Joshua Burrill was born in 1781 in Thompson, Windham, Connecticut. He married Caroline Fitts in Oxford, Massachusetts, on March 9, 1809. Together they had five confirmed children and I believe they were also the parents of Sophronia, my 4th great-grandmother. Caroline died in 1848 and Joshua remarried to a woman by the name of Merinda. His will was written on April 23, 1864 and he died almost one year later, on April 15, 1865. It was the very same day of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. His will was probated on May 22, 1865, in Genesee County.
Transcription:
"In the name of God, Amen. I, Joshua Burrill, of the Town of Pembroke in the County of Genesee and State of New York, of the age of eighty-two years and being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament in the manner following that is to say:
First, I give and bequeath to my three oldest daughters, Patty [Martha] Redman, Brooksey King and Achsah King the sum of two hundred dollars a piece. I direct and order to be paid out of my estate to the said respective legatees within five years after my decease.
Second, I give and bequeath to my only son, Arba F. Burrill, the sum of ten dollars and to be paid within five years after my decease.
Third, I give and devise to my youngest daughter, Mahaleth Sumeriski and Jacob Sumeriski , her husband, and the survivor of them all my real estate that I may own at my decease, for them to own and control forever, and I further give and bequeath to my daughter Mahaleth and Jacob Sumeriski all my personal estate goods and chattels of what nature or kind soever for them to have and to hold forever, and I do further provide that the said Mahaleth and Jacob Sumeriski shall pay or cause to be paid the above legacies within the time mentioned for payment for the same.
Fourth, I do further provide that my wife is to be provided for, and taken care of so long as she shall live by the said Mahaleth and Jacob Sumeriski , and the support and maintenance of my said wife and the above mentioned legacies shall be a hire and charge upon my estate divided and bequeathed to them.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
- Joshua Burrill
It is puzzling to me why no mention is made of Sophronia. Written family histories give her father's name as Joshua Burrill and my DNA even matches his descendants and relatives of his parents, as mentioned in one of my previous blogs, but so far I know of no evidence of Sophronia's birth. It seems as if he disowned her - how sad! If anyone can help, please comment below or contact me.
Following is the will of Joshua Burrill of Pembroke, Genesee County, New York. Feel free to print, save, or just view it here.
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