General Miller In Hawthorne's Custom-House

The apartment opposite to Hawthorne's was, in his day, occupied by the brave warrior General James Miller... . (Source)

Gen. Miller was...collector of the port of Salem which post he resigned in 1840. He is the "old soldier collector" referred to in the introduction to Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. (Source)

General James Miller's desk and chair have come to us [the Essex Institute]... .
The old chair had not failed to attract the attention of [Nathaniel] Hawthorne while he served with General Miller at the Salem Custom House. In the preface of the "Scarlet Letter," he tells how the gallant old general would slowly and painfully ascend the Custom House steps and with a toilsome progress across the floor--for the step was palsied now that had been foremost in the charge--attain his customary chair beside the fireplace. (Source)