Edward Houchens (abt. 1692 - abt. 1765)

Born about 1692 in Virginia Colony [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1765 at about age 73 in Goochland County, Colony of Virginia

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Edward Houchens resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

Biography

Book Reference

Book: "History of the Houchin Family in the United States"

by Dr. Paul C. Houchen, Beaver Crossing, Neb. (1931) 169p.

Various Spellings:

The name, HOUCHIN, was chosen as the title [for this book] because that is the spelling used by the earliest family of record. There have been, and are, many variants of the name, both in England, and in this country. It is probable that all in America, and certainly all from Virginia, are from a common source, but as each branch became separated from the parent Stock it took its own particular way of spelling. Twenty-seven different versions of the name have been found, some of which are Howchyn, Howchin, Howchen, Houchen, Houchin, Houchine, Houching, Houtchen, Houtchin, Houtchon, and all with the letter, ‘s’, added at the end.

Edward Houtchens The Second – Goochland County, Virginia

Edward Houtchens, son of Edward the first* appears in the records of Goochland County, Va., in 1737. Goochland County joins Henrico County, in which Richmond is located, on the west, and is in that section of the state between tidewater Virginia and the mountains.

*There are no records to confirm that Edward the second is Edward the first's son, but there is sufficient evidence to consider that the possibility.

It is not known when Edward Houtchens came to Goochland County, but the first deed found is for purchase of land on which he was then living. This may have been soon after the death of his father for often times sons were unable to finance the purchase of land until the settlement of their fathers’ estates.

Edward Houtchens made his will the seventh day of December 1762, and it was filed for probate Febr. 19, 1765.

In the Name of God Amen, I Edward Houtchens of the Parish of St. James Northam In the County of Goochland being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be to Almighty God Have thought Fit of Disposing of my worldly state.

First I Bequeath my Soul to God, secondly my body to the Earth to be buried according to the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and as for such worldly Estate wherewith hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with after my just Debts and Funeral charges are paid I give demise and dispose in the following manner and form

Item I give to my beloved and lawful wife Aner (Hannah) Houtchens hajj and singular my movable Estate during her life or widowhood and after her decease then to be equally divided among all her children then surviving

Item I give to John Clements my son-in-law the plantation whereon my son John Houtchens formerly lived with the third part of three hundred and fifty acres joining the said plantation.

Item I give my son Charles Houtchens the plantation where-on he now lives with the third part of the said tract above mentioned.

Item I give my son Francis Houtchens the plantation where-on I now live with his third part of the Land above mentioned. 

I appoint my two sons Charles and Francis Houtchens My whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament as Witness my hand and seal this Seventh day of December 1762

Edward Houtchens (SEAL)

The above Will was produced in court Febr. 19, 1765, and proved by the oaths of Josias Payne and Benjamin Salmon. 

(The above information was transcribed from the book by Dr. Paul C. Houchen)

Birth / Death / Marriage

BIRTH: probably between 1673-1711 (average = 1692)

First appearance of Edward was 1737.

If first appearance was a legal document, then Edward's birth before 1719.

The marriage range of Edward's children are 1750-1775.

If Edward's child married in 1750, that places Edward's birth before 1711.

If Edward died in 1765, that places Edward's birth after 1673.

BIRTH PLACE:

It is unknown where Edward was born.

It is possible that he was born in Virginia, but there are no official records.

MARRIAGE: between 1687-1724.

If Edward's son John married in 1750, then Edward's marriage before 1724.

If the earliest Edward was born is 1673, then Edward's marriage after 1687.

DEATH: assume he died 1765; shortly before his Will was probated.

DEATH PLACE: assume Goochland County, Virginia, per his Will.

BURIAL:

There are no official records of his burial location, and there is no gravestone.

Possibly buried 19 Feb 1765, St. Peters Parish, New Kent County, Virginia.

This burial date/location is from an undocumented source.

Research by Stephen E Houchin

The Steven E. Houchin Genealogy Collection:

http://www.stevenhouchin.com/roots/houc/aqwg02.htm

BIRTH: Assumed from IGI Virginia (Hauchon) for his brother Charles and sister Rachel and the dates of marriage of his children.

BIRTH: There is no official record of Edward's birth. However, there are marriage records for his son Francis and grandson James Jesse recorded in New Kent County, St. Peter's Parish. I believe that he is therefore the brother of Charles and Rachel Houchins (Howchens) who were christened at St. Peter's Parish. I have estimated his birth year [about 1700 in New Kent, Virginia] based on the years when his children are marrying and the christening years of his siblings.

MARRIAGE: The will of Edward (Houtchens) dated 7 December 1762 mentions "lawful wife Aner", according to the Houchin history book. It is assumed that her name was really Hannah and that it was improperly recorded by the clerk.

CHILDREN: His sons John, Charles, and Francis are mentioned in Edward's Will.

The other children (Mary, Rachel, Agnes, Susanna) are assumed to be his children due to their Goochland County marriages in the 1750's in St. James Northam Parish. The book "History of the Houchin Family in the United States" also lists these same children for Edward and Hannah.

DEATH: Edward's will was filed for probate on 19 February 1765, according to the Houchin history book.

Sources