Blandina Dudley Miller

By: Lou Parrotta,

Born into a family with deep roots in New York, Blandina Dudley Miller entered this world on May 1, 1843, and was one of ten children to her parents, Rutger Bleecker and Mary Seymour Miller. Blandina’s paternal grandfather, Judge Morris S. Miller, once was private secretary to New York’s second governor and the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, founding father John Jay. Judge Miller came to Utica in 1808 and married Maria Bleecker of Albany. His political involvement included serving as president of the village of Utica, Oneida County’s first judge, and US congressman.

Rutger Miller followed his father’s path serving in the New York State Assembly and working as a clerk of the US District Court. He was also instrumental in the building of the Utica-Schenectady Railroad. His wife, Mary, was the sister of Horatio Seymour, who served as mayor of Utica, governor of New York twice, and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1868, losing to Ulysses S. Grant. In addition, Rutger built the Miller Mansion on Rutger Street, which served as the residence of future US Senator Roscoe Conkling, where it played host to numerous dignitaries visiting the city.

Blandina spent some of her youth in Alder Creek, where she received private tutoring. In the winters, her education continued in Utica at Turner’s French School. Afterward, she attended Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, graduating at the top of her class. She studied German, history, and music at the seminary.

Blandina returned to Utica in 1861 and took an active interest in Grace Church. She sang in the church’s choir and taught Sunday school. Blandina then proceeded to study the area’s history and write about it. Her most-noted work, A Sketch of Old Utica, is a wonderful volume about the early days of the city. She also wrote other articles, including one about her famous Uncle Horatio.

An active member of the then Oneida Historical Society, where her uncle served as the organization’s first president, it was said about Blandina upon her death, “no one had done for (the society) more valuable historical work (than her).” She was also a dedicated patron of the Utica Public Library, held a membership in the Colonial Dames and Daughters of New England, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she once served as a Regent and as the historian.

When Blandina passed away on Saturday, January 6, 1912, she succumbed after six years of illness and after having lain in a coma for days in her apartment at the Obilston Apartments on Genesee Street. Her funeral took place in her beloved Grace Church under the spiritual direction of Reverend Octavius Applegate on January 9, and her burial was at Forest Hill. Her obituary rightly stated that Blandina Dudley Miller was an “accomplished woman of this city.” •