Josiah Hulse Records in Frederick & Berkeley Counties, Virginia 1749-1800

There were two distinct Hulse families living on or near the Potomac River in Frederick (later Berkeley) County, Virginia at the same time.  The two families were located about 25 miles apart as the crow flies but nearly twice that far via the twists and turns of the Potomac River.  

  •  Josiah Hulse (c1715 – 1778), who had come from New Jersey, was living near the mouth of Sleepy Creek before 1749. Sleepy Creek empties into the Potomac River about 25 miles upstream from Shepherdstown.
  • Richard Hulse (? – 1770), also apparently from New Jersey, appears to have arrived in or near Shepherdstown (then called Mecklenburg) shortly before 1770 when he and his wife died.  

A wagon road existed between Philadelphia and Winchester that was probably the route followed by people from New Jersey and New York into western Virginia. It would have crossed the Potomac River via ferry about a mile from Mecklenburg.


c1748-9
Apparent Survey: for Josiah Hulse on Sleepy Creek, referenced by the 1753 survey below.

The survey of 7 May 1753 (see below) refers to Josiah Hulse’s “former survey”, the grant for which appears to be the 334-acre grant of 1760.  This former survey must have been executed prior to May 1753 and the 1749 bond below implies that he was already established don Sleepy Creek by that year.  There are no surveys for Josiah Hulse in 1747 or later extant according to Peggy Shomo Joyner’s “Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Frederick County, 1747-1780.”  

However, Guy Broadwater, the surveyor, published his “Field Notes and Surveys” in 1749 which included his surveys in and around Sleepy Creek, Warm Springs, and New Creek.  While I haven’t uncovered that document yet, the surveys in it must have predated 1750 and apparently contained the Sleepy Creek survey for Josiah Hulse.

15 November 1749
Bond: Henry Kipp and Thomas Lester, both of Piscataway at the Landing in Middlesex County in the Province of New Jersey, Cooper and Miller, are held and firmly bound unto Josiah Hulse of Sleepy Creek in the County of Frederick in the colony of Virginia, Cooper, in the full and just sum of £34 current money of the Province of East New Jersey… the condition of the above obligation is… (to) truly save and keep harmless the above named Josiah Hulse… from all damages that may arise from a seartain bond that the sd. Josiah Hulse gave to Mr. Williams attorney at Law at New Brunswick in the Province of New Jersey conditioned for the payment of £16 (and) odd shillings… Signed: Henry Kipp, Thomas Lester. Witness: James Dunbar, John White. [Frederick County Deed Book 2, p46.]

Josiah Hulse was surely from New Jersey — note that he was in Frederick County at least two years before Rickard Hulse was married in New Jersey just a short distance from Piscataway.  New Jersey records are either not preserved or inaccessible for this time period, so identifying Kipp, Lester and Williams seems impossible at the moment.  Note that bonds were typically for twice the amount at issue.

Sleepy Creek was (is) a tributary of the Potomac River, located in the part of Frederick County that became Berkeley County in 1772.  Josiah Hulse is apparently living on the survey referred to above, which will not be granted until 1760.

15 February 1750/1
Road Order:  Ordered that Josiah Huls be Overseer of the road from Sleepy Creek to the Widow Paul’s in the room of Hugh Paul deceased. [Frederick County Order Book 3, p387.]

He evidently continued in this capacity for eleven years before being replaced (see below).  Hugh Paul, who had died in 1749, lived a few miles southeast of the mouth of Sleepy Creek. 

c1753
Warrant:  for 18 April 1753 Survey for Edward McGuire, assignee of Valentine Crawford, forfeited by Henry Dorset, 343 acres on Sleepy Creek near Potomac adjacent to (according to warrant) Rose’s orphans & Josiah Hults.  [Peggy Shomo Joyner, Abstracts of Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Frederick County 1747-1780, Vol. II, p101.]

4 April 1753
Survey: for Edward McGuire (see above) “Beginning at a Chestnut a corner to Jonathan & Isaac Rose… the line of John Coulter…  [Survey associated with Grant in Northern Neck Book O, p93 dated 12 September 1767, original file at Library of Virginia.]

I did not see a warrant in the survey file at Library of Virginia, thus am depending on the secondary source.  The survey itself does not mention Josiah Hulse.  

4 April 1753
Warrant: Whereas Josiah Huls of Frederick County hath informed us that there are about one hundred acres of waste & ungranted land in the said County adjoining his own line & the lines of Roses orphans and desiring a warrant to survey the same in order to obtain a deed… Thomas Rutherford to survey the said land… [FHL Film #007849175. Also Library of Virginia Northern Neck Grants files.]. (Underlining added.)

7 May 1753
Survey on above warrant:  for Josiah Huls of Frederick County, 89 acres… on Sleepy Creek and bounded as followeth: Beginning at five poplars standing on the East side of the said Creek in the last line of his former survey, then with this same line N50E 38 poles to two black oaks on a hill, thence with another line S43E 93p to a white oak and poplar… (Signed) Thomas Rutherford.  Chain men: John Coulter, Lucas Hood.  Paid 9 July 1760.  [FHL Film #007849175. Also Library of Virginia Northern Neck Grants files.]. (Underlining added.)

