TROWBRIDGE WILLS & OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS

*Note: I have also included wills from associated families that mention Trowbridges, such as the Beers, Bayles families, and Caleb Fairchild because of his significance as David Trowbridge's step-father.

ABSTRACTS FROM THE

WILL OF JOHN TROWBRIDGE

"The will of John Trowbridge of Taunton, woolendraper, published by word of mouth on 1 July 1649 in the presence of George Serle, esq., and Thomas Trowbridge his son, and John Trowbridge his grandchild. He left to his eldest son Thomas Trowbridge his messuage and tenement near Barthpoole Bridge in the parish of West Munckton, occupied by Henry Beale, to hold to Thomas for the  remainder of his term therein after the deaths of the testator and Alice his wife. To his son Thomas his land in Stogursey, viz Certain tenements

from which the testator received high rent. All his goods and chattels he left to his son Thomas whom he made sole executor."

The will was proved on 25 Feb 1649/50

ABSTRACTS FROM THE

WILL OF DAVID TROWBRIDGE

"1768, Nov. 9. Trowbridge, David, of Morris Township, Morris Co., Farmer; will of. My lands and goods to be divided among my eight children, with this reserve, that my wife, over her equal proportion, is to have her choice of one cow, and any one jade(horse) belonging to the estate, and she is to have the possession of my estate, as long as she is my widow. Son, Shubal (Shubael) Trowbridge, has built and improved on 11 acres, and he is to have a deed for the same land."

Executrix - my wife, Lydia.

Witnesses - James Smyth, William Locy, John Losee.

Proved December 9, 1768

ABSTRACTS FROM THE WILL OF

 CALEB FAIRCHILD

"1773, Oct. 4 - Fairchild, Caleb, of Hanover, Morris Co.; will of, Wife, Anne, use of all real and personal estate, during her life. To children, Matthew, and Joseph, Gershom, Ebenezer the following legacies: to Joseph 10 pounds; to Matthew 10 pounds; to Gershom 10 pounds; to Mehitabel, 20 pounds; to Sarah, 5 pounds. Sons Joseph and Ezra, all real estate, and they pay legacies.

Executors - sons Joseph and Ezra.

Witnesses -Ebenezer, Ezekiel Cheever, Sarah Cheever.

Proved May 14, 1777"

ABSTRACTS FROM THE WILL OF AUGUSTINE BAYLES, BROTHER OF MARY BAYLES

"1782, Jan. 14.Bayles, Augustine, of Morristown, Morris Co., New Jersey, Morris co., will of. Wife Kezia, all personal estate. Brother William, 50 pounds. Adopted daughter Rebecca Morris, now wife of timothy Goble, my

homestead, of 125 acres, after death of wife. If Rebecca should die, then I give her partto my nephew, Augustine, son of my sister Mary, now wife of Shubael Trobrige. Niece, Kezia, daughter of Mose Pierson, and my adopted daughter, 76 acres, which join Joshua Guies in; and if Kezia die before age, then her part I give to Benjamin, son of my sister, Hannah Hathaway."

Executors: Wife, Kezia, and my brother, William.

Witnesses: Bethuel Norris, Timothy Johnes, Libbeus Norris.

Proved March 1, 1782

Lib. M. p56

ABSTRACTS FROM THE

WILL OF SHUBAEL TROWBRIDGE

"1782, June 24. Trowbridge, Shubel, of Hanover, Morris county. Int."

Adm'x- Mary Trowbridge.

Fellow bondsmen, Timothy Lindsly and Robert Young, all of said place."

Lib. M 27, p 72

WILL OF BENJAMIN BAYLES,

FATHER OF MARY BAYLES

"1783,March 11. Bayles, Benjamin, of Morristown, Morris Co., New Jersey, Morris Co.; will of. Grandson, Benjamin Bayles, oldest son of the wife of my son, William Bayles, all of my real estate: but if he dies before 21, then to my son William.  Granddaughter, Mary Aikerman, a cow. Daughters, Hannah, wife of

Benjamin Hathaway, and Mary, wife of Joseph Williams, rest of personal estate."

Executors - son, William, and friend, John Pitney.

Witnesses - Caleb Russell, Stephen Conkling, Benjamin Larselere, David Larselere.

Proved March 3, 1784

Lib. M, p. 190

ABSTRACTS FROM THE WILL OF LYDIA HOLMES

"1785, Mar. 19. Trowbridge, Lydia, of Morristown, Morris Co., New Jersey, Morris Co. Widow of David Trowbridge: will of. All estate, including house and lot of 3 acres where I now live, and a 3-acre lot in Hanover Twsp., and a 4-acre lot at Watnung Plains, to my son, Absalem Trowbridge."

Executor-Son, Absalem.

Witnesses-Timothy Linsley*, John Losen, Cornelius Losen.

Proved Mar. 11, 1812

*Signed by a mark.

