Benjamin Seely Loyalist and wife Bethiah Gilbert
I'd like to communicate with anyone who is familiar with this family and their association with the Gilbert family.
In particular, I'm trying to learn if there is a connection between this Bethiah Gilbert, and Josiah and Caleb Gilbert who were also Loyalists.They mayb have all come from the same branch of the Gilbert family.
Thanks.
Jane Gilbert
Here's Bethiah's father's will:
http://books.google.com/books?id=cSQLAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA239http://books.google.com/books?id=cSQLAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA239
Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's office
By New York County (N.Y.) Surrogate's court
Page 263.--"In the name of God, Amen. I, JOSIAH GILBORT, of Gray Court, in Orange County, being in good and sound mind. I leave to my true and loving wife Hannah all my real estate so long as she lives and remains my widow, and then my estate to be divided into six parts:
To Mary and her two children;
To Elizabeth and her children;
To Calip and his three children;
To Hannah Breasted, to have the whole in her hands for her children, that is, their share;
To Sarah Person and Bethia Seeley.
My grandson, Gilbert Seeley, is to have £10 beyond his share, to be put at interest till he is of age.
I leave to my grandson, Josiah Breasted, a black colt.
To Bethia Seeley a cow, when she demands it.
Elizabeth Persen and Hannah Persen shall pay to James Davisson Seeley £10.
I leave to Abby Gilbort a pair of large silver buckles, and to Martha Gilbort another pair.
I leave to my three grandsons all my wearing apparell, their names being Josiah Breasted, James Davisson Seeley, and Gilbert Seeley.
I leave to my wife all the house furniture for a room, and a bed.
Likewise Mrs. Seeley is to have a looking Glass and a great wheel and a small wheel.
All the rest of my movable estate to be sold at discretion of my executors, and they are to pay funeral expenses and all debts, and if there be not enough of movables, they must get it out of my fast estate, and if more, it must be shared among my heirs. I make Silas Person, of Hamptonburgh, and my wife Hannah, and Birdseye Youngs, executors."
Dated September —, 1781. " A tract of land in Haverstraw mountains, joining a pond, in either the Cheesequakes Patent or the Wawayanda Patent, a right in common of 200 acres, to be sold, to discharge debts, either at Publick or private sale, at discretion of my executors." Witnesses, Philip Doyle, schoolmaster, John Carpenter, Jonas Seeley. Proved, October 10, 1781.