The Bush Family-My Ancestors

"In the name of God Amen. This being the last Will and Testament of my Estate as followeth,vizt. First, I doe give unto my loveing Wife,An Bush,this Plantacon I now live on and the Neck of Land thereto belonging for her life time and after her decease it to fall unto my youngest Sonne Isack. And I doe alsoe give unto my Sonne, George Bush and my Sonne,Abraham Bush,seventy five acres of land a peice lying all together joyneing the land of Job Hill up towards the Dry Bottom. I doe alsoe give unto my Sonne,John Bush,seventy five acares of land joyneing upon the Branch and the Neck I felt my Wife, and if my Sonne, Isack,should dye without leaveing lawfull issue behind him the land to fall unto my Daughter, Charity Bush, after her Mothers deceased,and after the decease of my Daughter,Charity,to fall to my Daughter, Elizabeth Bush,and after the decease of my Daughter, Elizabeth Bush, the sd. lande to fall unto the next heire: Alsoe I doe give unto my Sonne, Thomas Bush, one Neck of Land comonly called Peumen Neck unto him and his heires for ever. But is in case the ad. Thomas Bush should die without the leaveing of lawfull issue,the land to fall unto ye next heire: Alsoe I doe order it thus that if in all my Sonnes die without leaveing any lawfull issue behind them, then the whole divident of land to be equally divided between William Ellixander and my Daughters. And if my Daughters dye without leaveing any issue then the whole dividend of land to dedound to him forever, and his heires forever. Item. I doe order it then that my Sonne, George,shall stay and work with and for his Mother two yeares and work for her and then he is for himself,alsoe my Sonne Abraham,work for his Mother three yeares then he shall be himselfe: Further, I dispose of my Cattle as followeth, vizt.,First I doe give unto my Wife, one cow called Starr and three steeres & a bull. And Alsoe I doe give my Daughter, Marsi Bush, one Cow and all her female increase forever. Alsoe two pewter dishes and for all the rest of my Pewter unto my Wife. Alsoe all the other household moveables alsoe my Wife is to have all the Bull Calves of my Sons Cattle. The time they stay with her for her use: Alsoe, I doe give my Sonne, Thomas,one cow called Liley and her increase forever. Alsoe to my sone, George, one cow called Cherry with all her female increase for ever. Alsoe to my Sone, John,called by the name of Mad Braines one Cow and all her female increase for ever. Alsoe my old white mare named Bess unto my Wife & increase for ever and her heirs. Alsoe to my Sone, George, one Sorrell Mare called Jone, shee and all her increase for ever, excepting the first fold the sd. Mare bringeth to good bee it horse or mare & that for my Sonne, Thomas Bush. Also my Sonne, John, one black horse called Fanney. Alsoe unto my daughter,Marsy Bush,one bay Mare called Bonney,shee & all her increase for ever. Alsoe unto my Sonne, Abraham, one Roane mare with a bald face called Old Jeane & all her increase for ever. Alsoe I doe order it thus that my Daughter, Marsy, shall stay with her Mother the space of three years except she marryes in the sd. space, if not maryed in the sd. space shee to be cleared at the three yeares end. As Wittness my hand & seale this fourteenth day of February 1686/7. Signed Abraham Bush Wittnesses:Walter Welch, William Rowly,Richard Eaton. Probat Cur Com Lancastr:decimo die Augustii 1687. Oaths of Walter Welch and Richard Eaton and admitted to record. Test. Peter James Dept. Cl Cur."

Some conclusions could be drawn from this will.

1) Martha (Abraham's previous wife) is still living at this time abt. 1686/7 since Abraham requires some of his children with her, to live and work for her, for a period of time. (up to 3 years).

2) Thomas must be of age or at least married since he was not required to live and work with his mother

and therefore probably the oldest child, George must have been 2nd oldest since he was only required to stay and work for two years and Abraham 3rd as his requirement was 3 years.

3) Daniel Bush was not mentioned in the will which would confirm His previous death in 1668.

