WILL of THOMAS HELME (I) - 1708

In the name of God Amen. the twenty eight day of July 1708. I, Thomas Helme of Brookhaven, in the County of Suffolk of the Colony of New York, being sick in body but of good and perfect memory, thanks be to the Almighty God and calling to remembrance the uncertain state of this transitory life Do make constitute ordain and declare this my last will and Testament in manner and form following--Imprimus I give and commit my soul unto God who gave it and my body being dead to the Earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried. And as for the settling my Temporal estate and such Goods Chattells and Debts as it hath pleased God to bestow on me, I do order give and dispose the same as followith: First I will that all my Just Debts be well and truly paid within convenient time after my decease by the Executors hereafter named.

Item. I will Give and Bequeath unto William Helme my eldest son all my Land in Georges Neck Joining to the Land of David Edons on ye Northward and to the Land of William Jayne on the Southward and one third part of my Commonage with the Division of Land thereunto belonging to be layd out and Two Shares of Meadow and Upland at the South, that is to say the two westermost Share and the Reversion of my meadow close in Georges Neck. To have and to hold the said land and meadow to him his heirs and assignes for ever.

Item. To Thomas Helme I will give and bequeath all my land and meadow at a place called Old Mans within the bounds of said Town both in the East Division and the fifty Acre Lott lying about the head of Pinestave brook, which was formerly layed out to the allotment of Thomas Biggs, being known by the number Ten, and one third part of may commonage out the said meadow and Right, and Right of meadow in the said Old Mans Harbor and at the Beach. To have and to hold the said land, meadow and premises to him my said son Thomas his heirs and assigns forever.

Item. I will give and Bequeath to my son Ans helme all that my land in a place called Diers Neck with the house, orchards, home Lott, with all the improvements made thereon and all my land in a place called Mount Misery and four shares of meadow and the upland thereunto belonging to be layed out at the south and one third part of my Land thereunto belonging to be layed out. To have and hold the said Land and meadow & premises to him my said son Ans Helme his heirs and assigns forever.

Item. I will Give and bequeath to each of my four daughters a Heifer.

Item. All the rest of my moveables I will to be Equally Divided between my Three youngest daughters reserving to my wife her Dower and the use of my House and land given to my youngest son. And the use of my meadow close in Georges Neck for Two years after my deceafe. And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said wife to be my executor. In witness thereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the day above said.

(Suffolk) ss.

Att a court of Common Pleas held at Southold in County aforesd on the 28th day of September in the Ninth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lady Queen Anne now of Great Brittain .. Annoq. Dom 1710 being the next day after the Court of Sessions terminated, which was held at Southold aforesaid on the last Tuesday of the same month. The within written Last Will and Testament of the within named Thomas Helme Deceased by the oaths of Richard Floyd and Aurther Ffuthy witnesses thereunto subscribed who saw George Philips and David Edons the other witnesses subscribe their name in the presence of the Testator. Has proved and approved and the Executor therein mentioned, ordered to bring into ye sd Court a true Inventory and apprisement of the Goods and Chattells of the said Testator under oath.

G. Curia & A. Gibb clk