Joshua Currey

We know a good deal about Joshua from the testimony given on his claim for land in the Province of New Brunswick, to which he removed after the war. The testimony follows as published in The Second Report of the Bureau of Archives, Alexander Fraser, Toronto, 1905, p. 285
St. John, February 20 1787.
188. Evidence on the claim of Josph. Curry, late of Cortland's Manor.
Claimt sworn.
Says he came from New York in October 1783 and gave his claim to Mr Hardy to carry to England. He paid Mr Hardy a guinea with the claim.
He is a native of New York Province. When the rebellion broke out he lived in PeeksKill.
He joined the British Army in March 1777, before that time he had skulked and had never taken any part with the rebels. He had often been fined for not attending the muster. Ever since 1777 he had been within the lines. He had a farm in Morisinia, (Morrisania, now in the Bronx, New York City) and came to this country at the peace. He now lives on Major's (Mauger's) Island, 40 miles up the river
103 acres in the Manor of Courtlandt. He has had it in his Possession about 15 years. Says he gave L400 New York currency for it. After the purchase he fenced it all and thinks in 1775 he could have sold it for L500 Currency.
He understood that this was in the Possession of a Rebel, his wife told him so.
36 acres of Land, likewise in Courtland's Manor, he bought it from his father some years before the war for L90 currency, all Woodland. He had cleared this and now values it at L5 per acre, L180.
5 acres adjacent, purchased many years ago, was a good as the former. He was once offered L10 per acre for it.
Property sold at Vendue: 2 oxen -6 cows -4 heifers -an ox -6 young cattle -55 sheep -18 hogs
-8 horses -farming utensils -furniture saved -30 acres of wheat -10 acres of rye in the ground.
Proof of Confiscation and Sale required.
Witness, Dr. Peter Huggerford, sworn:
Remembers Claimt near Peeks Kill before the war. Believes that he was always Loyal and that he quitted his Property in 1777 on account of his Loyalty. Property he cannot speak to. He lived on a farm belonging to his father and lived well. His farm was well stocked.
Witness, Daniel DeVow, sworn:
Says he was a near neighbour to Claimt. before the war. He lived with Claimt's brother. Recollects No. 1 and that he bought it from Samuel Turner, thinks that before the war he could have sold it for L400 Currency.
And No. 2 was as good and would have sold for L4 per acre.
Likewise No. 3. He cannot speak correctly of value. His farm was well stocked.
Claimant likewise Claims 68 Bushels Wheat taken by the Continental Troops at 5 sh. York per bushel, and produced affadavits to that purpose.

February 22.
Further evidence on the claim of Jos. Curry.
Abraham Coomb, sworn:
Knew Curry all his life. He lived near PeeksKill. He was a loyal man.
Knew the place where he lived. He had it from his father.
No. 1 he purchased from one Turner, it was improved. L4 per acre was a common price for Land in such a situation.
No. 2 might be dear, as Woodland sold high. Witness was at the Vendue when Claimant's stock and grain was sold. He heard one of the commisioners mention s considerable quantity of wheat to be sold.
Witness, Joseph Ferris, sworn.
Was present when Claimant's stock and grain was sold under confiscation. One Mr Abraham Odell was allowed to live on the land. Claimant's father got possession and keeps possession of the Lands. Claimant allows that the Landed Property is not sold.

As a result of his claim he was given a tract of land in the Parish of Gagetown, Queens County, New Brunswick, near what is now the village of Upper Gagetown. He settled there in 1789 and began farming. The house he built is gone, but was used about the turn of the century as a boarding house by Henry Coy. As he had an unmarried son of the same name it is hard to tell in incidental records which Joshua is intended, but from the records of St. John's Anglican Church at Gagetown the following entries were The American Revolution ended in 1783. The colonies had been successful, and Britain was forced to recognize the new country of the United States of America.

Will of Joshua Currey,
Parish of Gagetown, Queen Co., Farmer Will dated 7 September 1802, proved 14 October 1802.
Wife Eunis "the hole of my property both real and personal" while widow.
Son Richard Currey 5 pounds.
Son David 2 pounds 10 shillings.
Son Gilbert 1 pound 5 shillings.
Son Joshua 25 pounds to be in the care of Richard and David Currey.
Daughter Phebe Dickman 5 shillings.
Residue of estate to son Daniel Currey.
Sons Richard and David Currey "Soul Executors."
Witnesses: William Banks, John Yeamans (both of Gagetown).
Inventory, dated 12 October 1802, valued at 52 pounds by Benjamin Coy and James Cowperthwaite.