JOHN JAMES, died 1660. New York and Long Island Resource Title: WILLS OF THE SMITH FAMILIES of NEW YORK AND LONG ISLAND 1664-1794 CAREFUL ABSTRACTS OF ALL THE WILLS OF THE NAME OF SMITH RECORDED IN NEW YORK, JAMAICA, AND HEMPSTEAD PRIOR TO 1794 With Genealogical and Historical Notes by William s. Pelletreau, A. M. Author of "Early Long Island Wills," Putman County, N. Y.,". Editor of "Southampton Records," etc., etc. PORTRAITS INDEXES OF PERSONS AND LOCALITIES. New York. Francis P. Harper 1898 ************* pages 119-121 extracted by Linda M. Thank. March 16, 2006, as read. " 176. Will of John James of Hempstead. In ye Name of God, Amen. I John James, being at present sick in Body, but, blessed by God I am of good and perfect memory, do by these presents for ye well ordering of these blessings of God bestowed upon me, I bless his name for it, and for his merciful Providence over me all ye days of my life. Imprimis, my will is my debts shall be paid in ye oates and other grain in my lodging, of each a part, that is to say one hundred and seven guilders, eighteen Stuyvers, unto Mr. Samuel Drisius, Minister of ye Church of Christ at Manhattan. Unto Mrs. Bridges I want one pound of Babbn (?) Dutch weight, there is sufficient on my Book to pay it. Item. I give and bequeath unto John Smith, Rock, Junior, my feather and bolster, and 2 blankets, one red, and another blue, to be given at the death of his parents, or on his marriage day, or when he shall keep his house by his parents consent. Item. I give to Hannah Smith my Byble, and if her brother die, my bed and appurtenances. Item. I give to Joan Brudnell 6 pounds Sterling, to be paid in oates and other grain, within a month after my decease. I doubt not there is enough to pay it. It is to buy her a part of a House. Item. I give unto Thomas Fencocks children 3 1/4th of trading cloth to cloath them. Item. I bequeath to Richard Stiles, one sheet for a winding sheet. To Josiah Furman, one sheet. To Good wife Campion, one sheet, and ye others to make myself a winding sheet. Item. I bequeath unto William Seaddin, one English ell of Holland. To John Smith, Rock, ye remainder for his children. I bequeath unto John Beadle, my Doublet, and black clothe breeches, and 40s his Father owes me, to keep him to school. Item. I give unto Mr. Gildersleve my Chair and free of all accompts. Item. I give my table and bench and cupboard to John Smith, Rock, and appoint him executor, and William Seaddin to assist him. I give my white blanket to Good wife Simons, living near ye Wall, on Mr. Drisius land. She is a washer woman. Pray hand it safely to her. Item. I desire my executors to see me decently buried, and to have so much wine or drams, as may in moderation be drank. If I have been too large in giving I leave to their discretion. If there be anything over, to give it to pious use, it is to help repair ye Meeting House, and to give 20s to ye Church at Flatbush. And this in conclusion.. I commend my poor soul into ye merciful hand of God, hoping to enjoy ye Kingdom of Heaven, for evermore. Dated at Hempstead ye 13th of March 1660. John James John Seaman Richard Birdsell *John James was probably the schoolmaster in Hempstead. This will is a curiosity, as it is probably the oldest will in Queens County. The original is in possession of Mrs. Elijah Smith of Freeport, L. I. It contains the first direction mention of the "Rock Smith" family. the sum of 147 guilders, 18 stuyvers is about $59. The land of Rev. Mr. Drisitus is on both sides of Broad Street, New York, and next south of Wall Street, and is now the most valuable piece of land on the American Continent." End of Extract including footnote.