One way to get a glimpse of folks from long ago is to look at their last will and testament.
Andrew Conning, a veteran of Captain Vanderheyden's Third Regiment of the Albany County Militia during the Revolutionary War*, signed his February 9, 1827.
In it he makes $100 bequests to each of his five daughters, (oldest to youngest) Judith (who married Peter Van Guysling), Anna (Moses Wallice), Ellen, Elizabeth (Matthew Pinkney), and Phebe.
Also in there are his three sons who were still living at the time: Andrew, James and Alexander. Plus he mentions his deceased son William. (He left $5 to his grandson William, William's son).
The person he does not mention is his wife Betsey Wood who died February 3, 1827, just a few days before he signed off on his will.
He directs his executors "my body I commit to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my children." Which they did in a small burial ground on the family farm. Conning's land was on both sides of New Scotland Road near the intersection of modern day Couse Lane and Maple Avenue.
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| Betsey Wood Conning 1762-1827 (pic from Findagrave) |
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| Andrew Conning 1747-1827 (pic from Findagrave) |
What I find really interesting in his will is the fact that he is concerned with the deposition of his land, some of which he didn't even have the deed or lease to yet. Conning directed that his son Alexander receive 30 acres of land which "is supposed to be part of my farm of which I have not obtained a lease of Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq." Then he states that if the lease doesn't come thru, Alexander can have 20 acres of the his own farm.
The same land is involved with the daughters' bequests as well. They get their $100 immediately "should I obtain a lease of certain lands now in my possession of Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq." If no lease happens, their legacy gets paid out over a number of years.
These two bequests point to the time when Bethlehem was part of the Manor of Rensselaerwick and land was leased from the Van Rensselaer's for payment of annual rent. These leases could be passed down via a will and are often referenced in deeds (sometimes called indentures) for local properties. The manor was established in the mid to late 1600s and continued to be a thing until the Anti-Rent Wars that occurred after Stephen Van Rensselaer's death in 1839.
And apparently, Andrew's grandson, also Andrew, was still fighting with the Van Rensselaer heirs in the 1840s. Here's a quote from Allison Bennett's article "Country property in town" dated February 4, 1987:
It was his grandson, Andrew Conning, who on May 20, 1848 had litigation with Stephen Van Rensselaer concerning two separate parcels of land in this area, one of 97 acres and one of 120 acres, on the east side of New Scotland Road. The younger Andrew Conning was responsible for building the gracious brick dwelling that stands today at 1458 New Scotland Road. Originally, the house served as the focal point of a country farm, but now it is within the hamlet of Slingerlands and the farm land has been gobbled up by housing development and the Cherry Avenue Extension leading to New Scotland Road.
Also, I love her turn of phrase "gobbled up". That is certainly still happening in Bethlehem today!
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| William Conning's house, about 1987, from Allison Bennett's article which was published in the Spotlight. |
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* In the book New York in the Revolution, Conning's last name is spelled Connag, reflecting his Scottish heritage. Other online resources indicate he and his family were associated with the Presbyterian Church, a church with strong Scottish roots. And this is the only place I find that spelling which is interesting. I couldn't find any other info specific to his service.
And in case you are curious, below is my transcript of the will that is available on Ancestry. I did not write out the codicil (dated March 22, 1827). In it he notes that he received deeds to land from his sons. But I really don't know how that is in relation to the leases he mentions in the will.
Andrew Conning
The Record of his
last Will and Testament September 8th
1827. And of the
Codicil thereto.
In the name of God Amen. I Andrew Conning of the Town of
Bethlehem in County of Albany and State of New York, do make and declare this
my last Will and Testament: Fist I resign my soul into the hands of the
Almighty, and my body I commit to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of
my children, and my worldly estate real and personal, I give and devise as
follows.
First
I give and devise to my youngest Son James Conning all that
part of my farm lying and being on the south east side of the road leading from
the Old New Scotland Rod to Archibald McCormick’s to have and told during his
natural like, and at his death the descent to his natural heirs.
Secondly
I give and devise to my second Son Alexander Conning and his
lawful heirs thirty acres of land adjourning lands now owned by Robert Hall Jun
to contain a suitable proportion of cleared wood lands to be adjusted by the Executors
hereinafter mentioned, the above thirty acres is supposed to be a part of my
farm of which I have not obtained a lease of Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq, and
in case a lease is not obtained, then in lieu of the above I give and
{page break}
To him the same Alexander, twenty acres of my [old?] farm to
be located by the Executors hereinafter mentioned, to contain a suitable
portion of cleared and wood land, to have and to hold during his natural life,
and after his death to descend to his lawful heirs. The wood on the same to be
used only for building on and fencing the above premises, and fuel for his
families us.
Thirdly
I give and bequeath to my oldest son Andrew Conning Jun all
the remaining part of my lands and tenements and personal estate on condition
that he pays all my lawful and honest debts, and the legacies hereinafter
named.
Fourthly
I give and bequeath to my oldest daughter Judith wife of
Peter Van Guysling, also to my second daughter Anna wife of Moses Wallice, also
to my third daughter Ellen, also to my fourth daughter Elizabeth wife of
Matthew Pinkney, also to my fifth daughter Phebe, and also to my sixth daughter
Charlotte, each the sum of One Hundred
dollars to be paid as hereafter directed should I obtain a lease of certain
lands now in my possession of Stephen Van Rensselaer Esq, but if such lease be
not obtained, then the sum of One hundred dollars, to be reduced, twenty five
percent [wiggly line] viz to each of my above named daughters one year after my
deceased the sum of Ten dollars, and ten dollars to each annually thereafter
until the said legacies be discharged.
Fifthly
I give and bequeath to my grand-son William Conning the son
of my deceased son William Conning, the sum of five dollars, to be paid one
year after my decease.
I do hereby appoint my trusty and well beloved friends viz
my Son Andrew Conning Jur, the Rev. Thomas Holliday and Thomas Lloyd Executors
of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made,
In Witness whereof I have hereby set my hand and seal the ninth day of February
in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven.
Andrew Conning
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