2. Genealogy
  3. Colonel Samuel Miles

Colonel Samuel Miles

Claim Value Date Age Reliability
ID I11217      
User ID Reference 161F539BA6B64332B0428686661DEEA60915      
User ID Reference KJWM-29P      
Gender Male Gender    
Name Colonel Samuel Miles    
  • MILITARY: Enlisted in Army age 16, discharged 1756; re-enlisted as a Sergeant; was a Lieutenant & fought French/Indians; Captain in 1760; 1776 Commander of two battalions; August 27, 1776 lost the Battle of Long Island and became a prisoner; Released Apr 1778; became a Brigadier General. Col. Smauel Miles was appointed March 13, 1776 Lt. Col. 1st Battalion (6 Companies under Daniel Broadhead) Lt. col. 2nd Battalion (6 Companies under James Piper) DAR stated: Col. Samuel miles was appointed a Brigadier General of the State Forces. Retired 1782 (Chester Co. Archives) March 29, 1776 "Provincal troops were recruited by the newly formed 'Committee of Safety' and were organized along the Brandwine River by Col. Samuel Miles and he states: 'There is not a sufficient number of houses in or about the towns of Chester to quarter these trooops that I have secured for the defense of our Province' April 13, 1776 The Committee of Safety resolved: '...that Col. Miles do procure, for the use of his said troops, one hundred good tents on the most reasonable terms he can negociate.' April 17, 1776 Upon Application, and order for 1,500 pounds (British) was drawn for 'the payment of firelocks made in that County for the use of the Province.' They procured 850 pounds of poweder and lead engouh for theirs...'whole and 1,500 flints to be distributed amongs't the associdato'rs in order to supply them with 23 rounds per man' Col. Miles, with 100 riflemen repaired on the 8th of May to the vicinity of Wilmington (DE) at 4 o'clock on that day. He wrote: 'Our boats, and the two Men-of-War have been engaged for 2 hours, but I believe there is not much damage to either side'....'There was great disappointment among the volunteers to capture or destroy the British vessel.' 53 Battalions known at 'The Associators', formed to choose two Brigidaire Genl's to command the forces of Penna.' This occured on the Day Independence was declared...and the delegates therein assemled..' ("History of Chester County in the War of Revolution" p 63) "Col. Samuel Miles: With 23 rounds of ammunition per man, they were ready to engage any Army British vessels coming up the Delaware River April 29, 1776. The 'Roebuck' Man of War is aground on the shoals of the Brandwine. It was a vessel of 44 guns. There also was a vessel 'Liverpool' of 28 guns, and both escaped, but the 'provincal' fleet prevented them from ascending any further up the river then in the neighborhood of Wilmington. On May 8th 1776 both were attacked. Col. Samuel Miles with 100 riflemen had repaired to the vicinity to render assistanc and witnessed the engagement. At 4 o'clock on that day he writes from the riverband (near Wilmington) to the 'Committee of Safety': 'Our boats and the two British Men-of-War have been engaged for 2 hours at a long shot. I believe there is no damage to either side, tho' I suppose three or four hunred shots have passed between them....our boats fire much better than theirs, but in my opinion they engaged at too great a distance.' 'In Congress, Friday July 5, 1776....RESOLVED that copies of the Declaration (of Independence) be sent to the various State Assemblies and Convention Councils and to the several officers of the Continental Troops in the field that it be proclaimed of each of the United States...this day (7-6-1776) became known that New York,a nd not Philadelphia was to be attcked (by British) and in the consequence on the second of July, Sol. Samuel Miles be requested to march his battalion immediately to Philadelphia to protect those from the state that are represented there...and that the Coutnies Militia from Bucks, Chester and Lancaster be in readiness to march (also) at the hours warning with their battalions to the city. From July 12th to September 14th three battalions which now included those of Col. Atlee were formed into a regiment under the command of Col. Samuel Miles and were stations in the lines for battle in Long Island at Flatbush. A disasterous engagement ensued on the 27th of August (1776). The occupied an apple orchard upon the front, and suffered severely. One seargent and nine privates were missing. The Col. Miles and Col. Atlee were captured. Lt. Col Caleb Perry was killed. On August 1st there were 397 men in the battalion. General Washington was obliged then to retreat across to New Jersey, closely followed by the British ARmy. All effort was now made for defense of Philadelphia.... BATTLE of the BRANDYWINE: Gen. George Washington and Col. Samuel Miles joined in the Battle against Lord Cornwallis. British then suffered 104 killed and 400 wounded. Americans had 900 killed and wounded. Among them was the Marquis de LaFayette wounded severaly. (narritive of War--Chester History p64-65) Col. Samuel Miles: "Please do no make my name public about the destruction of war as it will kindle the rage of the Quaker Society again'st me, as they might employ some ruffian to burn my house and bar, or do me great mischief....as Quakers have not taken oathes to our new States and we know that they are now our