Skip to main content

Last Will and Testament of William Barns

Thu, 05/19/2022 - 14:18

Item of the Week From the East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection

This is the last will and testament of William Barns (1723-1814) of East Hampton, drafted on March 18, 1809. The Barns, or Barnes, family were among the earliest settlers of East Hampton, and this William was the son of another William Barns (1702-1726) and the former Martha Edwards (1706-1745). 

The younger William married Jemima Sherrill (1725-1823) on Dec. 4, 1746. The couple had one daughter, who died in childhood, and six sons. William left Jemima the family livestock, including two cows and six sheep. Their son Joseph was tasked with caring for the livestock on her behalf. Jemima also received 12 pounds, her husband's wearable apparel, all the household furnishings, and the use of their home for the rest of her life.

All six of William's sons are named in his will. He left four of his sons a monetary inheritance, including 6 pounds to William Barns (1747-1831), 5 pounds to Eli Barns (1754-1815), 2 pounds to Jeremiah Barns (1756-1840), and 40 pounds to Noah Barns (1765-1841), the youngest.

The other two sons inherited substantial amounts of their father's lands throughout East Hampton. David Barns (1763-1809) inherited lands called "Nezer Close" and "Napege Pines," a meadow adjoining Timothy Miller's land, woods near Two Holes of Water, and William's one-eighth share of a property in Montauk. Joseph Barns (1759-1847) received William's barn and all other lands not already bestowed to David, including William's house (although Jemima retained the right to live there). Joseph also received William's farming equipment and tools. William named David and Joseph as the executors of his will.

Jemima died on March 29, 1823, surviving William by nine years. She is buried with him in East Hampton's North End Cemetery. Any possible signatures on this will were lost with a large section that is missing.


Mayra Scanlon is a librarian and archivist in the East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection.

Tags History

Villages

Countdown to the Three Mile Harbor Fireworks

The Clamshell Foundation's Great Bonac Fireworks Show over Three Mile Harbor is scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday. Because of the increase in boat traffic expected, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the closure of Three Mile Harbor to shellfishing starting at sunrise on Saturday. 

Jul 10, 2025

A ‘Good Trouble’ Protest Up Next

Weeks after the “No Kings” rally brought an estimated 1,200 people to East Hampton Town Hall, another demonstration to protest the Trump administration will happen next Thursday, with a nod to the late civil rights icon John Lewis.

Jul 10, 2025

Item of the Week: On the F.H. Warner Bakery

This photo from The Star archive shows the F.H. Warner Bakery, built in 1893 and sometimes known as the Montauk Bakery, when it stood next to the Methodist Church, near Hook Mill.

Jul 10, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.