Join me as I share my ancestor’s will
and annotations. Don’t forget to contact me if we’re related.
In the
name of God Amen I Joseph Brundige of the
town of Minisink in Orange County being sick and weak in body but of sound mind
memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament in
manner following that is to say
When Joseph prepared his will Feb. 2,
1830, 4th Great Grandfather was 60 years of age. The section in
Minisink where Joseph Brundage lived would later become the town of Wawayanda.
First I
give and devise to my sons Orzimus C., William T., Samuel, Abijah, Mastin and
Merrit all my real estate consisting of about one hundred and twenty acres of
land to hold to their and to their heirs and assigns forever subject to the
legacies charges and conditions herein after mentioned
Great Grandfather purchased several pieces
of land in the Minisink area according to deeds at the Orange County Government
Center, Goshen, NY. On Sept. 24, 1804 he
acquired 61 and 3/4 acres from John Green and his wife Cloe. [Deeds Liber L,
page 78.] The June 15, 1813 issue of the
Orange County Gazette reported the 61 3/4 acres was slated to be sold for
non-payment of interest.
In March of 1815, Joseph bought 70
acres he formerly owned from Holloway Stephens and wife Amy. [Deeds Liber 39,
page 189.] Joshua Mulock and wife Sarah
sold him 50 acres Jan. 4, 1823. [Deeds
Liber 39, page 191.]
also I
give and devise to my six sons before named all my personal property of
whatever nature or kind except as in herein after excepted,
That would be the six who shared
the120 acres.
also I
give and bequeath to my oldest son Epenetus Two hundred Dollars to be paid to
him when my youngest son shall attain to the age of twenty one years,
It sounds like Epenetus didn’t take to
farming. According to his father’s wishes, he needed to wait until the youngest
boy became 21 years old (1845) before he could collect the $200.
Also I
give and bequeath to my daughter Rosanah Brundige one hundred and fifty Dollars
for an outset which I consider equivalent to the portions which I have already
given to her sisters Azubah King and Sophia Knapp the said legacy to be paid to
her when she shall be married, or if she should continue single when her
youngest brother shall arrive at the age of twenty one and until one or the
other of the said events shall happen my will is that she shall live at home
with the family and be supported out of the proceeds of the property but if my
said daughter Rosanah should die without being married and before her youngest
brother shall attain to the age of twenty one years I then will and order that
her legacy be distributed equally amongst all her surviving brothers and
sisters
As you probably guessed, Rosanna was a
girl when Joseph planned for her future without him. He had already provided
for his married daughters Azubah and Sophia. Isaac P. King was Azubah’s husband
and Sophia married Nathaniel Knapp.
also I
give and bequeath to my wife Martha Brundige three cows and six sheep to be
kept upon the farm also my clock and family Bible
What happened to the Bible? Did 4th
Great Grandmother entrust it to one of the children and if so, which one?
she is
also to be provided with a horse and wagon as often as she shall request the
same and my desire is that she shall continue upon the farm and take the charge
of my younger children, Also to the end
that my family may be kept together and that my younger children may have a
home and a support
it is
my will that all the stock and farming utensils which I may have at the time of
my decease shall be continued upon the farm and farther that there shall be no
partition or division of my estate either real or personal until my youngest
son shall arrive at the full age of twenty one years
If I can rely on census records,
Martha Brundage was 47 when Joseph passed. Great Grandfather definitely wanted
her to remain on the farm until their youngest boy Masten reached his majority
in 1845. Joseph needn’t worry about his land as his son Orsamus C. retained it
by buying out his brothers.
I
further order that the surplus funds arising from my estate if there should be
any after defraying the necessary expenses of the family and after discharging
such debts as are outstanding at the time of my death shall be appropriated to
the erection of suitable buildings and in making such other necessary
improvements upon the farm as shall be deemed advisable and proper
It’s a shame Great Grandfather Joseph
died two years after the will was drawn up on Feb. 4, 1832. His thoughtfulness
and love for his family and farm are evident. Ten children including six that
were not yet 21 years old grieved their father.
Also I
will and order that if any of my sons should die without leaving lawful issue
before my youngest son shall arrive to the age of twenty one years then the
share or shares of such deceased son or sons shall be distributed equally
amongst his surviving brothers
I do
hereby constitute and appoint my wife Martha Brundige Executrix and my son
Orzimus Brundige and my son in law Nathaniel Knapp Executors of this my last
will and testament
Nathaniel Knapp declined to serve as
an executor April 30, 1832.
In
witness where of I have signed sealed published and declared by the testator as
and for his last will and testament in our presence who at his request in his
presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as
witnesses thereto
Joseph Halstead
of Minisink in Orange Co
Phebe
Halstead of the same place
John E.
Phillips of the same place
On March 15, 1832, Joseph Brundage's
will was probated. An inventory was conducted by Abijah Wells and Jonathan
Tuthill June 20, 1832 appraising his property to be worth $849.22. (Inventory on file at Orange Co., NY
Surrogate Court)
I’m on the lookout for Joseph
Brundage’s bible. Brundage family researchers, can you help?
Source Orange County, New York, Wills,
Liber I, page 324-328
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