Probates: Will of James Ferris

After examining several estate inventories of men who died intestate, I thought it'd be interesting to investigate the case of a person who actually left a will.

James Ferris (father of Peter N. Ferris; of unknown relation to Stephen Ferris) wrote his will on September 8, 1826, and died two days later at the age of 65. Eleven years older than Stephen Ferris, he would have been alive to witness (but probably not remember) the building of St. George's Church in 1762. He definitely would have remembered the years of the American Revolution, during which New Castle was a hostile no-man's-land located between British and American territories, and would have been a young man in the time that the community was slowly being rebuilt.

James's will makes use of the same conventions that most wills of the day used. He made sure to state that he was "of a perfect mind and memory," to instruct his executors to pay his debts and funeral expenses, and provided for his family in the way that would have been expected. His wife, Martha, received a third of his real and personal estate, which was a typical portion (in some places the "widow's third" was written into law, to ensure that a married woman would have enough to live on after her husband's death). The mention of Martha's dowry was meant to imply that she would receive back the value of those items she brought with her into the marriage. James's two sons received money, while his unmarried daughter received furniture and money -- all pretty much typical arrangements. James's married daughters would have likely received some personal property at the time of their marriages, so that Sarah Ferris would be owed a larger portion.

It is also not that unusual that James gives only ten dollars to his son, Peter N. Ferris, while giving eight hundred dollars to his son Horatio. James seems concerned to point out that Peter's portion is a "just and full sum," and "the reason why I give him no more is he has heretofore been provided for." It's not uncommon that a portion of a person's estate might have been distributed to one or more children before the writing of the will. Ten dollars was probably meant as a nominal sum so as not to appear to snub Peter in his father's will.


Will of James Ferris

Be it remembered that I James Ferris of the town of New Castle in the Country of Westchester and state of New York, being weak in body but of a perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament as follows.

First I order and my will is that my executors hereafter named and appointed by me first and foremost to pay my funeral charges and also all my just debts out of my estate. Secondly I order and my will is that my real estate be sold by my executors at private sale (and if not sold within two months after my decease then to be sold at public auction or as soon as thereafter as my executors shall think proper) and a deed of conveyance given for the same by my executors. I further order and my will is that my executors sell any personal estate at public auction as soon after my decease as they shall think proper except such of my personal estate as is herein after disposed of.

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha Ferris in sense of her dowry two cows one equal half of all and singular my beds, bedsteads, cords, and bedding, one table and three chairs at her disposal and the use of one third of the monies arising from the sale of my real and personal estate what remains after my just debts, funeral charges, and the exchange of settling my estate is paid, and the use of all my household furniture as long as she shall wish to keep house and at her decease to be equally divided between my four daughters.

I give and bequeath to my son Peter N. Ferris the just and full sum of ten dollars to be paid to him by my executors after the sale of my real estate. The reason why I give him no more is he has heretofore been provided for.

I give and bequeath to my son Horasho [sic] Ferris eight hundred dollars to be paid to him by my executors after received by them from the sale of my real and personal estate.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Ferris two cows, the equal one half of all and singular my beds, bedsteads, cords, and bedding together with forty-five dollars in money to be paid to her as is mentioned above.

I further order and my will is that the remainder of my estate not otherwise disposed of be equally divided by my executors between my four daughters namely Emily Clapp, Aliner [sic] Carpenter, Mary Kirby, and Sarah Ferris to be paid to them as is mentioned above.

I further order and my will is as it respects the one third of my estate which my wife has the use of as is before mentioned to be equally divided by my executors or their survivors as soon after the decease of my wife as is convenient for them so to do between my son Horasho Ferris and my four daughters namely Emily Clapp, Aliner Carpenter, Mary Kirby, and Sarah Ferris.

I constitute and appoint my son Horasho Ferris and my friend Gilbert Brundage to be my executors to this my last will and testament, disallowing and disanulling [sic] all other wills and testaments, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, sealed with my seal dated this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.

Signed, sealed, published, and declared to be my last will and testament in the presence of

Emos Mayshall
Benjamin Kirby
Jonathan Cornwell


Using James Ferris's will and information from gravestones, it is possible to reconstruct his family tree (green names indicate those buried in the Episcopal cemetery):

1. James Ferris (1760-1826) m. Martha (1767-1830)
1. Horasho Ferris
2. Peter N. Ferris (1789-1845) m. Phebe Ward (1791-1857)
1. Emily Ferris (1812-1878) m. George M. Sherwood (1812-1901)
2. Jane Ferris m. James D. Sherwood
1. Maria S. Sherwood
3. Joseph D. Ferris
4. Sarah Matilda Ferris (1825-) m. Silas Constant Whitney (1810-)
5. Benjamin M. Ferris
6. Absalom N. Ferris
7. Mary E. Ferris m. John H. Scott
3. Emily Ferris (1796-1842) m. Philip Clapp
4. Eleanor Ferris (1796-1827) m. William Carpenter (1801-1830) m. Sarah (1802-1830)
5. Mary Ferris (1800-1879) m. Joseph Kirby (1801-1849)
6. Sarah Ferris