The grant was issued seven years later. The reference to “his own line” and “the last line of his former survey” appears to refer to the grant issued on 4 July 1760, the survey for which evidently predated this one and was likely done in the mid or late 1740s..  The line heading N50E appears to be the same as the line heading S50W in the 4 July 1760 grant.

15 March 1754
Quitclaim Deed: Samuel Swanson to Richard Mount, both of Frederick County, Virginia, for £14 “pensilvany currency”, assigns his rights to a tract “adjoyning to ye River of Potomack above William Williams land and Daniel Osmond land”. Signed: Samuel Swanson. Witness: William (his x mark) Williamson Jr., Richard Hulse.  [Part of Survey File for Ebenezer Brewster — Item 3&4 in file online at Library of Virginia as image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/226/0353_0360.pdf]

Is this the same Richard Hulse who died in 1770?   Note that he signed his own name whereas the 1770 will was signed by an “RH” mark.

Samuel Swanson obtained a warrant dated 25 September 1752 (the 25th year of George II’s reign, see the item in the same file) and is here assigning it to Richard Mount. Richard Mount had it surveyed in 1755 and later assigned it to Ebenezer Brewster who received a patent for the land in 1761, Both Richard Hulse and Josiah Hulse figured in these transfers.

2 April 1754
Suit: Josiah Hulse vs. Robert Jackson & Samuel Cornwell, in Debt. The Def’ts not being found this suit is ordered to be dismissed. [Frederick County Order Book 5, p351.]

5 May 1754
Survey: for Thomas Harmison, assignee of Thomas Swearingen, assignee of Lucas Hood, assignee of Thomas Cherry, no warrant, 247 acres surveyed 5 May 1754 at head spring of Ambrose Run below Sleepy Creek near Potomac River.. Chain Carriers: Josiah Hults & Wm. Smith. [Peggy Shomo Joyner, Abstracts of Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Frederick County 1747-1780, Vol. II, p69.]

5 June 1754
Josiah Hults (sic) vs. Daniel Cannady & Charles McDonehy(?) in Debt.  …a jury was “duly elected, tryed, and sworn to Try the Issue Joined between the sd. parties do say We the Jury do find for the pdf £7:11:3 (plus) interest Debt and One penny damages.” The court ordered defendants to pay plaintiff £7:11:3 plus interest from 12 August 1750 and one penny damages. [Frederick County Order Book 5, p501.]

The implication is that the debt became due and payable on 12 August 1750, so Josiah Hulse must have been in the vicinity some time prior to that date.

7 February 1755
Receipt: This day received of Josiah Hulse £22:10s Curr’t. Money on the Account of the Effects of Daniel Rose dec’d… (Signed) Tho. Swearengen…  Thomas Swearengen in Open Court Acknowledged the Receit (sic) to Josiah Hulse which on the Motion of the sd. Josiah is admitted to Record. [Frederick County Deed Book 3, p415.]

Daniel Rose had died in Frederick County about 1747 leaving a wife named Hannah.  Was Josiah the administrator of his estate?  Or had he married the widow Hannah and retained some of Daniel Rose’s property?.

Thomas Swearingen was the Deputy Sheriff at this time. He later founded Mecklenburg (renamed Shepherd’s Town in 1798) on land he was granted on the south bank of the Potomac where he operated a mill and ferry.  It isn’t clear whether he was acting in his official capacity or as a private individual.. 

30 March 1755
Survey for Richard Mount of 118 acres on Potomac River adjacent to Daniel Osborn, surveyed by Thos. Rutherford. Chain carriers: Daniel Osborn & Thos. Williamson. [Part of Survey File for Ebenezer Brewster — Item 5 in file online at Library of Virginia as image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/226/0353_0360.pdf]

This land was originally claimed by Samuel Swanson who assigned his warrant to Richard Mount. (see above).   This is included in this file because Josiah Hulse partially financed the purchase of this grant by Ebenezer Brewster and Richard Hulse witnessed the transfer from Mount to Brewster.

3 April 1755
Survey: Philip Crimson, assignee of Isaac Pearce, assignee of Thomas Stilwell, 208 acres on Sleepy Creek adjoining Josiah Hults. [Northern Neck Grants Book S, p95. Grant not issued until 5 September 1780.]

7 May 1755
Court: Josiah Hulse, Andrew Paul and Pierce Butler severally in open court acknowledged themselves indebted to our sovereign Lord the King his heirs and successors, the sd. Josiah in the sum of £100 and the said Andrew and Pierce in the sum of £50 each… in case the sd. Josiah do not appear at the next Grand Jury Court… to answer what shall be objected to him in his majesties behalf as a receiver of stolen goods.
Same Court: Thomas Willswell (?) and George Hill acknowledge themselves bound… to give testimony a the next Grand Jury Court… to give evidence in behalf of our Ld. the King ag’st Josiah Hulse for receiving stolen goods. [Frederick County Order Book 6, p250.]

The following Grand Jury sessions do’t seem to have any mention of this case.

6 June 1755
Suit: Josiah Hulse and Hannah his wife vs. Andrew Campbell & Thomas Cason, in Debt. This suit being agreed is ordered to be dismissed. [Frederick County Order Book 6, p324.]

It might be worth pursuing the question of whether Josiah Hulse had married Hannah, the wife of his neighbor Daniel Rose, since that would make the mother of his children someone other than Hannah.

