Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameNancy Hardesty
Birth1775, Virginia
Census1810, Henry Co, KY
Memoroll#6, pg 357
Census1820, West Port, Henry Co, KY
Memoroll#22, pg 234
Census1830, Henry Co, KY
Memoroll#37, pg 284
Deathaft 1830
Misc. Notes
Based on census records, it appears that she died after the 1830 census. Perhaps it was her death that prompted Richard’s move to Indiana about 1832.
Spouses
Birthabt 1770, Frederick Co, VA
Death1840, Decatur Co, IN
BurialMowrey Cem, Decatur Co, IN
Memowas the Wesley Chapel Cem on the Nelson Mowrey farm
FatherTunis Wells (1745-1809)
MotherSarah (-~1783)
Misc. Notes
It is assumed he was born in Frederick/Berkeley Co, VA or Westmoreland Co, PA since he was apparently born between the time of (his grandfather) Richard’s death in 1769 and the final sale of the property in Berkeley Co, VA in 1772 when Tunis clearly settled in Pennsylvania. What is uncertain is where Tunis lived during that period.
There is a Richard Wells listed as having received £3 from the Washington Co (PA) treasurer in 1793 for wolf scalps; Keyhole Spring '90.
He and his brother William apparently migrated to New Castle, Henry Co, KY and settled there by 1796 according to Dorothy’s data and the birthplaces of his children.
Marriage records from Henry Co KY confirmed that Sarah, Elizabeth and Letitia are daughters of Richard Wells. Richard showed up on the 1805 tax list for Henry Co. He and his brother William are listed together in the 1810 Henry Co KY census:
males 4<10, 1=10-16, 1=26-45 female 1<10, 2=10-16, 1=26-45
According the Harding history (below), Richard served in the War of 1812. The only Richard Wells listed for the Kentucky Soldiers of the War of 1812 is on the roll of Captain George Stockton’s Company, Third Regiment Kentucky Mounted Riflemen (pg 17) where he is listed as a Private, enlisted 5 Sept 1812 thru 12 Oct 1812.
1820 Henry Co KY census:
males 3<10, 2=10-16, 1=26-45 female 2<10, 2=10-16, 1=26-45
1830 Henry Co KY census:
males 1=15-20, 1-20-30, 1=60-70 female 1=15-20, 2=20-30, 1=30-40, 1=50-60
His son Isaac and brother’s son William are also listed on this census. His son William may be the older male listed with him, since Wm didn’t marry until 1837.
Richard Wells sold 100 Ac of land on Harrods Creek, Henry Co KY to Wm. Graves on 25 June 1832 for $400 - Richard made his mark. He and several of his children migrated to Indiana somewhat thereafter.
He and William Spurgin (his son-in-law) signed away their land rights on 3rd May 1834 for 50 pounds, which was used as surety for his marriage license to Elizabeth Snead, widow of Patrick Snead Jr. Richard made his mark on the document on the Oldham County document.
On 20 Oct 1834 Richard was issued Land Patents #14683 and 14684 for adjacent plots of 80 and 76.3 Ac respectively in Range 9-E, Township 10-N, Section 7 of Decatur Co, IN. The documents were registered in Indianapolis and signed by President Andrew Jackson.
Harding’s 1915 HISTORY OF DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA mentions that "Richard Wells, a soldier of the War of 1812, is buried in the Wesley Chapel cemetery on the Nelson Mowrey farm. It is impossible to locate the grave with certainty." But about 1920 it was renovated by Nelson Mowrey, who erected a wall around the graveyard.

Richard’s will is dated 11 May 1838 & recorded 2 Nov 1840 in Decatur Co, IN - as follows:
The last Will and testament of Richard Wells.
I, Richard Wells of Decatur County Indiana being infirm in body but of sound mind doth hereby set forth my last will and testament as follows by.
1st I will and bequeath my soul to God who gave it. My body to be buried in a Christian-like manner.
2nd My just debts to be paid.
3rd I bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Spurgen and William Spurgen, one dollar
4th To my daughter, Margaret Wells, one dollar.
5th To my son Isaac Wells, one dollar.
6th To my son, John Wells, one dollar.
7th To my son Thomas Wells, one dollar
8th To the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth Blake, one dollar.
9th To my son William Wells, one dollar.
10th To my son David Wells, one dollar.
11th To my daughter Lecticia Stewart, one dollar
12th I will and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth Wells the benefit of all my estate not heretofore devised during her life or widowhood or till her children that are my heirs come of full age, then her to have the third part of all both real and personal estate and the two thirds to be equally divided amongst her children that are my heirs and at her death whatever part may remain of her third part of the estate aforesaid to be equally divided amongst her children that are my heirs and that my wife be fully authorized to dispose of as much of my personal estate as will pay the lawful demands that is herein devised or otherwise. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th day of May 1838.
Richard (X) Wells
Acknowledged in presence of us.
David Douglass
William Burton
Recorded Nov 2nd, 1840 H. H. Talbott, Clerk.
Marriage22 Mar 1788, Baltimore Co, MD
ChildrenSarah Ann “Sally” (1793-1863)
 Margaret “Peggy” (1795-1863)
 Isaac Newton (1799-1876)
 John Haston (1801-1878)
 Thomas (1802-1899)
 Elizabeth (~1805-<1835)
 William (1809-1863)
 David (1810-1852)
 Letitia (1814-1880)
Last Modified 28 Mar 2023Created 5 Aug 2023 using Reunion on a Mac