Pearsall Wills

PEARSALL FAMILY WILLS
Abstracts of Wills Vol VII 1766-1771

Page 503.--"I, ANNE PEARSALL, of Hempsted Harbor, in Queens County, being in Health." I leave to the Monthly meeting of Friends at Westbury ś8 for the support of Poor Friends. "I leave to my 8 nieces and daughters of nieces, viz., Mary Townsend, widow, at Newburgh, Ann, wife of Gershom Myers, of North Castle, Sarah Townsend, Amy Green, Ann Prior, Anne Pearsall, daughter of Samuel Pearsall, Jemima Baker, and Abigail Weeks, each ś5." I leave to Benjamin Mott, son of my nephew, Samuel Mott, deceased, a bond which I have from my nephew, Sylvanus Mott, "with the money due on it, if it can be got." I leave to Samuel Mott, son of said Samuel Mott, deceased, all the things which I had from his father. I leave to my executors ś50 for the use of my niece, Abigail Taylor, also ś50 for the use of my niece Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Pearsall. I leave to Mary Mott, daughter of my nephew, Samuel Mott, deceased, ś50. All the rest I leave to Elizabeth Pearsall and Mary Mott.
I make Israel Pearsall, of Hempsted Harbor, and Thomas Seaman and his son, Gideon Seaman, of Westbury, executors.
Dated the 6 day of 2nd Month, 1768. Witnesses, Elizabeth Gowdy, Hendrick Onderdonk, Samuel Willis. Proved, January 23, 1769.

Page 442.--"Be it remembered, that I, ELIZABETH PEARSALL, of New York, this 31 day of 7th month called July, 1761, being in health and to settle my outward affairs so as to prevent any contention." I direct all debts to be paid. I leave to John Franklin, son of my sister, Mary Franklin, all the debts that he owes to me. I leave to Thomas and Samuel Franklin, sons of my sister, Mary Franklin, each a bed. All the rest I leave to the 5 children of my sister, Mary Franklin, viz., Sarah Couser (or Conser), Thomas, Mary, Samuel, and James.
I make my sister Mary and her son Thomas and my well esteemed friend, Matthew Franklin, of Flushing, executors.
Witnesses, John Haydock, Joseph Pursell, watchmaker, Thomas Pearsall, Jr. Proved, July 18, 1764

Abstracts of Wills Vol V 1754-1760
Page 520.--I, THOMAS PEARSALL, of the town of Hempstead, yeoman, being this 9th day of the 8th month, called August, 1759, but weak of body. I leave to my wife Sarah all my money and money due to me, and she is to pay all just debts except what I owe on bond. I leave all my wearing apparell to my sons Thomas and Samuel and to the widow of my son Nathaniel. I leave to my son Thomas "my Great Book, set out by Isaac Penington," and my half of the Still and tub. I leave to my grand son, James Mott, a horse. I leave to my wife 2 horses, and all grain, flax, and wool, and all provisions, and a negro man and woman, And she is to keep and maintain my old negro man "Jack." I leave all my printed books to my wife Sarah and my children, Susanah, Sarah Alsop, Hannah Hawkshurst, and Mary Seaman, and my daughter in law Mary, widow of my son Nathaniel. All the rest to be sold. From the money there is to be paid to my son Samuel ś10, To my daughter in law, Mary Pearsall, ś10, To my grand daughter, Elizabeth Hicks, 1/5, provided her father, Benjamin Hicks, pays the money he owes to me. I leave to my son Thomas the houses, land, and buildings where I now live in Hempstead, bounded west by Hempstead Harbor, north by Jacob Mott, east by Mosquito Cove road that leads to the Plains, south by Sylvanus Townsend and Michael Mudge, and partly by the highway that leads to the landing by my house, and partly by William Kirbie's land, to Hempstead Harbor, Also a piece of woodland lying under the Harbor Hills, bounded east by Timothy Townsend, south by Michael Mudge, west by Richard Valentine. My wife is to have the best room in my house, and another room and her fire wood, and feed for her horses and 2 cows, and a sufficient piece of ground for a garden, and apples from the orchard. And my son Thomas is to pay ś1,200 in 3 payments, ś20 to my wife, ś20 to my executors, and he is to pay the charges in the Law for the defence of my title to land. To my son Samuel ś60. To Sarah, daughter of my son, Nathaniel Pearsall, ś30. "My son Thomas is to have ś80, to make satisfaction to him for the land I bought of George Weeks, which my son lost." My executors are to put ś300 at interest for the use of my wife. I leave to my son Samuel 2 cows. To my grand daughter Jane, daughter of my son Nathaniel, ś25. To my daughter in law, Mary Pearsall, for her two youngest children, Mary and Hannah, ś85. Whereas I have been at great charge in bringing up my grand son, James Mott, he is to be charged for the same. I leave to my son Thomas a small piece of land lying on the east side of and near the land of Hendrick Onderdonck's mill swamp, being in partnership with Richard Valentine. "I leave to my wife Mary the use of my Clock and my Cockle sieve."
I make my son Thomas, and my grand son, Israel Pearsall, and my kinsmen, Daniel Underhill, excutors

