Abstracts of unrecorded wills prior to 1790 on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, Volume XI, Part 3

Author: Pelletreau, William S. (William Smith), 1840-1918
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, [N.Y.]: Printed for the Society
Number of Pages: 60


USA > New York > New York City > Abstracts of unrecorded wills prior to 1790 on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, Volume XI > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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brothers, Onesimus and Shubal, are to be divided. My son Thomas is to have the time of my apprentice, Abel Barnes. I leave to my wife Rebecca, the use of the house where I now live, and all household goods and movables. I make my sons, John and Thomas, executors.


Administration bond for £100 given by Thomas Scurlock, vintuer, John Dun, taylor, and James Waters, on estate of William Hardnett, April 17, 1718.


In the name of God, Amen. December 29, 1714. I, WILLIAM WILKENSON, now resident of Flushing, in Queeus County, Gent., being sick and weak. I leave to


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being 7 acres, bounded west hy Thomas Mulford, north my loving friend, Matthew Loe [Low!], all my estate and make him executor.


Witnesses, William Donghty, Thomas Foord, Han- nah Sleigh. Proved, August 7, 1717.


In the name of God, Amen. May 10, 1718. I, HENRY BREVOORT, of the Bowery, in the Ont Ward of New York, yeoman, being very sick. All just dehts to be paid in some convenient time. I leave to my eldest son, John, £5 for his Birthright, as Heir at Law, and as a bar forever to the same. I leave to my said son John, all my estate, real and personal, which did be- long to my first wife, Mary Brevoort, deceased. I leave to my wife Jacamintie, all my estate, real and per- sonal, during the time she remains my widow, for the hringiug np of my children until of age. But if it shall please Allmighty God that my wife Jacamintie shall marry again, then I leave } to my children, John, Abraham, Henry, Elias, and Jacoh, and the other half after my wife's decease.


Witnesses, Hendrick Ellis, Samnel Benson, Henry De Myer. I make my wife and my brother, Elias Brevoort and Ahraham Bnckbey [ Bnckbee], executors. Proved, July 16, 1718.


In the name of God, Amen. February 17, 1710. I, HENDRICK VANDEBRULE, of New York, vintner, being very sick. I leave to my wife, all my estate while she continues to be my widow. But if she marries she is to have one third. I leave to my eldest son, Ahraham, £5, over and above the rest of my children (not named). I make my wife executor.


Witnesses, Filbert Clock, Edward Penant, Robert Kisbet. Proved, August 25, 1718.


The widow, Mary Vanderhnle, was then dead. The children were: John and Hendrick, both under age, and Abraham, who was 17 years old, and had chosen Harmanns Rutgers and Johanes Meyer, to be his guar- dians, and Letters of Administration were granted to them.


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In the name of God, Amen. December 29, 1715. I, SAMUEL WOODRUFF, of Southampton, in Suffolk Coun- ty, yeoman, being well in health. All debts and duties to be paid. I leave to my wife Hester, the east end of my dwelling house with ye Chamber and garett over the same, with the east part of the leanto joining the house, and } of the cellar and harn, and the free nse of the well, during her natural life. And } of all lands, meadows, and Commonage, and a negro slave, John, and £20. I leave to my son Samuel, all my buildings after the decease of my wife, and all my lands, meadows, and Commonage. But if he dies under age, and I have no other son, I leave the same to my eldest daughter, Mary Woodruff, the said dwelling honse and barn where I now live, with my Home lot of land adjoining to the same. Aud all my laud lying east of and adjoining to my home lot, and my 2 acres of land at Captain's Neck. All the rest of my lands I leave to the rest of my children. I leave to my daugh- ter Mary, £25 when of age, and the nse of the second row of apple trees, running east and west, on the south side of my orchard at Seabonack. I leave to my daugh- ter Hester, £15, when of age. I leave to that child my wife is now bigg with, if a son, £40, if a daughter, £15. The rest of my movable estate to my wife and my son Samuel. I make my beloved hrother- in-law, John Davis, of East Hampton, and my friend, Elde. Ephraim White, of Southampton, and my wife, ex- ecutors.


Witnesses, Jeremiah Jagger, Josiah Halsey, jr., Thomas Reed. Proved at Court of Common Pleas, in Southold, September 26, 1717. Confirmed hy the Gov- ernor, August 20, 1718. At that time the widow Hester was the wife of Jonah Rogers.