Probates: Stephen Ferris

If there's one immediate conclusion I can draw from the estate inventory of Stephen Ferris, who died January 30, 1827, at the age of 55, it's that he and his family probably weren't consuming all of the hundreds of gallons of alcohol in various forms that was counted among his property at the time of his death. The quantities of beer, rum, brandy, wine, and gin that Stephen Ferris owned most definitely indicate an "intent to sell," to couch it in modern-day criminal justice terms. That is not to say that Ferris's was an illegal operation. Most likely, he was a merchant or tavern keeper as well as a farmer (he owned cows, chickens, scythes, and garden seed). His wife and daughters may have engaged in textile production and/or dressmaking (see the "wheels" a.k.a. spinning wheels and the large amount of textiles that they owned), or they might have sold textiles in their store (note there are no looms mentioned, suggesting that the weaving was done somewhere else).

What I find most interesting about Stephen Ferris's estate inventory is this section, enumerating the modest collection of items separated from the extensive list as "goods belonging to the widow for the support of their minor children."

Source

• One stove an operates (?) ($40)
• Three beds and bedding ($62.50)
• Six fancy chairs ($4)
• One table and one stand ($7)
• Six plates ($0.50)
• Six cups and saucers ($0.44)
• One Bible and Flynn (?) book, other books ($4)
• One large pot and one small pot ($1)
• Two iron kettles ($1.25)
• One large wheel and one small wheel ($5)
• One frying pan and one gridiron ($0.75)
• Two candlesticks [illegible] ($0.50)
• Six bowls, one tin work bowl ($0.88)
• Six knives & forks ($0.75)
• One oval dish & six tumblers ($0.62)
• One pair handirons ($2)
• One shovel and tongs ($1)
• One teakettle and two pails ($1)
• One teapot milk & sugar dish ($3.50)
• One red white face cow ($18)
• Pork and cask (?) ($8)
• Six tin pans ($1.52)
• One colander ($0.25)
• One coffee pot ($0.25)
• Two stone pots ($0.50)
• One bread tray and bowl ($0.37)
• One churn & pitcher ($1.25)
• One pair smoothing irons ($0.62)
• One washtub ($0.25)

How many "minor children" were these goods intended to support, and for how long? To answer that I need to go back to the beginning, when Stephen Ferris was born, around 1771 or 1772. I don't know anything about his parents, but I do know that he married Rachel Fish, who was born in 1774, most likely around the mid-1790s. Her gravestone is pictured above (Stephen is also buried in the cemetery, but the photo of his stone on FindAGrave isn't legible). Three of Stephen and Rachel's children are buried beside them in the cemetery: Cornelus (1800-1843), James (1803-1838), and Richard (1814-1841). Of these children, only Richard would have been a minor in 1827, but sources on Ancestry and FindAGrave (which I can't verify at the moment) indicate that they had two other children who would have been minors at that time.

Source

Here is the rest of the estate inventory (or rather, what I could read of it): 

