1814-12-20 Will (of James Edgar): Mariann, Letty, Cato, Jake, Suck

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00503
Source
Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 42 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 13, 1814-1817)

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. 42. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 13, 1814-1817. Trenton, NJ: MacCrellish and Quigley, 1949. Page 143.
Event Description
Five enslaved people were mentioned by name in the last will and testament of James Edgar of Woodbridge, written on December 20, 1814. The will was proved a month later on January 19, 1815, shortly after James Edgar's death.

The people mentioned were Mariann, Lett, Cato, Jake, and Suck. Marianne's age at this time was 17, as can be inferred from her manumission certificate filed several years later. The ages of the other individuals mentioned are uncertain.

The executors of the will were James Edgar's sons Thomas and Samuel. His wife Mary Edgar is also mentioned in the will.

The following is a copy of the will abstract, as published in the Calendar of Wills, Vol. 13, 1814-1817.

"1814, Dec. 20. Edgar, James, of Woodbridge Twsp., Middlesex Co.; will of. Wife, Mary, 1/2 of all household goods (the clock excepted); 1 horse, 3 cows, 6 sheep, riding chair and harness, provisions, grains; service of my negro girl, Mariann; use of 1/2 the dwelling house, garden and barns, firewood; $20 yearly for life to be paid by son, Thomas; also 1/4 of profits of sales of grains raised by son, Samuel, in lieu of dower. Son, Thomas, the plantation on which he lives adjoining Henry Freeman, Marsh Noe; 1/2 of salt meadow purchased of Samuel Brewster. Son, Samuel, part of homestead including my dwelling house, barns, etc., adjoining John Vanhorne, the school land, Isaac Prawl (25 acres); lot adjoining same; other 1/2 of salt meadow; the negro man, Cato and woman, Lett; the new farm wagon and the clock, (after death of my wife); also use of land devised to my daughter, Betsey, until death of my wife, subject to bequests to his mother as aforesaid. Daughter, Polly Herriot, for life, use and benefit of 2 lots now occupied by her, as purchased of James Paton and William F. Manning and at her death all of same to her female children equally; all the articles now in her possession which I purchased of administrators of Smith Herriot. Daughter, Sally Freeman, lot (formerly Nathaniel Heards), adjoining James Paton, Marsh Noe. Daughter, Betsey, 50 acres adjoining Samuel’s lands, having possession thereof after death of her mother; 1/2 household goods and the negro girl, Mariann, until she is 21 at which time she is to be freed. Residue after debts are paid, to wife. Negroes, Jake and Suck, to be freed when 30. Executors—sons, Thomas and Samuel. Witnesses—Marsh Noe, Abraham Lee, Ichabod Potter. Proved Jan. 19, 1815.

1815, Jan. 19. Inventory, $1,589.98; made by Jonathan Freeman, Abraham Lee. Includes shoemaker’s tools, bench and leathers.

File 10537 L."
Event Type
Will
Date
December 20, 1814
Location of Event
Woodbridge
Following Event
1818-10-03 Manumission: Mariann
Primary Participants

Mariann (b. 1797) {Mary Ann}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01345
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 17
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Edgar (1748-1815)
- Mary Edgar
Verbatim description from source:
"negro girl, Mariann"
Comment: to be freed at age 21, until then to serve wife Mary, and after Mary's decease to serve daughter Betsey

Letty
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01348
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Edgar (1748-1815)
- Samuel Edgar (1788-1831)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro woman, Lett"
Comment: bequeathed to son Samuel Edgar

Cato
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01347
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Edgar (1748-1815)
- Samuel Edgar (1788-1831)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro man, Cato"
Comment: bequeathed to son Samuel Edgar

Jake
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01349
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Edgar (1748-1815)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro Jake"
Comment: to be freed when 30

Suck
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01350
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Edgar (1748-1815)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro Suck"
Comment: to be freed when 30
Additional Participants

James Edgar (1748-1815)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01325
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Samuel Edgar (1788-1831)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00284
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: co-executor of the will and new enslaver of Lett and Cato

Mary Edgar
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01346
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: surviving spouse and enslaver of Mariann

Thomas Edgar (ca. 1774-1849)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00024
Role: Executor or Administrator
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event