AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT
Contact information on HOME page
Direct descendant is highlighted in red
| Adam Mott Born: 11 Oct 1762 Cow Neck Long Island, Queens Co., NY Married: 19 May 1785 Mamaroneck Died: 10 Jan 1839 Rochester, Monroe Co., NY
FATHER MOTHER WIFE
CHILDREN |
 |
|
see Family Tree |
| 1. Mary W. Mott b. 14 Apr 1786 2. James Mott b. 20 June 1788
|
 James Mott |
||
| 3. Sarah Mott b. 06 April 1791 |  Sarah Mott Cornell |
||
| 4. Mary U. Mott b. 28 Feb 1793 |  Mary Underhill Mott Hicks |
||
| 5. Abigail Lydia Mott b. 06 Aug 1795 |
 Abigail Lydia Mott Moore |
||
| 6. Thomas U. Mott b. 19 Feb 1798 d. 01 July 1801 7. Richard Mott b. 21 July 1804
|
 Richard Mott |
Adam Mott was born in 1762 in the house that had been built by his
grandfather in 1715. He was just a young boy during the American Revolution. In
1780 Washington retreated from New York, by way of Harlem to White Plains,
leaving the British in control of New York and Long Island. There was a
requisition for fire wood in Feb of 1881 to Stephen Mott for 36 cords of wood
and of Adam Mott, our Adam's father, 50 cords. The Quakers refused to supply any
requisitions for purposes of war or to sell anything to the enemy. One day, in
his father's absence, a British officer appeared ordering young Adam to show him
where to find forage.. When he refused the officer struck him with the flat of
his sword.
Peace finally came in 1783. However, during this time illness was also taking a
toll on this family. His Uncle Henry Willis died in 1780, his Aunt
Keziah Willis
died in 1781, his sister Elizabeth died of breast cancer in 1782, and his mother
died of consumption the following year. Before his mother's death his
grandmother, Phebe Willets Mott, (Grandmother Dodge) died and three months later
his grandfather, Samuel Willis died.
His father remarried four years after the death of Sarah Willis Mott. Adam would
have been 23.
From the book "Adam and Anne Mott" by Thomas Cornell, 1890, "Sixty years later
Anne Mott told her granddaughter that the young Adam waited until she was
fifteen years old before he made to her his proposal of marriage. When the
question came before her father, his answer was that she was yet too young: they
should wait at least till she was seventeen. Adam made reply that he had waited
a long time already." Their marriage was soon arranged. From the Purchase
Monthly meeting records "19th of 5th mo. 1785. At Mamaroneck meeting house, Adam
Mott, of Cowneck, Township of North Hempstead, L.I., son of Adam, to Anne Mott,
of Mamaroneck, daughter of James."
The young couple went to live with Adam's father and step mother. They remained
at "The Mill House of Cowbay" for several years and it was there that their two
oldest children were born.
In 1790, Adam's father died, his will splitting the farm into sections with his
brother Samuel getting the homestead. Adam and Anne then moved to their own
dwelling on nearby land.
Their
next four children were born there while Adam prospered.
"The mill was chiefly employed in merchant work, buying wheat largely and
sending the flour to New York for sale. In 1803 Anne's brothers invited Adam to
sell his business and join them in a new mill at Premium Point."
(*) It was at
this time that Anne's father, James Mott, established a little school at Premium
Point for the instruction of his grandchildren, and a few of the children of
neighboring Friends. That school was terminated in 1810 but by that time
Nine
Partners was flourishing and James Mott was very involved in it. All the
children attended Nine Partners.
From a letter written Dec 28, 1806 by Anne Mott to her daughters, Mary and Abby,
"Sarah has not begun to spin yet, but intends it this week - Sarah is very
careful to water Abby's grillflower. Perhaps it will bloom when its dear owner
comes home next summer." (*) Sarah was then 16 and at home while Mary was nearly 14
and Abby a little past 11.