• Old scythe ($0.12)
• One box and hazelnuts ($0.18)
• 25 lb feathers & [illegible] ($11.19)
• One pair sole leather ($0.75)
• Box and quills ($0.75)
• Lot of casks in storehouse ($1.38)
• One set axe [illegible] ($0.60)
• Lot of old irons ($1)
• Three baskets of onions ($0.50)
• Set of wooden measures ($1.50)
• Three augers ($0.50)
• One case of English powder ($6)
• One case of orange powder ($5)
• One sugar break ($0.12)
• Fine salt in cask ($1.75)
• One bottle and wedges ($0.50)
• One lot of whiffletrees ($0.50)
• 5 [illegible] forks ($1.50)
• Two scythe sheaths ($0.12)
• Six scythes ($4.50)
• Nine and a half dozen cups and bowls ($3.56)
• Four shovels and one spade ($2.50)
• Nine dozen blue teas (?) ($9)
• Thirteen muskrat skins ($2.84)
• Two barrels mackerel (?) ($8)
• One sack (?) of salt ($2.75)
• One barrel [illegible] wine ($30.81)
• Two and a half dozen plates at 4/ ($1.25)
• One half barrel [illegible] ($1.50)
• Two decanters ($0.50)
• Two and a half dozen small blue plates ($0.94)
• One barrel of flour ($6)
• One lot of wild game ($0.56)
• One barrel ground logwool (?) ($1.75)
• One barrel of flour ($1.12)
• One half dozen blue plates ($0.62)
• Nine blue plates ($0.62)
• Five oval dishes ($1.75)
• One lot small plates ($0.28)
• Three and a half dozen white plates ($1.75)
• Five white work brushes ($2.25)
• Three pair bellows ($0.25)
• Two clothes baskets ($0.25)
• Three dozen plates at 2/9 ($1.83)
• Thirteen milk plates at /6 ($0.81)
• Four milk plates ($0.50)
• Fourteen plow shares ($5.25)
• Five dozen bowls ($2.50)
• Seven gallons (?) salts and peppers ($0.88)
• Four chambers (?) at 1/9 ($0.88)
• Five glass jars ($1.25)
• One decanter ($0.25)
• Five teapots ($2.62)
• One tea set ($1.12)
• One ditching (?) shovel ($0.38)
• Six blue pitchers ($2.25)
• Three fancy pitchers ($0.65)
• One pepper mill ($0.38)
• Three hoes ($0.38)
• One gross [illegible] teas ($2)
• Nine black teapots at 10 ($0.94)
• One and a half dozen white bowls ($0.66)
• Eight fancy bowls ($0.50)
• Lot of tumblers ($1.75)
• 91 (?) baking dishes ($4.64)
• Ten lash strings ($0.62)
• Ten wash bowls and chambers ($0.88)
• Fifteen jugs ($2.19)
• Five pots ($0.78)
• One pair of chisels ($0.38)
• Eight pair women's shoes ($6)
• Five pair men's shoes ($6.88)
• Four pair children's shoes ($1)
• Two small shoes ($1)
• One iron pot ($0.75)
• One skillet ($0.15)
• Three sugar boxes ($0.44)
• One barrel of sand ($3.62)
• One [illegible] jug ($0.25)
• One box of corks ($0.25)
• One lot of glass ($0.88)
• One ladle ($0.09)
• Three iron squares ($0.75)
• One box of pipes ($0.18)
• Lot of wooden bowls ($2)
• 84 lb batting ($8.42)
• Five pair [illegible] shoes ($3.12)
• One dozen suspenders ($1.62)
• One half dozen suspenders ($1.75)
• Eight pair small forks (?) ($0.75)
• 33 lb cotton yarn ($8.25)
• 11 lb batting ($1.15)
• 5 lb candlewick (?) ($1.25)
• Five lumps of sugar ($6)
• One lot of garden seeds ($12.65)
• 5 lb wire ($0.94)
• Lot of tobacco ($3.09)
• Case of plug tobacco ($0.62)
• Two and a half boxes [illegible] ($7.50)
• Two trunks ($2.50)
• 40 lb ginger ($3.45)
• 150 lb white sugar ($17.25)
• 125 lb brown sugar ($11.25)
• One cheese [illegible] ($2.25)
• One steel trap ($0.38)
• One pair steelyards ($0.75)
• Twelve lb skin (?) tea ($6.72)
• 25 lb [illegible] ($22.25)
• 15 lb alspice ($3.60)
• 30 lb pepper ($5.40)
• 8 lb salt ($0.32)
• 18 lb [illegible] ($1.26)
• 6 lb Epson salts ($0.60)
• Case of ginger ($0.23)
• 17 lb salts [illegible] ($1.70)
• Barrel of butter ($2)
• Bag of coffee ($14)
• 28 lb crackers ($1.88)
• 12 lb [illegible] ($0.75)
• 19 lb starch ($1.08)
• 100 lb nails ($6)
• 30 lathe (?) nails ($6)
• 80 lb shingle nails ($5.60)
• Two horse [illegible] ($1)
• 70 lb [illegible] nails ($4.20)
• 14 sheets [illegible] ($0.88)
• Two whips ($0.50)
• 14 yards Lyon skin ($10.50)
