John MILLER and Hannah VAN VELSOR updated

This photo of John Miller was posted on Ancestry.com by a cousin 

John MILLER, son of John MILLER and his wife Mary
     b. 21 April 1812 Staten Island, Richmond, New York
     d. 5 May 1899 Brooklyn, Kings, New York                
     m. abt 1832 to

Hannah VAN VELSOR, parents unknown
    b. about 1817 Long Island, New York

    d. in between 1870-1880 censuses

issue:

1. John Henry MILLER (married Sarah Ann NEWMAN)
     b. 11 May 1833 Brooklyn/ m. Dec 1852/ d. 14 Jun 1901

2. Elizabeth Jane MILLER (married Mortimer A. DOTY)
     b. 25 September 1834 Brooklyn/m. ~1858/d. 27 December 1917 Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee)
(photo below)

3. Adeline A. MILLER (married Henry B. SOUTHARD)
     b. 20 Nov 1837 Brooklyn/ m. about 1854/ d. 24 Apr 1901 Bellmore, Nassau, New York
(photo below) 

4. Cornelius V. MILLER (married Nellie A. COON)
     b 1838-39 in NY (he was in Ohio in 1860, in NY in 1864-65, and in Wisconsin in 1880)

5. Aaron Kimball MILLER (m. Helen Van DRESSER)
     b. May 1846 in NY / m. about 1881/ d. 22 February 1927 in Wisconsin

6. Ezra W. MILLER
     b. 1847-48 in NY

7. Mary Lavinia MILLER (m. John PATTERSON)
     b. 1849-50 in NY/m. abt 1867/d. 12 February 1917 Brooklyn, Kings, New York

8. Serena MILLER (m. William A. WILLIAMS)
     b. 1851-52 in NY/ m. 2 January 1882 NY/d. probably May 1891

(photo below)

9. Emma Louise MILLER (m. William Miller WANDELL)
     b. 1853-54 in NY/m. 1879/d. 11 August 1935 New York City

10. Lany MILLER
     b. 1855-56 in Ohio

11. Anna I. or J. MILLER
     b. Dec 1859 in Ohio

12? Sunnah MILLER
     b. 1865 New York (unless the NY State census is wrong and this should have been Lany...)

John was born in New York and had his first 9 children there, but then he moved to Ohio where Lany and Anna were born. He is in the 1860 census in Madison, Lake, Ohio. He is back in New York for the 1865 census where Lany isn't listed, but Sunnah (Lunnah?) is. She is age 0. I'm wondering if Lunnah is Lany and they messed up.

In the 1880 census, John is in LaFayette, Chippewa, Wisconsin as a widower living with his son Cornelius.

John's death certificate, issued in 1899, states that he had been a resident of the City of New York for the past 20 years, so I'm guessing he moved from Wisconsin back to New York soon after the 1880 census.

In some census records, John is listed as being born in New York, but in the 1880 census, he and his parents are listed as having New Jersey as their birthplace. The unusual thing is, John is living with his son, Cornelius, in Wisconsin in 1880 and the record for Cornelius says that his father was born in Staten Island, yet John's birthplace, instead of saying he was born in Staten Island, says he was born in New Jersey. I'm wondering if Staten Island was sometimes listed as being in New Jersey? (from the internet: Did Staten Island belong to New Jersey? Although Staten Island is a borough of New York City, the island is topographically and geologically a part of New Jersey. Staten Island is separated from Long Island by the Narrows and from mainland New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull).

1850 US Federal Census Brooklyn Ward 7, Kings, New York

John MILLER  38     Carman     Born in NY  (they all were)

Hannah           32    

John H            17     Carpenter

Elizabeth Jane 15

Adaline            13

Cornelius         11

Benjamin F       7

Aaron K (V?)    5

Ezra W              2

1860 US Federal Census Madison Township, Lake, Ohio

John MILLER    48    New York    farmer

Hannah                42    New York

Cornelius             21    New York

Arson                   14    New York

Ezra                     12    New York

Mary L.               10    New York

Serena                  8     New York

Emma                  6     New York

Lany                    4     Ohio

Anna J               6/12  Ohio

1865 New York State Census Brooklyn Ward 7, Kings, New York

John MILLER    53    Staten Island    shipp framer Navy yard

Emma                  46    Brooklyn

Aron A                 21    Brooklyn

Marey L               15    Brooklyn

Syrena                  13    Brooklyn

Emma L.               10    Brooklyn

Sunnah                   0     Brooklyn

next door:

Cornelius B MILLER    26     Brooklyn    ship carpenter Navy yard

Nelia                              25      New York City

Benjamin T                     1       Brooklyn

Elizabeth MILLER      73     Long Island    mother [grandmother?]