Abstracts of Wills Vol V 1754-1760
Page 29.--"Know all men by these presents that I, NATHANIEL PEARSALL, of Cow Neck, in the town of Hempstead, being this 4th day of the 8th month, called August, 1755, well in body, do make this my will." I leave to my son, Thomas Pearsall, all that land I bought of Samuel Latham and his brother, Joseph Latham. I leave to my son Robert the house and orchard that I now dwell in, beginning at the gate at the south east corner of my orchard and from thence running along below the hill to the corner of my meadow fence, to the north side of my house that Mary Dodge now lives in, and thence by the fence to the water side, Also 10 acres of woodland where my executors may think best. All of the rest of my lands on Cow Neck I leave to my executors to sell to pay debts, and that, together with my negroes and cattle and out door movables, are to be sold. I leave to my wife, Mary Pearsall, the use of the lands I have left to my sons Thomas and Robert until they come of age "to bring them up upon." "If my wife should marry again, my executors shall do the best they can with them, that is, my sons Thomas and Robert, but she is to have the use of 1/2 of the house, and pasture for two cows and one horse." I leave to my son Robert ś100 when 20 years of age, and ś200 when he is 21, and he is to have ś60 in lieu of a negro boy that his grand father Latham gave him. I leave to my son Robert, when 21, ś50, and to my wife ś200. All the rest of my estate I leave to my 4 daughters, Sarah, Jane, Mary, and Hannah, when they are 18 years of age or married. "My wife shall have the clock that her father gave her, and all the plate that I leave," and my wife and daughters shall divide all the rest of my indoor movables. I leave to my son Thomas my negro man John, but he is to work for my wife on the land. My wife is to have 3 cows and a horse "to help bring up the children." My daughters that remain unmarried are to have a home in my house. I leave to my sons all my other rights of land in Hempstead.
I make my brother, Thomas Pearsall, of Oyster Bay, and my cousin, Israel Pearsall, and my cousin, Samuel Latham, of Cow Neck, executors.
Witnesses, William Latham, William Mitchell, Mary Latham. Proved, May 18, 1758. Mary Latham being a Quaker, and "executors being duly affirmed."

Abstracts of Wills Vol IV 1744-1753 Page 122.--"I, HENRY PEARSALL, of Bethpage, in the town of Oyster Bay, yeoman, being this 23d day of the 8th month, 1748, but weak and feeble in body, as well as pretty far advanced in years." My executors are to sell sufficient movable estate to pay debts. I leave to my daughter, Mary Pearsall, one bed and furniture. To my daughter, Ann Willis, a riding horse of the value of ś8. To my daughter, Mary Pearsall, ś5 to buy her a side saddle, also a horse valued at ś8, or ś8 in money (my daughter Phebe Osborn having had already a horse and saddle). I leave to my wife Mary all the rest of movable estate, and the use of lands, houses, and improvements which I bought of the executors of Elisha Powell, during her widowhood, for her support and the education of my two youngest children. I leave to my two sons, Page 272 Thomas and Rowland, the dwelling house and land I bought of Thomas Davis, and the land I bought of Timothy Shaws, and they are to pay to my daughter Mary, ś15. I leave to my youngest son John the dwelling house that I now dwell in and the land between it and Joshua Powells, with all improvements, and he is to pay to my daughters, Phebe Osborn, Anne Willis, and Mary Pearsall, ś23 6s. 8d. I leave to my two sons, Thomas and Rowland, so much of my lands in Bethpage Purchase as will, with the rest of the lands I have given them, make 2/3 of all my estate, and they are to pay to my daughters, Phebe Osborn and Anne Willis, ś12 4s. 5d. I leave to my son John, so much land in Bethpage Purchase as to make his part of my estate 1/3. My daughter Anne is to have a place of residence in my house so long as she remains a widow. I leave to my three sons all my lands lying in common, in the Town of Hempstead, and the Plain land in (Robert) Williams Purchase in the town of Oyster Bay, and all other places.
I make my wife and my brothers in law, Jacob Titus, of Wheatley, and William Titus, of Westbury, executors.
Witnesses, Wait Powell, Mary Powell, Samuel Willis. Proved, April 11, 1750, by affirmation of Wait Powell and Mary Powell, "being known Quakers," and the executors were confirmed, "being first duly affirmed."

