Thomas Woolsey 1655 - 1742











Descendants of Thomas Woolsey 1655 - 1742


by Wilford Whitaker



THOMAS WOOLSEY, (GEORGE "JORIS"3, GEORGE SR2, WILLIAM1 WOLSEY) was born April 10, 1655 in NY - Hempstead, Long Island, Nieuw Nederlandt, christened on 11 Apr 1655 in "Ye Englandlish Church by Mr. Denton" (Newtown (Middleburgh), Long Island), and died 1742 in NY - Bedford, Westchester. He was buried in the Old Bedford Cemetery, Bedford, Westchester, NY and then removed to the Union Cemetery in Bedford, Westchester, NY.

Thomas married RUTH BAYLIS January 11, 1683/84 in NY - Jamaica, Queens, Long Island 11 Jan 1684, daughter of JOHN BAYLIS and REBECCA STILLWELL. She was born 1660 in NY - Queens/Flushing, Long Island, and died 1739 in NY - Bedford, Westchester. She was buried in Old Cemetery, Bedford, Westchester, New York.

BEDFORD NEW YORK: The Town of Bedford was founded on December 23, 1680 when twenty-two Puritans from Stamford, Connecticut purchased a tract of land three miles square known as the "Hopp Ground" from Chief Katonah and several other Indians for coats, blankets, wampum and cloth. Bedford was made a part of Connecticut in 1697 when a patent fixed the boundaries as a six-mile square and only when King William III of England issued a royal decree in 1700, to settle a boundary dispute, did Bedford became part of New York.

The Town served as the county seat of Westchester County during the Amercian Revolutionary War after the Battle of White Plains until Bedford was burned by the British on July 11, 1779. After the Revolution, Bedford was made one of two seats of County government, alternating with White Plains, until 1870. Westchester County's oldest government building is the Court House in Bedford Village, which was built in 1787 and renovated in the 1960s.

GENE: Sent to Wilford Whiter by Harry Macy, editor of NYG&B Record, 1 Jul 1998. From New York Public Library, Rare Books and Manuscripts Division James Riker Papers, Memoria Vol. 30, p. 187.
"Extracts from an old manuscript book formerly belonging to Capt. William Hallett of Newtown (who died in 1729 age 81) and now in possession of one of his descendants, Marvin R. Briggs of New York, 1851. An Acount of the agees of Mr George Woolseys Children

Sarah Woolsey was born in New York August y 3 in ye year 1650.
Au 7, she was Baptized in ye English church by Mr. Denton Capt Newton godfather

George Woolsey was born in New York Octobeer ye 10 1652.
October ye 12, he was baptized in ye Dutch Church Mrs. Newton godmother

Thomas Woolsey was born at Hemsted April ye 10 1655 & then Baptized by Mr. Denton

Rebeckah Woolsey was born at New York february ye 13 1659
febr: 16 she was Baptized in ye Dutch church Mr Briges godfather & her granmother godmother

John Woolsey was born at New york January ye 12, 1661.
January ye 16, baptized in ye Dutch Church Thomas Hall godfather

William Woolsey was born in Jamaca on ye Isleand Nassau October ye 12 1665

Mary Woolsey was born at Jamaca on ye Island Nassau September ye 8 1673

GENE: THE WOOLSEY FAMILY by Robert M Woolsey --- A Genealogy in the form of annotated Family Charts. 1939-1969 The NYG&B Society. 2.120B. b. New Amsterdam in New Netherland, to Jamaica, N.Y. 1664. Later to Bedford, Westchester Co., NY. (On 6 Feb 1716, Thomas Woolsey, with others, signs a testimonial at Jamaica. 76p33) 2a Bdfd Union #7. This Thomas is probably the Woolsey of Woolsey's Farm Bedford Town, obtained from Colonel Peter Matthews (see map 1.048) about 1721, and known as Woolsey's Farm by 1736. 80(II)p197. Ref.: 16(VI)p88;65;67p5;69. (14 Jan 1970).

GENE: A Woolsey Family of America (1623 - 1975) by Donald C Hart. Santa Cruz, CA. n.d. FHL # 929.273 W887a. p. 2-3.

GENE: Bolton. "Woolseys of Westchester Co, NY."
GENE: Woolsey, Robert M. Merrimack, NH HIST: Westchester County, NY, History.

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519. p. 175.
20 Dec 1680. Bryan Newton & wife Alis Newton "sould and asured my whol Lot and allowance of midow ... comanly called ye Long nick ... to Georg Wolsie Juner ... make over to ye sayed Georg Woolsie my homested Land orchard fencing housing and all immovabls ... after ye desert of me and my wiffe.... ye sayed George Wolsie is to make and maintaine all ye fence and fencing ... And in case yt either I or my wife during our life shall be nesesitated to sell any part of ye sayed homsted for our sustinance or any nesesity supply for our comfort ye sayed Georg Woolsie shall be ingaged to give ye valuation yt another would doe. ... I have subscribed my name ys 20th day of desember in ye year of our Lord 1680.
Witness: John Pruden Thomas Woolsie Bryan Newton
A trew Copie takin out of ye origanall by Benjemin Coe, Clerk. Alis Newton

JAMAICA: Jamaica Deeds. Vol. 2, p.59. 22 Dec 1680. Brian Newton of Jamaica in ye North Rydinge of Yorkshier upon Long Island sold TO Thomas Woolsey bacheler inhabitant of sd Jamaica - my ten acer West ward of the town with my wife Ales Newton - bounded by Daniel Whiteheads land on ye nek by the highway , on the N by Joseph Thursten & Nicalos Eaver'ts land on the E and S by Commons. Wit: John Pruden & George Wollsey.

