MILLER, Matthew^{[1, 2]}

1842 - 1905  (63 years)  Submit Photo / Document

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• Name	MILLER, Matthew
  Birth	11 Mar 1842	Netherton, New Kilpatrick, Dmbrtn, Scotland
  Gender	Male
  WAC	21 Oct 1896	SLAKE
  _TAG	Reviewed on FS
  Death	28 May 1905	Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States
  Burial	30 May 1905	Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States
  Headstones	Submit Headstone Photo
  Person ID	I50803	Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith
  Last Modified	19 Aug 2021

  
  

  Family ID

  F25613

  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	MURPHY, Agnes ,   b. 22 Jun 1844, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotlandd. 10 Oct 1926, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States (Age 82 years)
  Children	+ 1. MILLER, Matthew Alexander ,   b. 1 Apr 1870, Black Diamond, Washington, Pennsylvania Black Diamond, Washington, Pennsylvaniad. 6 May 1955, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States (Age 85 years)
  Family ID	F21949	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	24 Jan 2022

  
  

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• Notes

  Robert Miller, Sr. was born September 15, 1835, in Johnstone Abbey, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, to Matthew Millar and Elizabeth Craig. The Miller name was spelled with an "a" until Robert became a U. S. citizen. He married Ellen Murphy on December 31, 1861. Their marriage extract is found in the "Register of Marriages" for the District of Milton, in the Burgh of Glasgow. The witnesses to their marriage were Matthew Miller and Agnes Murphy, siblings of each. Robert was twenty-six years old; Ellen was 20. The extract indicates that he was an iron stone miner and "bachelor," and that she was a steam loom weaver and "spinster." Records show the following occupations for the Miller (and Murphy) men: ag lab worker, blacksmith, boatman, carter, caol-heaver, collier (coal miner), constable, engine keeper, engineer, farmer, furnace filler, furnace keeper, iron moulder, laborer, mining engineer, overseer, sailor, sawyer, soldier, wright. For the women the occupations were steam loom weaver, ag lab or coal lab worker. Miners wore tin "pit" lamps containing lard oil, which they attached to their caps and lit as they descended into mines at 4:00 o'clock in the morning. There were frequent cave-ins. Their shifts ended at dark, but they had Sundays off. They could earn more if they took a boy with them. Many Glasgow area men worked in the coal mines where they had worked since they were young boys. Robert Miller was no exception. Three daughters were born to Robert and Ellen while they lived in Glasgow: Sarah, born 16 Oct 1862 on North Woodside Road, Glasgow Margaret (Maggie), born 2 Feb 1864 on Garscube Road, Glasgow Robina, born 19 Sep 1865 in Glasgow The Millers loved "bonny" Scotland, its music, and Robert "Bobby" Burns, beloved Scottish poet. Robert often quoted Burns' famous lines: "Some have meat but cannot eat/Some can eat but have not meat/But we have meat and we can eat/ So let the Lord be thankit." As the years went by, Robert and others decided to leave the mines of Scotland for better working conditions in the United States. In early 1866, Robert and his brother-in-law, Thomas Hamilton (husband of Ellen Murphy's sister, Ann), emigrated to America, settling in an area near Pittsburgh, Pa. In June 1866 Ellen Miller and her three daughters arrived in the U. S. Also in the group were Ann Hamilton and her two-year-old son, James; Agnes Murphy Miller (Ellen's sister) and Agnes' husband, Matthew Miller (Robert's brother). During the voyage Robina became critically ill. Ellen prayed that her life would be spared until they reached the U. S. She lived until 8 Aug 1866. Twelve more children joined the family of Robert and Ellen in Pennsylvania. Their birthplaces indicate the family's move from one mining area to another. Elizabeth (Lizzie), born 21 June 1867 at Tannerstown, Allegheney County Mary Kirk, twin, born 21 Aug 1868 at Iron City, Westmoreland County Daughter, unnamed twin, born 21 Aug 1868, died 22 Aug 1868 Matthew R., born 3 April 1870 at Milesville, Westmoreland County Agnes, born 22 June 1872 at Bakerstown, Westmoreland Helen Jane, born 29 Mar 1874 at Little Redstone, Fayette County William Ratcliffe, born 14 Mar 1876 at Little Redstone, Fayette County Emma, born 25 May, 1878 at Parkhill, Fayette County Christina (Teenie), born 3 Oct 1879 at