When the Quakers Get On Your Nerves - the Miller Davis Story

Miller Davis (1779-1850) grew up in a family of Quakers that extended back generations.  His family started in England, migrated to Chester County, PA as early as 1690.  The family stayed in Chester County for several generations but then opted to join a contingent of Quakers moving to North Carolina.  Miller's father, Jesse Randall Davis, was part of the contingent at 23.  After arriving in North Carolina, Jesse married Miller's mother, Elizabeth Reynolds.  Their 1781 marriage is recorded in the Center (Quaker) Monthly Meeting minutes. 

In 1811, Miller married Rachel Hoover. (Rachel and President Herbert Hoover share a common ancestor, Andres Huber.) Miller and Rachel were both participating Quakers and followed the Quaker protocol.by posting intentions to marry in their Monthly Meeting, (Back Creek, Randolph, NC) followed by the signing of a contract of marriage.

Not much is noted during the next 20 years except the birth of 11 children (they had 15 all together)  Then, a tidbit appeared in Marlboro Monthly Meeting minutes: 

It was noted that Miller Davis was "concerned in horse racing and trading in spiritous liquors." The Friends appointed a committee to talk to Miller and it evidently did not go well.  In the January 1831 meeting minutes, it was noted that:

"The Friends appointed in case of Miller Davis report that they have attended to the appointment but not to much satisfaction.  He not appearing in a disposition to make satisfaction for his breach of discipline as charged in the complaint.  The meeting disowns him from being a member of our Society.  Aaron Strother is appointed to inform him of the proceedings of this meeting and to report the next meeting."

 Miller took it as a sign the family needed to move. Sometime between April 1831 and March 1832 the Miller Davis family left the county.  As the family left, Miller absconded with a couple of wagons and a bull from the estate of Peter Rich.  An arrest warrant was placed on their “bodies”. Miller Davis was the last Davis in my direct line affiliated with the Quaker religion.

Arrest warrant on Miller Davis

State of North Carolina - Randolph County

To any lawful officer to execute and return in three months you are here by commanded to take the bodies of Miller Davis and John Parker and then safely keep or confine in the common jail for said county until they shall satisfy a judgment of eighty-five dollars & ten cents with interest from the 25th of November 1830 & cost eighty cents Peter W. Rich, administrator of the estate of Peter Rich, decd obtained on the 23rd of April 1831 before Jethro Coffin one of the acting justices for said and all cost that may occur there on or other wise be discharged agreeable to law given under my hand and seal the 21 of March 1832.

There is no evidence that Miller was ever arrested.  However, it doesn't appear that he reformed either.  The family settled in Parke County, Indiana where there are numerous violations noted in the Parke County, Indiana court records of Miller and his son's selling unlicensed liquor.

Rachel and the daughters had their Quaker membership transferred to the Bloomfield Monthly Meeting in Parke County, Indiana in 1836.  Miller and the sons did not rejoin the Quaker faith.

Miller Is my 4th Great Grandfather on my father's father's side.