The will of Ann____(Alexander) Bush 7 August 1689

As following. TO TOP OF PAGE

In the name of God Ame, I Ann Bush of the County of Lancaster being very weak of body but of perect sence thanks be to the Almighty God for it, doe make this my last Will and Testament. Imprs, I bequeath my Soule to him that give it mee and my body to the Earth from whence it came to bee inter'd with a Christian burriall when God shall see his time;

Secondly, I doe will and bequeath unto my Sone, William Alexander, all the rest of my Children as by names hereafter are expressed to dwell and abide with him untill they shall come of age; which is my Daughter, Mary Alexander, my Daughter Patience Alexander, my Daughter Charity Bush, My Daughter Elizabeth Bush, my Sone Isaac Bush & y Sone Jacob Bush and Katherine Taylor untill she shall come to the yeare of sixteene;

Thirtly, I do give and bequeath unto each of my Daughters when they shall come to age or day of marriage, one cow and calfe;

Fourthly and Lastly, I doe make my Sone, William Alexander, Executor of this my last will revoakeing all other Wills, In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this seventh day of August 1689.

Signed sealed and delievred in the presence of

Henry Pullen, Thomas Carpenter, Maragaret Younge Teste John Stretchley, CLCur

Note: Inventory of the Estate of Ann Bush (Lancaster Co. Va. Wills 1690-1709 p13) shows one Orphan Child which we could assume is the Katherine Taylor mentioned in her will.

John Bush Dtd. 7 September 1745

reads in part as following. TO TOP OF PAGE

(Will Book No. 2, page 94, Court Record of Orange County, Virginia.)

In the name of God, amen. I, John Bush, of St. Thomas Parish, in the county of Orange, being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

Imprimis, I do order that all my just debts be paid and satisfied.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Bridget Bush. one bed and furniture.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, Philip Bush, five shillings sterling.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Martha Bruce, also five shillings sterling.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Sanders, also five shillings sterling.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, John Bush five shillings sterling.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my sons, Thomas Bush and Daniel Bush, all the Remainder of my Estate, to be equally divided between them, to them and their heirs forever; and lastly, I do constitute and appoint Philip Bush and Bridget Bush to be my whole and sole Exrs of this my last will and testament. In witness wher of I have here unto set my hand and seal this 7th day of September, 1745.

Teste: Thos. Stanton John Bush

Jos. Eddows

Will of Philip Bush TO TOP OF PAGE

1771

Will Book 2, page 453,454 & 455 records of Orange County, Virginia Court. 1771

In the name of God, amen! I, Philip Bush, of the county of Orange and Parish of St. Thomas, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:

First. -I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God in full hope he will receive it through the merits of my blessed Savior, Jesus Christ. And my body I desire may be decently buried at the discretion of my executors, hereafter named.

Item. -I give and devise unto my son, Josiah Bush, and Sarah, his wife, one hundred acres of my land which lies on the South Side of Bluerun, and which I had of George Stead, during their natural lives, or the survivor of them, and after their decease my will is and I devise this land to my grandson, Philip Bush, son to the said Josiah and Sarah, his wife, and heirs forever.

Item. - I give and devise unto my son Philip Bush two hundred acres of land lying on Barerun, in Spotsylvanin County, to him and his heirs forever. And whereas the said land is under contract and sold, my will is that I make a conveyance for the said land in my lifetime that my said son Philip shall have and enjoy the money for which said land is sold.

Item. - I give and devise unto my son John Bush and Elizabeth his wife during their natural lives, or the survivor of them, one hundred acres of land, it being the tract whereon I now live, and after their decease I devise the said land to be the first male heir lawfully begotten of the body of the said John, and his heirs forever.

Item. - I give and devise unto my son William Bush, one hundred acres of land which I bought of William Bryan, and which lies on the north side of Blue Run, to him and his heirs forever; and here as my said son William has been absent some time past and not heard of, now my will and desire is that if he the sail William should never return, or any heirs lawfully begotten of his body, to claim and possess the said land, that my son Francis Bush, and his heirs forever shall have and enjoy the same, provided that he , the said Francis Bush , pay unto my grandson Lewis Bush the sum Five Pounds, Current Money. And it is also my wish and desire that my said son Francis shall, at my death, have quiet possession and enjoy the said land until my said son William or his heirs as aforesaid shall lawfully claim the same. I also give and bequeath unto my said son Francis one Negro man slave named Tom, and one feather bed furniture, and one smooth gun forever.

