“Saml. W. Y. Muse was born on the 28th day of December 1819” [Muse family Bible record, Library of Virginia Archives/Manuscripts Call Number 28056]

In 1832, orators and oratrices Elizabeth Y. Muse wife of Samuel Muse, and Mary Augusta, Lucy Ann, Catharine E. C., and Caroline L. Muse, and yr orator Richard J. Muse and Samuel W. Y. Muse the sd Sml W. Y., Mary Augusta, Lucy Ann, Catharine E. C. and Caroline infants under 21 by Richard J. Muse their next friend complained that on 19 November 1825 William B. Matthews conveyed to one Lawrence Muse a variety of property in trust for the support of your orators and oratrices and the said Samuel Muse. In 1832 Lawrence Muse died, and no one has been authorized to oversee the said Samuel Muse in the management and disposition of the property. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 43, item 43-A-10.]

In about 1848, orators and oratrice Samuel W. Y. Muse and Peter S. Trible and Lucy Ann his wife complained to the Chancery Court. That in ____ Samuel Muse conveyed in trust his estate to his brother Laurence Muse for the benefit of his family during the lifetime of himself and his wife. Laurence died and the court appointed Richard J. Muse trustee. Samuel and his wife are now dead, leaving six children to wit Richard J. Muse, Samuel W. Y. Muse, Lucy Ann Muse who married Peter S. Trible, Caroline Muse, Catherine Muse and Anna Muse the last three infants under the age of 21. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 41, item 41-F-32.]

1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 609, Family 593
Muse, S. W. Y., 40, farmer, $3700 real estate, $4835 personal estate
Muse, Sarah J., 21
Muse, Thomas, 3
Muse, Jno. Richmond, 1
Carter, Lucretia, 54, house keeper
Covington, Richd, 25, laborer
All were born in Virginia

1870 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Millers Tavern Post Office
Page 145
Muse, Samuel W. Y., 50, male, white, farmer, value of real estate $1,700, value of personal estate $200, born in Virginia
Muse, Sarah J., 31, female, white, keeping house, born in Virginia
Muse, Thomas, 13, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Muse, John R., 11, male, white, farm labrorer, born in Virginia, born in Virginia
Muse, Charles H., 9, male, white, at home, born in Virginia
Muse, Lucelia A., 7, female, white, at home, born in Virginia
Muse, Willis Y., 4, male, white, at home, born in Virginia
Muse, Robert W. F., 2, male, white, at home, born in Virginia
Brockenbrough, Lucy, 16, female, mulatto, domestic servant, born in Virginia, cannot read or write

On 21 April 1873, Theodore Carlton, S. W. Y. Muse and Thomas H. Brizendine waived the benefit of a homestead exemption and as to this obligation were bound $150. Thomas Carlton qualified as administrator of the personal estate of Lewis Carlton deceased. Signed Theodore Carlton, Saml W Y Muse, Thomas H Brizendine. Ordered recorded 21 April 1873. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 29, pages 318–319.]

On 11 June 1873, an appraisal of the personal property of Lewis Carlton deceased was made by S. W. Y. Muse, Samuel Davis and Reubin B. Boughton, Jr. Total $100.47. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 29, pages 379–380.]

“Died on the 19th May 1874 S.W.Y. Muse in the 55th year of his age” [Muse family Bible record, Library of Virginia Archives/Manuscripts Call Number 28056.]