Return to the Land

-Feb 19, 1768, Israel Christian from Andrew Miller, Heir-at-Law of John Miller, deceased, £100, 84 acres on a south branch of Catawba; corner to a survey of Samuel McRoberts crossing the Mill dam. AV. D.BK 15, 68. 13

-August 19, 1766, Andrew Miller Administrator of John Miller, with Israel Christian and Benj. Hawkins. BK3, 450. 14

-Sept 9, 1766, John Miller ’s appraisement by James Rowland , Samuel McRoberts et als, Will BK 4, 5. 15

-1766, Deed Book 15, page 68 recorded in Augusta County. John Miller gave his son Andrew 81 acres on the south branch of Catawba Creek, a branch of the James River , which contained the area of Miller’s Mill. 16

From the above information it was established that Andrew Miller was John’s son. When John died Andrew inherited the land at Miller’s Mill and in turn sold the land to Israel Christian in 1768. On Feb 14, 1770 the court recommended to the Governor that a courthouse be established in this area and that Miller’s Mill appeared to be the most obvious place. By now Christian owned the land chosen for the site. It contained 81 acres lying at a spring near the road

on the southeast side of Miller’s Mill. Christian voluntarily gave up or donated 40 acres to the court for establishing a courthouse and the founding of the Town of Fincastle. Being the businessman that he was, in the bequest, he reserved for himself two half-acre lots. One of which was to be selected by him and the other at the discretion of the court. On April 10, 1770 court was held for Botetourt County at Miller’s Mill. 17 Grandfather also said we were related to the Firebaugh family of Fincastle and we did find the Miller-Firebaugh connection in later generations.

Historical Sign at Fincastle

13 Kegley’s Virginia Frontier , p. 359. 14 Kegley’s Virginia Frontier , p. 450. 15 Kegley’s Virginia Frontier , p. 362. 16 Courtesy of Ms. Dottie Kessler, Researcher of Records, Botetourt County Courthouse. 17 Kegley’s Virginia Frontier , p. 401.

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