Richard Halstead Puts his House in Order, 1700-1785

On May 27, 2018, I published The Halstead Ancestors quoting an Orange County, New York history introducing Richard Halstead to my readers. You can view the blog post here.

Today I’ll share his last will and testament with you. As you’ll see, he wanted his wife provided for as long as she remained his widow. Land, household items, livestock and money gifts were left to his heirs. Digital images appear at the end of my post.

His will was dated May 5, 1774, and proved December 1, 1785 in New York City, New York.

   In the name of God Amen I Richard Holstead of Goshen in Orange County in the Province of New York being now in health of body but through God's goodness in sound perfect and disposing mind and memory for I am thankfull being mindfull that it tis appointed once for all men to dye and that the hour of death is uncertain and also that it Behoves every one to set his house in order while in this life do make this my last will and testament in manner following

   first of all I bequeath my soul to God who gave it recommending on his mercy through Christ my redeemer for Salvation and my body I recommend to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Exr's hereafter mentioned and touching and concerning my worldly estate 

   I give, bequeath, devise will and order in the following manner desiring everyone concerned in the Distribution thereof will be contented and satisfied therewith Imprimis I give and do order unto my Exrs hereafter named so much of my movable estate for them to dispose of for the payment of all my just debts and funeral charges in some convenient time after my Deceas 

   Item I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Esther Holstead all the remainder of my household furniture excepting my large cubbord and I do give and order that my said wife shall have sufficient house room in my said dwelling house and the benefit of the equal half of my homestead lot adjoining to my said dwelling house also one riding hors, two cows, six sheep the above said benefit of my said dwelling house and homestead lot shall remain to her no longer than she shall remain my widow and the above mentioned furniture and creatures she shall have them forever and be at her own disposal 

Esther Holstead was born Esther Oldfield (1707), a daughter of Joseph Oldfield and Martha Grasset. Richard gifted Esther with all his furniture with one exception. He also directed his executors that Esther should have a place in his dwelling house and some farm stock to call her own.

   Item I give and bequeath to my son Michael Holstead all my whole farm or tract of land I now do live upon scituate lying and being on the west side of the Drowned land and the Wallakill within the Patten of Wawayanda in the County and Province aforesaid which I did lately purchase from Henry Davee his Deed of conveyance being had refference thereto will give the boundaries of the said tract or farm of land which said tract or farm shall remain together with the approvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging and also my working horses mairs and all others creatures of cattle kind and sheep and all my farming utensils to him my said son Michael Holsted and to his heirs and assigns forever 

Richard’s son, Michael, inherited his father’s homestead lot along with the livestock. I couldn’t locate the deed referred to in Orange County records. From the description, it sounds like this was the property Michael Halstead owned in the town of Minisink.

   Item I do give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Seely my above mentioned large cubbord and the equal moiety or half part of all my whole right that I have to a certain tract or lot of land which was set of land containing about three thousand acres for the benefit and use of all those persons that hath town rights belonging to the township of Goshen scituate within the Patten of Wawayanda which said moiety or half part of all my whole right to the above mentioned tract shall remain to my said daughter Sarah Seely and to her daughters and their assigns forever 

I was wondering who was going to get that large cupboard.  Richard bequeathed one-half of his 3,000-acre Goshen tract to Sarah and the Seely granddaughters.

   Item I do give and bequeath unto my grand son Samuel Holstead my other equal moiety or half part of my whole right as his above mentioned and described and to be equally divided with my said daughter Sarah which said half part shall remain to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

A grandson, Samuel Halstead, got the remaining half of the Goshen tract. Perhaps Samuel’s father was Isaiah Halstead.

   Item I do give and bequeath unto all my said sons Richard Holstead, Joseph Holstead, Isaiah Holstead, Benjamin Holstead and Michael Holstead the remainder of all my town right of lands within the patten of Wayawanda aforesaid to be equally divided between them which shall remain to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever. 

   Item I do give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Holstead all the remainder of my southeast Division lot of land situate in the township of Goshen aforesaid supposed to be about ten acres of land be the same more or less which shall remain to him and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

   Item I do give unto my sons Richard and Isaiah each five shilling New York money to be paid to them out of my moveable estate by my Exrs which shall remain to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever my will is

According to The Michael Shoemaker Book, Richard and Isaiah Halstead left Orange County, New York and migrated to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania where they remained for many years.

and I do order my said son Michael Holstead to provide maintain sufficiently all necessarys and fire wood for my said wife Esther and also to provide for her creatures during her widowhood and

Taking care of Mom falls to Michael and rightly so.

   Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife Esther Holstead and my sons Joseph Holstead and Michael Holstead or in case of death the survivours of them to be the Executors of this my last will and testament and for them to see that the above devisions be as equally as maybe and I do revoke and disannull all other wills and testaments and do declare this to be my last  In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this fifth day of May and in the year of our Lord Christ seventeen hundred and seventy four 1774

     Richard (X his mark) Holstead   Signed, sealed, delivered and and Declared by the Testator to be his last will and testament 

    Note before signing and executing hereof my will his that my Said Pue in the Presbyterian meeting house in Goshen shall remain to the use and benefit of all my family until such time as they shall so cause to dispose of it)

As early as 1721/22, Richard and others contributed land to establish the Goshen Presbyterian Church. Great Grandfather insured the Halstead’s standing in the Goshen Presbyterian Church reserving his family pew for their benefit.

and the words enterlined in the fifth line from the top of this side of this half sheet (for my said wife Esther)

   Henry David, Daniel Everett, Susanna [V] Huge 

   Orange County}  Be it remembered on the first day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty five personally appeared before me James Everett Surrogate of the said County Daniel Everett of the Precinct of Goshen in said County Esquire who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw Richard Halsted deceased make his mark to and seal the within written instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Richard Halstead bearing date the fifth day of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy four and that he heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof he the said Richard Halsted was of a sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the Deponent that his name subscribed to the said will is of his proper handwriting which he subscribed as a witness thereto in the Testator's presence and that he saw the other witnesses subscribe their names as witnesses thereto in the Testator's presence.   James Everett Surrogate

    The People of the State of New York by the Grace of God Free and Independent to all to whom these presents shall come or may concern Send Greeting Know Ye that in Orange County on the first day of December instant before James Everett Esquire thereunto by us delegated and appointed the last will and testament of Richard Holsted deceased (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) was proved and is now approved and allowed by us and the said deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death goods, chattels or credits within this State by means whereof the proving and registering the said will and the granting Administration of all and singular the said goods, Chattels and credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging the account thereof doth belong unto us The Administration of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his will is granted unto Joseph Holstead and Michael Holstead Two of the Executors in the said will named the being first duty sworn well and faithfully to Administer the same and to make and exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits and also to render a just and true account thereof when there unto required  In Testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our Court of Probates to be hereunto affixed

Witness Thomas Tredwell Esquire Judge of our said Court at the City of New York the fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five         Dav Judson Clk

New York Co., NY, Wills and Administrations, Volume 38, pages 264-267

  

Richard Halstead’s Will begins last paragraph p 264

Continues on p 265

Richard Halstead’s Will pages 266-267

Ogden Family Reunion Otisville, NY July 29, 1882

I found an article in the Middletown Daily Argus reporting on an Ogden family reunion. It gets wonderful; it’s my 2^nd Great Grandmother Harriet (Ogden) Clark’s family. The gathering took place on Saturday, July 29, 1882 in Otisville, Orange County, New York. Otisville is a village located in the town of Mount Hope.

A few facts are off but I’m not complaining. How many people know what their 2^nd Great Grandmother was doing on a summer day 136 years ago.

  

A Family Reunion.

   A reunion of the Ogden family was held at the residence of Wm. Martine, Otisville, last Saturday. The head of the present family was Gilbert Ogden, formerly of Middletown. He died some years ago, leaving fourteen children, ten of whom were present at the reunion. There are twelve of the children still alive, two having died within the past few years. A notable feature of the reunion was the presence of some of the children from the West who had not met with their brothers and sisters for twenty-one years. Constable John S. Ogden, of this village, is one of six boys of the family.

      Middletown Daily Argus, Middletown, New York published August 1, 1882 Issue

The father of the family was Gilbert B. Ogden born July 9, 1795. He married Mary Hazen Jan. 11, 1817 and they raised 15 children (not 14 as reported) in Orange County, New York—10 sons and 5 daughters. They moved to Wantage, New Jersey during the 1840’s. Gilbert died there June 6, 1848.

Fourteen Ogden siblings were living when William Martine hosted the reunion. Contrary to what the Argus printed, only one child, Gilbert Ogden Jr., had passed away and that was in 1871.

The brothers from the West were Graham Ogden and Lewis C. Ogden. Both had left the area years earlier and settled in White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan.

Let’s get back to Saturday, July 29, 1882 and ponder who might have enjoyed the reunion.