ON-LINE:
BAILEY FAMILY - NEW YORK MARRIAGES - Donna Beers
Bailey, Ruth, 11 Jan 1684, New York, Queens County, Thomas Woolsey (No documentation included)

HIST: Christoph, Peter R. "The Dongan Papers 1683-1688, part 2" Syracuse University Press. FHL #974.7 N2do pt 2. p. 157.
Return of Divided Land, Marriages, baptisms and Burials in Jamaica for seven years. Whereas the Sheriff by warrant from the Governor and Councell did demand off us the inhabitants off Jemaica to give an account off the number of Mariages Christnings and burialls and what are the names off all such as hold land from the crown by paten[] or otherwise or what Rent may bee standing out in Arears etc; to satisffie his excellency wee give an accounty as Followeth (viz) Imprim:

Land devided eight thousand Acres besides pasture land more or less lying in Common to the town Which wee hold From his Majestie by vertue off purchass From the natives and a patent From his excellency Thomas Dongan Generall Governor etc. bearing date the 17th day off May 1686 by which patent wee are to Make payment off forty shillings per Annum quit Rent.
   Marriages Christnings Burials
Capt Carpenter 3 0 0
Joseph Smith 1 1 0
John Oldfield 1 2 0
Mr Woolsy 1 0 1
(Thomas Woolsey married & William Woolsey buried)
           
Will: Foster 1 0 1
Samll. Smith 3 2 0
John Everet 0 3 0
George Woolsy 0 3 1
           
Mr. Whitehead 0 0 1

[Notice: in the seven years preceeding 1686, George Woolsy had 1 marriage and 1 burial and his son George had 3 christenings, and one burial, so between 1679 - 1686:]
1 marriage . . . . . . . (Thomas Woolsey)
3 christenings . . . . . ( Capt. George Woolsey)
christening . . . . . . ( Hannah Woolsey)
christening . . . . . . (Rev. Benjamin Woolsey)
1 burial . . . . . . . . (William Woolsey buried)
1 burial . . . . . . . . . (unknown child of Capt. George Woolsey)

This is what wee Can Remember hath hapned within 7 years. For the Number off horse and Foot and how armd and provided an account is alreddy given by the Military officers: by order From the Comissioners By Danll. Denton Cler. [Endorsed:] To Major Thomas Willet Sheriff.

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519. p. 411. 18 Sep 1695. Richard Gilderssleve - land on ye N side of ye path gooing to Jamaica & on y W by a lott of Thomas Wolles only a high waye between.

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Micro reproduction of original published: Brooklyn :
The Long Island Historical Society, 1914.
3 vols/Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518, Vol. 3. FHL# 928519. p. 122.
bet 1681-1683. Thomas Woolsey land, 10 acres.

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn :
The Long Island Historical Society, 1914.
3 vols Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519, 2:320.
Tho. Wolsie 13 acors of land in ye west fild 60 rods longe 34 rods broad Bound on ye N wt Yorke path on ye W with Mr. Ashman E wt Nicholas Everit on ye S wt Peter Stringham -

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn :
The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519, p. 61.
11 Jun 1692 - between Daniel Whitthead, Esqr & Thomas Wollsey - Wollsey to occupy and enjoy a sartain ten acre lott Bounded front and reare on the Highways E by Thomas Wollsey & W by Ed Burrowes, provided sd Thomas Wollsey shall pay ore case to be paid unto Mr. Sollenes that marryed the widow Stenwick in New Yorke sum of 42 pounds before 1 Apr 1694 -
Dan'll Whithed & Tho. Wollsey - O
Wit: Edward Burrowes, Will Whitt, Peter Chek - Samuel Ruscoe, Clerk

p. 60. Daniell Whitehead of Jamaica to Thomas Wollsey ten acre lot in Jamaica, bounded E by sd Thomas Wollsey W by land of John Prudden S by King's Road ore Common highway & N to a highway betwext ye hills 5 Apr 1694. Wit: Sam'll Ruscoe & Edward Burrowes.

JAMAICA: Frost, Josephine C. RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF JAMAICA, Long Island, New York.
FHL# 928518. p. 375.
1 Jan 1693/4 - John Dweke, Richard Oldfield, Samuel Denton & Daniell Smith, shall gather the sumes promised to the minister and pay 1/4 each. Captin Wollsey 01 - 10; Will: Creed 01 - 00; Tho: Wollsey 01 - 00; Gersham Wiggins 00 - 10; John Wollsey 01 - 00; Josias Wiggins 00 - 10; Ben Wiggins 00 - 10; John Bayles 01 -10; Tho: Wiggins 00 - 12; Johannas Williamson 00 - 04.

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519.
2:371. I John Basford of City of New Yorke husband of Damaris Basford, eldest dau of Nate Lynos late of Jamaica, deceased, have sould unto Thomas Wollsey of Jamaica fiveten sheep younge & olde as they are now in his posestion - do warrant and bind, etc. 21 Nov 1696.

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519.
p. 248. Thomas Foster of Monmouth River, Co. of Salem, of West New Jersey, son & heir of Thomas Foster, late of Jamaica, sum paid by Benj Thurston of Jamaica, blacksmith for and in behalf of himself, Anne Thurston, Daniell Thurston, Samuel Thurston, Thomas Thurston, Richard Denton & Mary his wife, Richard Oldfild & Jane his wife & David Wright & Hannah his wife - 1/2 part & home lott beginning at Thomas Wollsey's land E to walnut bush marked by Thomas Waters across to Whitt oak bush on N side of same lott & an equal 1/2 part of ye hill lot which 1/2 lyeth next to Anthony Waters [&] all that lott of land lyinge behind the Swam near the heatherEast Neck - adj land of John Hansen - 61 acres - late in tenuer & occupation of Thomas Foster, dec'd & Joseph Thurston, dec'd. 23 Oct 1697. Wit: Andrew Gibb,
Samuell Smith.    Thomas Foster O

