Esther was the mother of Jacob Broom, a signer of the United States Constitution.[1]
Esther was a child when her father, John Willis Jr., died about April 1732.[2] In his will, he bequeathed to his only son John Willis III all his real estate when he came of age, and to Esther and her sister Ann Willis equal shares of all his personal estate when they came of age. He also specified that should John III die before coming of age, his real estate would default to Esther and Ann in equal shares when they came of age. John did in fact die before coming of age, and so the two daughters would each inherit one-half interest in their father’s real property.
In 1740, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Esther married James Broom of Wilmington, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.[3]
In 1743, Esther’s mother Mary (Webb) Willis Smith died. In Mary’s will, proved October 1, 1743, she specifies regarding her personal estate that “pursuant to the Will of [their] father I order an Equal division thereof between my two Daughters Hester Broom & Ann Willis.”[4] Mary nominated as executors her brother William Webb of Kennett (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and Esther’s husband James Broom of Wilmington.
On September 24, 1743, the personal property of Esther's father John Willis Jr. was appraised.[5] Its total value was £356, which consisted of "one negro man called Jack" (£55), household goods (£38), husbandry goods (£54), cattle (£41), and notes, bonds, and interest due (£168).
Mary's executors William Webb and James Broom watched over the property that John Willis Jr.'s children were to inherit when they came of age. Between the years 1743 and 1749, they kept a running account of payments and credits.[6] The account shows that Ann’s brother John Willis III died in late September or early October, 1748. The real property in Thornbury that he was going to inherit would now pass to his two sisters. On April 27, 1749, William placed an advertisement for its sale in the Pennsylvania Gazette.[7]
On May 29, 1749, William Webb and James Broom, "Executors of Mary Smith dec'd," filed what appears to be the final account of John Willis Jr.'s property, both real and personal.[8] It's total value was £677 1 sh. 10 p. The largest components were the £250 appraised value of the Thornbury plantation, with the notation "but not sold", £129 [sic] 9 sh. 5 p. paid to “James Broom as…[unclear]” and £139 9 sh. 5 p. paid to Ann.
Esther died sometime between December 1, 1759, when she and others in her family were mentioned in a will,[9] and July 15, 1791, when James wrote his will, which did not mention Esther.[10]
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