USA > New York > Suffolk County > Early Long Island wills of Suffolk county, 1691-1703. an unabridged copy of the manuscript volume known as "The Lester will book;" being the record of the Prerogative court of the county of Suffolk, New York, with genealogical and historical notes > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
+
74
Early Long Island Wills.
called ye Millpond & every son ye benefit of ye way without let or hindrance one of another which Mil- pond is to be equally divided between ye last four nominated only my will is that my loving wife Mary Sammis shall enjoy ye said Milpond to her only use & commodity until my son Silas comes to age if she remain a widow and after two third of it until my son David comes to age if she continues unmarried else ye use thereof to whom it is given-Also I give & bequeath to my five sons John, Silas, David Isaac & Jeremiah all my meadow lands with all its rights & privileges that I have at our South as our records & my conveyances makes manifest equally to be divided amongst them and all lands & meadows aforesd to remain to them & their heirs forever- But if either or any chance to die without lawful issue then his or their part or parts to be divided amongst ye survivors-Also my will is that (they) have all my Smith tools and be bound apprenticed to a smith & my son David to a tailor & my desire is that my brother in laws Abram & Isaac Corey be helpful to these two of their nephews that they may be placed in sober families --
Item-I give & bequeath to my loving wife two feather beds that was hers & that ye girls lyeth on with its bed clothes thereto belonging-Also one third part of ye pewter & brass one chest one mid- dling iron pot & one small pot more also four cows two oxen & my sorrel mare only her first colt my will is my son Isaac shall have & half of my sheep-
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. 75
Item-I give & bequeath to my daughter Debo- rak one feather bed in ye chamber & bedclothes & bedstead & her mothers chest & all her mothers clothes & one third part of my pewter & brass & a great iron pot & two cows & my old horse & ten sheep-
Item-I give & bequeath to my daughter Han- nah one feather bed yt I lie on with all its furniture and whereas there is a legacy due to my daughter in law Martha Corey containing five or six pounds which is to be paid of my estate not given when that is paid then all ye rest of my goods & chattels not given I give & bequeath to my five sons equally to be divided among them, for ye true performance of this same & everything therein contained I appoint & request my loving brethren in laws Richard Brush & Nathaniel Williams to be my overseers in trust to see all things done herein contained as witness my hand & seal this 28th day of Nov. in ye fifth year of William & Mary Anno Dom. 1693-
JOHN SAMMIS [Seal]
Signed sealed & published in ye presence of ABIELL TITUS SAMUEL KETCHAM JOSEPH BAYLYS
By ye tenor of these presents Know ye that on ye 3ª day of Jany. 1693 at Brookhaven in ye County of Suffolk before Coll. I'm Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court was proved & approved ye last
76
Early Long Island W'ilis.
Will & testamt. of John Sammis deceased at Hunt- ington on ye 18th day of January 1693 who by his sd last Will nominated & appointed Richd Brush & Nathaniel Williams his overseers in trust as by ye sd Will may appear for ye well & faithful administra- tion of all & singular ye goods & chattels & credits of ye sd deceased being duly sworn to bring in a true Inventory of ye said goods chattels & credits & to render a true account thereof
May ye 17 1688-The last Will & testamt. of Steven Hand 26 Sen' being by Gods goodness in per- fect memory-first-1 give my soul to God who gave it & my body to be decently buried and my Es- tate to be disposed as followeth of which 1st I give to my eldest son Stephen all my lands that lieth at WVainscot also ten acres of land at ye North end of my Woodland plain lot Also half my meadow lying in Ockobonnuck neck also all my last division yet not layed out & my meadow at Napecke & half of w' I shall have at Muntaket & all other commons also ye Indian boy he paying five pounds to ye boy at ye end of his time if he shall have a full year to serve &
26 Stephen Hand was son of John Hand, who came to Southampton in 1644 from Stanstead in Kent, England. He afterward removed to Easthampton, where his descendants still remain.
Ockobonnuck is the neck in the northeastern part of the town of Easthampton and now called Acabonnack.
" Napeche " (now Napeague) is the long stretch of beach and meadow west of Montauk.