The Ogden Siblings:

1)    John S. Ogden, age 64 years, attended the day’s events. His wife Aceneath Greer and children Cornelia and Charles Edward most likely accompanied him. John’s daughter Margaret, husband Angus Terwilliger and their young children might have enjoyed the reunion. The same could be said for son John W., wife Susan Trusdell and kids. Hopefully, Grandson William D. Hetzel didn't miss the fun. No doubt youngest son Sylvanus and young bride Edna A. Anderson were invited.

2)    Lewis C. Ogden, age 62 years, traveled from his home in the West at White Lake, Oakland Co., Michigan. I don’t know whether Uncle Lewis’ adult daughters visited the East but it’s a good bet his wife Phebe Harding was with him since she was born in Sullivan County, New York.

3)    William B. Ogden, age ca 61 years, was a widower by this date. His children Sarah Ann, Orpha M., John, Wickham H. and Emma Jane lived locally. Perhaps they joined the festivities too.

4)    Sarah Elizabeth Ogden, age 59 years, wife of William Martine, served as hostess for the party. I bet her daughters Esther and Hattie helped with the preparations.

5)    Sally Malinda Ogden, age ca 58 years, and 2^nd husband Charles Crawford lived close by in the town of Mount Hope making it likely they too joined the Ogden siblings.

6)    Graham Ogden, age 55 years, traveled from the West to be at the affair with wife Abigail P. Marie. He was also a White Lake, Oakland Co, Michigan resident.

7)    Hannah M. Ogden, age ca 56, widow of Joseph M. Crane, lived with her daughters in Port Jervis, New York after her husband’s death in 1868. I'm hoping she got to reminisce with her brothers and sisters.

8)    Seth T. Ogden, age ca 54, a Mount Hope dweller, would have brought his wife Martha Dunlap and children Emma Ann and Charles Mapes. Seth’s daughter Phebe Augusta and spouse James A. Conklin along with baby and toddler might have made an appearance.

9)    Gilbert B. Ogden, Jr. deceased. As I said earlier Gilbert Jr. died a young man. I don’t know if Widow Antoinette Hait and children Madison, Mary Elizabeth (Ogden) Nelson, Casper C., Ella A., and Henry Harrison were guests at the Martine home.

10)  Joseph S. Ogden, age 49 years, wife Charlotte Anna Satterly, and family Emma Frances, James Alva, Charles B., George W. and Frank Leroy were Orange County residents, so they might have attended the reunion.

11)  Asa J. Ogden, 47 years old, and a twin to Andrew J. Ogden, lived close to the Martine’s and could get to the party easily with wife Charlotte Hallock and five offspring: Alonzo G. and Asa J. by Asa’s 1^st wife; William and Frances by 2^nd wife Charlotte.

12)  Andrew Jackson Ogden, age 47 years, and twin brother to Asa J. Ogden. He lived in Mount Hope for many years, so it would have been an easy carriage ride for him to bring his wife Hester C. Marsh and kids Ira Pierson, Lillian Irene, Alma M. and James Smiley.

13)  Mary Jane Ogden, age 43 years, probably didn’t attend as she was living in Saco, York Co., Maine with 2^nd husband Solomon True Jr.

14)  Charles Henry Ogden, age 42 years, is a definite guest possibility. He, too, lived in the town of Mount Hope with daughter Nancy and wife Mary E. Silvieus.

15)  Harriet Cornelius Ogden, 39 years old, wife of Jeremiah B. Clark from Goshen, Orange Co., New York, hopefully enjoyed the day with her siblings and youngsters Frances, David Pullis, Minnie Isabel, twins Frank Emerson and Amos Ryerson, Lillian Mae and Grace Lee.

The Halstead Ancestors

Today’s post marks my first blog about the Halstead’s. Thanks to the work of earlier researchers, I’ve learned much about my Halstead ancestry.

Today I’ll begin telling you about 4^th Great Grandmother Esther. She was born Jan. 15, 1779 in Orange County, New York to Michael and Phebe Halstead. I knew a little about Esther from Ruttenber & Clark’s ‘History of Orange County, New York’. Esther’s grandfather, Richard Halstead, was an early Goshen settler featured in the book. Esther married and is identified below as “Mrs. William Hemingway”.

  

Transcript:  Ruttenber & Clark’s History of Orange County, New York, published 1881, page 524

“Richard Halstead was an early settler of Goshen. He lived on the Florida road, near the present Snyder place, over the "Rio Grande," and it is claimed by his descendants that he was the first merchant in Goshen. He afterwards bought 600 acres of land in what is now Wawayanda, adjoining the Fullerton farm. The tradition in this family is that his son Michael was born there. If so (as Michael died in 1820, at the age of seventy- two), it determines the settlement of Richard in Wawayanda to have been as early as 1747 or 1748, not more than ten or twelve years later than the Dolsens. Michael Halstead left several children, Michael Jr., Jesse, Aaron, Mrs. William Hemingway, Mrs. Silas Hemingway, and Mrs. Alma Bailey. Michael, Jr., had one daughter, Mrs. Charles T. Jackson, from whom most of these particulars are obtained. It is understood that the pioneer Richard Halstead had a brother Joseph, who came to Orange County about the same time. He had no children, but an adopted son, bearing the family name, became the owner of the well- known Cash farm in Wawayanda.”