[NOTE,-Samuel Woodruff was the eldest son of John Woodruff (2nd), who died in 1703, and whose will is recorded in the "Lester Will Book," in Suffolk Co., Clerk's office, and printed in Pelletreau's " Early Long Island Wills." The homestead of Samuel Wood-


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ruff (and of his father before him), on the east side the twentieth part, till my wife's decease, then he is to have } of the whole. All the rest to my wife, and I make her executor.


Witnesses, Edward Penant, Dirck Egbertson, Isaac Bratt. Proved, December 3, 1717.


of Southampton Street, was sold hy his son Samuel to Francis Pelletreau in 1726, and now belongs to the heirs of Josiah Foster. The Woodruff farm included all the land on the south side of the road to Bridge Hampton, east of the homestead, and extended to Old Town Street. The sou, Samuel Woodruff, moved to New Jersey, and was a very prominent man. The old In the name of God, Amen. February 21, 1711. J. MARY BROUBARD (alias Deschamps), of New York, wid- Woodruff house, sold to Francis Pelletreau, was the ow, being sick. I leave to my dear son-in-law, Andrew Stuckey, and to my dear daughter Mary, his wife, all my estate of every kind, and I make him executor. I desire my executor to give to the elder of the French Church of this city £3, for the Poor of said Church. (Signed) MARIE BROUSSARD.


last on Long Island which retained the old-fashioned rhomboidal panes of glass, once in universal use, and for this reason was known as the "House with Dia- mond windows." -- W. S. P.]


In the name of God, Amen. June 15, 1717. I, ABRA- HAM BRASHER, of New York, turner, being weak it body. I leave to my son Luke, all the working tools as belongs to my trade, and my largest gun. All the rest I leave to my wife Elizabeth, during her widow- hood. But in case it shall please God that my wife shall be disposed to alter her condition and marry, she shall resign up all lands, teuements, and goods to my children, hut no division to be made nntil my youngest son, Ephraim, is of age. I make my wife and Mary Bickley, and Dr. John Norhury, executors.


Witnesses, Thomas Grigg, Owen Hughs, Thomas


(In the probate the widow Susannah Brasher was confirmed as executor. Perhaps the name of Elizabeth in the will was an oversight.)


In the name of God, Amen. December 7, 1716. I, CORNELIUS TIMBER, of New York, mariner, being in perfect health. I leave to my wife Cornelia, one large silver Tankard, one silver Tea Pot, a gold chain, and all other wearing apparell. I leave to my brother, Peter Timber, £20, out of every £100, which my estate shall amount to. Also all my wearing clothes, my gun and cartouch box. But if he conseut to stay withont


Witnesses, Cornelius Lodge, Ohadiah Hunt, Angus- tus Grassett. Proved, January 6, 1717.


[NOTE .-- Mary Brousard was the widow of Baviot Brousard (alias Deschamps), who lived ou the sonth side of Petticoat Lane, or Marketfield Street, next to the French Church .- W. S. P.]


In the name of God, Amen. January 11, 17 +2. I, MARY HOWELL, of Southampton, in Suffolk County, Gentle- woman, being sick and weak. I leave to my son, Ed- ward Howell, that 12 acres of land at Meacocks, lying at the north end of my brother Jonah's close, lately deceased. And a £50 right of Commonage, and the Home Lot at the Town, and the mill lot, all of it that comes to me hy my brother, Jonah Fordham. And a lot of meadow at Captain's Neck, lying by Samnel Woodruff. I leave to my sou Benjamin, 11 acres of land lying at Meacocks, beginning at the south west corner of the Close that was my brother Jouah's, late deceased. And it is my will that he shall keep my danghter, Mary Howell, during her life with meat and lodging. I leave to all my sons all the rest of my lands lying at Meacocks gate, that came to me by my brother, Jonah Fordham. lately deceased. I make my son, Edward Howell, executor.


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honse I now live in, which is for my wife during her widowhood, and afterwards to be his. Also my lot of land in Georgica hither neck, lying between Thomas Mulford and Thomas Baker. Also 12 acres in the North West plains, next to Thomas Chatfield's laud, the whole length of that Division. And all my piece of land lying near the sonth end of the Calf Pastore,


UNRECORDED WILL8.


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Witnesses, Nathaniel Howell, John Howell, Joseph Pain. Proved at Court of Common Pleas, in Sonth- ampton, March 29, 1717.