Suffolk County, 1691-1793. 77
not else & ye great iron pot that was Dominyes the aforesd lands I give to my eldest son Stephen Hand & to ye heirs lawfully begotten of his body but if he shall die & not leave such heirs or heir then ye sd land shall return to my youngest son or to ye next heir-
2. I leave with my son Stephen & my son Samuell seven acres & half of land lying at ye 2 miles hollow Eastward and my lot of meadow at Ockobonnuck & a fourth part in ye commons which they shall allow their brother Joseph the use of if he shall have occa- sion & will improve it by & for himself & not other- wise yet if he shall leave any heirs lawfully begotten by him when they are capable to receive it then the sd Steven & Sam' shall deliver the sd land to them said heirs-
3-I give to my son Joseph one mare & one COW ---
4 -- The rest of my lands I give to my youngest son Sam? if I shall leave no more sons or son but if I shall leave any more sons or son then Samuel shall have no more than ye house & home lot or all ye land at home and one acre & half in ye Mill plain and ye other lands to him or them that are younger but if Sam' shall enjoy all the lands not disposed of then he shall give to his five sisters five pounds a piece in current pay at their marriage if he shall enjoy the lands so soon as they shall come to ye age of Eighteen years old my wife being to enjoy ye lands her lifetime except marrying again she shall have no
7S
Early Long Island Wills.
need of it or if Samuel marry & settle & have need of a settlement he shall have one room in ye house & what part of the lands she can spare to him-
5 --- All other my Estate I leave with my wife during ye time of her living a widow and to dispose to & for ye bringing up the children but if she shall marry again then she shall have the third of ye moveables & ye other two thirds to be divided amongst the girls as witness my hand ye day & year abovesd and seal ---
Witnesses :
STEPHEN HAND [Seal]
JOHN HOPPING JAMES DYMON
By ye tenor of these presents know ye that on ye 2ª day of May 1693 at Brookhaven in ye County of Suffolk before Coll. William Smith Judge of ye Pre- rogative Court was proved & approved ye last Will & Testament of Stephen Hand deceased at East- hampton in ye County abovesd on ye 15th day of April Anno Dom. 1693 and ye administration of ye goods chattels & credits of ye sd. deceased was committed to ye care & trust of Rebecca widow of ye sd deceased to render a true acct. thereof according to ye tenor of sd will & ye laws of this Province-
MARCH ye 5 1691
In ye name of God Amen. I Richard Smith 27 Sen' of Smithtown in ye County of Suffolk on Long
97 Richard Smith was the famous Patentee of Smithtown, and tradi- tionally known as the " Bull Rider " and ancestor of the very numer-
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. 79
Island in ye Province of New York being sick & weak in body but of sound & perfect memory thanks be to God calling to mind ye uncertain state of this life and that we must submit to God's will when it shall please him to call us out of this life do make constitute & ordain this our last Will & testament hereby revoking & annulling any former or other will or testament, made by us either by word or writing-
Imprimis-We give our souls to God who gave them & our bodies being dead to be decently buried in such place & manner as to our Executors hereafter named shall seem convenient and as for ye lands goods & chattels wherewith it hath pleased God to endue us with all our just debts & legacies being first paid we order & dispose in manner & form fol- lowing-
Item-To Jonathan Smith our eldest son we give & bequeath our house barn & orchard joining to his
ous family called the " Bull Smiths." He was living in Southampton as early as October 26, 1643. His home lot was on the west side of main street of Southampton, and next north of the road running to the beach and town pond. It is now owned by the heirs of William Morti- mer. He was a man of means and of high social position, and one of the few who bore the title of " Mr." and " Gentleman." He was of a very imperious nature, a trait which was evidently transmitted to many of his descendants, and on December 3, 1656, " for his unreverend car- riage toward the magistrates contrary to the order," " was adjudged to bee bannished out of the towne." He " had one weekes time to pre- pare himself to depart," but this was not enforced, as he was there some weeks later. He went to Setauket, where he was soon a leader, and afterward purchased the tract, now Smithtown, of which he became sole owner after a long and persistent struggle. For a more extended account the reader is referred to the printed Records of Smithtown.
80
Early Long Island Wills.