Item. - I give and bequeath unto my son Ambrose Bush one Negro woman named Rose, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. - I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Sarah Watts one Negro woman named Jude, and to her heirs forever, provided she pays to my executors hereafter named the sum of Twenty Pounds Current Money, to be disposed of as hereafter directed.

Item. - I give unto my granddaughter, Susannah Watts, one oval table.

Item. - I give unto my daughter Mary Richards one Negro boy named James provided she pay to my executors the sum of Twenty Pounds Current Money, to be disposed of as hereafter directed.

Item. - I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Bush the sum of twenty-five Pounds, current money, to be paid by Executors. Also I give him a rifle gun which he has in his possession.

Item. - I give and bequeath unto my son Joshua Bush the sum of twenty-five Pounds, current money, to be paid by my Executors; also a gun called the Long-shot Gun.

Item. - I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Johnson the sum of twenty-five Pounds, Current money, to be paid by my Executors.

Item. - To enable my executors to discharge the above legacies in money, and for the payment of my just debts and my funeral expenses, I do hereby direct, and it is my will and desire that all my other estate not before bequeathed or devised be sold by my executors; and the residue of the money which shall be in their hands belonging to my estate, and if there be any, to be equally divided amongst all my children.

Lastly. - I do hereby appoint my two sons Philip and Francis Bush and my son-in-law David Watts executors of this my last will and testament, and do constitute them as such. And do hereby revoke and make null and void all former wills heretofore made by me.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of May 1771 Anno Domini.

Sealed, published and declared by the Testator and his last Will and Testament in presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testator.

James Madison his

Tho. Barbour Philip P Bush (Sal) (sic, Seal?)

David Thompson. mark

At a Court held for Orange county on Thursday the 24th day of September 1772, this last will and testament of Philip Bush, dec'd, was presented into court by Philip Bush, one of the Executors therein named, and proved by the oaths of James Madison and Thomas Barbour, two of the witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Philip, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of probate thereof in due form, he giving security. Where upon he, with Josiah Bush and Ambrose Bush, his securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond for the sum of One Thousand Pounds Current Money.

Test

Geo Taylor, (...)Cur.

Will James Bush TO TOP OF PAGE

20th June 1801

In the name of God, Amen, I James Bush being very sick and weak but of perfect memory and sound judgment do make this my last will and testament. First, I recommend my soul to the mercy of Almighty God, my body I decree to by decently buried, and do dispose of the wordily goods in manner following.

(After my just debts being paid), I do give my wife, Mary Bush, my possessions where I now live to support her during life and to be managed by my son, Austin Bush.

Item: I give to my son Drury Bush, 1 Dollar.

Item. Give to my son Austin Bush the land whereon William Noble lives, being part of the tract Austin Bush lives on. I leave the land whereon Thomas McDaniel lives to him, the said McDaniel, for six years from the time of his first setting the same rent free, then said land to return to my estate.

Item. I give all my lands save that given to my son Austin to be equally divided between my three children or their heirs, namely Ann Neafs (Neece) dec'd, Austin Bush and Mary Turner, also all my stock of every kind and household furniture, and plantation utensils with all my estate of every kind to be equally divided among my above named children or their legal Representatives, to be divided at the death of my above named wife.

Lastly, I appoint my son, Austin, Executor of this my last will and testament.

Signed, sealed and published the 20th of June 1801

Signed, sealed and published in the presence of

John Marshall

Charles Bickley James Bush seal.

At a court held for Russell County the 2nd day of August 1808.

Will of Francis Bush

Clark Co, KY Feb. 1818

TO TOP OF PAGE

In the name of God Amen I, Francis Bush of the county of Clark and state of Kentucky being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make and declare this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament. Thereby working and dismantling all other wills therefore made by me in the name and form following.

First, I will and decree and order all my just debts to be paid out of my estate at

my death.

