General Notes

Alexander Miller was a fine Greek scholar, and was for fiftyeight yea
rs a member of the,Presbyterian church, At that time he entered into a dis
cussion with a Baptist friend, expecting to prove to him by the original G
reek that there wereother modes of baptism sanctioned, but was himself con
verted to a belief in immersion as the true symbol, and from that ti
me on he was an active worker in that church, When he moved to Mason, as p
reviously told, there was no church building and he was one of those instr
umental in the erection of the first Baptist church in this city (Mason Mi
chigan)Alexander Miller's father was a slave owner, like his neighbors, wh
en he lived in New Jersey. When he moved to New York he had freed them a
ll but two, and when he would have given them their freedom he found the
re was, then no law in New York by which he could do so, and whenAlexand
er Miller and Philena Howard were married these slaves, a man and woman, w
ere given to them, and until laws were passed which enabled them to set th
em free Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the only slave owners within that commonw
ealth
.
Obituary: Ingham County Democrat: Feb 22, 1883 - came from N.J. Settl
ed on farm southwest of this city 39 years ago until 15 yearsago when he r
emoved to this city (Milan, MI). He was married to Philena Howard in 182
4, over 58 years ago, and as a fruit of their marriage 8 children were bo
rn to them - six of whomwith thier aged mother are living. He received a c
lassical education in early life and has always been a close student. He w
as a member of the Baptist church. Burial: Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason, MI
Uncle of John Rossel of Ogdensburg