home lot and ye home stall as far as ye old fence Northward and half way from ye said house to Samuel's house and thence to ye West End of ye barn & ye wood close on ye East side of ye little brook over against ye house and forty acres of land more than his equal share in division with ye rest of our children and that lot of meadow over against ye mill on ye West side of ye river-
Item-To our son Richard we give & bequeath our Negro Harry and an equal share of land in division with ye rest of our children-
Item-To our son Job we give & bequeath our Negro Robin for ye term of twelve years and an equal share of land in division with ye rest of our children and at ye end of ye said twelve years, the said Robin shall be free-
Item-To our son Adam we give an equal share of land in division with ye rest of our children-
Item-To our son Samuel Smith we give & bequeath ye orchard Southward of the house & half ye pasture bounded by the little creek ye Eastward part thereof & ye lower or Northward most Fresh Island on ye east side of ye river with an equal share of land in division with ye rest of our children and the swamp called ye North Swamp with ye land on ye east side which is fenced-
Item-To our son Daniel we give & bequeath ye other half of ye pasture southward of his house ye westward part of it and an equal share of land in division with ye rest of our children & our Will is that
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. SI
James Necke shall be & remain for ye use & improve- ment of my six sons abovesd & their heirs for ever-
Item-To our daughter Elizabeth Townly we give & confirm that land & meadow at a place called Sunck Meadow as it is mentioned in a deed made by us & also ye one half of my clothing-
Item-To our daughter Lawrence we give & bequeath an equal part & share of land in division with ye rest of our children where it shall be most suitable & convenient also ye other half of my clothing-
Lastly-We do hereby nominate and appoint our beloved sons Jonathan & Richd Smith Executors of this our last Will & testamt. to pay all our just debts and to make an equal partition amongst all our children of all ye goods & chattels & what moveable estate shall be left-
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals the day & year above named-
RICHARD SMITH [Seal]
SARAH SMITH [Seal]
Sealed & delivered in presence of-
JOHN ROE 23 JONATHAN LEWIS THOMAS HELME
By ye tenor of these presents Know ye that on ye 2ª day of May Anno Dom. 1693 at Brookhaven in ye
19 John Roe was a shoemaker by trade, and came to Brookhaven from Southampton in 1667. On December 6 the town gave him the home
82
Early Long Island Wills.
County of Suffolk before Coll. William Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court was proved and approved ye last Will & Testamt. of Rich' Smith Sen' deceased at Smithtown on ye 7th day of March Anno Dom. 169' who by his said Will did nominate & appoint his sons Jonathan & Rich to be his Executors for ye well and faithful administration of all & singular ye goods chattels & credits of ye deceased and ye said Jonathan renouncing ye burthen of Executorship the administration of ye said goods & chattels was com- mitted to ye sª Rich" Smith to render a true account thereof according to ye tenor of ye said Will & ye laws of this Province-
By ye Honoble Coll. William Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court within ye County of Suffolk on Nassau Island of ye Province of N. York-To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that whereas Samuel Barnes? late of Southhampton in sd County husbandman departed
lot which was laid out for a minister. He was a man of intelligence, and held the offices of constable, collector, and trustee. He was the ancestor of the well-known family of that name.
19 Samuel Barnes was son of Joshua Barnes, one of the earliest settlers of Southampton. His homestead (which was that of his father before him) is now owned by William S. Pelletreau. He left an only son Joshua Barnes, and he and his mother sold the homestead to Captain Jecomiah Scott, March 22, 1705, and removed to Jamaica, L. I. Samuel Barnes had a brother, Captain William Barnes, who went to West- chester, where he was one of the leading men, and was the ancestor of the family in that town.
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. S3
this life on ye 21st day of Feby. 169; leaving no Executor and Patience ye widow of ye sd deceased for certain causes her thereunto justly moving hath prayed that ye administration of ye goods & chattels of ye sd deceased may be granted to her ye widow of ye said deceased-I therefore by virtue of ye power & authority to me given reposing special trust & confidence in you Patience widow of ye said deceased have nominated constituted & appointed & by these presents do constitute & appoint you Patience aforesd administratrix of all & singular ye goods chattels & credits of ye sd Samuel Barnes deceased with full power to ask receive demand & recover all & singular the goods chattels leases debts & credits whatsoever to ye said deceased belonging or in anywise appertaining by all lawful ways & means whatsoever in ye first place paying those debts whereby ye sd. deceased stood obliged at ye time of his death as far as ye lawful goods & credits of ye sd. deceased may to this extend-You taking your oath truly to administer ye same & to make or cause to be made a true & perfect inventory of all & singular ye debts goods & chattels rights & credits to ye sd decd belonging which shall or may come to your hands possession or knowledge & further a just & true acct. in & concerning ye said administration before me or such other Judge or Judges as may be appointed thereunto at or before ye last of Feby. next Ensuing-Given under my hand the 25 of August 1693-
S4
Early Long Island Wills.