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518.    Vol. 3. FHL# 928519.
p. 9. John Pruden quondam minister of Jamaica now inhabitant of Newwarke, Co Essex, East New Jersey, to Thomas Burrowes, yeoman of Jamaica, a lot lying Westward of the mettinge hse upon road that leads to New Yorke, fiveten acres Bounded by 10 acre lot formerly Edward Higbe's now in possession of Edward Burrows & partly by lot formerly belonging to Andrew Messenger now in tenur & poss of Thomas Wollsey on ye E & by a highway on N - Begin at NW corner of ye sd Wollsey's lott runing Westward under the hills by the highway. S to ye road to Newtown - 16 Nov 1700. Wit: John
Hubbert, John Pruden, Jr.    John Pruden O

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518.    Vol. 3. FHL# 928519.    
Vol 2 - 3 Feb 1708/09. p. 441.
Gersham Wiggins 6 9 3 1
Mrs. Woolsey 1 9
Samuel Bayleys 7 7 4
Capt. George Wolsey 7 3 1 1
Benjamin Wiggins 5 6
Josiah Wiggins 9 4 3 3
Thomas Wiggins 6 4 4

John Woolsey 5 11 1 3
Thos Woolsey 5 5 1 1

EARMARK: Bedford Town Records. The mark of Thomas Woolsey is a cropp on ye left ear and two slits in ye ropp and a slitt in the top of ye right ear. 5 Jul 1721.

PROBATE: George Wolsey WILL: filed 22 Feb 1698, Orange Co,NY. City Registers office, Queens, NY, NY. Dated 22 Day of Sep 1698. File location - At X-M, X-Block X- Liber A of Deeds.
2nd. item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Son, THOMAS WOLSEY all ye fifteen acre lott of land lying to ye westward of Anthony Walters home lott in Jamaica afor said to have and to hold ye said lott of land all ye appurtenances there unto being to him ye said THOMAS WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns to ye only proper use, benefitt and behoof of him ye said THOMAS WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns for ever.
As Wittness my hand and seal at Jamaica ye second day of November in ye year of our Lord, Jesus Christ 1691. [signed] George Wolsey (Seal)
Signed sealed and published in ye presence of ;
Thomas Willett - Daniell Whitehead - Andrew Gibb, Sr.
Entered the 22nd.day of Sept.1698. Per - A. Gibb (Clerk) Queens County (Seal)

GUARD: Scott, Dr. Kenneth. "Records of the Chancery Court Province and State of New York.
Guardianships 1691-1815. The Holland Society of New York. FHL# 974.7 P28sc p. 1 [Case 11 Sep 1701] of William Lawrence, guardian of Johannis Lawrence, VS. Rebecca Woolsey. John Lawrence (age upwards of 50), of Newtown, Queens Co., gentleman, is non compos mentis. In 1692, being lunatic, he gave care of moneys, goods, merchandize, plate, jewells, linen, household stuff and other belongings to his wife Sarah, who carried the same to the house of George Woolsey in Jamaica, Queens Co., where she lodged for about six years. Sarah Lawrence died at Woolsey's house in Sept., 1697. Woolsey refused to give up the items brought by Sarah and kept them until he died about May 1698. His widow, Rebecca Woolsey refuses to surrender the objects, claiming that Sarah owed #105 for rent for seven years, of which only #24 had been paid. On 4 Feb 1701/02 it was ordered that John Lawrence be examined as an evidence on the part of the complainant and that Dr. Henry Taylor, of Flushing, Queens Co., physician, be examined on the part of the defendant [A, pp. 7,9,10,17,21,23-24,34,335,38-40,50). .. Affidavit (20 Jan 1701/02) of Thomas Woolsey to the effect that Dr. Taylor is a material witness in the case of William Lawrence (guardian of John Lawrence), plt., VS. Rebecca Woolsey, widow. Affidavit (12 Mar 1701/02) of Zacchariah Mills, of Queens Co., concerning the serving of a subpoena. Affidavit (20 May 1702) of Paroculus Parmyter, gent., in the same case (BM 1272-L)

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519.
2:302. [p. 62]. The land of Thomas Wollsey of Jamaica is as followeth, viz:
  1. One lott of upland lyeinge to the westward of this Towne abovesd containinge fourten acers be it more ore less as it was laid out & bounded N by ye road leading to York & E by Anthony Waters & S by ye sd Waters & W by William Creed.
  2. As also one third partt of a thrty acer lott lyeinge southward of ye forsd lott & is bounded by Fredrick Hendricks one the E & John Lambertes on the W & N by the highway & S by Jacob Ramson -
  3. As allsoe five acers of meadow lyeing at the hawtrees & bounded E by William Creed & W by Peter Hendriks being ye half of a ten acer lott -
  4. As allsoe one third partt of the home lott formerly my fathers
  5. As allsoe the one third partt of a ten acer lott of meadow lyeinge att the further East Neck -
  6. As allsoe the one third partt of a hill lott lyeinge above Samuell Millses.
  7. The above parcells of land & Meadow with an adition of meadow alsoe lying at ye east sid of the Great Island at the further East Neck - - the 29 of December 1699.

