Suffolk County Wills & Obits
Suffolk County Wills,
1730-1744
(page 2)
Source Information:
Tami, Chris. New York City Wills, Vol. 3. Orem, UT: Ancestry,
Inc., 1998.
Ancestry.com
http://www.ancestry.com
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Page 142.--In the name of God, Amen.
The 14 December, 1733, I, JOHN HOWELL, of Southold, in Suffolk
County, yeoman, being at present very sick. I leave to my wife
Hannah all my movable estate, to be disposed of at her decease as
she shall think fit, to my daughters, except as hereinafter
given; I also leave to her the use of all lands, and meadows, and
houses for four years; and the use of one room in my dwelling
house, and one end of my barn, and the use of 1/3 of all lands
during her widowhood. I leave to my son, John Howell (the son of
Margaret Howell my former wife), two steers and one heifer. I
leave to my son, Jonathan Howell (the son of Hannah Howell, my
present wife), all my lands and tenements whatsoever, after my
wife's decease, also 2 steers and 1 heifer. I leave to each of my
daughters, Eunice, Jemima, and Esther, one good cow. I make my
wife sole executor.
Witnesses, Joseph Goldsmith, Peter Hallock, Tunis Sandford.
Proved, February 12, 1733/4.
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Page 143.--In the name of God, Amen. I, JOSIAH HALSEY, of the
town of Southampton, in Suffolk County, being sick in body. I
leave to my wife Mary, "all that part of my now dwelling
house where I now live, with the chamber, garrett, leanto and
bedroom, belonging to the same," and the south half of my
barn, stables and hovells, and an equal privilege of my barn
floor with my sons; Also the use of the south part of my home lot
of land, running from the northeast corner of my north cow yard,
westward to the south end of a ditch between me and Isaac Bower,
except 2 poles square of ground lying before my son Josiah's
door. Also the use of the south part of lot at Scuttle Hole,
running from a black oak tree standing on the north side of my
cow yard, and running east to the souther-most white oak tree
standing by the pond, and so from the said tree into the pond;
And also from said black oak tree standing on the north side of
my cow yard, and running westerly on a straight line to the west
end of my land; containing 20 poles in width; Also the use of 1/2
of my meadows and Commonages, and also my negro man
"John," "All these are to her while she remains my
widow and bears up my name;" I also leave to her 1/2 of my
cart, plows, and husbandry tools. My slave "John" is to
be free after the death of my wife. I leave to my daughter
Keziah, €10. To my daughter Martha, my great wainscott chest
and bedding and €15. To my daughter Elizabeth a bed and
bedding, and my great rugg, and my great chest, and my broad box
and small tables, and €30. To my daughter Mary, a feather
bed, and rugg, a chest and a small box standing in the bed room,
and €15. My daughters Elizabeth and Mary are to have free
benefit to live in my now dwelling house so long as they are
unmarried, and to have full privilege of my well. After my wife's
decease, all my houses, lands, meadows and commonages are to go
to my son, Josiah Halsey, and I make him sole executor; and I
appoint my beloved friends, John Howell, Esq., and Hugh Gelston,
merchant, and Thomas Reed, school-master, Overseers in trust.
Dated April 10, 1732, in the 5th year of His Majesty's reign.
Witnesses, Nathaniel Halsey, Thomas Stephens, Nathan Herrick.
Proved, February 16, 1733.
[NOTE.--King George II. of England was crowned October 11, 1727.]
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Page 152.--William Cosby, Esq., Captain-General and Governor,
etc. Whereas, GEORGE HAVENS, of Shelter Island, in Suffolk
County, died intestate, Letters of administration are granted to
his son, George Havens, and his widow, Mary Havens, April 5,
1734.
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Page 168.--In the name of God, Amen, February 21, 1733/4. I,
DANIEL HALSEY, of the town of Southampton, in Suffolk County,
being very sick. I leave to my wife Mary, the use of the east
half of my dwelling house, where my son Daniel now lives, that is
to say, that half part as it is now finished; Also the chamber
and Garrett, and leanto below; and 1/2 the well and barn, and 1/3
of my movable estate; and the use of 1/3 of my lands during her
life. Also my negro woman "Lesser." I leave to my son
Daniel Halsey, the other half of my dwelling house and all my
lands adjoining to the same, called the Homestead, after my
wife's decease; Also my close of land called the Wood Close,
lying adjoining to John Sayre and Christopher Foster, And 1/2 of
all my lands and meadows at Quioge, and 1/2 of my undivided lands
and commonage throughout the bounds of the town; and my acre of
land at Halseys neck, and my orchard at Seven Ponds, and all
other lands not herein mentioned; And my son Daniel shall pay to
my son Silas, €10, when he is of age. I leave to my son,
Henry Halsey, my close of land lying at Scuttle Hole, being 20
acres; bounded by Theophilus Howell, Josiah Topping, and David
Fithian, and the dwelling house and buildings thereon; Also my
other close at Scuttle Hole, being 32 acres, bounded by Benjamin
Woodruff and Daniel Hedges, and undivided lands; Also 1/2 of my
land and meadow at Quioge, and 1/2 of my undivided lands and
commonage, And all my meadow on the beach, and my meadow at
Brushy Neck; And he is to pay to his brother Silas, €10. I
leave to my son Silas Halsey all my personal estate, after the
payment of debts. I leave to my daughter Amy, €10. I make my
sons Daniel and Henry executors.
