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John MILLS Sr. was probably born in England. He came as a young man to Philadelphia where he engaged in the lumber business with Richard Harrold before settling in Maryland. John Mills Sr. is also identified by many Mills' family history accounts as the first Mills Emigrant to America (his line). The most notable manuscript was written by Jeremiah Mills, born 1784, son of Amos Mills, born 1752, grandson of Hur Mills born 1714.

In 1730 he was described as John Mills of "Manoquisy near ye River Potomac" on the marriage certificate of his son Thomas Mills who married Elizabeth Harrold, a daughter of Richard Harrold. In 1731 he witnessed a marriage at the home of Josiah Ballinger at "Monoguisie Province of Maryland."

He received a land grant/patent of 1315 acres, (the Gerard House & sign is on the patent property) 12 Nov 1735, located in Virginia. Today this land is located between Inwood and Gerrardstown, Berkeley Co., WV. This land was described as being "on a branch of Opeckon, near but not adjoining the Lewis DeMoss land." In 1743 he deeded land to sons Thomas Mills, Hur Mills, Henry Mills and John Mills Jr. recorded in Frederick Co., VA.

On 1752, 6, 1. Hopewell granted John Mills a certificate to remove to Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in Orange Co., NC. (we do not if it was Sr. or Jr.) John Mills Sr's Daughter Mary Mills Beeson and her husband William Beeson arrived at Cane Creek first, 1752, 3, 7. John Mills?. was followed on 1753, 5, 7. by Thomas Mills, John Mills?, Hur Mills and Henry Mills; to Cane Creek, they were received on 1753, 9, 1. The land the Mills families settled on was in Orange County, which became Rowan Co. in 1753 and then became Guilford Co. in 1770.

In 1757, John Mills Sr. was visited by William Reckitt during the French and Indian War. John Mills Sr. was then living within two or three miles of a place where not many weeks before Indians, had killed and taken away people. He made his last will and testament 28 Sep 1759 which was probated Jul 1761 Rowan Co., NC. The will left one shilling bequests to each of his five oldest children by his 1st wife Rebecca Mills: Thomas Mills, John Mills Jr., Hur Mills, Henry Mills and Mary Mills Beeson. The rest of his estate was left to his 2nd and current wife Rebekah Mills (spelled as in the will) for the support of her children who were not specifically named. John Mills Sr. died 24 11th month 1760 and his death is noted in the records of New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford Co., NC.

In 1730 John Mills Sr. witnessed the marriage of his eldest son Thomas Mills, followed by the signature of a Rebecca Mills who was most likely his first wife and the mother of Thomas Mills. There were five children from his first marriage, born between 1709 and 1724. There were seven children from his second marriage to a woman also named Rebecca Mills that are recorded in the minutes of New Garden MM, NC. These children were born between 1742 and 1757. It would appear that John Mills' first wife died after 1730 and he remarried circa 1740 to the second Rebecca Mills. The second marriage no doubt occurred while John Mills Sr. and his children were members of Hopewell MM, VA. Unfortunately, the early records of this monthly meeting burned so there is no record of this marriage. The surnames of both wives remain unknown.

"When mistakes are published, they are impossible to correct"

Please note: contrary to some published references, there is no documented evidence to support that our John was the son of a John Mills who died 1704/5 at Philadelphia MM. Further, his mother was not Sarah Harrold and he was never married to a Rachel Bates!

Contributing Research providers;
Cheska Wheatley descendant of Thomas and Elizabeth Harrold MILLS
Gwen Boyer Bjorkman descendant of Thomas and Elizabeth Harrold MILLS
Diana Whittenburg descendant of John Jr. and Sarah Beals MILLS
David Mills descendant of John Jr. and Sarah Beals MILLS