Our story today begins in Georgetown Cemetery where we find the graves of the Samuell family – yes, that is correct, two l’s at the end of the surname. George Washington Samuell was born December 1, 1796, in Henry County, Kentucky. His parents were William John Samuell, born in Caroline County, Virginia about 1770, and died in Henry County, Kentucky in 1804. In Woodford County William married Judith Dupuy December 24, 1795, married by James Dupuy – possibly a relative of his wife? Judith Dupuy was born in 1766 and died December 24, 1798.
The couple’s short marriage produced a son, George Washington, and possibly two daughters who died in infancy. My question is, who cared for young Washington after his parents died? He would have been 2 when his mother died, and 8 when his father passed? Perhaps the Dupuy family?
Washington Samuell married Nancy F. Gray, daughter of Presley Gray and Agnes Singleton, born October 29, 1809, in Gallatin County. From the SAR application of Robert L. Samuell, Jr., we find Presley Gray served as a Private in the Revolutionary War, in Captain Charles Little’s Company, Major Dennis Ramsey’s Virginia Regiment, also under Captain Magby and Colonel Cotton’s South Carolina Line. According to the application Presley Gray was born December 23, 1764, in Fairfax County, Virginia, and died February 19, 1838, in Bedford, Trimble County, Kentucky. Presley married Agnes Singleton, as his second wife, May 10, 1790, in Nelson County, Kentucky. She died before 1838 in Gallatin County. According to Bloomfield Chaplin and Fairfield A History and Genealogy of Northeastern Nelson County Kentucky, by Robert P. Moore, Presley Gray first married Barbara Cotton of Nelson County March 9, 1783, daughter of John Cotton and his second wife, Elizabeth.
In the 1850 census of Scott County, we find Washington, 53, a farmer, with wife Nancy, 41. Children in the family were Eleanora, 18; Edmonia, 16, f; Richard, 14; James, 12; Joel, 8; and Washington, 3. Ten years later James is listed as a clerk; Joel and Washington live with their parents, along with Willie, 3. Also living in the household were Mollie Gray, 21, and Edmonia West, 3. Now the name Edmonia gives us a clue. This is Washington and Nancy’s granddaughter, named for her mother who married Richard West and died June 11, 1857. She also had a son named Clark. Even though his wife died very young, Richard West stayed very close to the Samuell family, and as we will later see, was administrator for Washington Samuell when he died. Mollie Gray is most likely a younger sister or niece of Nancy Gray Samuell.
Children of Washington Samuell and Nancy Gray:
- Elenora Gray Samuell, born August 18, 1831, Scott County, died February 4, 1917, Buchanan County, Missouri, married Marcellus Polk, born January 11, 1824, Scott County, died September 11, 1885, Andrew County, Missouri; the couple had about 12 children.
- Edmonia A. Samuell, born July 8, 1834, died June 11, 1857, married Colonel Richard West in 1851; the couple had three children.
- Richard Presley Samuell, born August 22, 1835, Scott County, died September 27, 1904, Henry County.
- James Wickliff Samuell, born March 2, 1838, died February 1, 1918.
- Joel D. Samuell, born May 31, 1842, died April 11, 1861, Scott County.
- Hazael Offutt Samuell, born June 30, 1844, Scott County, died February 20, 1922, Dallas, Texas, married Sarah Worthington.
- Washington Samuell, born in 1847, Scott County, died April 25, 1895, Scott County.
- William C. Samuell, born 1852, Scott County, died October 26, 1898, Fayette County, Kentucky, never married.
Son Joel D. Samuell died April 11, 1861, at the age of nineteen. He was buried in Georgetown Cemetery.
Nancy F. Gray Samuell died October 15, 1865.
Washington Samuell died within 18 months – January 6, 1867.
Washington Samuell left no will. His administrator was his son-in-law, Col. Richard West. The total of Washington Samuell’s estate, after notes were paid, debts were paid, and anything due was collected, was $46,335.64, each heir to receive $6,619.37. In today’s money that amount would be $138,245.31. Many of the children had received advancements on their share of his estate, and those were deducted from their total. Son Joel was deceased, as well as daughter Edmonia. Her share was divided between her two children, Clark and Edmonia. On August 2, 1870, at the county clerk’s office, all heirs were present for the division of funds.
Close to the family gravestones is one with the name Hazael B. Offutt. Could this be who son Hazael Offutt Samuell is named for? I think it unusual if Mr. Offutt is not connected in some way to this family.
I include the obituary of Col. Richard West since he was such an integral part of this family.
The Courier Journal, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky
Saturday, May 21, 1887
Col. Richard West Dead
Sudden and Unexpected Death of the Famous Trotting-Horse Breeder of Kentucky
Lexington, May 20 – [Special] – Col. Richard West, the noted trotting-horse breeder, died at his lovely home, in the suburbs of this city, this morning at 10:20 o’clock in the sixty-eighth year of his age.
He was out riding yesterday, visited his stables, looked at the horses, and saw some of them working on the track. He expressed himself feeling better than he had for a long time. He had been troubled with a heart affliction for several years, and for the past twelve months had been confined to his room. This morning, without any warning, he expired in his room, his family being present. The news of his death was quite a shock to the community, each member of which had no other feeling than that of love for the honest old gentleman.