2 September 1755
At a court martial held [for Frederick County] 2 Sept. 1755… Delinquents of Capt. John Harden’s company of Foot. The following were fined for missing 1 muster…John Hultz…  [Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia’s Colonial Soldiers (Genealogical Publishing Col, 1988) , p351. Also reported with slightly different text by Amelia C. Gilreath, Frederick County Virginia Deed Books 17 and 18, 1775-1761, Plus Early Troop Records 1755-1761 (1993), p216. ]

I wonder if “John” might have been “Josiah”, as there is no other mention of a John Hultz that I could find in Frederick records.  (There was a John Hust.) Capt. John Hardin replaced Thomas Rutherford as Captain of the company in 1754 and served through at least 1758.   The original record should be consulted. 

5 March 1756
Suit: Robert Worthington ag’t John Hults, on Petition. The Def’t failing to appear the Pl’f made Oath to his Account. Judgement is granted the Pl’f agate him for £3:1:9 and costs. [Frederick County Order Book 7, p42.]

Another mention of a John Hults. There are a few references in Frederick County to a John Hust, but the name in this record is clearly written as “Hults” here and in the order book’s index.

9 June 1757
Suit:  James Lemon ag’t Josiah Hulse, on Petition. The summons not being executed the suit is dismissed. [Frederick County Order Book 7, p255.]

James Lemon died about this time. The suit was continued by his son and executor, Thomas Lemon, a merchant in Winchester.  This was one of many suits for small debts brought against residents of Frederick, apparently attempts to collect overdue bills.

3 May 1758
Suit: Thomas Lemon, Exec’r of James Lemon Dec’d ag’t Josiah Hulse, on Petition. The Def’t failing to appear the Pl’f proved the account whereupon Judgment is granted for £1:15:3 and cost. [Frederick County Order Book 8, p39.]

9 April 1759
Assignment: written on the 30 March 1755 survey:  I the said Mount signed over the with(sic) wright___ of of (sic) land to Ebenezer Brewster for a consideration, as witness my hand in the presence of Samuel Swanson, Richard Hulse.  Signed: Richard Mount. [Part of Survey File for Ebenezer Brewster — Item 5 in file online at Library of Virginia as image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/226/0353_0360.pdf]

See bond dated same day (below)

9 April 1759
Bond (Promissory Note):  Ebenezer Brewster of Frederick County bound to pay to Richard Mount of Frederick County £18:12 “pensalveney money” on or before the 25 day of December next ensuing.  Signed: Ebenezer Brewster. Witness: Samuel Swanson, Richard Hulse. [Part of Survey File for Ebenezer Brewster — Item 6 in file online at Library of Virginia as image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/226/0353_0360.pdf]

See 1 December 1761 and 19 June 1765 below.  Richard Hulse and Josiah Hulse were both involved in this transaction. Note: As per custom, the actual bond amount (£37:4) was twice the amount owed.

3 July 1760
Land Grant: Josiah Huls, 89 acres on Sleepy Creek (for description, see survey of 1753 above.). [Northern Neck Grants Book K, p173.]

4 July 1760
Land Grant: Josiah Huls, 334 acres on Sleepy Creek surveyed by Guy Broadwater. Beginning at a forked red oak standing on the point of a hill near Sleepy Creek, extending up the creek S42E across the creek at 68p, the same course continued 20p, then S31W 42p to two gums standing at the edge of the sd. Creek, then into the woods S50W 260p to a large pine in a valley cross’d the Creek at 12p, thence N32W 180p to a pine on a high hill, then N58E to the beginning…[Northern Neck Grants Book K, p174.]

This is the “former survey” referred to in the 1753 survey. The S50W line crossing the creek is the same as the N50E line beginning at the creek in that 1753 survey.

28 July 1760
Land Grant: Josiah Huls, 125 acres on Sleepy Creek and the Potomac River, surveyed by Guy Broadwater. Beginning at an ash corner to Ann Moody standing near Potomac Rive, extending down the said River S40E 60p, then S35E 60p, then S53E 30p, then S64E 40p, then East 40p to an elm and black walnut standing at the mouth of Sleepy Creek, then up the said Creek S34W 18p, then S59W 20p, then N82W 16p, then S82W 17p, then N57W 54p to a white oak standing near Sleepy Creek at the foot of a hill, then S20W 80p, thence N70W 100p to a white oak standing in the line of the said Ann Moody then with her line 90p to the beginning… [Northern Neck Grants Book K, p174.]

Ann Moody’s grant, also issued in 1760,  was for 337 acres on the south bank of the Potomac River [Northeren Neck Grants Book K, p166.]

5 March 1761
Road Order: William Cherry is Appointed Overseer of the road from Sleepy Creek to the Widow Pauls in the room of Josiah Hulse.  Ordered that the Tithables formerly appointed work on the same. [Frederick County Order Book 9, p276.]

18 May 1761
Poll taken at the Election of Burgesses, Frederick County… (Voting for) Col. Geo. Washington… Josiah Hultz…  [Murtie J. Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 1732-1774 (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999), p549.]

Richard Hulse and the mysterious John Hulse are apparently not freeholders of Frederick County.  No way to check to see if either might have lived across the river in Frederick County, Maryland.

