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From: Rob Roy Ratliff <>
Subject: Re Creager/Miller and Middletown
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:34:58 -0400


In his "The Early History of Middletown Maryland, " George C.
Rhoderick, Jr., has a detailed discussion of the origins of Middletown
and concludes that Michael Jesserong (not Margaret Crone) "must be
regarded as the actual founder of Middletown." (p. 20) He bases this on
his research of the plat of land on which the town of Middletown was
laid out by Jesserong who acquired it 8 Jul 1766. He began selling lots
1 to 28 and then sold the entire 44 acres to Conrad Crone (father of
Margaret) 15 Aug 1768. Crone continued development which, Rhoderick
says, "gives him "the honor of being the actual 'developer" of
'Middletown,' of which Jesserong was the founder." (p. 22). Mr.
Rhoderick's book is based upon articles he researched and wrote for his
newspaper, "The Valley Register." He cites the original owners of these
first lots in Middletown and traces their subsequent sale and
occupants giving many details of the families of early Middletown.

The 1850 U. S. Census shows "Smith" as the most frequent name, followed
by "Thomas" then "Miller." Holcroft's index to the two volumes of the
1910 "History of Frederick County Maryland" shows the same pattern
(except "Ramsburg" and variations rank third while "Miller" comes in
fourth.) The point being that there are a lot of "Millers" out there
and they often chose the same first names so sorting them is a challenge.

There are many "Abraham" Millers and "Daniel" and "Jacob" too. I was
grateful that my Great Great Grandfather Jacob Thomas Creager Miller
(aka Jacob T. C. Miller) chose a distinctive "moniker" and I
anticipated that would facilitate sorting him and his kin out of the
Miller pile.
It has not been that easy. However, we believe his parents were Abraham
Miller and Susanna Creager (and his inclusion of "Creager" as part of
his name adds some substance to this).

The children of Abraham Miller are identified in a land record deed (BGF
5, sworn 9 Jun 1860 and recorded 22 Jun 1860) in which it is stated
that Abraham Miller of Frederick County MD, deceased, died intestate,
and his lands (acquired in Mar 1830, JS 33) descended to his children:
Mary M. Hedges , Jacob T. C. Miller, Daniel Miller of A. [of Abraham to
distinguish from other Daniel Millers], George W. Miller, Elizabeth A.
Feete and Jane A. Miller. It noted that Jane had died and her share
descended to her brothers and sisters. It further noted that Daniel
was an "insolvent debtor" and Jacob T. C. Miller was his trustee.
The named children signed the deed (except Jane, deceased and Daniel for
whom Jacob T. C. Miller signed as trustee), as did Mary A. Miller, Jacob
T. C.'s wife, and Harrison Feete, Elizabeth's husband.

Not sure if Susan McIntyre who first asked about this subject is
"milling" Milers and/or Creagers, but hope this helps. By the same
token, if anyone has any light to shed on MY Millers, please turn it on!

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