New York

Slave Narrative of John W. Matheus

Interviewer: Bishop & Isleman Person Interviewed: John Williams Matheus Location: Steubenville, Ohio Age: 77 Place of Residence: 203 Dock Street WPA in Ohio Federal Writers’ Project Bishop & Isleman Reporter: Bishop (Revision) July 8, 1937 Topic: Ex-Slaves Jefferson County, District #5 JOHN WILLIAMS MATHEUS Ex-Slave, 77 years “My mothers name was Martha. She died when I was eleven months old. My mother was owned by Racer Blue and his wife Scotty. When I was bout eleven or twelve they put me out with Michael Blue and his wife Mary. Michael Blue was a brother to Racer Blue. Racer Blue died … Read more

Slave Narrative of Robert Toatley

Interviewer: W. W. Dixon Person Interviewed: Robert Toatley Location: Winnsboro, South Carolina Date of Birth: May 15, 1855 Age: 82 Robert Toatley lives with his daughter, his son, his son’s wife, and their six children, near White Oak, seven miles north of Winnsboro, S.C. Robert owns the four-room frame house and farm containing 235 acres. He has been prosperous up from slavery, until the boll weevil made its appearance on his farm and the depression came on the country at large, in 1929. He has been compelled to mortgage his home but is now coming forward again, having reduced the … Read more

Will of Thomas Jones, – 1669

THOMAS JONES, Huntington, L. I. “His will is that his three youngest sons may have 20 shillings each.” Leaves same sum to “my eldest sons. To daughter Martha, £10. “To my eldest son Thomas my best cloak. To my son John my watch,” and make my wife executrix. February 16, 1669. LIBER 1-2, page 72 Witnesses, Samuel Titus, Thomas Powell. Sworn to by witnesses, February 26, 1669. Jonas Wood. Proved at Court of Sessions held at Southampton, March 2, 1669, and his wife Katharine Jones, was confirmed as executrix. Henry Pierson, Clerk. Inventory, £195. House and Lands, £35. Samuel Titus, … 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 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

Will of John Woodruff, – 1670

JOHN WOODRUFF, Southampton, L. I. Leaves to his eldest son, John Woodruff, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, “a half Crown Piece, in full of all portions and patrimony to be expected of me.” To daughter Anne Woolley, £20. To daughter Elizabeth Dayton, £20. Leaves rest of estate to wife Ann and youngest son John Woodruff,and makes them executors. Dated May 4, 1670. Witnesses, Christopher Foster, John Laughton. Know all men by this, that the above written will ~s of my own handwriting, and I saw ye said John Woodruff sett to his marke, and take off ye seale or stamp from … Read more

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

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

Will of Jonas Bower, – 1670

JONAS BOWER, Southampton. Leaves to son Joseph seventeen acres of land at Flying Point, and three acres in the last Division to be taken at the east end next to Robert Woolley’s, one half my meadow on the beach, one half my meadow in Quaganantuck, a £50 right in the ox pasture, and a £50 right of Comnionage. To son James his portion in cattle. “I leave it to my wife’s liberty to pay to my son Jonathan his portion as she shall see meet.” Leaves to wife Hannah use of house and land till son Jonah comes of age. … Read more

Will of Richard Morris, – 1672

“Whereas Captain RICHARD MORRIS, of this city, merchant, died intestate leaving a considerable estate behind him, and whereas his brother, Colonel Lewis Morris, hath a great interest for the protection of the estate, it is judged requisite that some extraordinary care should be taken.” I have thought fit to appoint Mr. Matthias Nicoll, mayor of this city, Captain Thomas Delavall, and Captain Cornelius Steenwych of the Council to His Royal Highness’ Government, Captain John Berry and Mr. Thomas Gibbs to be administrators, this September, 1672. E. Andross.” LIBER 1-2, page 97

Will of John Williams, – 1672

JOHN WILLIAMS, New York. Leaves to Anthony Jansen Turk, “all my tools in the house of Henry Morris in New Jersey, as also whatever I have in the house of Anthony Jansen, or elsewhere.” And all my land in New Jersey according to the records of Elizabethtown, and he is to pay to Henry Morris a debt of 40 shillings and the funeral charges. Makes Henry Morris executor. Dated October 10, 1672. Witnesses, Otto Gerritse, John Sharpe. Letters of administration granted to Anthony Jansen Turk, October 15, 1672. LIBER 1-2, page 98

Will of Thomas Terry, Sr. – 1671

THOMAS TERRY, SR., Southold. “I, Thomas Terry, Sen., of Southold, being very sicke and weake.” Leaves to beloved wife (not named) fifteen bushels of corn yearly, during her life. Ten bushels to be paid by my son Daniel, and five by my son Thomas. Also household goods and four bushels of apples yearly. “And if my son Daniel marry, and they doe not like to live together, then my son Daniel shall build my wife a convenient house for her comfortable living” To daughter Elizabeth a cow when she marries or comes of age. Legacies to daughter Ruth and daughter … 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

Will of John Hadden – 1671

JOHN HADDEN, Jamaica, leaves to Captain Matthias Nicoll “my horse in the hands of Mrs. Marshall.” To Peter Smith, of Jamaica, a horse. To John, son of William and Margary Meritt, £10, “to be paid to his parents against he arrive to years of understanding.” Legacies to Henry Newton, John Thompson,” belonging to ye Garrison of New York,” Mr. Edward Smith, of New York, John Clarke, Richard Charlton, and Richard Dow, “to Margaret Welham, servant of Wm. Merritt., for care and trouble in taking care of me in my sickness, 80 shillings,” to loving friend, Benjamin Coe, £5. Makes Elias … Read more

Will of John Hart, – 1671

JONN HART, of Maspeth Kills, L. I. “A little before his death made a nuncupative will ‘after this manner.’ Gives to eldest son (not named) one shilling, he having already received his portion. To son William one Hog, and to his daughter Sarah another. Leaves the Plantation and rest of goods to his two sons Samuel and William and his two daughters Sarah and Susan. “In presence of Thomas Wandell, and Anne his wife, Humphrey Clay and Sarah his wife, and also other neighbors then present.” Letters of Administration granted to Samuel Hart father of said John Hart, — —, … 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 Nicholas Stillwell – 1671

NICHOLAS STILLWELL, Staten Island, “Husband-man,” “being weak and sicke,” leaves to youngest son Jeremiah an iron gray mare. Leaves to “well beloved and affectionate wife Anne” all lands, houses, and estate, and makes her executor. Dated December 22, 1671. Witnesses, Nicholas De Meyer, Richard Charlton. Letters of Administration granted to wife Anne, June 17, 1672. LIBER 1-2, page 93

Will of Claas Melise – 1672

“Whereas CLAAS MELISE, late an inhabitant of this city, was by an unhappy accident, returning in his sloop, from Virginia to this city, struck over-board into ye sea, by which means he is departed this natural life.” Upon request of his widow, Gretie Ancus, that John Poppers and Hendricks Van Bommell, might be appointed the administrators, they are so confirmed, July 12, 1672. Children are mentioned but not named. LIBER 1-2, page 94

Will of Gabriel Lynch, – 1671

Whereas GABRIEL LYNCH, late of Newtown, died intestate, his widow Margaret Lynch is appointed administratrix, September 3, 1671. LIBER 1-2, page 95

Will of Jonathan Marsh – 1672

Whereas, JONATHAN MARSH, of Westchester, died intestate, and Captain John Plott having married his widow, upon petition the said Captain John Plott and his wife Anne are appointed administrators, May 6, 1672. LIBER 1-2, page 96