The subject of this narrative was the son of John Outten of Accomac County, Virginia. This John Outten was a son of John Outten, Sr., and a grandson of John Outten the Pioneer.
In the records at the Accomac Court House is found the following statement: On February 21, 1767, the estate of John Outten, deceased, was settled. On motion of Jesse Outten, who taking the oath and giving bond, he was granted letters of administration on the estate of John Outten, deceased.
Jesse Outten came to Delaware soon after his fathers death, and his name is first recorded on the assessment list of Broad Creek Hundred, in 1785. The first reference to his owning real estate was made November 8, 1793, and the property was called Jesse Outtens Vacancy. It was situated along the shore of the Nanticoke River, and about a mile and a half above Cannons Ferry. No deed is recorded for this property but he obtained a deed for Outtens Free Hold, and it was probably the same piece of land. The survey was made December 13, 1793.
Another property that was owned by Jesse Outten was called Stevens Landing. It was also in Broad Creek Hundred, and on the South side of Nanticoke River. There were Fifty-two (52) acres and fourteen (14) perches, and it was sold at administrators sale June 26, 1812 for $26.00.
Jesse Outten died in 1809. His name appears for the year 1807, on the assessment list, but his personal tax is marked off indicating that he died before the assessment was paid.
He left three sons, Isaac, Purnell, and Jesse Jr. Isaac and Purnell were the administrators of their fathers estate. In the administrators sale, Isaac Outten purchased Stevens Landing June 26, 1812 for $26.00, and on the same date he purchased Outtens Freehold for $56.00.
The sons of Jesse Outten Sr. were named Isaac, Purnell and Jesse Jr. Isaac was a mariner, and his name appears on the assessment list of Broad Creek Hundred from 1803 to 1828. Isaac died Wednesday, January 28, 1835.
Purnell Outten was associated with Isaac in the administration of his fathers estate. He was a ship-carpenter by trade. On March 5, 1810, Purnell Outten and Nancy, his wife, sold to James Huffington, a tract of land on the South side of Nanticoke River, about two acres, for $175.00. It probably means two hundred (200) acres. He was on the assessment list in Broad Creek Hundred from 1803 to 1836. Purnell and Nancy were the parents of James F. Outten, who was on the assessment list from 1827 to 1836.
Jesse Outten Jr. married Elizabeth Meekins of Accomac County, March 28, 1808. He died intestate in 1827, leaving his children orphans.
On December 13, 1793, a tract of land was surveyed for Jesse Outten along the shore of the Nanticoke River, and on the East side as follows:
Surveyed for Jesse Outten, the 13th of December 1793, a tract of land called Outtens Free Hold, beginning at a white oak standing on the East side of Nanticoke River at high water mark; thence S. 23 1/2 W. 70 P. to pine; thence with Ruterdam S. 50 E. 150 P. to red oak. First boundary of Beauchamps Unexpected Choice; thence with the same N. 50 E. 60 P. to white oak; thence with Pine Grove N. 22 W. 40P to white oak; thence N. 35W. 60P. to white oak; thence N. 62 W. 86 P. to a chestnut standing on the River bank; Thence 55 1/2 W. 10 P. home at the boundary.
Jesse Outten also owned a piece of land in the same section called Outtens Vacancy, but the writer is unable to locate these farms, except the River Boundary, as he does not know where Ruterdam was. But Jesse probably owned this land until his death in 1827. He probably died very unexpectedly, for he did not make any will. It is very likely that he died a young man, for he left his three children orphans.
On April 4, 1827, Nancy Outten, widow of Jesse Outten, made application to the Court of Sussex County, for her share of the property. Jesse Outten died intestate, and at the time of his death he owned one hundred (100) acres of land with improvements thereon, situated in Broad Creek Hundred. The Court appointed five (5) freeholders to go upon the land of said intestate and lay off to the said Nancy Outten, widow of said intestate, one-third as her dowry. And the remaining two-thirds were to be equally divided the three children, Purnell, Isaac, and Jesse Outten.
The five freeholders then reported to the Court, April 27, 1827, that they had discharged their duty, and the manner in which they had divided the property. This order of the court was evidently for the purpose of protecting the orphan children.
Jesse Outten Jr. was on the assessment list in Broad Creek Hundred form 1803 to 1833, but he should have been marked off in 1827.