Jun 27, 2024 - Sale 2675

Sale 2675 - Lot 233

Price Realized: $ 4,940
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500
(NEW YORK CITY--BRONX.) Edward Jessup. His last will and testament, bequeathing much of what is now the Bronx to his wife. Document Signed by Edward Jessup and three witnesses, with his wax seal. 2 pages, 11¾ x 8 inches, on one folding sheet, docketed on verso "Mr. Edward Jessup's originall will, Aug. 6 1666"; nearly separated at center fold, moderate wear and soiling. Westchester, NY (now in the Bronx), 6 August 1666
Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

The English settler Edward Jessup (circa 1620-1666) and John Richardson purchased a large tract of New York land from the local Indians in 1663 which was patented in 1666 as West Farms. It extended over a large portion of what is now The Bronx, including the Bronx Zoo, Hunt's Point, and the Arthur Avenue "Little Italy" neighborhood. Jessup died shortly after West Farms was patented, leaving all of his land to his widow Elizabeth, with token bequests to his three children and a few others. Offered here is that will, leaving Elizabeth "all my lands and houses, and goods, and catell, movabell or immovabell"--including a large portion of the Bronx.

Among the others named in the will are Jessup's recently married daughter Elizabeth Hunt and her infant daughter Mary Hunt, for whose family Hunt's Point would be named; his West Farms partner John Richardson served as a witness.

This will reads in full: "Westhester in the County of New York &c. The last will and testament of Edward Jesop. Being sicke and weak in body, yet in perfect memory, I bequeath my sole to the Almighty God that gave it, and my body after my death to be decently buried, my funarall to be discharged and my debts to be paid. I will and bequeeth to my daughter Elizabeth Hunt twenty shillings besides what I have alredy given her, to be paid in a year & a day after my disseese. I will and bequeeth unto my daughter Hannah Jesop the summ of five and thirty pounds with what she has alredy, to be payd unto her at eighteen yeares of age. I will & bequeeth unto my sonn Edward Jesop two mares with two colts by their sides; one is a gray mare, and the other is a mare marked on both eares with two hapons on each eare, to be set out for him for his use a year and a day after my disseese. I will and bequeath unto my grandchild Mary Hunt twenty shillings to be payed in a yeare and a day after my dissees. I will and bequeath unto my coson [niece] Johannah Burrough twenty shilling, to be paid in a yeare and a day after my dissees. I will and bequeeth unto Deirk Gaison a cow calf to be paid unto him in a yeare and a day after my disseas.

Furthermore, I constitute and apoin my well beloved wife Elizabeth Jesop to bee whole and sole executrix, and I doe will and bequeath unto her all my lands and houses, and goods, and catell, movabell or immovabell, of this my last will and testament, and to receive all debts, dues, and demands whatsoever, to be at her disposing, and shee to pay all debts, dues, and legisies what soe ever, & shee to bring up my two children in the fear of God. This I doe own as my last will and testament, and doe disclaime all other wills, gifts, grants or such like which may any wise (which may any wise) troubell or molest her hereafter, as being of none effect. Further I doe appoint my well beloved freinds Mr. Richard Cornwall, justise of the peace; Mrs. Sarah Brigis, my well beloved brother-in-law Joh Burrowsh, & Ralph Hunt, as overseers of this my last will & testament, likewise to be an asistant to my executrix in all causes and dificulties, and this I doe own as my own act and deade, to all true intents & maynings, and doe furthemore ratifie and confirm it as my owne act and deade by siting to my hand and seal, the day and the yeare underwritten.

August the sixt, 1666, Edward Jessop. Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of witnesses, Willm Gouldston, John Richardson, the mark + of Richard Horton."