9 October 1761
Fine: At a court martial held [for Frederick County] 9 October 1761… From Capt. Thomas Caton’s company: The following fines were levied: fined 10 shillings for being absent from 1 general muster…William Cherry, John Mercer, Josiah Hultz, Adam Pain…(26 more names).  [Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia’s Colonial Soldiers (Genealogical Publishing Col, 1988) , p345. Also reported with slightly different text by Amelia C. Gilreath, Frederick County Virginia Deed Books 17 and 18, 1775-1761, Plus Early Troop Records 1755-1761 (1993), p216. ]

Adam Payne’s grant was separated from Josiah Hulse by the Ann Moody grant.

1 December 1761
Receipt: Received of Ebenezer Bruster in full of the bond within… Signed: Richard Mount. Witness: Josiah Huls, Paul Huls. [Part of Survey File for Ebenezer Brewster — Item 7 in file online at Library of Virginia as image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/226/0353_0360.pdf]

The second witness name is scrawled but appears to read Paul Huls.

10 September 1762
Order: Ordered that John Hardin pay Josiah Hults Sen’r and Josiah Hults Jun’r 100 pounds of tobacco for six days attendance as witnesses for him against Jonathan Rose. [Frederick County Order Book 10, p227.]

1764
Rent Roll, Frederick County: Josiah Hults [According to ancestry.com]

19 June 1765
Deposition:  “The deposition of Josiah Huls aged fifty years being sworn on the Holy Avangelists  (sic) of almighty God deposeth and saith that in the year 1761 he this deponent lent one Ebenezer Bruster the sum of £10:10 to pay one Richard Mount the last payment for a survey of land being on partomack river above the mouth of (Cocopen?) joyning on the lower side of Daniel Osborn’s survey and that he this deponent saw the said Rich’d Mount Receive the said payment and acknowledged himself fully satisfied for said land… sworn before me this 19th day of June 1765″ (Signed:) Thos. Swearingen.
Deposition: The deposition of Hannah Huls of full age being sworn… deposeth and saith that in the year 1761 she this deponent saw one Richard Mount signe and deliver to Ebenezer Bruster an assignment for a sartain tract of land being on partomack River… sworn before me this 19th day of June 1765. (Signed:) Thos. Swearingen. [Part of Survey File for Ebenezer Brewster — Item 7 in file online at Library of Virginia as image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/226/0353_0360.pdf]

This item appears heavily abbreviated in Peggy Shomo Joyner’s Abstracts of Virginia’s Northern Neck Warrants and Surveys, Volume 4.   I viewed the original record and included my own transcripts as above..  

9 August 1765
Suit: Josiah Hults vs. Daniel Rawlings in Case. Dismissed agreed by parties. [Frederick County Order Book 12, p528.]

3 September 1767
Suit: Josiah Hults vs. Daniel Rawlings & Michael Rawlings, in Debt. Referred to next court.[Frederick County Order Book 13, p129.]

5 May 1768
Suit:  Josiah Hults vs. Michael Johnstone, in Case. (Summary: Jury called and ruled that plaintiff “hath sustained damages by occasion of the premises in the declaration mentioned and they do assess his damages to one penny besides his cost.”  Court ordered that plaintiff recover against the defendant and Jonathan Rose (his) bail for his appearance.). [Frederick County Order Book 13, p257.]

5 August 1768
Road Order:  Ordered that John Hardinger jur, Henry Heath, John Geestin [Gustin?] & Josiah Hults or any Three of them being first Sworne do View the Ground from the Warm Springs to the County line & make Report of the Conveniences & Inconveniences that may attend the opening a Road on the same to the Next Court. [Frederick County Order Book 14, p318.]

4 April 1769
Road Order: Ordered that Thomas Thornbrough Jonathon Rose Lucas Hood & Josiah Hults or any Three of them being first Sworne do View the Ground from Thomas Cherrys ford to the Warm Springs Road by Lucas Hoods & Report the Conveniences & Inconveniences that may Attend the turning the same. [Frederick County Order Book 14, p451.]

7 August 1769
Suit: Josiah Hults ag’t. John Johnstone, in Case… dismissed being agreed by the parties. [Frederick County order Book 14, p531.]

9 March 1771
Suit Paul Hults vs. John Cherry, in Trespass. Ordered this suit be discontinued. [Frederick County Order Book 15, 1770-1772, p158.]

The son of Josiah Hulse.  Josiah Jr. having apparently died, Paul has become the eldest son and heir.

10 February 1772
Berkeley County (now West Virginia) carved out of the northern portion of Frederick County.  Shepherdstown fell into Berkeley County as did Sleepy Creek so all Hulses are now in Berkeley County.

15 June 1773
Thomas Hults is appointed constable the ensuing year in the room of Stephen Boyles… [Berkeley County Order Book 1, p333.]

Almost certainly this is a son of Josiah Hulse.  Stephen Boyle(s) had sold land to Jonathan Rose the year before, so Boyle’s constable district likely included Sleepy Creek.  Since the county had several constables, we might infer that Thomas Hults (Hulse) may have lived around Sleepy Creek. In addition, I note that Stephen Boyle gave a power of attorney to James Hulse (son of Paul Hulse) in 1795 to collect debts in Berkeley County.

