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Note: Polly was 7 years old when her mother, Lucy Jones, died at the age of 30, 8 days after giving birth to Polly's brother, Noel, who was born 22 March 1801. Her father, John Reynolds, married Eunice Randall, widow of Howard Reynolds, and they had Lucy born 2 Dec 1805 and Linden.
Polly was probably named after her grandmother, Mary Dickenson, as Mary and Polly are the same name. Her grandfather, Elisha Reynolds (John, Henry, James,William) was born in 1730 in N. Kingston, RI. and 7 of his 8 children were born in Exeter, RI as found on the Exeter, RI Vital Records. He moved his family to Petersburgh in the 1780's or 90's. Elisha's children were: John b. 31 Mar 1758, Mary b. 28 May 1760, Elisha b. 29 Oct 1763, Thomas b. 19 July 1765, Seliah b. 12 Feb 1768, Phillippa b. 18 Sept 1770, Waite b. 24 Oct 1773 and Stephen b. 7 Jan 1776. Mary Dickenson and her husband, Elisha were stepsister & brother, her mother, also named Mary Dickenson, having married his father, Henry.
Polly's father, John Reynolds, died on 18 Feb 1828 and 3 months later her husband, John Powers Jr. died in 1828. At this time she had 6 children under the age of 10 years so we know her life was not an easy one. She did have her son, John R. who was 15 and ran the grist mill and 2 older daughters who would have been of help to her with the farm. Also, her brother, Noel, who never married, seemed to be there for the family. In 1831, Polly released her claim of land in 2 farms to her brothers, Noel J. & Linden Reynolds, and her sister, Lucy Powers.
Polly's brother, Noel J. Reynolds, died on 12 Nov. 1867 and his estate (which came to $9400) was divided between Polly, her sister Lucy Powers, and the children of their brother, Linden. There was a matter of $500 being a loan or a gift to Polly by her brother Noel right before his death that was disputed by her sister, Lucy. Polly won and the $500 was declared a gift. Soon after, Lucy Powers moved to Missouri with her son's family, her husband, Erectus, having died in 1857. John R. in his testimony had said (that he was son of Polly Powers and took care of Noel J. Reynolds and was at his house a short time before his death and during his sickness.
" While taking care of him, I received a letter from my brother, Noel J. Powers. He (Noel) was sitting in his chair. I was reading this letter, he was asleep when I commenced reading it. He said you have got a letter who is it from. I told him from Noel. He asked if he was well, I told him he was. He kept questioning till I read the letter to him, said to decd, mother cannot help him she has been sick has doctor today and said decd assented to what he said. On the next morning the decd said to John R. after his wife had gone downstairs with the dishes. Go and harness up the old mare and take that letter and read it to your mother and tell her that she can help him as well as not if she is a mind to for tell her I will give her five hundred dollars and she can let Noel have $300 and have something to pay her doctors bill and have something besides." John R. was given $277 for the 6 years of care he had given to Noel J. Reynolds. Susan Brimmer had also testified for her mother and she, along with John R. and James H. Eldred received fees for their train fares to Troy.
CENSUS of 1830 shows Polly as head of family in Petersburgh, NY - Others from Petersburgh on census were: Elihu, Erectus, and Wander.
Erastus was listed in Berlin, NY; Nicholas in Hoosick; Constant in Stephentown. Ralph must be living with another family.
1830 - 2 Males under 5 1 Female under 5
1 Male 5-10 2 Females 5-10
1 Male 10-15 1 Female 30-40 - Polly
CENSUS of 1840 shows Polly as head of family in Petersburgh, NY - along with Elihu, Erectus and Ralph. Nicholas and William are in Hoosick, NY.
1840 - 1 Male 15-20 1 Female 15-20
1 Male 20-30 1 Female 20-30
1 Female 40-50 - Polly CENSUS of 1850 shows Polly in household with daughter Eunice and her 4 children. Eunice has real estate valued at $500. Polly's son, Noel, is also listed in this household. On this same farm is listed Tom Wiltsie, wife (& Polly's daughter) Delany and their daughter. This farm, according to the census is a couple of farms away from the residence of John R. Powers (Polly's son) and his wife, Angeline, and their son Noel.
CENSUS of 1855 shows Polly now in the household of Alvin Brimmer, wife (& Polly's daughter) Susan, and their daughter. Also listed in this household is their nephew, Albert P. Powers who is age 3 and their sister Eddith age 29.
CENSUS of 1860 shows Polly, age now 67, still in the household of Alvin Brimmer, wife (& Polly's daughter) Susan and their 2 daughters.
Alvin's real estate is valued at $8000.
CENSUS of 1870 shows Polly, age 79 listed as Infirm., born NY, living with the Brimmer family. pg. 180
WILL OF POLLY POWERS DATED: 12 SEPTEMBER 1871 RECORDED: 29 APRIL 1880 In the name of God, Amen, I, Polly Powers of the Town of Petersburgh County of Rensselaer State of New York being of sound mind & memory Blessed be God for the same do make publish this & declare this my last Will & testament in manner following that is to say
First - I give & bequeath to my four sons & three daughters namely Lucy Eldred wife of James H. Eldred John R. Powers Eunice Niles widow of Robert Niles (deceased) Susan Brimmer wife of Alvin Brimmer Amaaziah P Powers Noel J. Powers & Jackson Powers the sum of Six Hundred Dollars to be paid to each of them after my decease
Second - I give & devise to my daughter Lany Wiltsie wife of Thomas Wiltsie during her natural life and after her decease to her children all that certain piece or parcel of Land lying & being in the Town of ? Wiona State of Minnesota is bounded as follows The South East quarter of North West quarter of Section No fourteen (14) in township One Hundred & five (105) North of range (10) Ten west containing Forty Acres of Land which the said Lany Wiltsie is to receive in lieu & place of Six Hundred Dollars as bequeathed to my other children
Third - I order that after my decease the balance of my Estate after paying my funeral & other expenses attending the settlement of my estate shall be divided equally among my children.
Lastly - I do hereby nominate & appoint John H Bonesteel of the Town of Petersburgh County of Rensselaer State of New York to be the Executor of this my last Will & testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight-Hundred & Seventy One
Polly Powers
Her mark
The above instrument consisting of one sheet was at the time & date thereof sealed published & declared by the said Polly Powers as for her last Will & testament in presence of us who at her request & in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
Russel Brimmer Residing at Petersburgh Rens Co N.Y.
Daniel J. Brimmer Residing at Petersburgh Rens Co N.Y.
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