Name/Title
Will of Daniel BullEntry/Object ID
001891Tags
Daniel BullScope and Content
Last Will and Testament of Daniel Bull, dated February 18, 1837
Family Bequests
Wife (Anna Bull): Granted the interest from $1,000. If she chooses to remain in the family home, she is entitled to the "largest front room," a bed with bedding, all property she brought into the marriage, and two silver tablespoons. These provisions are in lieu of her dower rights.
Son (Ebenezer Bull): Receives the farm where he was already living, including all livestock and farming tools.
Son (John M. Bull): Receives the easterly portion of the home farm (defined by specific land surveys) and the rights to prohibit the building of mills on certain neighboring lands.
Son (Stephen A. Bull): Designated as the residuary legatee, receiving all remaining real and personal estate after other debts and legacies are paid.
Daughter (Phebe Booth): Receives a lot in "Cedar Swamp," New Jersey, one bed and bedding, and $400.
Granddaughter (Sarah Booth): Receives three silver tablespoons.
Niece/Relative (Hannah Bull): Receives $100, the interest of which is to support her father, John Bull, for the remainder of his life.
Other Family: Daniel Bull (son of Ebenezer) and Louisa Post are granted monetary sums of $100 and $400 respectively, generally payable after the death of the testator's wife.
Charitable & Community Bequests
Blooming Grove Preparative Meeting of Orthodox Friends: As a member of this Quaker group, Daniel Bull left $500 to be held in trust. The interest is to be used for the benefit of the Meeting and its members.
Administrative Details
Executors: His sons, Stephen A. Bull and John M. Bull.
Witnesses: The document was signed and sealed in the presence of attesting witnesses (though their specific names on the signature line are cropped/faint on the final page).
Surveying Language: A significant portion of the will (pages 1891b and 1891c) provides extremely detailed metes-and-bounds descriptions of the land being divided, mentioning landmarks like "ash saplings," "heaps of stones," and the lines of neighbors such as Benjamin Mapes and Cornelius Board.