Note that a portion of the index for this particular order book is unreadable, including many of the “H” entries.

21 September 1773
Suit: Peter Waggoner vs. Paul Hulse, in Trespass. [Berkeley County Minutę Book 1772-1774, p217.]

22 September 1773
Court: On the motion of Josiah Hults it is ordered that William Cummins pay him 225 pounds of tobacco for nine days attendance as a witness for him against John Champion. [Berkeley County Order Book 2, p2.]

He is no longer referred to as “Senior”.  Apparently Josiah Hulse Jr. has either left the area or died.

1774 etc.
Rent Roll of Berkeley County for the years 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777, etc.:
Josiah Hulse 538 acres
[Danske Dandridge, Historic Shepherdstown (The Mitchie Company, Printers, 1910), p67.]

21 April 1778
Administration Bond:  Jonathan Rose and Paul Hulse, Administrators of Josiah Hulse deceased, bond for £2,000. Securities: John [unreadable name], Stephen Boyle.   [Berkeley County Administrator’s Bonds 1773-1791, FHL Film #007617826, image 50.]

Paul Hulse was the eldest son but why Jonathan Rose?  Administration was, by law, offered first to immediate family members.  Was Jonathan Rose married to a daughter of Josiah Hulse? 

11 May 1778
Inventory & Appraisment: the estate of Josiah Hulse deceased appraised by Utter Spahar(?), William Withers and Aaron Cherry: (I did not transcribe it, but note that it included 5 slaves, 2 horses, several cows, other livestock…) Totaled £908:11:0. Returned 19 May 1778.   [Berkeley County Will Book 1, p129. Also noted in Order Book 3, p174.]

His wealth was largely in real estate, which was not subject to probate.

16 September 1778
Suit:  Elizabeth Hulse vs. Thomas Harmiston, in Case. This day came the Parties by their attorneys and the Defendant saith that they did not assume upon them selves in manner and form as the Plaintiff against them hath declared and of this they put themselves upon the Country and ____ & likewise and the Trial of the Issue is referred till the next Court. [Berkeley County Order Book 3, p251 and p316 etc. until Order Book 4, p17.]

Josiah Hulse had been a chain carrier for Thomas Harmison’s survey near Sleepy Creek in 1754 and that land either bordered or was very close to Josiah Hulse.  Elizabeth Hulse appears to be the widow of Josiah Hulse, evidently a wife subsequent to Hannah. Note that only an unmarried woman could file suit.  This suit was continued several times, and eventually discontinued.

13 May 1779
Willi: … I Jonathan Rose of Berkeley County… Item, I leave to my dearly beloved wife Anne or Naney the home an whole Plantation on which I now live in Berkeley County… which is 614 acres together with her choice two Horses and also her choice two Cows all the household goods and furniture and the Negro woman Jin together with all the Plows Harrows, wagon & their tackling During her natural life if she remains my widow but if she alters he condition marriage it is my will that she shall receive fifteen pounds Pennslvania (sic) Currency… Item I leave unto Elizabeth Harmison for and during her natural life that parcel of land belonging to me that is above the run that divides John Miers and his son Francis Myers.whereon Francis Myers lived on, also the negro girl caled (sic) Cate until the said Elizabeth Harmison Daughter Sarah is of age or married.  Item It is my will and desire that John Coulter shall have and hold for and during his natural life that Tract of parcel of Land belonging to me called the Poorman’s Habitation together with the resurvey I took upon it as far as the Run above his House.  Item It is my will and I do desire that Sarah the daughter of Elizabeth Harmison shall have and hold and her heirs forever all and singular my Lands and Tenements in Maryland and Virginia after the death of my beloved wife,  Elizabeth Harmison, and John Coulter…  (Debts to be paid by sale of stock ) at the discretion of my beloved wife Ann and my loving brother in law James Robinson whom I ordain as sole Executors…… Signed: Jonathan Rose . Witness: Thomas Mains(?), Paul Hulse, John Gillaspye. [Berkeley County Will Book 1, pp392.]

See also 16 August 1785.  This was poorly abstracted in a secondary source.  

It isn’t clear whether or not Jonathan Rose was married to a daughter of Josiah Hulse. On the one hand he was co-administrator of Josiah’s estate, a privilege normally reserved for immediate family members.  On the other hand James Robinson is called “brother in law”. Keep in mind that at this time in history, the term “brother in law” included any relationship created by a legal event — including a half-brother or (more rarely) the husband of a sister.  Note that the estate accounting filed in 1785 showed no payments to Ann Rose.

ca August 1779
Lease & Release Deed:  On the _____ day of ____ 1779… Paul Hulse and Eleanor his wife to Robert Hulse, all of Berkeley County, for five shillings, 89 acres… a certain tract of land granted by Patent unto Josiah Hulse bearing date the third day of July 1760… [same metes and bounds as the 3 July 1760 grant]. Signed: Paul Hulse, Eleanor (x) Hulse. Witness: James Small, John Swaim, Stephen Boyle.  Acknowledged by Paul Hulse and Eleanor his wife on 19 August 1779.   [Berkeley County Deed Book 5, pp308-10.]

Note that there is no release of dower by the widow of Josiah Hulse. Whether that was ignored or overlooked, or whether the widow was deceased, is uncertain from this record.