[14 acres + 10 acres + 5 acres + ____? + 3.3 acres + ____? + ____? = 33 + acres]

DEED: (3:135-6) 21 Feb 1711/12 - indenture between Georg Woolcy Thomas Woolcy John Woolcy of Jemaica in Queen County on Nasaw Island & in ye Province of New York of ye one partee and Samuell Denton of ye same place of ye other partee witnesseth for consideration of nine pounds ten shillings corrant or New York acknowledge [sell to] Samuell Denton all that peice parsill or lot of upland in ye bounds of Jemaica containg seven acors be ye same more or less butted & bounded as followeth
bounded south by ye rode that lead down to New York or Cuntry rode & east by commons land and west by common land also and north by common land or Nathaniell Denton warrent for next seven years - hath set their hands and affixed thire seales ye day etc
Signed sealed & delivered    Gorg Woolcy O
in presents of    Thomas X Woolcy O
Wait Smith  his mark
Nehemiah Smith    John X Woolcy O
Memorandum that on ye 25 day of Jul 1712 appeared    his  mark
before me Richard Olfeild one of Her Maigs Justeses for the keeping of the peace for Queens County
ye
ye with in named Gorg Woolcy Thomas Woolcy & John Woolcy and did acknowlidg the with written instrument to be their own vollintary act and deed Tes. Richard Olfeild    A true coppy of ye orignall deed entred & compared this fift day of Desember 1712 by me per Nehemiah Smith - Cler -

LAND: Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. Ed. Josephine C. Frost. 2 microfilm reels 35mm. Microreproduction of original published: Brooklyn : The Long Island Historical Society, 1914. 3 vols
Vol. 1 - 2 . FHL# 928518. Vol. 3. FHL# 928519.
3:487-8. 1712 - Thomas Woolcy was one of 4 trustees of the town.Samuell Smith, Jonathan Watters, & Peter White

JAMAICA: IBID 3:488. Apr 1714 the above same chosen trustees of town.

PARISH: Ladd, Horation Oliver. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF GRACE CHURCH, Jamaica, New York. Ladd, Horatio Oliver, A.M., S.T.D. Rect. Emerit. FHL# 974.7243/J1 K2l. Shakespeare Press. New York. 1914.
The Register Book for the Parish of Jamaica. Kept by the Rev. Thomas Poyer, Rector from 1710 to 1732.
Persons married, ye time wn & place where.
p. 278. Wm Woolsey & Derica Williamson of Jamaica at Jamaica 4 Jan 1711 publish'd.
p. 278. Henry Dusenbury of Hampstead & Mary Fowler of Flushing 9ber (Sep) 29, 1711 at Flushing, publish'd.
p. 280. Benjamin Fowler of ys Prsh & Hannah Dusenburie of ye Prsh of Hempstead 1 Nov 1714 at Jamaica, publ.
Persons Buried Ye Time Wn & Place Where.
p. 286. [Buried] Ruth ye Daughter of Wm & Derica Woolsey 11 Nov 1712 at Jamaica.
p. 286. [Buried] Rebeca Woolsey aged 91 5 Feb 1713 at Jamaica.
p. 287. [Buried] Abigail ye Daughter of Thos & Ruth Woolsey Apr 4, 1716 at Jamaica.
p. 287. [Buried] Thos Wiggins xber 12 (Oct) 1728 at Jamaica.
p. 287. [Buried] Wm Hallett 20 Aug 1729 at Hell-Gate.
p. 287. [Buried] Rebecca Wiggins 8ber (Aug) 19, 1731 at Jamaica.

LAND: Index & Deeds of Queens Co., L.I., NY, Liber A,B,C 1683-1765 by Alex Label. FHL film# 17873 C:56.
Thomas Woolsey, yeoman, of Jamaica & Ruth his wife TO John Gray, yeoman, of Jamaica, FOR pounds 240 for home lott of Jamaica, where sd Thomas now dwells, bounded W by Thomas Smith, S partly by county road leading to New York & partly by sd Smith, E by land in Possession of Eliz. Waters & by Samuel Thurston's land & N by David Wright & Samuel Thurston, containing 30 acres as now within fence in possession of sd Thomas Woolsey with one certain piece of land in Jamaica on the hills Northward of ye sd premises bounded W & N by Joseph Smith, S by David Wright & E by Thomas Thurston - 8 acres in fence and all houses, etc.
Thomas Woolsey
19 Mar 1717 - 1 Apr 1718Ruth Woolsey
Lewis Hewlett, Daniel Waters.

LAND: Index & Deeds of Queens Co., L.I., NY, Liber A,B,C 1683-1765 by Alex Label. FHL film# 17873 C:70.
Thomas Woolsey of Jamaica, yeoman, & Ruth his wife TO Richard Betts for pounds 80 - 19 acres as inclosed by the fence now standing, in Jamaica bound N by the highway which leads from Jamaica to the New York Ferry, E & S by land of Daniel Waters & W by land belonging to sd Richard Betts.
19 May 1718 - 1 8ber 1719.Thomas X Woolsey
Mary Waters, John Cornell    Ruth X Woolsey

LAND: Abstract of Deed of Gift: 16 Jul 1740, Recorded 8 Mar 1755. Original p. 52-3. Thomas Woolsey of Bedford, Westchester, N.Y., yeoman, "for ye good will and efectoin which I have and doe bare my son John Woollsey of Bedford" Gave John Woolsey of same town, yeoman, "All that the two folowing peices or persels of land which are part of and included within ye bounds of twelve hundred & eighty accrees of land which I purchased of Petter Mathews of ye city of New York, gent and is lying ... within ... Bedford one peice hearby conveyed is bounded as foloweth begining at ye south east corner of my son Jonathans northernmost peice of land and runs south eleven degrees east thirty five chains and fifty(?) links to my son Richards northeast corner thence along Richards line west eleven eleven degrees south thirty eight chains to ye stake with stones thence north eleven degrees west seven chains & fifty links to a stake with stones thence west eleven degrees south forty two chains to ye line of Bedford Township thence north eleven degrees west twenty five chains to my son Jonathans land thence east eleven degrees north to whare it began containing two hundred & thirty one acrees the other peice begins at ye south east corner of my son Jonathan's southerly peice and from thence runs south eleven degrees east eleven chains & seventy five links to my son William Woollseys land thence west eleven degrees south thirty seven chains and twenty five links to Dusinburys land thence north eleven degrees west eleven chains & seventy-five to my sd son Jonathans land thence east eleven degrees north thirty seven chains & twenty five links to where it began containing forty three accrees and three quarters"
Orig. p. 53. Thomas Woolsey his mark. 16 Jul 1740 "in ye fourteenth year of His Majastys reign"
Witnesses: George Denis, Samuel Purdy. Acknowledged 1 Sep 1740, before Samuel Purdy, Esq., one of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas. Recorded 8 Mar 1755, by John Holmes, Clerk.


