Miller was born in
Randolph, Vermont in 1797 and he was undertaking military training during the
War of 1812. He enlisted in the US army in 1817 for two years in Massachusetts. He then enrolled at
Dartmouth College in 1821 and after a few weeks transferred to
University of Vermont, where he stayed until 1824. The Greek War of Independence from
the Ottoman Empire began in 1821 and Miller answered their calls for assistance by travelling there in 1824. His bravery in guerrilla units earned him the rank of Colonel and he returned to America, but still remained loyal to the cause and he raised thousands of dollars and gathered relief supplies. Miller supervised the transportation of these to Greece on behalf of supporters of the Greek cause in Boston and New York where they were shared amongst the war-torn Greeks. Miller returned to Vermont in 1827. Miller returned with
Lucas Miltiades, a four year old Greek orphan, whom he adopted and raised. Miller married Sarah Arms on June 26, 1828. It was Jonathan who followed his new wife in sheltering slaves escaping via the "Underground Railroad". The Millers helped the railroad financially and they would ferry escapees using stagecoaches. Meanwhile, he arranged for lectures and gave them himself in favor of abolitionist causes. One of his resolutions in 1833 in the legislature was to require senators to promote anti-slavery. Vermont was possibly the most abolitionist of the Northern American states. In 1840 the legislature had declared that fugitive slaves were entitled to a trial by jury. This measure was overturned by the Supreme Court but Vermont responded with its own counter initiatives. Miller was chosen to travel to England in 1840 to attend the
World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. The convention came after a debate in the American organisation led by
Wendell Phillips,
William Lloyd Garrison, and
Samuel May, who unsuccessfully proposed that women should be recognised as full members and allowed a management role in the American Anti-Slavery organisations. and Miller set forth his point of view. Miller had spoken out boldly, but the moderates were not convinced and although the women were allowed into the convention they had to sit separately and they were not allowed to speak. Miller took his assigned seat at the convention Miller was included in the commemorative painting which now hangs in the
National Portrait Gallery in London. ==See also==