Elizabeth Catarina Mueller

Notes:

1st known white person to be born in the Shennandoah Valley of Virginia.

Elizabeth married John Baer in 1752. John (son of Jagley Jacob Bär) was born in Apr 1729 in Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; died on 25 Jun 1791 in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States; was buried in Jun 1791 in Timberville, Rockingham County, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Adam Miller

Notes:

...First white settler in the Shenandoah Valley. Adam built his farm adjacent to the Shenandoah river at the Lithia Spring (now Bear-Lithia Spring). His two daughters Ana Barbara & Catherine married the two Baer brothers (Jacob & John) from Broc's Gap. Adam gave his farm to his son-in-law (Jacob) and his daughter (Anna Barbara) on the condition that he could live out the rest of his days there and that he be supplied with certain provisions including a generous amount of whiskey for which Jacob Baer gained the nick-name Jacob "Whiskey" Baer.

The following is from the program for the Adam Miller Memorial Dedication Ceremony (Friday, May 7, 2010), prepared by the Elkton Welcome Center:

Adam Miller (Mueller)

...Adam Miller (Mueller) was born in Germany, probably Schreisheim, in 1703. He was the son of Johann Peter and Maria Margaretta Mueller.
...Adam came to America as a young man in 1720. He came with his wife, Barbara Kooger Miller, and an unmarried sister, Catrina. The Millers first settled in Germantown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, however, Adam was unsatisfied with the farming lands in Pennsylvania, so he moved his family to Williamsburg, Virginia. While in Williamsburg, Adam learned about Governor Alexander Spotswood's 1716 Expedition. After hearing about the wonderful fertile country beyond the mountains, Adam decided to see if for himself. He followed the same trail taken by Spotswood and crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains at Swift Run Gap. He was so pleased with the look of the country, that he immediately returned home for his family and brought them back to the valley. He built a cabin near the present day Page-Rockingham County line, however, this site proved to be unhealthy so, several months later he erected another cabin a few miles further south. This site, known as Green Meadows, is located a short distance north of present day Elkton, Virginia.
...Controversy still exists as to who was the first permanent settler in the Shenandoah Valley. There are many records of explorations of the Valley, however, it is traditionally claimed for Adam Miller, that he was the first permanent white settler here. The date given to this first settlement is 1726. It is believed that Adam Miller descendants have his original land patent of 350 acres of land, made at Williamsburg, written on sheepskin and signed by Governor Gooch, June 20, 1749 and his naturalization paper with one of the two great seals still remaining dated March 13, 1741.
...Two of Adam Miller's daughters, Anna Barbara and Catherine married two brothers, Jacob and John Baer (Bear). Later in life, Adam Miller deeded Green Meadows to his son-in-law, Jacob, and his daughter, Anna. Adam was able to continue living on his farm until his death in 1783.
...Controversy still exists about where Adam is buried. Some say there are historical accounts that place him with his daughter, Anna Barbara, in Bear family Cemetery at Bear Lithia Springs. Others say he was buried in St. Peters Church Yard, a Lutheran Church that Adam helped form and the oldest in Rockingham County. Still others say that his remains were buried in a family cemetery, on a hilltop across from the Miller homestead, and were removed to Elk Run Cemetery during the 1930s and now lie in an unmarked grave across from the Cover Masuoleum.
...In early 2009, the Elkton Centennial Jubilee Committee, decided to fulfill the wishes of the Elkton Historical Society and erect this monument to memorialize Adam Miller traditionally recognized as the first permanent white settler in this part of the Shenandoah Valley.

Adam married Anna Maria Barbara Koger. Anna was born in 1701; and died; was buried . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]