Thursday, April 30, 2015

Long Single Segment DNA Matches

New close matches appeared at 23andMe for my father and one of his siblings.



The person who shares 1.02% over three segments could be a 2nd to 4th cousin, which is workable on my end.  The shared ancestors could be as close as great grandparents, or a little more distant if this is a half relation.

Most intriguing are the two people who share just one segment because the segment is extremely long.  They may be sisters:  they appeared at the same time, share a maternal haplogroup (J1c2) with each other, and both match in the same manner- one very long segment.

No other information is revealed about these people.  I initiated contact through 23andMe's messaging system.  Most matches never answer.  My paternal tree is pretty full with or without input from these individuals, though their DNA comparisons would certainly help me and others.  I can imagine the grief that an adopted person would feel, having these close matches dangling in front of them, ignoring requests to explore their familial ties.

Any thoughts on the rarity of sharing just one very long segment?


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

ODonnell of Ireland and Y-DNA: The Matches

My ODonnell cousin is matched with over 700 other men who share a very similar Y chromosome at FamilyTreeDNA.  Very few matches list an ODonnell paternal ancestor.  As we go back in time, it is important to remember that surnames were not consistent and may not have followed the pattern of father to son transmission.

The beauty in Y-DNA testing is that the common ancestor is going to emerge from only one ancestral line:  the direct paternal line, meaning father to son and his son and so forth.  Compare this type of DNA inheritance to autosomal DNA, where the common ancestor will be from any line.

The most distant ODonnell ancestor that I can find for my line is Peter ODonnell, probably born around 1820 in County Donegal, Ireland.  I do not know if he came to the United States.

At the top of the list is someone who can trace back about 200 years to an ODonnell ancestor, so I started with him.



This ODonnell line lived in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.  Irish are plentiful in Boston.  There were (only) two men named Philip ODonnell in the targeted time frame; and both were born around 1820.


A lot of records are online for Boston, so I lucked out.  Boston city directories are on Fold3.com.  Images of original vital records are at FamilySearch.org.

After gathering records, I determined that the great great grandfather, Philip ODonnell, of the Y-DNA cousin was a son of Manassas ODonnell.  Manassas was born in Ireland in the 1790s.  He first appeared in the Boston city directory in the year 1840.




 Manassas ODonnell died in 1869 from a fractured skull and ribs.  His death ledger entry lists his parents as Philip ODonnell and Bridget.

Death caused by fractured skull and ribs.
Did he fall or was he attacked?
I did not find a corresponding article or death notice in the newspapers online.


The DNA results tell us that the direct paternal line of my ODonnell cousin will merge with the direct paternal line of this Y-DNA cousin.  I can trace back 6 generations for the Y-DNA cousin, but only 4 on my own ODonnell line.  If the ancestors of Manassas are more discoverable than my own, I might make the breakthrough on my own line by researching the Manassas line.



This ODonnell group in Boston did not produce many hits in the newspapers or at FindAGrave, which are usually great sources of information for me.  If anyone out there is experienced in locating newspapers, burial records, probate files, or other useful sites for Boston, please comment below.  Thank you.


Are probate records online for Suffolk County, Massachusetts for the 1800s?


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

ODonnell of Ireland and Y-DNA

ODonnell is a common Irish surname.

My maternal grandmother was Jeannette ODonnell (1920 - 1993).  Her mother, Anna Preston (1890 - 1921), died the year after Jeannette was born.  Jeannette was raised by her paternal grandparents, Patrick Francis ODonnell (1857 - 1931) and Delia Joyce (1862 - 1929).  Jeannette's stories about her grandparents and great grandparents were great leads when I set out to document the family history.

The oral story was that Patrick ODonnell immigrated to the United States from County Donegal in Ireland.  To uncover more, I visited cemeteries, court houses, archives, and libraries.  I viewed census records; birth, marriage, and death certificates; wills; newspapers- all the possibilities in a genealogist's treasure chest.

Patrick was single and living in Bayonne, New Jersey in the 1880 census.  I found a few siblings born in the 1840s and 1850s and uncovered their father's name: Peter ODonnell.  They were from Ardara in County Donegal.  And that is as far as I could stretch.  It's not that I can't find ODonnell; rather, the opposite is true:  there are so many people named ODonnell (or Ó Domhnaill in Gaelic), that I can't distinguish my ODonnell line from any other.

