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Miles James Riley
Born December 12, 1854 in Allendale, Barnwell, SC, Died March 20, 1917 in Seffner, FL
Married Martha Birdo Hewett on Jan 1, 1891
Enlarged from the image
in the orange packing plant.
Image restored.
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Miles' was born to Orsimus D. Allen Riley and Elizabeth (Allen or Trammel or Trowell?). His siblings were:
- John W. Ogilvie Riley
- Zenobia Riley Rice
- Harriet Winniford Riley
- Catherine Riley (died at the age of 5)
His Half-Sisters were:
- Minnie Riley Spitler
- Eva Riley Bowles
A vegetable
farmer in Mango, in Hillsborough County, FL, he had two
oxen, Bo and Redden (Red One), that pulled his wagon filled with
fresh vegetables into Tampa to sell.He was said to be an expert grafter
of trees, which might explain why he was in Florida. One family story
tells of when his wife wove him a special hat out of palmetto, which he
wore to town to sell his crops. He also sold the hat, to his wife's
great chagrin.
Miles is said to have had "healing hands"
and was called to place them on those who were sick. It was also said he could levitate a small wooden table or stool.
His daughter, Alpha, once told of his lifting her up on his horse with him so she could see some baby birds in a nest in their front yard.
Sadly, he
"took to the drink" and deserted his wife and six children. He died on the first birthday of his
first grandchild, Martha. |
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Roll-over
the photo to see how it looked before restoration.
(Then you can see what I started with and realize how brilliant I am.)
Miles James Riley,
in the back on the right,
in an Orange Packing Plant, Florida, late
1800's.
Roll over the photo to see
an edited tintype.
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