Notes:
12/10/1875, Herald Mail, Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD.
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DEATH OF THE VENRABLE 'SQUIRE' MILLER.
- On Tuesday, at which time we write, the news reaches us of the death of one of our most venerable and esteemed citizens -- Jacob Miller, Esq., of Sharpsburg -- best known to the whole community as 'Squire' Miller. On Monday evening the rumor reached Hagerstown, but it was not then known whether it was this gentleman, who had been reported to be ill, or Col. John Miller, another venerable citizen of the same place, who was dead. The morning train settled the fact that it was our valued friend as above reported. At the present writing we are in possession of none of the particulars relating to the last hours of this worthy man - one of the oldest among those few remaining whose birth dates back to the last century --nor may we have those particulars in time for this week's issue, but in our next we hope to be able to do justice to the merits of the deceased........
1850 Census, MD, Washington Co., Subdivision #2 (Sharpsburg), dwelling 610
Jacob Miller, 68, farmer, $20,000 real estate, b: PA
Elizabeth " , 57, b: PA
Jefferson " , 24, farmer, b: MD
Francis " , 20, b: MD
Amelia " , 17, b: MD
Saml " , 15, b: MD
Susan " , 11, b: MD
Waltam, 24, blacksmith, b: MD
Christian Gilbert, 23, waggonmaker, b: MD
1860 Census, MD, Washington Co., Sharpsburg District, p. 529, dwelling 1672
Jacob Miller, 77, farmer, $7,600 real estate, $1200 personal, b: MD
Helen " , 20, b: MD
Thomas " , 33, farm hand, b: MD
Samuel " , 24, boatman, b: MD
Cicillia " , 21, b: MD
1870 Census, MD, Washington Co., Sharpsburg, dwelling 157
Miller, Jacob, 87, ret. farmer, $20,000 real estate, $1000 personal, b: MD
" , Savilla, 28, house keeper, b: MD
" , Thomas, 48, at home, b: MD
Stewart, Clarissa, 13, black, domestic servant, b: MD
Lohman, August, 11, at home, b: MD, attended school
Hart, Maggie, 20, domestic servant, b: MD
Catherine married Jacob Miller on October 11, 1811 in Washington Co., MD. They had seven
children. Jacob, was the fifth son of John and Catherine (Price) Miller, was born near
Waynesboro, Franklin Co., PA, December 31, 1782. Jacob was very successful in his
enterprises; he managed several farms, a grist mill, a saw mill, and a flour mill. He bought 150
acres of the home farm, on which he built a dwelling , now owned by Samuel D. Piper. Mr.
MIller, however, did not reside there, but moved to Sharpsburg, Washington Co. MD., about the
time of his marriage, and conducted his business from that place. When quite young he went to
Franklin Co., PA., and there learned weaving in cottom and wool; making carpets, linsey-woosley,
table and bed linen. Later he invented the seamless grain sack, and the three ply carpet. He built
a house in Sharpsburg, diagonally across from the Memorial Lutheran Church; to this he added a
stone building, in which he carried on the business of weaving, operating a dozen looms and
teaching the business to many boys in town.
Mr. Miller was a life long friend of Gov. William T. Hamilton. Although not a church
member, Jacob attended church services of the Reformed Church with Catherine who was a
devoted member, active in its work. He contributed liberlly to church enterprises and his home
was always open to pastors and minsters. He was known everywhere as " The friend of the poor
man" and no one, except a known impostor, was ever turned empty-handed from his door. Jacob
is buried in the Mt. View Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Washington Co., MD. Catherine is buried in the
Bakersville Cemetery, Bakersville, Washington Co. MD