19 August 1779
Suit: Elizabeth Hulse ag’t Thomas Harrison, in Case. This suit is dismissed. [Berkeley County Order Book 4, p17.]

20 August 1779
Ordered that George Wessenberger pay Paul Hulse 125 pounds of tobacco for five days attendance for him at the suit of Wethers. [Berkeley County Order Book 4, p36.]

23 September 1779
Suit: Robert Hulse vs. Edward Hart, in Debt. The defendant being arrested and failing to appear… (The case was continued to 23 March 1780 at which time the case was dismissed by agreement of the parties.) [Berkeley County Order Book 4, p60, 61, 107.]

17 March 1780
Survey:  Surveyed for Robert Hulse on 17 March 1780, on Proprietors Warrant #1015, 367 acres “of vacant land on Sleepy Creek and the dranes thereof… on the side of a hill in the line of Josiah Hulse‘s patent of 334 acres…” adjoining Robert Hulse, Jonathan Rose, Robert Duke, Lucas Hood, Wm. Stuckey, Philip Crissman, John Meeks, Sleepy Creek. [Northern Neck Surveys No. 2 (1788-1794), pp379.]

This is an oddly shaped tract that apparently represented the vacant land surrounding the various earlier patents by Hulse neighbors.  Note that the warrant was issued by Fairfax, the proprietor, the survey was done in 1780 and held until 1791 and the grant issued until 1792.

23 March 1780
Suit: Robert Hulse vs. Jonathan Rose, breach of promise.  [Berkeley County Order Book 4, p112, 193, 238, 283, 468.]

This suit was continued several times, with Paul Hulse apparently serving as security for Jonathan Rose, and eventually resolved in favor of Robert Hulse.  Details were not provided in the record. Possibly an inheritance-related issue?

18 October 1780
Court: Ordered that Allen McDonald pay Paul Hulse 75 pounds of tobacco for three days attendance as a witness for him against McFarlane. [Berkeley County Order Book 4, p229.]

7 September 1781
Public Claim: Elizabeth Hulse of Berkeley County, furnished wheat to the troops. [Public Service Claims of Berkeley County, Virginia]

This appears in several indices, but I haven’t found the original record yet. She apparently assigned her right to a Samuel John.

1782 
Land Tax, Berkeley County 1st Battalion:
Paul Hulse – 125 acres & 141 acres
Elizabeth Hulse – 133 acres

I did not see Robert Hulse, but a few names are unreadable. How Elizabeth Hulse came to be charged with land tax is not at all clear — her dower interest in the land of a deceased husband was not a taxable item.  Josiah Hulse died intestate in 1778 and Virginia did not enact an inheritance law to replace primogeniture until 1784, so the eldest son would have inherited his land and his widow would have had only her dower right to it. Perhaps she was leasing land? 

24 October 1783
A List of Soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment who have received Certificates for the balance of there (sic) full pay… Sgt. William Hulse, Company H… £137:19:3…by whole Received: Capt. Shepherd.  [NARA Records, accessed at fold3.com]

1783
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County
District 7:  Paul Hultz – 1 poll, 1 slave under 16, 3 horses, 7 cattle
District 7:  Robert Hultz – 1 poll, 1 slave under 16, 2 horses, 2 cattle
District 12:  William Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses, 2 cattle

These tax lists are usually dated (submitted to the state) in the summer of the following year, but are for the year stated.  William Hulse is a son of Richard Hulse – a different family.

1784
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County
John Devenport’s District:  Paul Hulse – 1 poll, 3 horses, 7 cattle
John Devenport’s District:  Robert Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses, 2 cattle
John Cooke’s District:  William Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses, 2 cattle

16 August 1785
Will of Jonathan Rose proved by the oath of Paul Hulse.  The widow “refused to abide by the will as the provision therein made her not adequate t her right of dower which is ordered to be Certified.” [Berkeley County Will Book 1, p393.]

As the widow of a childless marriage, she was entitled to half the estate, but the will left her only a lifetime interest in a part of it.  If Ann was a child of Josiah Hulse, she had no issue.

29 September 1785
Appraisal: Estate of Jonathan Rose…presented 15 November 1785. [Berkeley County Will Book 1, p405.]

Nothing of genealogical interest.

1785
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County
Peter Bryan Bruin’s District:  Elizabeth Hulse – no white polls, 1 slave, 1 horse, 2 cattle
Peter Bryan Bruin’s District:  Robert Hulse – 1 poll, 1 horse, 2 cattle
John Cooke’s District:  William Hultz – 1 poll, 5 horses, 1 cattle

Odd, Elizabeth is listed, but not Paul.  What happened to Paul’s poll?

1785 
Land Tax, Berkeley County 1st Battalion:
Paul Hulse – 125 acres & 141 acres
Elizabeth Hulse – 133 acres

1786
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County
Peter Bryan Bruin’s District:  Robert Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses, 2 cattle
John Kearsley’s District:  William Hulse – 1 poll, 5 horses, 2 cattle
William Little’s District:  William Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses, 1 cattle

Paul Hulse is missing this year, and is not among those added later by the court.  Was he the first “William” Hulse above?  Or was he elsewhere? or taxed to someone else? 

