New York City New York Genealogy

Biography of John R. Tercy

John R. Tercy, present prohate judge of Ellsworth County, possesses in a distinguishing degree that fine balance of qualities and faculties which enables a probate judge to handle the many delicate problems of administration in a manner that means the approximation of justice to them all. Judge Tercy is not so much a lawyer as a man of affairs. He had had a long and active experience and for many years was a prominent minister of the Presbyterian Church both in Kansas and other weetern states. Judge Tercy was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, September 19, 1858, and is of English … Read more

Will of Elizabeth Partridge – 1669

ELIZABETH PARTRIDGE, of Flushing. Leaves one fourth of estate “to all my grandchildren equally.” The rest “to all my children equally.” Makes “Mr. Elias Doughty, of Flushing,” executor. Dated May 23, 1669. Written at order of Elizabeth Partridge by me, Anthony Waters, Clerk. Proved June 9, 1669. Debts mentioned as owing to her from Robert Fecks, Francis ye Carpenter, Nicholas Davis, John Gonin. LIBER 1-2, page 38 Inventory of estate of ELIZABETH PARTRIDGE, taken by Wm. Laurence and Eyrke Jacobs, overseers chosen by the Constable,” October 18, 1669. House and lot, £45. Apraisal made by John Bowne, Wm. Noble, and … Read more

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

Early New England People

Sarah Titcomb over her years of study of various New England families had collected quite a bit of material of several early New England families. At the bequest of some of her friends, she prepared and published them in book form. When reading through the material I was impressed with the amount of material collected on each individual, and rather then a brief genealogical sketch, readers are provided an in-depth study of each early family: Ayer, Bartlett, Bradley, Chase, Dean, Dow, Dunster, Ellis, Fuller, Hope, Kilby, Martine, Les Dernier, Maverick, Mills, Montague, Pemberton, Pepperrell, Poore, Precott, Sewall, Longfellow, Spofford, Titcomb, Watmough, and Willard.

Will of Richard Everett – 1668

RICHARD EVERETT, of Jamaica, died intestate. Abraham Smith appointed administrator, September 4, 1668. Children mentioned but not named.

Will of John Underhill, Capt. – 1675

“Whereas Captain JOHN UNDERHILL, late of Killingworth, within the jurisdiction of Oyster Bay, upon Long Island, did in his will bequeath his whole estate to his wife Elizabeth, during widowhood, and did appoint his eldest son John, with others, to be trustees for his children,” and the said Elizabeth has since deceased, the said John Underhill is made administrator, November 4, 1675. LIBER 1-2, page 121

Will of Anna Hall – 1669

ANNA HALL, widow of Thomas Hall, of New York, was made executrix of his will, and confirmed March. 15, 1669/70. LIBER 1-2, page 51

Will of John White, – 1670

JOHN WHITE, Southampton, L. I. Leaves to only son John all houses and lands. “If he die without issue then to my daughter Elizabeth. If she die without issue then to my wife Hannah, for life, and then to the eldest son of my brother James White. If he die without issue then one half to my two nephews, John Topping and Thomas Topping. The other half to be divided amongst my four youngest sisters” [not named]. Wife to have use of property till son comes of age. Makes wife Hannah executrix, and “my loving friends, Francis and Daniel Sayre, … Read more

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

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 Hope Barrints – 1671

“Whereas HOPE BARRINTS, a carpenter, died intestate at Breucklyn upon Long Island, and leaving no relations of wife, children, or other kindred,” Mr. Allard Anthony, Sheriff of New York, is made administrator, February 28, 1671. Francis Lovelace. LIBER 1-2, page 104

Will of Cornelius Beackman – 1668

CORNELIS BEACKMAN, New Utrecht. “Being sicke in his bed, disposes his estate as follows.” First, he, the said Cornelis Beackman, and his wife Marihe Cornelis “do break and anull their first Contract of Marriage,” and do declare that of all they have in this world the said wife shall have one half, and his daughter Mellitie the other half. But if his wife should die before the daughter is twelve years of age, “which God forbid,” the testator appoints Lucas Dirckse and John ye Cooper, Jr., to be tutors of said child, they being both inhabitants of New York. Dated … Read more

