MISS MILLER, 104, KIN OF PATRICK HENRY, DIES

Miss Elvira Henry Miller, age 104, the great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry, died Sunday, July 24, at her home in Lynchburg.

She had been apparently in good health until a heart attack several days ago.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 25 at her home, with burial in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Her family moved to Lynchburg 102 years ago from the old Henry estate, "Red Hill" in Charlotte County. "Miss Ella," as she was known to her friends, never married, but as Lynchburg's oldest citizen, she was a dominant force in the cultural and patriotic life of the city.

She reflected her heritage and never failed to cast her vote in elections. It was her patriotic and civic duty to vote she said, and in politics she was an outspoken Democrat.

She was born October 9, 1850, at Red Hill, the daughter of William A. and Margaret Ann Henry Miller and a granddaughter of John Henry, eldest son of Patrick Henry, the Revolutionary patriot. She was the eldest of 12 children and the last to die.

Miss Miller was educated in private schools and at Hollins College. She was the oldest alumni of the college. She was recently cited in the American Alumni Council News as possibly America's oldest living college almuna.

Her family was noted for its longevity. Her father died only a few months short of 100 and an uncle lived to be 101.

In many of her activities she was either the first or the oldest. She was a charter member of her church's Woman's Missionary Society and a member of the church for 86 years. She also taught in the Sunday school for a number of years.

She was a founding member of the Lynchburg Committee, Colonial Damer of America in Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Chapter, DAR. She headed both of the groups on a number of occasions. She was made honorary chairman of the Lynchburg Colonial Dames and honorary regent of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the DAR in recognition of her half century of service to the organizations.

She lent her support and influence to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation for the restoration of Red Hill and to the Patrick Henry Boys' Plantation which occupies half of the acreage of the Charlotte County estate.

Miss Miller is survived by three nieces, Miss Susan Dabney, who lived with her; Mrs. S.B. Penick, of Montclair, N.J. and Miss Margaret Henry Gammon, of Cambridge, Mass; five nephews, Fred A. Dabney, of Richmond; John C. Dabney, of Lynchburg; Wirt Henry Gammon and Landon Haynes Gammon, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Dr. Will (not readable)

The Charlotte Gazette
Drakes Branch VA
Thursday
July 28, 1955