Peter Huff was a member of Col. Taylor’s Regimental New Jersey line during the Revolutionary War. His service included the battles of Monmouth and Springfield. Peter has a veteran’s marker in the Old Mud Meeting House Cemetery. There still are Huffs living in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, at this time.
In the name of God, Amen. I, Peter Huff, of the county of Mercer and State of Kentucky, being far advanced in age but of strong disposing mind and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills.
First. I commit my soul to God who gave it and my body to the dust from whence it was taken, to be buried in a decent Christian manner at the direction of my executor. And as touching my worldly estate which it has pleased God to give me, I dispose of in the following manner. I will that all my just debts are paid of every description. I will and bequeath to my son, Peter B. Huff, one hundred and fifty acres of land where I now live, including my house, barn and orchard to be his forever. I give to my son-in-law, Cornelius C. Vanarsdall, and to the heirs of my daughter Catherine, nothing more of my property as I have actually given to them a full part. I have previous to this given them thirty-five acres of land and two hundred and forty dollars which is all I intend for them to have.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Hamilton thirty-five acres of land where she now lives, known by the name of the Mills Tract and fifteen acres of woodland lying on the north-west corner of my home tract of land adjoining Thomas Kyles, land for her to have the use and benefit of as long as she lives and at her death to go to her heirs forever. My will is my daughter Ann Hamilton shall only have the use of and benefit of the above-named land her life time for the purpose of
maintaining her and raising her children and at her death to be her heirs forever and my will is that the above-named land shall not be sold for the debts of my daughter Ann, nor for the debts of her husband, Simon Hamilton. I also give to my daughter Ann Hamilton one horse to be worth eighty dollars.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebekah Vanarsdall fifty acres of land lying on the west end of my home tract of land, to be hers forever, the line to commence at the lane between my home tract and William Voris dwelling and run north until it strikes the fifteen acres which I gave to my daughter Ann and so as to put my daughter Ann and so as to put my daughter Rebekah’s land on the west end of my line. I also give to my daughter Rebekah Vanarsdall one hundred dollars to be paid to her out of my personal estate by my executors.
I give to my granddaughter-in-law Rachel Huff, now Rachel McGinnis, fifty dollars to be paid to her by my executors out of my personal estate, whatever now of my personal estate there may be after the above sums are paid, I give to my two daughters Ann Hamilton and Rebekah Vanarsdall to be equally divided between them.
I hereby appoint and ordain my son, Peter B. Huff and Andrew G. Kyle sole executors of this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I have this day, the 17th of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eighteen hundred and thirty-six, set my hand and affixed my seal
Peter Huff
Witness, A. G. Kyle, Thomas Kyle, John W. Kyle
Mercer County December County Court 1840
The forgoing last will and testament of Peter Huff, deceased, was this day produced into Court and proven by the oaths of Thomas and A. G. Kyle, subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Attest. Thomas Allin, County Clerk
Categories: Old Wills
Peter Huff is a distant cousin to my James Huff that married Emily Shackelford of Casey County KY. Originally it was thought that these two Huff families were not related. However it was found with documentation and DNA that the two families were actually one. This family had come from Holland and settled in what became New York City. Like other Dutch of the time their surname was a combination of the father’s first name followed by son or daughter – Willemson, Willemsdottor etc. The name therefore hanged each generation. When the English occupied New York, they told the Dutch that they must choose a name as a surname and continue to use it. The Huff family chose Hoff which was the name of their grandfather. Later many members of the family changed their surname to Huff. See FTDNA surname (YDNA) projects under surname Hoff. Many of my Huff cousins of Harrodsburg have participated in this study.
Marilyn McGaughey
How very interesting!! Bill Huff and family of Harrodsburg are good friends.
If Bill Huff is a descendant of Tilford Huff he is my close cousin. Tilford Huff was the brother of my grandmother Gillie Huff (my mother’s mother). I have a tintype photo of Tilford and Gillie Huff as young adults as well as their mother Emily Shackelford Huff. Their father died when my grandmother was about 12. Marilyn