If, as is believed, this name was originally Muller, the family in Slingerlands can claim descent from Cornelis Stephense Muller, of Greenbush, Rensselaer county, New York, 1663; also a land owner in Albany, devising same to sons Jacob and John.
(I) Russell Miller died in Westerlo, Albany county, New York, in 1829, in middle life. He was a farmer and land owner and died on his own farm. He was a member of the Christian church, and an active worker for good. He married Nancy Conger, who died April 1, 1868, aged seventy-two years, twelve days. The Congers are an old Albany county family. Children:
- David, born in Berne, died February 27, 1866, aged forty-nine years; a farmer of that town; he married Catherine, daughter of Duncan Fisher; children:
- Russell, deceased;
- Caroline, deceased, married Walter Clapper, who died in the west.
- Margaret, died at the age of seventy years; married Ambrose Lamb, a farmer of Westerlo; no issue.
- Eli, died aged forty-seven years; a farmer of Westerlo, later of the town of Coeymans, Albany county; married Hannah Nodine, who died leaving two sons, James and Jarvis, who are married, and have families at Indian Fields, New York.
- James, see forward.
- Emmeline, born in Westerlo, New York, 1824, died January 28, 1906; married George Lawson, who died in Berne.
(II) James, son of Russell and Nancy (Conger) Miller, was born in Westerlo, Albany county, New York, July 14, 1822, died in New Scotland, April 4, 1904. He located in the village of Reedville, town of Berne, where he was a merchant for twenty years. He was a farmer of New Scotland for thirty years, owning one hundred and thirty acres now a part of his son's estate. He was a man of substance and influence. He was active in the Democratic party, and while in Reedville was postmaster for several years under Buchanan and Lincoln. He married, in Westerlo, July 4, 1842, Julia A. Adriance, born in that town, September 4, 1825, died in New Scotland, September 5, 1901. She was possessed of the womanly virtues of gentleness, patience and piety, coupled with great courage, strength and endurance. She was her husband's trusted partner and associate, and contributed a full share to his success in life. She was a daughter of Albert and Catherine (Snyder) Adriance, who both lie in the Snyder burying ground in Westerlo. They were members of the Christian church. Their children were:
- Eliza M., born March 29, 1823; now a resident of Westerlo, aged eighty-seven years, widow of Nelson Appleby; children: Julia and Abraham.
- Julia A., married James Miller.
- Henry D., born January 4, 1828, now a resident of Westerlo, aged eighty-two years; married Katherine Betchem, born in Albany, February 22, 1848, and has three living children: William H., Albert G. and Charles M.
- Caroline, October 8, 1830; unmarried.
- George A., March 27, 1833, died July 28, 1906; married Lucy Smith, deceased; children:
- Annie and
- Emma, married; deceased after marriage.
Children of James and Julia A. (Adriance) Miller:
- Charles, see forward.
- Mariette, born May 15, 1846; married John J. Mahar, a farmer of the town of Bethlehem; child,
- James H., born May 29, 1868; married Nettie Bennett, and has a son
- James B., born December 26, 1909.
- James H., born May 29, 1868; married Nettie Bennett, and has a son
(III) Charles, son of James and Julia A. (Adriance) Miller, was born in Westerlo, Albany county, New York, at the Miller homestead, July 12, 1844. His early years were spent in Berne, and in the store of his father at Reedville. He bought land in Berne, which he sold and removed to a farm he purchased in New Scotland on Norman's Kill in 1876. Here he remained two years, then purchased his present estate of one hundred and ninety-six acres consisting of two farms with all improvements on both. This was the "old Taylor farm," and was partly owned by his father, who died at this place. Mr. Miller is a modern farmer and everything about his home and farm bespeaks progress and prosperity. He stands high in his community and highest where best known. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat in politics. He married, January 3, 1876, Edith J., born in the town of Guilderland, May 27, 1855, daughter of John and Edith (Jacobson) Oliver, and granddaughter of Evert and Mary A. (Albright) Oliver. John Oliver was born in Bethlehem, New York, January 12, 1836, died January 23, 1907, in New Scotland. He was a farmer, married (first) Edith, daughter of Jacob and Maria (Leonard) Jacobson, of Bethlehem. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Children of John and Edith (Jacobson) Oliver:
- Daniel, died in 1904, at Binghamton, New York; he was a railroad man; married Elizabeth Hines, also deceased; had issue.
- Adeline, married Christopher La Grange, of Bethlehem, New York; issue:
- Emery, married;
- Hattie, married;
- Alice, married;
- Raymond;
- Wesley, deceased;
- Maude, married and lives in Binghamton, New York.
- Edith J., married Charles Miller.
- Sarah Alice, married Myron Hungerford, a farmer of New Scotland; no issue.
- Elizabeth, married Jacob Wagoner, of Albany; two daughters:
- Minnie, married;
- Jennie, married.
John Oliver married (second) Margaret Hart; no issue. He married (third) Lavinia Dyer, now deceased; children:
- Irving, a farmer of Bethlehem, New York, married Mary McNarry; has issue.
- Lewelyn, married Jacob Weis, of New Scotland, a farmer; three children.
- John, a farmer of Bethlehem; married Sadie Rathburn; six children.
- Christopher, a farmer of New Scotland; married Hattie Hallenbeck; four children.
- George, a farmer of New Scotland, married Eva C. Albright; one child.
Children of Charles and Edith J. (Oliver) Miller:
- Victor, born October 24, 1876; graduated Albany Business College, 1894; now a farmer of Bethlehem; he married Sarah A. Fitch, and has a son,
- Charles A., born August 2, 1909.
- Ernest, born October 12, 1878; educated at Albany high school; now a farmer of New Scotland; married Edna J. Mackey.
- James, born December 5, 1881; educated in Albany high school, 1898, now a farmer of New Scotland; married Nettie Johnson; children:
- Julia, born July 9, 1906;
- Jane, February 29, 1908;
- Edith, July 3, 1909.
- Julia A., born March 12, 1884; well educated, resides at home.
- Frank, born May 15, 1886, resides at home.
The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and the sons are Democratic in principle.