Jesse Mustain, Jr.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

On Route 792 in Mount Airy, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, stands thelovely old home of Jesse Mustain. Presumably, he built it on the 200 acres he inherited in 1792 from his father, Thomas. Although there have been several additions, particularly that of the right wing, the old house is obviously of eigthteenth century construction. The first floor is built of eighteen-inch stone walls and has two great end chimneys. The timbers are pegged together, the wainscoting and floors are of heart pine, and the mantels have been hand-carved. On the first floor two curving corner stairways lead to the two rooms on the second floor. Two small windows flank the chimneys from a third floor plasteredroom.
Notes from Virginia's Descendants Web Site:

Thomas Mustain, father of Jesse, was born about 1725 and is first recorded in Halifax County in 1750, when he appeared on the tax list of William Caldwell and was living on 'the Little Roanoke River up the Fork.' In 1752 he was one of four men to appraise the estate of Isaac Cloud. On Feb 5, 1753, Thomas Mustain received his first grant of land from King George II of England, signed by Robert Dinwiddie. It consistedof 400 acres on Poplar Branch of Mill Creek, in Halifax County, Virgininia, which became part of Pittsylvania County when the latter was created in 1767. The land he left to his son, Jesse, was not part of this grant, however, as Thomas sold this 400 acres to William Payne on September 12, 1782 for 30 pounds of then current money. But, Thomas had received another grant of land from King George II, again signed by Robert Dinwiddie, on November 26, 1756. This grant was again for 400 acresin Halifax County, but was located on both sides of Stinking River. For this land grant Thomas paid 40 shillings. And it was from this grant of land he bequest 'To my son Jesse, 200 acres to be taken off the upper end of the tract where I now live.'

Thomas and his wife, Mary, had nine daughters: Anna, who married William Buckner; Mildred, who married Jesse Keesee; Tabitha, who married James Bruce; Winifred, who married Zachariah Lewis; Seluda, who marriedClaiborne Shelton; Rebecca; Mary, who married Jeremiah Barker; Polly,who married John Patterson; Sarah, who married Price Skinner. The couple had only two sons: Jesse, who married Jane, the mother of his ninechildren, and shortly before his death, Mary Bruce; and Avery, who married Mary Barber Shelton.

Jesse, the oldest son of Thomas and Mary, was born in 1749. He married his first wife, Jane, about 1776. Jane was the mother of his five daughters and four sons: Susannah, married Walker Goodwin; Tabitha, married Meredith Jennings; Winifred, who never married, and served as overseer of the poor of Camden Parish; Priscilla, married William Shelton; Saluda; John, who married Elizabeth LeGrande Glenn; James W, who married Sarah H Shelton; Thomas, who married Martha Irby; and Jesse, Jr,who married Tabitha Hicks.

Jesse must have been a character, as we find in the Pittsylvania Court records at least two cases in which he is reprimanded for misbehavior as follows:

On September 21, 1779: 'Jesse Mustain with John Oliver & Richard Toddhis securites...acknowledged themselves severally indebted to the Commonwealth of VA...Jesse Mustain in the sum of 500 lbs....on condition that the said Jesse Mustain shall be of good behaviour and keep the peace towards all citizens of this Commonwealth 1 whole year and a day'.And in October of 1782: 'Thomas Doss and Salley, his wife, against Jesse Mustain. In Trespass, assault and battery. The parties having agreed..dismissed.'

Jesse remarried on June 11, 1793, to Mary Brewis [Bruce], but the marriage was short lived as he died the following June. The children, still minors, were left to the care and guardianship of their uncle, Avery Mustain, and their lovely new home was sold to settle their father's estate. Benjamin Gosney purchased a tract, including the dower of Mary Mustain, Jesse's widow. And in 1803, he purchased the property from Avery Mustain, the guardian of the minors, for 114 pounds and 11 shillings. This Benjamin Gosney was later to become the father-in-law ofAvery's son, Joel Mustain. Joel married his daughter, Mary Gosney, ten years later. In all likelihood, Benjamin's wife, Mary 'Elizabeth' Haden, whom he married on December 26, 1786 in Campbell County, was thesister of Jane, first wife of Jesse. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Haden, and the granddaughter of Anthony Haden of Campbell County, Virginia, and John had a daughter, Jane, as well.