Enter Y-DNA testing.

The immigrant Patrick ODonnell passed his Y chromosome virtually unchanged onto his sons and they passed this same Y chromosome onto their sons.  An ODonnell cousin in this direct male line agreed to test at FamilyTreeDNA and the results are in.

Surname ODonnell
37 marker Y-DNA test

I was surprised to see a flag and "Niall of the Nine Hostages."  The results for two other Y-DNA tests, Lutter and Duryea, did not have any special designations.

I had to do some reading.  Niall was a man who may or may not have existed.  According to legend, he was a king of Ireland in the 4th and 5th centuries, which accorded him the right to have relations with many women, resulting in abundant offspring, and some of them also ruled and made lots of babies.

My ODonnell cousin has 772 matches on the Y chromosome.  For comparison, my father has zero matches.  My Duryea cousin has 38 matches.

Whether or not Niall actually existed, about 20% of men in northwestern Ireland (where County Donegal lies) and 1 out of 50 men in the New York area have an almost identical Y chromosome that originated from a prolific man.  To be allowed such behavior, the man would have to be a king or man of great power, hence the idea that he was Niall of the Nine Hostages, or a very close relation to Niall.

This reminds me of the idea that Charlemagne may be an ancestor to most people of European heritage.

A study from the journal Genome Research offers that our collective maternal heritage is much more diverse than our paternal ancestry.  In genetic bottlenecks throughout history, for every 17 women who passed their genes onto the next generation, only one man did so, reflecting the power of a few elite men who procreated abundantly.

This information about Niall is interesting, like looking into a crystal ball, but into the past, not the future- where one of my ancestral lines was located 1500 years ago.  In the meantime, I am stuck in the 1820s in County Donegal.

In a separate post, I will discuss the more recent ancestry that the matches provide.


Monday, April 27, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1780 Will of William Winterton of New York City

WILL OF WILLIAM WINTERTON
of New York City, New York County, New York
Signed July 23, 1780
Proved October 8, 1785
New York County, New York, Wills Volume 38, pages 196-199


In the Name of God Amen.  I, William Winterton, of the City of New York, Mason, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, do make and publish this, my last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say.

First.  I desire that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid so soon after my decease as possibly may be and after payment thereof I leave, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue, and remainder of my real and personal estate of what kind or nature so ever and wheresoever to my dearly beloved wife, Ann Winterton, to have and to hold to her and her assigns for and during and unto the full end and term of her natural life, provided and upon this special condition that she will not marry any other husband after my decease.  And in case she shall or will marry any other husband, then and in such case, I desire that all my real and personal estate may be sold to the best advantage and divide between my dearly beloved wife, my son, William Winterton, and daughter, Jane Winterton, the wife of John Johnston, share and share alike.  But in case my said wife shall not marry after my decease but shall die in her viduity, then and in such case my will is that all my real and personal estate shall from and immediately after such conti[n]gency happening, go to and be divided between my said son and daughter, share and share alike as aforesaid.  And in case either my said son or daughter should die before my said wife without issue, then and in such case I leave, devise, and bequeath the share and Proportion of such child so dieing as aforesaid to the other survivor, his or her heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns.  And my will is that the said John Johnston, the husband of my said daughter, Jane Winterton, shall not have any power whatsoever over any part of the proportions or share of my estate hereby devised and bequeathed to her, but that the same shall descend to the children of the said Jane by the said John Johnston or any other after taken husband or as it shall or may be disposed of by her last will and testament.  Immediately preced.g her decease.

And Lastly I do hereby constitute my said dearly beloved wife, the said Ann Winterton, the sole Executrix of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made, declaring this to be my last will and testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and eighty.
  –William Winterton—

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said William Winterton as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our names as witnesses in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other.
--Ter Kerin
--Lewis Morgan
--Joseph Cary

City of New York.  Be it Remembered that on the eighth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, personally came and appeared before me, Thomas Tredwell, Judge of the Court of Probates of the State of New York, Lewis Morgan of the City of Philadelphia, physician, and being duly sworn on his oath, declared that he did see William Winterton sign and seal the preceding written instrument purporting to be the will of the said William Winterton, bearing date the twenty third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and eighty and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament, that at the time thereof he, the said William Winterton, was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him, the Deponent, and that Terence Kerin and Joseph Cary, together with the Deponent, subscribed the said will as witnesses thereto in the Testators Presence.
--Thomas Tredwell

