Godfrey Miller Family Papers

301 WFCHS

Inventory created by Archives Staff 10/1982. Last revised 01/2021.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: Collection is open to all researchers.

USE RESTRICTIONS: Restrictions may apply concerning the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult a member of the archives staff for information concerning these restrictions. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright.

PHYSICAL ACCESS: Genealogical materials in Box 12 are restricted for preservation purposes. Copies of these materials are available in Box 11.

EXTENT: 6.63 linear feet

DATE: 1752 -2014

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The Godfrey Miller Family Collection includes scrapbooks, correspondence, account and business papers, school books, receipts, and other memorabilia concerning the Godfrey Miller family from 1786 to 1938. The diary of Margaretta Miller, daughter of Godfrey S. Miller and Marianna Sperry Miller, contains information on the effects of the Civil War on the civilian population of the Winchester area.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL: Godfrey Miller was born at Gruena, Germany on May 6, 1730, to John Miller and Dorothea Hoehl. Little is known of his childhood, but by age 19 he was a member of the stocking weavers’ guild. After spending about six years in Berne, Switzerland, and Lyons, France, he joined his brothers Samuel and Gottlieb in London and together they joined a company of framework knitters. Godfrey arrived in Philadelphia on November 1, 1763, bringing two stocking looms with him. He settled in Winchester and married Anna Maria Kurtz on August 8, 1766. They had nine children between 1771 and 1793. Miller continued in the weaving business, and by 1788 was also listed as an apothecary. Godfrey Miller died on December 12, 1803, and was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, part of Mount Hebron Cemetery, in Winchester.

Godfrey Miller II was born on March 3, 1786, to Godfrey and Anna Maria Miller in Winchester. He worked in his father’s apothecary shop and learned to weave. His father died when he was 17. When he came of age, Godfrey and his brother Peter purchased a lot at 107 N. Loudoun and operated a dry-goods store. That store became the Miller Drug Store, which continued operations well into the twentieth century. In 1815, Godfrey married Catherine Elizabeth Schultz. They had eleven children.

Margaretta (Gettie) Miller (1850-1938 was the daughter of Godfrey S. Miller and Marianna Sperry Miller. Margaretta was the great-granddaughter of Godfrey, the immigrant.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Quarles, Garland R. Some Worthy Lives. Winchester, VA: Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society, 1988.

Cite As: Godfrey Miller Family Collection, 301 WFCHS, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA, USA. 

ORGANIZATION:

BOX 1   - Godfrey Miller I and Godfrey Miller II

Miller, Godfrey I–Correspondence, 1786-1793 (with translations), 6 leaves, typescript; 7 pages, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey I–Correspondence and accounts, 1786-1799, 1 leaf, typescript; 1 leaf, manuscript; 11 pages, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey I–Letter of acceptance into the Stockingworkers Guild of Berne, April 1752, 3 leaves, typescript with manuscript (1 leaf is in French)

Miller, Godfrey I–Passports: Berne –May 1, 1752 and Paris–April 30, 1756, 2 leaves, encapsulated, manuscript with translations

Miller, Godfrey I—Will—July 6, 1803, 2 leaves, manuscript; 3 leaves, manuscript (photocopy); 2 leaves, typescript (photocopy)

Miller, Godfrey II–Account book, 1827-1830, unnumbered pages, bound, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II – Letters and Papers, 1802-1829, 27 items, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Accounts, 1812-1829, 58 leaves, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Accounts, 1830-1839, unnumbered leaves, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Accounts, 1841-1857, unnumbered leaves, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Agreement between G. Miller and Rhuben Seals and Daniel Linn, 1828, 1 leaf, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Business papers, unnumbered leaves, manuscript; 2 leaves, typescript (photocopy)

Miller, Godfrey II–Inventory, 1823-1825, 1 item, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Letters and papers, 1802-1829, 28 items, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II – Letters and papers, 1830-1836, n. d., 32 items, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Liquor Requisitions, 1862, unnumbered leaves, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Notice of deposition by William S. Cunningham, 1 leaf, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–State and city license tax receipts, 1881-1889, 4 leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller, Mary—obituary May 30, 1883, 1 leaf, printed

