Hereditary Homicide? Abraham Miller

 Hereditary Homicide? Abraham Miller

We often hear that mental health conditions can be passed down through generations—but what about something darker? Could an urge for violence, even bloodlust or murder, be hereditary? Is it a flaw buried deep within someone's DNA, or are some individuals simply born with a predisposition for evil? Is that darkness shaped by life experience, environment, and trauma? Perhaps it’s not a question of nature or nurture—but a disturbing blend of both.

Abraham Miller, my 3rd great-grandfather, was born in January of 1812 in East Pennsboro, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 

I don't know much about Abraham's life before the tragic events of 1856, but I do know that he was married to Martha Rawlins and together they started a family. Unfortunately, one of Abraham's sons would follow in his father's murderous footsteps (see my blog post about Jeremiah W Miller). 

In August of 1856 Abraham and an accomplice murdered John Kissel. Kissel was an eccentric bachelor who was known to carry large amounts of money on his person. The men waited for Kissel to walk to his spring house and they took the opportunity to shoot and rob him. 

After several days of investigation, authorities arrested Abraham and his accomplice, who were subsequently jailed in Carlisle. Before the trial could take place, Abraham committed suicide in his jail cell. Though he left no confession, it was widely believed that he was guilty of the charges brought against him

Abraham died on September 7, 1856, in Carlisle Prison. His wife, Martha, lived another 19 years. 










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