COLUMBIA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapter 16 (published 1873)
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"HISTORY OF THE MORRIS AND MILLER FAMILIES" By Morris Miller  1873
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		          Chapter 16

      Father’s Second Marriage, and My School Course 
                          Continued

	Early in the summer of 1819 Father’s acquaintance with 
his friend Anna Hole ripened into a matrimonial engagement. 
The marriage was consummated at Carmel Meeting near by her 
residence on the 28th of the sixth month, 1819. His 
sister, Mary Walton, I believe was the only relation in 
attendance. The near neighbors were all emulous to make 
their arrival a very pleasant one. Our aunts had calculated 
to come and assist in preparing the dinner, but they were 
superseded by new neighbors, who requested that they appear 
as special guests. It was an occasion of more than ordinary 
interest to we 10 children to have a new mother brought home 
to us that we had never see to know personally. Never were 
our fond anticipations more fully realized than when we were 
severally introduced to a very pleasing countenanced person 
near the same age and stature of our dear departed Mother. 
The day proved to be a very pleasant one. The uncles and 
aunts had arrived a little before noon, but the wedding 
party having to travel near 20 miles, put the dinner a 
little later than usual. Both relatives and neighbors, ere 
the day closed, expressed their entire satisfaction in 
Father’s companion, not so much by words as by the pleasing 
countenance that each one manifested. Although 56 years have 
passed since that day, the incidents of it are almost as 
fresh in my memory as the day they occurred. It was feared 
that a woman who had passed most of her days of womanhood 
apart from the cares of small children would not be very 
congenial among them, but this all subsided when she entered 
into the household duties with the most cheerful and 
motherly bearing that could be desired. She was favored to 
maintain these noble qualities through life, greatly to our 
satisfaction and benefit.

	The two older sisters having arrived at an age to do 
much of the house work, further hired help was unnecessary. 
Time passed smoothly along until the time of Yearly Meeting 
at Mt. Pleasant came around, and as I had never been much 
from home on account of the duties that seemed to devolve on 
me after Mother’s death, and I being the oldest had to take 
charge generally in Father’s absence, it was concluded to 
have a kindred woman to abide with the children while Father 
and I went to the meeting. The parents went on horseback and 
I on foot, as these two ways were the only modes of 
traveling in the primitive times. We enjoyed the meetings 
very much; also the acquaintances we made. On returning we 
found all getting along very well.

	Grandfather and uncles hearing that we were comfortably 
settled again, sent an invitation for me to come over and 
attend a term of school during the winter and they would 
board me and pay my tuition for what chores I could do while 
there. I concluded to accept the proposition, but being so 
well pleased with my new mother, I resolved to construct a 
large two-horse sleigh, capable of carrying six persons, 
especially for their benefit during the winter. Accordingly, 
I worked almost day and night for near two weeks to complete 
it. After I had accomplished my efforts to do all I could to 
render them comfortable, about the middle of the eleventh 
month, I tied up a few clothes and several books in a small 
handkerchief and started on my journey of 90 miles with less 
than 50 cents in my pocket. Having friends and relations to 
stop with mostly, I only spent about half my money, arrived 
safely and passed the time at as good a school as ever I 
attended.

	I have mentioned this to show the contrast of getting 
an education then and now.