1803-06-16 Will (of Jacob Van Dike): Betty, Jenny, James, Hannah

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00771
Source
Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 40 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 11, 1806-1809)

Will of Jacob Van Dike, Middlesex County, NJ, June 16, 1803. Reproduced in: Microfilm: Middlesex County, NJ, Surrogate Court Records, Wills, Vol. A (1804-1813). Available on FamilySearch.org. See pages 317-320. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G933-5WK1

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. 40. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 11, 1806-1809. Trenton, NJ: MacCrellish and Quigley, 1947. See abstract on p. 345.
Event Description
Middlesex County farmer Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809) wrote his will on June 16, 1803, when he was 80 years old. Van Dike died six years later in 1809, and the will was proved on April 19, 1809. Van Dike appointed as executors his nephews Col. Henry Van Dike, Jacob Van Dike, and Matthew Van Dike.

The will lists Middlesex County as the location, without specifying a locality. Jacob Van Dike resided in the area of Ten Mile Run and is buried in the Ten Mile Run Cemetery.

The will mentioned four enslaved people: Betty, Jenny, James, and Hannah. Betty and Jenny would gain their freedom and an annuity for life from Van Dike's estate. James and Hannah were allowed "the liberty of choosing their own masters," and Van Dike prohibited his executors from selling James and Hannah at public auction. The will also mentioned that Van Dike held James "for a term of years only," meaning that an indenture agreement was in place for James to become free at some later date after some years of service. The number of years left on James's indenture was not mentioned in the will.

The following is a transcript of the relevant passages from the will:

"Whereas my Negro Woman Betty and Jenny have served me with fidelity and attention and have at all times behaved themselves both to me and my family with decency and respect, therefore it is my will and I do hereby order and direct that they be made free and set at liberty immediately after my decease and I do hereby give and bequeath unto each of them her freedom accordingly. I also give and bequeath unto each of them her wearing apparel her bed and bedding and her spinning wheel; I also order and direct that eight hundred dollars of the proceeds of my estate be placed on loan or good security and that the interest thence arising be paid to my said Negro women Betty and Jenny in equal moieties or shares for and during their respective natural lives...

My Negro Man James whom I hold for a term of years only and my Negro Woman Hannah shall have the liberty of choosing their own masters, provided they shall do so within three months after my death and that in no case they shall be sold at public outcry or vendue, but only at a private sale."

The following is a copy of the will abstract, as published in the Calendar of Wills, Vol. 11, 1806-1809:

"1803, June 16. Van Dike, Jacob, of Middlesex Co., farmer; will of. To such children of the sisters of my late wife, Moijeke, as shall be living at time of my decease the sum of $2500 divided equally. My nephew, Col. Henry Van Dyke, “for his friendly aid and consideration”, $250. Negro women, Betty and Jenny to be free and to each of them her wearing apparel, bed, bedding and her spinning wheel; also to have interest of $800 during their natural lives. Negro man, James, and woman, Hannah, to have the privilege of choosing their own masters, and in no wise to be sold at public outcry. All residue to be divided between my brothers’ and sisters’ children. Executors—Col. Henry Van Dike (son of my brother, Ruloff), Jacob Van Dike (son of my brother, John), and Matthew Van Dike (son of my. brother, Matthais). Witnesses—John Cortelyou, John Quick and Peter Quick.
Proved Apr. 19, 1809.

1809, Apr. 17 and 18. Inventory, $43,048.63; made by Elias Baker and Matthew Patterson. (Long list of names in accounts).

File 10232 L"
Event Type
Will
Date
June 16, 1803
Location of Event
Ten Mile Run, Franklin
Primary Participants

Betty
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01907
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809)
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Woman Betty"
Comment: to be liberated immediately, also to receive her wearing apparel, bed, bedding, and spinning wheel, and to receive half of the annual interest on an $800 bond for life

Jenny
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01909
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809)
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Woman Jenny"
Comment: to be liberated immediately, also to receive her wearing apparel, bed, bedding, and spinning wheel, and to receive half of the annual interest on an $800 bond for life

James
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01910
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809)
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Man James whom I hold for a term of years only"
Comment: "shall have the liberty of choosing their own masters" and in no case to be sold at public auction, but only at a private sale

Hannah
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01847
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809)
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Woman Hannah"
Comment: "shall have the liberty of choosing their own masters" and in no case to be sold at public auction, but only at a private sale
Additional Participants

Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01900
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Henry Van Dike
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01934
Role: Executor or Administrator

Jacob Van Dike (1754-1827)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01324
Role: Executor or Administrator

Matthew Van Dike (1752-1832)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00109
Role: Executor or Administrator
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event