Will: John Chambers, 1764 New York

[paragraphs added for easier reading]

In the name of God, Amen. I, JOHN CHAMBERS, of New York, Esquire, being at this present time weak and indisposed in body but in sound and perfect mind.

After the death of my wife, and not before, I leave to the Rector and Inhabitants of New York in Communion with the Church of England as by Law Established, 1,000. In Trust nevertheless, that they shall in a Husbandlike manner, apply and lay out the same towards the support and carrying on the Charity School in New York now under their care.

I leave to Augustus Van Cortlandt, whom I brought up, 1/2 of all my Law Books and Manuscripts. The other half I leave to John Jay, son of Peter Jay, my brother-in-law.

I leave to my dear wife, Ann Chambers, all my messuages, lands, and tenements and real estate during her life. I also leave to her and to her heirs and assigns forever all my lands and tenements in Orange County called Cheesecocks, which I purchased from Mrs. Elizabeth Denn. Also all the lands and tenements that I am entitled to in right of my wife from her father, Colonel Jacobus Van Cortlandt, by his will or otherwise.

After the death of my wife I leave to Augustus Van Cortlandt all that my messuage and dwelling house where I now live, with the ground and water lot and appurtenances, to him and his heirs, and in default of issue then to his right heirs in fee simple. I also leave to him after the death of my wife all that messuage, tenement, and ground adjoining to the house where I now live, called my office, as I purchased the same from Colonel Frederick Phillipse and the children of John Cruger, Esq., with the stable and appurtenances. To him and his heirs, and for lack of issue to his right heirs in fee simple. I also leave to him all that dwelling house, messuage, and lot where he now lives in the West Ward, according to a certain deed of trust I made to him. I also leave to him and his sister, Mrs. Eve White, and to Ann, daughter of said Eve White, all my lands and tenements in Montgomerie Ward during their lives and to the survivor in fee simple.

I leave to James Van Cortlandt, Augustus Van Cortlandt, and Frederick Van Cortlandt, after the death of my wife, all the rest of my lands and tenements and all real estate to them and their heirs and assigns as tennants in common.

I leave to my wife, Ann Chambers, all my household stuff, wrought plate, money, negroes, Book debts in England, and all other personal estate except so much as will pay my legacy to Trinity Church.

I also leave to Colonel Vincent Matthews 300. To Mr. John Bartow, of Westchester County, who lived with me, 50. To Lambert Moore 50. These to be paid after the death of my wife.

I make my wife, Ann Chambers, sole executrix during her life, and then my brother-in-law, Peter Jay, and my nephew, Mr. John Livingston, of New York, merchant, and my nephews, James Van Cortlandt and Augustus Van Cortlandt, desiring them to assist my wife in managing the estate.

Dated January 20, 1764.

[source] New York City Wills, 1760-1766; page 386.

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Link to John Chambers

The Will of John Chambers; prepared by Pamela Hutchison Garrett for John Markham of Chesterfield website; 2015.