Slaveholder's 1790 Last Will & Testament

SLAVERY. Manuscript Document Signed, 2.25pp, 7.5" x 12.5", Columbia County, June 21, 1790.  Remnants of red wax seal, flattened folds with separation, scattered spots of toning and foxing, torn bottom right corner of the second sheet, overall near Fine.

Mesick begins his will by hoping that Jesus Christ will pardon him of his sins, requesting a proper Christian burial, and ordering the satisfaction of his just debts and funeral charges.  He then proceeds to divide his assets among his six children and his "Loving wife Catarien".

He leaves the bulk of his estate to his son Peter, who is the executor of the will, including his Claverack real estate and the buildings and planted orchards, and all of his "wearing Cloaths and apparel".  He also orders Peter to pay the sum of 30 pounds New York currency to four of his daughters - Margrit, Mary, Catarien, and Elisabeth.  

Mesick continues, "I give and bequeath to my Loving wife Catarien Mesick my Negro-wench Betty and two cows and one bed and bedding"; to his daughter Catarien, "one Negro girl called Peggy"; to his daughter Sara, "all of my Real Estate...in the Manner of Livingston", also ordering Sara to pay each of her four sisters 20 pounds New York currency.  He then orders that, "the remainder of my black Slaves now belonging to me and my Horses hogs Sheep, Cash bonds notes and all other Debts Due to me Shall be Equally divided between my Beloved Wife aforesaid and my Six Children".  

Johann Hendrick Mesick (1714-1809) was born in Germantown, Columbia County, New York. He was commissioned Lieutenant, 6th Company, Regiment of Militia for Livingston Manor on January 25, 1764. He was a member of the “Regiment of Foot” organized in the Manor prior to the Revolution. His parents, Viet Musig (Mesick) and Anna Catharina, immigrated in 1710 and settled in the town of Livingston, NY where they built a log house. As a first-born son, Mesick later settled in the northern part of Livingston Manor on Claverack Creek near Glenco Mills on a joint life-leased farm of 230 acres of land that he shared with his father. Mesick married Anna Catherine Dietrich (1727-1792) in 1748. "Catarien" was his second wife, with whom he had five daughters and one son.  

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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