Arabella Graham (abt.1750-abt.1840) left a relatively long will with bequests to a number of relatives and is helpful in understanding some of the relationships of this family. She even mentions that she lives in Deerfield and formerly was at Morrisania, which is helpful because it substantiates the idea that some of the family relocated to Deerfield or Oneida County from Morrisania.
NOTE: It is not yet complete, nor has it been proof-read. Also the formatting is for readability.
Last Will and Testament
I, Arabella Graham, now of Deerfield in the county of Oneida, late of Morrisiana in the County of West Chester and state of New York, being of sound mind, memory and understanding do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following, to wit:
First, I give devise and bequeath all my estate both real and personal excepting the Farm on which I now reside the burying ground herein after mentioned and the several articles herein after specially bequeathed to my friends Charles C. Broadhead and Richard R. Lansing of the village of Utica in said County of Oneida Esquires my Executors hereinafter appointed and their heirs to the uses upon the First and for the purposes hereinafter contained that is to say:
First In Trust to sell and dispose of the said Real and personal estate for the best price and prices that an reasonably be obtained therefore and to collect and receive all such debts and sums of money as shall be owing to me at the time of my death. But is is my will that my said executors do not call on my friend Morris S. Miller for the principal due on his land untill six months after written notice given to him -
Secondly In Trust out of the proceeds of the same to pay and discharge all my debts and my funeral expenses
Thirdly In trust out of the proceeds of my said estate to pay to my niece Mrs Weaver the daughter of my Brother Augustine Graham one hundred dollars to my niece Ann Thomas daughter of my sister Isabella Landon Fifty dollars to my grand niece Jane Graham daughter of my nephew James Graham the son of my Brother Augustine Graham Fifty Dollars - : Thirdly In trust out of the proceeds of my said estate to pay to my niece Mrs Weaver the daughter of my Brother Augustine Graham one hundred dollars to my niece Ann Thomas daughter of my sister Isabella Landon Fifty dollars to my grand niece Jane Graham daughter of my nephew James Graham the son of my Brother Augustine Graham Fifty Dollars -
- To my niece Euphemia Graham daughter of my Brother John Graham Three hundred Dollars -
- To my nephew Charles Graham son of my brother John Graham Two hundred dollars.
- To my nephew James Graham son of my Brother John Graham Two hundred and Fifty dollars.
And in case it should happen that the proceeds of my said estate so devised and bequeathed as aforesaid shall not be sufficient after paying my debts and funeral expenses to pay the said legacies then a rateable deduction is to be made form each : And in case there should be any overplus of the proceeds of my said estate so devised and bequeathed after paying my debts and funeral expenses and after paying the said legacies in that can case it is my will that my said executors should divide the same into two equal parts and pay one half thereof to my nephew James Graham son of my Brother Augustine Graham and his sister Maria Graham in equal portions
And the other half to the children of my brother John to wit Euphemia Graham, Charles Graham and James Graham in equal portions.
Secondly I give & devise the farm on which I now live to the said Charles C. Broadhead and Richard R. Lansing and their heirs To the ???? and ???? following to wit to sell and dispose of the same for the best price that can reasonably be obtained therefor and to pay the proceeds thereof one third to my sister Isabella Landon
One third to to my brother John Graham
And the remain third after paying the thereout one hundred Dollars to my nephew Governor M. Graham) to my nephew James Gr ham son of Augustine Graham and his sister Maria in equal portions -
Thirdly I give and devise the small burying ground conveyed to me by John G. Weaver to my Nephew James Graham son of my Brother Augustine Graham and his heirs to be by him and them govered as a burying ground for his family & relatives forever.
Fourthly I give and bequeath to the said James son of my brother Augustine Graham the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars on condition that he shall take care of my old female servant named Ginny during her life time and see her properly buried after her death. In case this servant dies before me then this bequest shall be void.
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my niece Marie Graham the daughter of Augustine Graham my ???? Dressing glass my writing desk six chairs my silver salt cellars pepper box and sugar tongs a bed a bed head a bolster and pillows a pair of ???? Blankets a white quilt a set of chintz curtains two pictures of birds and one half of my feather bed & other household linen.
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my niece Euphemia Graham daughter of my brother John Graham my gold watch one half of my feather bed and other household linen
Seventhly I give and bequeath to my niece Mrs. Weaver the daughter of my Brother Augustine Graham eight china cups and saucers and eight tea spoons.
Eightly I give and bequeath to my nephew James Graham son of my brother Augustine Graham my silver soup spoon and my Aunt and Uncle Willetts pictures.
Ninethly I give and bequeath to my grand niece Jane Graham daughter of my nephew James Graham my green bed stead a set of blue and white curtains and a quilt of the same.
Tenthly I give and bequeath to my niece Ann Thomas daughter of my sister Isabella Landon eight silver tablespoons.
Eleventh I give and bequeath to my sister Isabella Landon and if she dies before me then to her daughter Ann Thomas my wearing apparel.
Twelfth I give and bequeath the clock left me by my friend Governor Morris to his niece and my relation Isabella M. Ogden the daughter of the late Colonel Samuel M. Ogden of Newark New Jersey.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint the said Charles C. Broadhead and Richard R. Lansing Executors of this my will and I declare and direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said executors their heirs executeors administrates and assignes erespectively to certain from the money which shall come to their hands by virtue of the aforesaid trusts and proves sufficient to pay their reasonable disbursements and a fair compensation for their duties in and about the execution of this my will.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
- Arabella Graham
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Arabella Graham as an for her last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testatrix and in the presence of each other.
- Joseph Barker
- Edward Scott
- G. John Mills
Codicil Signed the same day
I Arabella Graham of Deerfield in the County of Oneida state of New York having made published and declared my last will and testament on the third day of August 1818 (the Same being hereunto annexed) do now ordain publish & declare the following codicil to such last will & testament that is to say
First I give bequeath & devise the one thir part of the proceeds of the sale of my farm on which I now live being the same third part in my said will given to Isabella Landon to my niece Nancy Thomas of Dutchess County daughter of the said Isabella Landon who is now deceased and to Mary Thomas daughter of the said Nancy and to Arabella Ketchum niece of the said Nancy in the following proportions (viz) One half of such third part of said proceeds to the said Nancy and the other half thereof to the said Mary Thomas & Arabella Ketchum in proportions above specified.
Secondly I give and devise one hundred acres of land in Waltons Patent being the residue of one hundred & fifty acres of land conveyed to me by Abraham M. Walton by indenture of Mortgage situate in Schuyler in the County of Herkimer to my said Executors and their heirs in trust to sell the same for the best price that in case which can be obtained for the same and from the proceeds of such sale so far as they will go to pay & discharge my debts & funeral expenses & the expences of settling my estate & to supply any deficiencies there may be in the fund provided in the First clause of my said will for the payment of the legacies therein specified & the legacies in this Codicil made and given.
Thirdly I give and devise to Governor Graham my nephew twenty acres of land situate in Schuyler aforesaid being the same whereon he now lives during his natural life and the remainder of the said twenty acres to Augustin Graham son of the said Governor his heirs and assigns forever.
Fourthly I order & direct my said executors to pay to Eliza Graham & Catharine Graham daughters of my nephew James Graham fifty dollars each and to give to each of them a pair of my silver plated candlesticks for their own use and benefit from.
Fifthly I hereby order & direct my said executors to pay ???? ???? and convey all the rest & residue of my estate both real & personal (after paying my debts & burial charges and the expenses of settling my estate and the several legacies specidfied in my said will & this codicil) to the said James Graham & his brother Govenor Graham my nephews share & share alike for their own use and benefit forever.