The People of the State of New York, by the grace of God, Free and Independent, to all to whom these Presents shall come or may Concern, Send Greeting.  Know Ye that at the City of New York, on the day of the date hereof, before Thomas Tredwell Esquire, Judge of our Court of Probates, the last will and testament of William Winterton, deceased, (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) was proved and is now approved and allowed of by us and the said deceased having, whilst he lived and at the time of his death, goods, chattels, and credit within this State, by means whereof the proving and registering the said will and the granting administration of all and singular the said goods, chattels, and credits and also the auditing, allowing, and final discharging the account thereof doth belong unto us, the administration of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his will, is granted unto Ann Winterton, the Executrix in the said will named, she being first duly sworn well and faithfully to administer the same and to make and exhibit a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the said goods, chattels, and credits and also to render a just and true account there of when thereunto required.

In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our Court of Probates to be hereunto affixed.  Witness Thomas Tredwell, Esquire, Judge of our said Court at the City of New York, the eighth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
--Dav Judson Clk




Thursday, April 23, 2015

Family Picture from eBay

Another Duryea family image found on eBay- IF the label is correct.  This is a tintype mounted in a paper sleeve.  "Seth and Eliza Duryea & Lucile Raymond" is written in black ink on the paper sleeve.







Seth is an unusual name in the Duryea family.  There are two candidates for the male subject of this picture, both born about 1890.  One was in Nebraska; the other in Lewisboro, Westchester County, New York.  Seth Duryea (1889-1927) from New York had an older sister named Eliza (1896-1966).  Their parents were Stephen C Duryea (1857-1923) and Susan Ophelia Austin (1857-1933).  [Two years ago, letters to this Stephen C Duryea appeared on eBay.  Makes me think there was an estate sale and more goodies might turn up.]


In the 1910 census, Lucile Raymond, age 19, is enumerated on the same page as Seth and Eliza Duryea.  I think this makes a good case that the tintype's label applies to this group of individuals.  Posing for a picture together perhaps indicates that there is a familial relationship between Duryea and Raymond.
 


Donald Riley, born in Ohio in 1922, applied for membership to the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution under Sands Raymond (1730-1797).  [Images of the applications are available at Ancestry.com.]  Donald wrote that he was the son of John Henry Riley Jr and Lucile Raymond, and that Lucile's parents were Charles Asa Raymond and Nancy Denman.

If anyone has any other known or suspected photographs of any of these individuals, we can compare them for similarities.



Monday, April 20, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1823 Will of William Walling of Middletown, New Jersey

WILL OF WILLIAM WALLING
Of Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Signed December 3, 1823
Proved May 18, 1824
Monmouth County Wills Volume B 1816-1826, pages 396-397



I, William Walling, of the township of Middletown, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this for my last will and testament.

First, I do order that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid by my Executors out of my personal Estate immediately after my decease.

Second, I give and bequeath to my wife, Rebecca, the use of my Estate, both real and personal, during her natural life or widowhood, she to maintain and bring up my youngest children untill they arrive to the age of twenty one years, and in case of the marriage or decease of my said wife, I do order my Executors hereinafter named to take charge of my property both real and personal for the purpose of bringing up and supporting my youngest children untill they arrive to the age of twenty one years at their discretion.

Third.  The repairs that may be necessary for my real Estate I do order my Executors to cut and sell wood off of my real Estate, sufficient to pay for said repairs.

Fourth.  In case my wife accepts the said bequest in lieu of her dower, my will is that after her decease, the residue of my Estate (after payment of debts) both real and personal, be equally divided amongst my children, share and share alike, in fee simple.

Fifth.  In case my children cannot agree themselves about the division of my Estate as aforesaid, it is my will and I do order my Executors or the survivor of them to sell All my Estate, both real and personal, and the money then arising to be equally divided among all my children or their lawfull heirs.

And Lastly I do appoint my three sons, Isaac Walling, Amos Walling, and William Walling, Executors of this, my testament and last will.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.  –William Walling—
Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Walling to be his testament and last will in the presence of us, Thos Vanderhoef, Stephen Bedle, Thomas Walling.

