Will of Isaac Sheldon - 1813

Transcribed from the Book of Wills for Essex County, NY - Book A, Page 112

This was originally written by Isaac Sheldon on March 4, 1808 in Essex, Essex, New York. It was recorded into the records of Essex County on June 28, 1813. The will specifies that it must be recorded and published within twelve months of his decease which tells us that he likely died in June of 1813 but may have died as early as July 1812.

This is not from the original will, but was re-written from the original (prepared) by Robert Hale, Surrogate of the Court, on July 3, 1858.

In the name of God Amen

I, Isaac Shelden of the Town of Essex in the county of Essex and State of New York, considering the uncertainty of mortal life and State of New York considering the uncertainty of this mortal life [this line was written twice, neither was crossed out, likely an error of Mr. Hale's transcription from the original], and being of sound mind and Memory, blessed by Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say -

First - I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Merium Shelden her reasonable maintainance and support out of my estate during her natural life.

Second - I give and bequeath to my son William Sheldon one dollar.

Third - I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, one dollar.

Fourth - I give and bequeath to my daughter Esther Odell one dollar

Fifth - I give and bequeath to my Son Isaac Sheldon, one dollar.

Sixth - I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Sheldon, give dollars

Seventh - I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Akin one dollar

Eighth - I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Odell one dollar

Ninth - I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Shelden five dollars

Tenth - I give and bequeath to the legal heirs of my son Gideon Shelden the sum of one dollar.

Eleventh - I give and bequeath to my son John Shelden five dollars

Twelfth - I give and bequeath to the legal heirs or representatives of my two deceased Sons Justus Shelden and Jedediah Shelden the sum of one dollar each.

Thirteenth - I give and bequeath to my son Nehemiah Sheldon one dollar

Lastly, I give and bequeath the whole of my real Estate consisting of one hundred Acres of lot Number thirty three and About Sixty Acres of lot number Twenty seven and about sixty Acres of lot number twenty seven [Sixty Acres of lot number Twenty-Seven was written twice, perhaps another error by Mr. Hale during his transcription. Either the 60 acres was only written once or one of the lots was a different number], in a patent of land Granted to Platt Rogers and Known by the name of Brookfield Patent, whereon I now live, together with all and Single the priveleges and Appeertenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise Appertaining, to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of my son Peleg Shelden his heirs and assigns for ever.

Which said Several legacies or sums of money bequeathed by me as aforesaid, I hereby will and order, to be paid to the respective legaties before mentioned or their legal representatives within twelve months after my decease, or within twelve Months after the same Shall by legalty demanded by the said legaties or their legal representatives, and after all my lawful debts and the Several legaties aforesaid are paid, if the same shall be lawfully demanded within the Sum of one year after my decease, I do hereby give and bequeath all the residue and remainder of my goods and chattels and all and Singlar my personal Estate; of what name and nature soever to my said son Peleg Shelden or his legal representatives or representatives to his and their only proper use benefit & behoof for ever.

And I do hereby name and appoint my said Sons Benjamin Shelden, Peleg Shelden and Thomas Pray, my only and sole Executors of this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and eight. Isaac Shelden (seal) - Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named Isaac Shelden to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto Subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator John Gordon Abig'l Henry E T Henry -

The next document is written immediately after the last, as if they are one document, but was written several years later and seems to be the Letters of Administration to add the original will in the records in 1813.

Essex County - Be it remembered that on the Eleventh day of June in the year in the year ["in the year" trascribed twice] of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirteen personally Appeared before me James McCrea Surrogate of the County of Essex John Gorden of the County of Washington in the State of New York Joiner and being duly Sworn on his oath declared that he did see Isaac Shelden sign and Seal the within written Instrument perporting to be the Will of the said Isaac Shelden Bearing date the twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Eight and heard him published and declare the same as and for his last will and testament. That at the time thereof he the said Isaac Shelden was of sound disposing Mind and memory to the best of the Knowledge & Belief of him the deponent And that His name Subscriebd to the said will is of His respective proper hand writing which he Subscribed as a Witness to the Will in the Testators presence And also that he saw Enoch F Henry & Abigail Henry the other Witnesses sign their names as Witnessses to the Will in presence of the Testator. - James McCrea, Surrogate

I Certify the aforegoing record to be a true Copy of the original Will of Isaac Shelden deceased and of the Proof of the said will Examined and Compared the record with the same this 28th day of June 1813 - James McCrea Surrogate