Catherine (Cathy) Miller married Pollard Abel 27 August 1800 in Nelson County, Ky. Abell/Abel/Able is a common name but there appears to be only one named Pollard in the early 1800s. He is found in 1820, in Jackson County, Indiana, not too far from Kentucky: 1 male 45+, 1 male 26-45, 2 males 16-26, 2 males 10-16, 2 males under 10; 1 female 26-45, 3 females under 10. This is a very large family and as yet we only know the names of three children, John, Peter and Sylvester Abel. A number of Abel marriages occurred in Jackson County in the 1830's and 1840's and many of these were no doubt children of Pollard and Cathy Miller. It becomes confusing as there was another Abell family there in the same time period and there were cousin marriages. Would appreciate help from descendants! Email contact at the bottom of the page. Pollard evidently died before 1850 and Catherine is found in Reading Township, Jackson County, Indiana:#448 Catharine Abel, 73, birthplace unknown; John Abel, 28, farmer, Indiana; Olive Perry (male), 17, farmer, Indiana (possible grandson or just a helper?).

Daughter Mary Miller was married to Nathan Holmes. Again we find only one in the U. S. in 1820. He is found in Franklin County, Indiana, not far from Kentucky. Nathan Holmes: 1 male 45+, 2 males 16-26, 1 male 10-16, 2 males under 10; 1 female 26-45, 1 female 16-26, 3 females under 10. We already know that Mary was Nathan's second wife and this is born out by the ages of the children shown in the census.

Daughter Elizabeth Miller was married to John Harris. We have yet to locate them in the 1820 census. We have a copy of his land records in Spencer County, Indiana so we know the family lived there.

Children of David and Deborah Zook Miller

It is thought that David and Deborah had twelve children but the following is the list of those currently known (but not necessarily proven!). As time permits we will add pages for the children and link them here.

Catherine Miller, born abt 1777; married Pollard Abell, age 73 in the 1850 census in Jackson County, Indiana.
Mary M. Miller, born between 1780 and 1790; married Nathan Holmes in Wash Co, Ky; died in Fulton Co., Il about 1845.
Samuel Miller born about 1783, Pennsylvania; married Elizabeth Harned 14 March 1804, Nelson Co, Ky; died June 1860, Platte County, Mo.
Possibly Abraham Miller born about 1785-87, Pennsylvania, living next to David in 1810 in Washington Co, Ky, and near brother Samuel in 1820 in Hardin Co, Ky (see notes above that he was probably son of Jacob Miller and not David)
Possibly Peter Miller - see discussion under 1810 census above
Lewis Miller born about 1791, Pennsylvania; married Agnes Anderson; died 1872 in Platte County, Mo.
Elizabeth Miller born about 1794, Pennsylvania; married John Harris; died after 1860 Spencer County, In
Jacob Miller born about 1798, Kentucky; died after 1880, unmarried (living with a son of Lewis Miller in 1880 in Platte Co, Mo, and designated "uncle")
David Miller born 1799, Nelson County, Ky; married Elmira Thomas; died 1873 in Marion County, Ky
John Miller, born Kentucky, probably after 1800; possibly died Texas.
Rachel Miller, born Kentucky after 1800; married John Craven, Jr. in Wash Co, Ky; died unknown (John Craven is a widower in the 1850 census in Warrick Co, In.)



Sources:
U. S. Census Records: 1790, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1880
Zug/Zuck/Zouck/Zook Genealogy Harry D. Zook (Baltimore:Gateway Press Inc 1983)
Annals of Platte County, Missouri edited by W. M. Paxton (Kansas City: L. Hudson-Kimberly Publ Co 1897)
Michael Miller Family Record Floyd R & Kathryn G. Mason (Bridgewater, Va: Bridgewater Beacon Printing, Inc. 1993) Some of the information from this book is online at a Miller Web Site.

Links:
Much of Art Miller's research is posted on his World Family Tree Site on Ancestry.com (If you are a member log in - if not you can sign up for a free temporary account)

Page Created April 2003. Update March 30, 2007 with 1850 census of Catherine Miller Abel. Update 4/8/2007 with request for contact from anyone who knows the Abraham Miller family (see under 1810 census above)

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