New York City Wills, 1771-1776

Even as colonists became increasingly belligerent toward Great Britain in the
early 1770's, New York City remained one of the most important trading centers
in North America. This database is a collection of will abstracts filed by city
residents between 1771 and 1776. Revealing a wealth of information about the
filing individual, records often include names of family members and witnesses.
Originally published in the late 19th Century, this collection contains about
1600 records. To researchers of New Yorkers from the late 1700's, this can be a
helpful source of information. Bibliography: Tami, Chris. New York City Wills,
Vol. 8. Orem, UT: Ancestry, Inc., 1999.

Source: http://www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search.asp
        http://www.ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3643.htm

Search Selected Extracts For CAROLINA:
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Page 44. -- "In the name of God, Amen, and by His Permission." I, SAMPSON
SIMPSON, of New York, being in a poor state of health. After paying all just
debts, I leave the remainder in form following: I leave to my honored father
œ100 a year. To my honored mother œ100 a year. I leave to my nephews, Benjamin
and Joseph Jacobs, œ300 each, and they are to account for what my father and
myself have advanced to them. I leave to my nephew, Abraham Jacobs, œ300, and
all my wearing apparell, "except such as my father, mother and brother may
choose for themselves or the Poor." I leave to my niece, Judith Jacobs, œ300,
and all my rings. I leave to Richa, widow of Daniel Jacobs, œ50, for herself and
children. I leave to Samuel Levy and his wife œ50. "I leave to the Ruler and
members of the Hebrew Congregation, in this city, for the use of the Synagogue,
œ20." "To each of my grandsons, œ5, to be laid out in Books for them." I leave
to Myer Myers, Ashur Myers, Joseph Myers, Jacob Rivera, of New Port, John Savage
and Lionel Chambers, of South Carolina, each a ring. I leave all the rest to my
brother, Solomon Simpson, and he is to put œ300 at interest for each of his
children. I make my father, Joseph Simpson, and my mother Rebecca, and my
brother Solomon Simpson, executors. "I having intended to write this myself, but
finding myself weak, desired my Brother to do it for me." 

Dated July 30, 1773. (No Witnesses.) Proved, November 18, 1773, upon oath of
William Clason, Gent., Daniel Bloom, merchant, and Myer Myers, as to
handwriting, etc. 

[NOTE. -- Sampson Simpson lived on the north side of Stone street, in New York,
on the south part of the lot on which the French Huguenot Church stood, and now
a part of the Produce Exchange. -- W. S. P.] 
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Page 123. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, MARY TIEBOUT, of New York, being sick.
"My debts, if any I owe, are to be paid." I leave to my brother-in-law, Josiah
Short Vavasor, a pair of gold sleeve buttons, and a Book, entitled the "Rise and
Progress of Religion in the Soul." I leave to my brother, Tunis Tiebout, of
South Carolina, blacksmith, a pair of silver shoe buckles, and a brass pestle
and mortar. I leave to my sister Margaret, wife of Josiah Vavasor, a Japan box,
a velvet cloak, a Chintz sack and Petticoat, and a laced worked apron, and a
handkerchief. I leave to Mary, wife of Isaac Wisevelt, a small feather bed, and
to Mary Charlotte, daughter of said Mary Wisevelt, 5 shifts, and a purple calico
gown, and a fustian Petticoat, when she is 15. If she dies, then to her sister
Catharine. All the rest of my estate I leave to my executors, to be put at
interest for my sister Margaret, wife of Josiah Short Vavasor, of New York,
shopkeeper, during her life, and then to her daughter Cornelia. Mentions "The
children of my brother, Tunis Tiebout." I make Richard Norwood, brasier, and
Margaret Jauncey, wife of John Jauncey, executors. 

Dated September 3, 1773. Witnesses, Lindly Murray, George Yeomans, John Keese.
Proved, August 3, 1774, before Samuel Bayard, Deputy Secretary. 
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Page 318. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, LAURENCE READE, of New York, merchant,
"but at present in London." My remains to be decently interred at the discretion
of my executors. All debts and funeral and Testamentary expenses to be paid.
"Whereas there is a free mulatto woman on the Island of Jamaica, whose name is
Mary Barrow, who has three children called after me, by the Sir name of Reade,
one Sarah Reade born in 1748, Laurence, born 1750, and now a writer to the
African Company, at Cape Coast Castle, in Africa, and the other Anne Reade, born
1759, I being desirous to assist them, leave to Sarah œ300, and to Laurence and
Anne each œ300, all Stirling money." Whereas I am very sensible that my mother,
Anne Reade, has no occasion for my assistance, yet as a testimony of my duty and
great respect, my executors are to place œ800 at interest for her during her
life. I leave to such of my brothers, Joseph and John Reade, as shall first
happen to marry, œ500, to be paid out of my portion of my late father's estate,
and to be paid after the death of my mother. I leave to my sister Mary, wife of
Francis Stephens, all my clothing. I leave to Joanna Van Horne, daughter of my
sister Anne, wife of Gerritt Van Horne, œ50. I leave to Reade Colgan and Thomas
Braine each a silver watch, to be purchased by my executors. My executors are to
put at interest œ100, and pay the interest to Miriam Braine, widow of Thomas
Braine. "I leave to a Society who call themselves the Governors of the Hospitall
for sick Persons, lately founded, œ100." I leave to Elizabeth, wife of Giles
Cooper, œ50. All my slaves are to be manumitted, and to my slave "Priam" I give
6 guineas. I leave to the Poor of the several churches in New York œ100. I leave
to my worthy friend, Thomas Boone, formerly Governor of South Carolina, but now
resident in London, œ100, and to his son Thomas œ50. I leave to my worthy
friends, John Sargent and Christopher Chambers, of London, merchants, œ100, and
to Christopher Chambers œ100 for his trouble as executor. I leave to Sophia and
Frances, sisters of said Christopher Chambers, œ50 each. To my worthy friend,
Samuel Gardiner, of London, œ25. I leave all the rest of my personal estate to
my brothers, Joseph and John Reade, and my sister Sarah, wife of James De
Peyster, and to my sister, Mary Stephens, and to my niece, Joanna Van Horne, and
to all the other children of my sister, Anne Van Horne, and to Richard Yates,
who is now in partnership with me. I leave all my real estate to my brothers,
John and Joseph, and to Richard Yates and to Christopher Chambers, in Trust, to
sell and pay all debts, and pay the rest to such persons as I have left my
personal estate to, and I make them executors. 