Item 2^nd I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Rachel the tract of land and plantation I

now live on together with all the farming utensils and stock of every kind, also household and wicker furniture and also the real money, if any, left after my just debts are paid. Together with all the ______ that I may have due to me and ______. Also three Negroes. One Negro man Henry and two Negro women Tab and Mimi. Each of the above articles is to be ________ away this material lifetime or widowhood for the support of ________ and the support and education of my younger children until they marry or arrive to the age of 21 years. And after the death of my beloved wife, they are to descend to my children as there after declared.

Item 3^rd I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Christy a Negro man, Souse and a

Negro girl Sidney which she has now in possession to her and her heirs forever.

Item 4th I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Vivion a Negro man, Raudeo also a

Negro girl named Clary to her and her heirs forever she having each now in

possession.

Item 5th I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Orear a Negro lad named Jack also

a young Negro equal in value to the youngest Negro I have given to my daughter Polly and Nancy to be raised from the two Negro women I have given to my wife if they shall continue to breed, if not, they are to be raised out of my estate.

Item 6th I give and bequeath to my daughter Mildred Keas a Negro man named Pomps

also a young Negro equal to the one I have directed to be given to my daughter Elizabeth Orear ________ in the ________ in the same manner.

Item 7th I give and bequeath to my daughter Fanny Bradley a Negro Women named

________ with all her increase. Also a young Negro equal to the one I have directed to be given to my daughter Elizabeth Orear and to be raised in the same manner to her and her heirs forever.

Item 8th I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucy Quisenberry a Negro man Squire. Also a

young Negro equal in value to the one I have directed to be given to my daughter Elizabeth Orear and to be raised in the same manner to her and her heirs forever.

Item 9th I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally Matthews a Negro girl named Paluce.

Also a young Negro equal in value to the one I have directed be given to my daughter Elizabeth Orear and to be raised in the same manner to her and her heirs forever.

Item 10th It is my will and desire that each of my children, Sally Matthews, Fielding Bush

and Jordan Bush shall receive a feather bed and furniture equal in value to those

I have given my other children.

Item 11th It is my will and desire that the two old Negro women ______ and Lucy shall not

go out of my family but go to the use ________ and be turned from time to time amongst all my several children. And that my fire arm shall be kept on my plantation for the use of my two sons.

Item 12th It is my will and desire that at the death or marriage of my beloved wife all my

estate which I have not deeded or willed away shall be equally divided amongst my children according to the line of descent.

Item 13th I hereby conclude and approve my said beloved wife Rachel Bush my Executrix

and Jordan & Fielding Bush and Colby B. Quisenberry my Executors. Given under my hand and seal this 24th January 1816.

At a court held for Clark County on the 23rd of February 1818 this last will and

testament of Francis Bush deceased was produced in court and proven according to law by oaths of John V. Bush and Thacker V. Bush. Witnesses _________ subscribed and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Rachel Bush, Executrix, and Colby B. Quisenberry and Fielding Bush Executors. Therein named who made oath thereto as who law directs. Certificate is granted them for

obtaining a probate thereof in ________ giving security. Whereupon they together with John V. Bush and Pleasant Bush entered into and acknowledged there bond in the _________ of $20,000 conditioned according to law for the true and faithful administration of said estate and performance of this will.

Will of Phillip Bush Jr. TO TOP OF PAGE

July 18, 1819

In the name of Amen, I Phillip Bush of the County of Clark and state of Kentucky being now advanced in years but of sound mind and disposing memory, do make, constitute or deem and establish this my last will and testament hereby ________ all others by me before made and after re-amending my soul to God. ______ body to be decently interred at the ______ of my Executors and expenses thereof as well as all my just debts being paid. I will and desire my worldly estate as follows.

Item: I give to my son John V. Bush the tract of land where he now lives, also on hundred acres for which I note the bond of my brother William Bush. Together with a Negro man named Charles and any other property I have put in his possession, except a Negro boy Georgy to him and his forever descent as hereafter excerpted.

Item: I give to my son Robert Bush the tract of land where on he now resides also 500 acres for which I have Laurence Thomas’s bond for, lying in Powels Valley. A Negro boy named Daniel, together with all the property I have put in his possession to him and his heirs forever except as hereafter excerpted.

