USA > New York > Long Island historic homes, ancient and modern : including a history of their founders and builders > Part 11
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1. Nicholas.
II. Daniel.
III. Jonathan, born 1708, died 1777, married Tabitha Sammis. IV. Thomas, married Sarah Cooper.
V. EDMUND (2), married Sarah Townsend.
VI. Zerina, married, 1736, John Wright, son of William and Elizabeth Wright.
EDMUND WRIGHT (2), son of Edmund ( 1) and Sarah Wright, was born at Oyster Bay, 1670. He appears to have been of a retiring disposition, with no inclination for public office. He was probably a man of education and refinement from the fact that his name appears on the records in a clear, bold hand, and also from the distinction
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achieved by his son, the eminent surgeon. The Town Records of Oyster Bay show frequent conveyances from him, indicating that he was a large landholder. Through his marriage into the Townsend family he left a proud heritage to his descendants, the Townsends being the most prominent as well as the largest property holders in the town, whose descendants are still numerous and influential, both here and in other parts of the country. Edmund's wife was Sarah, daughter of "Mill John" Townsend, a name given to distinguish him from contemporaneous "Johns," of which there were several living there.
The Townsend Memorial states that "Among the most important offices of the town, if not the most so, was that of surveyor. Two were elected every year, but the same ones were elected many times." John Townsend at Mill held the office nineteen years, being elected in 1686 with Thomas Weeks, who served with him until 1705, and was succeeded by his nephew (3d) Henry. He and "Rhode Island John" both dying in 1709, were replaced after a short interval by James Townsend of Jericho, and George Townsend of Oyster Bay. John Townsend's influence was felt throughout the country. While popular with his neighbors, he was a man of strong convictions, and led others, rather than followed, his neighbors having great confidence in his skill and good judgment. The very nature of his employment led to his becoming a peacemaker among his neighbors, from the fact that he prevented much useless litigation.
Among his children was a daughter Sarah who was married to Edmund Wright. They had issue:
1. Nicholas Wright.
II. Jotham, born 1708; died 1777; married Tabitha Sammins.
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LONG ISLAND HISTORIC HOMES.
III. Daniel, married Rachel Horton.
IV. THOMAS WRIGHT. See record.
V. Edmund Wright (3).
VI. 'Zerina Wright, married, 1736, John, son of William and Elizabeth Wright.
DR. THOMAS WRIGHT, fourth child of Edmund (2) and Sarah (Townsend) Wright, was born at Oyster Bay in 1719. He seems to have been the first to develop the talents that had long remained dor- mant in this family, an inheritance from their English ancestors, the growth of which were prevented by an unfortunate environment. From this environment he emerged and under more favorable con- ditions made the name famous and his deeds are inscribed on the pages of American history not only as a brave and loval subject of the English government during the colonial period but as one of the noblest patriots and martyrs who died in defence of American liber- ties. He removed from Oyster Bay to the town of East Chester, Westchester County, N. Y., where he achieved a great reputation as a physician and surgeon. Of his early life at Oyster Bay but little is known. He doubtless received a thorough education, which fitted him for his chosen profession, after which he sought a wider field for practice. His opportunity came while he was still pursuing his medical studies or perhaps had just begun practice in his native town. He had reached his twenty-fifth year when in 1744 news came that France had declared war against Great Britain. This was known as "King George's War" because King George I. was then on the throne of England. In the New York Historical Society Li- brary there is a large steel engraving representing a naval engagement. This contains the following inscription :
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LONG ISLAND HISTORIC HOMES.
"A DRAUGHT OF AN ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN GUARDALOUPE AND GRANDTERRE ON THE 12TH OF NOVEMBER, 1740, BETWEEN YE BRIG GREYHOUND OF NEW YORK, RICH. JEFFREY, COMM'R, of 14 GUNS AND 92 MEN, AND YE LA FLEURY, A FRENCH SHIP OF 22 GUNS AND 84 MEN, AND A FRENCH PRIVATEER SLOOP OF 14 GUNS AND 1 30 MEN. WHEREIN CAPT. JEFFREY AND COMPANY BEHAVED VERY GALLANTLY, AND AFTER AN ENGAGEMENT OF 5 HOURS OBLIGED YE PRIVATEER TO SHEER OFF AND TOOK YE SHIP."
