WILL
OF ELISHA TAYLOR
from the collection of Elisha's fourth great-grandson.
Transcribed
by: Diane Kay Gilbert Gelder
Elisha was born 19 May 1748 in Coventry, Tolland County, Connecticut,
and died 26 August 1829 in Great Stockbridge, Berkshire County,
Massachusetts. He is said to have been the son of Stephen Taylor,
1721-1813, and Deliverance Rust Taylor, 1729-1813. Elisha Taylor's
wife, Jerusha Hutchins Taylor, was born 23 August 1752 in Bolton,
Tolland County, Connecticut, and died shortly before her husband
on 14 July 1829 in West Stockbridge.
"In the name of God, Amen. I Elisha Taylor of West Stockbridge
in the County of Berkshire, considering the uncertainty of life,
& being advanced in years & being of perfect & sound
mind an memory, blessed by Almighty God for the same, do make
and publish this my last will and testament, in manner & form
following that is to say.
1st. I give to my beloved wife Jerusha Taylor the use and
improvement of all my real estate in the town of West Stockbridge,
beside what I have this day deeded to my Son Lystra Taylor, during
her natural life, provided & in case a good & comfortable
support shall not at all times be furnished her by my Son Lystra
Taylor, & in case my said Son, his heirs or assigns shall
at all times furnish her with good & sufficient & proper
support & maintenance, it shall be in lieu of the use and
improvement of the real estate aforesaid. And I further give &
bequeath to my Wife Jerusha all my household furniture to be at
her sole use and disposal.
2nd. I give to each of my sons, Hutchens Taylor & Stephen
Taylor each the sum of one dollar, considering that I have heretofore
made ample provision for them.
3rd. I give to my two Daughters, Clarrissa Knibloe &
Jerusha Willcox, each the sum of one dollar, considering also
that I have heretofore made ample provision for them.
4th. I give to my Son Lystra Taylor and to his heirs &
assigns forever all the rest & residue of my Real & personal
estate wheresoever the same may be situate, including all my rights
and credits to have & to hold free & clear from all encumbrances,
after all my just debts shall have been paid & after a good
& comfortable support shall have been furnished my wife Jerusha
as aforesaid, to him the said Lystra Taylor, his heirs & assigns
forever, whom I hereby appoint, sole Executor of this my last
will and testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal, this
twenty seventy day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred
& twenty two. Elisha Taylor & Seal Signed, sealed, published
& declared by the above named Elisha Taylor to be his last
will & testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses, in the presence of the testator.
Robbins Kellog, Augustin Spencer, John Kellogg"
Will proven September 4, 1822 in Lenox, Berkshire County, under
authority of William Walker.
ALSO - from the same collection, the following document, which
was apparently written by the above Elisha's brother Stephen:
"There may Certify Whomsoever
it may Concern That I Stephen
Taylor Jun. have Volentarily
Inlisted and Ingaged to do Six
Months Service in the Continental
Army one half for my Hon. Fathe(r)
Taylor & the other half for my
Brother Elisha. Taylor
Stephen Taylor
Dated Tyringham June 26th 1780"
OTHER
INFORMATION
Both
Stephen and Elisha are named in "Massachusetts Soldiers and
Sailors in the War of the Revolution," 17 volumes.
Volume 15, page 426
"Taylor, Elisha, Tyringham. Corporal, Capt. Ezekiel Hearick's
co., Col. Brown's (Berkshire Co.) regt.; entered service June
29, 1777; discharged July 26, 1777; service 28 days, in Northern
department, including 5 days (112 miles) travel home; also, Private,
Capt. Noah Lankton's co., Co. John Ashley's (1st Berkshire Co.)
regt.; entered service Sept. 19, 1777; discharged Oct. 11, 1777;
service, 23 days; company marched on expedition to Stillwater
by order of Brig. Gen. John Fellows."
Volume 16, page 456
"Taylor, Stephen, Tyringham. List of men raised for the 6
months service and returned by Brig. Gen. Paterson as having passed
muster in a return dated Camp Totaway, Oct. 25, 1780; also, pay
roll for 6 months men raised by the town of Tyringham for service
in the Continental Army during 1780; marched to camp July 1, 1780;
discharged Dec. 13, 1780; service, 5 mos., 17 days, including
travel (80 miles) home."
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