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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 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

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

Will of Petrus Stuyvesant, – 1671/2

“Whereas Mr. PETRUS STUYVESANT, heretofore Governor of these parts, for the States Generall, of the United Provinces, and West India Company, deceased, did in his last will and testament declare and appoint Mrs. Judith Bayard, his widow and Relict to be his whole and sole executrix.” And the said will having been presented in ye Mayor’s Court, and proof made according to Law, the said Judith Bayard is confirmed, March 7, 1671/2. LIBER 1-2, page 89

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 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 A. B. Rabbeson

A.B. RABBESON. – Mr. Rabbeson, who observes that “he was born of rich but honest parents” at New York in 1824, was devoted from his youth to the most interesting and desperate adventures. Nevertheless, he was always delivered from his perils just at the right time, and lives to-day in hale age at Olympia. His boyish adventures began not many years after the death of his father in 1833. His step-father he did not like, and consequently left home. We find him out in Canada, soon at New York City with his grandparents and attending school, but within a few … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Merton Merihew

Merihew, Henry Merton; attorney; born, Plattsburgh, N. Y., June 3, 1875; son of Henry W. and Deborah Havens Merihew; educated, Plattsburgh High School 1898, Cornell University College of Law, LL. B., 1898; married, New York City, July 29, 1897, 1907, Bessie Mable Hewitt; land and tax agt. Erie R. R. Co., since 1907; practiced law at Plattsburgh, N. Y., from June, 1898, to January, 1904; entered the legal department of the Erie R. R. Co.; in New York City; member Plattsburgh, N. Y., Lodge, No. 828, F. & A. M.

Will of Walnovers Letin, – 1671/2

Inventory of estate of WALNOVERS LETIN, of Dover, Staten Island, who hath lately deceased, taken by Gideon Marlett, Constable, in presence of Peter Belew, Simeon Come, Tys Barenson, “and many others then present,” January 16, 1671/2. One lot and housing, £1,000. Whole is £2,592. LIBER 1-2, page 93

Biography of William Hoffman

William Hoffman is president and manager of the Stock Yards Serum Company of Kansas City, Kansas. This is a company whose name and products are familiar to all the progressive hog raisers throughout the Middle West. Mr. Hoffman is a veteran in experience in the packing industry, and some years ago applied his practical knowledge, together with some capable associates, in giving Kansas City, Kansas, a special plant and laboratory for the production of a serum that would answer a widespread demand for an adequate preventive of hog cholera. Thus in 1910 the Stock Yards Serum Company was organized and … Read more

Will of Philemon Dickinson, – 1672

Letters of administration granted to Mary Dickinson, relict of PHILEMON DICKINSON, late of Southold. “She being made sole executrix in his will, which was proved at Court of Sessions in Southold in July last.” October 28, 1672. LIBER 1-2, page 101

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

Will of William Betts – 1673

WM. BETTS, Yonkers. “The Twelfth day of the Twelfth month 1673.” “I William Betts of the Yonckers Plantation, in the Jurisdiction now of New Orange so called.” Leaves to wife Alice, “house, barn and home lot, and meadows that are lying by my house lot,” also one third of my lot in the Planting Field, during her life: Also leaves her household goods. Leaves to son Samuel Betts, after his wife’s decease, the said house, Home lot and meadows, and one third of all lands in the Yonckers Plantation. Also a Home lot next to the home lot of Goodman … 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 Howard W. Hosford

HOWARD W. HOSFORD, who has risen from humble beginnings to the position of general manager of the Norwood Manufacturing Company, of Florence, a village of Northampton, Massachusetts, has also given of his valued services, technical knowledge and administrative capacity to his home city, having served four consecutive terms twelve years, as a member of the City Water Commission, a body whose offices and powers are of immense importance to the domestic, industrial and civic life as well as to the healthfulness of the community in general. In performing this duty to the city, Mr. Hosford has exhibited the dependable and … Read more

Will of Balthazar De Vasch – 1670

BALTHAZAR DE VASCH, of Amesford, having absented himself from his habitation, and is gone out of the country, Capt. Elbert Elberts and Mr. Jacob Strycker, of Midwood, are appointed Trustees of his estate to take possession. October 21, 1670. LIBER 1-2, page 52

Will of Thomas Wicks, – 1670

THOMAS WICKS, Huntington. Leaves to wife (not named) the use of one third of “accommodations I now live on,” for life, then to son John. To son Thomas the lot that was John Lewis’, and “a lot of meadow I bought of Noah Rogers,” also “Nayles to fitt up his house.” To son John “the other two thirds of accommodations where I now live.” Legacies to daughters Rebecca and Martha and their children (not named). Rest to wife and “four of my children namely: John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah.” Makes Isaac Platt and Thomas Powell executors. July 3, 1670. Witnesses, … 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

Tammany Society

The Tammany society – occasionally at first known as the Columbian Order took an Indian title and formulated for itself a ritual based upon supposedly Indian custom.

Biography of Alger, William Rounseville

Alger, William Rounseville, son of Nahum and Catherine Sampson (Rounseville) Alger, was born in Freetown, Bristol County, December 28, 1822. He attended the common schools from the age of four to ten, then began to work for a livelihood; he worked five years in a cotton mill at Hookset, N. H., studied attentively in all available house, educating himself in the various branches of an academic course. He attended an academy in Pembroke, N. H., two years, and one year at Lebanon, N. H. He entered the divinity school of Harvard University in 1844, and was graduated in the class … Read more