Abraham & Margaret DePeyster's wilsl, recorded in the Abstracts of Wills, Vol VII, 1766 - 1771 (NY Historical Society Collections, published in 1898) state,
In the name of God, Amen. I, ABRAHAM DE PEYSTER, of the City of New York, being at present sick in body. I direct all my just debts to be paid. I leave to my wife Margaret all my houses, lands, and real and personal estate, to have and to hold every part thereof during the term of her natural life. After her decease, I leave all my estate to my seven children equally, namely, James, Frederick, Catharine, wife of John Livingston, Margaret, wife of William Axtell, Eva, Mary, wife of John Charlton, and Elizabeth, wife of Matthew Clarkson. I make my wife, and my two sons, and my sons-in-law, executors.
..... Dated July 3, 1767
Witnesses, Richard Curson, merchant, Benjamin Kissam, James Desbrosses, Jr.
CODICIL: Whereas I have made my will, dated July 3, 1767, and made my sons and sons-in-law executors. And whereas I am in doubt whether the making of such of them as are indebted to me my executors, would not operate as a Release of their respective debts, It is my will that all such debts be considered as assetts, and they shall be accountable for them. I leave to my son James my silver mounted gun and my silver hilted sword or Hanger. I leave to my son Frederick any one of my other swords he shall choose, and the remainder of my arms of all kinds to my said two sons.
...... Dated September 10, 1767
Witnesses, James Desbrosses, Jr., John Jay
Proved October 6, 1767
Abraham's wife, Margaret, died three years later. Her will stated,
In the name of God, Amen. I, MARGARET DE PEYSTER, of New York, widow, do make and declare my last will as followeth. I direct all debts to be paid. I leave to my son James and his wife Sarah 1/2 of all that certain farm in Bergen County, New Jersey, now in the possession of the widow of Johanes Camaghar; Also 1/2 of all my undivided land, situate near the farm, and now in the possession of persons having no title to the same, and against whom, I am informed, a verdict and Judgment have been obtained. I leave the said farm and land to them In Trust for all the children already begotten, and to be begotten within 30 years, until the youngest child is of age, and then to all their children. I leave to my son, Frederick De Peyster, the other half of said farm and lands, And if he shall hereafter marry, then to him for life, and then to his wife and children. I also leave to my son, James De Peyster, all my lots in New York, fronting east to the street commonly called the Broadway, and bounded south by Cortlandt street, and 1/7 of all the rest of my real estate, to him for life, and then to his son, Abraham De Peyster. I leave to my children, Catharine, wife of John Livingston, Frederick, Margaret, wife of William Axtell, Mary, wife of John Charlton, and Elizabeth, wife of Matthew Clarkson, 5/7 of the remainder. I leave to my daughter, Eve De Peyster, 1/7 during her life, and then to her children, but if she dies without issue, then to my other children. I leave 1/7 to the children of my son James who may be living at the time of my death. I leave to my daughter Eve my negro wench "Sarah." I leave to Margaret, the daughter of my son James, "my Turtle Shell Teak box and my Scrutoire," and a negro girl. I make my sons and my sons-in-law and my daughter Eve, executors, "And they are to appoint three men to divide and lay out my Pasture ground, situate in New York, near Fresh water, at a place formerly called the Calck Hook, into 7 parts, and my son James is to have his choice, and the rest to my other children. I make my sons, James and Frederick, and my son-in-law, John Livingston, executors.
Dated December 22, 1769
Witnesses, James Van Cortlandt, Augustus Van Cortlandt, John Jay
Proved, March 27, 1770
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