Westchester County, New York DEED Records, 1684-1902




LAND: p 240. Westchester County DEEDS, lib. G, pp. 58-8. Abstract of Bill of Sale. Thomas Woolsey of Bedford, Westchester, N.Y., yeoman, with the consent of wife Ruth, and sons William, Jonathan, Richard, and John Woolsey sold to Henry Dusenbury of Rye, yeoman, for L 105, N.Y. money 12 Jan 1729/30 in the 3rd year of George II. "All that a certain parcel ... of land ... in ... Bedford ... & is part of the lands granted by Peter Mathews (who was one of ye pattentees of said township's New Purchase) unto
ye said Thomas Woolsey ... bounded ... bounded as followeth beginning at ye northwest corner at a stake ... from thence runing southerly on a strait line one hundred & forty one rods & twenty links & a half of ye chain to another stake set up at ye southwesterly corner from thence runing easterly on a strait line to an heap of stones at ye southeast corner one hundred & seventy rods from thence runing northerly on a strait line one hundred & forty one rods & twenty links & a half of a chain to a stake set up at ye northeast corner & from thence on a strait line one hundred & seventy rods to ye first above mentioned stake where it first began, bounded westerly by Fauconiers West pattent ... wch. is the west bounds of Bedford Pattent & northerly easterly & southerly yt. is three sides thereof by land belonging to ye said Thomas Woolsey & his above named sons containing ... one hundred & fifty7 acres English measure" Thomas Woolsey his mark, Ruth Woolsey, William Woolsey, Jonathan Woolsey, Richard Woolsey, John Woolsey. Witnesses: Hugh Hunter, Richard Pullen. On 17 Nov 1730 Hugh Hunter swore before Wm. Willett, judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, that he saw every one of the above execute this deed. Entered by W. Forster, clerk (no date)


HIST: Le Fevre, Ralph. HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ, New York and its old Families, from 1678 to 1820, including the Huguenot pioneers and others who settled in New Paltz previous to the Revolution. Albany.
Fort Orange Press. 1903. includes index.
p. 96. 1765 - Real Estate Taxation - New Paltz 1765:
Thomas Woolsey 1765 5 lbs 5 shillings 0 pence.
John Woolsey 1765 0 lbs 5 shillings 0 pence.
Jadediah Dean 1765 1 lbs 8 shillings 0 pence.

GENE: File sent by Ronald L. Gilliland. "Descendants of John Wolsey". p.12.

CEM: Town of Bedford, Westchester, NY "Cemeteries" FHL #974.7277/B1 N2b Vol. 8. p. iv. "One such stone, preserved underground for perhaps a century, has recently been unearthed in the village graveyard. Its inscription reads: "1742 [next line illegible] Deceased Thomas Woolsey Born in the yeare 1656" This stone was evidently left behind when bodies of THE WOOLSEY FAMILY were removed to the Bedford Union Cemetery in the Nineteenth Century. p. 393. A gravestone for Thomas Woolsey, dug up in the Old Bedford Cemetery in 1976, bears the dates 1656-1742.

(Click on image to view full sized)

(Click on image to view full sized)

CEME: Town of Bedford - Westchester County, New York - Bedford Historical Records Vol VIII - Town of Bedford Cemeteries 1681-1975. Community and Church Graveyards and Family Burial Grounds. An Alpahabetical List of Tombstone Inscriptions and Other Records. A Bicentennial Publication. Bedford Hills, New York. Published by the Town of Bedford 1977. [Sent by Fred Woolsey]
[Old Bedford Cemetery "OB" - Route 22, facing Bedford Green (Sec. 20A, Lot 38); 191 graves marked with field stones. Unmarked grave: Rev. Thomas Denham 1689. Last stone: Elizabeth Belden McDonald 1885.]
1742      1742
/ge +       George +
/ecca      ReBeccA
geD -- [DeceaseD?]      AgeD 86 [DeceaseD?]
|-homAs      ThomAs
WooLSey      WooLSey
BoRne DIN      BoRne DIN
the yeaR      the yeaR
1656      1656

[Old Bedford Cemetery "OB" - Route 22, facing Bedford Green (Sec. 20A, Lot 38); 191 graves marked with field stones. Unmarked grave: Rev. Thomas Denham 1689. Last stone: Elizabeth Belden McDonald 1885.]
Woolsey, Thomas s. of George Woolsey*  1656 -  1742  *
A gravestone for Thomas Woolsey, dug up in the Old Bedford Cemetery in 1976, bears the dates 1656-1742. (See Foreword, page iv.)"