The two William Hulse’s may be the same person counted twice. John Kearsley lived near Sheperdstown, as did William Little.

1787
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Paul Hulse – 2 males> 21 (Paul Hulse, Elisha Meeks), 3 horses, 4 cattle
Robt. Hulse – 1 male>21, 2 horse, 2 cattle
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County, 2nd Battalion:
William Hulse – 1 male>21, 1 horse, 3 cattle

1788
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Paul Hulse – 5 horses
Robt. Hulse – 2 horses

William Hulse is missing this year, has evidently left the area to move to the vicinity of Wheeling.  The format of the tax list changed significantly this year, listing horses and white males over 21.

1789
Personal Property Tax, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Paul Hulse – 5 horses
Robt. Hulse – 2 horses

Same as in 1788.  Both men gave in their taxables in November 

1789 
Land Tax, Berkeley County 1st Battalion:
Paul Hulse – 125 acres & 320 acres
Robert Hulse – 100 acres

Elizabeth Hulse is no longer taxed, but whether that is because she died or remarried is uncertain.

1790
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Robert Huls – 1 male >16, 1 horse
Paul Huls – 3 males >16, 4 horses

1791
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Robert Hulse – 1 male >16, 2 horses
Paul Hulse – 3 males >16, 2 horses, 1 slave aged 12-16

14/15 February 1792
Lease & Release Deed: Paul Hulse and Eleanor his wife of Berkeley County to Michael Crow of Frederick County, Maryland, for £150 Pennsylvania currency, 125 acres “laying on the river Potomack and joining on the mouth of Sleepy Creek… Beginning at an ash corner to Ann Moody but now belonging to Jonathan Rose’s estate…”  Signed: Paul Hulse, Eleanor (x) Hulse. Witness: Peter Light, (2 uncertain names). [Berkeley County Deed Book 10, pp180-184.]

20/21 February 1792
Lease & Release Deed: Paul Hulse and Eleanor his wife of Berkeley County to Christopher Dedrick of Berkeley County, for £282:10 Pennsylvania currency, 327 acres “on Sleepy Creek and surveyed for Josiah Hulse by Guy Broadwater and descended to Paul Hulse being his heir at law …  registered in the office of the said proprietor in Book K folio 174…”  Signed: Paul Hulse, Eleanor (x) Hulse. Witness: Peter Light, And’w Hart, George Frederick(?). [Berkeley County Deed Book 10, pp184-187.]

This cements the case for Paul Hulse being the eldest surviving son of Josiah Hulse.  The acreage has changed since the grant, perhaps due to a newer, more accurate survey.

This probably means that Josiah Hulse Jr. died young rather than left the area.

1792
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Robert Hulse – 1 male >16, 1 horse

Paul Hulse is no longer in Berkeley County after selling his land.

Paul Hulse appears in the 1793 and subsequent tax lists of Clark County, Kentucky with two males aged 16-20.  They were James Hulse and Thomas Hulse, who appear in the Clark County tax lists  when they reached 21.

20 June 1792
Account Current: Estate of Josiah Hulse, deceased, by Paul Hulse.  This accounting shows an appraised estate of £749:19:9 to which was added about £15 in small debt collections.  In a list of cash disbursements dated 16 May 1778 were listed  “Mrs. Elizabeth Hulse” £224:17:8, Mr. Rob’t Hulse  £89:17:0, Christ’n Brown £78:12:0, Elizabeth Blue £83:15:3, and several small payments to others. Five years later on 19 June 1783 a payment of £7:10:0 was made “to Jn’o Bellow on act of Jn’o Browns order”. Then on 12 and 15 November 1783 payments were made to Mrs. Elizabeth Blue of £7:12:6 and to Mr. Rob’t Hulse of £12:15:0. [Berkeley County Will Book 2, pp138.]

This was a much overdue submission, apparently triggered by Paul Hulse’s plan to leave the state.  If we assume that the large disbursements were made to the widow and children, Josiah Hulse left a widow named Elizabeth and children Robert, Elizabeth Blue, and the wife (or perhaps mother) of Christian Brown.   Note that Paul Hulse did not record a payment to himself, nor is there an indication of a payment to Jonathan Rose. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Blue must have been a widow — there were several Blues in the area, but I did not see a probate record for a Blue (Blew, etc.) in either Frederick or Beverley counties prior to 1778.

Neither Elizabeth Blue nor Christian Brown is among the taxables of Berkeley County in 1783.  It might be worth exploring where they were living during the 1780s.  

24 July 1792
Land Grant: Robert Hulse, 367 acres on Sleepy Creek.   [Northern Neck Grants Book W, pp73-77.]

This was the grant issued on the survey of 1780 (see above for the land description.) 

17 September 1793
Deed: Robert Huls and Mary his wife to Abraham Knots, all of Berkeley County, for £14, 100 acres, “…a certain part of a Tract of Land granted to Robert Huls… bearing date 17 of July 1792 for 367 acres… lying on the waters of Sleepy Creek… Beginning at Thomas Harmison’s line and running with the said line to his corner… Harmison’s Spring Run thence up the Spring run to Rose’s line…”  Signed: Robert (x) Huls, Mary (x) Huls.  Witness: Richard Culen, Absalom Knots, George Federick(?) , Ch. Wegener.  [Berkeley County Deed Book 11, p311.]

