Ambrose Howse (1766 - 1855)

Born 7 Feb 1766 in Brunswick, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Polly (Hartwell) Howse — married 24 Jan 1800 in Brunswick, Virginia

Descendants

Died 24 Jun 1855 at age 89 in Blackman, Rutherford, Tennessee, United States

Biography

Ambrose House/Howse, born on February 6, 1766 in Brunswick County, Virginia was one of seven children of Jordan and Elizabeth House possible the eldest child.

Ambrose grew up working on the family farm and later pursued in agricultural pursuits of his own. Not much is known about his educational pursuits but he must have been intelliegent for at a very young age, Ambrose Howse served in the Revolutionary War on General George Washington’s staff as a supply officer.

For this service, Ambrose received a grant of land near the Blackman Community of Rutherford County, Tennessee as so many early settlers of Rutherford County did. A portrait of Ambrose Howse, in possession of Susan Ridley, shows a small plow in the background; the symbol of the Order of Cincinnatus formed by these men just after the Revolution. The plow and sickle drawing in the lower left-hand corner of the portrait is a symbol of the Order of Cincinnatus, given to those that were a part of George Washington‘s team during the Revolution War. ^[1]. The Society of the Cincinnati is a hereditary society with branches in the United States and France, founded in 1783, to preserve the ideals and fellowship of officers of the Continental Army who served in the Revolutionary War.

Ambrose married on January 24, 1800, ^[2] in Brunswick County, Virginia, Miss Mary Hartwell, daughter of Richard & Mary Hartwell, also of Brunswick County, Virginia. Seven children were born to this union - six (6) in Brunswick County, VIrginia; Hartwell (1800), Susan (1801-1822), Eliza Ann Catherine (1802-1876), Robert C. (1805-1840), Martha Louise (1809-1886), Adeline W. (1815-1896), & George W. (1819-1910) in Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Ambrose Howse was mentioned in his father's will, dated February 28, 1803:

”Then I give and bequeath unto my son Ambrose House seventy five acres of land lying on the north side of the Indian head Creek wherever his house now stands. Also twenty five shillings current money of Virginia to be paid him when my estate shall be divided to him, his heirs forever."

Ambrose Howse moved to Rutherford County, Tennessee in 1815 and was listed on the 1810 ^[3], 1820 ^[4] & 1830 census for that county and was engaged in farming in the fertile Tennessee soil. He was very successful in his endeavors and in 1818, he purchased an additional 150 acres on a tract of land in Rutherford County on the waters of Overall and Stewarts Creek. Ambrose later (1819) sold this same tract of to Littleberry Hartwell which is believed to be a relative (brother) of his wife, Mary Hartwell Howse. Ambrose Howse is mentioned in the Land Deed Genealogy of Rutherford County, TN; Page 498, Doc. No. 442;

"Ambrose House to Littleberry S. Heartwell for Deed. This indenture made 10 February 1819 between Ambrose House for Rutherford County and Littleberry S. Hartwell of same place for a tract of land in Rutherford County on the waters of Overalls Creek and Stewarts Creek, being part of the land granted by the State of North Carolina to General James Armstrong for his military services. Beginning on the margin of the great road leading from James Bass, Sen.'s to Nashville and on the east corner of Peyton Smith's curve, thence east 121 1/4 poles, Smith’s north east corner, thence south with said Peyton Smith’s east boundary line 198 poles to beginning. Witness: B. Barfield and Peyton Smith; Signed: A House; Registered 9 Jun 1819."

Around this same time, another child was born to Ambrose and Mary (Hartwell) Howse; George Washington Howse (named for Gen. George Washington) was born on April 22, 1819 in Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Ambrose was a member of the Methodist Church in Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Ambrose's wife, Mary Hartwell Howse, died on December 3, 1831, in Rutherford County, Tennessee and is buried in the Howse Cemetery of the Blackman Community. Ambrose, a widower with a farm to operate and children to raise, took as his second wife, Margaret "Polly", who was born in 1770 in VIrginia. The Davidson County, Tennessee marriage records indicate that Ambrose married Margaret Wetherall married in that county on September 4, 1833; however, a book on the House/Howse genealogy in the Linebaugh Library indicates that this Margaret was a sister of Ambrose's first wife, Mary. More research is required to determine if Margaret Wetherall and Margaret Hartwell are one in the same and that Weatherall might be her widowed name. Nevertheless, Ambrose did marry a Margaret, called Polly, and another set of children were born to this union - Ella House. Ambrose and Margaret appear on the 1850 Rutherford County, Tennessee census records. ^[5] NOTE: The 1850 Census children are all grandkids.

