logo

An American Family History

John Clare
 

John Clare was the son of Brittain Clare and brother to Elizabeth Clare Everett.

His wife was named Mary.

He made his will on May 27, 1720 in Jamaica, New York. He left £6 to his nephew, Nicholas Everett. He left his nephew, Richard Everett, his land on the south side of the highway. His wife was allowed to live in the house and to use the barn, orchard, and the land adjoining, on the north side of the highway if she did not remarry. After she died, his personal estate was to be divided between his sister's children, Richard, Hannah, George and Nicholas, and Elizabeth Omfris, Mary Roberts, Sarah Croxson, John Wells and Susanah Skidmore

Queens County, New York is on Long Island. Jamaica was called Rustdorp by the Dutch. It was originally settled by English settlers from neighboring Hempstead. Hempstead was founded in 1644 by emigrants led by Reverend Richard Denton. Jamaica and Hempstead are now in Nassau County.

When the colonists arrived in America they continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. The form lb is actually an abbreviation of the Latin word libra. li and £ were also used as abbreviations. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.

May 27, 1720.

I, John Clare, of Jamaica, in Queens County, being sick.

I leave to Nicholas Everitt, the youngest son of my sister Elizabeth [Everette], £6, to be put at interest till he is of age.

I leave to Richard Everitt, the eldest son of my sister Elizabeth, my land on the south side of the highway.

My wife Mary Clare is to have the use of my dwelling house, barn and orchard, and the land adjoining, on the north side of the highway, during her widowhood.

After her decease, my personal estate is to be divided among Richard, Hannah, George and Nicholas Everitt, and Elizabeth Omfris, Mary Roberts, Sarah Croxson, John Wells and Susanah Skidmore.

After my wife's decease I leave all my house, barn, orchard and land on the north side of the highway to my cousin, Richard Everitt, during his life, and after his decease to his son Clare. I make my cousin, Richard Everitt, executor, and Nehemiah Smith and Nicholas Everitt, son of Nicholas Everitt, assistants.

Witnesses, Nathaniel Oakley, Benjamin Wiggins, Thomas Lewis, John Porter.
Proved before John Johnson, Esq., Judge of Common Pleas
June 10, 1720.

  
     
     

 

     

©Roberta Tuller 2012
tuller.roberta@gmail.com