Individual Details

Tax List

Smith Mary Nelson 11/30/1792

Will

WILL OF MARY PEYTON ORR SMITH

Nelson County, Kentucky Will Book A pg. 299
Recorded 13 Oct 1795
Mary Smith dated 15 November 1794

Dau. Susannah Asher
Son Samuel Orr
Dau Elizabeth Orr
Dau Ann Dewitt
Son William Smith
Gr Son Elijah Shockency
Gr Son John Shockency
Gr Dau Hannah Devor
Executors Bryan Stone, Thomas Morton
Witnesses George Brucew, John Stoner, Hugh Crawford, Jr.

Will of Mary Smith asks that all just debts be paid out of her moveable estate, and gives her daughter Susanna Astin 10 shillings and to son Samuel Orr 10 shillings. To daughter Elizabeth Orr, one mulatto girl named Poll and one featherbed and one furniture and bedstead. To daughter Ann Dewitt one featherbed and furniture and bedstead. The negro woman Beck and her youngest child are to be sold and all her stock sold. To son William Smith 50 pounds in cash. To gr-son Elijah Shockency 10 pounds. To gr-son John Shockency 10 pounds. All the remaining parts of the estate to be equally divided among her children, namely Elizabeth Orr, Ann Dewitt, Hannah Devore and William Smith. Appoints Bryan Stone and Thomas Morton as executors Nov. 10, 1794.George Bruce, John Stoner and Hugh Crawford, Jr. witnesses.Probated October 13 1795.

Will Book A. Witnessed by John Stone and Bryan Stone.

Mary Smith's final settlement in Nelson co. Will Book A. It lists what her heirs received and her daughter's portions are listed under their husband's names. This includes Peter Dewitt. To me, this is conclusive evidence the Nancy Brown who married Peter Dewitt with Mary Smith's consent is the same as the Ann Dewitt listed in her will. even the portions received conform to Mary's will with the exception of extra payments made separately for son William Smith and Hannah Dewitt which I think are some of Mary's "just debts". As with her other sisters, Hannah Orr Devore Dewitt's portion according to Mary's will is listed under her husband's name, Jacob Dewitt. Mary's maiden name was Peyton and her first husband was Samuel Orr, see the Culpeper County, Virginia Will Book A.


Jacob Dewitt and Peter were sons of a Jacob Dewitt Sr., as shown in a power of attorney to Zachariah Price Dewitt registered in the Sussex County, New Jersey Deeds. Secondary sources in Butler County, Ohio say Zachariah was a brother to Jacob and Peter Dewitt. I have been unable to verify this. I am still trying to figure out Nancy Brown's maiden name. My best guess is she was an Orr and married a Brown who died soon after they married. Perhaps the James Brown who shows up in an early Nelson County Tax (tithables) list among Mary and her children.