[NOTE .- Mary Howell was daughter of Rev. Robert Fordham. Her husband was Edward Howell, son of the Founder of Southampton. Her brother, Rev. Jonah Fordham, was born in 1633, and died in Sonth- ampton, July 17, 1696. He was pastor of the church in Hempstead from 1660 to 1680, and for several years minister of a church in Brookhaven. The lands at Mecocks were on the east side of what is now called " Atlantic Avenne," and south of the road to the bridge over Sagg pond. Across the main highway at this point was Meacocks gate. The Home lot at Town is prohably the homestead formerly of the Mackie fam- ily, and now owned by Mrs. Mary Ann Allen. Ed- ward Howell, the husband, died in 1699 .- W. S. P.]


In the name of God, Amen. February 15, 1744. I, JOHN COCK, of Oyster Bay, on the Island of Nassau, In the name of God, Amen. May 11, 1717. I, JOHN OBLINUS, of Harlem, on York Island, reed maker, being sick. I leave to my eldest brother, Peter Oblinus, 1 shilling, sterling money, and no more. I leave to my husbandman, being well in health. I leave to my two sons, Thomas and Dauiel, all my land situate and lying hy James Woods land in the New Purchase of Oyster Bay. Also all my land which I formerly bonght brother Hendrick, all my wearing apparell. To my of Daniel Seaman and Adam Wright, in the said New eldest sister, Mary, one gold ring of the value of 12 shillings, and one to all her children except Lena and Jacobns. The said Lena having at the present time a silver snuff (1) box as her legacy. I leave to her son Jacobus, £23, and a pair of Gold shirt buttons. I leave to my sister, Josantie Vermilias, a silver snuff box, and my bed and furniture, and a cupboard, and to her husband, Isaac Vermillias, and to her children, each a gold ring of 12 shillings value. I leave to her daughter Altie, £25, and to her eldest son, Tunis Cosea, £50. I leave to the wife of my brother, Henricus Oblinus, aud to all her children except Casantia, a gold ring, valne 12 shillings. I leave to her daughter Casantia, Purchase. Also all that 30 acres of land which I hought of John Townsend, deceased, in said New Purchase. I also leave to my two sons £20 each when of age. I leave to my other three sons, John, Hezekiah, and James, all the rest of my housing and lands, which I have in Oyster Bay. I leave to all my sons, all my meadow, creek, and creek thatch, which I have within the Patent and Township of Oyster Bay. I leave to my daughter, Hannah Pryor, £30. To my daughter, Maribah Cock, £6. To my sons, John, Hezekiah, and James, each £100. To my son Daniel, my riding horse which I bonght of Jacob Carr, and my silver headed cane. I leave to my wife Dorothy, all the rest of £25. I leave all the rest of my estate to my brother movahle estate. If she marries she is to have £100, Heuricus, and to my sisters, Mary Aldrich aud Josan-


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over against it, purchased from John Alsop, and the lot commonly called the Pasture lot, adjoining on the home lot, and the land lying on the Hills, commonly called the Hill Pasture, and that land purchased from my brother Thomas, adjoining to the Pasture Lot, to my wife Elizabeth, during her natural life, and then to my son Benjamin, and his heirs and assigns. I order that my lot of land adjoining to Stephen Lucas' land, and my other lot of land joining on John Rodes, on the Hills, be sold by my executors. to pay debts.


All the rest of my lands and real estate I leave to my son Dauiel, and he is to pay £50 due to Thomas Smith, being part of purchase money for land bought of him. I make my wife executor.


Dated this 8 day of -, 1715. Witnesses, William Nicoll, Catharine Sawyer, George McNish. Proved, May 20, 1717.


[NOTE .- Anthony Waters came to Jamaica from Southampton, L. I., where on March 6, 1659, he bought a house and lot of Samnel Dayton. Ou December 19, 1696, he sold the same to George Harris. He is then mentioned as " of Jamaica, in Queens County." -W. S. P.]


In the name of God, Amen. April 15, 1715, in the First year of the Glorious Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King George [1st]. I, WOLFERT WEBBER, of the Out Ward of New York, yeoman, enjoying yet good health, hnt beiug ancient. I make my well beloved son-in-law, Philip Minthorne, of the Out Ward, wheel wright, executor. All dehts to be paid, aud au inven- tory to be made. I leave to my daughter Anneken, wife of Jacques Fonteyn, of Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, £2, 108., as a preference for her hirth- right, wherehy I do utterly cut her off from being my Heiress at Law. I leave to my granddaughter, Geertie Fonteyn, danghter of Jacques Fonteyn, a silver cup of the value of £8, for her being called after the name of my wife, Geertie Wehhers, deceased. I leave to my


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and the rest of movables to my children. I make my wife executor.