• 7.75 yards [illegible] ($15.09)
• 32 ditto ($4)
• 18.75 ditto ($2.15)
• 135 ditto ($13.55)
• 50 ditto ($8.12)
• 17.75 yards ditto ($2.43)
• 45.75 ditto ($4.57)
• 24 [illegible] ($3.52)
• 28 [yards?] flannel ($5.25)
• Five pair of [illegible] ($1.75)
• 3.5 yards of cord ($1.09)
• 18.75 yards cord ($6.37)
• 15.75 drab cloth ($27.62)
• 5.25 white [illegible] ($3.28)
• 3.75 mixed cloth ($18.12)
• 3 yards of [illegible] cloth ($0.94)
• 14 yards blue cloth ($31.50)
• 12 yards blue cloth ($31.56)
• 7 1/4 yards blue cloth ($19.30)
• 10 yards Buckram ($1)
• 20.25 cloth ($30.38)
• [illegible] ($0.25)
• Five green veils (?) ($2.18)
• One [illegible] ($0.50)
• Two light silk [illegible] ($0.46)
• Two ditto ($0.62)
• 12 yards cashmere (?) ($10.50)
• 7.25 satinette ($3.62)
• 4.25 ditto ($2.12)
• 10.75 [yards?] blue cashmere ($16.12)
• 21.5 satinette ($12.53)
• 8 yards black (?) cloth ($5)
• 12 yards blue cloth ($4.50)
• 5.5 drab cloth ($4.12)
• 15.75 tartan plaid ($4.95)
• 39.5 teal (?) flannel ($4.94)
• 14.5 yards cotton [illegible] ($6.04)
• 47 yards green flannel ($11.75)
• Lot of cotton thread ($2.62)
• 86 yards gingham ($10.75)
• 98 ditto ($9.80)
• 14.5 yards stripe [illegible] ($2.32)
• 26.25 [illegible] ($6.57)
• 4.75 check ($0.59)
• 27.5 cotton stripe ($4.95)
• One buffalo skin ($5)
• 10.75 ted (?) flannel ($3.37)
• Remnant (?) of flannel ($0.12)
• 105 yards calico ($10.52)
• 39 wide ditto ($5.85)
• 56.25 yards ditto ($8.44)
• 92.25 yards ditto ($17.61)
• 38.5 yards ditto ($7.60)
• 23.75 yards ditto ($5.84)
• 49.5 yards ditto ($7.92)
• 72 India calico ($16.56)
• 10.25 spotted flannel ($3.84)
• 7.75 ticking ($1.94)
• 21.25 check ($4.68)
• 7 yards gingham ($1.05)
• 12.75 furniture [illegible] ($3.88)
• Six pair black hose ($2.62)
• Four pair white ditto ($2.50)
• Four black cotton ($1)
• Five white cotton ($1.72)
• 42 yards [illegible] ($6.48)
• Six bed quilts ($5.25)
• 35 children's [illegible] ($1.05)
• 14 cotton flags ($2.19)
• 16 cotton [illegible] ($2)
• 3 [illegible] ($0.28)
• 9 [illegible] ($1.80)
• 13 ditto [illegible] ($1.17)
• One large cotton shawl ($0.75)
• Two green silk shawls ($1)
• Two cotton [illegible] ($1)
• Nine silk [illegible] ($5.62)
• One ditto ($0.75)
• 4 bandanas (?) ($2)
• Three yards vesting (?) ($2.25)
• 4.5 vesting ($1.68)
• 2 vest portions ($1.25)
• 6.75 white muslin ($0.68)
• 15.5 ditto ($2.02)
• 43.75 ditto ($9.62)
• One [illegible] ($0.15)
• 25.5 black [illegible] ($4.83)
• 10.5 ditto ($1.89)
• 21.25 tabby velvet ($9.24)
• 18.75 black [illegible] ($5.52)
• 15.75 ditto ($1.97)
• 8.25 twilled ($2.31)
• 5.25 [illegible] ($1.15)
• 20.25 silk stripe ($10.12)
• 21.5 [illegible] ($4.33)
• 3.75 sateens ($1.88)
• 1.25 cotton stripe ($0.18)
• 15.5 green silk ($5.81)
• 5 [illegible] dresses ($6.25)
• 4.5 mill muslin ($1.72)
• 11 yards spider net (?) ($1.98)
• 5.75 [illegible] ($2.30)
• 8 yards ditto ($2.80)
• 7.25 ditto ($1.81)
• One wrapper ($0.12)
• Four shawls ($0.75)
• 4.75 spidernet ($0.59)
• Four [illegible] shawls ($1.50)
• 1.5 [illegible] ($0.75)
• 11.25 book muslin ($2.10)
• One wrapper ($0.12)
• Two cedar pails (?) ($0.88)
• Eighteen watch ribbons ($0.90)
• Four cloak clasps ($0.50)
• Eight watch seals ($0.50)
• Nine keys ($0.56)
• Three yards lace ($0.13)
• Four buck skin mitts ($1.25)
• Eight pair gloves ($3.50)
• Two pair ditto ($0.50)
• Three men's ditto ($0.69)
• Thirteen oz black sewing silk ($4.87)
• 12 oz assorted ditto ($3.75)
• One pair gloves ($0.12)
• Three oz. [illegible] ($1.50)
• Two [illegible] furniture binding ($0.50)
• One dozen tapes ($0.56)
• Lot of silk braid (?) ($0.62)
• One box hooks & eyes ($0.18)
• 32 pieces ribbon ($6)
• Three pieces ribbon ($2.50)
• Two flats (?) ($4.75)
• Two ditto ($2.25)
• One beer pump ($15)
• One stove and pipe ($15)
• Two lamps and [illegible] ($0.52)
• Two old candlesticks ($0.12)