Esther and William lived in Orange County, New York until some time in the 1820’s when they moved to Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey.

4^th Great Grandmother passed June 22, 1842 and is buried in the Wantage First Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery. Great Grandfather William Hemingway passed March 9, 1855 and rests alongside her.

If you’re interested in the Hemingway family, you might like

Mystery Monday, Quite By Chance I Found My Hemingway’s in Jersey

Mystery Monday, The Hemingway’s Part 2

A Bed to Sleep In, $40 Per Year and a Horse

In a land agreement between Richard Wight and daughter Carrie P. Barr, Richard was promised $40.00 a year, a horse, and support for the rest of his natural life.

Richard Wight was my 2^nd Great Grandfather born 1834 at McDonough, Chenango Co., NY to Jonas Sweetland Wight and Caroline Ackley. He was raised in McDonough and somehow met and married 2^nd Great Grandmother Emily Brundage from Wawayanda, Orange Co., NY. They lived in New York, then spent some time in Waterloo, Black Hawk Co., Iowa and returned to Orange County, NY by 1868.

After Great Grandmother Emily died, Richard made his home in McDonough (1875) with his three older children—Carrie, Anna and Bertie. His two youngest daughters, Eleanor and Emily, remained with their grandparents, Orsamus C. Brundage and Phebe Kimber, in Wawayanda, NY.

By 1880, Richard was working as a farm laborer in Wawayanda close to the youngest Wight girls. Carrie was about 18 years old and had recently married Fred Barr in Chenango County.

Now that I’ve given you a little background, I’m ready to begin this post.

It wasn’t until I began researching Richard Wight’s mother, Caroline (Ackley) Wight that I learned Great Grandfather owned land in Smithville. Grandfather’s mother, along with his brothers and their wives sold the ‘Jonas Wight farm’ to him Nov. 23, 1889.

A few months later, Richard, received a $2,000 legacy owed him from his father’s estate.

  

Document from Jonas Wight’s estate packet

Later that year Richard sold his interest in a 122-acre tract originally part of the ‘Jonas Wight farm’ to his daughter Carrie P. Barr. I find it odd Richard did not include Carrie’s husband, Fred Barr, in the agreement. When the deed was written, Carrie was 29 years old and had already been married to Fred Barr for 11 years.

Carrie took over the mortgage payments held by Eli T. Wight. According to the indenture Great Grandfather was guaranteed a home for life living in the two north rooms in a house on the property where he already dwelled. Every January he would get $40.00. A horse and firewood were also included in the deal.

Excerpt Deed Book 181, page 599

A transcription of the deed follows:

Chenango County, New York Deed Book 181, pages 598-599

   This Indenture made this 17^th day of November in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and ninety. Between Richard Wight of the town of Smithville Chenango Co. N. Y. party of the first part and Carrie P. Barr of the said town of Smithville N. Y. party of the second part.

Witnesseth that the said party of the first part in consideration of the sum of Forty Dollars to be paid yearly as hereinafter stated and also the convenants hereinafter stated, was sold and by these presents does grant and convey to the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns.

   All that tract or parcel of land situate in the town of Smithville Chenango County N. Y. and being in lot No. 16 in the second township of the Chenango Triangle and bounded and described as follows.

   Being the same premises deeded by Eli T. Wight, Hattie Wight et al. to the said Richard Wight by a deed dated the 23^rd day of November 1889 and recorded in the Chenango County Clerks office on the 14^th day of February 1890 at 11 o’clock a.m. in Book No. 181 of Deeds at page 254 and the particular boundaries and description in the said deed contained are hereby adopted as forming a part of this conveyance the same as if herein fully stated and the said premises hereby conveyed are the same premises deeded by Orlando F. Cowles to Jonas Wight by a deed dated the 1^st day of Jany 1866 and recorded in the Chenango County Clerks office on the 15^th day of Jany 1866 in Liber No. 24 of Deeds at page 237.

   This conveyance is made and accepted subject to a mortgage on the said premises of the amount of $3200 which mortgage is held by Eli T. Wight and the said party of the second part does hereby assume the payment of the said mortgage.