A DRAUGHT.
af'an ENGAGEMENT
besser Guardoloupev Grandeme
on the 12- 4ou" 1746 between Brug
GREYHOUND of New York RichJeffery
Com" of ie Guns van Menuy LA Fleury
a FRENCH SHIP .faz Gunss. s.Men
a FRENCH Friteer, StageOuml
Wie Men Wherun Capl'Jefferys-
Company Behard very Gallanily
tofur an Engagement y's house
Subsequent events show that the Brig Greyhound captured the French ship and brought her as a prize to New York. It was on this ship that Dr. Thomas Wright served as Assistant Surgeon and bore an honorable part in the above described engagement. The New York Post Boy of January 19, 1746, says: " In the afternoon of Monday last there came into our Harbor with much difficulty thro' the Ice, the French Prize Ship, taken by Capt. Jeffrey in the Greyhound Privateer of this Port. Her cargo is not supposed to be very valuable, most of the stores being taken out by the French Men of War as Occasion demanded. She has about 60 Bales of Wines,
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100 Small Arms, a parcel of Shoes, and some Soldiers' Cloaths on board. We hear she is to be removed out of the Harbor again with- out being unloaded on suspicion of her being an infected ship."
It is probable that the Privateer Greyhound continued in service until the close of the war in 1748 and that Dr. Wright remained on her as surgeon. As he shared in the prize money he must have accu- mulated quite a sum. Whether he practiced his profession in Oyster Bay after this is not known, but in 1755, as has already been stated, he settled in East Chester, N. Y., where he soon had an extensive practice and was known far and wide for his skill as a physician and surgeon. He had large real estate holdings in Westchester County, and among other properties he owned the old Tide Mill which ground all the grain of the farmers for miles around; the mill site and a portion of the building are still standing. He was a trustee of the public buildings of the town in 1760, and held other positions of trust and honor. He was elected Senior Warden of St. Paul's Epis- copal Church in 1765, and was instrumental in the erection of the church edifice, which is still used as a place of worship by that church and congregation.
At the breaking out of the War of the Revolution he at once took sides with the patriots, and rendered great service in his atten- tion to the sick and wounded of the Continental Army. He was finally captured by the British and imprisoned in the provost jail (City Hall Park), and fell a victim to the cruelties of that monster, Cunningham. His body was thrown into the trenches in the rear of the present city hall, this locality being known for years as the "Grave of the Martyrs." His remains were subsequently recovered and buried in Trinity churchyard, New York. Thus perished one of the noblest martyrs of the Revolution, whose birthplace and early
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home were at Oyster Bay. The memory of such a man should be kept green by the erection of a suitable monument in the old grave- yard at that place. Dr. Wright married, first, Sarah Cooper; the name of his second wife is unknown; his third wife was Nancy. His children were Stephen and others.
Stephen Wright, son of Dr. Thomas and Nancy ( ) Wright, was born at Oyster Bay, L. I., Nov. 25, 1770. He settled in New York City, and followed the business of shipwright. He subse- quently entered into partnership with Charles Browne, and this firm was the leading one in their line of business. Among other well known vessels built by this firm was Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont, the first steamboat to ascend the Hudson river. Henry Howe, in his work entitled "Memoirs of the Most Eminent Ameri- can Mechanics," says: " In the spring of 1807 Fulton's first American steamboat was launched from the shipyard of Charles Browne & Co. on the East river. The engine from England, was put on board of her, and in August she was completed and was moved by her ma- chinery from her birthplace to the Jersey shore."
Mr. Wright was an active participant in the War of 1812-15 and assisted in the construction of the earthworks at Ft. Greene, Brook- lyn. He died Nov. 24, 1834, and was buried in the Dodge grave- yard at Jericho, L. 1. He was twice married; his second wife was Martha Dodge, daughter of Daniel and Phebe Dodge, of Jericho, to whom he was married March 28, 1805. He was probably a de- scendant of Thomas of Cow Neck, and Tristam of Block Island, who settled there in 1700. Stephen Wright, by his wife Phebe (Dodge) Wright, had issue Daniel Dodge Wright; John, died in in- fancy.
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DANIEL, DODGE WRIGHT, son of Stephen and Martha (Dodge) Wright, was born in New York City, January 24, 1809. He had the best educational advantages to fit him for a business life procured at that time, and after completing his studies he entered his father's employ; but he soon discovered that a mercantile career was more to his liking, and in 1834 he formed a copartnership with his step- brother William, in the hardware trade. After a few years they sep- arated, William going to Philadelphia and engaging in the manufac- ture of the famous " Wright's Indian Vegetable Pills," which attained a world-wide reputation. Daniel continued in the hardware business in New York, and became one of the most successful merchants of his day. He was a leading man in the hardware trade, and con- ducted his business on the "old fashioned" principles of square dealing and always giving "value received" to his customers.