• One [illegible] ($0.88)
• Two pair smoking irons ($0.88)
• Two tons of plaster ($10)
• Two old pails ($0.38)
• Three silver spoons ($2)
• Two [illegible] cows ($18)
• One yellow cow ($16)
• Two cows ($36)
• Cart shelvers (?) ($0.50)
• Two narrow axes ($0.75)
• Lot shoe thread ($0.75)
• 112 [illegible] flour ($2.25)
• Wearing apparel ($22.75)
• 33 fowls ($6.18)
• Four guinea fowls ($0.75)
• One turkey ($0.38)
• Two geese ($0.88)
• Five pair snuffers (?) ($2.19)
• Four pair siphons (?) ($0.75)
• Five pair ditto ($0.75)
• Ten pair [illegible] wine (?) ($0.31)
• Ten dozen buttons ($1.25)
• One lot buttons ($3.12)
• One half dozen Brazilian combs ($2.12)
• One ditto ($0.22)
• Lot of combs ($0.72)
• Two packs (?) of pins ($2.12)
• One lot ditto ($0.56)
• Eight wallets ($0.64)
• Lot of books ($1.56)
• Seven Japan (?) lamps ($0.88)
• Nine top (?) lamps ($0.56)
• 13 sparrowbills ($0.93)
• Nine paintbrushes ($0.94)
• Seven pair wool cards ($1.31)
• Ten combs ($0.42)
• Five [illegible] straps [illegible] ($0.62)
• Snuff boxes and combs ($0.44)
• Nine razors (?) ($2.25)
• 14 [illegible] knives ($1.31)
• Three ditto ($0.25)
• Six ditto ($0.62)
• Six ditto ($0.62)
• Seven ditto small ($0.37)
• 10 ditto ($0.83)
• Three ditto ($0.38)
• One hammer ($0.38)
• Five shoe tarps (?) ($0.62)
• Two knives ($0.75)
• One m [illegible] braids ($0.31)
• Pegging awls ($0.12)
• One basin (?) ($0.12)
• Combs and [illegible] ($0.18)
• Lot of mousetraps ($0.38)
• Lot of [illegible] beads ($0.38)
• Awl hafts ($0.70)
• One chisel ($0.25)
• Three pair hinges ($0.47)
• Four spike gimblets ($0.25)
• One pair pinchers ($0.25)
• Nine gross shoe tacks (?) ($1.62)
• Lot screws ($0.31)
• Two slates ($0.25)
• 22 lb chocolate ($3.52)
• One bunch shutting pins ($0.12)
• 36 [illegible] augers ($1.80)
• One pair brushes (?) ($0.19)
• Lot Jews harps ($2)
• [illegible] ($1.62)
• One box Spanish [illegible] ($3.50)
• One box shaving soap ($0.75)
• Lot of garden seed ($0.50)
• Two shoe hammers ($0.32)
• Two dozen shaving boxes ($0.75)
• Four bottles blacking (?) ($0.50)
• Five part ditto ($0.31)
• Eight [illegible] ($0.83)
• One bottle of lavender ($0.75)
• Bottle of [illegible] ($0.50)
• Jar of snuff ($0.75)
• Lot of dishes ($0.50)
• Jugs and pitchers ($0.62)
• [illegible] of coloring ($0.88)
• Lemon syrup (?) ($0.18)
• Lime squeezers ($0.18)
• Six flat files (?) ($1.50)
• Three spoons ($0.38)
• Eight pair nippers ($0.75)
• Three snuffer trays ($0.38)
• Four shoe knives ($0.33)
• Nine pair compasses (?) ($0.83)
• One dozen knives and forks ($1.62)
• One lot of gimblets ($1.50)
• Decanters and bottles ($1.25)
• 2.75 lb indigo and pot ($6.18)
• Pot of brownstone ($0.18)
• Tallow and barrel (?) ($2.25)
• Shot box ($2.50)
• Pewter measures ($1.31)
• Tin measures ($1)
• 16 gallons lamp oil ($11.52)
• Oil can ($4)
• Cask of [illegible] wine ($17)
• 16 gallons [illegible] wine ($16)
• 28 gallons cherry ($14)
• 16 gallons Holland gin ($13.60)
• 10 gallon kegs ($3.38)
• 30 gallons Jamaica rum ($22.50)
• 34 brandy ($29.75)
• 4 cherry ($2)
• One gallon cordial ($0.50)
• 2.5 currant wine ($1.25)
• 10 gallons corn brandy ($4.50)
• One barrel ($0.62)
• 35 gallons [illegible] ($24.06)
• 120 gallons [illegible] ($45.60)
• Gin and [illegible] ($1.12)
• Two pewter tea pots ($1.25)
• Scales and weights ($13.37
• Wine and cask ($1)
• Sixteen gallons rum (?) ($12)
• Beer barrel ($0.50)
• One half [illegible] tobacco ($1.38)
• One hogshead of sugar ($1.25)
• One barrel of cider ($1.50)
• One barrel of beer ($4)
• Tub and contents ($0.75)
• Three empty casks ($2)
• Lot tobacco ($1.12)
• Currant wine and cask ($7)
• Cherry and cask ($4)
• 74 gallons brandy ($33.75)
• 55 gallons molasses ($18.15)
• Old boxes tubs etc. ($0.50)
• Spade and shovel ($0.38)
• One pair shears ($0.12)
• Cash in silver ($95.63)
• Cash in cents ($2.33)
• Silver ($15.78)

