THE ESTATE OF EBENEZER NILES Jr.
Ebenezer Niles, born March 4, 1709/10 did not leave a will so letters of administration were granted to his widow. As the Town of Richmond was formed the year after the death of Ebenezer and his estate was not settled until after that date, the documents in the estate appear in the town records of both Charlestown and Richmond, Washington Co., R.I.
The following are copies and abstracts of these records:
Appointment of Administratrix:
At a town Council Called in Charlestown in Kings County and Colony of Rhode Island this 14th day of July 1746 on the account of the Estate of Ebenezer Niles of sd Charlestown Late Deceasd
John webster
Joseph Hoxsie town
Jonathan Kinyon Council
James adams Men
James Congdon jur
Voted that James adams Stephen Hoxsie and Capt Caleb Church of westaly Be appointed to tak an Inventory of the Estate of Ebenezer Niles of sd Charlestown Late Deceasd
Voted that Sarah Niles widow and Relect to Ebenezer Niles of sd Charlestown Late Deceasd be allowed to take a letter of administration on her Said Deceased husbands Estate she giving Bonds according to Law
Voted that John Kinyon and thomas Kinyon jur be accepted for her Bonds men for admr.
Voted that this Council is Desolved--
[Charlestown Town Council Book, 1:181]
Inventory:
The inventory was taken on 21 July 1746, by James Adams, Caleb Church and Stephen Hoxsie and amounted to L707 8s 0d. An addition on 1 Sept. 1746, of a "Saw mill and privileges thereunto" at South Kingstown valued at L200 by James Adams and Stephen Hoxsie made the total L911 and was itemized as follows:
200-12-00
707-08-00
---------
911-00-00
[Ibid.,1:130]
Guardianship:
At a Town Council Meeting held 3 Aug. 1747, at Charlestown the following was entered in the record:
Caleb Niles Son and orfen to Ebenezer Niles of Charlestown Late Deceasd and Chouse Thomas Kinyon jur to Be his Gardeen whareupon it is-Voted that the said Thomas Kinyon jur Be appointed Gardeen to the Said Caleb Niles with the Law in that Behalf.
[Ibid. 1:190]
Bond:
Know all men By these presents that we Sarah Niles wid of Charlestown in Kings County & Colony of Rhode island widow and Relect & Administratrix to the Estate of Ebenezer Niles of sd Charlestown Late Deceasd principle and John Kinyon jur & thomas Kinyon of the town and County above sd Surites are holden and firmly Bound and obliged unto the town Council of Charlestown in sd County and their Successors in sd office in the Peniael Sum of one thousand three hundred and fifty five Pounds Courant Money of sd Colony to be paid to ye Said town Council or their Successors in sd office on Demand the which Payment well and truly to be Made and Don we Bind our Selves our heirs Executors and admr Joyntly and Severaly By these presents Sealed with our Seals Dated this 4th Day of August 1746.
The Condition of this obligation is Such that if the above Bounden Sarah Niles Administratrix of all and Singler the Goods Chattles and Credits of Ebenezer Niles Deceased do mak or Cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singler the Goods Chattles and Credits of the said Deceased which have or Shall Come to the hands possesion of Knowledge of his the said Sarah Niles or into the hands Possession of any other person or persons for her and the Same So made do Exhibit or Cause to be Exhibited to the town Council on or before the forth Day of September next ensewing and that the Same Goods Chattles or Credits and all other the Goods Chattles or Credits of the Said Deceased at the time of his Death and which at any time after Shall Come to the possession of the Said Sarah Niles or into the Hands and possession of any other person or persons for her do well and truly administer according to Law and further do make or Cause to be made a true and just account of hir Said administration at or before the 4th Day of august next Insewing then the above obligation to be Void and of none Effect other wise to be and Remain in full force and vertue
Signed Sealed & Delivered Sarah Niles (Seal)
In Presents of John Kinyon (Seal)
Nathaniel Potter Thomas Kinyon (Seal)
William Potter
The above is Recorded ye 5th of august 1746 By Wm. C. Council (sic)
At a Town Councell Held In ye Town of Richmond ye 3d day of Sep AD 1749 -
Voted that Sarah Niles Widow and Administrat[r]ix To ye Estate of Ebenezer Niles be Delivered up To ye Councell Shee Having made Out ye Inventory and that ye Clerk Give Orders To ye Town Councell of Charles Town to Deliver sd Bond True Coppy Test Wm Clark Counll Clerk
Voted by ye Town Councell of Charles Town, That ye Town Clerk Deliver up ye Bonds of Administration Given by Sarah Niles In order To be Cancelled Per Order of ye Councell
Teste Joseph Stanton jr Counll Clerk
Recorded ye 25th of Sepr. AD 1749
Joseph Stanton jr Counll Clerk
Receipts: (Abstract)
The Receipts Presented To ye Town Councell of Richmond ye 5th day of October AD 1747 By Sarah Niles Widow and Administrat[r]ix to ye Estate of Ebenezer Niles Deceased...[among which were the following:] July ye 21st 1746 For Bording and Clouthing my Son Robert Niles 91 Weeks at 25/Shillings pr week 113.15.0
For Bording and clothing my Daughter Sarah Niles 163 weeks at 25 Shill pr week Total Sum L1023.18.9
Recorded 25 Sept.1749, in Charles Town Council Book. 1:133; also Richmond Probate Court Book, 1:3.]