Witnesses, George Townsend, Thomas Smalling, Witnesses, Peter Bussing, Benjamin Corsen, John Samnel Barker. Proved at Court of Common Pleas, Archer, Edward Fitzgerald. Proved, August 10, 1717. December -, 1717.


(Written in the French Language.) Au Nom Du


DBON, of New Rochelle, in Westchester County, being sick in body, and knowing that there is nothing more certain than Death, and nothing more uncertain than the honr. I will that 60 acres of the 205 which I own, shall be sold to pay dehts. I leave to my wife Leah, one third of what remains after paying my dehts, with power to dispose of it as she will. I leave to my wife Leah, the nse of the other two thirds during her life, and then to my children as follows : If God shall give to my wife a male child, she being now pregnant, it shall have six Livres in money, and a horse and a sword and a pair of pistols. But if it be a daughter she shall have six Livres in York money. It is my will that my wife shall remain in possession of the shares of my children, Magdalene and the child that my wife may have. My wife is to retain as a gift, all the fur- niture and other movahles that belong to her. I desire my brother-in-law, Talcot, and Andre Naudin, Jr., with my wife, to he executors.


Dated January 16, 1744. My executors are not to permit any wood to be cut on the premises, except for the use of said lands. Witnesses, Lewis Guion, Jr., Alexander Allaire, David Cycort (Sicart?). Proved, May 4, 1717.


[NOTE .- The word " Livres " in the will, was doubt- less intended as the equivalent of Pounds .- W. S. P.]


In the name of God, Amen. I, ANTHONY WATERS, of Jamaica, iu Queens Connty. I leave to my son An- thony, and my two daughters, Elizabeth and Abigail, all my lands in New Britain, in New Jersey, equally. I leave my dwelling house and home lot and the pastnre


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(Written in the French Language.) Au Nom Du Pere, Du Fils et De St. Esprit, Amen. I, DANIEL JAN- DIN, of New York, being sick. I leave my body to be


In the name of God, Amen. I, ALEXANDER STEWART, of Richmond County, being sick. I leave to my son Alexander, all the land where I now live with all hous- ing, and £50 when he is of age. I leave to my daughter Catharine, the sum of £200 when she is 18 or married. I make my wife Catharine executor with power to sell, with the advice of John Johnston, Daniel Lake, and John Stillwell.


Dated February 11, 17 +4. Witnesses, Lambert Gar- rison, Hans Christopher, Duncan Olpherts. Proved, July 26, 1717.


In the name of God, Amen. I, GEORGE DUNCAN, of New York, being very weak in body hnt of sound mind, do make my last will and testament. I leave to my eld- est son, Michael, my best horse and best gun, and my silver hilted sword, and silver headed cane, and my on the sonth from the Out Ward on the north, and the chest and wearing apparell. I leave to my danghter Frances, my cane with a gold head, and a locket for her neck, one pair of rings in a small black box, a gold bod- kin for her hair, two pair of gold huttons, and a ring


Out Ward embraced all the rest of Manhattan Island. The farm left to his son-in-law, Philip Minthorn, was well known in later days as the "Minthorn Farm." It was on the east side of the Bowery and extended with three small stones. I leave to my son George, three from First Street to Fifth Street. Its eastern boun- dary was Orchard Street. The alley known as Extra pair of gold buttons, and small rings set with Cornel- ians, and other articles of a similar kind. I leave to my danghter Christiana, a gold bodkin, two lockets, two pair of gold huttons, a ring set with three blne stones, and a ring with her mother's hair in it. "I leave to my danghter Mary, a gold whissel with three Place is in the south side of the farm. Mangle Min- thorne, a representative of this family, had a danghter, Hannah, who married Governor Daniel D. Tompkins. -W. S. P.]