Stephen Bedle, one of the witnesses to the foregoing will, being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that he saw William Walling, the testator therein named, sign and seal the same and heard him publish pronounce and declare the said writing to be his last will and testament and that at the doing thereof the said testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory as far as this deponent knows and as he verily believes and that Thomas Vanderhoef and Thomas Walling, the other subscribing evidences, were present at the same time and signed their names as witnesses to the said will together with this deponent in the presence of the said testator.  –Stephen Bedle—
Sworn and subscribed at Freehold the 18th day of May 1824 before me .  –P. C. Vanderhoef, Surrogate

Isaac Walling and Amos Walling, two of the Executors in the within testament named, being duly sworn according to law, did severally depose and say that the within writing contains the true last will and testament of William Walling the testator therein named so far as they know and as they verily believe that they will well and truly perform the same by paying first the debts of the said deceased and then the legacies in the said testament specified so far as the goods chattles and credits of the said deceased will thereunto extend and that they will make and exhibit into the Surrogate Office of the County of Monmouth a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods, chattles, and credits of the said deceased as far as shall come to their knowledge or possession or to the possession of any other person or persons for their use and render a just and true account when thereunto lawfully required.  –Isaac Walling, Amos Walling—
Sworn and subscribed at Freehold the 18th day of May 1824 before me.  –P C Vanderhoef, Surrogate—

I, Peter C Vanderhoef, Surrogate of the County of Monmouth, do certify the annexed to be a true copy of the last will and testament of William Walling, late of the County of Monmouth, deceased, and that Isaac Walling and Amos Walling, the Executors therein named, proved the same before me and are duly authorised to take upon themselves the administration of the Estate of the testator agreeably to the said will.
Witness my hand and seal of office the eighteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.  –P C Vanderhoef, Surrogate—




Monday, April 13, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1829 Will of James G Taylor of Freehold, New Jersey

WILL OF JAMES G TAYLOR
Of Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Signed August 15, 1829
Proved February 18, 1836
Monmouth County, New Jersey, Wills, Volume D, pages 11-15


James G Taylor’s Will & c.

I, James G Taylor, of the township of Freehold, in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine and on this fifteenth day of August do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following and under the Limitations and Restrictions hereinafter expressed (that is to say) it is my Will and I do order and direct that my Executor hereinafter named do pay all my just and lawfull debts and funeral carges likewise the Legacies and specificks gifts hereinafter mentioned in the manner in which I shall hereafter describe and in order to enable him so to do I do hereby autherise and empower him to collect all my debts and dues whatsoever and to sell all my moveable estate not hereinafter disposed of by specificks gifts.

