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Some time ago I ordered a number of wills for Russells who died in Washington County in an effort to find a will which mentioned my ancestor Richard Russell, born about 1791 in Washington County. The experiment failed, but I ended up with quite a bit of local history and the wills of several strangers.
I transcribed the will of Sally Russell, but I could not place her for a long time. Recently I found her grave listed in the Slave Burying Ground: "Russell, Sally, died 13 April 1855 at age 70 years, 6 months and 17 days" (CEMETERY RECORDS, THE TOWN OF EASTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK, Historical Data Services, p. 44). Her stone could no longer be found, but there was a record of itfrom an earlier survey. She was buried with James Schuyler, who died in 1851 at age 90 and Warren Schuyler, an infant son of "Thomas and Sally." Their stones remain.
During the 1810 census of Easton, James Schuyler's family of 9 was listed as free, not white, not Indian. During the 1800 census, the free Schuylers lived near the white Van Schuylers who owned slaves. In the 1850 census of Easton, Sally Russell, 67, was listed as living in Thomas Schuyler's household (Ancestry.com). The household, including Sally, was listed as Black, not mulatto. In her will Sally referred to Thomas as her brother, so I presume that she was born a Schuyler.
I have no idea whether Sally came by her Russell surname through marriage or from early service in a Russell household. She mentioned no children in her will, so probably she had none. At any rate, I transcribed her will, and I am posting it here. Maybe some modern Schuylers or Van Schuylers will find it useful.
Sally Russell’s Will
The last will and Testament of Sally Russell of the Town of Easton, County of Washington, State of New York
I Sally Russell considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:
First, I order that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate by my executor hereinafter appointed.
Second, I give and bequeath unto my brother Thomas Schuyler with whom I now reside the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.
Third, I give and bequeath unto my Sister-in-law Sally Schuyler the wife of my brother Thomas Schuyler one of my feather beds and my only bedstead, four cotton sheets, four woolen blankets, one pain of pillows and a bolster.
Fourth, I give and bequeath unto my Sister Phebe Alegred [? I cannot read this name.] my other feather bed and my large silver spoon, there being only two.
Fifth, I give and bequeath unto the daughters of my brother Phillip my small silver spoons to be divided equally among them, there being six only.
Sixth, I give and bequeath the remaining part of my estate whatsoever and whensoever of what nature and kind and quality the same may lie and not be hereinbefore given and disposed of (after payment of debts, legacies and expenses) to be divided equally among all my brothers and sisters who survive me except my sister Hriah [? I cannot read this name.]
And I hereby constitute and appoint my brother Thomas Schuyler sole executor for this my last will and testament.
I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred fifty-five.
her
Sally X Russell
Mark
Witnessed by Wm. Cozzered [?], a resident of Easton, Washington County, New York and David [? I cannot read this name clearly.] P. Schuyler, a resident of Easton, Washington County, New York. The will was recorded on August 20, 1855.
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