Parkhill, Fayette County Robert, Jr., born 26 June 1881 at Little Redstone, Fayette County Walter Donaldeson, born 6 Jun 1883 at Little Redstone, Fayette County Earl Newton, born 22 April, 1886 at Little Redstone, Fayette County. Robert Miller became a U. S. citizen through the Court of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA, on 6 Sep 1880. Cousin Marion Stockdale said that the citizenship papers amused her--"the part about renouncing all allegiance--particularly to the Queen of England." When the missionaries arrived in Pennsylvania, their message was an answer to the prayers of their devout and wonderful mother, Ellen Miller. She hungered and thirsted for more of their teachings. She told her family: "These young men speak the truth." She frequently invited them to her home where she fed them, washed and ironed and mended their shabby clothes. Robert Miller, although knowing the message was true, was reluctant to accept it Ellen and some of her older daughters were baptized. Younger children were baptized and confirmed and the youngest were given names and blessings. This was the first group to be baptized members of the LDS Church in the Pennsylvania Mission. The missionaries who performed these ordinances were the first elders to be called to labor in that particular area. There was immediate opposition to and persecution of the Millers by both neighbors and friends when they learned the Millers had become Mormon converts. The family made plans to move to Utah. Four of the daughters were married and chose not to convert nor move with the family. Robert and Ellen settled in Mill Creek, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Some time later the family moved to Provo where the Ratcliffes provided a small house for them and gave necessary care. Grandchildren who lived nearby or were visiting loved to be with their grandparents. Grandfather Miller told them many interesting stories about Scotland. A granddaughter teased her mother about Scottish people being "tight," and she bristled as she replied: "They are not tight, they are just thrifty." Robert Miller was considered "a thrifty and religious man. Grandfather Miller was a man of character. He loved to read the Bible. He was honest, strong-willed in his convictions, a firm believer of the truth above all else. There were Church principles and doctrine he did not understand and he was shy and embarrassed to pass the Sacrament with "they wee laddies." The Millers were living at 694 South 4th West, Provo, when Grandmother Ellen Miller passed away. After her death, Aunt "Teenie" was very good to her father. He was lonely, however, and while she was at work he talked with the friendly representatives of the Seventh day Adventist Church and after a time became a member. He lived nine more years. He died from the effects of asthma on 26 April 1915. The Seventh Day Adventist Church conducted a "gray and gloomy" service, featuring the song, "When the roll is called up yonder I'll be there." But he had made it clear; he did not want "a Mormon bishop standing up hum-hawing over me." Granddaughter Eva Hamilton Tall said: "His work is done; I hope he accepts it." In June 1982 Vernetta Donaldson Morris, great-granddaughter stated: "They were good, kind, honest people of noble character. Raising a large family always represents lots of hard work, responsibility and worries. There could not have been too many dull moments in their lives. I am grateful for my heritage and hope my grandparents will be as proud of their descendants as we are of them." Ellen Murphy was born October 16, 1842 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to James Murphy and Sarah Alexander. She married Robert Miller on December 31, 1861. Their marriage extract is found in the Register of Marriages for the District of Milton, in the Burgh of Glasgow. The witnesses to their marriage were Matthew Miller and Agnes Murphy, siblings of each. The document indicated that Robert was twenty-six years old, an iron stone miner, and a "bachelor." It indicated that Ellen was twenty years old, a steam loom weaver, and a "spinster." Three daughters were born to Robert and Ellen while they lived in Glasgow: Sarah, Margaret, and Robina. The family loved "bonny" Scotland: its highlands (although they lived in the lowlands), music, and Robert "Bobby" Burns, beloved Scottish poet. Robert Burns, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, an area where some of our family lived, was a "lowly plowman," "a poet of the people who worked on farms, made