He rendered important military service to the state from 1844 to 1860 as a member of the Independent Veteran Corps of Artillery. Previous to that-from 1828 to 1840-he was a member of Co. B, Washington Guards. His commission and sword are preserved with great care by his son Stephen, who with pride can cross it with his own, he too having served the state with honor and distinction, and earned the honors which were heaped upon him by admiring comrades.
The remaining years of the latter part of the life of his honored father were spent in "Deeds of devoted charity." A man of genial disposition and kindness of heart, he never neglected an opportunity to help his fellow men by his advice and counsel, as well as by ma- terial aid. He was a man of fine presence and dignified bearing, and commanded as well as won the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He was a frequent and interested visitor at the
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family homestead of his wife at Jericho, L. I., as well as at the scenes of his early childhood at Oyster Bay. He was buried in the old family plot at Jericho. His death, April 29, 1892, was the result of an accident.
He married, April 14, 1840, Mary Frost Mott, daughter of Ste- phen Mott, son of James, son of Richard, son of Samuel, son of John (2), son of John (1), son of Adam Mott, the Long Island ancestor.
THE MOTT AND ALLIED FAMILIES
THE name of Mott, or De la Motte, is French, and not uncom- mon. De la Motte Fenelon was the great Archbishop of Canbrai. The Mott family had been prominent in the county of Essex, Eng- land, for several centuries, and doubtless came originally from France, perhaps with William the Conqueror. After a time the prefix had been usually abandoned, although De Motte or De la Motte is still retained in some families, both in this country and in England. The Motts of Essex, England, owned many manors, and the main line can be traced for more than five hundred years, and is connected by marriage with many distinguished families of England. The coat armour of the county Essex line is described as
Arms-Sable a crescent argent.
Crest-An estoile of eight points argent.
Motto-Spectemus agendo (Let us be examined by our conduct ).
The Motts of Essex overflowed into adjoining counties and an earlier Adam Mott came from England from the adjacent county of Cambridge to Boston several years before Adam Mott of Essex, Eng- land, was in New Amsterdam. In Wright's History of the County of Essex, England, is shown a partial genealogy of the family, from which the following is taken, and the similarity of names indicate relationship with the American ancestors.
"John Mott had lands in Stratford in 1375.
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"Thomas Mott of Braintree, married Alice Mead and had sons John and Mark.
"John Mott married 1557, Catharine Roke, who died in 1571, and he then married Joan, sister of Sir Robert Gardiner, president of Ireland in the time of Queen Elizabeth. By this wife he had a daughter Mary, who married a son of Judge Clench of Holbrook, in Suffolk. They had a son, Capt. Robert Clench. John Mott died in 1595. Joan, his wife, died in 1602."
The records of the Dutch church of New Amsterdam show that Adam Mott of that place, was married there on the 28th of July, 1647, to Jane Hulet of Buckingham, England. The record shows that neither had been married before. About a year before this date-April 23, 1646-the Dutch government of New Netherlands granted to Adam Mott twenty morgens of land at Maspeth Kil (Newtown Creek). The Albany records (vol. Iv. pages 187-89-90) also mention Adam Mott as a witness in the court in New Amster- dam October 23, 1645, and also July 6, 1644. He apparently remained in New Amsterdam several years, for according to the same church record, his infant son Adam was baptized Nov. 11, 1649, the sponsors being Thomas Hall, Olaff Stevenson Van Cortlandt and Elsie Muytiens (Alice Newton, wife of Capt. Bryan Newton). These were among the most respectable people of the infant city, then numbering a thousand souls. James, the second son of Adam, was baptized October 15, 1651, the sponsors being Rebecca Cornell who subsequently married George Wolsey, Bryan Newton and Carl Ver Brugge (Charles Bridges), who married Sarah Cornell, sister of Rebecca and widow of Thomas Willett and mother of Col. Thomas Willett.
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The Maspeth, L. I., records show that Adam Mott, soon after the birth of his second son, James, moved to Hempstead. Adam Mott was chosen one of the townsmen March 17, 1657. At that time, and for long afterward, the neck of land in the north part of the town between Hempstead Harbor on the east, and Cow Bay- now Manhasset Bay-on the west, was common pasture for the town, and hence was called Cow Neck. It was already enclosed by a fence about three miles long from the " Head of the Harbor"_ now Roslyn-to the head of Cow Bay-now Manhasset. From this fence to the Sound the neck was about five miles in length from north to south, and from two to three miles in width between Hempstead Harbor and Cow Bay, making about 8000 acres. Adam Mott's descendants have been living on Cow Neck from the time of the first settlement to the present time.
