1743 Will - Benjamin Reeve
Introduction
Dated: 1 Jun 1743, Southold, Suffolk County, New YorkProbated: Prerogative Court of New York, 3 Jun 1752
Recorded: New York Will Book 18, p145 (Old Liber p142)
Transcript
In the Name of Almighty God Amen I Benjamin Reeve of Southold in ye County of Suffolk in ye Coloney of New York being sick & Weak in Body but of sound mind and memory thanks be given to God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form followingfirst and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God hopeing through the merrits death and passion of my saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life and Body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my exxecutor herein after named and as touching all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof in manner following
first I will that all my just debts be paid
Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Deliverence Reeve for and during ye term she continues my Widow & no longer all my homestet with the Buildings thereon my north side land that I purchased of John Overton my land adjoyning to ye said Overtons Land and bounded Westerly by ye land now in the occupation of the Widow Abigail Wines my three Lotts and an half of Land lying in the Hogneck bounded Westerly by the Land of Nathaniel Young my three lotts of Land in south harbour bounded southwardly by the Lands of Coll. Hutchinson and Benj Hutchinson and northwest by the Land of Samuel Reeve and all my meadow Ground. To have and to hold for and during ye term she continues my Widow and no longer.
Item I give bequeath and devise to my son Joshua Reeve after the expiration of my Wifes interest therein all my aforesaid north side land containing about one hundred acres the moite or half Kit of my meadow in Indian Neck and the one moiety or half part of my upland adjoyning to the said meadow To have and to hold to him my said son Joshua his heirs and assigns for ever
Item I give bequeath and devise to my son Ezra Reeve after the expiration of my wifes inrust therein my aforesaid home Lott with the Building thereon my three Lotts and an half of land lying in Hogneck aforesaid and my three Lotts of Land in South Habour aforesaid To have and to hold unto my said Son Ezra his heirs and assigns for ever
Item I give bequeath and devise unto my son Joseph Reeve my other moiety or half part of Meadow and upland lying in Indian neck aforesd. To have and to hold to my said son Joseph his heirs and assigns forever.
My will is that if any of my sons shall die without a lawfull heir that his lands shall be devided between my other two sons
Item I ggive and bequeath unto my said wife all my personal estate for and dring the term she continues my Widow and no longer
Item I give and bequeath unto my three sons Joseph Joshua and Ezra after the expiration o my Wife's interest therein all my utensils of Husbandry
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Abigail More four pounds
Item I give unto my two youngers Daughters Deliverance and Mehetabel and to my three sons Joseph Joshua and Ezra after the expiration of my wifes interest therein all the rest of my stock of cattle and sheep equally to be devided between my two 2d youngs Daughter and three sons
Item I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Deliveriance and Mehetebel after the expiration of my wifes interest therein all the rest o my Goods and Chattels equaly to be devided between them.
Lastly I do make constitute and appoint my beloved Brother in Law Joshua Walls Executor of this my last Will and Testament desiring the same may be performed according to my true intent and meaning In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty three.
Benjamin Reeve (LS)
Signed sealed published and delivered by the above named Benjamin Reeve to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us
Samuel Terey
Fregift Wells
Esther Peck
Suffolk County the 3d day of June 1752
Be it Remembred that on the day and year above written personally appeared before me Brinley Sylvester being thereunto delegated and appointed Samuel Terey and Fregeft Wells two of the Subscribing witnesses to the within Will of Benjamin Reeve and made oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that they saw the said Benja Reeve sign seal publish and Declare the same to be his last Will and Testament and that at the time thereof he was of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their understanding and that they also saw esther peck sign as a witness in the presence of the testator.
B. Sylvester