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
-
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 20, 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 50 lots in the New Division lying against
Onuck, Also a 50 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, 10.
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, 20.
To my grand daughter, MARY HALSEY, 20.
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, 10
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
50 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
50 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.
This page was last updated October 6, 2000.