First Item.  I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sophia Taylor the use during her natural life of my desk and clock in the South Room and Burough in the North Room and after my beloved Sophia Taylor’s decease my Will is and I do give and bequeath the aforesaid Desk, Clock and Burough to my Brother John Taylor’s two sons namely James Taylor and John Taylor to them their heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sophia Taylor one large Dineing Dineing Table, one Tea Table in the North Room also as many Sitting Chairs as she my said Wife pleases to take, also the two Carpets also her choice of one Bed Curtains Bedstead Beding and Cord such as she my said wife shall think sufficient to clothe said Bed with also one pair of tongs and shovel one pair of brass candlesticks also two looking Glasses also two diaper table cloths two diaper towels six sheets six pillow cases also her choice of one of my cows to her her heirs and assigns forever and further I give unto my beloved wife the privilege of keeping one cow on my farm and said cow to be found both paster and foder on said farm at the expence of those whom I shall hereafter bequeath my farm I now live on and further I give to my beloved wife the use of one more Bed, Beding Curtains, Bedstead and Cord such as she my said wife shall make choice of during her natural life and after my said wife decease my Will is and I do give and bequeath the said Bed wich my said wife is to have the use of during her natural life together with the beding curtains bedstead and Cord unto my Brother John Taylors son James Taylor and to his heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife the use of my covered wagon I bought of Garret G. Vanderveer during her natural life and after my said wife decease my will is and I do give and bequeath the said wagon unto my Brother John Taylors two sons namely James Taylor & John Taylor and to them their heirs and assigns forever and further my Will is and I do bequeath unto my beloved wife Sophia Taylor the sum of One Hundred Dollars yearly and every year during her natural life to be paid to her my wife by those to whom I shall hereafter bequeath my Farm or plantation I now live on and for the Security of this yearly legacy out of my Landed Estate to my said wife or for its nonpayment I do make my Landed Estate liable to the Seizine of my beloved wife for this yearly legacy which I give in lieu of her right of Dower and further I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife the use of the two South Rooms in my house below Stairs and the South Room upstairs during her natural life, also the further use of the Kitchen and Milk Room, also fire wood sufficient for her use and the wood to be cut and carted to her dore at the expence of those to whom I shall hereafter bequeath my Farm during her natural life.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my Brother John Taylors two sons namely James Taylor and John Taylor and to their heirs and assigns forever my Farm or plantation I now live on equally between them but this bequest is upon the following condition (that is to say) that they the said James Taylor and John Taylor are to pay to their Aunt Sophia Taylor my said wife the above described yearly legacy of One Hundred Dollars per year out of my Landed Estate and further the said James Taylor and John Taylor are to furnish to my said wife, firewood pasture and foder as before described.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my colord man named Lawrence the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars to him his heirs and assigns forever, payable as follows, (that is to say) twenty five dollars in one year after my decease and twenty five dollars yearly after the first payment untill the whole sum be paid of one hundred and fifty dollars unto my colored man Lawrence this legacy I do also make my Landed Estate liable for and to be by my Brother John Taylors two sons namely James Taylor and John Taylor to whom I have bequeathed my Farm paid.  Also I give and bequeath unto my colored man Lawrence one hen feather bed, beding pillow bedstead and cord to him his heirs and assigns forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my colored woman named Stacy forty five dollars out of my Landed Estate payable as follows, that they the said James & John Taylor sons of my Brother John Taylor shall pay out of my Landed Estate that I have bequeathed unto the said James & John Taylor, the sum of fifteen dollars in two years after my decease, and the further sum of fifteen dollars in two years after the first payment and the further sum of fifteen dollars in two years after the second payment unto my colored woman named Stacy, also I give and bequeath unto my colored woman named Stacy one hen feather bed beding pillows bedstead & cord to her her heirs and assigns forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my Sister Elenor Imlay son Joseph Imley and to his heirs and assigns forever the sum of One Hundred Dollars to be paid out of my Landed Estate that I have bequeathed unto James & John Taylor sons of my Brother John Taylor and by them paid when he the said Joseph Imley shall arrive at the age of twenty one years old.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my sister Elenor Imleys Daughter Eupamy Walling and to her heirs & assigns forever the sum of fifty dollars to be paid to her by my Brother John Taylors two sons namely James Taylor and John Taylor in two years after my decease out of the Landed Property that I have bequeathed the said James and John Taylor.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my Brother John Taylors six children namely Mary Taylor, William Taylor, George Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Sarah Taylor, and Lydia Taylor to them their heirs and assigns forever the sum of One thousand Dollars out of my moveable property and after the following manner to Mary Taylor I give and bequeath one hundred Dollars out of the one thousand.  To William Taylor I give and bequeath the sum of four hundred dollars of the one thousand.  To George Taylor I give and bequeath four hundred dollars of the one thousand.  And to Elizabeth Taylor, Sarah Taylor and Ludia Taylor I give and bequeath one hundred dollars equally between the three namely, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Lydia Taylor.  But these several legacies that I have bequeathed unto my Brother John Taylor six children namely Mary, William, George, Elizabeth, Sarah and Lydia to be kept at interest by my Executor and for each of the above named children only to receive their respective legacies as they may arrive to lawfull age and the interest that may grow out of these several legacies before the aforesaid six children shall be entitled to receive their respective legacies by the words of my Will I give and bequeath unto my Brother John Taylor and to his heirs and assigns forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my sister Hannah Smith six children the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars after the following manner.  My Will is and I do give and bequeath unto Sidney Smith, son of my sister Hannah Smith, the sum of One Hundred Dollars out of the four hundred and fifty dollars to him, his heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto Julyan Smith, daughter of my sister Hannah Smith, the sum of fifty dollars out of the four hundred and fifty dollars to her, her heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto Holmes Smith, son of my sister Hannah Smith, the sum of one hundred dollars out of the four hundred and fifty dollars to him, his heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto Sophia Smith, daughter of my sister Hannah Smith, the sum of fifty dollars out of the four hundred and fifty dollars to her, her heirs and assigns forever.  I also give and bequeath unto George Smith, son of my sister Hannah Smith, the sum of one hundred dollars out of the four hundred and fifty dollars to him, his heirs and assigns forever.  Also I give and bequeath unto my sister Hannah Smith daughter Hannah Smith the sum of fifty dollars out of the four hundred and fifty dollars to her, her heirs and assigns forever.  These several legacies to be paid by my Executor out of my moveable Estate to the above named children of my sister, Hannah Smith, as soon as they shall arrive to lawfull age.  And further these several legacies left to my sister Hannah Smiths children to be kept at interest by my Executor untill each of my sister Hannah Smiths childs share shall become due according to the words of my Will and the interest that may grow out of these several legacies left my sister Hannah Smiths children before they become due to said children according to the words of my Will I give and bequeath unto my sister Hannah Smith and to her heirs and assigns forever, and further this Interest to be paid to her my sister yearly.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Taylor the sum of twenty five dollars out of my moveable Estate to her her heirs and assigns forever to be paid to her in one year after my decease.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my sister Rachel Taylor the sum of twenty five dollars to be paid to her in one year after my decease out of my moveable property to her her heirs and assigns forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my Brother George Taylors son James Taylor at my decease all that bond & mortgage I hold against the estate of my Brother George Taylor dec’d. conditioned for the payment of eight hundred dollars to him his heirs and assigns forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my Brother Edward Taylor all that bond and mortgage I hold against him at my decease conditioned for the payment of four hundred dollars to him his heirs and assigns forever, and further I give and bequeath unto my Brother Edward Taylor and to his heirs and assigns forever all the residue and remainder of my personal estate not before disposed of to him his heirs and assigns forever and all my wearing apparel my Will further is that it be equally divided between my two Brothers namely John Taylor and Edward Taylor.  And Lastly I do nominate constitute and appoint John W Holmes my Executor to execute this my last Will and Testament.