The mill at Premium Point was not doing well due to the wars between England and
Napoleon and the embargoes of 1806 and 1807, but the children were kept on at
Nine Partners and the oldest son, 19 year old James, was employed there as a
teacher in 1807.
The school was faltering so in 1811 Adam and Anne moved to Nine Partners and
took charge of the school. The school prospered and enrollment grew to 200
students. Their youngest daughter, Abigail, was made assistant teacher. Anne
must have been very involved with the school and her health began to fail. They
finally returned to Premium Point for a year and then moved to New York and
undertook a crockery business. Their store was No. 312 Pearl Street, corner of
Peck Slip. They made their residence on Lombardy Street, now Monroe Street. In
1817 he was made Inspector of Flour, a lucrative position, so that when he left
that office in 1821 he had enough wealth to spend their summers in the country
with their children and the winters in New York. Anne was once again in poor
health with a persistent cough.
In 1838 they moved to Rochester, New York and made their home at the roomy house
of their daughter, Abigail L. Moore at No 5 Elizabeth Street. Their daughter
Sarah Cornell was less than a five minute walk away.
Adam Mott died at his son-in-law's home in 1839. Anne lived on a few years
traveling with her granddaughter (a daughter of Sarah) and died of Asiatic
cholera at Sarah's home in Rochester in 1852.
"Adam Mott was about six feet in height, rather spare in person, but of strong
frame, and of strongly marked but kindly features, and of unostentatious and
simple dignity of manner." (*)
In 1814 their son Richard Mott was 10 years old and, with the family,
witnessed a naval battle of the War of 1812. This is what he wrote
"A British fleet, having chased the frigate United States and her prize, the
Macedonian, into New London, left a strong force to blockade them and sent two
frigates through the Sound, both anchoring in full sight of the family at
Premium Point. - It was reported that a fleet of gunboats was coming from New
York to drive the intruders off. Each boat (there were twenty-six of them)
carried a single gun of longer range than the armaments of the frigates of that
period. It was claimed that in light winds, or especially during a calm, these
boats could put themselves in positions, out of the reach of the guns of the
frigates, and sink or capture them. So, when expectations had been highly
raised, the fleet of gunboats, early one quiet morning, left their anchorage
behind Sands Point, forming a formidable looking line, and, propelled by long
sweeps, moved towards the nearest frigate. - People began to collect on the
shore to witness the expected engagement, wherin the gunboats were to make
decisive work. Wonder was expressed as to what the frigates were likely to do. -
Suddenly the lofty masts of the nearest ship were covered with canvas. In less
than two minutes every sail was spread, the anchor weighted, and the ship,
swinging around, began to gather headway. 'She shows fight,' was now said. - On
she came, and as the distance lessened, showed that she was in earnest for the
fray by an occasional shot, which, it could be seen, fell short. - All were
waiting, breathlessly, to hear from their (the gunboats) boasted long-range
cannon. Instead of sinking the frigate, as had been boastingly claimed, the
rounding-to was the preliminary movement for running away, as each boat did as
fast as their sails could drive them: some of the rear ones, it was said,
actually ran out their long oars to accelerate their escape. - A marvelously
succinct account of this affair of large promise, great expectations and minute
results, was found in the papers. 'Our gunboats proceeded up the Sound to within
sight of the enemy's ships, but the wind not proving propitious they came back
to their anchorage, near Sands Point." (*)
(*) Adam and Anne Mott, Their Ancestors and Their Descendants, by Thomas C. Cornell, 1890
Will of Adam Mott
I Adam Mott pf the City
of New York, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of
time do therefore make and ordain this my last Will and testament that is to
say,
First after al my just debts be paid and discharged I give and bequeath
unto my wife all my household furniture whatsoever and to her free disposal
amongst our ch8ildren or grand children, and the use and income of all my
property both real and personal during her life, and the disposal of it while
she remains my Widow Provided she gives it to our children or grand children as
may appear right, but if she should marry or not dispose of it by will, then I
give it as follows, I give and bequeth unto my son James Five Hundred Dollars.
