William Hopkins Woolsey
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William Hopkins Woolsey, son of George Woolsey and Mary Hopkins, was born at Washington Co., Virginia, 16 June 1784.1 He died at Edmonson Co., Kentucky, 25 October 1844.1
William married Celia Houchin, daughter of John Houchin and Patty (…), at Barren Co., Kentucky, 30 October 1807.2,3,1
In 1921, one of William Woolsey's grandsons wrote that his grandfather had attended either Bardstown college or Georgetown College. That college was not established until 1829, but was given the assets of Rittenhouse Academy, established in 1798, but which had recently failed.4,5
William Hopkins Woolsey first appears in the records in several early tax lists:
4 Aug 1807 in Barren Co., he was surety for the marriage bond for Jesse Rountree and his 2nd wife, Sarah C. Brown,10 but was on the tax list for Warren Co., Kentucky (not near a waterway). He had not appeared on Warren Co. tax lists before this date.11
On 27 Mar 1810 in Barren Co., he gave consent for Nancy McCoy to marry John Hopkins, "as she lives with me and has no father."12
A William Woolsey, private, is shown having served in Capt. William Grigg's company of the 1st Regiment, Virginia Militia from 29 August to 4 December 1814 (3 months, 6 days) during the War of 1812 and eligible for Bounty Land. However our Thomas was in Kentucky by 1802, so is probably not the man with Virginia service.13
He was active in the early years of the Beaver Dam Baptist church at Rhoda, Edmonson Co.:
Later, some controversy arose:
He was witness to his father's will in 1817.
22 Jul 1820, William Bridges sold to William Woolsey two parcels in Warren Co. The first, 100 acres bounded by Robert Moore's 100 acre survey, and the second, 87 acres on the Green River, bounded by Robert Moore's 87 acre survey, McFadin's grove, and Robert Moor's 60 acre survey, for $500, "100 acres, and another 87 acres ditto."18
He witnessed a deed of 100 acres from Samuel & Mary Short to Levi P. Conlee of Warren Co. The date of the deed is blank, but was recorded 21 Aug 1824.19
In 1825 he had patented to him 295 acres on the Green River in Edmonson Co., Kentucky.20 Also Benjamin Houchin, had 170 acres, "for whom entered: W H Woolsey."21
3 Jan 1825, William H Woolsey is shown with an account in David Maxwell's estate. Maxwell had been in partnership with Charles Berry in the tanning business, and it appears all of the accounts of the firm were listed in the administration records. Because of disputes between the administrator and Berry, arbitrators had to be called in to divide up the remaining assets.22
From 1828 through at least 1831 he is shown as a Justice of the Peace performing several marriages in Edmonson Co.23
He is in the Federal Census for 1810-1840 (all in Kentucky):
He is thought to be buried in Houchin's cemetery in Mammoth Cave National Park, "1.2 miles SW of Sloans Crossing on KY Hwy 70 and 1.75 miles SE of Joppa Church." A survey was made by Ranger Parker Ritter in 1966, but although 45 graves were located, only one stone was readable.