Abstracts of Wills Vol III 1730-1744
Page 450.--In the name of God, Amen, August 8, 1740. I, JOHN PEARSALL, of Hempstead, being very sick. I leave to my wife, Martha Pearsall, the use of my best room, and 1/2 my land and meadow that is called my homestead, and 6 cows, and a horse and saddle. After her death I leave all my estate to my 4 sons, John, Daniel, James, and Samuel.
I make Daniel Serion, Samuel Pearsall, and Jacob Smith, executors.
Witnesses, Henry Mott, Charles Peterse, Joseph Abrahamse. Proved, August 28, 1741.

Abstracts of Wills Vol III 1730-1744
Page 238.--In the name of God, Amen. "I, THOMAS PEARSALL, of Spectacle Island, otherwise called Harts Island, in the county of Westchester," being in poor health. I leave to my wife, Christian Pearsall, the use and profits of all the real and personal estate "towards her support in her decripet age and during her life." "I leave to my son, Nicholas Pearsall, ś5, as his sole and only right, and not to claim or make any disturbance in law or equity as my heir at law" leave to my son Henry one certain island named Spectacle or Harts Island, lying within the manor of Pelham in Westchester County. And he is to pay ś300 in installments to my estate. I leave to my daughter, Eda Dobbs, ś15. I leave all the rest of my estate to my children Nicholas, John, Henry, Hannah and Eda.
I make Thomas Pell, Esq., Hermanus Rutsen, and my son, John Pearsall, executors.
Dated April 20, 1723. Witnesses, Johanes Roelofsen, Jane Francis, Edward Fitzgerald.
Proved, April 6, 1732. And the executors having refused, Letters of administration are granted to his son, Henry Pearsall. The widow was also dead. The daughter Eda married Walter Dobbs, the daughter hannah married John Lanyon.
[NOTE.--Harts Island is now owned by the city of New York, and a large part of it is the city cemetery, better known as "Potter's Field."--W. S. P.]

Abstracts of Wills Vol I 1665-1707
Page 119.--DANIEL PEARSALL. "The last will and Testament of Daniel Pearsall, of Hempstead. This being my last will, I, being very weak in body, but having my perfect understanding, for which I am thankful to God." I leave to my eldest son, Daniel Pearsall, my dwelling house, and orchard by the same, and my barn and the land joining to it. Also all that land that lies northwest of my house near the Flax Pond, excepting that which my brother Nathaniel is to have, in lieu of a piece of ground that lies on the east side of my house called the Little Orchard, which said Little Orchard I give to my son John Pearsall, till he is of age, and then it is to return to my son Daniel. I also give to my son Daniel, the remaining part of my 100 acre lot (my brother Thomas Pearsall, having the west half of it by a deed of gift), except ten rods in breadth, the whole length of the lot to be taken off the east side, and this part I give to my son John, and I give to my son, John Pearsall, my 50 acres of land joining on the east side of it with all the privilege thereto belonging, and an equal part of my rights of Commons, proportional to his land. I give to my sons, Daniel and John, all my rights of meadow in the town of Hempstead. I give to Sarah Wilkins a heifer. I leave all of my cattle to my five daughters, Ann Searing, Sarah Pearsall, Margery Pearsall, Jane Pearsall, and Emma Pearsall, and to each of them a feather bed with furniture. "And concerning my three little daughters, my wife disposed of two of them to their two sisters before she died, and the third, namely, Margery, I do likewise dispose of to my two eldest daughters, desiring that as soon as it is convenient, she may learne the treade of a Tayler."
I make my son in law, John Searing, and my cousin, Thomas Pearsall, executors.
Dated this 29 day of the 2nd month, called April, 170 2/3.
There is some remaining land on Cow neck, which I authorize my executors to sell.
Witnesses, Isaac Smith, Samuel Denton. Nathaniel Pearsall. Proved at Court of Common Pleas, at Jamaica, May 20, 1703.
Thomas Willett, Judge; Samuel Clowes, Clerk.

