Symon Miller ca (1642 - 1683)

Symon Miller was born in about 1642. Before 10 Mar 1664/65, he immigrated to Lancaster County in the Virginia Colony, likely from Bristol, Somerset, England.

By 1669, Symon Miller was a known shipwright in the Lower Norfolk County area. He also acquired substantial land holdings in Old Rappahannock County. In 1669, John Prosser sold 1,000 acres of land in the Freshes of Rappahannock to Symon Miller for 11,700 pounds of tobacco. On 5 Nov 1673, Simon Miller was granted a patent for 817 acres in "the County of Rappahannock in the freshes thereof on the south side of the river on the head of Pewamanesee."

In about 1668, Symon Miller married Margaret Prosser, a widow of John Prosser. Symon Miller and Margaret Miller (Prosser) had at least six children: Simon Miller born in about 1670, William Miller born in about 1670, John Miller born in about 1675, Margaret Miller born 16 Feb 1678/79, Isabella Miller born 16 Feb 1678/79, and Susannah Miller born in about 1681. A first son, also named Simon Miller, may have been born in about 1668 and died young. All of these children were born in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Simon Miller and William Miller, born in about 1670, may have been twins.

In the 1676 Bacon's Rebellion in the Virginia Colony, Symon Miller held the rank of Captain in the militia loyal to Nathaniel Bacon.

Symon Miller made a Will on 16 Feb 1678/79. Francis Thornton, James Taylor, and Nathaniel Tomlin witnessed this Will.

In 1679, Symon Miller of Rappahannock, boate wright, sold to Roger Cleverland of the Pish of Abbington of County of Gloucester, planter, 440 acres of land lying on the North side of Rappahannock River adjoining Cornelius Reynolds. Simon Miller and Margaret Miller signed the deed. Cornelius Reynolds and Jonathan Rowzie witnessed the deed. Edmond Craske recorded the deed on 5 Nov 1679.

Symon Miller died before Nov 1683 when acting as a widow, Margaret Miller leased property from Andrew Harrison.

The Will of Symon MIller was proved in Rappahannock County, Virginia on 2 May 1684.

Notes and Comments

In his will of 16 Feb 1679, Symon Miller states that he was age 37 years, “or thereabout,” implying that he was born in 1641/42.

Rappahannock County was formed from part of Lancaster County in 1656, and apparently Symon Miller resided in the area that became Rappahannock County. Present-day Rappahannock County, Virginia is not related to Rappahannock County of the 17th Century, which is at times referred to as Old Rappahannock County to distinguish the two.

Sources

Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine. Volume 1. Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, 1981.

Deed by Symon Miller to Roger Cleverland. Rappahannock County, Deeds, 1676-1682, Book VI, Page 83.

Will of Symon Miller
Old Rappahannock County, Virginia
16 Feb 1678/79

Miller, Symon of the freshes of Rapp aged seaven and thirty years or thereabouts of true and perfect memory.

To son Symon Miller 1/2 of the divident of land I now live on to him and his heirs forever. And my son Symon to clear and plant as he shall think fitting in his Mothers lifetime upon the said divident excepting the Plantation Also to son Symon a sorrel Mare with a white blaze in the face and all her increase to him forever. In case I dye it is my will that my son Symon be sent home the next yeare for England. To son William the other 1/2 divident of Land to him and his heirs forever and a chestnut Mare with her increase forever and full power I give to my son William to Cleare and plant as he shall think fitting upon any part of the said divident. To son John Miller two hundred acres of land adjoining to Dr Reynolds to him and his heirs forever and a black mare with a hook brand on the near buttock and her increase forever. To my daughter Susanna Miller fower hundred eight acres and a halfe (408 1/2) the land being the 1/2 dividend of land adjoining to Co Caciwallader Jones on the head of Peurmansinn to her and her heirs forever and my old mare with her increase forever. To my daughter Isabella Miller the other halfe of the dividend at Peuimansinn to her and her heirs forever And a black mare about two years old branded with SM on the near buttock. To daughter Margaret Miller two hundred acres of land on ye back of my land Adjoining to Doctor Reynolds to her and her heirs forever and a brown mare branded SM with her increase forever. Lastly I leave my wife full executrix and the rest of my Estate I give to my wife to bring up my Children and to be at her disposing after my decease my debts and other necessary Charges being paid. And in case my wife dye before she marryeth the rest of my Estate to be divided equally betwixt my children. It is my will that the three mares given to my son Will and my son John and my daughter Susan that the foales they go withall shall go into the stock and if any of them be a mare foale it is to be given to my wifes son Anthony Prosser and if they do not bring a Mare foale my wife as she thinks fitting is to dispose of soe much of the stock to purchase her son Anthony a Mare foale and all the male increase of all the Mares except my son Symons to goe into ye former Stock till my Children Come to ye age of fourteen then male and female the children to have ye full increase and if any of these Children dye before they Come of lawfull age that then that Estate land or Mares to be equally divided among the survivors and if any of the Childrens Mares dye Then my wife is to buy out of the said stock to make good the same And the sons of Mr Prosser are to have every one of them a heifer delivered to them one after another by my Executrix after my decease. To wife Margaret the Plantation and houses I now live in during her natural life and in case my wife should marry one that should lett the house and Orchard goe to ruin Then she is to return to her thirds according to law. I make Mr James Ashton overseer of my estate and children and the said Mr James Ashton to dispose of the said Children at sixteen years of age as he thinks fitt and in case the said Mr James Ashton dyeth then the children to be at their own disposing if they like to go to any handy craft they have a mind unto.

Witnesses: Nathaniel Tomlin, Francis Thornton, James Taylor

Proved by Francis Thornton, aged 32 years or thereabouts, 5 7bris 1683, who calls him Capt. Symon Miller, and James Taylor,
7 May 1684. Page 10.