BOX 2–Godfrey Miller II, school books

Miller, Godfrey II–Arithmetic book, 1798, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Arithmetic book, 1807, 1 item, booklet, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–School writing book, n.d., 1 item, booklet, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–School writing book, 1798, 1 item, booklet, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–School writing book, Geography, n.d., 1 item, booklet, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–School writing book, Languages, n.d., 3 items, booklets, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey II–Writing book, 1799, 1 item, booklet, manuscript

BOX 3—Abram S. Miller

Miller, Abram S.–Account book, 1847-1875, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Day book, 1861 (with some loose papers), 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Day book, 1861-1862, 1 item, bound, manuscript

BOX 4—Abram S. Miller

Miller, Abram S.–Account books (4), 1826-1829, 4 items, bound, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Account books (2), 1830-1832 and 1833-1837, 2 items, bound, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Civil War papers including discharge from service, 1861-1864, 11 leaves, printed with manuscript; 2 pages, printed; 14 leaves, manuscript; 2 pages, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Correspondence, 1804-1893, 2 leaves, typescript; 5 pages, manuscript; 5 leaves, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Correspondence between A. Miller and Solomon Henkel, 1825-1842, 2 pages, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Expense book, 1851-1860, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Abram S.–Mathematics writing book, 1790, 1 item, bound, manuscript

BOX 5—John G. Miller

Miller, John G.–Correspondence, 1805-1855, 4 leaves, manuscript; 4 pages, manuscript

Miller, John G.–Journal, 1860-1950, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, John G.–Loose papers from journal (including notes to the contents of the journal), n.d., unnumbered leaves, manuscript

Miller, John G.–Receipts, 1778-1892, unnumbered leaves, manuscript

Miller, John G.–School receipts, 1846-1850, 3 leaves, printed with manuscript

BOX 6—Kate Miller

Miller, Kate–Autograph book, 1845-1851, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Kate–Correspondence and papers, 1845-1851, 3 pages, manuscript; 3 pages, printed; 4 leaves, manuscript and printed with manuscript; 2 envelopes

Miller, Kate–Journal, 1871-1892, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Kate–Scrapbook, 1881-1886, 1 item, bound, printed and manuscript

Miller, Kate–Scrapbook, 1931-1938, 1 item, bound, printed

BOX 7—Margaretta Miller

Miller, Margaretta–Autograph book, 1881-1886 and Diary, May 23, 1863-September 9, 1863, 1 item, bound, manuscript Do Not Photocopy

Miller, Margaretta–“Gettie” Miller Diary, March 23, 1863-Sept.9, 1863, 24 leaves, typescript (See also: : Diary of Margaretta “Gettie” Miller May 23, 1863-September 9, 1863, published by the Godfrey Miller Home Historic Site 973.782 Mil)

Miller, Margaretta–Obituary, Nov. 14, 1938, 1 leaf, photocopy

Miller, Margaretta–Receipts, 1893-1914, unnumbered leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller, Margaretta–Receipts, 1920-1936, unnumbered leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller, Margaretta–Sunday School Class Book, 1897, 1 item, booklet, printed with manuscript

BOX 8—William S. Miller

Miller, William S.–Correspondence concerning church matters, 1882-1894, 6 items, typescript and manuscript

Miller, William S.–Family correspondence (from brothers and sisters), 1842-1849, 46 items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Family correspondence (from brothers and sisters), 1849-1891, 65 items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Family correspondence (from uncles and cousins), 1833-1907, 44 items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Personal correspondence, 1848-1903, 55 items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Professional correspondence, 1851-1894, 46 items, manuscript

 

BOX 9—William S. Miller

Miller and Burlock–Letter requesting the binding of 400 copies of The Book of Concord, 1 page, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Envelopes, unnumbered items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Business bills and receipts, 1861-1903, 1 postcard, printed with manuscript; 2 leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller, William S.–Business cards and announcement of business opening, 1850, 21 cards, printed; 1 leaf, printed

Miller, William S.–Invitations, n.d., 4 items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Letter concerning service in the Civil War, Sept. 18, 1861, 1 page, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Letters of recommendation and endorsements, 1852-1853, 10 pages, manuscript

