John Kuney's Will quoted in full - transcribed and contributed by [email protected]
"The last Will and Testament of John Kuney of the town of Fayette in the County of Seneca and State of New York-- I John Kuney considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say. First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Barbara Kuney the House and Garden and Household furniture in the house at my death meaning the House wherein I now reside to have the same as long as she remains my widow--And also the use of one hundred and twenty five acres of land owned by me on Lot Number 43 in Fayette until my second son Peter Kuney shall arrive to the age of twenty one years and no longer. And also the use of one hundred and twenty five acres of land owned by me on Lot number 54 in Fayette until my youngest son Jacob Kuney shall arrive to the age of twenty one years and no longer and also to have one equal ninth part of all my property which I calculate will amount to two thousand three hundred and sixty two dollars, the interest and principal of said sum is to be paid as fast as it comes into my executors hands to be applied equally between her and my children meaning all the monies that shall come into my Executors hands to be equally applied -- said legacy is given to my wife in lieu of Dower.
"Item. I give and devise to my eldest son John Kuney, his heirs and assigns forever all that farm situated lying and being on Lot number 45 and 44 being the farm whereon I now reside Bounded as follows viz. on the South by the Lane running between me and Daniel and Henry Kuney, and also by lands around by George Singer. On the East by lands owned by Dysinger and Deal. ON the North by John Dysinger and Michael Hendricks and on the west by the line between Lots No 43 and 44 containing one hundred and eighty three and a half acres of land said land is valued by me at four thousand five hundred and eighty seven dollars of which sum two thousand three hundred and sixty two dollars is to be deducted for his share and the remaining sum of two thousand two hundred and twenty five dollars is to be paid by my said son John Kuney to the Executors of my Estate in ten equal annual installments the first of which said installments to be paid in two years from my death. I expect the House on said farm for the benefit of my beloved wife during her widowhood. My said son John Kuney is to have possession of said farm immediately after my death. Said sum due on sail (sic) of land is to remain a Lien on said farm until paid.
"Item. I give and bequeath to my second son Peter Kuney when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years and to his heirs and assigns forever all that piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in Fayette aforesaid on Lot number 43 in said town Bounded as follows viz. on the South by lands owned by Henry Kuney, on the West by lands owned by John Lowdebank on the North by lands by Jacob Reid and widow Stahl and on the East by the line of said lot containing one hundred and twenty five acres of land said land is valued by me at three thousand one hundred and twenty five dollars is to be deducted for his share and the remaining sum of seven hundred and sixty three dollars is to be paid by my said son Peter Kuney to the Executors of my estate in five equal installments the first of which said installments to be paid in two years from the time he becomes of lawful age and gets possession of said farm said sum due on said land is to remain a lien on said land until paid.
"Item. I give and devise to my youngest son Jacob Kuney when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years and to his heirs and assigns forever all that piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in Fayette aforesaid on Lot number 56 in said town Bounded as follows viz. on the South by the town line between Fayette and Varick on the West by the highway on the North by the highway, and on the East by lands in possession of Jacob Singer and Samuel Weighman containing one hundred and twenty five acres of land said land is valued by me at two thousand eight hundred and seventy five dollars of which sum two thousand three hundred and sixty two dollars is to be deducted for his share and the remaining sum of five hundred and thirteen dollars is to be paid by my said son Jacob Kuney to the Executors of my estate in five equal annual installments the first of which said installments to be paid n two years from the time he becomes of lawful age and gets possession of said farm said sum due on said land is to remain a lien on said land until paid.
"Item. I give and bequeath unto my eldest Daughter Sally Kuney two thousand three hundred and sixty two dollars to be paid by my executors in the following manner viz. One thousand dollars to be paid in one year from my death and the remainder in five equal annual installments the first of which said installments to be paid in two years from my death.
"Item. I give and bequeath unto my four other daughters viz. Susan Kuney, Barbara Kuney, Anna Kuney, and Elizabeth Kuney to each of said daughters I give two thousand three hundred and sixty two dollars to be paid by my executors to each in five equal annual installments the first of which said installments to be paid to each of said daughters in one year from the time they severally arrive at the age of twenty one years.
"All the rest and residue of my Real Estate consisting of one hundred and sixteen acres of land lying in the town of Varick being the farm whereon Christian Kuney now lives I hereby authorize my executors to rent or to sell when they think it for the best to when it may become necessary to pay my children the legacies left them by me in this my last will and testament. And also all my Personal estate of whatsoever name or nature to dispose of or to demand and receive all debts or demands due by me and also all the. Legacies left my children in the manner herein mentioned.
"All the rest and residue of my Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever of what nature kind and quality I own may be and not herein before given and disposed of after the payment of my debts legacies I give unto my wife Barbara Kuney and my sons and daughters John Kuney, Peter Kuney, Elizabeth Kuney, Jacob Kuney, Sally Kuney, Susan Kuney, Barbara Kuney, Anna Kuney to be equally divided among all of said children and my wife.
"And I do hereby constitute and appoint my eldest son John Kuney, my brother Henry Kuney, and my friend Jacob Blasser executors of my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
John Kuney
X his mark