can't find them in 1870 or 1875 censuses

1880 US Federal Census Lafayette, Chippewa, Wisconsin

Cornelius V MILLER    44    New York-Staten Island-New York      farmer

Nellie A                          40    New York-New York-New York

Frank B.                          15    New York-New York-New York

Fred                               5/12   New York-New York-New York

John                                68    New Jersey-New Jersey-New Jersey    father

timeline:

1812        John MILLER born on Staten Island

1817        his wife Hannah VAN VELSOR born on Long Island

1832ish    John and Hannah marry

1833        John Henry MILLER born probably in Brooklyn

1834        Elizabeth Jane MILLER born in Brooklyn

1837        Adeline A. MILLER born in Brooklyn

1839        Cornelius V. MILLER born in New York

1845        Aaron Kimball MILLER born in New York

1847        Ezra W. MILLER born in New York

1849        Mary Lavinia MILLER born in New York

1851        Serena Adelia MILLER born in New York

1852        John Henry MILLER and Sarah Ann NEWMAN marry in New York

1853        Emma MILLER born in New York

1854        Caroline MILLER born in New York (dau of John Henry and Sarah)
                Adeline A. MILLER and Henry B. SOUTHARD marry in New York

1855ish    looks like everyone but Adeline moves to Ohio
1855        Lany MILLER born in Ohio

1856        Mary Jane MILLER born in Ohio (dau of John Henry and Sarah)

1857        John Henry and family move back to New York (perhaps with Cornelius?)
                Frances Elizabeth MILLER born in New York (dau of John Henry and Sarah)

1859        Anna I. or J. MILLER born in Ohio

1860        John and Hannah MILLER family enumerated in Madison, Lake, Ohio
1860        Emma Lavinia MILLER born in New York (dau of John Henry and Sarah)

1863ish    Cornelius MILLER and Nellie A. COON marry probrably in New York

1865        Benjamin Franklin MILLER born in New York (son of Cornelius and Nellie)
1865        Lunnah born in New York (maybe)

1866        Charles Latimer MILLER born in New York (son of John Henry and Sarah)

1870        John, Hannah, Syrena, Emma, and Lany MILLER enumerated in Hempstead, Queens, New York

between 1870 and 1880     Hannah VAN VELSOR MILLER dies (see 1879)

1879        Fred MILLER born in Wisconsin (son of Cornelius and Nellie)
1879        this might be Hannah (VAN VELSOR) MILLER's death date (6 July 1879 Brooklyn)

1880        John MILLER is enumerated with Cornelius's family in Lafayette, Chippewa, Wisconsin

1881ish    John MILLER moves back to New York

1899        John MILLER dies in Brooklyn, Kings, New York

1901        Adeline A (MILLER) SOUTHARD dies in Bellmore, Nassau, New York
1901        John Henry MILLER dies in Brooklyn, Kings, New York

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Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Brooklyn, New York

May 6, 1899 Saturday  Page 2

John Miller, a member of Janes Methodist Episcopal Church, died at his home, corner of Gates and Patchen avenues, yesterday, in his 87th year. He was the oldest member of the church. He was born on Staten Island in 1812, and had been a farmer in a number of Western States finally returning to Brooklyn, where he retired from business. Eight children, fifteen grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren survive him. The funeral service will be held at Janes ME Church on Sunday at 4 pm. 

[I have to say that when I read "western states" I was thinking California, Oregon, etc. So the fact that it turned out to be Ohio and Wisconsin kind of made me laugh.]

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The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Brooklyn, New York

25 April 1901  Thursday  Page 8

Mrs. Henry B. Southard

Bellmore,- L. I., April 25--Adeline, wife of Henry B. Southard, ex-highway  commissioner, died yesterday morning of dropsy [edema]. She has been a resident of this section since childhood. For many years her connection with the Newbridge M. E. Church was characterized by active work. A husband and son, Edward, of Hicksville, survive her. Funeral services will be held to-morrow.

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Elizabeth Jane Miller Doty

Adeline A. Miller Southard

Serena Adelia Miller Williams

William A. Williams, husband of Serena, is on the right

Unraveling the mystery of Adeline A. (Miller) Southard

Quick recap:
My great-great grandfather John Henry Miller was born in New York on 11 May 1833 and died in Brooklyn, on 14 June 1901. His death certificate lists his parents as John Miller (born in Staten Island) and Hannah V. Miller (born on Long Island--in Long Island City???).

In one of John Henry Miller's obituaries (The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 18 June 1901, p 10) it says "He was a brother-in-law to Ex-Highway Commissioner Henry B. Southard of Bellmore." I had tried before to find a connection, but couldn't. I tried again this week, and thanks to my new online newspaper subscription (www.newpapers.com), I'm finally getting somewhere.