THE WILL OF JOSEPH BEERS

"1817, July 24. Beers, Joseph, of Morristown, Morris Co., New Jersey, Morris Co.: will of. Wife, Miriam, residue of personal estate after debts are paid, in lieu of dower. Real estate to be sold and proceeds divided into 12 shares. Two such shares to each of sons, Silas, Jabez, Samuel, 1 share to children of dec'd daughter, Chloe (late wife of Timothy Pierson), 1 share to each of daughters, Phebe (wife of Stephen Pierson), Elizabeth (wife of David Linsley), Huldah (wife of Shubal Trowbridge) and interest of 1 share for use of daughter, Hannah (wife of David Trowbridge)."

Executors-son, Samuel, son-in-law, Shubal Trowbridge.

Witnesses-Sylvester D. Russell, William A. Whelpley,

Ebenezer H. Pierson

Proved Aug. 6, 1817

THE WILL OF REV. SHOBEL STRAWBRIDGE,

GRANDSON OF SHUBAEL TROWBRIDGE

"Shobel Strawbridge late of Valley township Col Co. Pa. about 1841. The widow renounced her right in these words, 'Know all men by these presents, that Whereas: Shobel Strawbridge late a resident in the City of Cincinnati County of Hamilton and State of Ohio, has recently departed this life in Columbia Co., in the stale of Penna, Intestate leaving myself as his late wife but now widow (and several minor children as his only lawful heirs) and whereas my said husband was entitled amongst other dividends of a personal character to a distributable share of the personal estate of his father Justus Strawbridge and his brother Geo Strawbridge late of tile said County of Columbia and state of Penna deceased, and whereas lastly I, as the widow of the said Shobel Strawbridge dead, am entitled by the laws of Penna. to claim from the lawful Authorities of said County of Columbia, administration of his estate, etc etc., Louisa Strawbridge'

"Letters granted unto Joseph

Maus, 3 Jany 1841."

OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS

THOMAS TROWBRIDGE GRANTS HIS SONS POWER OF ATTORNEY OVER HIS PROPERTIES IN CONNECTICUT

Jan. 19, 1663-64, Mr.  Trowbridge executed, and sent to his three sons a power of attorney, making over to them jointly and severally  the property in New England wherever found, to be retained and equally divided between them, and bring the  said Gibbons to account and punishment:

"To all Christian people in whom this present writing shall come greeting:

Know ye that I Thomas Trowbridge of Taunton in ye county of Somerset. Gent doe hereby make ordain, constitute and depute and in my place and stead put my three sons Thomas Trowbridge and William Trowbridge of New Haven, and James Trowbridge of Dorchester in ye Bay in New England in ye ports of America beyond ye seas, to be my true and lawful attorneys, jointly, and severally for me and to my name to ask, sue for, and chattels whatsoever, which I left in trust in New England after said with Henry Gibbons, sometimes my servant, or do otherwise belong unto me and upon detaining thereof or of any particular parcel thereof, to are or any particular parcel thereof, to arrest, attach, call to an account, sue implied and imprison ye said Henry Gibbons, and all and every other person and persons whatsoever in whose lands, custody, or possession of my estate, houses, lots, goods, chattel and chattels whatsoever are or have or hath been in any way or course of law or equity.  And ye same suit or suits to persecute and issue to judgment, sentence and final execution, until recovery shall be had off my said estate,  houses, lots, goods, cattle and  chattels whatsoever with all costs and damages to be had for detaining the same. And upon receipt hereof or of so much thereof as my said attorneys or any or either of them shall agree for and accept by way of composition, the said person of persons sue by my said attorneys or any or either of them said attorneys or  any or either of them sued or imprisoned, out of prison to release and discharge and also to make seal and  deliver acquaintances releases or other sufficient discharge to and for the same or any part thereof, and I doe hereby given and grant unto my said attorneys, jointly and severally, my full and whole power and authority in  and around the premises and by the aforesaid or any other lawful ways and means whatever to get in and  recover my said estate, houses, lots, goods, cattle and chattels whatsoever in as full and ample manner in every respect to all intents considerations and purposes as allowing and confirming whatsoever my said atturnies or  any or either of them sall lawfully doe or cause to be done in ye premises by virtue of these presents, and I do  also hereby order and appoint that all and whatsoever of my said estate, houses lot goods cattle or chattels  whatsoever shall be recovered and received by my said attorneys or any or either of them shall be kept and enjoyed by my three sons Thomas William and James equally divided between them to their own use and behoove without any account to be rendered unto me for ye same. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the nineteenth day of Jan. in ye fourteenth year of ye reign of King Charles the second et Anno gr. deus

1663.

Thom. Trowbridge, [Seale]

Sealed and delivered in ye

presence of Henry Chase Notary Publick. Robert Chase, John Chambers

The above written is a true record of the originel composed therewith and recorded ye 26th day of Feb.,

1683.