By ye Honoble Coll. William Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court within ye County of Suffolk on Nassau Island of ye Province of N. York-To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that whereas John Howell3º Jun' late of South- in ye County aforesd departed this life on ye Sth day of March 169, leaving no Executor and Mary widow of ye sd dec. for certain causes her thereunto justly moving hath prayed that ye administration of ye goods & chattels of ye sd decd may be granted to her widow of ye sd. deceased-I therefore by virtue of ye power & authority to me given reposing especial trust & confidence in you Mary aforesd have nomi- nated constituted & appointed and by these presents do constitute & appoint you Mary widow of ye sd decd Administratrix of all & singular the goods chat- tels & credits of John Howell aforest deceased with full power to ask receive demand & recover all & singular the goods chattels leases debts & credits to ye sd deceased belonging or in anywise appertaining by all lawful ways or means whatsoever in ye first place paying those debts whereby ye sd decd stood obliged at ye time of his death as far as the lawful goods & credits of ye sd deceased may to this Ex- tend you taking your oath truly to administer ye same and to make a true & perfect inventory of all & singular ye goods & chattels rights & credits to ye sd decd belonging which shall or may come to y' hands
30 John Howell, Jr., was the son of Major John Howell, who survived him. (See will of Major John Howell.)
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. 85
possession or knowledge & further to give a true & just acct. in & concerning ye said administration be- fore me or such other Judge or Judges as may be thereunto appointed at or before ye last day of Feby. next Ensuing-Given under my hand & seal ye 25 of Aug. 1693-
By ye Honoble Col. William Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court within ye County of Suffolk on Nassau Island of ye Province of N. York -- .
To all to whom these presents shall come Know ye that whereas Sam' Johnes late of Southampton in ye sd. County husbandman deceased on ye - day of 1693 leaving no Executor & Samuel his son for certain causes him thereunto justly moving hath prayed that ye administration of ye goods & chattels of ye sd deceased may be granted to him ye eldest son of ye sd. deceased, I therefore by virtue of ye power & authority to me given reposing spe- cial trust & confidence in you Samuel aforesd have nominated constituted & appointed & by these pres- ents do constitute & appoint you Samuel aforesd ad- ministrator of all & singular ye goods chattels & credits of Samuel Johnes aforesd deceased with full power to ask receive demand & recover all & singular ye goods chattels leases debts rights & credits to ye said decd belonging or any way apper- taining by all lawful ways & means w'soever-In ye first place paying those debts whereby the said de-
86
Early Long Island Wills.
ceased stood obliged at ye time of his death as far as ye lawful goods & credits of ye sd decd may to this Extend you taking your oath truly to administer the same & to make or cause to be made a true & per- fect inventory of all & singular ye debts goods & chattels rights & credits to ye sd. deceased belonging which shall or may come to your hands possession or knowledge & further to give a just & true acct. in & concerning ye sd administration before me or such other Judge or Judges as may be thereunto ap- pointed at or before ye 14 of April next Ensuing-
Given under my hand & seal.
EASTHAMPTON Aug ye 25 1685-
The last Will & testamt. of me John Edwards 31 of Easthampton in Suff. County under & Colony of N. York being of perfect memory & understanding 1 I bequeath my soul to God that gave it and my body to ye dust from whence it came & my estate I dis- pose of as followeth-
2-My will is that my beloved wife Mary shall have half of my moveable goods both within doors & without & ye other half of ye moveables I give to all my children when they come of age if she die be- fore but if she lives with them to have all ye goods
31 John Edwards was brother of William Edwards. His home lot was on the east side of the street of Easthampton, and now owned by Jeremiah Mulford. It was for many years the homestead of Eleazar Miller, who was Member of Assembly from 1748 to 1764, and known as " Assemblyman Miller."
1
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. 87
to bring up the children but if she marry ye half of ye goods aforesd to be equally divided amongst my children & ye other half to be her own to dispose of as she sees cause, and my house & land I will to be my wifes during her life this my wife to pay everyone of these my children their portion when they come to age according to ye value of half ye moveables-
3-My eldest son Thomas I give him twenty acres of land upon ye Norwest plain bounded by Sam2 Brooks on ye south east side & by John Squire on ye Northwest side Also I give him five acres of land upon ye Eastern plain lying by William Mul- ford upon ye Southwest & by Joshua Garlick on ye Northeast Also I give him two acres lying upon ye side of ye pond called Hook Pond bounded by M" Mulford Southwest & Tho. Osborne Jun' North- east-Also I give him half my meadow lying at Ackobonnucke all this after his mothers decease- Also I give him ye third part of my commonage both at ye town & Montauket after his mothers de- cease-
4-I give to my son John ye house & home lot after ye decease of his mother-Also I give my son John aforesd ye six acres & half or thereabouts be it more or less lying upon ye Eastern plain bounded by Richard Stretton upon ye southwest & Steven Hedges on ye East-Also I give him half ye meadow lying ye full length at Ackobonnuck Also a 3ª of my Commonage both at home & at Montauket all this after his mothers decease-
88
Early Long Island Wills.