Will of Charles Morgan – 1668

CHARLES MORGAN, Gravesend. Makes wife Katharine sole executrix. Leaves to son Charles the lot or Plantations recorded to him in the Towne Books of Gravesend. To my other three sons, Thomas, John, and Daniel, the land and Plantation I now live on, and the barn that was formerly Slynihah Loras. His wife is to have the use of the said premises, “to dwell in soe long as shee shall keepe herself a widow. All this is my mynde and will soe to be.” Mentions daughters Mary, Rachel, and Susannah. Dated “Thirteenth day of 7th month 1668.” Witness Wm. Goulding, Sam’l … Read more

Biography of Ely Moore, Sr.

Ely Moore, Sr. If Kansas should seek among its living citizens a man whose career is richest in associations with the events far back in territorial times there could be no better approximation to the ideal choice than that of the venerable Ely Moore, Sr., of Lawrence. Now in his eighty-fifth year, he saw when a young man in his early twenties much of that strenuous struggle which made Kansas Territory the battle ground of the nation. His own life had been regulated on strenuous lines, and he comes of fighting ancestry. He is descended from Sir Thomas More, who … Read more

Biography of Prof. George Bush

George Bush, one of the most eminent Biblical scholars and Orientalists of his time in America, was born in Norwich, Vt., June 12, 1796, a son of John and Abigal (Marvin) Bush, and grandson of Capt. Timothy Bush. The boyhood of George Bush was mostly passed in Hanover, New Hampshire, whither his father removed when he was quite young. The son gave early indications of superior intelligence. His eldest sister says “he had a ravishing love of books from her first remembrance of him.” He frequented the College library at Hanover and would bring home ponderous volumes, almost as large … Read more

Will of John Julius, Capt. – 1671

“Whereas Captain JOHN JULIUS, late commander of the ‘Loyal Dorothy’ of Nevis, now at anchor in this port, dyed here, and left Mr. Gabriel Mimeveille, of this city, merchant, his sole executor.” He is confirmed as such. “Having due regard to the orders given to said Captain John Julius by Sir Charles Wheeler, Governor General, of the Leeward Islands, to whom and his friends the greater part of the cargo doth belong.” September 20, 1671. Francis Lovelace. LIBER 1-2, page 84

Will of Roger Townsend – 1674

ROGER TOWNSEND, Westchester, “Being very weake and sicke,” leaves to wife Mary all goods and chattels. To my three sons Mordecai, Thomas and John Bedient £10 each. “I request Captain Wm. Lawrence and Mr. Richard Cornell to be overseers of this my will. That my wife may not in the leaset be prejudiced or injured in any of my estate.” “I also give unto my two overseers all my tract of Land which I now live upon, which belongs to my Patent, if they please to accept of it at my decease. Only they shall give unto my three sons … Read more

Administration of the will of Samuel Mayo – 1670

“Whereas SAML MAYO (or Majo) who had sometime an estate in Oyster Bay, did leave a lot of land he had there in the hands of Anthony Wright, as security for a sum of money and is since deceased intestate. And the said Anthony Wright hath made no improvements, although it hath been in his hands severall yeares, as no legal conveyance has been made to him, and as he is the only creditor to the deceased in these parts.” The said Anthony Wright is made the administrator, February 2, 1670. LIBER 1-2, page 60

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

Letter of Administration for Roger Goodspeede – 1665

ROGER GOODSPEEDE, of Barnstable, Massachusetts, had wife Alice, who was sister and “next heire” of John Layton, “late of Middleborrough, alias New Towne upon Long Island.” Upon application of their son Nathaniel Goodspeede, Letters of Administration were granted to his parents January 2, 1665. LIBER 1-2, page 5

Biographical Sketch of Francis G. Jaques

Francis G. Jaques. One of the early and most prominent members of the Champaign County bar was Francis G. Jacques, who began practice here prior to the war and continued his work with unabating interest until his death on November 14, 1896. Mr. Jaques was born in New York City January 5, 1839, a son of Robert Lee and Mary (Cooper) Jaques. Both parents were natives of New Jersey. Mr. Jaques was educated chiefly in New York City, studied law there, and also had a brief experience as a school teacher in Michigan. He came to Champaign at the age … Read more