The fence referred to consisted of 526 panels or gates, and was maintained by 60 contributors, whose right of pasturage was propor- tioned to the "gates of fence" which each maintained. As the gates and bars of the town fence were often left open, seven men were appointed by the town, one being Adam Mott, cach to keep the gates shut nearest his own house. This would indicate that Adam Mott's residence at that time was somewhere near the line between the present village of Manhasset and Roslyn.
In the assessment list, October 11, 1685, appears the name of Adam Mott, Sr., £390; Adam Mott, Jr., £100. The elder Mott was an industrious, enterprising man and accumulated quite a com- petence. He had the respect of his fellow townsmen and was occas- ionally put forward to represent their interests. He was never identified with the Society of Friends as were most of his descendants.
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There is a tradition that he had a musket which could kill an Indian at the distance of a mile. He had probably tested it, and would no doubt use it in self defense if occasion required. Adam Mott, Sen., was twice married. The records of the Dutch church at New Am- sterdam show that on July 28, 1647, he married Jane Hulet of Buckingham, England. The issue of this marriage was
I. Adam Mott, eldest son, baptized Nov. 14, 1649; married in the Dutch church, New York 1678, Mary Stilwell.
II. James Mott, born October 5th, 1651.
III. Grace Mott, born about 1653; married Jonathan Rock Smith.
IV. Elizabeth Mott, born 1655; married John Kissam.
V. Henry Mott, born 1657; married Hannah; died 1681.
VI. JOHN MOTT, born 1659; married Sarah Seaman.
VII. Joseph Mott, born 1661; died 1735; married Mariam.
VIII. Gersham Mott, born 1663; moved to New Jersey.
There is no record of the death of Jane Hulet, the first wife of Adam Mott. He married second about 1667 Elizabeth Richbell, daughter of John Richbell, an original patentee of Mamaroneck, Westchester County, N. Y. Richbell had lived in Oyster Bay, and had been a neighbor of Adam Mott before going to Mamoroneck in 1662.
John Richbell was the first purchaser from the Indians of the land now known as Mamaroneck. His grant from the Indians is dated Sept. 23, 1661. But as the jurisdiction over the territory was. claimed by the Dutch government of New Amsterdam, John Richbell, on Dec. 24, 1661, applied for and obtained letters patent promising to respect the Dutch sovereignty. The patent was dated
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LONG ISLAND HISTORIC HOMES.
May 6, 1662. After the English occupation of the Colony took place in 1664, Richbell applied for an English confirmation of his patent, which was granted by Gov. Lovelace, Oct. 16, 1668.
Elizabeth Richbell, the second wife of Adam Mott (1) gave her first son her family name of Richbell. Her second son she called Adam after his father, and notwithstanding that his eldest son by his first wife, Jane Hulet, was also called Adam, and was still living, so that there were two half brothers in Adam Mott's family, each bear- ing at the same time their father's name of Adam and in his will he was obliged to distinguish between them as my "eldest son Adam" and "my younger son Adam." The children of this second mar- riage were:
IX. Richbell, born 1668; married Oct. 4, 1696, Elizabeth. X. Maryanne, born about 1670.
XI. Adam Mott, the younger, born about 1672.
XII. William Mott, born 20 Jan., 1674, married Hannah, daughter of John Seaman (2), eldest son of Capt. John Seaman of Hempstead.
XIII. Charles Mott, born about 1676.
WILL OF ADAM MOTT, SEN.
