Gerrit Smith Miller

For the zoologist, see Gerrit Smith Miller Jr.
Gerrit Smith Miller
Smith Miller c. 1923
Born(1845-01-30)January 30, 1845
Peterboro, New York
DiedMarch 10, 1937(1937-03-10) (aged 92)
Peterboro, New York
Occupation(s)Dairy farmer and cattle breeder
Known forFounder and captain of Oneida Football Club
SpouseSusan Hunt Dixwell
ChildrenGerrit Smith Miller Jr.
Basil Dixwell Miller
Parents

Gerrit Smith Miller (January 30, 1845 – March 10, 1937), commonly called Gat, was an American businessman, farmer, sportsman and politician regarded as "the father of football in the United States" as the founder of Oneida Football Club, considered the first organized team to play any form of football in the country.[1][2][3] The Oneida Club established informal rules which came to be known as the "Boston game" and are considered the first step to the codification of rules for association football, rugby football, or American football.[4]

Miller was the namesake of his grandfather, the famous abolitionist, businessman, and philanthropist Gerrit Smith. His parents were Smith's daughter, Elizabeth Smith Miller, and her husband Charles Dudley Miller. He grew up on the family's estate in Peterboro, New York, helping his grandfather by hiding escaped slaves in a barn or attic.[5]: 2  Starting in October 1860 he attended the school of Epes Sargent Dixwell in Boston,[5]: 2  and in 1867 married Dixwell's daughter Susan Hunt Dixwell. (Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., married a sister.[1]) He enrolled in Harvard in 1865, but set back by health problems, left before graduating;[5]: 2  in 1924 the university awarded him a honorary Master of Arts degree.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Death Takes Father of Football in U. S.—Gerrit Smith Miller Was Organizer of Oneidas". The Boston Globe. 11 Mar 1937. p. 21. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference pfra1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference geary was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ The Boston Game: Origins of Football
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Galpin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).