And to his free disposal. I give and bequeth unto my Son Richard fifteen hundred
dollars and to his free disposal, I give and bequeth unto my Daughter Sarah the
use and Interest of Two thousand dollars during her life and after her decease
the principle to be equally divided amongst her children except Thomas he having
a legacy given him by Thomas Clapp. I likewise give her the use of and income of
two lots of ground in the City of Rochester on one of which there is a small
house during her life and after her decease to be equally divided between her
two sons Thom & James and to my Daughter Mary the use and Interest of One
thousand Dollars during her life and after her decease the principle to be
equally divided between her children, I give and bequeth unto my daughter
Abigail the use and interest of Fifteen hundred dollars and after her decease
the principle to be equally divided amongst her children, But if at the decease
of any of my Daughters they should leave no children living, then their part to
be equally divided amongst the rest of my grand children, but if there should be
a sufficiency to make up the above Legacies then to be in proportion, but if
there should an over plus, then to be divided in proportion to each, what has
been given them. Lastly I do hereby appoint my beloved wife and my two sons
James & Richard Mott to be my Executors to this my last will and testament
giving them full power to collect all moneys due me on bond. Or otherwise, and I
should be in possession of any real estate to sell and dispose of it at any time
when they may think it will be to the Interest of my estate. In Witness whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of Sixth month in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty five. Adam Mott
.jpg) Top half of the Will of Adam Mott |
 Bottom half of the Will of Adam Mott |
Death of Adam Mott
Letter from Abigail Mott Moore, daughter of Adam Mott, to her son, Edward Mott Moore, shortly after the death of Adam Mott
1st Mo. 24 1839
My dearest child
I did not intend that two weeks
should pass by after the death of thy beloved grandfather ere I wrote thee,
giving thee the particulars of his illness and death, but reasons which I will
by and by give will I doubt not appear to thee quite sufficient. Thy Grandfather
had nearly or quite recovered from one of his bilious attacks, which occurred
just about two months since, but owing to the cold and unpleasant weather had
not been out but very little, twice only to uncle Silas’s and not down in the
City since Uncle R and family left us in the fall. On the 2nd of the present
month he went to meeting for the first time after an absence of many weeks (for
he was drooping for some time before he gave quite up in 11th mo.) the weather
was not cold and we rode and he was well wrapped up - when he came in he
appeared chilly, I asked him if he was cold, he said no he was not cold, but
felt like shivering, and putting his hand up to his breast, he said “I feel cold
here quite inside,” but the room was very warm and after dinner he said he felt
quite well and warm; we did not perceive any difference in him until 6th evening
he remarked he believed he had taken cold and wished to go to bed early, he soon
dropped asleep and slept quietly several hours, and grandmother was awakened by
his quoting scripture. When I went in their room in the morning to make the
fire, he said to me, “my dear I have had a sick night.” When I came out I told
thy father, and he immediately replied, “I am afraid it will prove his last
sickness” - he was as usual very sick at his stomach all day, first day his
stomach became settled, and he was quite comfortable, and on 2nd day he appeared
as though he would have but a slight turn, and soon get up again, on 3rd and 4th
days he was very feeble but complained of no pain, nothing but great weakness -
he however sat up on 4th day morning while thy father shaved him, and he
listened with interest to a letter which Grandmother had just received from
cousin Dibly, giving many particulars relative to our friend in N York - J
Hanover seemed to take his attention and recalled to his remembrance days that
are past and gone, he referred with much feeling to the visit he paid J. B. when
he was disowned, said he hoped he had seen things in a different point of view
in this. On 5th day morning he told me he had had a pretty comfortable night but
felt almost too weak to get up, about 10 o'clock however he concluded he would
get up and have the bed made, and with Mother’s help only, he walked from the
bed to his chair, and sat up while his bed was made and he washed and combed,
Grandmother then wished him to take some coco, he took some in his mouth but did
