Will of John Rodman

In the Abstract of Wills, Volume III, the will of John Rodman is given as follows:

"To all Christian People to whom these may come, Greeting. Know ye that I, JOHN RODMAN, of Flushing, in Queens County, do by this my last will dispose of, and make a settlement of the estate, which it hath pleased God to bless me withall. I leave to my wife Mary 1/2 of my household goods, cattle, and horses, and two of the best rooms in my dwellinghouse, during her life, and 1/3 of the produce of my plantation in Flushing, and after her death to go to my son, Thomas Rodman. I also give to my wife my chaise, and the horse belonging to it. I leave to my eldest son, John Rodman, all my estate on Block Island; Also the land I had of William Huddlestone, by deed of May 24, 1709, Bounded north by Queen street, east by the heirs of William Beekman, south by the water side, or strand, and west by William Beekman, Being 51 feet wide, and 200 feet long; Also a parcel of land fronting to a certain street called Crown street, as in said deed set forth. I leave to my son, Joseph Rodman, all that plantation or tract of land I bought of Daniel Kirkpatrick and James Feeks, in Flushing, and the 8 acres adjoining, that I purchased of Thomas Hicks, Jr.; And all the land laid out to me adjoining the said plantation, that my son Joseph now liveth on, And 1/2 the salt meadow I bought of Daniel Kirkpatrick and James Feeks; Also a small piece of meadow by the bay side, and lyeth between Francis Dougherty's land and the place called the Lime Kiln; Also my lot of land on the Little Neck Hills, and under the Hills, And all the land I purchased of my son, John Rodman. For all these lands I have already given him a deed. I also leave to my son John, a lot which I bought of Edward Burling, as by his deed, fronting upon Crown street, in New York, opposite on the side of the land mentioned by William Huddlestone, and now in the possession of John Vinsean, and is let to him to improve as a garden at the rent of 6 shillings a year. I also leave to my son Joseph all that land I purchased of the Mayor and Aldermen of New York, with all the buildings, except the tenement, or house and land with the yard belonging to it, now in the possession of Joseph Ledder. Which said land was adjoining to the King's house in New York, and was commonly called the City Hall. My wife is to have 1/3 of the rents of the same. And my son Joseph is to pay to his sisters, Mary Willett and Hannah Dickenson, 200. I leave to my youngest son, Thomas, all my dwelling-house in Flushing that I now dwell in, and the land I purchased of John Adams and Richard Stockton, and is properly the plantation the house stands on; Also a strip of land laid out to me by the Trustees of the Town; Also 1/2 of my salt meadow lying on Tews neck, in Flushing, and all my salt meadow in Westchester, and 1/2 of my stock of Horses, Cattle, and household goods. I also leave him that tenement or dwelling-house in King street, New York, that the widow Funnell now lives in, between the land of Thomas Bayeux, and Colonel Robert Lurting; Also a small tenement or house fronting Duke street, which I had by mortgage of Joseph Blydenburgh; Also a piece of land fronting Little Queen street, near the North River, between the land I sold to Frederick Williamsen and Lombard street, containing in length along Little Queen street, 210 feet, let the lot between Frederick Williamsen and Lombard street be 200 feet more or less. The rear is butting upon land formerly of William Huddlestone, a part of which I have given to my son John, and is bounded north by Crown street. The land given to my son Thomas is in the rear, and bounded south by Little Queen street, and is 210 feet wide. I also leave to my son Thomas the tenement where Joseph Ledder now lives; Also the plantation of 500 acres, in West New Jersey, which I bought of James Budd, of Burlington, on Northampton river. I leave to my grand daughter, Anne Newbury, my house in Queen street, being the next easterly house toward the Slip. And whereas I intended to give my daughter, Ann Newbury, a lot of land fronting the river, which I have sold for 250, I have put out the money for her benefit. I confirm to my daughter, Mary Willett, a house in Queen street, adjoining the house given to Ann Newbury. I also give to my daughter Mary, 100. I confirm to my daughter, Hannah Dickenson, the house and lot in Queen street which I gave her, adjoining the house of Ann Newbury. Also 100. A Deed of settlement made by me February 10, 1699, is to remain valid. I appoint my wife Mary, and my sons John, Joseph, and Thomas, executors."

Dated this 8 day of the 11th month called January, 1725/6

Witnesses, Francis Doughty, James Clement, Benjamin Field, William Phillips

Proved, January 24, 1731/2