1801-03-21 Will (of Robert Stockton): Phebe · New Jersey Slavery Records

Identifier

NJS-EVE-01167

Source

Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 39 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 10, 1801-1805)

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. 39. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 10, 1801-1805. Trenton, NJ: MacCrellish and Quigley, 1946.

Event Description

Major Robert Stockton of Princeton in Montgomery Township, Somerset County, wrote his will on March 21, 1801, about four years before his death. The will was proved on April 13, 1805, following the death of Robert Stockton. In his will, Stockton mentioned an enslaved Black woman named Phebe and bequeathed Phebe to his wife Helenah.

The following is the abstract of the will, as printed in the Calendar of Wills, Vol. 10, on pages 428-429. The abstract includes a compiler's note indicating that this is the will of Major Robert Stockton of Constitution Hill in Princeton:

"1801, Mar. 21. Stockton, Robert, of Montgomery Twsp., Somerset Co.: will of. Wife, Helenah, her right of dower; also use of northeast room in mansion house and other privileges, negro wench, Phebe, and otherwise provided for by son, Job, during her life. In trust for son, James, that part of my farm whereon he now lives, to wit, beginning at a chestnut stump in line of lands late of John Johnson, dec’d, thence running along the fence to westerly fence of orchard back of the garden, thence northerly to northwest corner of orchard, thence on a line parallel to line of division between lands of Richard Stockton and my farm to the line of lands late of Thomas Stockton, dec’d, thence along same to Stoney Brook, thence down same to line of lands late of said John Johnson, dec’d to place of beginning, during his life; after his death, said land to be sold and proceeds divided among the children of son, James. Son, Ebenezer, part of my orchard lot in Princeton adjoining the tanyard and orchard of Dr. Wiggins, together with house and lot in Princeton for which I have given him a deed. Son, Job, that part of homestead farm beginning in middle of the Post Road at Richard Stockton’s southwest corner, thence running along said road westwardly to a stone for a corner in line with a number of wild cherry trees, thence northwardly to the northwest corner of orchard back of the garden, then parallel to line of Richard Stockton to corner of land late of Thomas Stockton, dec’d, thence eastwardly till it strikes land late of John Stockton, thence along same and along line of Richard Stockton to place of beginning. Rest of real and personal estate to be sold. Sister-in-law, Mary Macomb (my wife’s sister), £25. Granddaughter, Ann Stockton (daughter of son James), £25. Residue to be divided among my 3 daughters, Elizabeth Green, Nancy James and Mary Johnson, except daughter, Mary, to have £300 less in consideration of that sum I have bound myself to pay her husband for the purchase of a house and lot in Princeton. Son, Job, to make provision for his mother and provide her with a horse and chair and a cow. Executors—sons, Ebenezer and Job Stockton. Witnesses— Josiah Skelton, Zebulon Morford and John N. Simpson.

1801, July 6. Codicil. Daughter, Mary Johnson, being since deceased, her share to be divided among her children, i.e, William Johnson, Robert Stockton Johnson, Harriet Johnson, Helenah Stockton Johnson, Elizabeth Green Johnson and Frederick Frelinghuysen Johnson. Witnesses—the same. Proved May 11, 1805. (Recorded, Surrogate’s Office, Somerset Co.)

1805, April 13. Inventory, $2,498.83 (list of plate includes, silver cream jug, sugar bowl and coffee pot, 2 silver cans, large silver spoon, 6 silver table spoons, 15 silver tea spoons and silver sugar tongs); made by Eremas Beatty and Hart Olden. File 1275 R.

[This is Major Robert Stockton, Jr., of “Constitution Hill’: his daughter, Elizabeth m. Dr. Ashbel Green, and his daughter, Mary, m. Thomas P. Johnson, Esq. (son of William Johnson, an Irish Quaker). Compiler’s Note.]"

Event Type

Will

Date

March 21, 1801 – April 13, 1805

Location of Event

Montgomery

Princeton

Primary Participants

Phebe
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02720
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Robert Stockton (1730-1805)
- Helena McComb Stockton (1732-1818)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro wench, Phebe"
Comment: bequeathed to wife Helena

Additional Participants

Robert Stockton (1730-1805)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02718
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Helena McComb Stockton (1732-1818)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02719
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary

Record Contributor

Jesse Bayker