"In the name of God, Amen, and December 27, 1775: I Johannes Yates, of Manor Rensselarwyck, being of sound mind. "I leave to my eldest son, Christopher Yates, all my smith tools as they now belong to my smith shop, for his birth right." I leave to my wife Rebecca all of my estate where I now live, in Rensselarwyck on the East Side of Hudson River, at a place called Greenbush, on the south side of the lot of ground belonging to the widow Lamberts, during her life. I leave to my son Christopher all my farm or Bowery where he now lives (except the orchard of two acres), lying in Rensselarwyck joining to Narswaters, Vly. I have theretofore given to my son Peter my lot of ground and stables in the first ward of Albany, on the East Side of the house and lot of Abraham Joseph Yates. I leave to my son Christopher, after my wife's decease, my other farm or Bowery in the Manor of Rensselarwyck at a place called Bogart of Jerchen Kill, or creek, joining the farm of Abraham Whitbeck and Thomas Johannis Whitbeck. I leave to my four daughters, Tryntie, wife of Anthony Bries, Anatje, wife of William Staats, Engelitie, wife of Cornelius Van Schaack, Jr., and Rebecca Yates, all the rest of my estate. I make my wife Rebecca, and my son-in-law, William Staats, and my daughter Rebecca, executors.

first posted: 01/12/02