Will of Nicholas Tanner – 1666

DANIEL DENTON, of Rustdorpe, alias Jamaica, Long Island, and Henry Pearsall, of Hempstead, were appointed executors of the will of Nicholas Tanner, dated September 2, 1658. Having faithfully performed their duties, a Quietus was granted by Gov. Richard Nicoll, June 23, 1666. LIBER 1-2, page 6

Will of Thomas Badgord – 1672

“Whereas THOMAS BADGORD, late of this city, merchant, died intestate, leaving an estate behind him,” Mr. Matthias Nicoll, Mr. John Ryder and Mr. Wm. Critchlow are appointed administrators. October 15, 1672. LIBER 1-2, page 101

Will of Charles Darriel – 1666

CHARLES DARRIEL, New York, “Merchant.” Appoints his “loving and affectionate friend, Timothy Biggs, of New York, Merchant,” his executor. Leaves to Mr. Wm. Browne, of New York,” a morning gown and other wearing apparel,” and “silk stockings as ave in our trunk, in custody of Mr. May of Boston.” To Mr. Cadd, of Boston, a piece of gold. To “my loving brother Richard Darriel, my silver hat band.” To “my sister Jane Darriel, two gold rings with stones set in them.” Dated October 10, 1666. Witnesses, James Willett, Samnel Wheate. Proved October 30, 1666. Quietus granted to Timothy Biggs, executor, … Read more

Biography of William Morrison

William Morrison. Along the Interurban as it passes through Ogden Township are found some beautiful farms, all of them representing the toil, self-sacrifice and industry of either their owners or of those worthy people who first claimed the land from the wilderness. One of these homes that stand for a most estimable personal career is that of William Morrison in section 8 of Ogden Township. Mr. Morrison was born in New York City in 1851. When he was ten years of age he was left an orphan by the death of his parents, and somewhat later a man named George … Read more

Will of John Larrison – 1670

JOHN LARRISON, Sr., New Town. “My will is that Wm. Ileyward be disposed of by my daughter Abigail until he be 21.” Leaves to son John 55 bushels of wheat, due from John Cleve of Utrecht. Rest of estate to son John and daughter Abigail. Leaves to wife (not named) 20s. and makes her executrix. Dated December 5, 1670. Witnesses, Wm. Loveridge, Gershain Moore, John Ramsden. Inventory taken September 7, 1671, by John Burroughs, Thomas Lawrence, and Ralph Hunt, mentions “House and land £75.” LIBER 1-2, page 57

Will of Balthazar De Hart, – 1671

Whereas Mr. BALTHAZAR DE HART, of this city, merchant, did in his will appoint Jan Hendricks Van Bomnmell, Jacob Teunison Kay, and Mons. Jacques Cousseau his executors, they are confirmed. July 24, 1671. LIBER 1-2, page 84 “Whereas BALTHAZAR DE HART, by his last will, did appoint Jan Hendricks Von Brommell, Jacob Teunison De Kay, and Jacques Consseau as his executors, and whereas his brothers and heirs, Daniel, Matthias and Jacobus De Hart have petitioned that they may have the administration of his estate.” It is granted August 9, 1675. LIBER 1-2, page 116 Matthias De Hart and Jacobus De … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mark E. Ryan

Mark E. Ryan, electrical contractor and proprietor of Ryan’s Electrical Store in the Sequoia Hotel Bldg., Redwood City, arrived in that city seven years ago, after lie had traveled in all parts of the United States. The climatic advantages and business opportunities quickly appealed to Mr. Ryan, and lie decided to establish himself in business in Redwood City and make it his home. Mr. Ryan has had a wide and varied experience in electrical work which he has followed since boyhood. After completing his education in -New York City, he worked as a lineman in New York and large cities … Read more

Hallock, Ahlma Rose MacDonald – Obituary

Ahlma R. MacDonald, 99, a resident of Tacoma the past 64 years, died Monday [January 7, 1985]. Mrs. MacDonald was born in Heppner, Ore. She was a retired librarian who had worked in Portland and New York City. She was a former member of the Ladies Musical Club, pro America, Tacoma County & Golf Club and Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Herrick (Beatrice) Allen of Tacoma, and two grandchildren. Buckley-King Downtown is in charge. Tacoma News Tribune, January 9, 1985 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Will of Thomas Brush – 1675

Whereas THOMAS BRUSH, late of Huntington, upon Long Island, died intestate.” His son Thomas is made administrator, September 10, 1675. “The apprizement of the inventory amounts to £306 12s., as returned to the Court of Sessions.” LIBER 1-2, page 120

Abstracts of Wills on File in the City of New York Surrogate’s Office 1660-1680

Sample Last Will and Testament

Abstracts of wills on file in the surrogate’s office city of New York 1660-1680. From May 1787 to the present, county surrogate’s courts have recorded probates. However, the court of probates and court of chancery handled estates of deceased persons who died in one county but who owned property in another. An 1823 law mandated that all probates come under the jurisdiction of the county surrogate’s courts. Each surrogate’s court has a comprehensive index to all probate records, including the unrecorded probate packets. Interestingly enough, there are wills existing and on record at the Surrogate’s Office in New York City for the time-span of 1660-1680. Genealogical extracts of these wills have been provided below.

