Secret History X

Cher Almoustine,

In researching the family connections of the men who sailed aboard the Amity with Thomas Tew in 1692, I stumbled upon the following will and testament illustrating the relationship between Thomas Lewis and Barent Rynder (both men aboard the Amity).

“In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Lewis[1], of New York, merchant, being in good health, but now bound out on a voyage[2], and knowing that the time is uncertain when it will please God to take me out of this vile and transitory world.” And to the end that no variances might hereafter arise do make this my last will and testament. I give to my son, Thomas Lewis, €5, when he is 21, over and above all other legacies. The rest of my estate I leave to my wife, Frances Lewis, during widowhood, with full power to sell houses and lands with the advice and consent of my brothers, Leonard Lewis and Barent Rynders. If my wife should marry, then she is to have and enjoy the household stuff and wearing apparell, jewels, rings, diamonds, etc., and one half of my estate in houses and lands. When she remarries, the estate is to be divided, and the share of my children is to be put into the hands of my brothers, Leonard Lewis and Barent Rynders, who I name as executors.

Dated January 10, 1699/1700[2].

Votre Ami,

Pamela Bradford

[1] Genealogy charts for Barent Rynders and Thomas Lewis are available on Rodovid.org

[2] This will was written prior to Thomas’ second voyage with Tew.  The cache of treasure (apparel, jewels, rings, diamonds) from his first voyage is mentioned in his will to be given to his wife if she be widowed, and divided evenly if she remarries.