Ambrose Howse was a very successful farmer in Rutherford County, Tennessee and owned many slaves. In fact, it is mentioned in the Sketch of My Life by Samuel Hervey Laughlin (Jan 1, 1845 to August 1845) that he didn't mind working in the fields right along with his slaves:

"He spoke of a friend of his, Mr. Ambrose House, who had lately removed from Virginia to Rutherford County in the neighborhood of Murfreesborough, near his kinsman Capt. James Bass, and said we would turn back, and come home by the house of his friend Ambrose after we got as far down the Nashville road as he wished to go. We dashed on until we got to old Mr. Hartwell Marables', another old Virginia friend of his. Here we stopped and went into the house, he introducing me!to the old people. He had gotten nearly sober. He did not ask for any thing to drink, but went out and up the road a short distance where we had seen a blacksmith shop, where he got some whiskey, and presently was so much intoxicated again, as to set his tongue to running. He refused when he went back to the House to stay for dinner, pretending he was in a hurry to get home, and had to go by Mr. House's and Capt. Bass'. We set off and took the Shelbyville road which turned off at the corner of Mr. Marable's fence to the south, and crossed the creek (Stewart's) through what was since Searcy's now Whitson's mill dam. We rode on to Mr. House's, where I hoped he would stop, as I did not wish to go to Capt. Bass' with him when he was drinking. We found Mr. House and his Negroes out clearing new ground, the land where I think his orchard now is, and he invited us to his house to stop and stay till next morning. The Doctor refused to light from his horse or stop, saying he must go home and call at Capt. Bass' on his way. So off we went again,!he still showing the effects of his drink and soon got to Capt. Bass', it being only about a mile. She (Miss Bass) had informed her mother promptly of my proposals and her answer--- she also told Susan House, a truly good and discreet girl everything."

When his first son, George Washington Howse was married, Ambrose presented him with ten female and ten male slaves to begin his new home.

When Ambrose's son, Robert C. House, and his wife, Nancy Batey House, died in 1840 and 1845 respectively, he and Nancy's father, Captain William Batey, divided the children--their grandchildren--between the two families to be reared.

The 1850 Rutherford County, Tennessee Census Records show Ambrose residing at Wilkinsons Crossroads at Blackman, at the age of 84, Farmer, born in Virginia. Also in his household is his wife, Margaret (80), daughter Adaline Wilkinson (34), son George W. House (30), and daughter-in-law Elizabeth (27). Also residing in his household are his grandchildren from Adaline House Wilkinson: Mary Wilkinson (16), William Wilkinson (12), George Wilkinson (10); and his grandchildren of George W. House and Elizabeth Burrus House: John R. (4), and Mary E. (1). The Ambrose House residing in the household (age 16) was the orphaned son of Robert C. House and his wife, Nancy Batey Howse who had both died 1840 and 1845, respectively.

Ambrose House died a few years after the above census was taken on June 24, 1855 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. His obituary stated, "The friends and acquaintances of AMBROSE HOUSE, are requested to attend his funeral and interment, at his late residence, this evening at 3 o'clock. Divine service by Rev. A. S. Riggs. (Monday Morning, June 25, 1855). He is buried in the Howse cemetery at the Walter Hill Quadrangle, 0.8 mile north of Blackman's on Blackman Road, about 200 feet East of the road, in a field. It was reported that many of the grave stones from that cemetery are missing and had been used for door steps. His tombstone was inscribed as: "Ambrose Howse moved to Rutherford County in 1815.

His original will exists in the Rutherford County Clerk's office dated March 7, 1845, 3 codicils, probated September 24, 1853. His will was described as a masterpiece of early legal document, bearing explicit instructions such as to a dogwood tree, or weeping willow, in the division of his property for his children and grandchildren. He add codicils as often as changed his mind about his properties, and the guardianship of his grandchildren.

He passed away in 1855. ^[6]

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540. Howse [House], Ambrose Died June 24, 1855, testate. Will written March 7, 1845, codicils written April 12, 1851, May 28, 1852, September 1853. Will probated July 1855. Executors: George W. Howse, son, and Jesse Sikes, son-in-law. Daughters to wit: Eliza [Howse] Bass, Martha [Howse] Sikes, Mary [Howse] Robinson [also referred to as Mary Banks], Adeline [Howse] Wilkinson and Nancy Betsy [Howse] _______ (deceased) of Virginia. Sons: George W. Howse and Robert C. Howse (deceased). Note: Robert C. Howse died in 1840 - see Volume I. Children of Robert C. Howse (deceased): William Howse, Mary Ann Howse, Martha E. Howse, Ambrose Howse and George B. Howse. Nancy Howse (deceased) was wife of Robert C. Howse. Charles Shanklin, son of granddaughter, Amanda[Henley]Shanklin(deceased).

Note:AmandaHenleywasthedaughterofTurnerB.Henleyand his first wife, Susan [Howse]. Turner died in 1838 and Susan died in 1823 - see Volume I. Children of Mary [Howse] Banks [widow of John H. Robinson], to wit: Amanda Rebecca Robinson, John Watson Robinson and Mary Louise Robinson. Note: John H. Robinson died in 1841 - see Volume I. Children of Adeline [Howse] Wilkinson [widow of Hubbard S. Wilkinson] to wit:MaryElizabethWilkinson,WilliamAmbroseWilkinsonandGeorgeHenryWilkinson.. Note:HubbardS.Wilkinsondied in1843-seeVolumeI. MaryAnnHowsemarriedPeytonWarrenpriortoApril12,1851.