Witnesses, Daniel Foster, Samuel Howell, Christopher Foster.
Proved before Brinley Silvester, April 24, 1734.
[NOTE.--Daniel Halsey lived at Wickapogue, near Southampton
Village. The homestead is still owned by his descendants, and is
one of the very few places which have been handed down from
father to son, since the original laying out in 1640.--W. S. P.]
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Page 171.--William Cosby, Esq., Captain-General and Governor,
etc. Whereas, DANIEL HALSEY, JR., of the town of Southampton, in
Suffolk County, died intestate, Letters of administration are
granted to his wife Hannah Halsey, April 24, 1734.
[NOTE.--This is the son Daniel Halsey, mentioned in the will of
Daniel Halsey on the preceding page. He died within a few days of
his father.--W. S. P.]
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Page 174.--William Cosby, Esq., Captain-General and Governor.
Whereas, JOHN ROGERS, of Southold, in Suffolk County, died
intestate, Letters of administration are granted to David Corey,
of Suffolk County, May 6, 1734.
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Page 186.--In the name of God, Amen. I, EBENEZER LEEK, of the
town of East Hampton, in Suffolk County, cooper, being in good
health. I leave to my wife Hannah all my lands and tenements in
East Hampton, during her life; And after her decease to my son
Recompence Leek. I leave to my sons, Stephen and Ichabod, 5
shillings each. I leave to my daughters, Hannah Alien and Aylce
Smith and Abigail Woodruff, each 5 shillings. All the rest of my
estate I leave to my son Recompence, and I make him executor.
"My will is that my son Recompence shall maintain his mother
honorable, so long as she shall live."
Dated March 19, 1722/3. Witnesses, Joseph Osborne, Eliakim
Conkling, John Davis. Proved, before Brinley Silvester, Esq.,
July 3, 1734.
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Page 205.--In the name of God, Amen. I, JOSEPH WICKHAM, of
Southold, in Suffolk County, being at present in health. I leave
to my son Joseph, and to his male heirs, all my houses, lands,
and buildings where I now dwell; with all meadows adjoining to
the same, in the Neck. In default of male heirs, the said lands
are to go to my son William and to his male heirs, and in default
of male heirs, then to the next male heir forever. I leave to my
son William, and his male heirs, all the house and lands and
buildings where he now dwelleth in Southold, and all my meadows
lying at Robins Island neck, and at the Great meadows, which said
lands lye between the lands of Thomas Tusten and Jacob Dayton, In
default of male heirs, the lands are to go to my son Benjamin,
and his male heirs, and in default, then to the next male heir. I
leave to my daughter, Elizabeth Gardiner, my mulatto girl until
she is 30 years old and then to be free. I leave to my grand
daughter, Elizabeth Stader, "one good feather bed and
furniture and my biggest brass kettle, and an iron pot and iron
kettle, and 3 large pewter platters, and 6 butter plates, and 3
silver spoons, and 2 pewter basons, and 3 pewter porringers. I
leave to my sons Benjamin, Samuel, and Jonathan, and my daughter
Elizabeth all my movables except my movables on Robins Island. I
leave to my sons Benjamin, Samuel, and Jonathan, all the rents of
Robins Island for 12 years, to be let out by my executors to the
best advantage. "My meaning is that no part of the said
Island shall be plowed more than three times during the said
twelve years. After the expiration of the said twelve years I
leave to my son Joseph and to his male heirs all my said Island
called Robins Island, and in default of male heirs, then to my
son William and his heirs male, and in default, then to the next
male heir forever. I leave to my sons Joseph and William all my
right in the Patent, land lately purchased of Colonel Henry Smith
and Major William Smith, and all my right in the Purchase lately
made of William Mapes, at Cutchogue. I appoint my 3 sons, Joseph,
William, and Samuel, executors.
Dated April 20, 1734. Witnesses, Gideon Wickham, Joshua Budd,
John Holloway. Proved before Brinley Silvester, Esq., August 17,
1734.