Probates: Peter N. Ferris

Peter N. Ferris was a nearly exact contemporary of Abijah Merritt, born just four years later, who died two years earlier at the age of 56. And like Abijah Merritt, Peter Ferris died without a will, leaving his widow to deal with his estate. However, Peter Ferris's estate was an order of magnitude larger than that of Abijah Merritt, resulting in a much longer and more complicated process of sorting out debts, expenses, and property values.

The fact that he was a wealthier man than Abijah Merritt is reflected in Peter Ferris's gravestone, which is larger and more elaborate than Merritt's. It features an urn and willow motif, multiple different inscribed fonts, the deceased's name in a decorative cartouche, a plain rectangular border, and an epitaph inscribed painstakingly in tiny letters at the bottom of the stone. While not far from Abijah Merritt's stone, Peter Ferris's stone faces the opposite direction (to the east), reflecting a trend that was gaining traction in the mid-19th century: that is, the tendency to place gravestones facing frontally toward the entrance to the cemetery. The stone of Peter's wife Phebe also faces east, but many of the other Ferris stones face west.

Phebe's stone is somewhat unique in giving such prominence to her maiden name, Ward. Phebe's maiden name is also featured in references to her in her husband's probate records. I think it's fair to presume that Phebe Ward Ferris's natal identity was one that was very important to her, and which she may have consciously endeavored to preserve against the homogenizing force that typically obliterated a woman's ancestral name upon her marriage.

While Abijah Merritt's estate was administered by his son Caleb, Peter Ferris's estate was administered by his widow Phebe and John Curney. Upon Peter Ferris's death, they published a notice in the Peekskill Republican "for claimants to present their claims against [Peter Ferris's] estate," which appeared for six months. The claims of these creditors were then affixed to the estate inventory. Peter Ferris's estate was appraised and sold at public auction to pay his debts.

I find this aspect of the inventory somewhat difficult to understand, but as I have interpreted it, Peter Ferris's estate amounted to $6,193.15 in total, of which $3,469.05 was used to distribute to the various expenses. Phebe herself received a sum of $223.98 from the estate. From this she paid $181.98 to Joshua Putney for interest on his mortgage, $18.00 for a coffin for her husband, $22.00 for gravestones (plural - not sure if this means that Peter Ferris originally had a footstone, or whether Phebe may have purchased herself a gravestone at the same time), and $2.00 for digging the grave and setting the stone.

From this point on, the inventory is divided into several schedules.

Schedule A.
"Containing a list of the goods, chattels, & stock mentioned in the Inventory of the goods, chattels, and credits of Peter N. Ferris deceased, taken by the administratrix & administrator of the [estate] of the said Ferris deceased with the aid of Josiah Purdy and John Hallock sworn appraisers duly appointed for such purpose by the Surrogate of the County of Westchester, so far as the same could be ascertained, sold at public auction on the 31st day of October in the year 1845."

This schedule is four pages long and consists of a list of items (mostly agricultural implements and supplies and livestock) and the individuals to whom these items were sold, along with the prices. Just to give you a sense of the intricacy with which these records were made, here is my favorite section, featuring cows:



What must it have been like for Phebe Ward Ferris to see her husband's estate so meticulously and clinically deconstructed, appraised, and sold? I imagine that her life would have been completely upended - not only by the death of her husband, but by its fallout and consequences for the direction that the rest of her life would take.

Schedule B.
"Containing a true statement of the debts due the estate of Peter N. Ferris deceased mentioned in the Inventory made as stated in Schedule A which have been collected or otherwise adjusted to the credit of said estate with the interest collected or allowed on the same."

The total value of the debts collected was $4,567.82.

Schedule C.
"Containing a true statement of all moneys collected by me as due the estate of Peter N. Ferris deceased and of all moneys belonging to said estate that have come into my hands, not mentioned in Schedule B." Totaling $961.95.

Schedule D.
"Containing a true statement of the debts in the inventory of the estate of Peter N. Ferris deceased mentioned which have not been collected and which have not been collectable for the reasons herein after mentioned. Total balance due: $528.38

Schedule E.
"Containing a true statement of claims presented against the estate of said Peter N. Ferris and which have been paid or settled." Total: $2724.10

The following section of the probate record lists the "creditors and next of kin" to Peter N. Ferris to be apportioned part of his estate:

James D. Sherwood
Maria S. Sherwood
Joseph D. Ferris & Eliza his wife
Absalom N. Ferris
John H. Scott & Mary E. his wife
Silas C. Whitney & Sarah M. his wife

A little searching reveals that Sarah M. Whitney was born Sarah Matilda Ferris, the daughter of Peter N. and Phebe Ward Ferris, in 1825. Silas Constant Whitney was a farmer who lived in Yorktown; Sarah was the second of his three wives (at separate times, of course). The other next of kin are described in the section below:

"Whereas the said Peter N. Ferris died intestate, leaving him surviving his widow the said Phebe Ferris, and the following persons his only next of kin, viz.: Emily, a daughter of said deceased, the wife of George M. Sherwood; Jane, another daughter of said deceased, the wife of James D. Sherwood, who has since deceased leaving her surviving, her husband the said James D. Sherwood, and an infant daughter Maria S. Sherwood; Joseph D. Ferris, a son of said deceased; Sarah M. another daughter of said deceased & now the wife of Silas C. Whitney; Benjamin M. Ferris & Absalom N. Ferris, sons of the said deceased, and Mary E. another daughter of said deceased, and who is now the wife of John H. Scott; it is therefore further ordered and decreed that the said administrator and administratrix divide the remaining sum of $2339.38 into seven equal shares or portions of $334.19 each" to be divided among the aforesaid relations.

The Estate Inventory
Finally, the full inventory of Peter N. Ferris's estate is listed, along with the appraised value of each item.

