Samuel Nutt (bef. 1679 - bef. 1738)

Born before 4 May 1679 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England

Husband of Anna (Rutter) Nutt — married 1720 in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Died before 9 Mar 1738 at about age 58 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America

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Biography

Samuel was born in Coventry, England and baptised there on 4 May 1679.^[1] He was the son of John Nutt and his wife Elizabeth (whose surname is currently unknown).

He moved to Philadelphia in 1714 and married Anna (Rutter) Savage, the widow of Samuel Savage, in 1720.

Around the time of his marriage, he set up the Coventry Forge in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Samuel died in 1737, and in accordance with his will, left his iron and furnace properties to Samuel Savage, Jr. and Savage’s mother, Anna Rutter Savage Nutt. George Taylor a signer of the Declaration of Independence worked as an indentured servant for Samuel Nutt.

At first George Taylor was employed by ironmaster Samuel Nutt as a “filler”, shoveling coal into the furnace when in blast. Recognizing Taylor’s other skills, Samuel Nutt soon appointed him to his counting room as a clerk at Coventry Forge. Nutt died soon after, in 1737, and in accordance with his will, left his iron and furnace properties to Samuel Savage, Jr. and Savage’s mother, Anna (nee Rutter) Savage Nutt.

Also in accordance with instructions in Nutt’s will, his surviving wife, Anna Nutt and her sons from her first marriage, constructed Warwick Furnace in 1738. In a 1739 invoice, George Taylor signed himself as “clerk, Ann Nutt & Co, Warwick Furnace.”

Research notes

From: "The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum"

Born-Died: c1685 - 1736

Location: Chester County, PA

Site/Company: Coventry Forge, French Creek Iron Works, Coventry Works, Rock Run Furnace, Christine Furnace, Warwick Furnace

Historical Significance:

Samuel Nutt was one of the largest and most influential ironmasters in colonial America. In 1717, Nutt established Coventry Forge, the first iron forge built in Chester County and the second in Pennsylvania. He also built Coventry Steel (1730s), which was Pennsylvania's first steel furnace, although it was not successful. His sites were important in both the the birth and growth of the iron industry in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Map, Published 1775 Library of Congress

Iron and Steel Hall of Fame Induction - 2022

From the description of Account book, 1787-1789. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86094013

Account book, 1787-1789 Author: Coventry Forge (Coventryville, Pa) Summary: The account book dates from the minority of Thomas Potts III, and shows accounts for a variety of iron, repair work and sale of stores. Important accounts are those of Ellis Jones, Thomas Potts, Joseph Potts, Samuel Potts, John Galloway and Thomas Bull.

Coventry Forge, the second iron works to be built in Pennsylvania, was erected by Samuel Nutt, Sr., and William Branson on French Creek, six miles southwest of present-day Pottstown, ca. 1717/18. Another important ironmaster, Thomas Potts, Jr. (1735-1785), received a half-interest in Coventry from his in-laws Robert and Rebecca Grace in 1764, and later received the other half from his father John Potts. Thomas Potts erected the first blister steel furnace in Pennsylvania during his ownership of Coventry. After Thomas Potts's death in 1785, the forge was rented to George North and John Evans, who ran it through 1791. Thomas Potts's son-in-law, Robert May (1777-1814) purchased the forge in 1792 and ran it until 1796, when he sold it to Jonathan Hudson and Thomas Church.

On FamilySearch.org 1 sources of information for:

Name • • Samuel Nutt Last Changed: January 27, 2015

Sex • • Male Last Changed: January 27, 2015

Birth • • about 1685 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America Reason This Information Is Correct: See in Memories "Stories" - and "Documents" - Wills and Deeds attached. Last Changed: May 21, 2020

Christening Death • • February/March 1738 Chester, Colony of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America Reason This Information Is Correct: See will and probate for Samuel Nutt Last Changed: April 11, 2015

Other Information:

Last Will & Testament: Chester County, Pennsylvania Abstract of Wills 1714--1758

Citation: Family History Library;, Salt Lake City, Utah: Call No. 974.813 P2a Source Modified • See All Changes April 11, 2015 by L. J. Masters Reason This Source Is Attached • Edit Family History Library Call No. 974.813P2a: p. 398. Book D p. 2:

Testator: Samuel Nutt, Coventry. Will date 25 Sep 1737; Proved 9 March 1737/1738:

To wife, Anna all my right and title to Furnace Forge; 120 acres on North side of French Creek, another tract as described; a house and lot Samuel Nutt Jr. bought at Lancaster. To son in law, Samuel Savage wearing apparel; to friend, John Blanton of Eversham in Worcestershire, England; to the heirs of Thomas Cook in Yorkshire - 50 pounds; Remainder of estate to son in law Samuel Savage and Rebecca his wife. Executors: Wife, Anna and son in law, Samuel. Friend Jonathan Robeson to assist. Witness: Joseph, Nathan and John Phipps

Samuel Nutt was 2nd husband of Anna Rutter. Their son Samuel is mentioned in Thomas Rutter's will.

Will of RUTTER, THOMAS. Amity, Co. of Philadelphia. Blacksmith. November 27, 1728/9. March 20, 1729. E.127. Wife: Rebeca. Children: Anna Nutt, Rebeca Hall, Thomas, John, Mary Rice, Martha Doughty, Hester Hawkley, Joseph. Grandchildren: Thomas and Samuel Savage, Samuel Nutt. Sons-in-Law and Trustees: Joseph Hall, Samuel Nutt. Exec: Rebeca Rutter. Wit: Francis Puernill, William Bird, George Boons. Source: Wills: Abstracts, Book E: 1726 - 1736: Philadelphia Co, PA http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbke.txt

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism of Samuel Nutt, 4 May 1679, Holy Trinity Church, Coventry, Warwickshire. FamilySearch.com (requires free registration) database: Transcript of Holy Trinity, Coventry, parish register, 1561-1745. Image 25 of 212.

• https://steelmuseum.org/i-s-hall-of-fame/nutt_s.cfm?v=OIfVP-Wg3k0
• https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6n074nj
• https://www.worldcat.org/title/86094013
• Information was taken from George Taylor essays.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Taylor_(delegate)
• https://www.irishamerica.com/2015/07/the-irish-who-signed-the-declaration-of-independence/
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LVCT-H7X
• http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/wills/willabstrbke.txt

<"Forges and Furnaces in the Province of Pennsylvania," Published in Philadelphia, 1914. The Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Press of the New Era Printing Company, Lancaster, PA 1914, p 28. />