John Nusz immigrated from Germany sometime prior to 1840 for he married another German immigrant Philibina Kulmer in Jefferson County in November 1839. By the 1850 census they were living in Shepherdsville with three children: Louisa, William and George. John was listed as a shoemaker. Living with them were two other shoemakers, Frederick Jasper and Philibina's brother George Kulmer. John Nusz also owned a milling operation along Cedar Creek, south of Salt River that he had bought from William Temple in 1845.
John Nusz also purchased Shepherdsville Lot 51 from Richard Fell that same year. Then in 1847 he made arrangements to obtain Lots 49 & 50 from Robert F. Samuels.
By 1854 John and Philibina had five children, adding Mary and Holbert. Then in June he sold the mill lot along Cedar Creek to Vardiman Crenshaw, appearing to concentrate his business efforts in Shepherdsville. Then the river flooded the town, and an outbreak of cholera swept through the community. Becoming ill and fearing the worst, John Nusz made his last will and testament on July 2, as shown below.
Both John and Philibina died two days later.
Following their deaths the town lots descended to their five children equally. Louisa, William and George jointly sold their shares to Andrew Gild in March 1868; Mary sold her share to Andrew in January 1872; and Andrew purchased Holbart's share in February 1874.
Bullitt County Will Book E, Page 199
In name of God Amen. I John Nusz of Shepherdsville, Ky., do make this as my last will and testament. First, I commend my soul to God and wish to be buried in a decent manner.
1st. I wish all my just debts to be paid. Peter Colmer has $216.50 in gold which is money of my wife. Peter Colmer has $100 Bank Ky. note which is my own money. He has my gold watch also. I will unto my daughter Louisa, my oldest daughter, one hundred dollars cash and my gold watch. The balance of my estate to be equally divided between my above named daughter and the balance of my children, share and share alike. First, give my wife her third of my estate after payment of my debts. I request that when this will goes to record that the court will appoint a suitable person to administer on my estate.
Witness my hand this 2nd day of July 1854. (signed) John Nusz.
R. F. Samuels & Andrew Gilt, witnesses.
State of Kentucky
Bullitt County Sct.
The foregoing last will and testament of John Nusz dec'd was on the 17th day of July 1854 produced in open court and proven by the oaths of Andrew Gilt and Robert F. Samuels to be the last will and testament of said John Nusz. Whereupon said will was ordered to be recorded which is truly done in my office. (signed) R. H. Lansdale, D.C. for R. F. Samuels, Clerk.
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 21 Jul 2025 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/john-nusz-will.html