Miller, William S.–“Lines Suggested by the Death of Little Helen…” by Rev. T.W. Dosh, 1870, 1 leaf, printed

Miller, William S.–Miscellaneous notes, 1852-1871, 16 items, manuscript

Miller, William S.–Miscellaneous printed items, 1847-1878, 16 items, printed

Miller, William S.–Notes of a paper done while at Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, 3 items, manuscript

BOX 10

Almanac and memoranda booklets, 1874-1889–distributed by George F. Miller, 2 booklets, printed

Autograph album of Godfrey Miller, 1880, 1 item

Deed between Miller family and Frederick Shultz for sale of “Fair Mount,” May 18, 1859, 1 page, manuscript

Division of land between John Miller and Heirs of Abram Miller, 2 leaves, 1 page, manuscript

Land sale between Henry and Charles Eichelberger and John W. Bushnell to John W. Snapp (witnessed by George F. Miller), 1 leaf, manuscript

Land agreement between Frederick Bahr renting farm from James McFarland for $60.00 a year, Nov. 1, 1869 (witnessed by George F. Miller), 1 leaf, manuscript

Miller, Anna Marie – Graduation Certificate, Female Seminary, Georgetown, D.C., July 31, 1844, 1 leaf, manuscript

Miller, C.O.–Correspondence, 1929-1940, 1 leaf, printed; 3 leaves, typescript with envelopes

Miller, Emilie M.–School writing book, 1847, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Emma Sperry McConnell (dau. of Godfrey S. Miller and Annie Sperry)–Journal of personal writings, 47 pages, bound, manuscript

Miller family–Accounts, 1809-1841, 17 leaves, manuscript

Miller family–Correspondence, 1813-1831, 3 items, manuscript

Miller family–Piano directions (for assembly), 2 pages, manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1806-1814, 1 leaf, 1 page, manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1851-1859, unnumbered leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1860-1869, unnumbered leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1870-1879, 13 leaves, 1 page, printed with manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1880-1889, 27 leaves, manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1890-1899, 13 leaves, 1 page, printed with manuscript

Miller family–Receipts, 1900-1946, 19 leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller family–School reports and receipts, 1846-1897, unnumbered leaves, printed with manuscript

Miller, John Abraham–Writing book, 1835, 1 item, booklet, manuscript

Miller, John S. (1811-1863) – Miscellaneous Items, 5 items, 1 page, 4 leaves, manuscript and printed

Miller, Lewis–Framed invitation to the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Russell, 1 item, framed, manuscript

Miller, Lewis G. M. (1848-1918) – Miscellaneous Items, 5 items, 2 pages, 9 leaves, printed and manuscript

Miller, Martha R.–Accounts, 1846-1850, 4 pages, bound, manuscript

Miller, Mary–Pocket journal with recipes, 1873, 1 item, bound, manuscript with printed items

Miscellaneous Miller correspondence, 1847-1867, 9 items, manuscript

Miscellaneous Miller printed and manuscript items, 7 items, printed and manuscript

Sale bill–Between Robert Brent and John and Abraham Miller for the servant named “Allan,” 1824, 1 page, manuscript

“Textile Engineer” magazine, Spring 1951–article concerning the donation of Godfrey Miller’s weaving loom (p.13), 1 item, printed

BOX 11

Miller, Godfrey–Genealogy (indexed), 252 pages, typescript (photocopy)

Miller family–Genealogy chart, n.d., 2 leaves, typescript

BOX 12

Miller, Godfrey–Genealogy original, 2 notebooks, bound, typescript; 1 item, bound, manuscript Restricted: Researchers should use typed copies in Box 11

BOX 13

Tax receipts to Sheriff of Frederick County, 1857-1861, (Lewis Miller–Sheriff, John C. Miller–Deputy), 1 cloth belt, 16 pockets; unnumbered leaves, manuscript on printed form

BOX 13a

Miscellaneous Advertising

Leather Book Cover, n. d.

