James Bush Sr

James married a woman named Margaret and had at least six children. Some un-sourced family trees claim that Margaret's maiden name was Riveer.

James wrote his will November 16th, 1765. He stated that he was "weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory." The will also stated that he resided in Christ Church Parish in Lancaster County. His desire was that his whole estate be given to his wife, but if she married or died it would be equally divided amongst his children. He named his wife and son-in-law Peter Riveer as executors of the will. The will was proven on August 18th, 1766. Margaret apparently did not re-marry and lived on until the end of 1781. In December of that year their son, James Bush, was granted administration of the estate (possibly Peter Riveer refused since there was now a son of age). The estate was ordered to be inventoried and divided.

Items of interest in the inventory of James Bush were; nine pewter plates, nine pewter spoons, a dutch oven, a set of scales, a spinning wheel and a loom. A number of cattle, pigs and sheep were recorded along with one old mare. The estate was split into six shares. James Bush, Peter Bush, Betty Bush, Nancy Bush, Peter Riveer and Peggy Mason each received shares. Each child (or widow of child in Peter Riveer's case) received goods valued at 8 pounds 14 shillings and nine pence plus 88 pounds 16 shillings and six pence in cash. The cash payment was probably for the sale of land of slaves but those documents have not been found yet.