Suffolk County Wills & Obits

Suffolk County Wills, 1745+

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WILL OF EDWARD STEPHENS

In the name of God, Ahmen. I, Edward Stephens of the village of Quogue, in the town of southampton, County of Suffolk, and State of New York - being in health of body, not yet unmindful of its approaching dispolution, and to put my house in order for that event, do make and publish this my last will and testement in manner and form following; that is to say
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First, I give unto my wife Martha, and daughter Abigail, the use and improvement of the one equal half of my dwelling house, well of water and necessary appurtenances for the occupation thereof, including my wife's right of dower therein-to hold to them and the survivor of them during the natural life of such survivor- I also give and bequeath unto my said wife and daughter all my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever.

Item, I give unto my son Thomas Stephens, the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, to be paid as after mentioned--

Item, I give and devise unto my son Malon, and to his heirs and assigns forever the whole of my Quogue Neck and homestead as far back as the north end of my son Edward's land, upon condition that he pay to my daughter Martha seven dollars yearly during her natural life; as also the one equal third part of all my debts and incidental expenses attending the settlement of my estate.

Item, I give and devise unto my oldest son Edward, and to his heirs and assigns forever the two equal undivided third parts of all my land in Assup's Neck, upon condition that he pay to my son Thomas, one hundred dollars, the one equal third part of all my debts and incidental expenses in the settlement of my estate--as also seven dollars annually to my daughter Martha during her natural life.

Item, I give and devise unto my son Halsey, and to his heirs and assigns forever, the one equal third part of all my land in the Assups' Neck upon condition that he pay tomy son Thomas fifty dollars, the one third of all my debts and incidental expenses in the settlement of my estate--as also seven dollars annually to my daughter MArtha during her natural life.

Item, I give and devise unto my sons Edward, Malon, and Halsey, and to their heirs and assigns forever all the residue and remainder of my real estate--and I hereby constitute and appoint the said Edward and Halsey, executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof (after the erasure of the words "to my son Thomas fifty dollars and") I here unto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of September, 1830.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Edward Stephens, as his last will and testement in the presence of us, who in his presence and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses.
Signed: Edward Stephens L.S.
John Gordon
_____Osborn Southampton, Suffolk.

It is therefore ordered that the said last Will and Testement with the proofs be recorded.

I do certify that the foregoing is a true record of the last Will and TEstement of Edward Stephens, late of the Town of Southampton in the County of Suffolk, deceased, and the proofs and examinations taken and had in the Surrogate's Court of the County of Suffolk relative to the proof of the said last Will and Testement, of the said Edward Stephens, deceased, as a will whereby real estate is devised.

In testimony whereoff, I, Hugh Halsey
Surrogate of the said County, have hereunto subscribed my name this 18th day of February, 1830.

Hugh Halsey, Surrogate

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submitted by Sherrill Stevens

WILL OF THOMAS STEPHENS

"The following is the will of one Thomas Stephens, one of my direct ancestors.

"He was generally known as Capt. Thomas Stephens, and was an extensive landowner and man of importance. His homestead in Southampton village, which he left to his son Thomas, was sold by him to Micaiah Herrick.

"At the burying ground at Quogue is a tombstone bearing the inscription, "Capt. Thomas Stephens, who died March 20, 1779, in the 74 year of his Age."

"His wife was Elizabeth Cook, daughter of Ellis Cook one of the earliest settlers of Southampton."

Thomas Stephens B. about 1650, died 1700.
--wife was Elizabeth Cook, daughter of Ellis Cook

Early Long Island Wills, Page 216.

By the Honorable Coll William Smith Judge of ye Prerogative Court in ye County of Suffolk - To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting. Know ye that whereas Thomas Stevens late of S'hampton in ye County of Suffolk departed this life on ye 26th day of November Anno Dom 1700 leaving no Executor and Elizabeth Stevens the widow of ye sd deceased for certain causes her hereunto moving hath prayed that the administration of ye goods & chattels of ye said deceased may be granted to her ye widow aboves to whom was granted the sd administration with full power &c. on ye 11th day of Decr. Anno Dom 1700.

Notes: Captain Thomas Stephens lived on the east side of main street of Southampton, on the present homestead of heirs of Captain James Herrick. Some of his descendants are living in the western part of the town.

RESEARCH
Notes from Genealogical Dictionary of New England, Volume IV - Savage 1873

In addition to farming and livestock raising, Thomas Stephens also owned a boat in which he went about the whaling business. He was the owner of the boat and therefore entitled to the title of Captain.

Howell Pp 181 - "In 1687 there were fourteen whaling companies of twelve men each in the town of Southampton who reported an estimate of the oil then in their possession, the result probably of the catch of one season." Thomas Stephens & Co had one of the larger having 264 bbls. James Cooper & Co had 144 bbls.