Jesse married Jane "Jenny" Goode in 1776 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Jane was born in 1755 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1792 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mustain

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1753, , Lunenburg, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Will: 6 Nov 1791, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Event-Misc: 21 Nov 1791, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Will of Thomas Mustain, 1791 - Pittsylvania Co. VA

Last Will and Testament of Thomas Mustain weak in body.
Dead Book 9, pg 119-120, written 6 November 1791, probated 16 July1792.
To my beloved wife Mary Mustain, a sufficient maintenance suitable toher surcomstance, free and undesturbed during her life or widowhood.
To my son Jesse, 200 acres to be taken off the upper end of the tractwhere I now live. The rest of this tract to be sold.
To daughter, Rebeckah and Molly, twenty shillings each from the sale of the above land.
To daughters Mary Ann and Sally, ten pounds each.
To son Avery Mustain and Daughters Anna Buckner, Milley Keese, Tabetha Bruce, Winney Lewis and Siludey Shelton one equal part of the moneyfrom the sale of the land.
To Thomas Mustain, son of Jesse Mustain and his wife Jenney, has promised to live with me and my wife during our lives for which I give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Mustain a tract of land on both sidesof Nixes Creek, 170 acres. The balance of my moveable property to bedivided among my last six named children. Appoint son Jesse Mustain and Joel Shelton executors.

Thoams (X) Mustain
Witnesses: Francis (X) Ivy, Nathaniel Faris, Griffith Dickinson,
Vincent Shelton and Charles Lewis, Jr. security for executors.

(Submitter note: In the Will of Thomas Mustain when he said ' My son
Avery Mustain and daughters...' the daughters he lists are Thomas's daughters, NOT Avery's.)

Submitted by E. S. Rick McDaniel

Will of Thomas Mustain, 1791 - Pittsylvania Co. VA
Last Will and Testament of Thomas Mustain weak in body.
Dead Book 9, pg 119-120, written 6 November 1791, probated 16 July 1792.
To my beloved wife Mary Mustain, a sufficient maintenance suitable to
her surcomstance, free and undesturbed during her life or widowhood.
To my son Jesse, 200 acres to be taken off the upper end of the tract
where I now live. The rest of this tract to be sold.
To daughter, Rebeckah and Molly, twenty shillings each from the sale
of the above land.
To daughters Mary Ann and Sally, ten pounds each.
To son Avery Mustain and Daughters Anna Buckner, Milley Keese, Tabeth
a Bruce, Winney Lewis and Siludey Shelton one equal part of the money from the sale of the land.
To Thomas Mustain, son of Jesse Mustain and his wife Jenney, has
promised to live with me and my wife during our lives for which I
give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Mustain a tract of land on both sides of Nixes Creek, 170 acres. The balance of my moveable property to be divided among my last six named children.
Appoint son Jesse Mustain and Joel Shelton executors.

Thoams (X) Mustain
Witnesses: Francis (X) Ivy, Nathaniel Faris, Griffith Dickinson,
Vincent
Shelton and Charles Lewis, Jr. security for executors.


Mustain family researchers and local history buffs believe that Jesse's house was built by his father, Thomas Mustain. In her book Tracks Along the Staunton, Diane Popek states: "Around 1750 Thomas Mustain, on the original grant by King George II of England, built a rock-wall house, a landmark of Pittsylvania County ." We believe that this rock-wall house built in 1750 was the first floor of our home. Thomas went on to built a larger home (timber frame with an English basement that is on his original land grant and on what is now Telegraph Road) and that his son, Jesse, went on to add the other two floors in the 1770's when he came of age, married, and began his family.

Thomas Mustain was listed among the local tithables of 1750. At a Court held for Halifax County, May 1752, it was ordered that Thomas Mustain, Joseph Ironmonger, George Whiffon and Daniel Smith do appraise the estate of Isaac Cloud, deceased. His land grant was signed by Royal Governor Dinwiddie and drawn up on the 29th day of November 1756. This was an original crown Grant made by King George II in the thirtieth year of his reign for 400 acres for the tidy sum of forty shillings. In 1767 Thomas appears on the list of tithables taken by John Donelson in Pittsylvania County's first tax list. In 1769 the vestry of Camden Parish planned to build a church "near Thomas Mustain's."