I found the obituary of Mrs. Henry B. Southard in the 25 April 1901 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (she died just 7 weeks before John did). It reads:

****************************************************************************************************************** 

Mrs. Henry B. Southard

Bellmore,- L. I., April 25--Adeline, wife of Henry B. Southard, ex-highway  commissioner, died yesterday morning of dropsy [edema]. She has been a resident of this section since childhood. For many years her connection with the Newbridge M. E. Church was characterized by active work. A husband and son, Edward, of Hicksville, survive her. Funeral services will be held to-morrow.

******************************************************************************************************************

I ordered Adeline's death certificate once I had the info I needed. Her parents are listed as John Miller and Hannah Miller, so she is John Henry's sister!


I tried tracking Adeline through the years. I did not find her for sure in the 1850 US census (and because of her obituary, I was hoping to find her in Bellmore or a surrounding town). John didn't marry Sarah Ann Newman until 1852, but it doesn't look like he is living at home in 1850. I found 3 Adeline/Adalines that lived close enough to Bellmore and Brooklyn to be looked at, but none really seem like they could be my Adeline.


I can't find Adeline and her husband Henry in the NY 1855 or 1875 census--but here is what I found:

1860 Hempstead, Queens, New York

 Henry Southard     26     New York
Adelia                    24      New York
John                       5       New York
Charles                  3        New York
Hannah                  1        New York
William Wheeler    20      New York


1870 Hempstead, Queens, New York

Henry B Southard   35   New York
Adaline                   33   New York
John H                    15   New York
Charles W               13  New York
Hannah L                9    New York
Thomas E                3    New York
Felix Hue               28    France            wheelwright


1880 Hempstead, Queens, New York

N B Southard      46   New York
Adeline A            43   New York
John                    25   New York
Charles                22  New York
Edward               13   New York


1880 Queens, Queens, New York

Benjamin T Smith         26   New York
Hannah L [Southard]    20   New York  (wife)
Joseph B                      19   New York  (brother)
Minnie B                      17   New York (sister)
Delano                         14   New York (brother)
Jennie Boss                  21  New York  (servant)


1892 NY State Census Hempstead, Queens, New York

Henry Southard   57   (farmer)
Adaline               54


1900 Hempstead, Nassau, New York

Henry B Southard   67   Feb 1833   New York (parents b in NY)   wheelwright   married for 46 years
Adeline                 60   May 1830  New York  (parents b in NY)  dress maker   mother of 4/one still living
[this birth information on Adeline is incorrect...according to her death certificate she was born 20 November 1837]


1900 Oyster Bay, Nassau, New York

Edward Southard   34   May 1866   New York (parents b in NY)  married for 2 years
Laura A [Jones]     24   Jun 1875     New York (parents b in NY)  mother of 0/0
Clarence Jones      58   Oct 1846    New York  (parents b in NY)  married for 26 years
Mary Jones            45  Feb 1855    New York (parents b in NY)  mother of 1/1          


The family (SOME OF THIS IS CONJECTURE):

Henry B. Southard (wheelwright, farmer) son of Richard and Susan Southard
   b. 8 Feb 1834  New York (tombstone says 1834 and the 1900 census says 1833)
   d. 9 Oct 1908  New York  buried in Greenfield Cemetery, Uniondale, Nassau, New York
   m. 1st Adeline A. Miller about 1854 (dau of John and Hannah V. Miller)
   m. 2nd Elizabeth Baldwin after 1901 (dau of David N. and Alma (Van Cott) Baldwin)

Adeline A. Miller
   b. 20 November 1837 Brooklyn, Kings, New York
   d. 24 Apr 1901 Bellmore, Nassau, New York
 
Henry and Adeline were the parents of 4 children:
   1. John H. Southard
         b. 1854-1855 New York
         d. before 1900 census
       
   2. Charles W. Southard
         b. 25 Jun 1857  New York
         d. 4 May 1888  New York buried in Greenfield Cemetery, Uniondale, Nassau, New York
         m. Annie M. Smalling on 29 Nov 1882

   3. Hannah L. Southard
         b. Apr 1860 New York (she's 1 in the 1860 census, but 9 in the 1870 census)
         d. before 1900 census
         m. Benjamin Tredwell Smith on 15 Jan 1880 (son of Daniel W and Caroline Smith)
               issue:
               1. Howard Smith
                    b. Mar 1884
                    d. after 1922
               2. Benjamin Tredwell Smith, Jr
                    b. 29 Dec 1893
                    d. 25 Aug 1916
                    m. Iola Pearsall on 30 Jul 1916 (dau of Thomas W Pearsall and Katherine E Abrams)
                   [notice that Benjamin and Iola had only been married 26 days when he died]

   4. Thomas Edward Southard
         b. May 1866 New York
         d. before 1940
         m. Laura A. Jones on 17 September 1897 (dau of Clarence and Mary Jones)