His wife Gertrude was made " sole Executrix," and with her as guardian of the minor children, of whom there were several, as well as of the others, he a|)pointed "my Brother Jacobus Van Cortlandt, my Brother [in law] Brant Schuyler, and my cousin William XicoUs,-' to be Guardians, Tutors, and Overseers over my said children." Tlie personal and mixed estate including " plate and jewels " was bequeathed "to my well beloved wife Gertrude," whom he charged with the payment of all debts and funeral charges. And to her were also given " the full and whole rents, issues, and profits of all and every part of my said houses, lands, mills, and other such Estate whatsoever, without giving or rendering any inventory or account thereof to any person whatsoever." The will was dated the 14tli of April 1700, and was proved the 7th of Jamiary 1701. There was a custom among the Dutch j»eople of New York, not to have the will of a deceased parent opened till after the expiration of a month from the day of the death, as a token of respect.' Then it was read in a family council, and immediately offered for probate. This custom was probably followed in this case. The Witnesses who proved the will were, Thomas Wenham, Rip Van Dam, John Abeel, Richard Stokes, and Andrew Teller jr., names familiar in New York to-day.*

The third clause, after devising all his real estate whatsoever and where.soever to his eleven children above named their heirs and assigns respectively,