Abstracts of Wills Vol I 1665-1707
Page 151.--NATHANIEL PEARSALL. The last will and Testament of Nathaniel Pearsall of Hempstead, made this twentieth day of the 8th month called October, 1703. I, being sick and weak of body, but through God's mercy, my understanding sound, I leave to my wife Martha, one third of all my movable estate, except negroes. I leave to my sons, Thomas and Samuel, all my lands and meadows, except one piece of land lying on the north west of Herricks, to be equally divided between them, my son Thomas to have the better part, as shall be adjudged by the overseers of this will. My will is that the piece of land lying in the north west side of Herricks, shall be sold to pay for the land at the Harbour, and if that land will not fetch money, then my son Thomas shall, with the consent of my overseers, sell any land that I have to pay for said land. My son Thomas, with the consent of his mother and overseers, may exchange any land I have, to bring it into better settlement. I leave to my son Thomas, my great loose Coat. I leave to my son Samuel, my Camelot Cloak. I leave to my five daughters, Martha, Susannah, Elizabeth, Hannah and Mary, to each of them a warming pan, to be provided by my executors. My two eldest daughters are to have what they now call their own. I give my smiths tools to my son Thomas, and all the rest of my household goods to my five daughters, except two beds for my two sons. I leave all my lands, houses, and meadows to my two sons, Thomas and Samuel, and my son Thomas and my wife Martha, with the advice of friends and executors, may sell my homestead in the Town of Hempstead. If my negro Francis shall grow unruly, my son Thomas may sell him. My wife is to have the use of all my negroes, and if my negro Francis is sold, "the produce of him" shall go to my five daughters. My wife is to have the use of my housing and land at town, and half the land at the Harbour, during her widowhood. My five daughters are to have 10/12 of all my live stock, and the rest to my two sons.
I make my wife and my son Thomas executors, and Samuel Bowne, Richard Seaman, William Willis, Thomas Pearsall, Jr., and Nathaniel Seaman to be overseers.
Witnesses, John Rodman, George Foster, John Searing, John Corell, John Marvin.
March 12, 1703, then appeared before me, John Bridges, Esq., Surrogate appointed by his Excellency, Edward, Viscount Cornbury, John Searing, John Corell and John Marvin, three of the above witnesses, and made oath upon the Holy Evangelists that they saw the testator, NATHANIEL PEARSALL, sign, seal, and publish the same, etc.
Confirmed by Lord Cornbury, March 21, 1703. inventory of estate of NATHANIEL PEARSALL, Hempstead, Long Island, February 8, 170 3/4. Taken by John Searing and John Moriding. 6 oxen, ś25; 12 cows, ś33; 5 horses, ś20; "2 young jades that can't yet be found," ś2.5s.; 85 sheep, ś25.1s.; 1 ox cart and tackling for 6 oxen, ś6.4s.; 1 negro man and a negro woman and a negro girl, ś90; 3 negro boys, ś60. Total amount, ś546.
The 3d of March, 1703, Martha Pearsall and Thomas Pearsall, executors of the will of NATHANIEL PEARSALL, deceased, being Professors of the worship of the People called Quakers, did, as in the presence of God, solemnly declare that the within written is a true and honest Inventory of all and singular, the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said Nathaniel Pearsall, and is to the best of their knowledge. Facit et Cognovit Coram.
John Bridges, Sec.

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