William left a will dated at Edmonson Co., 22 August 1844, and proved 7 October 1844:
William married Celia Houchin, daughter of John Houchin and Patty (…), at Barren Co., Kentucky, 30 October 1807.2,3,1
In 1921, one of William Woolsey's grandsons wrote that his grandfather had attended either Bardstown college or Georgetown College. That college was not established until 1829, but was given the assets of Rittenhouse Academy, established in 1798, but which had recently failed.4,5
William Hopkins Woolsey first appears in the records in several early tax lists:
1802 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and one horse (no acreage).6
1803 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and one horse (no acreage).7
1804 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and two horses (no acreage).8
1805 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and three horses (no acreage).9
1803 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and one horse (no acreage).7
1804 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and two horses (no acreage).8
1805 Montgomery Co., Kentucky with 1 male over 21 and three horses (no acreage).9
4 Aug 1807 in Barren Co., he was surety for the marriage bond for Jesse Rountree and his 2nd wife, Sarah C. Brown,10 but was on the tax list for Warren Co., Kentucky (not near a waterway). He had not appeared on Warren Co. tax lists before this date.11
On 27 Mar 1810 in Barren Co., he gave consent for Nancy McCoy to marry John Hopkins, "as she lives with me and has no father."12
A William Woolsey, private, is shown having served in Capt. William Grigg's company of the 1st Regiment, Virginia Militia from 29 August to 4 December 1814 (3 months, 6 days) during the War of 1812 and eligible for Bounty Land. However our Thomas was in Kentucky by 1802, so is probably not the man with Virginia service.13
He was active in the early years of the Beaver Dam Baptist church at Rhoda, Edmonson Co.:
24 Jun 1815. "Subscription for purpose of getting door and window shuters for this meting house...." Wm Woolsley paid $.50 for the shutters and $.12 1/2 for the minutes. At the same meeting was recorded, "Query by brother William H. Woolsey is it right for members of a church to remove their membership to any other church for any cause only that of convenience, Argued and agreed to refer to the next Green River Association."14
Sometime later in 1815 [dates not specified], he was twice appointed to notify members to appear before the church to answer reports of their misconduct, and to request assistance and witnesses from neighboring churches.15
Sometime later in 1815 [dates not specified], he was twice appointed to notify members to appear before the church to answer reports of their misconduct, and to request assistance and witnesses from neighboring churches.15
Later, some controversy arose:
2 Jul 1816. Ordered that . . . John Rowntree and Jesse Jones do see brother William Woolsey and invite him to attend at our next meeting and talk with us on the subject of his letter of this day addressed to the church.16
17 Aug 1816. The church conclude to weight (wait) with Brother William H. Woolsey and brother Levi Moore until our next meeting.16
21 Sep 1816 . . . by request of Levi Moore and William H. Woolsey as per letter filed, they are both excluded from the care and membership of this church, . . . "17
17 Aug 1816. The church conclude to weight (wait) with Brother William H. Woolsey and brother Levi Moore until our next meeting.16
21 Sep 1816 . . . by request of Levi Moore and William H. Woolsey as per letter filed, they are both excluded from the care and membership of this church, . . . "17
He was witness to his father's will in 1817.
22 Jul 1820, William Bridges sold to William Woolsey two parcels in Warren Co. The first, 100 acres bounded by Robert Moore's 100 acre survey, and the second, 87 acres on the Green River, bounded by Robert Moore's 87 acre survey, McFadin's grove, and Robert Moor's 60 acre survey, for $500, "100 acres, and another 87 acres ditto."18
He witnessed a deed of 100 acres from Samuel & Mary Short to Levi P. Conlee of Warren Co. The date of the deed is blank, but was recorded 21 Aug 1824.19
In 1825 he had patented to him 295 acres on the Green River in Edmonson Co., Kentucky.20 Also Benjamin Houchin, had 170 acres, "for whom entered: W H Woolsey."21
3 Jan 1825, William H Woolsey is shown with an account in David Maxwell's estate. Maxwell had been in partnership with Charles Berry in the tanning business, and it appears all of the accounts of the firm were listed in the administration records. Because of disputes between the administrator and Berry, arbitrators had to be called in to divide up the remaining assets.22
From 1828 through at least 1831 he is shown as a Justice of the Peace performing several marriages in Edmonson Co.23
He is in the Federal Census for 1810-1840 (all in Kentucky):
1810: Warren Co., 1-0-0-1-0=1-0-1-0-0
1820: Warren Co., 2-1-0-0-1-3=1-0-1-0-0
1830: Edmonson Co., 0-2-0-2-1-0-0-0-1=0-0-4-0-0-0-1
1840: Edmonson Co., 0-0-2-2-0-0-0-1=0-0-0-1-1-0-0-1.24,25,26,27
1820: Warren Co., 2-1-0-0-1-3=1-0-1-0-0
1830: Edmonson Co., 0-2-0-2-1-0-0-0-1=0-0-4-0-0-0-1
1840: Edmonson Co., 0-0-2-2-0-0-0-1=0-0-0-1-1-0-0-1.24,25,26,27
He is thought to be buried in Houchin's cemetery in Mammoth Cave National Park, "1.2 miles SW of Sloans Crossing on KY Hwy 70 and 1.75 miles SE of Joppa Church." A survey was made by Ranger Parker Ritter in 1966, but although 45 graves were located, only one stone was readable.