Woolsey, William 7 Mar 1771 Age 83 Old Bedford Cemetery OB D-12
Woolsey, William [Jr.] 17 Feb 1761 Age 16 Old Bedford Cemetery OB ----
Woolsey, Abigail w. of Josiah Woolsey 19 Sept 1851 Age 81. Old Bedford Cemetery OB D-8.
Woolsey, Josiah 2 June 1861 86/5/25 Old Bedford Cemetery OB D-7.
Woolsey, Levi  s. of Josiah & Abigail Woolsey 20 Oct 1821 Age 19 Old Bedford Cemetery OB D-9.
[Supplementary List. A Transcription of tombstone inscriptions in the Old Bedford Cemetery, made by

Sarah Williamson and Mrs. James Day in 1917, listed 30 burials that were not recorded by the WPA in the 1930s.
These included:
Woolsey, Dorcas w. of William Woolsey 21 Jan 1764 Age 69 OB
Woolsey, William [Jr.] 17 Feb 1761 Age 16 OB

CEME: Town of Bedford - Westchester County, New York - Bedford Historical Records Vol VIII - Town of Bedford Cemeteries 1681-1975. Community and Church Graveyards and Family Burial Grounds. An Alpahabetical List of Tombstone Inscriptions and Other Records. A Bicentennial Publication. Bedford Hills, New York. Published by the Town of Bedford 1977. [Sent by Fred Woolsey]
[Bedford Union Cemetery "BU" Clinton Road (Sec. 17, Lot 16); organized 1864; still in use. Oldest stone: Thomas Woolsey 1730.
Woolsey, Thomass. of George Woolsey1656 - 1742BU 7
Woolsey, Daniels. of Thomas & Tamar Woolsey1791 - 1832BU 7
Woolsey, Frank  Aug 1974BU 7
Woolsey, Josiahs. of Richard Woolsey1738 - 1780BU 7
Woolsey, Maryd. of Thomas Woolsey1794 - 1821BU 7 w. of James Pine
Woolsey, Maryw. of Seth Lyon - 1 Apr 1894 89/1/0BU 103
Woolsey, Richards. of Thomas Woolsey1697 - 1777BU 7
Woolsey, Simeons. of Thomas & Tamar Woolsey1795 - 1891BU 7
Woolsey, Tamar Bradyw. of Thomas Woolsey1772 - 1857BU 7
Woolsey, Thomass. of Josiah Woolsey1765 - 1839BU 7
Woolsey, Zilpha Martinw. of Simeon Woolsey1802 - 1887BU 7


ON-LINE:
OUR BAYLESS FAMILY by Virginia Bayless O'Connell.
"This is an attempt to document one line of the Bayless family of Alabama. Our first ancestor, John Bayless, came from England and settled in Long Island, NY. ... The weight of evidence indicates that John Baylessd came from the Parish of St. Peters of Mancroft in Norwich, England. His birth date is given as 1617 and supposedly he was of humble yeoman stock. He sailed from England on the TRUELOVE on 10 Jun 1635 as an indentured servant of Wm Wells of Norwich. ... The TRUELOVE reached Boston in 1635 and Wm Wells can be traced from Boston (1635) to Lynn (1638) to New Haven (1639) and to Southold, Long Island in 1640. The first recodrds of John Bayless in this country are from the First Church of Southold, Long Island, which shows thaat he lived there prior to 1654. He bought a lot on Town Street in 1656 upon which he built a house. He sold this house in 1661 and moved to Jamaica. In 1664 John Bayless was involved in a land deal ... a group of Long Islanders consisting of John Bayless, Daniel Denton, John Foster, Luke Watson and Associates ... and group bought 200,000 acres of land from the Staten Island Indians ... ratified by Governor Nichols of New Jersey. New governor repudiated the transaction ... paid them for their outlay ... John Bayless sold his portion and returned to Long Island. His will is dated 18 Oct 1682, proved 15 Jan 1683. ... John Bayless, Jr. b abt 1642, d abt 1696, md Ruth Rusco, 12 Mar 1655. "It appears that John Bayless, s/o John and Rebecca, was less adventurous than his father. He remained in Soouthold when the family moved to Jamaica but joined them a year later and married there in 1655. His name appears often in Jamaica records as fence inspector, tax payer, recipent of land and in purchases and sales of property. He was a delegate to the Governor, Tax Assessor and Contributor to the Minister's salary. There is a record of five children - Samuel, John, Elias, Daniel, and Sarah.

GENE: File sent by Ronald L. Gilliland. "Descendants of John Wolsey". p.63.

GENE: Harry Macy, Editor, NYG&B Record. 1 July 1998. "You asked if I had any further information on Ruth bailey or baylis, who married Thomas Woolsey. My colleague Henry Hoff is descended from this couple (I think through a daughter) and has done research on them. He says there is no question Thomas' wife was named Ruth, but he never found any proof that she was Ruth Bailey, although he
thinks that is a good possibility. John(1) Baylis of Jamaica did have a daughter Ruth who was unmarried when he made his will in 1682 (see enclosed abstract). As most of her sisters were married by that time, she probably was also close to marriageable age. Henry says there is a marriage date of 11 Jan 1684 that has been quoted for Thomas and Ruth, but he has no idea where it came from. There are no Jamaica church records for this period. Possibly it comes from a family record that no longer exists."

PROBATE: Abstracts of Wills. Liber 1-2. [p. 122] p. 451. - John Bayles, SR., Jamaica, 18 Oct 1682.
Makes wife Rebecca executor. Leaves to son John 5s. Leaves to son Elias the meadow at furthest east neck, with the orchard, and 3 acres at the lower end of Great meadow. To sons Thomas and Jonathan all the rest of houses, lands and meadows. To daughter Elizabeth Hubbard 10 pounds. Legacies to daughter Mary Hewlett, Damoris Lyns, Abigail Smith, Ruth and Rebecca. Leaves to Elias, son of Nicholas Stilwell and my daughter Rebecca, 10 pounds. Leaves to his wife Rebecca household goods. Mentions grand child, John Bayles. Not witnessed. Proved 13 Dec 1682. [Sent 1 Jul 1998 by Harry Macy, editor NYGBR]

Thomas and Ruth had the following children:

  1.   THOMAS WOOLSEY was born December 1684 in NY - Jamaica, Long Island, died Bef. 1721 in NY - Bedford, Westchester and was buried in Old Cemetery, Bedford, Westchester, New York. . He married ABIGAIL 1716 in NY. Abigail Woolsey was born in 1685 in Jamaica, Queens, Long Island, New York. She died on 4 Apr 1716 in Jamaica, Long Island, New York. She was buried in Prospect Cemetery, Jamaica.
    GENE: File sent by Ronald L. Gilliland. "Descendants of John Wolsey". p.12.

