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From: Bart J Kowallis <>
Subject: Henry Sherman's will
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 16:14:57 -0600


I think I posted this before, but did not put the reference on it, so I hope
everyone will put up with me posting it again with the source information. The
will comes from the Washington County, New York wills book II, page 75 and is
also on FHL microfilm 513861. Henry Sherman moved to Washington County in about
1774-1776 from Dartmouth, Mass. He is my 6ggf. --Bart K.

In the name of God, Amen. I, Henry Shearman of the town of Cambridge in the
county of Washington and state of New York, considering the uncertainty of this
mortal life and being of sound and disposing mind and memory, blessed be
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, my will is that my just
debts, funeral charges, and just expenses of all kinds be well and truly paid by
my executors, hereafter named, and out of that part of my Estate that I shall in
this my will give to my wife.
~Item. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife, Ruth Shearman, the use and
profit of all my real personal Estate, that I may die seased of, in the town of
Cambridge after my debts and funeral charges be paid as before mentioned, except
what shall be hereafter otherwise disposed of, all which I give to her so long
as she shall remain to be my widow and right of her Dower or power of th---s in
my Estate.
~Item. I give and bequeath to my three sons, Shubal, John, and Batchelder, lot
number five of the second survey of lot number seventy seven in Cambridge where
I live and twenty acres of the east end of sixty two acres that I bought of
William Pettis, the west end of lot number seven in the second survey of lot
number seventy seven, all to be equally divided between them and their heirs
forever, and to come into possession when their mother shall cease to be my
widow, they performing what shall be herein enjoyned on them.
~Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry Shearman and his heirs forever all
the lands that I may die seased of in the town of James in the military tract.
~Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Almy Peters what was my gold sleave
buttons.
~Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Deborah Duers and for her use, the
house and lot it stands on, about one acre of land as now enclosed with fence
and other use only, and my will further is that after my said wife shall cease
to remain my widow that my three sons, Shubal, John, and Batchelder, equally
find and provide fire wood for the use of one fire for their sister, Deborah,
together and keeping for one cow, winter and summer, and also meat, wheat, and
corn and articles sufficient for her comfortable support as long as she shall
live after the decease of her mother.
~Item. I give and bequeath in addition to the above to my said daughter Deborah
Duers one cow and one equal third part of my household furniture --- also twenty
dollars to be paid by my four sons, Shubal, John, Henry, and Batchelder, after
the decease of their mother. --The above mentioned house and lot is where my
said son John formerly lived --- the above gifts to be for the use and support
of my said daughter Deborah Duers as long as she lives and at her decease my
will is that my grandson William Duers have and enjoy the above mentioned house
and lot, he and his heirs forever.
~Item. I give to my daughter Ruth Cook one third part of my household furniture
and to come into possession at the decease of her mother.
~Item. I give and bequeath to my son Batchelder the use and profits of all and
singular the land where he now lives and the appertenances thereunto belonging
for and so long as his mother lives.
~Item. I give and bequeath my wearing apparel to be divided equally between my
four sons, Shubal, Henry, John, and Batchelder --- all the rest and residue of
my Estate, both real and personal not herein mentioned, my will is that it be
equally divided between my wife Ruth Shearman and my above named sons and my two
daughters, to wit Deborah Duers and Ruth Cook; and having gone thru with
disposing of my property that it has pleased divine providence to bestow on me,
I do hereby constitute and appoint my said sons, to wit, Shubal and Batchelder
Shearman, sole executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all
others made by me.
~Now considering the imperfection of our judgement and bias of interest with
parties concerned and being desirous that every difficulty in and about this my
last will and testament may be avoided, I do hereby wish and desire that due
application be made by any one or more thinking him or herself aggrieved by the
not understanding of any matter of thing to this my will. To Thomas Smith,
esquire of the town of Easton, County of Washington and Barnabas Russell of the
same place and Shadrack Dennis of the town of Cambridge and county aforesaid ---
and their council and advice of them or any two of them be final and conclusive
in the premises hereby desiring their aide if anything of the kind should
happen.
~ In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this tenth day of July in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one. -- Henry Shearman

Witnesses -- Thomas Smith, Barnabas Russell, and Ephraim Kendall
Executed on 18 Apr 1805

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