William left a will dated at Edmonson Co., 22 August 1844, and proved 7 October 1844:
I William H. Woolsey of the county of Edmonson and State of Kentucky do hereby make my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say:
1st - I give to my wife Selia Woolsey the tract of land I now live on it being in 3 several surveys. towit: one of 100, one of Eighty seven, and one of Eight, the three composing the upper farm
2ndly - I give to my wife Celia my Negro man Billy and my negro woman Amy, also, all of my household furniture. Also all of my kitchen furniture, also the one half of all of my stock of Horses Cattle hogs and sheep. - Also all of my cash and cash notes and accounts.- Also the one half of my present crop - also all of my farming tools.
3rdly - I give to my son Sanford C. Woolsey my lower tract of land containing eighty seven & a half acres. Also sixteen acres lying on the ridge or South side of sd 87 1/2 acres. Also the one half of my present crop -
4thly - My will and desire is that my daughter Zerilda Boucher Shall have the first child of negro Woman Amy should there be any during my wife's life time, as an extra gift over the balance of my children -
5thly - My will and desire is that all of my property that I have not before devised, be sold on a credit of twelve months, and the money equally divided between all my children (to wit) Eldridge H. Woolsey, Temple Woolsey, William P. Woolsey, Zerilda Boucher, and Sanford C. Woolsey & to my daughter Levisa Farmer, the one third part of the one Seventh part, of the money arising from the sale thereof and the remaining two thirds to her five first children (towit) Cornelius J. E., Bonilla E., Ambrose C., Parthena T., and William M. Clifford, and to my grandchildren John William, Mariah J., Augustus L., Silvester P., Sanford H., Bonapart T Wilhelms the one seven part of the above named money as may severally become of age.
6thly And I hereby appoint my son Eldridge H. Woolsey the guardian of my several grandchildren named above (to wit) Cornelius J. E., Barilla E., Ambrose C., Parthena T, & William M. Clifford, John William, Mariah J., Augustus L., Silvester P., Sandford H, Bonapart T Wilhelm to Receive the money that will be coming to them and pay the same over as they may become of age.
7thly my will and desire is that at the death of my wife that all of the property both real and personal that I have given to her be sold and a credit of Twelve months and the money arising from the sale thereof be equally divided among all of my legatees as provided above, except so much thereof as may be necessary for her support.
8thly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Ambrose Kirtly and my son Eldridge H. Woolsey Executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills and or Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 22 nd day of August 1844.
Witness:
W. A. Woolsey
A. Kirtly, Richd Heather (Seal)
At a County Court held for Edmonson County at the courthouse in Brownville on the 7th day of October Inst - the last will and testament of William H. Woolsey dec'd was presented in open court & proven to be his hand writing by the oaths of J. C. Rowntree, L. Mitchell & J. Vertnees. Whereupon the same was orded to be recorded Which said will together with this certificate are truly recorded in my office Given under my hand this 16 day of October 1844. A. M. Barret, C.E.C.C.28
1st - I give to my wife Selia Woolsey the tract of land I now live on it being in 3 several surveys. towit: one of 100, one of Eighty seven, and one of Eight, the three composing the upper farm
2ndly - I give to my wife Celia my Negro man Billy and my negro woman Amy, also, all of my household furniture. Also all of my kitchen furniture, also the one half of all of my stock of Horses Cattle hogs and sheep. - Also all of my cash and cash notes and accounts.- Also the one half of my present crop - also all of my farming tools.