5 -- I give to my son William a third part of my Commonage both at home & at Montauket -- Also I appoint my beloved wife Mary, Executrix of this my will-My clothes I give to my 4 sons to be equally divided-
In confirmation of this my will I set to my hand & seal*
JOHN EDWARDS [Seal] his 10 mark
Signed & sealed in presence of us THO. JAMES ROBERT KADE
Post-script Sept ye 9 1686
The former Will I now confirm all save the six lines blotted out upon ye other side & further my will is my second son Josiah (being not mentioned in my will aforesd) twelve acres of land more or less lying Eastward from this town in ye woods above ye Indian Well joining to Benjamin Osborns lot on one side-
Witness my hand-Also these words after his mothers decease were interlined before signing (line 29)
JOHN EDWARDS his to mark
Signed before us THOMAS JAMES JOHN JAMES
SOUTHAMPTON Aug ye 21 1693 Then appeared before me M' John James & made * See note, p. 278.
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. 89
oath to ye truth of John Edwards his signing & acknowledging ye postscript above-
Test. MATTHEW HOWELL Justice
By ye tenor of these presents Know yt on ye 10th day of Nov. 1693 at Brookhaven in ye County of Suffolk before Col. William Smith Judge of ye Pre- rogative Court was proved & approved ye last Will & Testamt. of John Edwards deceased at East- hampton on ye 23ª day of January 1688 who by his sd last Will did nominate & appoint Mary his wife his Executrix as by ye sª Will may appear for ye well & faithful administration of all & singular ye goods chattels & credits of ye sd deceased to whom with John Hoffington her husband ye sd administra- tion was granted being duly sworn to bring in a true inventory & to render a perfect acct. of the per- formance of their duty herein according to ye tenor of sd Will & the laws of this Province-
HARTFORD Sept. 9 1693-
The testimony of Jacob Conckling aged 25 years, James Blyn aged about 30 years, Jona- than Hall aged about 17 years & Mary Edwards about 19 years, do declare y' about fourteen days past we being all on board ye sloop Ad- venture together near ye town of Haddum, Daniel Bowin lately deceased being on board ye said vessel
1
90
Early Long Island Wills.
with us ye said Bowin being not well in body but of sound understanding, & he discoursing of Mrs Irene Hobart 32 of Southold, we heard ye sd Daniel Bowin declare that he had such a great affection to her & yt they were so sure together y' in case he should die all ye Estate that he had in ye world she ye sd Irene Hubbard should have it --
Memorand-James Blynn doth not remember ye word affection --
JACOB CONCKLING JAMES BLYN JONATHAN HALL MARY X EDWARDS her mark
Jacob Conckling James Blyn Jonathan Hall & Mary Edwards personally appeared in Court in Hartford Sept. ye 9 1693 & made oath yt this above written testimony to their knowledge is truth & nothing but truth-
As attests JOHN ALLYN Clerk of ye sd Court --
The testimony of James Petty 33 aged about 34 years coming up ye river I heard Mr Daniel Bowin
"? Irene Hobart, who so completely won the heart of Daniel Bowin, was the daughter of Rev. Joshua Hobart of Southold. She was born in 1674. It may be well to remark that in those days the title of " Mrs." (contraction of mistress) was not only given to married ladies, but to the unmarried as well, if they were of high social position, as was the case of Irene Hobart.
33 John Petty was son of Edward Petty, who was the ancestor of the
Suffolk County, 1691-1703. 91
say yt he having made suit to Mrs Irene Hobart of Southold was now nearer than ever it was & in a manner concluded between him & her or words to that purpose -- Sworn in Court at Hartford June ye 8 1693, as attests John Allyn, Clerk-
This above is a true copy compared with ye origi- nal on file being compared with ye original on file Sept ye 11 1693 John Allyn, Clerk --
Whereas ye said Irene Hobart having produced before ye Honoble Col. II'" Smith Judge of ye Pre- rogative Court in ye County of Suffolk ye sd Nuncu- pative will of Daniel Bowin late of Southold deceased praying that ye administration of all & singular ye goods chattels & credits of ye said deceased may be granted to her ye sole Executrix of ye sd deceased which was granted accordingly
Nov. 11 1693 --
By ye Honoble Col. William Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court in ye County of Suffolk in Nassau Island of ye Province of N. York-To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that Was Abram Wilman 34 late of Southampton in ye sd
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.