Life Magazine, two issues, Vol. 30, No. 714, December 23, 1897, Vol. 30, No. 715, December 30, 1897, 2 items, printed

Miscellaneous Blank Receipt Forms

Miscellaneous Correspondence

Miscellaneous Invitations to Events

Miscellaneous News Clippings

Miscellaneous Receipts

 Miscellaneous Religious Materials

Miscellaneous Booklets 

BOX 14--Books

Holy Bible. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Grambo, and Co., 1854 ; Unnumbered pages, leather bound with clasp, printed

Jewels for Our Soldiers.  Richmond: Ms. Farlane Furgusson, 1861 ; partial, 4 pages

Recveil de Plusieurs pieces de Piete en Allemand et en Francois. Translated from German into French, 1573 ; Unnumbered pages, leather bound, printed

Jablonski, Daniel Ernst. Thriftlicher Fredigfen … Berlin; Ben Ambroifus Haude ; Unnumbered pages, velum bound, printed

BOX 15—Related Families

Bell, Dr. W.A.–Notice of meeting at Winchester Memorial Hospital, 1901, 1 leaf, typescript on printed form

Bell, Dr. W.A.–Receipts, blank and undated, unnumbered items, printed with manuscript

Bell, Dr. W.A.–Receipts, 1877-1889, unnumbered items, printed with manuscript

Bell, Dr. W.A.–Receipts, 1890-1899, unnumbered items, printed with manuscript

Bell, Dr. W.A.–Receipts, 1901-1914, unnumbered items, printed with manuscript

Henkel, Alfred D.–Correspondence, 1903-1923, 4 pages, manuscript; 1 leaf, manuscript; 7 envelopes, manuscript

Henkel family–Invitations, 1881-1883, 2 leaves, printed

Henkel family–Miscellaneous papers, n.d., 5 items, manuscript

Henkel-Miller family–Correspondence, 1836-1875, 10 pages, manuscript

Henkel, P.C.–Business papers, 1845-1865, unnumbered items, manuscript

Henkel, S.–Item from his press, “Resolutions…House Carpenters, Joiners, and Cabinet Makers…,” Dec. 26, 1816, 1 item, printed

Henry, J. Henkel–Printed items, 1909-1926, 4 items, printed

Miscellaneous correspondence, 1849-1898, unnumbered items, manuscript

Otto, John Tobias (father-in-law to John Shultz)–Passport, 1749, 1 item, framed, manuscript

Shultz and Miller–Receipts, 1826-1830, 5 leaves, printed with manuscript; 2 leaves, Manuscript

Shultz, Catharine–Obituary, March 27, 1839 (Winchester Virginian), 2 pages, printed

Shultz family correspondence, 1849-1861, 6 items, manuscript

Shultz, John and Catharine–Genealogy, April 1839, 2 leaves, manuscript

Shultz, John–Correspondence from Elizabeth [Frickhbaum] (sister), 1786, 1 leaf, manuscript; 1 leaf, manuscript (photocopy)

Shultz, William–Drawing book, 1830, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Shultz, William–Legal papers concerning the estate of Mathias Shultz, Aug. 14, 1863, 2 leaves, manuscript

BOX 16

Scrapbook–“Miller Family and Events of the Time,” 1 item bound

BOX 17

Scrapbook–“Miller Family and Local Histories,” 1 item, bound

BOX 18

Account book (1823-1824)/scrapbook, 1 item, bound, printed items and manuscript remaining accounts are in the center of the book

Inventory booklets, n.d., 7 items, booklets, manuscript

Inventory booklets, 1834-1836, 8 items, booklets, manuscript

Miller, Abraham–Account book, 1832-1837, 1 item, bound, manuscript

Miller, Godfrey–Scrapbook, n.d., 1 item, bound, printed items

MAPCASE 1 DRAWER 3

Miller, Godfrey Land Deal, 1792, signed by Henry Lee

MAPCASE 1 DRAWER 12

Family register of John Shultz, n.d., 1 leaf, printed–filed with two other copies from 1421 WFCHS

MAPCASE 5 DRAWER 14

Family register of Abraham and Godfrey Miller, n.d., 2 leaves, printed

Letter from John M. Miller to Samuel Miller, March 9, 1792, (in German)–Translation included, 1 item, manuscript, encapsulated; 3 leaves, typescript

PHOTOGRAPHS:  Photographs and other images belonging to this collection may be accessed online through http://handley.pastperfectonline.com/