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granddaughter, Geertie Minthorn, daughter of Philip Minthorn, a silver cup of the valne of £8, for her being called after the name of my wife Geertie, deceased. I do ratify and confirm the devise and bequest which I huried according to the wishes of my executors. After have willed and declared to the said Jacques Fonteyn, and his wife Annekeu, and to Philip Minthorn, and all dehts are paid I leave all the remainder to my dear wife, Catharine Jandin, during her life, to enable her to hring np my children in the fear of the Lord, as a good mother such as she is, will do. And I make her executor. (Names of children not given.) Hillegard his wife, each au eqnal part of my land at Poughkeepsie, in Duchess County, containing and bounded as by the several writings may appear, and made March 7, 1712. I leave to Philip Minthorne and his wife Hillegarde, all that my dwelling honse and lot, Dated August 21, 1712. Witnesses, Jean Lapons, Alexander Moore, Elias Neau. Proved, April 1, 1717. orchard, and pasture, with all that certain parcel of land at the Bowery, on the south side of Captain Blagge, joining the Kings farm commonly called the Negroes farm, about 32 acres, with all appurtenances. All the rest to my children eqnally.


Witnesses, John Conrad Codwise, Peter De Reimer, Isaac De Reimer. Proved, Fehrnary 5, 1717. At that time John Conrad Codwise was dead.


[NOTE .- Wolfert Wehber's name is connected with two important tracts of land in New York. A large tract of low land extending from the Bowery nearly to Cherry Street was known as Wolfert Webber's Mead- ows. There was a clear spring of water between Mott and Mulberry streets, and from this a hrook or rivulet wound its devious way through the meadows, and emptied into the East River at what is now James Slip. This stream separated the Montgomerie Ward,


UNRECORDED WILLS.


tie Vermillias. I make Hendrick Ohlinus and Isaac Vermillias, executors.


In the name of God, Amen. June 1, 1706. I, Pere, Du Fils et De St. Esprit, Amen. I, PIERRE GEN- JACOB HABTA, of Staten Island, being in good health. I leave to my wife Catharine, all my estate during her life, but if she comes to marry she shall have two thirds. I leave to my 5 children hy my said wife, viz .: Charles, Sophia, Cornelia, Johanes, aud Benjamin, £10 each. My oldest son, Bartholomew, is to have the choice of my horses, or £8, in money, before the rest of my children. The rest to all my children.


Witnesses, Matthias De Decker, William Hilyer, Samnel Osborn. Proved, December 12, 1717. Letters of Administration granted to wife Catharine.


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gold balls, and a beryl in it." Whereas it has pleased God to afflict my son James with an impediment in his eyes, and I am doubtful of his being capable of any other business, than being a farmer, I leave him my farm whereon I now live, with two able men slaves, with all the stock and utensils. And my silver snuff hox with my name engraved on it, and my reading glasses, and case. I leave to my son Thomas my second hest gnn, and a silver toothpick case, and a silver snuff box. All the rest of my estate I leave to my six children, Fran- ces, Michael, George, Christiana, Thomas, and Mary. I make Adolph Philipse, Esq., Col. Jacohus Van Cort- landt, and Mr. Peter Barberie, executors.


Dated January 16, 1715. Witnesses, Richard Ed- sall, Samuel Moore, Francie Duncan.


In the name of God, Amen. I, GILBERT A8H, of New York, merchant, being weak in body. After funeral charges and dehts are paid, I leave all my estate to my wife Eleanor, and to my children, Elizabeth and Gilbert. My executors may sell estate. And I make my wife executor, desiring my loving friend, Mr. Gabriel Ludlow, to be aiding to her.


Dated June 11, 1717. Witnesses, John Crooke, Cor- nelius Lodge, Isabella Davis, Richard Reeves. Proved, March 10, 17}7.


[The will of Cornelia De Peyster may be found in Vol. II of this series, page 298. The following affi- davits are in papers on file with the original will .- W. S. P.]


ANDRIES MARSCOUR COCK, of New York, upon oath sayeth, " That he about 30 years ago, he had lived six years with widow Cornelia De Peyster, and did then keep shop, and sold goods to persons indifferently. But


Mary Blood testifies, " That about li years ago she left the widow De Peyster, with whom she had lived 2 understand English.


years. And about 9 years before that she had lived


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hannis Hibon, aged about 7 years, a silver cup marked Cornelius Paine, 10 shillings each. I leave to my G. H. B. I leave to my daughter Gertrude, my large granddanghters, a good lace cap, every one of them. gold ring. To my daughter Catharine, the least of my All the rest of my goods I leave to Mary Merrow. I gold rings. To my daughter Helena, a silver spoon. make Charles Hole, of Sonthold, and my daughter, My house and lot on the Broadway, where I now live, Mary Merrow, executors. is to be sold hy my executors, to the highest hidder. Witnesses, Edward Huntting, Henry Merrow, Sarah After all dehts are paid, I leave the remainder to my Rolt. Proved, February 19, 172}. "Governors fees four children, and the money to be put at interest until 10s. Secretarys fees £2."


they are of age. I make my loving friends, Peter Post, of Hoboken, New Jersey, and Johanes Hyer, of New York, cooper, executors.