not swallow it but wished to spit it out saying it was very difficult for him to
swallow even liquids, I stood and looked at him and felt that we would soon part
with him, when he went to bed he was too weak and tired to walk, I took hold of
his chair in order to draw it to the bedside, he put his hand on my arm saying
“my dear what is thee going to do? Don’t do so. I am too heavy.” He put his feet
out and tried to help himself, when we got him by the bed, with my assistance he
stood up and turned around and sat on the side of the bed, I put his feet up,
but he was too much exhausted to do any more and in one minute he was asleep,
and after sleeping ½ an hour Grandmother awakened him to give him some
nourishment, and instead of being refreshed, I saw that the little remaining
strength was fast leaving him; aunt Sarah soon came in and I told her of my
fears (I had not been without my apprehensions for two days before, but did not
think the change was so near at hand) and when Ann came out of school, she was
much struck with the change in his appearance and was much affected could not
eat any dinner and strange to tell, Grandmother did not seem at all to realize
his situation, in the afternoon (say 6 o'clock) Dr Mann came in to see Emily
Townsend, and Grandmother asked him what would be best to give him, he told her
it was useless to give him any medicine to make him comfortable was all we could
do, still she could not think there was no prospect of his recovery and wished
to give him some, saying she hoped it would cause the to operate which he had
taken early in the morning, - to this we all objected, she then wished him an
injection which we reluctantly consented to, but it had no affect, soon after
thy father came home, and was so surprised at the great change since he saw him
in the morning, that he wished to have Dr Ried, I assured him it was no use, but
he said he should feel better satisfied let the event be what it would, the Dr.
came in about 6 o'clock, and after looking at him and feeling his pulse he
assured us that he could not survive many hours but said we had better give him
a spoonful of chicken soup alternated with some brandy and water; the soup would
cause him to raise freely and the brandy would assist his little strength to do
so - about 8 o'clock I was standing by him, feeling his pulse I found it was
gone, I felt of both wrists and watched him for a few minutes, and felt that I
should inform Grandmother, she was much overcome and said she did not expect it,
after a few minutes, he revived a little and his pulse began to beat, and at 10
it beat with as much regularity as it had at any time through the day, and
turned himself over, Grandmother then seemed quite encouraged and wished all the
family should go to bed except myself saying she should want to lay down toward
morning and then Sarah Cornell and Ann could get up to gratify her, thy father
and sisters went out and lay down with their clothes on, soon after I took the
bowl of soup and asked him if he would have some, he nodded assent and I gave
him a spoonful, and stood by him a minute to see if he swallowed then went to
the fire to put the bowl down, and took up the tongues to fix the fire, uncle
Silas was sitting by, and Aunt Sarah who was holding the candle for Grandmother
to get something out of the closet, said I believe father is gone, I stepped
quickly to the bed but all was silent as death, for death indeed was there, not
a motion of a muscle was seen, I gently placed my fingers on his eyes, and felt
that all was heard sweet peace within; I think I never looked on death with the
same feelings before. I knelt or leaned down by the bed that my face might come
close by his; and my earnest aspirations were that I might be enabled so far to
follow his example through life that my latter end might be like his;
Grandmother through herself in a chair and for a few minutes gave vent to her
feelings; she afterwards said she could not bring her mind to feel that this was
his last illness. We kept his remains until 1st day afternoon, and then laid
them on Mount Hope, there were a much larger number of persons attended than we
anticipated, our three lower rooms were closely seated, and then there were many
in the entry - Basheba Herendier was here and spoke very sweetly, and
supplicated very fervently for his children and grandchildren who had been
favored with his excellent example and sweet council and after the grave was
entirely covered she spoke again - The whole funeral was conducted with great
solemnity and order both at the house and at the ground, J & John Bell had the
care. B. Heniendier’s spoke in the evening of the very great satisfaction she
felt while standing by the grave, and said she did not recollect ever having a
