1825-03-09 Will (of Richard Wescoat): Luce Ship, Jin Hall, Beth Seiger, Jill, Eliza Ann, Charles, Josh

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01957
Source
Will of Richard Wescoat, Hamilton Township, NJ

Will of Richard Wescoat, Hamilton Township, NJ, March 9, 1825.
Event Description
Richard Wescoat purportedly signed his will on his deathbed on 9 March 1825. The will was subject to a family dispute in probate court.

The location listed on the will is "Hamilton Township, Gloucester County." Richard Wescoat was a well-known resident of Mays Landing, an unincorporated community within Hamilton Township. This township is now part of Atlantic County, but was part of Gloucester County at the time of this event.

Seven enslaved people are mentioned by name in the will. Luce Ship was bequeathed to Richard Wescoat's wife. Jin and Bet were to be set free, and the remaining four people, named Jill, Eliza Ann, Charles, and Josh, were to be sold.

The following is a transcript of the relevant passages that mention enslaved people:

"I Richard Westcoat of Hamilton Township, Gloucester County, and State of New Jersey being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this for my last Will & Testament.
First. I give and bequeath to my wife Margaret Wescoat the place where I now live during her natural life. I likewise give and bequeath to my wife all the goods in the house where I now live together with a coloured woman called Luce Ship.
...
Sixth. It is my will and desire that my Black Girls Jin and Bet to be set free, and that the other two Black Girls named Jill and Eliza Ann be sold by my Executors also the two Black Boys named Charles and Josh."
Event Type
Will
Date
March 9, 1825
Location of Event
Mays Landing, Hamilton
Hamilton
Following Event
1826-05-08 Manumission: Jin Hall, Beth Seiger
Primary Participants

Luce Ship
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05425
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
- Margaret Brazure Wescoat (d. 1830)
Verbatim description from source:
"coloured woman called Luce Ship"
Comment: bequeathed to testator's wife Margaret

Jin Hall
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05426
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Comment: to be manumitted

Beth Seiger
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05427
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Comment: to be manumitted

Jill
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05428
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Comment: to be sold

Eliza Ann
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05429
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Comment: to be sold

Charles
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05430
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Comment: to be sold

Josh
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05431
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Comment: to be sold
Additional Participants

Richard Wescoat (1733-1825)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01307
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Margaret Brazure Wescoat (d. 1830)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05424
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event