CHRISTOPHER HUGHES WILL, DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK Copyright (c) 2002 by Ann Schwirian(TrKeGram@aol.com). ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submittor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ************************************************************************ In the name of God, amen. I Christopher Hughes of Clinton Town, Dutchess County State of New York, sensible of my own mortality, think it prudent to make this last will and testament in manner and form following. Viz S Forder that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my moveable Estate. 2nd to Samuel Hughes son of my first wife Abigail who was Abigail Miles of Connecticut and Town of New Haven from whom I was Divorced August 22 1782 as will appear by the Court Records --I give twenty eight shillings Lawful money of this State in full of all demands against my estate -- I having his Bond never to appear as an Heir, of five thirty(?) and pound, lawful money of Connecticut he also has mine of like nature in the same sum pay(?) five thousand pounds. 3rd -- To my son Christopher Hughes Junior I give and bequeath ten pounds. Lawful money in full of all demands against my estate, having previous to this Provided for him, then in a more liberal manner than is my Power to do for my other children. 4th -- To my present wife Abihgail Hughes, I give and bequeath one third part of all the real and personal Estate I shall die possessed of wheresoever found, during her natural life ---Continued turn over--- Then to Revert to my and her surviving children to be equally distributed anongst them Viz ~ Elizabeth, Abigail, John R., and Fountan N. Hughes and any Legitimate that may yet appear mine, and should either the children die without lawful Heirs, -- or any the inheritance to be divided between the surviving children as long as she my present wife Remains a widow she may act as an executor (but no longer) She shall have every Revenue or profit arising from my estate both real and personal to provide for the Children aforenamed and others may be legitimate, during her widowhood. But if my said wife should again marry the children if need be may appoint another executor in the roome of their Mother and Settle every matter by appraising the whole interest and a devision being made by drawing it, a lottery or otherwise parcell'd out in lots Real or personal -- appraising the whole and drawing for the different lots in proportion to the bequests - The widow has a right to take a third of Real estate in Staatsburgh if she has a mind, at appraisment. 5th Having mentioned just debts funeral expenses and two small legacies to be paid first, then the widows third comes in, the other two thirds real and personal to be equally divided amongst my children namely Elizabeth, Abagail, John R., and Fountan N. Hughes or any other legitimate that may hereafter be, to be paid ( ? ) on of their portions as they severally come of age and of course wants it -- 6th Lastly for the true performance of this my last will and testament I do appoint as my executors the following persons Viz ~ my wife Abigail Hughes, and Christopher Hughes Jun and Doctor Hiram Walker and Joseph (F------) ( ? ) my wife under the restrictions before mentioned -- Revoking and declaring void every former will and testament made by me Staatsburgh June 20th one thousand seven hunders and ninety five -- Christopher Hughes (L.S.) Witness present Peter Radcliff James Radclift, Jeremiah Mulford -- Dutchess County Ss: Be it remembered that on the twelth day of July one thousand eight hundred and five personally appeared before me James Talmadge Jun Surrogate of the said County Peter Radclift of the Town of Clinton in the said County, who on his oath declared that he did see Christopher Hughes sign and seal the annexed written instrument, perporting to be the will of the said Christopher Hughes having date the twentieth day of June one thousand seven hundred and ninety five and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament, that at the time thereof he the said Christopher Hughes was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the said deponent -- and that this Deponent James Radclift and Jeremiah Mulford severally subscribed the said will as witnesses thereto in the testators oresence, James Talmadge Junior Surrogate -- The people of the State of New York by the grace of Gid free and independant, to all to whom these presents shall come or may concern send greeting: Know ye, that at Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess on the twelth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five before James Talmadge Jun. Esquire Surrogate of our said County the last will and testament of Christopher Hughes, deceased (acopy whereof); hereunto annexed was proved and is approved and allowed of by us, and the deceased havibng whilst he lived, and at the time of his death goods, chattles or credits within this State, by means whereof the proving and registering the said will, and the granting administration of all and singular the said goods, chattles and credits, and also the auditing allowing and final discharging the account thereof, doth belong unto us. The administration of all and singular the goods chattles and credits of the said deceased and any way concerning hius will is granted unto Abigail Hughes during her widowhood and no longer; one of the Executors and executrix in the said will named she being first duly sworn well and faithfully to administer the same, and to make and exhibit a time and perfect inventory of all and singular the said goods chattles and credits and also to render a just and true account thereof when thereunto required. In Testimony whereof, we have (----) the seal of office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed. Witness James Tallmadge Jun Esquire, Surrogate of the said County, at Poughkeepsie the twelth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five and of our independence the thirtieth. James Tallmadge Jun Surrogate Dutchess County, Ss: Record the will of Christopher Hughes, the certificate of Proof (Moreof?), the words "and belief" being interlined, and also the letters Testamentary. The words "and also the auditing, allowing and final discharging the account thereof". being inbterlined. This 12th July 1805 James Tallmadge Junior Surrogate