Will of John Elton – 1675

JOHN ELTON, Southold. “Being very weake.” Leaves one half of movable estate to wife, the other half to Isaac Overton. Leaves to wife one half of lands and houses during life. After her decease the whole to go to Isaac Overton, “my sister’s son.” To daughter in law, Anna Nicolls, £10, in cattle. Makes his “trusty and well beloved friends,” Mr. Joshua Hobert and Mr. Thomas Hutchinson executors, and they are “to use all decent means to promote the welfare of my estate, and to counsel and direct my dear wife and kinsman, as may be most to God’s glory, … Read more

Biography of Oscar Krauss

Oscar Krauss is one of the veteran merchants of Topeka. After a residence of four years in America he came to that city in 1869. Nearly half a century had gone by, and at the present time the largest wholesale house of its character in the State of Kansas is O. Krauss & Sons, harness, leather and shoe findings. It had a splendid record of progress and one that had been built up on the basis of square dealing and strict integrity. The Krauss family from which the Topeka merchant is descended had an authentic record of antecedents as far … Read more

Biography of Frederick Rose

Frederick Rose is in the grain business and handles his share of the grain that comes to Homer. He has been connected with the grain trade for the better part of his active career, and came to Champaign County about ten years ago, and his name and his enterprise are now known throughout that rich and splendid farming district surrounding Homer on all sides. Mr. Rose was born in New York City, November 3, 1861, a son of Henry and Anna (Smith) Rose. Both parents were natives of Germany and his father came to America in 1846. He had served … Read more

Will of Henry Pearsall – 1667

HENRY PEARSALL, Hempstead. “This being the last will and testament of Henry Pearsall, Hee being in his right senses, notwithstanding very weake in Body.” Leaves to Joseph Williams “a pair of oxen I bought of Mr. Fordhams,” also some land upon ye north side lying in the New Field. Makes wife sole executor, and mentions “the four youngest of my children.” “I desire at the death of my wife the housing and land should be left to my son Nathaniel.” Dated July 24, 1667. Witnesses, Joseph Sutton, Clerk. Thomas Rushmore, Timothy Halstead. Proved March 1668. LIBER 1-2, page 23 Wee, … Read more

Biography of William Lester Kellogg

William Lester Kellogg. The superintendent of motive power of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, William L. Kellogg, had worked his way to his present position through his own initiative. At the outset of his career he had no favorable influences to assist him, and he had depended upon no happy circumstances to aid him in his promotion. The chances he had had have been the chances that have come to every man who had been placed in a position similar to his own; the reason that he had gone further than some of his fellow workmen is due to … Read more

Will of Nicholas Davis – 1673

“Whereas NICHOLAS DAVIS, late of Rhode Island, merchant, dyed intestate, leaving an estate upon the which Sarah his relict hath refused to administer or to intermeddle therein.” Mr. Jeronymus Ebbing of this city, merchant, Dr. Henry Taylor of this city and Mr. John Bound of Flushing, creditors, are appointed administrators, February 20, 1672/3. Thomas Gibbs is appointed instead of Jeronynms Ebbing. May 13, 1673. LIBER 1-2, page 104

Biography of John Thomas Axtell, M. D.

John Thomas Axtell, M. D. In thirty-six years of practice in Kansas, most of which time had been spent in Newton, Doctor Axtell had made a distinguished name, especially in the field of surgery. He founded Axtell Hospital and had been at its head and its principal surgeon since 1886, and had enjoyed more than a local reputation as a surgeon and hospital administrator. Doctor Axtell had spent most of his life in Kansas and represents a family of early settlers here. His birth occurred at Roseville, Illinois, August 11, 1856. His ancestry goes back to a prominent English family. … Read more

Biography of John S. Sutcliffe, M. D.

John S. Sutcliffe, M. D., is one of the widely known physicians and surgeons of Kansas, and besides a large private practice at Iola is proprietor of the Iola Hospital and Sanitarium, which he had brought to a high standard of excellence in its appointments and had made it an institution of widely extended benefit and service. Doctor Sutcliffe is a native of England, born January 10, 1861. He attended a private school known as Beckwith College at Liverpool, but at the age of fifteen came to America to join his father, who some years before had established himself in … Read more

Will of Thomas Hood – 1671

THOMAS HOOD, New York. “I, Thomas Hood, lately a souldier in ye Garrison of Fort James, being since my arrivall taken sick,” makes loving friends, Richard Patum and John Bugby, executors, and leaves them “my share of Log wood in the Ketch, ‘Society,’ now riding, at anchor in the road of New York, of which Thomas Edwards is master.” “I give ye summe of 300 guilders, wampum, or ye value thereof, to be spent among my fellow-souldiers in the Garrison of Fort James.” Legacies to friends John Clarke and Richard Charlton. Dated October 7, 1671. Witnesses, Francis Yates, John Laureson. … Read more

Biography of James McDermott, Hon.

Hon. James McDermott. The career of James McDermott, now a retired resident of the City of Winfield, has been one remarkable in many ways, and his life story contains many interesting chapters. From newsboy on the streets of New York to leading lawyer and member of the Kansas Legislature, his active career led him through many of the most important battles of the Civil war, as well as through the struggles of political life, and through it all he has maintained a reputation for courage, fidelity and absolute fearlessness. Mr. McDermott was born in New York City, New York, June … Read more