Freeman Clarkson (1724 - 1770)

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: James Dill [send private message]

Biography

Christened - 6 Jan 1725 Reformed Dutch Church, New York, New York

Died unmarried

Freeman Clarkson , bp. 6 Jan 1725 NYC Ref Ch (wit: Bernardus Freeman, Margareta Freeman); d. 14 Sep 1770. In his will, he wrote: ...of New York. I leave to my brother, David Clarkson, of New York, merchant, my gold watch and the seals I usually wear, "and the Pictures of your grandfather, Secretary Clarkson, the Rev. Mr. Freeman, and our uncle, Mr. Matthew Clarkson, and my own Picture, and my glass Scrutoire in my dining-room, and all the folio books in my Library, and my case with silver-handled knives and forks, and my largest silver jug, and a two-eared silver cup. I leave him these as a mark of my esteem. And the Providence of God having given him more than his brothers is the reason of my giving him no more." My executors will in ten years sell all my lands in Ulster County, and Orange County, and all my lots in New York, and my farm at Flatbush, in Kings County, which my father purchased of Cornelius C. Suydam, and my two lots of wood land in Brooklyn and Flatbush, being 21 acres. And my lot of meadow in Carnasie meadow, and my half lot of meadow in the New Lots. From the money they are to pay to the "Rector and Inhabitants of New York, in Communion with the Church of England as by Law Established," £100 for the Charity School. I leave to my brother, Matthew Clarkson, the house where I now live and 9 acres of land contiguous, and my 7 acres of wood land, "and my lot of meadow at a place called De Boay," and all such servants, horses, cattle, and implements as my brothers David and Levinus shall think necessary for him, and all household furniture during his natural life. On condition that he abide and dwell in said house. My executors are to sell all the rest of horses, servants, etc. An inventory is to be made of all that is left to him; and he is to give a bond to leave them as good as can be reasonably expected. I also leave him 1/2 of my books and plate for life, and then to his children. The other half I leave to my brother Levinus. My brother David is to put all monies, received at interest, and pay the interest to my brother Matthew during his life. After his death I leave the said house and land, "and the lot of meadow at De Boay," to my brother David, and he is to pay to my executors £700. If he will not do this, I leave them to my brother Levinus, and if neither will do it, then they are to be sold. "No part of the profits of my lands are to be paid to any widow of my brother Matthew." After his death I leave £1,500 to all the children of my brother Levinus, and all the rest of my estate to all the children of my brother Matthew, but if he dies without issue, then to be divided into two parts, 1/2 to the children of David and 1/2 to the children of Levinus. My brother David is within a week to take into his custody all deeds, bonds, etc. I make my brothers, executors. Dated, June 23, 1770. Witnesses, Adrian Hegeman, Petrus Hegeman, Petrus Van Steenburgh, school master. Codicil, September 10, 1770. The executors are not to be held responsible for losses. If the children of my brother Levinus die, he is to take their share. I leave to my brother Levinus "my silver tea pot and my Gold Spectacles and my best Crystal buttons, set in Gold, and my Silver Spurs." Proved, October 17, 1770. [NOTE.--Freeman Clarkson was born 1724, died Sept. 14, 1770. His father, David Clarkson, born 1694, died 1751, married Ann Margaret Freeman. His grandfather was Matthew Clarkson, Secretary of the Province, who died in 1702. David Clarkson, brother of Freeman, had his fortune greatly increased by drawing £5,000 Stirling in a lottery, which was doubtless one of the acts of the "Providence of God," to which the testator alludes. Freeman Clarkson inherited and lived and died on a family estate at Flatbush, where he passed a quiet and uneventful bachelor life. His funeral was conducted after the ancient custom. The following were the funeral expenses: 13 gallons Madeira wine at 8s £5 4s. 0d.; 2 Barrels Beer 2 8s. 0d.; Pipes and Tobacco 8s. 9d.; Ferryman for Ferriage 3s. 8d.; 50 yards Linnen at 5s. 4d 13 6s. 8d.; 1 Piece white Riband 17s. 0d.; Mr. John Sebring's bill for Funeral 3 17s. 8d.; Sexton to his burial £1 0s. 0d.; Mr. Peter Scott for ground in the Church 4 0s. 0d.; For the Coffin 1 8s. 0d.; For Candles 12s. 0d. [It will be remembered that a Pound was York Currency = $2.50.--W. S. P.]

Sources

The Ancestry and Posterity of Matthew Clarkson (1664-1702); Compiled by J. Robert T. Craine, Harry W. Hazard, Ed.; Published by J. Robert T. Craine, 1971

Memoirs of Matthew Clarkson of Philadelphia, 1735-1800, and of his brother Gerardus Clarkson, 1737-1790; by John Hall and Samuel Clarkson Published 1890