In Witness Whereof I the said James G Taylor have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.  ---James G Taylor (L. S.)

Note the word dollars was interlined before sealing this instrument.

Signed Sealed and Delivered by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in presence of us.
Spafford Bowne
H. P. Conover
Ann Van Brakle

Hendrick P. Conover & Spafford Bowne, two of the witnesses to the within Will, being duly sworn according to law, did severally depose and say that they saw James G Taylor, the Testator therein named, sign and seal the same and heard him publish pronounce and declare the annexed writing to be his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof the said Testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory as far as these deponents know and as they verily believe and that Ann Vanbrakle, the other subscribing evidence, was present at the same time and signed her name as witness to the said Will together with these deponents in the presence of the said Testator and of each other.
H. P. Conover
Spafford Bowne
Sworn and subscribed before me this 18th day of Feby. A.D. 1836.  Henry D. Polhemus, Surrogate.

John W. Holmes, the Executor in the within Testament named, being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that the annexed instrument contains the true last Will and Testament of James G. Taylor, the Testator therein named, as far as he knows and as he verily believes that he will well and truly perform the same by paying first the debts of the said deceased and then the legacies in said Will specified so far as the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased can thereunto extend, and that he will make and exhibit into the Surrogate’s Office of the County of Monmouth a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of said deceased that have or shall come to his knowledge or possession or to the possession of any other person or persons for his use and render a just and true account when thereunto lawfully required.
John W. Holmes
Sworn and subscribed before me this 18th day of Feby A.D. 1836.  Henry D. Polhemus, Surrogate

I, Henry D. Polhemus, Surrogate of the County of Monmouth, do certify the annexed to be a true copy of the Last Will and Testament of James G. Taylor, late of the County of Monmouth, deceased, and that John W. Holmes, the Executor therein named proved the same before me and is duly authorized to take upon himself the administration of the Estate of the Testator agreeably to the said Will.
Witness my hand and seal of office at Freehold, this eighteenth day of February in the year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirty six.






Monday, April 6, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1835 Will of George Taylor of Freehold, New Jersey

WILL OF GEORGE TAYLOR, SENIOR
Of Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Signed January 8, 1835
Proved February 19, 1835
Monmouth County, New Jersey, Wills Volume D, pages 450-452

Renunciation
To all whom it may concern.  Whereas George Taylor Sen. in the County of Monmouth in the State of New Jersey deceased in and by his last Will and testament bearing date the 8th day of January AD 1835 did nominate and appoint me the Subscriber one of the Executors of the same, Now Know ye that for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving, I have renounced and do hereby renounce the said Executorship and the Execution of the said Will and testament and do hereby refuse to take on myself the bother of the same.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 9th day of Feby AD 1835.  Witness present J M Hartsham, John G Taylor

Will
In the name of God Amen.  I George Taylor Senior of the Township of Freehold in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, being advanced in years, but of sound and disposing mind and memory blessed be God therefore & calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that it is to say.