[NOTE.--The intention of the testator, to have the lands continue
to his latest posterity, was not realized. The lands finally
descended to his grand son, Parker Wickham, whose devotion to the
Royal cause, at the time of the Revolution, caused them to be
confiscated. Robins Island, which is so conspicuous a feature in
Peconic Bay, was sold by the Commissioners of Forfeitures to
Colonel Benjamin Talmage, and Caleb Brewster, August 5, 1784, for
€1,250, or $3,125. A part of the lands mentioned are in the
village of Riverhead, and were sold to Nathaniel Norton and
others at the same time.--W. S. P.].
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Page 216.--In the name of God, Amen. I, SAMUEL BISHOP, of the
town of Southampton, in Suffolk County, in the Province of New
York, on the Island of Nassau, yeoman, being weak in body. I
leave to my wife Elizabeth, the use of the best room in my now
dwelling house, and the chamber over the same, and the leanto
adjoining the said room, and 1/2 my barn and well, and 1/3 of all
lands and meadows and Commonage, during her life, and also the
use of my movable estate. I leave to my son Samuel my now
dwelling house and home lot, and my close of land as I lately
bought of Nathan Sayre, and my close of land lying near the Seven
Ponds as I bought of Joshua Barnes, and my orchard land lying at
Long Springs, and 1/2 of a €50 right of Commonage running
throughout the town bounds. I leave to my son, John Bishop, my
dwelling house and home lot as I lately bought of Joseph Pierson,
and my close of land lying between Joseph Goodale, Samuel Cooper,
John Woolly and Elizabeth Bishop, widow of Josiah Bishop, And my
close of land lying between Benjamin Hains and Ichabod Sayre, And
my close of land lying at the Long Springs adjoining to Isaac
Halsey, Jeremiah Jagger and Obadiah Rogers, And 1/2 of a €50
right of Commonage. But if he die without issue, then the said
lands are to go to my son Daniel. I also leave him 1/2 of my
meadows. If my sons John and Daniel both die without issue, then
the lands are to go to my son James. I leave to my wife and my
son Samuel, my team and tackling. I leave to my daughters Susanah
and Mehitabel, each 20 shillings. To my daughter Hannah, 40
shillings, and to my daughters Deborah and Elizabeth, each 20
shillings. I leave to my son Daniel €30 when of age, and to
my son James €20 when of age. I leave to my two youngest
daughters, Phebe and Abigail, €10 each. I make my wife and
my son John, executors, and my beloved friend, John Post,
overseer in trust.
Dated November 21, 1730. Witnesses, Josiah Howell, Jr., Elias
Howell, Thomas Reed. Proved, August 25, 1734.
[NOTE.--The homestead of Samuel Bishop is at the north end of
Southampton main street, and is now owned by his descendant,
Samuel Bishop. The close "bought of Nathan Sayre" is a
part of the home farm. The close near Seven Ponds, bought of
Joshua Barnes, is at the edge of the woods, and is north of
Archibald farm, lately owned by Bernard Archibald. The house and
home lot left to his son John, and bought of Joseph Pierson, is
probably now owned by Horace Fanning and is at the north end of
David White's lane.--W. S. P.]
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Page 219.--In the name of God, Amen. I, RICHARD WOOD, of the town
of Southampton, in Suffolk County, Gent., being weak in body. I
leave to my wife Hannah the use of all lands, houses, and
commonage, "so long as she continues my widow and bears up
my name." "If she marries, then I give her what the Law
will allow, and no more." I leave to my son, Silas Wood, my
now dwelling-house and home lot adjoining, and all my meadow
lying within the North Sea bounds and 1/2 €50 right of
Commonage. If he dies without issue, then to my son Abraham, and
to his heirs male forever, and in default of male heirs then to
my son Theophilus and his heirs male, and in default of his male
heirs, then to my son Matthew and his heirs male, and in default,
then to the next male heir. But if my son Silas shall have a mind
to sell the house and lot, meadows and commonage, then my son
Matthew shall have liberty to purchase the same, but no other
person whatever. But if he purchase it, then neither he, nor the
next heir male shall have power to sell the same. And my son
Matthew, if he purchases it, shall pay €100 and no more, and
it shall abide and remain unto him and the next heir male from
generation to generation forever. All the rest of my lands,
meadows, and Commonage, I leave to my son Matthew and his heirs
male, and so to continue. I leave to my daughter Hannah 5
shillings, and to my wife a bed and bedstead. To my daughter
Phebe one bed and bedding, and 8 pair of sheets and a piece of
calico for curtains, and my new chest of drawers. I leave to my
wife and my daughter Phebe all my brass, iron, and pewter, and my
daughter Phebe is to have the right to live in the west room of
my dwellinghouse, and have the privilege of the well and pump, so
long as she is unmarried. And she shall take my son Silas, to
keep and maintain until he is fourteen years of age, and she is
to have the use of all my meadows at Shinecock till that time. My
close of land at Old Town, which I bought of Zebulon Howell, and
1/4 of a €50 right of commonage which I bought of Daniel
Bower, are to be sold by my executors. My sons Matthew,
Theophilus, Abraham and Silas, are to be bound out, to learn some
suitable trades, when they are 14 years of age. My son Matthew is
to pay to his brothers, Abraham and Theophilus, €10, when of
age. If my wife should happen, through the Providence of God, to
be taken sick or lame, she may sell so much of the lands as to
procure her a sufficient and honorable support. I leave to my son
Theophilus 13 silver coat buttons, and I leave the rest of my
silver buttons to my other sons. I make my wife Hannah executor,
and my brother-in-law, John Reeves, blacksmith, and Joshua
Halsey, yeoman, and John Post, Gent., and Thomas Stephens,
yeoman, Overseers in trust. My personal estate to be sold by
executors.
