William Brown (abt. 1748 - 1818)

Born about 1748 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Died 1818 at about age 70 in Bart, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Biography

William was born about 1748 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,^[1] the son of John Brown.

Inheritance. In 1786 when William's father died, he was made executor of the estate and he and his wife Hannah inherited half the real estate.^[2]

Census. William appears on the census in 1790, 1800, and 1810, heading a large household. In 1790 he appears to have four sons of whom two are over age 16, three daughters, and perhaps two servants.^[3] By 1800 the census includes a little more detail and we see that William and his wife are over age 45; they have two sons under age 10, two 10-15, and one 16-25, and two daughters, one under 10 and one 16-25. From this we can deduce that their oldest son and oldest daughter have left home and three more children have been born since the last census.^[4] In 1810 the household is one man and one woman over 45, four younger males including one under 10, and one female 10-15.^[5]

Will. William wrote his will in Bart Township in November 1818 and it was probated the same month.^[6] William named heirs "my soninlaw William Barkley and his Wife Mary," "my Daughter Julians son John B. Kennady" (who was under age 21), "my son John Faris Brown," "my son Andrew Brown," "my son James Brown," "my soninlaw James Graham and his Wife Margaret," and "my son William Brown." Sons James and William were made executors.

Research notes

Although William's children were listed in his will, there is not sufficient information available to create appropriate WikiTree profiles for them.

Sources

1. ↑ the year is an estimate; there is some reason to think he was one of his father's older children, as he was made executor of his estate; also, he appears to have seven children by 1790, at least two over age 16
2. ↑ see will at father's profile
3. ↑ U.S. census, 1790, Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Ancestry source): William Brown, 3 males over 16, 2 males under 16, 4 females (all free white persons), and 2 other free persons [1]
4. ↑ U.S. census, 1800, Bart, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Ancestry source) [2]
5. ↑ U.S. census, 1810, Bart, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Ancestry source) [3]
6. ↑ Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Lancaster, Will Book L-M, 18910-1821 (Ancestry source) [4]