• One brindle cow ($15)
• Three other cows each $15 ($45)
• One other cow ($16)
• Three other cows each $14 ($42)
• One other cow ($17)
• One dry cow ($8)
• One heifer ($7)
• One other heifer ($4)
• One pair of oxen ($75)
• One stack of hay ($16)
• One other stack of hay ($16)
• One other stack of hay ($20)
• One other stack of hay ($8)
• One other stack of hay ($16)
• Hay in the barn ($16)
• One horse (young horse) ($70)
• One old horse ($5)
• One ox cart ($30)
• Five forks ($1.50)
• One shovel ($1)
• Three rakes ($0.37)
• Eight planks ($1.50)
• One ox yoke ($1)
• One other ox yoke and [illegible] ($1.50)
• One lumber wagon ($40)
• One ox shed ($3)
• One grain cradle ($3)
• One corn sheller ($5)
• Sixty bushels of corn at fifty cents per bushel ($30)
• Seventeen barrels ($2.12)
• One lot of pine boards ($2.50)
• Two crobars at $1.50 each ($3)
• One lot of double harness ($4)
• One other set of double harness ($4)
• One set of single harness ($2)
• One buck saw ($0.75)
• One string of bells ($0.50)
• One iron wrench ($0.25)
• One drawing knife and pincers [?] ($0.75)
• One compass and square ($0.50)
• Two chisels ($0.50)
• Four augers ($1.50)
• One scythe and two sticks ($1.75)
• One half bushel measure and small measure ($0.75)
• Two potato hooks ($0.75)
• Two hoes ($0.75)
• One old saddle ($1.50)
• One whip ($0.25)
• One iron scoop ($1)
• One horse rake ($5)
• One grindstone ($5)
• One coopers [illegible] ($0.50)
• One hogshead and cider ($1)
• One hammer ($0.12)
• One shed ($3)
• Two ladders 50 cents each ($1)
• Two axes ($1)
• Three ox chains ($3)
• Three ploughs ($10)
• One stone boat ($1)
• One harrow ($1)
• Three cider barrels and cider ($1.50)
• Nineteen pigs $1.50 each ($28.50)
• One churning machine ($3)
• Five bushels of rye in granary ($3.12)
• One gun with accouterments ($8)

There was a separate list for "widow's right," that is, the items considered to be Phebe Ward Ferris's personal property.

• The family Bible, some school books
• One stove. One franklin
• The books, which are not in value $50
• Four sheep and three lambs - one red
• Cow - two swine - and the pork of the swine butchered for use of the family
• Wearing apparel
• Four beds, bedsteads, and bedding
• The usual cooking utensils
• The widow's clothes and the clothes of her family
• One table, six chairs
• Six knives and forks, six plates
• Six teacups and saucers
• One sugar dish, one milk pot
• One teapot and six spoons
• Two tables
• Eighteen plates
• Eighteen cups and saucers
• One sugar dish
• One teapot
• Fourteen chains
• One rocking chair
• Two looking glasses
• Carpets in use and necessary

Comparing Peter Ferris's inventory with Abijah Merritt's, it's clear to see that the former had a great deal more property, yet the rights of his widow were still restricted to personal possessions, tableware, furniture, and some livestock. Had either man thought to write a will, he could have allocated his widow a greater portion of his estate, or required that his children provide for their mother's care as a condition of their inheritance. When the two men died without a will, the law interceded to protect the widow's right to her own possessions. Yet these items seem somewhat meager in proportion to the entirety of the deceased's estate, and it is easy to imagine how the wives of men poorer than Abijah Merritt or Peter Ferris could have been devastated by their husbands' deaths. It's not surprising that many elderly widows sought refuge in the almshouse.

Phebe Ward Ferris outlived her husband by twelve years, dying on January 14, 1857. Her large marble headstone features a decorated "IN Memory of", the usual biographical details, and an epitaph reading:

Think not that they are blessed alone

Where days a peaceful tenor keep.

The God who loves our race has shown

A blessing for the eyes that weep.

Come Lord Jesus come quietly.

1. Peter N. Ferris (1789-1845) m. Phebe Ward (1791-1857)
1. Emily Ferris (1812-1878) m. George M. Sherwood (1812-1901)
2. Jane Ferris m. James D. Sherwood
1. Maria S. Sherwood
3. Joseph D. Ferris
4. Sarah Matilda Ferris (1825-) m. Silas Constant Whitney (1810-)
5. Benjamin M. Ferris
6. Absalom N. Ferris
7. Mary E. Ferris m. John H. Scott

30: Richard and Rachel Kirby

(Source)

"Rachiel" Kirby - unconventional spelling or engraver's mistake? For now I'm going to assume it's the latter. I don't think I've ever seen Rachel spelled that way.

At first I mistook Richard and Rachel Kirby for husband and wife. In fact, she's his daughter. (Correction, August 17, 2015: She was his wife! See here.) Rachel's mother was Matilda Frost, who is not buried in the cemetery. Richard, a farmer, was born around 1781 and died in 1857.

Rachel was born in New Jersey in 1804. In 1850, she lived with her father and three Kirbys whom I am assuming are her brothers. There was also a 17-year-old girl, Cecilia Smith; I'm not sure how she fits into the picture.
 

1850 US Federal Census

Joseph Kirby (1801-1849)
Rachel's older brother Joseph, who was born in 1801, married Mary Ferris and became a miller. On August 12, 1849, he died suddenly of unknown causes, according to the 1850 United States Federal Census Mortality Schedules. After her husband's death, Mary was living with a man named Philip Clapp, a woman named Adelia Horton, and Adelia's daughter Emily.

1850 US Federal Census

Although she died in 1879, I can't find Mary in the 1860 or 1870 census.