April 17, 1731. Witnesses, Henry Pierson, John Mackie, Thomas
Reed.
Codicil, dated March 29, 1734. Revokes order to sell personal
estate.
Witnesses, John Howell, Hugh Gelston, John Mackie. Proved, August
26, 1734.
[NOTE.--The homestead of Richard Wood is on the east side of Main
street, of the village of Southampton, and the second lot south
of the Presbyterian church, and now owned by Mrs. Susan Herrick.
The intentions of the testator to have his lands entailed,
"from generation to generation," utterly failed.
Matthew Wood, who went to Southold, sold the lands in the rear of
the home lot, extending east to Old Town street, to James Herrick
in 1748. The home lot on Main street was already sold to Samuel
Huntting. The close at Old Town is on the north corner of the
road to Wickapogue.--W. S. P.]
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Page 225.--In the name of God, Amen, April 11, 1734. I, DANIEL
HEDGES, of the Town of Southhampton, in Suffolk County, being
sick. I leave to my wife Abigail, 1/3 of my movable estate, and
1/2 of my team and tackling, and the use of 1/3 of my lands, and
all my dwelling house and barn, until my son Jonathan is of age.
And after that she is to have the use of the best room in the
house, and 1/2 the barn, and 1/3 of the lands, meadows, and
Commonage during her life. I leave to my son Daniel the house,
barn, and lot which I bought of Daniel Sayre, Jr., also the lot
or close lying on the east side of it, and the lot on the north
side of the highway, called the Well Lot, and the piece of meadow
lying by Daniel Dayton's meadow on the east side of little North
West Neck; Also the piece of land lying to the north of Henry
Wick, between Silas Sayre and Thomas Sandford's land, and 1/2 my
right on Montauket and a €50 and a 1/4 of Commonage. I leave
to my son Jonathan, my house, barn, and home lot, and the close
called the Hither Close, lying between John Morehouse and Peter
Hildreth's land, and the piece of land called the Wood Close,
bounded north by the Country road and south by Josiah Pierson;
Also my Scuttle Hole lot, lying between Benjamin Woodruff and
Josiah Halsey, And a piece of meadow at Great North West; Also a
€50 right of Commonage and a lot at Noyack near Isaac
Jessup's, joining to Elisha Howell's land. I leave to my daughter
Mary, two cows on the day of her marriage. I make my wife and son
Daniel, executors.
Witnesses, Stephen Topping, Ezekiel Sandford, David Pierson.
Proved, August 26, 1734.
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Page 231.--In the name of God, Amen. I, JOHN BRADDICK, of
Southold, in Suffolk County, mariner, being at this present time
at Boston, in Massachusetts Bay, in good bodily health. I leave
to my wife Mary 1/3 of all my estate during her life. I leave to
my son John, all my lands and tenements. To my daughter Mary,
€5. To Thomas Sandforth, of Southold, who is now my partner,
€100. All the rest of my estate is to be sold by my
executors, and the proceeds divided among my five youngest
children, Alice, Elizabeth, David, Peter, and Abigail. I make my
son John and Thomas Sandforth, executors. "I have hereto set
my hand and seal at Boston."
September 6, 1733. Witnesses, Stephen Boutineau, Gillam Phillips,
John Payne. Proved before Brinley Silvester, Esq., September 6,
1734.
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Page 233.--William Cosby, Esq., Captain-General and Governor.
Whereas, ELIAS COOK, of the town of Southampton, in Suffolk
County, died intestate, Letters of administration are granted to
his wife Mehetabel, August 26, 1734.
This page was last updated August 31, 2000.