September 3, 1855: William T. Banks, wife, Mary, and her children, Amanda Robinson, John Robinson and Louisa Robinson and the children of Robert Howse lived outside Rutherford County.

October1,1855: ThecourtacceptedtheresignationofJesseSikesasexecutor. GeorgeW.Howseincreasedhisbond to $80,000 and became sole executor. December 3, 1855: A decree divided the 36 slaves into 5 parts as follows: #1 George W. Howse; #2 Eliza [Howse] Bass; #3 Martha [Howse] Sikes; #4 George W. Howse and Jesse Sikes in trust for Mary [Howse] Banks for life; #5 George W. Howse and Jesse Sikes in trust for Adaline [Howse] Watkins for life. Commissioners were appointed to make the division.

February 4, 1856: Wilson L. Watkins was appointed guardian for Louise S. Watkins and Wilson L. Watkins, his own children and minor heirs at law of Ambrose Howse. April 7, 1857: Jesse Sikes presented his petition to resign his trust as one of the executors of Ambrose Howse due to bad health. The text listed: George W. Howse; James Bass and wife, Eliza [Howse]; Martha Louisa [Howse] Sikes, wife of Jesse Sikes; Wilson L. Watkins and wife, Adeline [Howse] ; William T. Banks and wife, Mary [Howse]; and Mary Wilkerson; William Wilkerson; and George Wilkerson and William Howse; Mary Howse; Martha Howse; Anderson Howse; and George Howse, children of Robert Howse (deceased), and Amanda Rebecca Robinson; John Watson Robinson; and Mary Louisa Robinson, children of Mary Banks by a former husband as all of the legatees of Ambrose Howse. William T. Banks and family and the children of Robert Howse resided outside Tennessee.

1850 U. S. Census: Ambrose House, 84 VA; Margaret House, 80 VA; Adaline Wilkinson, 34 VA; George W. House, 30; Elizabeth House, 27; Mary Wilkinson, 16; William Wilkinson, 12 ME?; George Wilkinson, 10 VA; John R. House, 4; Mary E. House, 1; Ambrose House, 16.

Following information taken from funeral card: The friends and acquaintances of AMBROSE HOUSE, are requested to attend his funeral and interment, at his late residence, this evening at 3 o’clock. Divine service by Rev. A. S. Riggs. [Monday Morning, June 25, 1855).

Howse Cemetery, Blackman Rd.: Ambrose Howse [or House], born Brunswick Co., VA February 7, 1766, moved to Rutherford Co. in 1815, died June 24, 1855. Member Methodist Church 25 years. Mary Howse, born Brunswick Co., VA February 9, 1781, died December 3, 1831, wife of Ambrose Howse.

Rutherford County marriage records: James Bass Jr. married Eliza Howse on September 23, 1819. John H. Robinson married Mary A. House on May 20, 1830. William T. Banks married Mary A. Robinson on July 25, 1844. Robert C. Howse married Nancy Beaty on October 16, 1828. R. D. Shanklin married Amanda Henly on June 3, 1841. Jesse Sikes married Martha L. Howse on March 15, 1827. Hubbard S. Wilkinson married Adaline W. House on December 13, 1832. W. L. Watkins married Adeline W. Wilkinson on January 15, 1851. Robert D. Shanklin married Amanda Henley on June 3, 1841.

Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 on Ancestry.com: Ambrose House married Margaret Wetherall on September 4, 1833 in Davidson County.^[7]

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Sources

1. ↑ http://rutherfordtnhistory.org/memoirs-portray-rutherford-lifestyles-in-the-1900s/. Memoirs Portray Rutherford Lifestyles in the 1900’s People Places and Stories As published by the Daily News Journal, Sunday, January 23, 2011 by Greg Tucker, President Rutherford County Historical Society
2. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR7M-WQ9 : 29 January 2020), Ambrose House, 1800.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2Q-SB2 : accessed 7 March 2021), Ambrose House, Meherrin, Brunswick, Virginia, United States; citing p. 750, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 66; FHL microfilm 181,426.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLT-SXC : accessed 7 March 2021), Ambrose House, Rutherford, Rutherford, Tennessee, United States; citing p. 152, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 124; FHL microfilm 193,686.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCD1-W91 : 23 December 2020), Ambrose House, Rutherford, Tennessee, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 June 2020), memorial page for Ambrose Howse (7 Feb 1766–24 Jun 1855), Find A Grave: Memorial #19611547, citing Howse Cemetery, Rutherford County, Tennessee, USA ; Maintained by Carol Robertson White (contributor 46607100) .
7. ↑ http://rutherfordtnhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Rutherford-County-Tennessee-Death-Estates-Settlements-Vol.-2-1850-1861.pdf

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