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submitted by Deb Dixon

WILL OF ISAAC HALSEY

Southhampton, Suffolk County, NY
Dated: January 10, 1751/52 Proven: June 9, 1757

In the name of God, Amen. I, ISAAC HALSEY, of the town of Southampton, in Suffolk County, farmer, being well in health. All debts and legacies to be paid within convenient time.

"I leave to my wife MARY œ20, also the use of the west room in my dwelling house and 100 weight of good Pork, and 100 weight of good Beef, and 1 cow, and the cow to be foddered and drove seasonably to Pasture," "Also 6 bushels of good wheat, 6 bushels of Indian Corn, 3 loads of firewood, and all the butter and cheese in the house that is of her own make."

I leave to my son EPHRAIM the use of all the lands and meadows which I have at Onuck during his life, and no longer, Also 20 shillings, and if my son EPHRAIM dies before his wife, she shall have the use of 1/2 of said lands and meadows and buildings so long as she remains his widow and bears up his name.

I leave to my son, CORNELIUS HALSEY, all my lands and meadows in Pine Neck, and all my lands, meadows, buildings, and Commonage east of Tianah and Red Creek, to the east bounds of the town, Also all my lands, meadows, and buildings which I have at Potunk, including the land in the Upper Division lying against it, Also my 3 eastermost œ50 lots in the New Division lying against Onuck, Also a œ50 right of land in Quioge in the Upper Division, And 1/2 of my manor land, and 1/2 of my Commonage west of Tiana.

I leave to my grandson, SILVANUS HALSEY, all my lands, meadows, and buildings which I have at Speonk, also all my lands, meadows, and buildings which I have at Onuck, including the Upper Division lying against the Neck, except the three 50s given to his brother, Also 1/2 of my manor land and 1/2 my Commonage west of Tiana, and 2/3 of a lot at Quioge, Also
all the money that is due to me from SAMUEL CHARD for rent.

I leave to my grand son, TIMOTHY BIGELOW, œ10.

To my grandson, ISAAC BIGELOW, 20 shillings.

To my three granddaughters, ELIZABETH SPENCER and ABIGAIL and MARY BIGELOW, 20 shillings each.

To my granddaughter, ABIGAIL ELY, œ20.

To my grand daughter, MARY HALSEY, œ20.

After payment of all debts and legacies, I leave all the rest to my grand sons, CORNELIUS and STEPHEN HALSEY, and I make them executors. Dated January 10, 175 1/2. Witnesses, JEDIDIAH HOWELL, RICHARD HOWELL, ABRAM HALSEY. Proved, June 9, 1757.

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submitted by Deb Dixon

WILL OF NATHANIEL HALSEY

Southhampton, Suffolk County, NY
Dated: March 27, 1745 Proven: April 18, 1746

In the name of God, Amen. I, NATHANIEL HALSEY, of Southampton in Suffolk County, farmer, being well in health. I leave to my son, RECOMPENCE HALSEY , all my houses and lands at Meacox, and 1/2 of a lot of meadow at Accabog in Jumping Neck, which I bought of EDWARD HOWELL, as by deed.

I leave to my two grand sons, ANANSIS and ISAREL HALSEY, œ10 each.
I leave to my son, ELISHA HALSEY, all that my lot of land called the Blank lot; Also my lot of land adjoining to it, called Roberts Lot; And one lot at North Side which I bought of JONAH ROGERS, and also 10 poles wide into the lot I bought of MR. TOPPING, that is, 10 poles wide at the west end, and but 2 poles wide at the water hole, and is on the south side of the lot, joining to his other land; Also all my meadow at Shinecock; Also all my meadow on the east side of Jumping Neck; And 1/2 my commonage.

I leave to my son NATHANIEL all my homestead and buildings, that is, my land, meadow, and buildings, at Cobb; And my lot called Jonathan's Lot; Also all my land called Conklings Neck; And the rest of my land at North side, bought of MR. TOPPING. Also one œ50 right in Lot 29, Great South Division. Also a lot of meadow at the bottom of Jumping Neck called Rapahanock; And two lots at Red creek Neck, which I bought of SAMUEL BISHOP and ISAAC BOWER; And all my right of land and meadow which I have lying with widow MARTHA HALSEY, that is west of Canoe Place; And 1/2 œ50 right of Commonage, east of Canoe Place.
I leave to my son, EZEKIEL HALSEY, all my piece of land at Littleworth, called Rogers Close, and 1 lot and 2/3 of a lot of meadow on the west side of Jumping Neck, which I bought of MR.LUDLAM and Mr. SANFORD.

I leave to each of my daughters (not named) 10s. To my son NATHANIEL, my plow, cart, and ox chain. I leave to my wife the use of 1/3 of all lands and meadows given to my son NATHANIEL, and 1/2 the house and barn. If any of my sons wish to sell, they shall give the rest the preference.

Dated March 27, 1745. Witnesses, ELLIS COOK, EZEKIEL ROSE, JONATHAN HALSEY. Proved, April 18, 1746. Wife ANNA and ABRAM HALSEY, executors.

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This page was last updated October 6, 2000.