In the death of Col. West, Kentucky loses not only the first breeder in this famous state, but also one of the highest types of noble manhood.
The deceased began the business of breeding trotting horses some time during the war, and has followed it ever since with unvarying success. He owned the celebrated Almont, and stood him for years. He managed the now noted sire Dictator, and was the man who caused that horse to obtain the widespread fame which now attaches to him. Col. West has bred five trotters, whose records are better than 2:20, as follows: Jay-Eye-See, 2:10; Westmont, 2:13 ¾; Director, 2:17; Delineator, 2:18; Emma, 2:19 ¼. He also bred Thorndale, 2:22 ¼; Onward, 2:25 ¼; Egmont, 2:28 ¼; Superior, 2:29 ¼; Illinois Egbert, 2:29 ½; besides many other noted horses.
The stallions now at the head of his stud are Robert McGreggor, 2:17 ½; and Egbert, son of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
At the time of his death Col. West was Vice President of the Kentucky Trotting Horse Breeders’ Association. A few weeks ago, one of the most prominent workers for the upbuilding of the trotting horse interest in this section said the following about the deceased:
‘Col. R. West, the knightly gentleman who has followed the horse business for many years, has for more than a quarter of a century been a model for men growing up and growing old in the business around him. He has not only illustrated the fact that a man of the finest sensibilities, the brightest honor, the gentlest and most refined character, the boldest and truest manhood, could maintain those high traits untarnished while pursuing the calling; but that they contributed to success and stood their possessor in hand as millions could not have done without them.’
Richard West was born February 26, 1819, in Scott County. His father, Samuel West, was a native of Maryland, being a farmer in Montgomery County, that state. He was married to Eleanor Middleton, a native of Virginia, and came to Kentucky about the year 1815, renewing his former occupation as a farmer. Richard was the fourth child in a family of seven. He received a good education in the common schools and at Georgetown College. After graduating he returned to the farm, and having at an early age taken a fancy to the rearing of choice stock, in which he displayed rare judgement, he concluded to enter more extensively into this business. In 1868 he purchased Almont, the sire of Allie West, Piedmont and other famous trotters. This was the beginning of ‘Edgehill,’ one of the best-known trotting farms in the United States.
Col. West was married in 1851 to Edmonia Samuell, by whom he had three children, of whom but two survive – Dr. Clark A. West, of Georgetown, and Monie, an accomplished daughter. After the death of Mrs. West, the Colonel, in 1861, married Mrs. Agnes Gray Barbour, daughter of Col. B. P. Gray, of Woodford. The issue of this union was one son – Richard. Col. West was deaf to all solicitations to allow the use of his name to further political schemes, or to be a candidate for office.
William C. Samuell died October 26, 1898.
The Daily Leader, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Wednesday, October 26, 1898
Will Samuel Dies Today
One of Lexington’s Most Popular Citizens
Long Illness of Typhoid
After an illness of five weeks of typhoid fever, Mr. Will C. Samuell died at St. Joseph’s Hospital at 7 o’clock this morning, and with his death there passed to its final reward the soul of a good man and a true friend. To those that knew him, and his acquaintance was wide, the news of his death will come as a great sorrow and many a heart will beat in sadness. For days and nights, he bravely struggled, and hopes were high that he would recover. It was only a week ago that he was improved, so much so that physician and friends had new faith that he would be spared. Yesterday afternoon there came the change that always follows the typhoid patient’s last rally, and he sank rapidly.
Will C. Samuel was born in Scott County forty-six years ago and lived in Lexington and Fayette County about twelve years. His father and mother died when he was a boy and at the age of 12, he went to make his home with his brother-in-law, Col. Richard West, at Edge Hill. There he lived till Colonel West and family moved to this city. He was engaged in raising trotting horses with W. R. Brasfield at Kirklivington for two or three years. After they moved to Highland, on the old Frankfort Pike, which place they conducted until a few years ago. For the past year or so Mr. Samuell conducted the Richfield Farm on the old Frankfort Pike.
Judge Samuell, of Newcastle, ex-County Clerk Samuell, of Scott County, his brothers, Mrs. R. H. Courtney, of Louisville, his niece, and Dr. West, his nephew, are in the city to make arrangements for the funeral.
The funeral services of W. C. Samuell will take place at St. Joseph’s Hospital tomorrow morning at 11:30 o’clock. Burial in cemetery at Georgetown.
Hazael Offutt Samuell died February 20, 1922, in Texas.
The Lexington Herald, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Wednesday, February 22, 1922
Hazel Offutt Samuell
Georgetown, Ky., Feb. 21. – Friends here have received word of the death Sunday of Hazael Offutt Samuell, of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Samuell was born in Scott County, Kentucky. He married Miss Sarah Worthington, of Georgetown, nearly 43 years ago. After his marriage he made his home in Dallas. He is survived by three children, Dr. W. W. Samuell and Mrs. Harry Williams, of Dallas, Texas, and Edward Samuell, of Arizona.
Categories: Family Stories