merry in the local pubs, and wooed lasses who inspired him to compose the haunting, romantic songs the whole world still sings." At midnight on New Year's Eve we still sing: "Should auld (old) acquaintance be forgot and ne'er brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang (long) syne (since); or, "times gone past; the good old days." As years went by, Robert and others decided to leave the mines of Scotland for better working conditions in the U.S. In early 1866, Robert and his brother-in-law, Thomas Hamilton (husband of Ellen Murphy's sister, Ann), immigrated to America, settling in an area near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In June 1866 Ellen Miller and her three daughters arrived in the U.S. Also in the group were Ann Hamilton and her two-year-old son, James; Agnes Murphy Miller (Helen's sister) and Agnes' husband, Matthew Miller (Robert's brother). During the voyage Robina became critically ill. Ellen prayed that her life would be spared until they reached the United States. Robina lived until August 8, 1866. Twelve more children joined the family of Robert and Ellen in Pennsylvania: Elizabeth (Tannerstown), Mary Kirk, twin (Iron City), unnamed twin daughter (Iron City), Matthew R. (Milesville), Agnes (Bakerstown), Helen Jane (Little Redstone), William Ratcliffe (Little Redstone), Emma (Parkhill), Christina (Parkhill), Robert, Jr.(Little Redstone), Walter Donaldson (Little Redstone), Earl Newton (Little Redstone). Ellen Murphy was deeply religious. When the missionaries arrived in Pennsylvania, their message was an answer to the prayer of this devout and wonderful mother. She frequently invited the elders to her home where she fed them, washed and ironed and mended their shabby clothes. Robert Miller, although knowing the message was true, was reluctant to accept it. Grandmother Miller became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when Earl Newton was just one month old. The older children were baptized at the same time. Younger children were given names and blessings. This was the first group to be baptized members of the LDS Church in the Pennsylvania Mission. The missionaries who performed all of the baptisms confirmations and blessings were the first elders to be called to labor in that particular area. There was immediate opposition to and, persecution of the Millers by both neighbors and friends when they learned that Millers had joined the LDS Church. Plans were made to move to Utah. Four of the daughters were married and chose not to convert nor move with the family. Robert and Ellen settled in Mill Creek, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Some time later the family moved to Provo where the Ratcliffes provided a small house for them and gave necessary care. Grandchildren who lived nearby or were visiting out-of-state, loved to be with their grandparents. Grandfather Miller told them many interesting stories about Scotland. He had fine character traits. He was honest, strong-willed, a firm believer of the truth. There were some principles and doctrines of the LDS Church he did not understand and he was shy and embarrassed about passing the Sacrament with "they wee laddies." Grandmother Miller was a lovely person, extremely patient and kind to everyone. She was always cheerful and pleasant to be around. She collected little boxes and bottles and goodies to entertain grandchildren. She paid her tithing with her homemade butter. Granddaughter, Eva H. Tall, thought Ellen Murphy was "a marvelous person of highest standards--no obscenities." Grandmother Ellen Miller passed away on Tuesday morning, September 18, 1906, of Bright's Disease. Burial was in the Provo City Cemetery. Grandfather lived nine more years. His death was due to the effects of asthma. Their graves are just inside the large beautiful gate entrance on State Street in Provo. Vernetta Donaldson Morris, great-granddaughter said it well: "They were good, kind, honest people of noble character. Raising a large family always represents lots of hard work, responsibility and worries. There could not have been too many dull moments in their lives. I am grateful for my heritage and hope my grandparents will be as proud of their descendants as we are of them." Based on histories compiled by members of the Donaldson family, the Miller Family Bible, vital records, letters, and personal recollections of Donaldson, Ratcliffe, and Hamilton family members.

  
  

• Sources

  [S101] GEDCOM file imported on 18 Oct 2001. [S103] GEDCOM file imported on 23 Sep 2002.