Item: I give to my daughter Nancy Bush a Negro girl named Sarah with her future increase. Also a Negro boy named Tom together with all the other property I have put in her possession to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I give to my daughter Franky Wigglesworth a Negro man named Charles also a Negro girl named Mariah together with all the other property I have put in her possession to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I gave to my daughter Jane Wigglesworth four hundred dollars which I have paid her instead of a Negro women intended for her. Also a Negro boy named Fountain together with all the other property I have put in her possession to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I gave to my son Thacker Bush on his coming on age or marriage a Negro boy named Tom and that part of my Plantation that I purchased from Orson Martins. Also four hundred and fifty dollars in cash to him and his heirs forever except hereafter excerpted.

Item: I gave to my daughter Peggy Quisenberry four hundred dollars in cash which I have paid her instead of a Negro women intended for her. Also a Negro boy named Lewis together with all the other property I have put in her possession to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I gave to my daughter Sally on her coming on age or marriage a Negro girl named Sylvia also a Negro boy named James to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I gave to my daughter Polly a Negro girl named Juliann also two hundred and fifty dollars on her coming to the age of 16 years and it is my express will and desire that if either of or more of the Negros herein given to my three last children mentioned shall die or become _______ own or less valuable by any _______ otherwise that he, she or they shall have it made good out of my estate either by receiving another Negro equal to the one named as if it was sound and healthy and also that each of the said three last mentioned children at the time of receiving the said Negros herein _______ or the equivalent thereto do receive a good feather bed and furniture ________ or mare saddle and bridle. The value of $1 for each child and that they hold same for themselves and their heirs respectively forever.

Item: I gave to my beloved wife Franky Bush the use and occupation of the land I now reside on together with all my Negros that I may die possessing of with all the stock of every kind. All household and kitchen furniture to be kept together for the use of her. Comfortable support and education of all my married children until my daughter Polly shall arrive to the age of 16 years. Subject, however, to the legacy that may be demandable before that period and such as shall at that time be paid or allotted off. It shall then be done and that may my beloved wife retain in her possession for her own proper use and benefit during her life or widowhood the following Negros, to wit, Ben, George, Sarah, Marganetta and Socky. Also four hundred dollars in cash with all the stock, household and kitchen furniture and farming utensils. Also the crop and stock of _________ then on hand and all the remainder of the Negros be then also divided between all my children _______ and in case of the death of one or more of them leaving a child or children that the said child or children receive his, her or their parents share.

Item: At the death or marriage of my said beloved wife it is my will and desire that the tract of land I live on at present be sold and the money with the balance of my estate by equally divided between all my children agreeable to the law of descent.

Item: But should my said beloved wife choose to take one third of my estate instead of the portion made for her then my will and desire is that after the allotment of said dower the said Negros that may not have been received or paid off be allotted off agreeable to this, my will. And that all the remainder of the estate by equally divided agreeable to the law of descents of this state and at my wife’s ______ the dower portion divided, also agreeable to the said law.

Item: It is further my will and desire that if any land shall hereafter ______ to me shall ______ and be equal by division between my daughters and in case of the death of any one or more of them leaving a child or children that said child or children shall receive his, her or their parents portion agreeable to the said law of descent of this state.

Item: The exceptions eluded to in the first, second and sixth items are as follows, to wit, if at any time hereafter the tract of land that I have given to my son John V. Bush, that which I have given to my son Robert Bush, that they now live on or that which I have given to my son Thacker. Shall either of them be lost or taken by some better claim then and in that case it is my express will and desire that each of my said sons bear an equal part of the loss to the amount of 80 acres of each tract it being about the quantity I have given and conveyed to my son John. Thereafter, if either of my said sons shall fail to bear an equal part in case of said loss by paying an equal _______ in money, it is my will that so much of the estate which I have given to the one refusing to bear his part as well amount to his share in said loss shall be taken to reimburse the one which may have lost his land.

Item : I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Franky Bush, my son John V. Bush and Robert Bush Executors of this my last will and testament or the survivor or survivors of them that shall think proper to act.

I have signed and affixed my hand and seal hereinto this 21st day, June 1814.

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If you have comments or suggestions, email me at cwbush@hotmail.com