1808-04-01 Will (of Thomas Edgar): Jenny, Dinah

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00501
Source
Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 41 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 12, 1810-1813)

Hutchinson, Elmer T., ed. Documents Relating to the Colonial, Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey. Archives of the State of New Jersey, 1st series. Vol. 41. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 12, 1810-1813. Bayonne, NJ: Jersey Printing Co., 1949. Page 123.
Event Description
The will of Thomas Edgar of Woodbridge, written on April 1, 1808, mentions Jenny and Dinah, who Black women who were enslaved in the Edgar household. The will states that Jenny and Dinah should both serve Thomas Edgar's wife Elizabeth Knapp Edgar after his decease. Thomas Edgar died in 1812.

The following is a copy of the will abstract, as published in the Calendar of Wills, Vol. 12, 1810-1813:

"1808, Apr. 1. Edgar, Thomas, of Woodbridge Twsp., Middlesex Co.; will of. Wife, Elizabeth, $750, my negro girls, Jenny and Dinah, 1 horse, 2 cows, riding chair, bed and bedding; also use and occupation of dwelling house and garden, barns and stables during widowhood; also use and benefit of lands to maintain minor children, all this in lieu of dower. After her death or marriage, real estate to son, Thompson. Tract purchased of John Mercereau (40 acres) to be sold; also 8 acres purchased of Thomas Freeman; also easterly part of tract purchased of Nathaniel Bloomfield. Son, Peter, 27 acres purchased of Robert Ross: 5 acres of woodland adjoining Ezra Freeman, Stephen Cutter and James Rowland, dec’d; also salt meadow (4 acres) bought of Nathaniel Bloomfield. If Peter should die without issue, said lands to surviving brothers and sisters, but if Peter’s wife should survive him, she is to have possession during widowhood and Peter is to pay his mother $750. Son, Thompson, 70 acres of northerly part of homestead, adjoining Ichabod Potter, containing dwelling house and barns, also salt meadow purchased of James Bonney on Woodbridge Creek and to have possession thereof when 21. Residue of lands to sons, David and James. Daughters, Jennett, Olivea and Catharine, each $375. Daughter, Sally, $500 and daughter, Isable, $650 when 18. Two grandsons, Craig Moor and Edgar Moor, $187.50 to be paid them after decease of their mother, my daughter, Rebecca, who is to have interest of said sum during her life. Granddaughter, Elizabeth Freeman, $125, and same to granddaughter, Julianna Edgar, when they reach 18. Any residue from sales of estate to be divided between daughters and grandchildren. Executors—sons, Peter, David and James, Jr., and brother, David Edgar. Witnesses—Henry Freeman, Israel Freeman, Ichabod Potter. Proved Sept. 10, 1812."
Event Type
Will
Date
April 1, 1808
Location of Event
Woodbridge
Related Event
1818-11-28 Manumission: Saul Edgar
Primary Participants

Jenny
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01342
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Thomas Edgar (1746-1812)
- Elizabeth Knapp Edgar (1753-1820)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro girl Jenny"
Comment: bequeathed to wife Elizabeth

Dinah
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01344
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Thomas Edgar (1746-1812)
- Elizabeth Knapp Edgar (1753-1820)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro girl Dinah"
Comment: bequeathed to wife Elizabeth
Additional Participants

Thomas Edgar (1746-1812)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01341
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Elizabeth Knapp Edgar (1753-1820)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01343
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: surviving spouse to inherit ownership of Jenny and Dinah
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event