Abraham Miller

Other Events:

• Census: 1790, Bedford Co., Pennsylvania
• Census: 1800, Brothers Valley, Somerset, Pennsylvania
• Census: 1810, Somerset, Somerset, Pennsylvania
• Census: 1820, Somerset, Somerset, Pennsylvania
• Probate: 19 Feb 1823, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania; Widow Elizabeth (Lybarger) renounces her right to administer his estate
• Probate: 22 Feb 1823, Somerset Co., Pennsylvania; Administration bond issued; letters of administration issued
• Residence: 1790, Bedford Co., Pennsylvania; With a female
• Residence: 1800, Brothers Valley, Somerset, Pennsylvania; With two boys and two girls under age 10 and a woman age 26 to 44
• Residence: 1810, Somerset, Somerset, Pennsylvania; With two boys and five girls under age 10, two boys age 10 to 15, two men and two women age 16 to 25 and a woman age 26 to 44
• Residence: 1820, Somerset, Somerset, Pennsylvania; With two boys and two girls under age 10, two girls age 10 to 15, three men and one woman age 16 to 25 and a woman over age 45

Notes:

Somerset County was established in Sept 1795, by an act of Assembly and the town of Somerset became the county seat. Abraham Miller operated a tannery there in 1800, and in the 1800 census he is age 26-45 with 5 males and 5 females in his home; this is the only Miller family in Someerset in 1800. (Since Peter was born 25 Dec 1795, no doubt he was the first child born in Somerset.) He (Abraham) was elected Sheriff in October 1804, was the 4th sheriff, and served from 1805 until 1808.

On 25 Jan 1807, David Pollock was murdered near Buckstown in Somerset County, presumably by a roving Frenchman (Neal Hugous) along the Forbes Road. On 5 Feb 1807 the defendent was found guilty by the jury and sentenced by the court to be hanged. This was during Sheriff Miller's term of office and is the only occasion of record where Sheriff Miller was involved in an execution of his neighbor. The rope broke the first time, but the second time did the trick.

According to a History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Abraham Miller was awarded the contract for the building of a permanent jail. The contract for $2,329 was awarded on 7 Oct 1802. Sundry changes during construction brought the final cost up to $2,600.50. The jail had a front 28x35 feet, was of stone, two stories high and stood at the SE corner of the court house square, next to Court Alley. In the rear of the jail was a yard enclosed by a substantial stone wall from 12-15 feet in height. This building continued in use for the purposes for which it had been built until 1856, at which time it gave way to a more modern building. It is said that Abraham Miller Jr. was a wealthy man who rolled his kegs of money across the floor. Abraham, in performing his duty in the hanging caused him to lose his mind and he squandered his money. Abraham's sisters were very vain and helped spend the kale (money)

Abraham married Elizabeth Lybarger Pennsylvania. Elizabeth (daughter of Nicholas Lybarger and Mary Ann) was born 1761 - 1770, Pennsylvania; died Abt 1847, Somerset Twp., Somerset, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

Abraham — Catherine. [Group Sheet]