Erastus Mapes

     Erastus was born on Tuesday, 29 September 1767 in Howells Depot, the town of Wallkill, Orange County, New York. Erastus married Phebe Vail, daughter of William Vail and Phebe Vail, on 6 March 1788 in Orange County, New York. Erastus & Phoebe had children: Sarah [7/11/1788-1/22/1839][unmarried], Seth [7/07/1790], Asa [719/1793-12/28/1847][unmarried], Amzi [10/31/1795], Josiah T. [3/21/1798], Keturah [5/29/1800], Daniel [12/24/1802], Irene [3/08/1805-5/15/1893][unmarried], William Bell [9/09/1807-12/29/1809][unmarried], Benjamin [3/08/1810]. The 1790 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at the Town of Wallkill, the family of Erastus Mapes [21:2].² The 1800 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at the Town of Wallkill the family of Erastus Mapes [31011:11010].³ The 1810 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at the Town of Wallkill the family of Erastus Mapes [22210:20101] - 12 below him on the same page is John Greenleaf.⁴ The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at the Town of Wallkill the family of Erastus Mapes [011212:01121].⁵ The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at the town of Mount Hope, Orange County, New York, the family of.⁶ Erastus's wife, Phebe, died on 25 August 1844 in the town of Mount Hope, Orange County, New York, leaving him a widower. Erastus married Mercy Helms before 23 July 1850 in the Town of Wallkill. The date of the 1850 census where Marcy is listed with Erastus. 23 July 1850, Erastus and his wife, Mercy, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in the Town of Wallkill. Enumerated in this household were Erastus Mapes [80 New York], Mercy [59 New York], Nancy Helms [50 New York] & Thomas Drake [30 New York].⁷ Erastus made his will on 23 July 1855 at the town of Mount Hope.

In Erastus Mapes considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory blessed be Almighty God, for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say------ I give and bequeath to my beloved son Benjamin Mapes all that messuage or tenement situate lying and being in the town of Mount Hope it being the farm on which he now lives and occupies together. With all my rea estate of nature or kind soever to have and to hold the said Benjamin Mapes and to his heirs and assigns forever. I likewise give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Mapes all my stock on said farm together with all my farming utensils - - - I give and bequeath to my said son Benjamin Mapes, the sum of twelve hundred dollars which sum will be due to me from George W. Allison for which sum & mortgage is to be executed by the said George W. Allison to me according to the terms of an article of agreement now existing between him and me on the farm lately sold to him. In consideration of the devise and bequests made to my son Benjamin Mapes and my will and meaning is that he shall pay all my just debts and further that he shall pay to my daughter Irene Mapes the sum of forty dollars a year for each and every year so long as she shall live. And further the Irene Mapes is to have the use and privilege of the room in the north part of the house on said farm and bedroom adjoining the same now occupied by her for her own use so long as she shall remain single and unmarried - - - I do further order and direct that my son Benjamin Mapes shall furnish to my beloved wife Mercy Mapes sufficient fore wood cut and drawed to the house where we now reside for her use so long as she shall remain my widow - - - - I do nominate and appoint my son Benjamin Mapes to be the Executor to this my last will and testament - - - In Winess whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 23^rd day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five. - - -Signed by Erastus Mapes - - - - - Witnessed by Jon Penny and Ezra Penny.⁸

Erastus departed this life on Thursday, 3 September 1857 in the town of Mount Hope at age 89 years, 11 months and 5 days. Erastus was buried in the Mapes Burying Ground, Howells, the town of Wallkill, Orange County, New York. The inscription on his tombstone reads: In Memory of DEACON Erastus Mapes - died Sept 3D 1857 - in the 90eth ye yr of his AGE.⁹ On 14 September 1857, Benjamin Mapes, son and executor of the last will and testament of Erastus, petitioned the court to prove the will. The court ordered a citation to be delivered to each of the heirs, stating that they were to appear at the court on 26 October at 10 o’clock in the forenoon and attend the proving of the will. After personally delivering the citation, Benjamin reported to the court on that date, October 26^th, that he had delivered the citations as follows: Mercy, Seth and Irene Mapes on the 28th of September, Isiah Mapes on the 3^rd of October, Amzi and Daniel Mapes on the 5^th of October and Keturah Davis on the 7^th of October. His will was then probated on 26 October 1857. As none of the heirs appeared at court at the specified time except for the executor, Benjamin Mapes.