3rdly - I give to my son Sanford C. Woolsey my lower tract of land containing eighty seven & a half acres. Also sixteen acres lying on the ridge or South side of sd 87 1/2 acres. Also the one half of my present crop -
4thly - My will and desire is that my daughter Zerilda Boucher Shall have the first child of negro Woman Amy should there be any during my wife's life time, as an extra gift over the balance of my children -
5thly - My will and desire is that all of my property that I have not before devised, be sold on a credit of twelve months, and the money equally divided between all my children (to wit) Eldridge H. Woolsey, Temple Woolsey, William P. Woolsey, Zerilda Boucher, and Sanford C. Woolsey & to my daughter Levisa Farmer, the one third part of the one Seventh part, of the money arising from the sale thereof and the remaining two thirds to her five first children (towit) Cornelius J. E., Bonilla E., Ambrose C., Parthena T., and William M. Clifford, and to my grandchildren John William, Mariah J., Augustus L., Silvester P., Sanford H., Bonapart T Wilhelms the one seven part of the above named money as may severally become of age.
6thly And I hereby appoint my son Eldridge H. Woolsey the guardian of my several grandchildren named above (to wit) Cornelius J. E., Barilla E., Ambrose C., Parthena T, & William M. Clifford, John William, Mariah J., Augustus L., Silvester P., Sandford H, Bonapart T Wilhelm to Receive the money that will be coming to them and pay the same over as they may become of age.
7thly my will and desire is that at the death of my wife that all of the property both real and personal that I have given to her be sold and a credit of Twelve months and the money arising from the sale thereof be equally divided among all of my legatees as provided above, except so much thereof as may be necessary for her support.
8thly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Ambrose Kirtly and my son Eldridge H. Woolsey Executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills and or Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 22 nd day of August 1844.
Witness:
W. A. Woolsey
A. Kirtly, Richd Heather (Seal)
At a County Court held for Edmonson County at the courthouse in Brownville on the 7th day of October Inst - the last will and testament of William H. Woolsey dec'd was presented in open court & proven to be his hand writing by the oaths of J. C. Rowntree, L. Mitchell & J. Vertnees. Whereupon the same was orded to be recorded Which said will together with this certificate are truly recorded in my office Given under my hand this 16 day of October 1844. A. M. Barret, C.E.C.C.28
Family | Celia Houchin b. 4 Feb 1784, d. 10 Dec 1847 |
| Children |
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| This person was last edited on | 8 Jan 2020 |
Citations
- [S811] James W. Woolsey, The Wolsey-Woolsey Family of America, two parts, (Kansas City, Missouri: Heart of America Genealogical Society, 1981), microform copy: FHL Film/Fiche #1276468, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, 185, further cited as Woolsey, Wolsey-Woolsey Family.
- [S835] Martha Powell Reneau, Marriage Records of Barren County, Kentucky, 1799-1849: "The First Fifty Years" (Glasgow, Kentucky: p.p., 1984), 290. Surety was James Houchens, with consent of father, John Houchin, further cited as Reneau, Barren Co., Kentucky Marriage Licenses.
- [S834] Sandra K. Gorin, Barren County, Kentucky Original Marriage Licenses, 1806 through 1808 (Glasgow, Kentucky: Gorin Genealogical Publishing, 1993), 64-65. Bond does not name the father. [Brother?] James Houchens was surety for the Bride, further cited as Gorin, Barren Co., Marriage Licenses.
- [S1879] Ephrates Boucher and Wilford W. Whitaker, transcriber, "Record of the Woolsey Family", Mount Vernon, Missouri: 1921, 2, further cited as Boucher and Whitaker, "Woolsey Family."
- [S1323] Wikipedia Contributors, ""Georgetown College (Kentucky), http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Georgetown_College_(Kentucky), accessed 11 May 2012," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
- [S1720] Thelma M. Willoughby Dunn, transcriber, Montgomery County Kentucky: County Clerk Tax Assessment Records: 1801-1802-1803-1804-1805 (Atoka, Tennessee: p.p., 1996), 37, further cited as Dunn, Montgomery Co. Tax Assessments.