Leonard Kirby (1802-1878)
Rachel's older brother Leonard Kirby was born around 1802. He married Jane Vervalen, who was born in New Jersey in 1813. They had thirteen children, only five of whom outlived their mother.

In 1860, Leonard and Jane lived near the cemetery with their nine children, three servants, and two laborers. Leonard was a merchant.

1860 US Federal Census

Leonard died in 1878, after which Jane lived with relatives in New Jersey and then in Westchester. In 1900, she was living with her daughter Louisa and her husband Alexander H. Mood, a traveling salesman, as well as the Moods' son George, Jane's daughter Adelaide, and one boarder.

When Jane died in 1902 at the age of 89, it was a full hundred years after her husband Leonard's birth.

Leonard's son Richard Kirby married Adelaide L. Stanton, the daughter of James P. and Jemima Stanton and the sister of Annie and Emily who are buried in the cemetery. You can read about Richard and Adelaide's descendants in the Annie and Emily post.

Sinclair Harcout Kirby

Leonard's other son Edgar Kirby enlisted in the Civil War on September 9, 1862, in the 5th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment, Company H. He became a Corporal on January 24, 1863, and a Second Lieutenant on June 22, 1863. He was discharged on June 29, 1863.

Edgar Kirby's son Sinclair Kirby worked in advertising and volunteered in the 71st New York Infantry, Company G, in the Spanish-American War. In 1918, he applied for a passport for the purpose of traveling to England and France to serve in the Red Cross. To the right is a photograph of him from the application.

William A. Kirby (1828-?)
William Kirby was working as a carpenter in 1850, but I can't find him in censuses after that.

Charles H. Kirby (1830-)
Charles Kirby and his wife Jane buried one child in the cemetery: Albert E. Kirby, who was born and died in 1860. The family later moved to Brooklyn, where Charles was working as a bookkeeper in 1880.

1880 US Federal Census

John Wesley Kirby (1832-1901)
I'm guessing that the Kirbys were Methodists based on the name of their youngest child, John Wesley Kirby. He was born in 1832 and was a carpenter. On September 9, 1862, along with nephew Edgar Kirby, he enlisted in the Civil War, serving in the 5th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment, Company H. He was promoted to Corporal on July 31, 1864, and to Sergeant on April 20, 1865. He was discharged on June 22, 1865.

After the war, John Wesley Kirby lived in Brooklyn with his wife, Adelaide, and their children.

1880 US Federal Census

After Adelaide's death, John lived with his daughter Leonora and her husband George Parker. He died in 1901.

Most popular names
Leonard (5)
William (3)
Charles (3)
Jane (3) 
Edgar (2)
Richard (2)

1. Richard Kirby (1781-1857) m. Matilda Frost (1783-); Rachel Kirby 
1. Joseph Kirby (1801-1849) m. Mary Ferris (1800-1879)
2. Leonard Kirby (1802-1878) Jane E. Vervalen (1813-1902)
1. William H. Kirby (1831-)
2. Richard Kirby (1834-) m. Adelaide L. Stanton (1841-after 1930)
1. Evelina A. Kirby (1862-)
2. Leonard Kirby (1869-) m. Elizabeth (1871-) in 1892
1. Leonard Kirby (1893-1983) m. Delma Crenshaw (1903-1945)
1. Leonard Kirby (1918-1964)
2. Hildegard Kirby (1895-)
3. Edgar Kirby (1838-1912) m. (1) Mary Jane (1838-1872); (2) Ellen McCoy Rider (1847-1900)
1. Jane Kirby (1861-1890)
2. Matilda Kirby (1875-)
3. Sinclair Harcout Kirby (1877-) m. Louise (1863-)
4. Edgar Kirby (1883-1967) m. Ethel B. (1884-)
1. Helen D. Kirby (1910-)
5. Ellen Kirby (1883-)
4. Matilda Kirby (1840-1878) m. James Hoyt (1838-1890)
5. Evelina Kirby (1842-)
6. Jane Kirby (1844-)
7. Leonard Kirby (1845-)
8. Louisa Kirby (1848-) m. Alexander H. Mood (1852-)
1. George L. Mood (1886-)
9. Adelaide Kirby (1849-)
10. Helen Kirby (1855-)
11. Mary Kirby (1857-)
3. William A. Kirby (1828-)
4. Charles H. Kirby (1830-) m. Jane E. (1834-)
1. Charles M. Kirby (1858-) m. Nellie (1859-)
1. Walter Kirby (1879-)
2. Lillian Kirby (1882) m. William J. Steinel (1875-) in 1898
3. Charles Kirby (1885-)
4. William Kirby (1888-)
5. Benjamin H. Kirby (1889-)
2. Albert E. Kirby (1860-1860)
3. Frederick Kirby (1865-)
5. John Wesley Kirby (1832-1901) m. Adelaide M. (1835-) in 1857
1. Leonora Kirby (1857-1928) m. George H. Parker (1856-1897)
1. George H. Parker (1886-)
2. Marguerite Parker (1888-)
3. Ethel G. Parker (1896-)
2. Augustus Kirby (1860-)
3. Louisa Kirby (1862-)