Witnesses, Stephen Deblois, John Debois, Henry De I leave to my daughters, Elizabeth Jackson, Grace


Myer. Proved, November 25, 1727.


In the name of God, Amen. I, SAMUEL HALLETT, of Newtown, in Queens County, being sickly and weak. Hewlett, Mercy Cornell, and Martha Hazzard, 2 horses, 2 cows, six yearlings, and £210 which is due to


In the name of God, Amen. February 8, 172g. I, me hy the hond of John French, of New York, and £24 HANNAH KNOWLING, of Shelter Island, widow, being due me from said John French and his son-in-law, Ed- sick. I leave to my daughter, Mary Merrow, a negro ward Earle, and also the produce of a certain horse girl, Tamor, and my trundle bed with all its furniture. now in the hands of Edmond Haynes, and all my house- Dated the 17 of 11 month called January, 1723. Wit- nesses, Joseph Clement, Silas Titus, William Willis, And my Great Iron Pot, and Great Brass Kettle, pew- hold goods except a cedar chest and £4 in the hands of ter platters, basons, and plates, and two silver spoons, my son, Samuel Hallett. All to be divided equally be- Jr. Proved, February 22, 172}. The executors and and my Great Bible, and a warming pan and black tween them. I leave to my son Samuel, all the rest of witnesses are all Quakers. mare, and my silk hood and scarf. I leave to my my estate, real and personal, and he is to pay all dehts. grandson, John Merrow, when of age, a negro boy, and And he is to pay £6 to my granddaughters, Mary Cor- my daughter, Mary Merrow, is to have the use of his nell, Hannah Washburn, and Sarah Hazzard. I make labor till her son is of age. And she shall pay to my my son Samuel, and my son-in-law, James Hazzard, grandson, Thomas Par, son of John Par, £6. I leave executors. to my grandson, John Merrow, my best bed which I Dated October 7, 1716. Witnesses, Joseph Hallett, lie on, with all the furniture. I leave to my daughter, Thomas Jones, Peter Berrian. Proved, May 16, 1727. Hannah Hopkins, a trundle bed, with its furniture, and an Iron kettle, my Silk Crape Gown, and petticoat.


Be it remembered that I, CHRISTOPHER DINGEE, of I leave to William Paine's daughter Sarah, an iron Westhury, in the township of Hempated, Queens Coun- pot. I leave to my son-in-law, John Par, my deceased ty, yeoman, being very sick, do make this my last will husband's best suit of clothes, and to his danghter


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with her for the space of 7 years. That the said Mra. cil, to the will of Cornelia De Peyster, he believes that Cornelia De Peyster did understand some English words, and hut few, hnt she could not understand a it was in Dutch, and that he had been at her honse, but never heard her speak English. That when this Codicil was executed, the persons present were Cor- nelins De Peyster, Isaac De Peyster, Johanes Beek- man, Daniel Bonticon, and John Beekman, and no other except one woman. And he does not remember that it was read in his presence. whole discourse, or not a whole sentence. And she says that she, the deponent, was often called upon to assist in the shop, when any English people were there, and used commonly to talk to them, and interpret to her, when none of her relations were there to interpret. That she could speak hut some words of English. And that when the last wife of David Provoost (who was an Englishman) used to come and see her, she nsed to call the deponent to interpret, which she, the said Cornelia De Peyster, would not have done in any man- ner of ways, if she understood English, for she inter- preted several things which she believes they would not be desirous she should know. And that when this deponent was last married, the said Cornelia De Peys- ter was desirous to see her husband hnt sayd I don't know how to understand him. And deponent said that her husband understood Dutch, which gives her greater reason to believe that she did not understand English. That deponent afterwards heard her say, that she loved her grandchildren, the children of Mary Spratt, as her own, and heard her also say, that were it not that their father-in-law [step-father], David Provoost, was obliged to maintain them, or if they had their estate, in their own hands, she would give them board for nothing, hnt it would be giving it to a stranger, not to make David Provoost pay for it. No- vember 1, 1721.




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