WILL OF JOHN BAKER, FORT ANN,
John Baker’s will of 10 November
1836 was proved in the surrogate court of
Thomas, and ten grandchildren.
Note: Many more descendants are named in the petition of the executors than in
the will.
I, John Baker of Fort Ann County of Washington and State of New York being weak
in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory Do hereby make and publish
this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say.
Firstly, It is my will and desire that my wife
Clarissa remain on the farm whereon I live being part of Lots N. Twenty and
twenty six of the Artillery Patents? in said Town for
and during her natural life in case she lives until the lease thereof shall
have run out during which timeshe is to have the use
occupation and sole control? thereof the same as if
said farm was her own, she paying the ground rend and all taxes thereon and
Intending that she shall have the right, she shall think best to purchase the
soil of said farm___ And it is further my will and desire that my said wife
have the use controul? and benefit of all my stock
horses cattle sheep farming utensils creatures of all kinds household furniture
and all things in and about the house farm and premises and all my property
owned by me at my decease after the payment of my Just debts and funeral
expenses it being however understood that my son Benjamin Baker is to have his maintainance and support during his minority out of said
farm and property he doing towards assisting his said mother in the mean time
what shall be consided reasonable and he the said
Benjamin obeying his said mother in all things reasonable.
Secondly, It is my will and desire that whatever of said property may and shall
remain and be left at the death of my said wife that the same and so remaining
and left at her decease is to go to and belong to my said son Benjamin Baker in
case he shall survive his said mother with this espress
proviso that if said Benjamin Baker shall decease during his minority without
issue living or unmarried then his share and rights to go to and be equally
divided among all my children except as to the property articles and things
belonging to my said wife as hers at our marriage and remaining at her decease
and which she is to do with as she pleases anything contained herein to the
Contrary in any wise notwithstanding.
Thirdly. In case I should at my decease have disposed
of my said farm or changed any of my property then the rights of my said wife
and son Benjamin is and are to be and remain in all respects as near as maybe
the same as beforementioned or intended. Lastly, I do
hereby appoint my son Silas Baker and my friend Benjamin Barnett Executors of
this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made ___
in testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and
seal this 10th day of November 1836. Signed sealed published and declared by
the above named John Baker as a John Baker (seal) for his last will and
testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names hereto as
Witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other and at the
Testators request.
Henry Thorn of Fort Ann
Oliver Slater of