By John Nash, recorder"

{New Haven Land Records, vol 1, p. 202]

ABSTRACTS REGARDING THE WARDSHIP OF

JAVISH [JABEZ] TROWBRIDGE

"1788, April 7. Trowbridge, Javish, of Hanover, Morris Co., son of Shubel Trowbridge,of said place, deceased. Said ward, being out of ward ship of Mary Williams, makes choice of Joseph Beers as his guardian."  1788, April 7. Guardian-Joseph Beers, ofMorristown, Morris Co., New Jersey, said co.

Fellow Bondsman-Absalom Trowbridge, of said co.

Witness-John Dalrymple.

THE WILL OF JACOB JOHNSON, HANOVER,

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY,

MENTIONING HIS NEIGHBOR, SHUBAEL TROWBRIDGE

1786, Feb. 28. Johnson, Jacob of Hanover, Morris Co., Yeoman: will of.

Wife, Anne, 1/2 of my personal estate and 1/2 of what the land will sell for

Sons, Noah, Mahlon, and Jacob, to have what is not given to their mother.

Executors-friends, Capt. James Keen and Gershom Gard.

I have 10 acres on the mountain, above Shubal Trobrige; also 33 acres on the mountain,

that is in two lots; also 32 acres in Persepning and bought of David Baker: all of

which are to be sold and 1/2 of the money given to my wife.

Witnesses-Aaron Marsh, Jacob Whitehead, Timothy Johnes

Proved April 27, 1786.

1780, April 28. Inventory, 15, 702.17.6 pounds, made by Daniel Gard

and Jacob Hall

THE WILL OF HENRY WICK, FATHER OF TEMPE WICK, WHICH LISTS ABSOLOM TROWBRIDGE AS A WITNESS

1771, Jan. 26. Wick, Henry, of Morristown, Morris Co.; will of.

Son, Henry, 5 schillings. Daughter Mary Blachly, 5 schillings..

Son James, 5 schillings. Daughter Phebe Liddel, 5 schillings. Daughter,.

Temperance Wick, 5 schillings. Wife, Mary, rest of personal and real.

estate, and to those of our children and grandchildren of us both, as.

she shall give to them. Executers-Malachiah Sutton, William Bayles,.

Absolom Trowbridge. Proved March 24, 1781.

1781, April 6, Inventory, 3,378.0.3 pounds, made by Nathaniel Burt and James Ferguson

Lib 22, p.l 239

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF THE REV. OBADIAH HOLMES, ANCESTOR OF

LYDIA HOLMES

These are to signify that I, Obadiah Holmes of Newport on Rhode Island, being at present through the goodness and mercy of my God of sound memory; and, being by daily intimations put in mind of the frailty and uncertainty of this present life, do therefore - for settling my estate in this world which it has pleased the Lord to bestow upon me - make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner following, committing my spirit unto the Lord that gave it to me and my body to the earth from whence it was taken, in hope and expectation that it shall thence be raised at the resurrection of the just.

Imprimis, I will that all my just debts which I owe unto any person be paid by my Executor, hereafter named, in convenient time after my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary Brown, five pounds in money or equivalent to money.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Martha Olden, ten pounds in the like pay. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Lydia Browne, ten pounds.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my two grandchildren, the children of my daughter, Hopestill Taylor, five pounds each; and if either of them decease, the survivor to have ten pounds.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, John Holmes, ten pounds.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, Obadiah Holmes, ten pounds.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren, the children of my son Samuel Holmes, ten pounds to be paid unto them in equal portions.
All these portions by me bequeathed, my will is, shall be paid by my Executor in money or equivalent to money.

Item. I give and bequeath unto all my grandchildren now living ten pounds; and ten shillings in the like pay to be laid out to each of them
a bible.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchild, Martha Brown, ten pounds in the like pay.  All [of] which aforesaid legacies are to be paid by my Executor, hereafter named in manner here expressed: that is to say, the first payment to [be] paid within one year after the decease of my wife, Catherine Holmes, and twenty pounds a year until all the legacies be paid, and each to be paid according to the degree of age.

My will is and I do hereby appoint my son Jonathan Holmes my sole Executor, unto whom I have sold my land, housing, and stock for the performance of the same legacies above. And my will is that my Executor shall pay unto his mother, Catherine Holmes, if she survives and lives, the sum of twenty pounds in money or money pay for her to dispose of as she shall see cause.

Lastly, I do desire my loving friends, Mr. James Barker, Sr., Mr. Joseph Clarke, and Mr. Philip Smith, all of Newport, to be my overseers to see this my will truly performed. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this ninth day of April, 1681.

Obadiah Hullme [Holmes][Seal]
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
Edward Thurston
Weston Clarke

(Edward Thurston, Sr., and Weston Clark appeared before the Council [of Newport], December 4, 1682, and did upon their engagements [pledges] declare and own that they saw Obadiah Holmes, deceased, sign seal and deliver the above written will as his act and deed; and, at the time of his sealing hereof, he was in his perfect memory, according to the best of our understandings. Taken before the Council, as attested. Weston Clarke, Town Clerk.)

WILL OF DAVID YOUNGS, SR.

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