Looking for some help finding these families in Eastern Pa in mid-1750’s. First the
story.
Per legend, three cousins (Ludwig Miller, George Craft and Joseph Grable) came to US as
indentured servants. They reportedly settled in northern Maryland before migrating to
Fayette Co., Pa. about 1771. They reportedly came from Nuremberg, Germany.
Research has largely supported this story. Some highlights, as follows:
Ludwig Miller born c1721, shows on passenger list for ship Robert
& Alice arriving Philadelphia 9/24/1742 (haven’t proved this is right person). He
next appears in Rapho Twp of Lancaster Co where a Luddwick Miller obtained a 1752 warrant
and sold it a few months later. In 1757, Lodowick Miller appears in now Washington Twp of
Franklin Co., Pa on Maryland border. He was baptized 1762 into Brethren Church as
witnessed by Daniel Leatherman and Andoni Hartman in Frederick Co., Md. He was
naturalized in 1764 with same witnesses. In 1771, he sold his Franklin Co. property and
moved to German Twp of Fayette Co., Pa. He was married to Barbara Grable and he died 1813
in Luzerne Twp of Fayette Co. DNA tests have shown that this was not son of Michael
Miller of Washington Co., Md.
Joseph Grable born c1725, married Mary Rowland (d/o Johannes) and died 1810 in Fayette
Co., Pa. Joseph Krebiel (Grable) and his wife were baptized 1747 Conestoga Brethren
Church and reportedly were involved with Conrad Beissel at Ephrata. In 1749, he was in
now Washington Co., Md where he owned land in Marsh Hundred. He was naturalized in 1765
as witnessed by Elder George Martin. He was in Luzerne Twp of Fayette Co., Pa by 1769.
In early 1790’s, he went to Jefferson and Nelson Cos., Ky but went back to Fayette Co.,
Pa. where he died 1810. His son Joseph Jr married Lydia Miller (granddaughter of Ludwig)
and died in Nelson Co, Ky in 1804.
George B. Craft was born 1727, married to Elizabeth Grable (d/o Nicholas Grable) and died
1806 in Fayette Co., Pa. He first appears on 1753 and 1754 tax lists of Coventry Twp of
Chester Co., Pa living next to Samuel Grable (son of Nicholas and who paid for his passage
to US). In 1755 received grant on Pa/Md border close to Ludwig Miller. He also purchased
land from Ludwig. In 1771, he sold his land and moved to now Redstone Twp of Fayette Co.,
Pa. where he died in 1806.
Peter Zook was son of Ulrich Zug who came to US in 1727 on ship James Goodwill. They
lived in Warwick Twp of Lancaster Co. Peter was baptized at Conestoga in 1747 (same as
Joseph Grable) and after his parents died he departed in 1759 for southern Pa. and
reportedly on Potomac in Md. He lived in Antrim Twp of Franklin Co., Pa in 1760’s close
to Ludwig Miller and George Craft. By 1774, he (along with Elder Martin) moved to
Millford Twp of Somerset Co., Pa and on to German Twp Fayette Co. in 1792 living near
Ludwig Miller. He moved to Amwell Twp of Washington Co., Pa in 1794 and died 1803/4 in
Greene Co., Pa. He is reported to have been a Brethren preacher and he defended Elder
George Martin who was at odds with many of the Brethren. Peter’s daughter Deborah married
David Miller, son of Ludwig. There were other downline marriages between these two
families.
Evident that there was a lot of connections among these families.
Apparently, all converted to the Brethren faith after arriving in US. Hoping to find some
help it resolving some open issues:
Did the cousins really come from Nuremberg, Germany? We have two
family legends to that effect but would like further support.
When did the cousins come to US? On ship Robert & Alice in 1742? Timing seems about
right for them to be on this ship. Joseph Grable and George Craft were not on the
passenger list but they would have been under twenty-one at that time.
Was the Luddwick Miller in Rapho Twp the same as the noted Ludwig Miller? Where was
Ludwig before this? Not found in Chester with George Craft and Samuel Grable. Could he
have been in Philadelphia?
Where was Joseph Grable before 1747 baptism at Conestoga? He probably got married in
Philadelphia because that is where Johannes Rowland was living at that time.
If
anyone can relate to this “story” and has any thoughts on the noted questions, I sure
would like to hear from you.
Art Miller, Louisville