Historic Pelham Blog Archive
March 19, 2007

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK:  "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).  CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

On Thursday, November 30, 2006, I posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an abstract of the 1768 Will of Caleb Pell. See Thursday, November 30, 2006: Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

I since have located a more extensive abstract of the same will. Below is the text of an abstract of the will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham. The will was proved April 9, 1768. A citation to its source follows the text of the abstract.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS -- LIBER 26. . . .

Page 259. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, CALEB PELL, of the Manor of Pelham, farmer, being indisposed. I leave to my son, Caleb Pell, all that my farm and plantation of lands and salt meadows lying in East Chester town ship, and formerly belonging to my father, Thomas Pell, and where my son Caleb now lives, with all appurtenances, Reserving all the lands that lye to the west of the fence, that runs across the said farm, from the Boston road to the land now, or late, of Jonathan Archer, the use of which I give to my son, James Pell, for the space of one year, and then to my son Caleb, on condition that he pay to my executors £125, when my younger son Elijah is 18 years old, for his use. I also give to my son Caleb a negro boy and my silver watch, 'and my large China Punch Bowl.' I leave to my wife Mary a negro boy and woman and child, 'also my stocks of Bees and all my Poultry,' and all the wool that shall be sheared off my sheep this year, also my two best beds with furniture, and a mahogany tea table, and one dozen best chairs, and all linnen and kitchen utensils, and my silver plate, Looking glass, and China. I leave to my daughter, Ann Laurence, a negro girl, and a Mahogany Chest of Drawers, and a dining table and a tea table to be made [Page 162 / Page 163] for her. I leave to my daughter, Mary Rodman, a negro girl. To my daughter Bathsheba a bed and furniture; To my daughters, Euphemia and Fila [Phila], each a bed; To my son Elijah my large chest; To my wife Mary my riding chair and horse. I leave to my son James all that my farm or Plantation lands and meadows, lying in the Manor of Pelham, where I now live, and the rest of my movable estate, and he is to pay all debts, and he is to pay to my wife £150, and he is to furnish my wife 12 good cows and sheep, and he is to provide for my daughter Phila till married. And he is to provide for my wife 30 bushels of wheat, 50 of corn, 25 pounds of 'good swingled flax,' a number of swine, 'and cyder for herself, children, and servants that shall live with her.' And she is to have the use of the west great room in my house, and two bedrooms, and chamber and garret, and use of kitchen 'and the shed where the cheese press stands.' And the use of the hen house, mill house, Barracks, and Smoke house, and provisino for the unmarried daughters, and he is to pay to each of my daughters £100, and to my son Elijah £500 when of age, and he is to be supported till of age. And my son James is to pay for his schooling, 'and give him learning, as reading, writing and common Arithmetick, Navigation, Surveying, and bookkeeping.' 'In case it will suit my son Elijah to go to a Latin School, and my executors think fit to let him learn Latin, they may let him go.' And my son James is to pay for his learning till he is 16, and then bind him out to a merchant. My son James is to give a bond for the performance of all these conditions. My wife is to have the use of the rest of my estate during her widowhood. My executors are to sell 5 negroes and my riding horse, and the money to be paid to my son James to help him pay legacies. I leave to my son James all my rights and improvements which I have in Phillips Upper Patent.

Dated March 24, 1768. Witnesses, Joshua Pell, Jr., Gilbert Lawrence, John Bartow. I make my wife and [Page 163 / Page 164] my brother-in-law, James Ferris and John Ferris, of Westchester, executors. Proved April 9, 1768. (James and John Ferris were Quakers.)

[NOTE. -- This will is of great length, and contains very minute directions as to support of wife and daughters.]"

Source: Pelletreau, William S., ed., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York. Vol. VII. June 6, 1766 - November 29, 1771. With Letters of Administration, January 6, 1767 - January 11, 1773. in Collections of The New-York Historical Society For the Year 1898., pp. 162-64 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1899).

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posted by Blake A. Bell @ 5:00 AM Comment

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