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 __________________________________ Selected Extracts For DUBOIS: Page 174. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, PIERRE GUILLAUME DE PEYSTER, of New York, Gentleman, being weak in body. All just debts to be paid. I leave to my wife Cornelia for life the use of all my dwelling house where I now live with the whole lot of ground thereunto adjoining, as it is now occupied by me, situate on the west side of the street commonly called the Broadway. Also all my household furniture and wrought plate. I leave to my wife during the natural life of my son Abraham all those three lots of ground situate in the East Ward of New York. Nos. 9, 7, 5 of those ten lots of ground which were divided between John Hamilton and Elizabeth his wife, Isaac De Peyster, Abraham De Peyster and Ann his wife, Philip Van Cortlandt, Stephen Van Cortlandt, and me, and extend from Burnet street to Burnets Key, and lie in two tiers, separated from each other by the street called De Peyster street. The said Lots 5 and 7 having fallen to me, and the Lot 9, to John Hamilton and Elizabeth his wife, in said Division. The said three lots lying on the north side of De Peyster street and adjoining to each other. The said Lot No. 9 is bounded in front by Burnet street. Lot 7 adjoins on the rear of Lot 9, and Lot 5 in the rear of Lot 7. The said Lot 9 extends along Burnet street 39 feet, 41/2 inches, the said three lots being bounded on the south side by De Peyster street, and on the north by a line nearly opposite to it. The said lots extending along De Peyster street 95 2/5 feet. And my wife and executors shall give a maintenance to my son Abraham out of the rents and profits thereof, according to their discretion, during his natural life, but not to exceed 50 a year. The remainder of the rents and profits to go to my other 4 children. I give to my wife my water lot in Hudson's river, lately granted to me by the Mayor and Comonalty, adjoining to my lot of ground now occupied with my dwelling house. My executors may sell the rest of my real estate, and discharge all debts. All the rest of my estate I leave to my wife and children, Arent De Peyster, Pierre Guillaune De Peyster, Catharine, wife of Peter Dubois, and Swantie, wife of Edward Flemming. The bequest to my wife to be in lieu of dower. If my son Arent die before myself then I leave 600 to his wife Rebecca. If my son, Pierre Guillaume die before me, then I leave 600 to his wife Bethia. If my daughter Swantie die before me, then I leave her share to her only son, Pierre Edward Fleming. I make my wife and sons and my daughters, Catharine and Swantie, executors. Dated December 12, 1771. "Written on five pages, each having my name in my own hand writing." Witnesses, John Morin Scott, Andrew Bell, Gilbert Burger, Attorney at Law. Codicil. -- I, PIERRE GUILLAUME DE PEYSTER, having acquired certain real estate since making my will, my wife's right of dower is subject to the same conditions, and my executors may sell the same. Dated February 20, 1772. Witnesses, John Morin Scott, Peter Middleton, John Van Cortlandt. Proved, March 6, 1772. __________________________________ Page 297. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, ANNE DE LANCEY, widow of Stephen De Lancey, late of New York, merchant, being sick and weak. I leave all my estate, real and personal, to all my children, James, Peter Stephen, Oliver, Susanah Warren, and Anne, equally. If either of them wishes to sell his share they shall give the others the preference. I make all my children, executors. Dated March 3, 1741. Witnesses, Cornelius Bogert, G. DuBois, Jr., George Duncan. Proved, August 29, 1772. __________________________________ Page 510. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, JOSEPH BURR, of Queens County, on Nassau Island, merchant, being sick, May 24, 1773. My executors are to have power to sell all real and personal estate, as they in their Prudence may think best, and pay all debts. I leave to my wife Hannah 100. To my son James 300, when of age. To my son Isaac 300, when of age. To my son Jonathan 300, when of age. To my daughter Susanah 200. To my son, Sears Burr, 300, when of age. The whole to be put at interest. My wife is to have the use of all estate, if not sold. When my youngest child is of age my wife is to have 40 yearly. I make my wife and my good friends, Daniel Kissam, Sr., Esq., Samuel Latham, and Samuel Burr, executors. Witnesses, Hendricus Dubois, Ann Du Bois, Patrick McNiff. Proved in Ulster County, August 23, 1773, before Joseph Gashrie, Esq. __________________________________ Page 521. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, ISAAC DUBOIS, of the Green Kill, within the bounds of Kingston, in Ulster County, miller, being sick, September 8, 1773. All debts to be paid. I leave to my eldest son, Jacob, a negro man, "James" in lieu of his birthright. "I leave to my wife Janettie 18 yearly; also all the goods she had when married, and the wearing apparell she had when married, and the wearing apparell now belonging to her body." I leave to my son Johanes my dwelling house, grist mill, lands messuges, and tenements in Kingston, and the use of my blacksmith shop; also a pair of horses, waggons, etc. All the rest I leave to my children, Jacob, Johanes, Rachel, wife of Andries De Witt, Jr., Sara, wife of Tobias Van Buren, and Janettie, wife of William Eltinge, Jr. I make my son Jacob and my son-in-law, Andries De Witt, Jr., and Tobias Van Buren, executors. Witnesses, Gerritt Frier, Nicholas Kierstede, Christopher Toppen. Proved, September 21, 1773, before George Clinton, Esq. __________________________________ Page 149. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, ANN DE PEYSTER, widow of Isaac De Peyster, Esq., of New York, being of sound mind. All debts to be paid. After all debts and legacies here mentioned are paid, my executors are to divide all my estate into three equal parts. I give 1/3 to the children of mydeceased brother, Pierre De Peyster, viz., Aaron, Pierre, Catharine, wife of Peter Deboise, Esq. (Dubois?), and Swan(?), wife of Captain Flemmon. I leave 1/3 to my nephew, Pierre Van Cortlandt, son of my deceased sister Catharine, and to the two sons of my deceased nephew, Stephen Van Cortlandt, viz., Philip and William R. Van Cortlandt. The remaining 1/3 I leave to my nieces, Catharine, wife of Mr. John Livingston, Margaret, wife of Hon. William Axtell, Esq., Mary, wife of Dr. John Charlton, and to the widow, Elizabeth Clarkson, and Eve De Peyster, and to the sons and daughters of my nephew, James De Peyster, viz., Abraham, Joseph, Frederick, Lawrence, James, Margaret, Nancey, Mary, and Sarah, To lie in the hands of Mr. John Livingston till they are of age. I leave to my cousin, Mary De Peyster, out of love and affection, 50. To my nephew, James De Peyster, son of my brother, Abraham De Peyster, 5, and no more. To each of my executors I leave 20 for their trouble. I make my loving nephew, Pierre Van Cortlandt, and my sister-in-law, Cornelia De Peyster, executors. Dated July 14, 1774. Witnesses, Philip Van Cortlandt, Gerritt Vanderburgh, innkeeper, Andrew Hopper. Proved, September 7, 1774. [NOTE. -- Ann De Peyster (or as she was sometimes called Johana) was daughter of Hon. Abraham De Peyster. She was born July 13, 1701. She married her first cousin, Isaac De Peyster, son of Isaac, her father's brother. They had no children. -- W. S. P.] __________________________________ LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION FROM JANUARY 13, 1773, TO JANUARY 15, 1779 NAME OF INTESTATE TO WHOM GRANTED DATE Matthew Dubois, Duchess Co. Eldest son, Joseph Mary Sherer, N. Y. Eldest son, William Dec. 14 __________________________________