grave yard with similar feelings - We left Silas to choose our lot, and are well
satisfied, his, ours, D Bells, and Jacob & John’s all by together in a very
retired part of the ground, we intend having little Richards remains removed and
placed by the side of his grandfathers. ------- His voice was very weak for 24
hours before his death that it was difficult to understand him, but he said but
little, nor did he seem to wish to, in the early part of the evening of his
death, he seemed to wish to say something and it was sometime before we could
understand him, which we were very anxious to do fearing he wished something
done for himself, at length Ann put her ear close to his mouth and heard these
words, “all quiet” whether he meant it with regard to himself or wished us to be
so, we did not know, but we ever after observed the greatest stillness possible,
and do what was necessary for him, and he seemed satisfied, I believe he did not
attempt to speak but once more, and that was not more than ten or fifteen
minutes before he breathed his last - grandmother was sitting by him holding his
hand and she asked him if he knew her, he gently squeezed her hand and said
distinctly, but in a whisper, “know thee? why yes my love!” His sight was dim,
but his hearing very clear. --------
We have opened Grandfathers will and
find he has left all his property to grandmother during her life time and at her
disposal at her death, provided she gives it to his children but should she die
without a “will” then he directs how it must be given, thus to uncle James $500.
To Aunt S the use of $2000 during her life time and at her death to be divided
equally among her children except Thomas, also the house and lot on Cornhill,
which is to be equally divided between Thomas & James at their mothers death, or
she may give it to them at any time she may think proper. To Aunt M the use of
$1000 to be divided between her children at her death; to me $1500 to be
disposed of in the same way at my death to uncle R $1500 at his entire control
and disposal. Grandmother says he was very anxious to get some money of Thomas
Bradberry that he might make the payment on the little farm, take up the article
and get the dew, that he might given it to me in his “will,” saying he wished to
alter his will and make me equal with Aunt Sarah, no doubt this was his
intention for Grandmother says she observed him only the day before he was taken
ill, to be calculating and writing with his pencil, and the memorandum now in
his pocket book, which he was probably then making, clearly show that was his
intention, - we are all glad grandmother has the entire use of the property, the
interest is sufficient to make her comfortable, and something to spare for her
to indulge her benevolent feelings. She and Ann are already looking forward to
going to N York as early in the spring as they can, by water, if thou remains
where thou now art, Ann will probably spend some time in Philadelphia, she often
speaks with much regret of thy visit home, having so little of thy company."
Letter on file with Edward Mott Moore Papers at the University of Rochester.
Letter of Anne Mott to her children shortly after the death of Adam Mott.
Rochester, 5th of 2d mo. 1839
"My Dear Children. ----
Fifth day morning, on attempting to get him up, I found he had failed much since the previous day, and I could not leave him in his chair until I made the bed. We got him back with some difficulty. He seemed exhausted, and dropped asleep. When awake, I remarked how pleasantly the sun shone. He said, 'Yes, beautifully.' He now raised abundance of phlegm, and coughed considerable - still taking a little food and small quantity of weak brandy and water. I was anxious, indeed. But I did not lose hope, for so often had he been brought low and again restored to me that I could not think but it might be so at this time. In the afternoon, Lindley particularly wishing Dr. Reed sent for, he came, and as Dr. Munn had just before stated it as a case out of the reach of medicine, his constitution they said, was worn out. And yet I thought they might both be mistaken. I could not give up hoping. ----- In the evening his speech became thick, so that we could understand but little. Ann Moore thought that he expressed the wish for us to be still. Perhaps an hour before his close I asked him if he knew me. He replied, holding my hand, 'Know thee, my love? Oh yes.' Not many minutes before he drew the last breath he squeezed my hand, I believe as a farewell." From Adam and Anne Mott, by Thomas C Cornell, 1890, pg 170-171
The Old Mott House Cow Neck.
.
| Married: 19 May 1785 Mamaroneck
|
 Marriage Contract |
| Buried: Mt Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe Co., NY |
|
|
