Abigail Lockwood

GEDCOM Note

Biography

Abigail Morehouse, daughter of Gideon and Mary (Grumman) Morehouse ofFairfield, was probably born around 1713.
Abigail married John, son of John and Elizabeth Lockwood, on 8 February 1731. The record is not double-dated, and the birth of their first child Jabez was recorded in February 1732, also not double-dated. The births of the next two children suggest a pattern of a 2 year gap between siblings, by which we might guess that Jabez' birth was 1731/2 and that John and Abigail were married in 1730/1.≤ref>White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol.1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002; consulted as Ancestry.com. Connecticut, U.S., Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Fairfield Vital Records 1639-1850, page 91 / image 101 (subscription)
(free view).≤/ref>By her father's last will, executed in 1753, his "daughter Abigail thewife of John Lockwood" was to receive £600 old tenor "over and abovewhat she hath already had," and an equal share in the residual of themoveable estate with her siblings.≤ref>Estate of Gideon Morehouse. Last will, ex. 23 March 1753, pr. 6 Aug 1753. Fairfield Probates, [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L92K-YL25 page 11:116-17 /image 68.≤/ref> The estate was distributed in 1754.≤ref>Estate of Gideon Morehouse. Distribution, ex, 1754, rec. 20 Feb 1760. Fairfield Probates, page 13:288 / image 159.≤/ref>
John Lockwood of Fairfield (later called John Lockwood of Fairfield now Weston)≤ref>Estate of John Lockwood. Order to sell real estate, 30 Aug 1802. Fairfield Probate Packets (Lewis-Lyon), image 828.≤/ref> executed his last will in 1784, naming his wife Abigail as sole executrix and bequeathing to her "the use and improvement of all my estate, both real andpersonal, after debts are paid... during the term of her natural life; and if be the Providence of God her natural life should be lengthed out ,so that she should have need of more than the use of my real and personal estate for her support and comfort, then she shall have powerto sell so much of my estate real or personal as shall be necessary for her comfort and support, if it takes the whole thereof." The will was proved in January 1785.≤ref>Estate of John Lockwood. Last will, ex.13 Feb 1784, pr. 17 Jan 1785. Fairfield Probates, page 21:53-4 / image 39.≤/ref>
By the terms of the will, the estate was not to be distributed to their children until after Abigail's decease. In the interim, it appears concerns over her executorship developed.
"At a Court of Probate held at Fairfield on the 12th day of May 1798 -- whereas it does not appear by the files & records of said Court thatthe exc'x of the last will and testament of John Lockwood late of Weston dec'd hath ever exhibited the account of debts & credits & adm'n charges for and ag't the estate of sd. dec'd, nor that any acct. of theproceedings of sd. exc'x in the settlement of sd. estate hath ever been exhibited to or allowed by said Court altho' said exec'x hath had many years & a reasonable time to exhibit such accounts. to said Court;and whereas Gideon Lockwood one [of] the heirs and devisees mentionedi the last will of sd. dec'd hath this day appeared before the Court & made complaint & information that sd. Exec'x hath squandered away & wasted sd. estate and that sd. exc'x is still squandering & wasting sd. estate to the great prejudice of the heirs & devisees mentioned in sd. will of sd. dec'd, & has requested sd. Court that said Court will call said exec'x to account for and touching ye estate of sd dec'd -- wherefore this Court orders ye said Execu'x be notified to appear before the Court of Probate to be held at Fairfield... the third Monday of inst. May... to exhibit her account of administration..."≤ref>Estate of John Lockwood. Petition and summons, 12 May 1798. Fairfield Probate Packets (Lewis-Lyon), images 813-14.≤/ref>
On 18 May 1801, Albert Lockwood was appointed administrator of the estate of Abigail Lockwood, late of Weston, dec'd.≤ref>Estate of Abigail Lockwood. Letters adm., 18 May 1801. Fairfield Probate Packets (Lewis-Lyon), images 214-15.≤/ref> Inventory of her estate, taken 4 February 1802, listed three tracts of land appraised at $119.35.≤ref>Estate of Abigail Lockwood. Inventory, 4 Feb 1802. Fairfield Probate Packets (Lewis-Lyon), image 217.≤/ref>

Sources

≤references />* [Fairfield Probate Packets] Connecticut State Library (Hartford, Connecticut). "Probate files collection, early to 1880." Fairfield Probate District.* [Fairfield Probate Packets (Lewis-Lyon)] "Probate packets - Lewis, N.-Lyon, Abigail, 1648-1880." FamilySearch, film # 7,628,175.* [Fairfield Probates] Connecticut. Probate Court (Fairfield District). "Probate records, 1648-1916."* "Probate records v. 11-12 1753-1762." FamilySearch, film # 7,627,290.* "Probate records v. 13-14 1753-1764." FamilySearch, film # 7,627,296.