1785-12-01 Will (of Israel Read): Tony, Isabel, Jean

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00672
Source
Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 37 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 8, 1791-1795)

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. 37. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 8, 1791-1795. Jersey City, NJ: Scott Printing, 1942. Page 292.
Event Description
The will of the Rev. Israel Read (pastor of the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church) was written on December 1, 1785, in Piscataway, NJ. Israel Read died 8 years later in 1793, and the will was proved on February 8, 1794, at Somerset.

The will mentions several enslaved persons by name, including Toone (referred to as Tony in other archival documents), Isabel, and Jean.

Note that Jean was described as an old woman and was granted "her freedom" in the will. Whether Jean was still alive in 1794 and whether she attained freedom is uncertain. New Jersey law prohibited enslavers from officially manumitting elderly Black persons lest they become a public charge. The executors of Read's estate could not have legally manumitted Jean after the pastor's death, although unofficial arrangements for her senior years could have been made in accordance with Read's wishes.

The following is a copy of the will abstract as published in the Calendar of Wills, Vol. 8, 1791-1795:

"1785, Dec. 1. Read, Rev. Israel, of Piscataway, Middlesex Co.; will of. Son, Thomas, one silver pint mug, 5 silver table spoons and 4 1/2 of residue of personal property. Son, Archibald, one silver server, one silver sugar cup and the other 1/2 of residue of personal property. Daughter, Mary, negro girl named Isabel, 2 feather beds, one silver teapot, 2 silver canasters, one silver cream pot, 6 silver tea spoons, all china and other household furniture; also the annual interest in the widow’s fund in Philadelphia, while single. Library to be sold and divided between the 2 sons. Lands in Somerset Co. and other realty to be sold and proceeds divided between the 3 children. Old negro wench, Jean, her freedom. Negro man, Toone, to be kept by sons. Executors—friends, Dr. Moses Scott and Matthias Baker, Esq. Witnesses—David Kelly, Anthony Cosad, Aaron Coon. Proved Feb. 8, 1794, at Somerset.

1794, Feb. 7. Inventory, £304.9.8; made by Abraham Staats and James Van Duyn.

Lib. 33, p. 442; File 948R."
Event Type
Will
Date
December 1, 1785
Location of Event
Piscataway
Related Place
Bound Brook
Following Event
1798-04-24 Sale / Term Indenture: Tony
Primary Participants

Tony
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01521
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Israel Read (d. 1793)
- Thomas Read
- Archibald Read
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro man, Toone"
Comment: bequeathed to sons Thomas and Archibald

Isabel
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01524
Role: Person Listed in Will
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Israel Read (d. 1793)
- Mary Read Powers (ca. 1755-1819)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro girl named Isabel"
Comment: bequeathed to daughter Mary

Jean
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01525
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Older Person
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Israel Read (d. 1793)
Verbatim description from source:
"Old negro wench, Jean"
Comment: granted her freedom
Additional Participants

Israel Read (d. 1793)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01518
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Thomas Read
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01519
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: new enslaver of Tony

Archibald Read
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01522
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: new enslaver of Tony

Mary Read Powers (ca. 1755-1819)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01523
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: new enslaver of Isabel

Moses Scott (1738-1821)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01520
Role: Executor or Administrator

Matthias Baker
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01932
Role: Executor or Administrator
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event