Will of Nicholas Groesbeck
White Creek, Washington County, New York, 1821. Probated 23 March 1826.
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In the name of God, amen, I Nicholas Groesbeck of the town of White Creek in the County of Washington and State of New York, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following writ.
After my just debts and funeral charges are paid I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Charity daughter of Walter Groesbeck my small cherry tea table.
To my daughter Catherine wife of Tunis Vander Waker I give and bequeath the sum of five dollars.
To my son William I give and bequeath five dollars.
To the children of my daughter Jane deceased late wife of Walter Groesbeck I give and bequeath five dollars.
To the children of my son Cornelius deceased I give and bequeath five dollars.
And to my son Gerrit I give and bequeath five dollars, all to be paid by my executor herein after named within six months of my decease.
To my beloved wife Sarah I give and devise all that certain part or parcel of my small farm being a part of lot number thirty four, of the grand division of the Hoosack Patent, situate lying and being in the Town of Cambridge on the north west side of the northern turnpike road as the same is now in my possession. To have and to hold to my said wife Sarah and to her heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath to my said wife Sarah all those articles of household furniture which can be designated as such that she brought with her at the time of our intermarri[?] and also one cow. I give and bequeath likewise to my said wife the rents, use and occupancy of the residue of my small farm or home lot on which I now reside, together with the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging as long as she remains [cut off - probably "as long as she continues my widow"].
Also the use and occupancy of all my household furniture stores and farming utensils as long as she continues my widow and after her remarriage or decease I give, devise and bequeath to my infant daughter Harriet Maria the aforesaid residue of my small farm situate in the town of White Creek on the south east side of the northern turnpike road together with all the rest and residue of my estate (not heretofore devised) whether real or personal of every name and description to have and to hold to my said daughter Harriet Maria and to her heirs and assigns forever.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my wife Sarah executrix and my friends Jacob A. Fort and Asahel Morris executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Nicholas Groesbeck
The will goes on for two more pages with the names and signatures of the witnesses and the Surrogate Court record of 23 March 1826. Catherine L. Morris appeared before the court and vouched for the will, Jacob A. Fort and Asahel Morris were appointed executors (Sarah wasn't mentioned!). Samuel Standish was the judge and proved the will. A full transcript of the will is now available at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ny/washington/wills/v6/groesbeck-nicholas.txt
Transcribed by Ted Rice on July 30, 2002.
Below is a map of the western portion of White Creek and southern Cambridge. The yellow strip indicates the area where Nicholas Groesbeck would have lived in 1821, according to his will. This is "Stage Road" today, but was "Turnpike Road" at the time. (Modern day Turnpike road is to the east). There were no houses on the White Creek side of the road in 1860, according to a map I have. I have found no trace of where it would have been that show up today, though there are a couple of newer houses on the White Creek side now. It may have burned - perhaps that is why Sarah and Harriet were admitted to the poorhouse in 1830.
Below is a photo of Stage Road (formerly Turnpike Road) in April 2003. This was taken a half mile or so to the northeast of where Nicholas would have lived.
