James Bush Jr

James Bush was born in Lancaster County before 1764 to James Bush and Margaret. His father wrote his will in November of 1765 and it was recorded in August of 1766. The will left his estate to his wife and instructed that it be equally divided among the children after her death or marriage. In December of 1781 when James was named as the administrator his father's estate an inventory was ordered and the estate was split into six shares. James Bush, Peter Bush, Betty Bush, Nancy Bush, Peter Riveer and Peggy Mason each received shares. Peter Riveer was named as a son-in-law and executor of the will in the will of James Bush, the Bush daughter he married must have died before 1782.

James Bush was also granted guardianship of his younger siblings, Peter and Betty, who were still under 18 in December of 1781.

James married Fanny Jarrett in Lancaster County on March 8th, 1782. They may have had as many as six children, but only their son, Thomas, was listed by name in the will of James.

The 1782 real estate tax list for Lancaster County showed that James owned 100 acres. Many of the early records in the series are missing or so damaged they are unreadable, but James' name was also listed as owning 100 acres each year from 1787 to 1797. Jame's name also appears on the personal property tax lists each year from 1782 to 1812 (except 1808 when the General Assembly failed to authorize counties to collect the tax). James was always recorded as owning a horse and most years he owned two. He was also recorded as owning a slave several years. He was never taxed for owning a carriage or other "luxury" items. In these earliest tax records after the Revolution James and his brother Peter were the only Bushes listed in Lancaster County until they were joined by his son, Thomas.

In the 1810 census the James Bush household was recorded as containing; 1 male 10-15, 2 males 16-25, 1 male over 45, 3 females 16-25 and one female over 45.

James Bush wrote his will on August 15th, 1791 and stated that he was "sick and weak, but of perfect sense and memory." James recovered from his illness and lived many more years. After 1791 the personal property taxes show that he went many years without owning any slaves, I assume that his illness left the family in a weak financial position. James' will was not recorded until July 20th, 1812 in Lancaster County court. In the will he gave the use of all his estate real and personal to his wife, Fanny, during her widowhood for both her maintenance and the education and maintenance of "my children." At the death or marriage of his wife, James instructed that his land, plantation and gun should go to his son Thomas and the remainder of his estate should be equally divided "among all my children." He named his wife and brother as the executors of his will.

At a meeting of the court on September 21st, 1812 an inventory and appraisal of the estate of James Bush was ordered but I have found no record of the order being carried out or any other court filings.