Impremis.  I give and recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came, to be buried in a Christian and decent like manner by my Executors hereinafter named, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection to receive the same again by the mighty Power of God.  And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, I give bequeath and devise as follows, to wit.

Item.  It is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral Expenses be duly paid and Satisfied as soon as can be after my decease.

Item.  I give and devise unto my son Edward Taylor all my lands tenements hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever to have and to hold to him his heirs and assigns forever, subject however to the charges and incumbrances herein after charged upon the same.

Item.  I give and devise and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Taylor the use and enjoyment of part of the house wherein I now live to wit, the Kitchen next to the Barn and the room next adjoining said Kitchen and the pantry, to have and to hold to her during her natural life.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth Taylor one cow her choice to be pastured and wintered by my son Edward Taylor.  I also give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Elizabeth Taylor her mothers Bed and Bedding and all the furniture belonging thereto my Desk and Dining Table Standing in the Room she is to occupy.  I also give unto her the said Elizabeth Taylor as much of the household furniture as will be necessary for her to keep house with.  I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Elizabeth Taylor her support and maintenance of the farm bequeathed to my son Edward Taylor, and I do order and it is my will that my son Edward Taylor shall furnish her with everything necessary for her comfortable support and maintenance such as fuel meat drink all other necessaries to make her comfortable during her life.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Rachel Andrews my Dutch Cupboard.

Item.  It is my will and I do order all the remainder and residue of my personal Estate not herein before disposed of, to be sold as soon after my decease as conveniently can be by my Executors herein after named and after paying my debts and funeral expences and other necessary charges.  It is my will that the monies arising therefrom be equally divided among all my children.  Share and share alike to wit, James Taylor, John Taylor, Edward Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Hannah Smith, Rachel Andrews, the children of George Taylor, and the children of Eleanor Embly, the children of George & Eleanor to have their parents share.

And Lastly I do nominate and appoint my two sons Edward Taylor and John Taylor to be the Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and annulling all other Wills by me heretofore made, and confirming this to be my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Eighth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.   --- George Taylor Senior

Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said George Taylor Sen to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have signed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of each other and of the testator.  --- J M HartshamHendrick W SicklesHendrick I Sickles.

Henry W Sickles and Hendrick I Sickles, two of the witnesses to the within will, being duly sworn according to Law, did Severally depose and say that they saw George Taylor Senior, the testator therein named, sign and Seal the same and heard him publish, pronounce and declare the annexed writing to be his Last Will and testament, and that at the doing thereof the said testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory as far as these deponents know and as they verily believe and that James M Hartsham, the other subscribing evidence, was present at the same time and signed his name as witness to the said will, together with these deponents in the presence of the said Testator and of each other.
--- Hendrick W Sickles, his mark.  Hendrick I Sickles.
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 19th day of February AD 1835.  Henry D Polhemus, Surrogate.

Edward Taylor, one of the Executors in the within testament named, being duly sworn according to Law, did depose and say that the annexed instrument contains the true last will and testament of George Taylor Senior, the testator therein named, as far as he knows, and as he verily believes, that he will well and truly perform the same, by paying first the debts of the said deceased, and then the Legacies in said will specified, so far as the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased can thereunto extend and that he will make and Exhibit into the Surrogates Office of the County of Monmouth, a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and Credits of said deceased that have or shall come to his Knowledge, or possession or to the possession of any other person or persons for his use and under a just and true account when thereunto lawfully required.
Edward G Taylor.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 19th day of Feby AD 1835.  –Henry D Polhemus Surrogate

I, Henry D Polhemus, Surrogate of the County of Monmouth, do certify the annexed to be a true copy of the last will and testament of George Taylor Senior, late of the County of Monmouth, deceased, and that Edward G Taylor, one of the Executors therein named, proved the same before me and is duly authorized to take upon himself the administration of the Estate of the Testator agreeably to the said will.
Witness my hand and seal of Office at Freehold this nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.