Finding Faulkner: Examining The Will Packet, Part 2

It started, as good quests always do, with a family tale.

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM FAULKENDER
The Surrogate's Letter

Ulster County}

Be it remembered that on the Twenty Third Day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four, personally came and appeared before me Joseph Gutherie, Surrogate of the said County, Ebenezar Clark of the Precinct of the Wall Kill in said County, Farmer. And being duly sworn on his oath declared the he did see William Faulkender sign and seal the written instrument here unto annexed purporting to be the will of said William Faulkender bearing date the Eleventh Day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Three. And heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament that at the time thereof he the said - William Faulkender was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of the knowledge and belief of him the deponent. And that his name subscribed to the said will in his proper handwriting which he subscribed as witness to the said will in the testators presence. And that he the deponent saw James Caldwell and John Dill the other witnesses to the said will subscribe their names as witnesses thereto in the testators presence.

Joseph Gutherie, Surrogate

Ulster County}

Pursuant to the trust reposed in me I have admitted William Faulkender, of the Precinct of Wall Kill in said County, Farmer, a son of William Faulkender, late of the Precinct of Wall Kill aforesaid, Farmer deceased, Administrator of the said William Faulkender deceased, with his will annexed, the said William Faulkender having been duly sworn and given bond before me this day. - - - Given under my hand the Twenty Third Day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four.

Joseph Gutherie, Surrogate

The takeaway:

• William Faulkner died sometime between September 11th 1783 and December 23rd 1784. 
• William Faulkner, Jr was appointed administrator.
• Ebenezar Clark was the only witness to appear before the Surrogate.

Anything else I'm missing?

NEXT: the Will Letter

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