   The consideration of this conveyance is that the said party of the second part shall pay to the said party of the first part yearly and every year the sum of $40.00 to be paid on the first day of Jany of each and every year during the natural life of the said party of the first part, and also that the said party of the second part shall and will support the said party of the first part during the term of his natural life, and to thus support him in a good and suitable manner, and to well and properly care and provide for him.

   The party of the second part shall and will also keep for the use of said party of the first part one horse.

  The said party of the first part reserves from this grant during his natural life the two north rooms in the house on the above described premises now occupied by him and the free and uninterrupted use and enjoyment thereof.

   The party of the first part to have his fire wood from the above premises so long as he lives.

    With the appurtenances and all the estate title and interest therein of the said party of the first part and the said Richard Wight does hereby covenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns that the premises thus conveyed in the quiet and peaceable possession of the party of the second part her heirs and assigns he will forever warrant and defend against any person whomsoever lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof.

   In witness whereof the parties herein have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first written above.

                                                                      Richard Wight

                                                                      Carrie P. Barr

State of New York

County of Chenango

          On this 18^th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety before me the subscriber personally came Richard Wight and Carrie P. Barr to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the written instrument and they severally acknowledged that they executed the same.

Recorded December 9, 1890

At 3:50 p.m.                                                   Charles Clinton

                                                                      Notary Public

Norman Carr

Clerk

 

This arrangement lasted until Oct. 4,1899 when Carrie P. Barr and Richard Wight sold the property back to Eli T. Wight. By June of 1900, Great Grandfather (then 65 years old) and the Barr family relocated to Greene Village, Chenango County, NY.  

Beloved Caroline AKA Mrs. Wight

Jonas S. Wight stated in his will “I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Caroline all the use improvements and income of Dwelling House, Lands, and the appurtenances thereto, and all my real and Personal property in Smithville, to have and to hold the same to her for and during her natural life.”

Jonah’s beloved wife was Caroline Ackley, daughter of Henry Ackley and Ruth Purple born March 15, 1809 at East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Carolyn’s father died 1814 in Connecticut when she was about four years old. Sometime between 1820 and 1830, Caroline’s mother brought the family to Chenango County, New York where other Purple family members migrated from Connecticut.

Caroline married Jonas Sweetland Wight Dec. 19, 1830 most likely near McDonough, Chenango County. Six sons were born to them. Orange Henry Wight born in 1833 died a few months after birth. Richard (my 2^nd Great Grandfather) was born 1834 followed by Hiram in 1837. (Hiram died a young man in 1859.) George Tarbell Wight arrived in 1839, Morris B. in 1846 with Eli T. Wight the youngest born in 1848.

Jonas farmed land in McDonough. He and Caroline bought and sold several 100-acre tracts along with a few smaller lots during their years in McDonough. In 1865 they sold some properties and by Jan. 1, 1866, Jonas and Caroline purchased 120 acres in the Town of Smithfield, Chenango County.

The 1875 New York State census enumerated Jonas and Caroline at home in the 2^nd Election District of Smithville. Their son, Morris, wife Miranda, and daughter Lena shared their home. Caroline’s youngest son Eli lived in the Wight house too.

Jonas Wight died May 8, 1878. Great Grandfather left everything he owned to his ‘beloved wife Caroline’ for as long as she lived. He planned for her well-being; eighteen months after Great Grandmother Caroline died, the sons would get the following monies: Richard $2,000, Eli T. $5,000, Morris B., $4,000 and George T. $2,000. Any remaining real and personal property was to be divided in equal shares among them.

The 1880 federal census enumerator found Caroline living with her son and wife, Morris B. and Miranda Wight in Smithville. 

On November 23, 1889, the Wight’s sold 237 acres of Jonas Wight’s land. Eli T. Wight and wife Hattie L., Caroline Wight, all of Smithville; George T. Wight and wife Julia residents of Waterloo, Iowa; and Morris B. Wight of Niles Valley, Pennsylvania sold their interests to son and brother Richard Wight of Pharsalia, Chenango Co., NY.

A few months later, Richard, received his $2,000 legacy (prior to his mother’s death) Feb. 3, 1890.

Caroline Wight passed March 21, 1894 at her son Eli’s home in Coventry, Chenango County.

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, Wednesday, March 28, 1894

McDONOUGH

  

   The body of Mrs. Wight, widow of the late Jonas Wight, an old resident of this place, was brought to this village for burial, on Friday last, from Coventry, where she lived with her son, Eli Wight.

Post: Jonas Sweetland Wight, Chenango County, NY Farmer, 52 Ancestors 52 Weeks