Peter Fitzhugh’s will was written January 17, 1828 – he died 22 days later. In his will are mentioned his wife Nancy, sons George, John, Gabriel and Solomon, and daughter Mary who married a Moutrey.
Items purchased during the sale for Peter Fitzhugh give names of family members – ‘the widow,’ Gabriel Fitzhugh, George Fitzhugh, William Moutrey – son-in-law? As well as neighbors and friends, William McPherson, Mordica McPherson, John P. Freeman, Samuel Crewdson, Thomas Bell, Martin Addison, Elijah Hansbraugh, and others.
Will of Peter Fitzhugh
Logan County Will Book D, Pages 78-79
In the name of God, amen. I, Peter Fitzhugh, of Logan County and State of Kentucky, being weak in body, but sound in mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament and first I resign my body to the earth in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my friends.
I will and bequeath unto my wife Nancy an ample support out of my estate during her natural life.
I will and bequeath unto my son, George Fitzhugh, the improvements he made and one-half of my claim in land containing seventy-eight acres, to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
I will and bequeath unto my son, John Fitzhugh, the remaining half of said claim of seventy-eight acres, including his improvements to him and his heirs forever.
I will and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Moutrey forty acres of land to pass through my farm parallel with the rows of trees and on the upper end of my farm, to her heirs and assigns forever.
I will and bequeath the balance of my land
to my two sons Gabriel and Solomon Fitzhugh, including the house I live in, containing about eighty acres jointly, to them and their heirs and assigns forever.
I will and bequeath unto my wife all my personal goods during her natural life.
And lastly, I appoint my son, Gabriel Fitzhugh, my Executor of this my last will and testament, to receive and collect money and pay all my just debts and transact all my business in as ample a manner as if I had done the same myself.
In confirmation of the foregoing will and testament I thereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of January 1828.
Peter Fitzhugh
Witnesses present – William Morgan, Barksdale Spencer, William Addison
It is to be understood that Mrs. Moutrey is to have her part laid off and the exclusive right immediately.
Witness – William Morgan, Barksdale Spencer
Logan County – At a County Court begun and held for Logan County at the Courthouse in Russellville on the 3rd day of March 1828. The within and foregoing last will and testament of Peter Fitzhugh, deceased, was exhibited in open court and proven by the oaths of William Morgan and Barksdale Spencer, subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. In testimony of which and that the same, together with this certificate, stand truly recorded in my office. Thereunto set my hand the date above. Spencer Curd, CLCC
Categories: Old Wills
He left his wife ample support and personal goods; but he left the house to his son/s. I guess it was understood that the wife would live in the house until she died. I was born in Logan County in 1943, and lived there for 18 years, and never heard of the surname, Fitzhugh.
I thought this was an unusual name for the county. I found no early marriage records with that name.
Thank you for posting Peter Fitzhugh’s will! Here’s some tidbits on the Fitzhugh family that might interest you:
Nancy Fitzhugh, daughter of Peter and Nancy (Dawson) Fitzhugh, married Thomas Dawson (son of Jeremiah and Agness (Dollard) Dawson) on 9 Sep 1812, Logan Co. They were first cousins. The Fitzhugh and Dawson families were out of Bedford, Virginia before coming to Logan Co. Nancy (Fitzhugh) and Thomas Dawson, by 1830 census, were located in Hart Co., KY. It is my guess they moved prior to 1828 and most likely reason she, nor her husband, were not included in her father’s will.
Several of Peter and Nancy (Dawson) Fitzhugh’s children moved on to Texas. Nancy, the mother, I believe died in Missouri.
The Fitzhugh line, beginning with immigrant William Fitzhugh from England, is an early colonial Virginia family; this family rubs elbows with many well-known U.S. historical figures and many marry into the family.
Peter Fitzhugh’s father, Robert, moved to Logan Co by 1800, from Virginia. Both Peter’s mother and father, Robert and Margaret (Bell) Fitzhugh, died in Logan Co.
Peter’s brother Robert Jr. married in 1783, Bedford Co, Va; by 1810 census, Logan Co; d. 1818, Logan Co.
As for Dawsons, Nancy (Dawson) Fitzhugh is daughter of John and Susannah (Wood) Dawson, also out of Bedford Co., Va. Nancy’s brother, Jeremiah Dawson, also from Bedford Co., Va, ends up in Hart County, Ky by 1830. A whole heap of Peter Fitzhugh’s descendants end up in Hart Co. with the Dawson surname.
Lastly, a few mentioned in Peter’s will: son Solomon was born abt. 1804, Logan Co. and moved to Missouri and then further West. Peter’s daughter, Mary, b. abt. 1806, Logan Co. She married William Moutray.