Thomas Mustain was born about 1725 in VA and died 1791 in Pittsylvania County, VA. He married Mary (probable maiden name Haley) about 1748. He and Mary had the following children:

Jesse - born @1749 Pittsylvania County, VA; married Jenny @1776 and married #2 Polly Brewis, daughter of Robert Brewis, on June 11, 1793 in Pittsylvania County, VA; died 1794 Pittsylvania County, VA
Rebecca -
Molly - married John Paterson on June 30, 1794
Mary Ann -
Sally - born @1767; married Price Skinner on June 30, 1794
Avery - born February 26, 1756; married Mary "Polly" Shelton Barber on March 17, 1780; died August 31, 1833 in Pittsylvania County, VA.
Anna - Married William Buckner @1768 and married #2 Jeremiah Buckner on September 9, 1782 in Pittsylvania County, VA; died in Kentucky
Milly - Born @1755; married Jesse Keesee; died August 1838 in VA
Tabitha - married James Bruce on February 13, 1782 in Halifax County, VA.
Winifred - married Zachariah Lewis
Saludy - born 1772 in Pittsylvania County, VA; married Claiborn Shelton on May 16, 1785; died 1812 at Chimney Rock, OH

Jesse Mustain had the following children:
Thomas - born @1777; married Martha Irby on November 19, 1801; died October 29, 1814 in Charles County, VA
Priscilla - born January 6, 1778; married William Shelton in December 1798
Jesse - married Tabitha Hicks
John - born September 6, 1782; married Elizabeth Legrand Glenn on January 11, 1829; died March 1, 1869 in Blandinsville, IL
Susanna - born @1785; married Walker Goodwin
James W - born @1787; married Sarah Shelton; died June 18, 1850
Winifred - never married and served as overseer of the poor of Camden Parish
Tabitha - married Meredith Jennings on Dec 14, 1807

In 1777, Thomas Mustain and both of his sons, Jesse and Avery Mustain, are listed as having taken the Oath of Allegiance while serving in Captain Crispin Shelton's Company in the defense of Virginia during the revolution.

Pittsylvania Country courts records mention Jesse more than once. On September 21, 1779 he was recorded as being severely in debt to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In October of 1782 a case was dismissed in which he was accused of misconduct.

Prior to 1782 Jesse had already set up housekeeping with his (already large family) separate from his father. Jesse is listed on the 1782 Heads of Households with 8 white souls. His father, Thomas, is listed with 7 white souls. The first census of the United States taken in 1785 lists Jesse Mustain with 9 white souls, 1 dwelling, and 3 other buildings. Thomas is listed with 4 white souls, 1 dwelling, and 4 other buildings. Jesse's younger brother, Avery, is listed with 4 white souls, no dwelling and no other buildings. (Avery built his home in 1788 - date is on north cornice of house - on Whitethorn Creek.)

On November 6, 1791, Thomas Mustain, "being weak in body," wrote his will:
To my beloved wife Mary Mustain, a sufficient maintenance suitable to her circumstance, as long as she remains a widow; To my son Jesse, 200 acres to be taken off the upper end of the tract that I now live on: Beginning at the upper N corner and running down the N line onto the S line, making his complement; The balance of the tract of land I live on to be sold to the highest bidder giving 18 months credit; To daughters, Rebecca and Molly, twenty shillings each; To daughters Mary Ann and Sally, ten pounds each;
To son Avery Mustain and daughters Anna Buckner, Milly Keesee, Tabetha Bruce, Winney Lewis, and Saludy Shelton one equal part of the money from the sale of the land; To Thomas Mustain, son of Jesse Mustain and his wife Jenny, has promised to live with me and my wife during our lives for which I give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Mustain a tract of land on both sides of Mayes Creek, 170 acres, and 1/3 of my moveable property; The balance of my moveable property to be divided among my last six named children. I appoint son, Jesse Mustain, and Joel Shelton executors.

Signed by Thomas Mustain (with his X). Witnessed by Frances Irby, Nathaniel Farris, and Griffith Dickinson. Vincent Shelton and Charles Lewis, Jr. gave security for the executors. This will was entered into court on November 21, 1791.

Unfortunately, it was not long before Jesse died. Family lore says he fell from his horse while intoxicated. On June 1, 1795, Polly Mustain, widow of Jesse, mortgaged her dower of 66 2/3 acres to Samuel and David Pannill for thirty pounds. On August 21, 1797, Jesse's son Thomas was made legal guardian to Jesse's minor children. Also in 1797, the whole plantation, including Polly's dower, was sold to Benjamin Gosney and passed out of the Mustain family.

In 1817, Gosney sold the property to Richard Whitehead for $2,840. When Whitehead bought roughly the other half of the Mustain tract in 1811, he had, in effect, the land to which Thomas Mustain was given patent by George II. Around 1836, Richard Whitehead made structural changes to the house: moving the south and north doors (front and back) on the 2nd floor, as well as adding a wall to make a center hallway corresponding to the new placement of doors. Richard and his wife, Pency, were buried together near the house, but in 1934 they were removed to Chatham, VA.

Event-Misc:
Type: Will Proven

Thomas married Mary Haley in 1748 in , Halifax, Virginia, USA. Mary was born in 1722 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1791 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mary Mustain