bitter enemies in not taking sides in the Revolution. I choose to make and leave consequences in the hands of Wise & Good Providence in the committment of Government.." "An Account of the property taken, damaged, wasted, spoiled; done and committed by the Army of the King of Great Britain, under the command of Sir. Wm Howe on 11th to 16th days of September A.D. 1777---this property an account of which I submit to the authorities: Full Inventory of store, farms, barns, properties (etc.) Wearing Apparel, jelly glasses, dressing table, 11 gallons of Rum, 65 bushels of grain, 1 baby basket, cider tubs, 1 pair of charis; belly band; 1 large Bible torn to shreds; staircase--new boys hat, 1 wagon wheel, 6 silver teaspoons, 1 1/2sets China sups-black; 1 dough Trough and a Servant Lad 10 years old, whowent off with the British officials. 2 be tiks; 2 feather beds; 6 bed quilts; 1 large copper tea kettle; 6 porriage pots; 5 new check aprons; 8 apple trees burned for firewood; year old horse colt; 2 beeves; 6 fat hogs; 9 sheep; 3 tons clover hay--2 tons not so good and one large hogshead of Whiskey and medicines...." OCCUPATION: 1783 Apointed to be Judge of High Court of Appeal (PA); 1792 Elected Mayor of Philadelphia RELIGION: Samuel was baptised as a "Keithiain" Quaker and attended its schools. The Keithians were a splinter group rembracing the Baptists, when they broke away from the Quakers. It was the first revolt from the "Society of Friends", and 48 individuals signed for separation from the Quakers. This was caused by George Keith, and followers on June 28, 1697--very early in Chester history. The Keithans distinguised the days and months of the year by "numerical" names--held plainness of both language and dress--never swearing--quarreling. They disagreed with the Quakers, who at this time, before the revolution, were sympathetic to the British crown. The Quakers, mostly, "took no part in the contest of war", but they DID remain neutral in spirit. At one period in the Keithian movement, they espoused "family". In 1789, Miles was admitted as an honorary member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati.[5] His post-war life included a distinguished career as a politician and public servant. He was made judge of the Appeals Court, served as an alderman and mayor of Philadelphia from 1790 to 1791. He was reelected as mayor, but declined the office. He was elected trustee for the University of Pennsylvania, resigning in 1793. He also was a member of American Philosophical Society and was very active in the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia.[6] The town of Milesburg, Pennsylvania, was laid out by him and is named after him.[7] As a businessman, in 1783 he operated an early sugar refinery with Colonel Jacob Morgan at 77 Vine Street in Philadelphia.[8] Joining with financier Robert Morris, he helped underwrite the voyage of the ship Empress of China – the first American vessel to visit the Chinese mainland. In 1791, with John Patton, he co-founded of Centre Furnace in State College, Pennsylvania.[9] Miles also is noted as being the first faithless elector, when he was pledged to vote for Federalist presidential candidate John Adams, but instead cast his vote for Republican candidate Thomas Jefferson. This was the first contested election in USA and an angry voter wrote to the Gazette of the United States, "What! Do I chuse Samuel Miles to determine for me whether John Adams or Thomas Jefferson shall be President? No! I chuse him to act, not to think!" Miles cast his other presidential vote as pledged for Thomas Pinckney. As a new member of the Democratic-Republican party, he ran for Congress twice (1798) but lost to political newcomer Federalist Robert Waln (1765–1836). Miles's portrait, painted by the noted American artist Gilbert Stuart, is housed in the Washington, DC National Gallery of Art. The portrait of his wife, Catherine Wister Miles, may possibly have been completed by Gilbert Stuart. Another portrait of Samuel Miles, completed by Charles Willson Peale, hangs is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Number Same As Name Reliability Path

13 Total Ancestors
Generation 1
[1.01  2]   Colonel Samuel Miles (1739-1805)
Generation 2
[1.02  3]   James Miles (~1705-~1784)
unsupported
[2.01  4]   Hannah Pugh (1701-1779)
unsupported
Generation 3
[1.03  5]   Richard Miles (1654-1713)
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[2.02   ]   David Pugh (~1660-1737)
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[3.01  6]   Sarah Evans (1666-1756)
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[4.01  7]   Catharine Price (~1706-1735)
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Generation 4
[1.04*  ]   James Miles (~1622-1702)
unsupported
[2.03*  ]   Ellis Evan Pugh (1636-1704)
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[3.02*  ]   John Evans (1635-1695)
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[4.02*  ]   David Price (~1637-1717)
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[5.01*  ]   Katherine Brimer (1626-1712)
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[6.01*  ]   Mary RICE (1630-1750)
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[7.01*  ]   Joan Aubrey (~1640-1699)
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