    HIST: Thompson, Benjamin F. History of Long Island from its Discovery and Settlement to the Present Time. 3rd Edition. 1918. Vol. III, page 609.

    GENE: Woolsey, Robert M. THE WOOLSEY FAMILY --- A Genealogy in the form of annotated Family Charts. 1939-1969 The NYG&B Society. 2.121. (Given by Robert M Woolsey but date is different than Wilford Whitaker's information.)

    PARISH: Ladd, Horation Oliver. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF GRACE CHURCH, Jamaica, New York. Ladd, Horatio Oliver, A.M., S.T.D. Rect. Emerit. FHL# 974.7243/J1 K2l. Shakespeare Press. New York. 1914. (See above)

    HIST: Le Fevre, Ralph. HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ, New York and its old Families, from 1678 to 1820, (See Above)
    Children of THOMAS WOOLSEY and ABIGAIL are:

    i DEBORAH WOOLSEY

    ii RICHARD WOOLSEY, m. UNKNOWN, Abt. 1718.

    GENE: File sent by Ronald L. Gilliland. "Descendants of John Wolsey". p.12.

    PARISH: Ladd, Horation Oliver. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF GRACE CHURCH, Jamaica, New York. (See above)

    PARISH: Ladd, Horation Oliver. THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF GRACE CHURCH, Jamaica, New York. (See above)

  2. WILLIAM WOOLSEY was born January 30, 1686/87 in NY - Jamaica, Queens, Long Island, and died March 07, 1771 in NY - Bedford, Westchester. He married DORCAS (DOROTHY) WILLIAMSON DIRCKJE January 04, 1711/12 in NY - Jamaica, Long Island, daughter of JOHANNES WILLIAMSON and MAGDALENA WYNANTS. She was born 1689 in NY - Jamaica, Long Island, and died January 24, 1764 in NY - Bedford, Westchester - Old Bedford (in Bedford Village).

  3. JOHN WOOLSEY was born 1691 in NY - Jamaica, Queens, Long Island, and died November 1751 in NY - Bedford, Westchester. He married SARAH WOOLSEY 1726, daughter of GEORGE WOOLSEY and HANNAH VAN ZANDT. She was born 1689 in NY - Bedford Westchester, and died in NY - Bedford Westchester (Probably).

  4. JONATHAN WOOLSEY was born 1695 in NY - Jamaica, Queens, Long Island, and died 1754 in NY - Ulster County. He married ABIGAIL. She was born 1697 in NY - Bedford Westchester.
    Jonathan is buried NY - Marlboro, Ulster - Riverview Cemetery. GENE: File sent by Ronald L. Gilliland. "Descendants of John Wolsey". p.12.

    BAPT: Frost, Josephine C. Mayou Stillman. Baptismal Record of the First Reformed Dutch Church at Jamaica, Long Island, New York. Copied from the original. microfilm of manuscript (4v.) at the Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn, New York. Includes indexes. p. 25. Magdalena d/o William Wolse & Dirckje. 28 May 1714.
    Sponsors: Johannes Williams & Antie - p. 36. William s/o William Wolse & Ddirckje Wolse. 2 Jun 1717. Sponsors: Jonathan Wolse, Femmetie Willemse.

    PROBATE: Genealogical Data from Administration Papers. Abstracted by Dr. Kenneth Scott. National Society of Colonial Dames. 1972. FHL# 974.7 D2g. p. 371. Jonathan Woolsey of Bedford, Westchester County, New York. Renunciation (18 Jan 1754) of Abigail Woolsey, w. of dec'd in favor of William Dusenbery of Bedford. Wit: Lewis McDonald, John Holmes, Jr. 8 Feb 1754 - Admin. granted - Book 1 1/2 485-B #902204-5 to Wm Dusenberry.

    LAND: Close, George R. General index to the land records of the town - city of Stamford, CT. Series 1 covering all of the instruments recorded in the years 1641 to 1900, both inclusive. Boston : Remington Rand, 1949. 4 vols.

    4:Grantee -
    Woolsey, Gilbert. From John Morehouse G:154. Warranty Deed 25 Aug 1762. 10 Jan 1763.
    Woolsey, John. From David Bates, et ux I:174 Deed.   30 Dec 1774. 31 Dec 1774. 2:Grantor -
    Woolsey, Abigail  To Joseph Huested   H:119   Quit Claim 18 Mar 1768. 9 Apr 1768. Woolsey, Gilbert.  To Silas Hoyt, et al  L:547.  Warranty Deed. 12 Sep 1787. 22 Mar 1791. Woolsey, Gilbert.  To Josiah Hoyt  N: 47 Warranty Deed. 20 Aug 1793. 17 Mar 1794. Woolsey, Gilbert  To Munson G. Raymond   P:293. Quit Claim.  18 Sep 1809. 18 Sep 1809. Woolsey, Israel.  To Silas Hoyt, et al  L:709 Warranty Deed.  21 Sep 1792. 2 Feb 1793. Woolsey, Israel.  To Munson G. Raymond   P:324. Quit Claim  2 Mar 1810. 15 Mar 1810. Woolsey, John   To Munson G. Raymond   P:339. Quit Claim  12 Apr 1810. 19 Apr 1810. Woolsey, Rebecca  To Joseph Huested  H:119.  Quit Claim  18 Mar 1768. 9 Apr 1768.
    Child of JONATHAN WOOLSEY and ABIGAIL is:
    JOHN5 WOOLSEY, m. REBECCA.
  5. ELIZABETH WOOLSEY was born June 24, 1696 in NY - Flushing, Long Island. She married JOHN FIELD January 12, 1719/20 in NY - Flushing, Long Island, son of BENJAMIN FIELD and HANNAH BOWNE. He was born January 13, 1693/94 in NY - Flushing, Long Island, and died March 23, 1773 in NY - Flushing, Long Island.
    GENE: Pierce, F. C. THE FIELD FAMILY GENEALOGY. 1901. p. 183. FHL film# 908983. See in Newberry Library folder.

