Person:Patrick Nelson (1)

Taken from book "Thomas Bays Nelson" sent to me by Kenneth L. Nelson: "The story told to me by cousin Rosie Hostetler and confirmed by many of the family is that Patrick came to America at the age of 17 as a stowaway at the time his two brothers (Arthur and James) came. Three descendants of Patrick through his daughter Nancy Nelson Hart, had the same story of Patrick's immigration--only they said he was kidnapped and brought on the ship."

Found a query that says he is from Cork Co., Ireland

Does not appear in 1790 or 1780 Pennsylvania Census in Somerset County.

1796 appears on tax list for Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset Co., PA

Information off WFT CD #403 shows Patrick Nelson born 1750 in IR and married Jane McMillan in PA. Jane was born in PA.

    Source #: 1748.015       Source type:  Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents

1800 Census of Turkey Foot Twp., Somerset Co., PA There is a Patrick Nelson with 11010-20010

1810 Census of Turkey Foot Twp., Somerset Co., PA p. 445 There is a Patrick Nelson with 20201-1211

1820 Census of Stark Co., OH p. 321 There is a Patrick Nelson with 011000001-00000001

1830 Stark Co., OH there is a John Nelson living next door to Patrick. I feel this is a son. 210001-320011.

1840 Census of La Grange Co., Indiana p. 328 00010000001- 1840 La Grange County, Indiana there is a Anthony Nelson living close to Patrick and Joseph. 024001-0100001

1850 Census of LaGrange County, Indiana Newberry Township

    Name           Age Sex   Occupation     Born

523-527 Nelson, George 41 M Farmer PA

         Elisabeth      17     F            OH
         Cyrus          17     M            OH
         Minerva        14     F            OH
         Mary E.        11     F             IN
         Thomas          9      M            IN
         Patrick        83     M  Weaver         IRL

There is also a John M. and a Robert F. living in La Grange Co., IN in 1850 that could very well be a sons.

Lisa Klutman has that Patrick and Jane had a daughter named Nancy A. Nelson born about 1806 in Stark Co., Ohio who married a Daniel Hart born abt. 1801 in Pennsylvania and died in 1880 in La Grange Co., IN. This couple was in Sugar Creek, Stark Co., Ohio at least up to 1836 and ended up in La Grange Co. by 1851.

Joseph Nelson's obituary says that Patrick lived to be 104 years old, but that appears to be incorrect.

WILL OF PATRICK NELSON I, Patrick Nelson of Newberry Township in the State of Indiana, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at anythime heretofor made.

First I direct that my body be directly interred and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life. And as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to entrust me with, I dispose of the same in the following manner: To Wit, I direct first that all my just debts be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that shall come to the hands of my executors from any portion of my estat - real or personal.

I also direct that a fair evaluation or appraisement be made by three judicious meighbors of all my said estate including my household furniture and after being signed with their names that a copy of the same be given by them to my executor.

I also direct that all my real estate and personal property of which I shall dieseized or possessed shall be sold by my executor for its reasonable value for cash or on such credit and the amount thereof received in such manner as is usual in like cases to insure the full and punctual payment thereof. And to effectuate this my intention, I hereby vest my executor with full power and authority to dispose of my real estate in fee simple or for a term of years or otherwise in as full and ample measure in every respect as I could myself do if living.

I also direct that the net produce of my estate, both real and personal, herein before ordered by me to be disposed of in the following manner to wit as soon as it shall come into the hands of my executor.

I give and bequeath to my son William an equal share of my property with the rest after deducting one hundred and fifty dollars which I have already paid him.

I also give and bequeath to Joseph, my son, an equal share also after deducting one hundred dollars to him already paid by me.

I also give and bequeath to my son John a full share of my estate, nothing having been paid to him by me.

I also give and bequeath to my son George a full share also, nothing haveing been paid him by me that I make any account of.

It is my wish and desire that the heirs of my son James shall have no more of my property as I have heretofor paid their father his full share of my estate.

I also give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy a full and equal share of my estate, nothing having been paid her by me.

I also five and bequeath to my daughter Peggy fifty dollars only.

It is my desire and wish that the heirs of my daughter Jane shall not have any more of my estate.

And I hereby make and ordain my worthy and esteemed friend Purly R. Cady executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I, Patrick Nelson, the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Four.

                                                 His
                                            Patrick      X      Nelson
                                                 Mark

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above name Patrick Nelson as his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testator and in the presence of each other.

                                            P. R. Cady
                                            Edward Walker

State of Indiana Lagrange County I, John P. Jones, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, certify that the within will has been duly admitted to probate before said court and that a full complete record of the same together with the proof has been made in the record of Wills Libre I, pages 59 and 60.

                        Witness my hand and the seal of said court this 23rd day of November, A.D. 1854
                                            J.P. Jones, Clerk

1. ↑ Transcription of Joseph Nelson's obituary.
2. ↑ 1850 Census of LaGrange County, Indiana.
3. ↑ Transcription of Joseph Nelson's obituary.
4. ↑ Will of Patrick Nelson.
5. ↑ 1850 Census of LaGrange County, Indiana.