In 2022, 60 Minutes first reported on the Miller family’s unexpected journey of discovery in southern Virginia. Fred Miller, a 57-year-old Air Force veteran, set out to purchase a property for family gatherings, unaware his decision would unlock secrets about his own ancestry.
Nestled in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Sharswood was a grand yet mysterious old house. Fred Miller, with roots in the area, came across the property as a potential investment. Encouraged by his sister, Karen Dixon-Rexroth, who spotted the house on sale, Fred hesitated due to concerns over racial bias. Despite his doubts, he placed a bid slightly above the asking price of $220,000 and, to his surprise, it was accepted.
The house had been owned by the Thompson family since 1917. Yet, it was much older, built in the 1850s, and had served a significant role in regional history.
Tracing Family Roots
Karen explored Sharswood’s past, discovering that it was once part of a vast plantation of 1,300 acres. The architectural style and hidden features, such as Civil War-era hiding places, hinted at its rich past. But the most shocking revelation was its connection to slavery.
The ownership history unveiled the estate’s role in the antebellum South’s plantation economy, suggesting Fred’s ancestors might have a direct link to the property. The name ‘Miller’ was not only Fred’s family name but also the name of the original plantation owners— Nathaniel Crenshaw Miller and Charles Edwin Miller. This raised the possibility that Fred’s ancestors, once enslaved there, had taken the Miller name upon emancipation.
Connecting The Dots
The pivotal piece of evidence came from the Virginia Slave Birth Index. It documented Samuel’s birth on the property, son of Violet—a direct ancestor of Fred, proving beyond doubt the Miller family’s historical link to Sharswood.
These discoveries delivered a profound impact on the Miller family. They felt a deeper sense of connection to their history and expressed emotions of being found and whole.
Preserving History
Fred collaborated with archaeologists to explore the property’s slave quarters. Experts confirmed its origins in the late 1700s, likely used initially by a White family, later converted for slave residency.
Fred acknowledged the historical significance of both the grand house and the slave quarters. Committed to preserving these stories, he established the Sharswood Foundation. The foundation’s mission includes maintaining the property and its newly discovered family cemetery, ensuring public access for educational purposes.
The connection between Fred’s family’s past and the Sharswood estate has profound implications. It has allowed the Miller family to piece together their history and honor their ancestors’ resilience.
Fred Miller remains determined to keep the memory of his ancestors alive, opening Sharswood to those wishing to learn, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of history and identity.
The Miller family, alongside the Sharswood Foundation, hosts annual Juneteenth celebrations, welcoming thousands to commemorate the historical and cultural significance of the site they now cherish and care for.