Item. -- I do give Devise and Bequeath all my other houses, lands, mills, tenements, pastures, meadows, and their appurtenances and oilier Real Estate whatsoever-- and where so ever it be (after ye Decease of my s' dear wife) unto my Eleaven children by name, Johannes, Margaret, Ann, Oliver, Mary, Philip, Stephannus, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Katherine aud Cornelia and to such other children as it shall please God to bless me with (who is and are to share and Iuherritt with those above named) to have and to hold to them their heirs and assignes respectively, and it is my Desire and Appointment that the same houses, lands, and premises be Either Equally Divided amongst them my said children, or that they hold or enjoy the same in Common Amongst them as my sd children and provisors and guardians hereafter named shall judge and think most effectuall and proper for ther best advantage, use, and benefit.

Item. -- It is my will and appointment and Direction that upon a Division of my s'1 houses lands and mills and other Real Estate my Sons accord8 to their priority of Birth shall have the first choyce alwayes allowing to the value of

THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT.

those parts they shall choose that the respective party and persons of my children may be made Equal] in worth one to another.

Item.-- I will and Direct that in case after the Decease of my s'1 Dear wife itt should so happen (which God prevent) that if any of my sons should be visited by the hand of God by any Distemper, sickness or accident and thereby or otherwise be rendered uncapable or unable of making a propper choyse for themselves then my overseers to whose prudence and Descretion I leave the full management of this matter; have power upon such division of my read Estate afores1 such Lott and part thereof and to assign, allow, divide and lay out to such of my sons soe visited as they shall judge most fitt and proper for his or their shares, maintanance and support.