Miller, William, 1782-1849

William Miller (1782-1849) is the American farmer and Baptist preacher who proclaimed the imminent return of Christ in the 1830's and 1840's and founded the religious movement known as the Millerite Movement. Born in Pittsfield, MA, Miller grew up in Low Hampton, NY and was mostly self-educated. In 1803, he married Lucy P. Smith. He served as a lieutenant and captain during the war of 1812. Returning to Low Hampton, he served as Deputy Sheriff and Justice of the Peace in addition to farming during the early 1800's. After a religious conversion in 1816, he began serious Bible study and his study of Bible prophecies led him to conclude that the Second Coming of Christ was at hand. He began preaching this subject publicly in 1831 and was eagerly sought as a lecturer throughout New England. After the Great Disappointment of 1844, he continued to believe in the immediate coming of Christ.