- [S1720] Dunn, Montgomery Co. Tax Assessments, 71.
- [S1720] Dunn, Montgomery Co. Tax Assessments, 111.
- [S1720] Dunn, Montgomery Co. Tax Assessments, 125.
- [S835] Reneau, Barren Co., Kentucky Marriage Licenses, 227.
- [S1726] Barbara O. Ford and Patricia E. Reid, Early Tax Lists of Warren County, Kentucky: 1797-1807 (Bowling Green, Kentucky: s.p., 1986), 178, 240, further cited as Ford and Reid, Early Tax Lists of Warren Co.
- [S835] Reneau, Barren Co., Kentucky Marriage Licenses, 132.
- [S1733] Virginia State Auditor, Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 (1851; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 2001), 145-6, further cited as Auditor's Office, Virginia Militia in the War of 1812.
- [S1722] Sandra K. Gorin, transcriber, Beaver Dam Baptist Church of Edmonson County, Kentucky: Church Minutes, 1817-1847 (Glasgow, Kentucky: Gorin Genealogical Publishing, 1994), 2, further cited as Gorin, Beaver Dam Church Minutes.
- [S1722] Gorin, Beaver Dam Church Minutes, 4.
- [S1722] Gorin, Beaver Dam Church Minutes, 6.
- [S1722] Gorin, Beaver Dam Church Minutes, 7.
- [S1728] , Warren County, Kentucky, Deeds Books, 1821-1825 (Miami Beach, Florida: T.L.C. Genealogy, 1997), 33, further cited as Warren Co. Deeds.
- [S1728] Warren Co. Deeds, 154.
- [S1723] , Edmonson County, Kentucky, 1825 Tax List (Miami Beach, Florida: T.L.C. Genealogy, 1997), 14, further cited as Edmonson Co. Tax List.
- [S1723] Edmonson Co. Tax List, 18.
- [S1767] Sandra K. Gorin, Warren County, Kentucky Wills & Inventories Book C: July Term 1823 through January Term 1827 (Glasgow, Kentucky: Gorin Genealogical Publishing, 1993), 40-41, further cited as Gorin, Warren Co., Wills & Inventories Book C.
- [S1725] Annie W. (Bell) Burns, Edmonson County, Kentucky: Marriages (Seat Pleasant, Maryland: p.p., 1933), 1, further cited as Burns, Edmonson Co. Marriages.
- [S1143] United States Census for 1810, Third Census of the United States, Warren Co., Kentucky, 249, Wm H. Woolsey Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), digital images by subscription (Provo, Utah: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005); original data: National Archives and Records Administration micropublication M252, 71 rolls, roll 8.
- [S1144] United States Census for 1820, Fourth Census of the United States, Warren Co., Kentucky, 51, William Woolsey Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), digital images by subscription (Provo, Utah: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005); original data: National Archives and Records Administration micropublication M33, 142 rolls, roll 28.
- [S1145] United States Census for 1830, Fifth Census of the United States, Edmonson Co., Kentucky, sheet 216, William H. Woolsey Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), digital images by subscription (Provo, Utah: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005); original data: National Archives and Records Administration micropublication M19, 201 rolls, roll 35.
- [S1146] United States Census for 1840, Sixth Census of the United States, Edmonson Co., Kentucky, Brownsville, sheet 90, William H. Woolsey Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), digital images by subscription (Provo, Utah: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005); original data: National Archives and Records Administration micropublication M704, 580 rolls, roll 109.
- [S1734] Edmonson County Courthouse, Brownsville, Kentucky, Will Books, 1831-1979, 1:34-35, FHL microfilm 367202, further cited as Edmonson Co., Will Books.
- [S1879] Boucher and Whitaker, "Woolsey Family", 3.