    GENE: Woolsey, Robert M. THE WOOLSEY FAMILY --- A Genealogy in the form of annotated Family Charts. 1939-1969 The NYG&B Society. 2.121. Elizabeth is not in rmw, but put here by Wilford Whitaker as conjectural source.

    GENE: Pierce, Frederick C. THE FIELD FAMILY GENEALOGY, being all the Field family in America whose ancestors were in this country prior to 1700. Chicago. 2 vols. 1901. p. 183. FHL film# 908983. Item 1-2.
  6. MARY WOOLSEY was born 1697, and died 1782.

  7. RICHARD WOOLSEY was born 1697 in NY - Jamaica, Queens, Long Island, and died December 12, 1782 in NY - Marlborough, Ulster. He married SARAH FOWLER January 24, 1717/18 in NY - Jamaica, Queens, Long Island, daughter of WILLIAM FOWLER and MARY THORN. She was born 1698 in NY - Flushing, Queens, Long Island, and died Aft. 1779 in NY - Marlborough, Ulster. Richard and Sarah are buried in NY - Marlborough, Ulster - Presbyterian Church Cemetery

  8. DEBORAH WOOLSEY was born 1709 in NY - Newtown, Queens, Long Island. She married (1) THOMAS LAWRENCE January 05, 1729/30 in NY - Newtown, Queens, Long Island, son of JOHN LAWRENCE and DEBORAH WOODHULL. He was born 1693 in NY - Newtown, Long Island,, and died 1752 in NY - West Farms, Westchester. She married (2) JAN BOEKHOUT September 07, 1753 in NY - New York City, New York.
    HIST: Thompson, Benjamin F. History of Long Island from its Discovery and Settlement to the Present Time. 3rd Edition. 1918. Vol. III, page 609. Thomas Lawrence married Deborah, dau of Thomas Woolsey of Newtown, 5 Jan 1730 but removed from the town.

    GENE: Woodhull, Mary Gould & Francis Bowes Stevens. WOODHULL GENEALOGY. The Woodhull Family in England and America. Henry T. Coates & Co. Philadelphia. 1904. p. 53 ff. Thomas Lawrence md 3 Jan 1730, Deborah, d/o Thomas Woolsey, of Newtown, Long Island. They had four children. He died in 1752.

    ON-LINE: Ancestry.Com. 21 Nov 2000. American Genealogical-Biographica Index (AGBI).
    Gen. Col. of the "Boston Transcript". 1906-1941. 21 Jul 1926, 4210.

    ON-LINE: Homepage for Arnold H. Breitenbach - marriage of Deborah Woolsey to Jan Boekhout 7 Sept 1753, New York City, NY. John Lawrence/Deborah Woodhull Family information

    HIST: Thompson, Benjamin F. History of Long Island from its Discovery and Settlement to the Present Time. 3rd Edition. 1918. Vol. III, page 609. (Notes for Thomas Lawrence)

    GENE: Woodhull, Mary Gould & Francis Bowes Stevens. WOODHULL GENEALOGY. The Woodhull Family in England and America. Henry T. Coates & Co.
    Philadelphia. 1904. p. 253 ff. "Americans of Royal Descent" from Charles H. Browning.

    HIST:
    New York State Historian. Third Annual Report of the State Historian of the State of New York. 1898. Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crafford Co. New York and Albany. p. 387-389
    "At a Gen'all Court of Assizes, held in the city of New Yorke by his Ma'ties Authority, begun the 7 Oct 1672. p. 125. The Names of the Jurors: Robert Jackson
    John Seaman
    William Wilkins
    Richard Stillwell
    John Adams
    Robert Terry
    Nathaniel Denton
    George Woolsey
    Thom: Townsend
    John Garland
    Jonathan Hazard
    Thom: Lawrence

    [Laws of the Colony of New York: p. 80. [Jurors. This to follow the 3d clause.] "That the payment of Jurymen and witnesses, who shall attende the Court of Sessions or Assizes shall bee from the tyme of theire goeing from whom to their returne." [This to followe.] "That whosever shall bee nominated to serve in a Jury and without Just Cause showed shall refuse it, he shall forfeit twenty Shillings; towards the defrayhinge of Publique Charges, which is to be levied by the Constable." [This to be ye latter end of ye last clause save one.] And the Court upon Occasion is to Judge of other Just exceptions agtainst Jurors besides kindred."

    HIST: Thompson, Benjamin F. History of Long Island from its Discovery and Settlement to the Present Time. 3rd Edition. 1918. Vol. III, page 609. Thomas Lawrence married Deborah, dau of Thomas Woolsey of Newtown, 5 Jan 1730 but removed from the town.

    GENE: Woodhull, Mary Gould & Francis Bowes Stevens. WOODHULL GENEALOGY. The Woodhull Family in England and America. Henry T. Coates & Co. Philadelphia. 1904. p. 53 ff. Thomas Lawrence md 3 Jan 1730, Deborah, d/o Thomas Woolsey, of Newtown, Long Island. They had four children. He died in 1752.

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