Gayen Miller’s parents had settled within the old Kingdom of Ulster in the northern part of Ireland as part of the British Government’s effort to colonize that island. While living there, they were exposed to the teachings of a Quaker named William Edmondson and liked what they heard. As a consequence, Gayen was raised in the new faith.
2 Thus, as an Irish Quaker, Gayen suffered the same deprivations and persecution that his brothers and sisters were suffering all over that island. To make matters worse, the native Irish resented the fact that they had been displaced by English and Scottish settlers and often took their frustrations out on their new neighbors. And, like all citizens of Great Britain at the time, they had to contend with the religious and political upheaval caused by the Glorious Revolution in England (the overthrow of King James II), including the civil war that those events engendered in Ireland.
3 Finally, as if those impediments to their peace and
happiness were not enough, they had to contend with the fact that the policies
of the government in London were purposely designed to restrict their ability
to find markets for the goods which they produced on their farms. Hence, for
many Irish Quakers, life on that island was becoming more and more intolerable.
4 Nevertheless, in the midst of all of these
difficulties, one Irish Quaker had decided to light a candle rather than curse
the darkness. William Penn had persuaded the king to grant him a charter to a
large tract of land in America which he used to found a Quaker colony there.
This enterprise immediately attracted the attention of his Irish brethren, and
it didn’t take long for Gayen’s interest in the endeavor to turn into action.
5 Gayen had married Margaret Henderson, and they had already produced two sons together (James and William) when they decided to move to America. “We will not find there the troubles that have encompassed us here,” he explained to his wife. “That will be a relief, but won’t there be other troubles waiting for us there?” Margaret asked. “Oh, I’m sure there will be new challenges waiting for us on the other side of the ocean, dearest; but at least they won’t be the same ones that have hounded us here,” he chuckled.
6 “I would very much like to purchase the two-hundred-acre tract situated on this creek,” Gayen pointed to the map. “The Manor of Stenning is a desirable location, and I would be happy to make those arrangements for you, Mr. Miller,” James Logan replied (he was the attorney for owner Letitia Penn, William’s daughter). Thus, the business was concluded in short order, and Gayen rushed out to share the news with Margaret.
7 He built their home near a branch of Red Clay Creek,
and the family quickly acclimated to their new surroundings. Margaret had two
more babies within their first two years in their new home. Over the years that
followed, the Millers would welcome eight more children into the world; and
Kennett Township would accommodate many more Irish Quakers within its borders.
8 At first, the Friends gathered together for worship
in each other’s homes. Nevertheless, Gayen and his neighbors never forgot the
circumstances which had brought them to this place. “Let us not be so
preoccupied with the building or our lives in this wilderness that we forget
the Lord’s business,” Gayen reminded everyone. As a consequence, the community
purchased a piece of land and erected a more permanent meeting house in 1710.
9 Four years later, Gayen was elected to the
Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Thus, in the space of twelve years in
America, Gayen and his family had found peace, prosperity and respect – things
that had been sorely lacking in Ireland.
10 Now these are the generations of Gayen Miller:
11 Gayen married Margaret Henderson, and they had a
son named James.
12 James Miller married Rachel Fred, and they had a
son named James.
13 James Miller married Sarah Way, and they had a son
named John.
14 John Miller married Jane Chamberlain, and they had a son named John.
15 John Miller married Margaret Ellis, and they had a
son named Thomas.
16 Thomas Miller married Delilah Wade, and they had children together.
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