I, Adam Mott, lying very weak, do declare this to be my last will and testament from this day, being through God's mercy in my right sense. I do humbly surrender and give my soul and spirit to God which gave it me and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent manner, that my just debts that shall be made appear shall be paid justly, the creditors so applying. I do give to my eldest son Adam Mott fifty acres of land that he is to take up and five shillings in money; to my son James I give two cows and a Hollow lying by
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the Harbor path and my Kersey westcoat and my Searsy drawers and my new Hatt; to my daughter Grace I give four great pewter plat- ters and those Hollows lying between the Great Run and Turner's Hook; those two Hollows which lyeth on the left hand of the path, going to the town from Madnan's Neck; and those Hollows lying in next to the other side of the path by the Great Run; the said land to remain to her and her heirs forever; to my son John I do give to my Lott of Meadow lying at the Wheat Neck, and my Hollow by the Harbor path; to my son Joseph I give a hundred acres of land where he shall see good to take it up for his use which is yet untaken up, and a Hollow lying by the West Hollow in the Sandy Hollow. To my [son ] Gersham I do give five cows; to my son Henry's three children I do give one two year old heifer. To my dear wife Eliza- beth Mott, all the children I have had by her, I do give and bequeath my house and lott upon Madnan's Neck, and with all the rest of my said Estate except mentioned in my will aforesaid, Moveables and Immoveables, with all and every part thereof to stand and remain to my wife's children, only my House and Orchard and home Lott at Hempstead, and the Mill Hollow in particular do I give to my younger son Adam, but in case my wife Elizabeth should see cause to marry, that then the Estate which I have given to my wife's children shall be equally divided into four parts and my wife Elizabeth to have and enjoy the one part and those children which I have had by her shall have the other three parts to be Equally divided between them. And I do give unto my wife Elizabeth for her life time, if she shall see Cause, my House and Land at Madnan's Neck and a Lott of Meadow, and if my wife doth Remain a Widow, that there should be none of the children to enjoy any of the said Estate until they marry. Except that my wife shall see cause to the contrary. As to
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four proprietorships which I have in the bounds of Hemstead I do give unto my wife Elizabeth and her children first to take her choice of two of the said proprietorships, and the other two to be equally divided amongst my four Eldest Sons in Equal proportions and with all and Every Part of this my will and Testament, I do hereby desire may be performed in all particulars, as witness my hand and seal this 12th day of March, Anno Dom., 1681.
Before making his will Adam Mott had made provision for his children by his first wife as shown by the following from the Town Records of Hempstead.
" Be It known unto all men home this presant may now or here- after consarn that I addam mott, Sener, inhabitant in the bounds of Hemsted in the North Riding of new Yorksher doe give and grant unto my four sonnes by my first wiffe Jane mott, viz, Addam, Jeames, John and Joseph two of my proprietorships rits belonging to me in the Towne of Hemsted, viz, the propryartiship of John Coon- ish and the proprietyship of william Lawrence with all the rits, previleges and apurtenances that here after shall any way belong unto them from the day and date of these presant writing to be equally devided between the above specified four sonnes. I say I doe hereby fully and freeley give and grant to them their Eyers and assigns for Ever without molestation or disturbance from me or any under me, as witness my hand and seale this 24th day of July, 1682."
John Mott, sixth child of Adam and Jane (Hulet) Mott, was born 1658-9 as shown by the following from the town records of Hempstead: At "a Court held at Hempstead 23 Nov. 1681. The testimony of John Mott aged about 23" regarding the delivery of a cow to one of the neighbors.
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LONG ISLAND HISTORIC HOMES.
" March 26, 1688. John Mott's Record of seventy-five acres of woodland, Lying between ve low west meddow bounded East by gorg hulet's land, north and south by marked trees, and west by ye second west meddow or a highway by ye sd meddo."
An application was made, and signed by John Mott and others from "John Stuard desiring to settle at Hempstead as a Coper as also to practice ye art of Surgery. Hempstead, July ye 11, 1691."
John Mott is frequently referred to in the Town Record as "Gent," showing the high social position he held in the community. He was frequently in public office, being chosen fence viewer; April 7, 1713, was elected surveyor of highways. He was re-elected in 1714, and again in 1715.
Application was made by John Tredwell, William Cornell, Jacob Smith, Esq., John Searing and Rd. Thorne, that they should have liberty granted to them to take up a quantity of half an acre of land at or near the place where the old church now stands, whereon to build a church, wherein to perform divine service according to the usage of the Church of England, and also for a churchyard or burying place. "Ordered That Thomas Gildersleeve and John Mott, gents, do sur- vey and lay out to the above said persons 12 an acre of land." April 2, 1734, "John Mott and Thomas Gildersleeve by order of the town set apart half an acre for a new church west of the old one. Anthony Selverton, the head workman on the place had 4s. 6d. and found."
It is known that John Mott possessed considerable property, but his will has not been found. If he belonged to the Society of Friends he was not at all active, and there is no record of meetings being held at his house, and his name does not appear among the list of Friends in any of the records. That he was popular with the
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people of Hempstead is evidenced by his frequent elections to public office. He married Sarah, daughter of Capt. John Seaman. The origin of this name is indicated by the coat armour,
Arms-Barry wavy of six argent and azure; a crescent or Crest-A demi-seahorse salient argent.
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