Jamaica New York

Will of John Hadden – 1671

In his 1671 will, John Hadden of Jamaica bequeaths various legacies, including a horse to Captain Matthias Nicoll and £10 to John Meritt’s son, payable upon maturity. He also makes provisions for several individuals, including Henry Newton and Margaret Welham, who cared for him during his illness. Hadden designates Elias Doughty and Anthony Waters as executors and concludes with the names of witnesses. The will underscores Hadden’s connections and the support he received in his final days.

Will of Thomas Foster – 1663

Thomas Foster of Rustdorp, Long Island, composed his will on May 22, 1663, during a period of illness. He bequeathed a mare to his son Thomas and stipulated that if his unborn child survived, it would share in this legacy. He emphasized the importance of education for his children, planning additional funds for their learning if his wife failed to teach them. His will named several friends and relatives in the execution of his estate. Approved on June 10, 1663, it was later confirmed in 1671 after his widow remarried.

Will of Anthony Waters – 1675

In 1675, Anthony Waters, a resident of Jamaica on Long Island, passed away without a will. Following his death, his widow, Rachel Waters, was appointed as the administratrix of his estate on April 15. This administration is recorded in the legal documents of the time, specifically noted in LIBER 1-2, page 112.

Will of Jonathan Davis – 1674

Jonathan Davis, who passed away in Jamaica, did not leave a written will but expressed verbally his desire for his estate to benefit his wife, Sarah. Due to her inability to manage affairs, he requested his brother Samuel and Nehemiah Smith to assist her. Sarah later chose to add Wait Smith as an additional overseer. On April 1, 1675, she was confirmed as the executor of his nuncupative will, as noted by witnesses Nathaniel Denton, John Oldfield, and John Bayler.

Will of John Stricklin – 1672

The will of John Stricklin, dated September 5, 1672, bequeaths £10 to his daughter Loanus and 40 shillings to the youngest child of Mathews. He allocates one cow each to Jonathan Mills and the eldest daughter of John Loanus, while the remainder of his estate is designated for his daughters’ children. Named as executors are his son John Smith, son Samuel Matthews, John Foster, and Benjamin Coe. The will reflects previous commitments made by Stricklin’s wife regarding the cows.

Will of Nicholas Tanner – 1666

Daniel Denton and Henry Pearsall were appointed as executors of Nicholas Tanner’s will, which was dated September 2, 1658. Following the successful execution of their responsibilities, they received a Quietus from Governor Richard Nicolls on June 23, 1666, signifying the conclusion of their duties. This information can be found in LIBER 1-2, page 6.

Will of Thomas Stevenson – 1668

On July 9, 1668, Robert Coe and Daniel Denton were designated as Administrators of Thomas Stevenson’s estate and guardians of his children, as recorded by Richard Nicolls. However, Coe resigned from his role later that summer, and on August 15, 1668, Anthony Waters was appointed as the new Administrator. This transition reflects the ongoing management of Stevenson’s estate in Jamaica, Long Island, during a pivotal period in its early colonial history.

Will of Richard Everett – 1668

Richard Everett of Jamaica passed away without a will, prompting the appointment of Abraham Smith as administrator of his estate on September 4, 1668. While his children are noted in the records, their names are not specified, leaving an incomplete picture of his familial legacy.

Biographical Sketch of John Carpenter

John Carpenter, son of William Carpenter, was born in England around 1628 and died on May 23, 1695. He immigrated with his father and settled in Connecticut at age seventeen, where he worked as a carpenter. He resided in Stratford in 1646 and later purchased land in Hempstead, Long Island, in 1660. He served as townsman in 1663, became a freeman in 1664, and was appointed captain in 1673. He was a patentee of Jamaica under the Dongan Patent of 1680. John married Hannah Hope and had several children.

Biographical Sketch of John Carpenter

John Carpenter, born in Connecticut in 1658, was the son of John Carpenter (5). He lived in Jamaica, where he took the oath as captain of troops in 1703. His will was proved on July 30, 1732. He married Mary and had several children in Jamaica, including Nehemiah, John, Solomon, Joseph, Increase, Mary, Hannah, Susanna, and Phebe.

Biographical Sketch of Increase Carpenter

Increase Carpenter, born around 1688 in Jamaica, was the son of John Carpenter. He acquired land there in 1709 and passed away circa 1776. He married Bergin and had several children, including William (1740), Increase (1743), Jacob (1745), John (1747), David (who married Mary Carpenter), Luke, and Elizabeth (who married Benjamin Wiggins).

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Carpenter

Jacob Carpenter, born in Jamaica in 1745 to Increase Carpenter, married Jane Smith, a widow previously known as Jane Baylis. A farmer by trade, Jacob passed away between 1819 and 1820. He had several children, including Increase, Jacob, Nathaniel, Daniel (who married Hepsabeth Higbee), Benjamin (who died circa 1837), Deborah (who married William Lewis), and Catharine (who married Alexander Jones). Jane Smith died on May 6, 1813.