Dated November 6, 1773. Witnesses, Francis Gregg, of Skinners Hall, London,
Cornelius Van Horne, of New York, Thomas Thomas, Clerk to Messrs. Sargent,
Chambers & Co., London, Thomas Turner, Clerk to Mr. Gregg. Proved in New York,
September 6, 1774, upon the oath of Cornelius Van Horne, mariner. 

[NOTE. -- Laurence Reade, an eminent merchant, "died on the road from London to
Bath," December 4, 1773, in the 52d year of his age. His house and lot in New
York, where the business of Reade and Yates was conducted, was on the north side
of Wall street (now No. 50), next to the house of Nathaniel Marston, which was
the east corner of William street. The lot was 48 feet wide and extended to King
(now Pine) street. -- W. S. P.] 
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Page 345. -- "Philadelphia, March 1, 1774. Dear Brother William Backhouse. I
advised thee of my intention of taking a voyage to Carolina, to try if it would
be of service to my health, and as I have had a long sickness, and no prospect
of getting better. I think it my duty to request that as soon as possible after
my decease, thou wouldst dispose of all my estate, and after all expenses are
paid, I leave to my dear son George œ200 Sterling. To my mother-in-law,
Elizabeth Dodgson, œ50 for the care and expense she has had with my son George.
To my brother-in-law, John Barron, of Lancashire, England, all the rest of my
estate, to be divided among my suffering creditors. March 1, 1774. 

"John Backhouse." (No witnesses.) 

Proved in New York, March 15, 1775, on the affirmation of Thomas Backhouse, of
New York, and Owen Jones, Jr., of Philadelphia, being of the People called
Quakers. Administration granted to William Backhouse. 
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Page 113. -- "I, JOHN HODSON, of Charlestown in South Carolina, merchant, but
now in New York." July 26, 1775. I leave to my wife Mary œ3,000 Sterling, over
and above her right of dower. "And this present codicil is to be accepted, and
made part of my last will." 

Witnesses, Samuel Jones, atttorney at Law, William S. Smith, Gent., Benjamin
Seaman, Jr. 

Codicil. -- "I leave to my wife Mary the house and lot I lately purchased of the
executors of Lawrence Reade, situate in Wall street, in New York, and adjoining
the house and ground of Nathaniel Marston, and others." I also leave her a negro
wench, and 2 children, and my gold watch, and my two horses and chaise. I leave
to my father-in-law, Rev. Dr. John Rogers, as a testimony of my regard for him,
œ2,000. I leave to Elizabeth, daughter of said John Rogers, œ1,000. 

Dated February 11, 1776. Witnesses, Thomas Smith, attorney at Law, Jonathan
Cowdrey, house carpenter, James Lesley, schoolmaster. Proved, February 21, 1776. 

[NOTE. -- The house and lot purchased of the executors of Lawrence Reade is now
No. 50 Wall street, the second lot east of William street. The deed is not on
record. See will of Lawrence Reade in this volume. -- W. S. P.] 
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Page 516. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, JOHN RICHARDSON, at present in New
York, mariner. All debts to be paid. My executors are to put œ400 at interest on
good bond security, and the interest is to be sent to my parents, William and
Hannah Hall, of North Yarmouth in Great Britain. I leave to William Ewen, Naval
officer, of Newbern, my suit of white clothes, and a pair of new silk stockings.
"I leave to Edward Wrenford my Hadley's Quadrant, and Navigation Books, and my
marine Certificate." All the rest I leave to Elizabeth, late wife of Alexander
Steward, minister of Bathtown, North Carolina, and to Patrick Gordon, Jr., son
of Patrick Gordon, Esq., in Newbern, and to Barney Brooks Simson, son of William
Simson, Esq., of Rhode Island, and to Effie, daughter of Christopher Duyckinck,
of New York, sail maker, but if she should die then to her brother, Evert
Duyckinck. I leave to my executors œ10 each. I make Patrick Gordon and James
Davis, of Newbern, and Christopher Duyckinck, of New York, executors. 

Dated November 12, 1772. Witnesses, James Riker, attorney at law, Alexander
McGuiness, Foster Lewis. Proved, October 7, 1773. 
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