17 September 1793
Deed: Robert Huls and Mary his wife to William Hixson, all of Berkeley County, for £14:5:0, “a certain part of a Tract of Land granted to Robert Huls… 55 acres and one quarter and 10 poles, bearing date 17 of July 1792… Beginning at two poplars at the junction of Mountain Creek and Sleepy Creek corner to the Eastern Tract William Hixson’s…”  Signed: Robert (x) Huls, Mary (x) Huls.  Witness: Richard Culen, Absalom Knots, George Federick)?), Ch. Wegener.  [Berkeley County Deed Book 11, p312.]

1793
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Robert Huls – 1 poll, no horses
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 2nd Battalion:
William Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses

1793
Tax List, Clark County, Kentucky:
Paul Hulse – 1 white male >21, 1 white male 16-20, 5 horses, 5 cattle

Paul Hulse is now ensconced in Clark County, Kentucky

1794
Tax List, Clark County, Kentucky:
Paul Hulse – 1 white male >21, 1 white male 16-20, 4 horses, 14 cattle

1794
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 1st Battalion:
Robert Huls – 1 poll, 2 horses
Personal Property Tax List, Berkeley County, 2nd Battalion:
William Hulse – 1 poll, 2 horses

4 June 1795
Deed: Robert Hulse and Mary his wife to Matthias Nichols, all of Berkeley County, for £320 current money of Pennsylvania, 89 acres, “a certain tract of land lying on Sleepy Creek in said County granted to Josiah Hulse by patent dated the 3rd day of June 1760 and by Paul Hulse heir at law of the said Josiah conveyed to Robert Hulse in the year 1779…” Also 59.5 acres “part of a tract of 367 acres granted the said Robert Hulse by patent dated the 24th of July 1792…”  Signed: Robert (x) Huls, Mary (x) Huls.  Witness: John Turner, Georg Federick, Henry Shriver, John Nichols. [Berkeley County Deed Book 12, p156.]

Yet more proof that Paul Hulse was the eldest surviving son of Josiah Hulse.

4 June 1795
Deed: Robert Hulse and Mary his wife to Henry Shriver, all of Berkeley County, for £30 current money of Pennsylvania, 24 acres,  “part of a tract of 367 acres granted the said Robert Hulse by patent dated the 24th of July 1792…”  Signed: Robert (x) Huls, Mary Huls (sic).  Witness: Jno. Turner, John Nichols, George Federick, Matias Nichols, . [Berkeley County Deed Book 12, p157.]

6 June 1795
Deed: Robert Hulse and Mary his wife to Henry Glaycomb, all of Berkeley County, for £11 current money of Pennsylvania, 24 acres,  “being part of a tract of 367 acres granted to the said Robert Hulse by patent dated the 24th of July 1792…”  Signed: Robert (x) Huls, Mary (x) Huls.  Witness: John Vance, John Nichols, Fed. Shriver, . [Berkeley County Deed Book 12, p159.]

1795
Tax List, Clark County, Kentucky (consecutive):
Paul Hulce – 200 acres, 2 white males >21, 1 white male 16-20, 4 horses, 7 cattle
Thos. Hulce – 1 white male >21, 1 horse, 2 cattle
James Hulce – 1 white male >21, 2 horses, 10 cattle

20 June 1795
Power of Attorney:  Stephen Boyle to James Hulls, both of Clark County, Kentucky… to collect anything “belonging to me… by any person or persons in the State of Virginia…” Signed: Stephen Boyle. [Clark County Deed Book 1, p414.]

This is presumably the same Stephen Boyle who was replaced as constable by Thomas Hulse. James “Hulls” is the son of Paul Hulse. He will shortly move into adjacent Montgomery County, Kentucky.

1796
Tax List, Clark County, Kentucky (listed consecutively):
Paul Hults – 200 acres, 2 white males >21, 2 white males 16-20, 4 horses, 20 cattle
Thos. Hults – 1 white male >21, 2 horses, 3 cattle

19 August 1796
Deed: Simon Kenton & Martha his wife of Mason County, Kentucky to Paul Hulse of Clark County, for £5 current money of Kentucky, 200 acres on the waters of Stoner… which tract is part of Ebenezar Corn’s Preemption granted to [John] Craig and [Robert] Johnson [and] conveyed by them to sd. Simon Kenton… Signed: Simon Kenton. Witness: James Walker, John Baker, John McKee. [Clark County Deed Book 2, p11.]

1797
Tax List, Clark County, Kentucky (consecutive):
Paul Hults – 200 acres, 3 white males >21, 1 white male 16-20, 5 horses
Thos. Hults – 1 white male >21, 2 horses

James Hulse may already be in adjacent Montgomery County.

1798 – 1799
Clark County Tax Lists are incomplete and/or missing

1800
Tax List, Clark County, Kentucky (listed consecutively):
Paul Hults – 200 acres, 1 while male>21, 2 white males 16-20, 6 horses/mules
Richard Hults – 1 while male>21, 3 horses/mules
John Hults  – 1 white male 16-20, 3 horses/mules
Thomas Hults – 1 while male>21, 3 horses/mules
James Hults – 1 while male>21, 4 horses/mules