Samuel Nichols Pusey was born November, 2, 1814 in Delaware, probably in Auburn, now Hockessin, New Castle County. His parents were Jacob Pusey and his first wife, Hannah Nichols. Samuel was their first and only child - Hannah died in childbirth. Jacob remarried (twice), first to Hannah Mendenhall and second to Louisa C. Webster. Samuel was the oldest of Jacob's ten children though they were all half-siblings to him. Though 28 years separated Samuel from his youngest sibling, they pretty much remained in the New Castle/Chester/Delaware/Philadelphia metropolitan are for most of their lives. The siblings (and their spouses) were frequent business partners and socialized together, especially those who lived in the Wilmington, Delaware area.
Samuel married Mary R. Richards, his half-first cousin and daughter of William Richards and Lydia Seal. Mary was 11 years younger than Samuel - she was born on January 6, 1826 and died some time after 1888. Samuel died May 29, 1885, probably in Wilmington. Samuel was a businessman, the census reports list him as a "merchant". One enterprise he ran was the firm of Betts and Pusey which he started with carpenter Mahlon Betts in 1836 to manufacture railroad cars. Judging by the size of his estate, Samuel appears to have been a successful businessman.
Thanks go to Edward Coates Sinker for this transcription!
I, Samuel N. Pusey of the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware do make my last will and testament as follows:
Item: I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid by my Executor hereinafter named as soon as the same can conveniently be done after my decease.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary R. Pusey all of my furniture and household goods of every kind whatsoever, which may be in the house in which I now reside no. 602 West street in the City of Wilmington aforesaid.
Item: If I should survive my said wife the whole of the legacy or legacies that she, my said wife, may give and bequeath to me, in and by her last will and testament and which I may receive under, or by virtue of her said will and testament, as the amount thereof shall appear to have been received by me or payable to me, in the final account of her Executor, as passed before the Registrar of Wills in and for New Castle County and State aforesaid.
To my brother Lea Pusey
It being my will that the issue of any child or children of the said Lydia P. Thompson, Joshua Richards, John Richards, Elizabeth Grubb, or Mary Grubb, now deceased, or that may be deceased at the time of my death, shall take the share that his, her, or their, parent or parents would have taken if then living.
Item: All the rest and residue and remainder of my estate of whatsoever kind and wheresoever, the same may be, at the time of my decease, I direct my Executor hereinafter named to divide the same into seven equal parts or shares and
Item: I hereby nominate and appoint my said wife Mary R. Pusey Executrix of this my last will and testament and it is my will and desire that my said Executrix shall not be required to give bond with surity before receiving letters testamentary on this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I, Samuel N. Pusey, the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this Fourth day of August A.D. 1884.
Benj. Nields
Inventory and Appraisement of the goods and chattels belonging to the estate of Samuel N. Pusey deceased made by George Richardson and Mark M. Cleaver the Fifteenth day of June A.D. 1885:
I give and bequeath the same equally, share and share alike, unto the following persons, viz:
To my sister Mary M. Phillips
To my brother Joseph M. Pusey
To my sister Sarah W. Swayne
To my brother Edward Pusey
To my brother Joshua Pusey
To William R. Chandler, son of Eliza Chandler, deceased
To Charles Brinton, son of Ann Brinton
To the Children of my deceased sister, Lydia P. Thompson
To the Children of Joshua Richards, deceased
To the Children of John Richards, deceased
To the Children of Elizabeth Grubb
To the Children of Mary Grubb, deceased, formerly the wife of George S. Grubb.
I give and bequeath unto my said brother Lea Pusey one of said shares.
I give and bequeath unto my said sister Mary M. Phillips one of said shares.
I give and bequeath unto my said brother Joseph M. Pusey one of said shares.
I give and bequeath unto my said sister Sarah W. Swayne one of said shares.
I give and bequeath unto my said brother Edward Pusey one of said shares
I give and bequeath unto my said brother Joshua Pusey one of said shares and
I give and bequeath unto the children of my deceased sister, Lydia P. Thompson, the remaining share to be divided equally among them share and share alike.
Geo. T. Brown
187 Shares of Stock of National Bank of Wilmington & Brandywine $72 = 13,464.00
68 Shares of Stock of Union National Bank of Wilmington $63 = 4,284.00
23 Shares of Stock of First National Bank of Wilmington $170 = 3,910.00
23 Shares of Stock of Farmers Bank at New Castle $60 = 1,380.00
5 Shares of Stock of Farmers Bank at Dover $60 = 300.00
2 Shares of Stock of National Bank of Delaware $675 = 1,350.00
50 Shares of Stock of New Castle Gas Company $7 = 350.00
6 Shares of Stock of Masonic Hall Company $6 = 36.00
2 Shares of Stock of Helena Mining & Development Co. $1 = 2.00
1 Share of Stock in Wilmington Institute = .50
8 Shares of Stock in Swarthmore College = .00
Gold Watch 30.00
Cash in Bank 6.07
$25,112.57
Household Furniture:
Contents of Parlor $250.00
Contents of Library 175.00
Contents of Second storey front north bed chamber 100.00
Contents of Second storey back north bed chamber 80.00
Contents of Second storey front south bed chamber 70.00
Contents of Second storey back south bed chamber 75.00
Contents of Bath room 10.00
Contents of Dining room 75.00
Contents of Halls 50.00
Contents of Kitchen 25.00
= 910.00
$26,022.57
First & Final Settlement of Samuel N. Pusey's Estate June 25 1886: $50,559.80