Hannah Mott

Adam and Anne Mott By Thomas Clapp Cornell

William Mott, third son of the second marriage (to Elizabeth Rich- bell) of the first Adam Mott, of Hempstead, was born at Hempstead 20th of January, 1674, and died 30th of June, 1740. He married Hannah Seaman (who died 24th June, 1759), daughter of John Seaman, eldest son of Capt. John Seaman, of Hempstead.

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM8 AND HANNAH (SEAMAN) MOTT, OF GREAT NECK.

1. Elizabeth Mott8, died 25th of I2th month, 1721.

2. William Mott8, born 6th August, 1709, died 2Jth March, 1786 ; married Elizabeth Valentine (who died 1780), and had twelve children — ten sons and two daughters — of whom but five left issue.

The will of this William Mott8, of Great Neck, is recorded in New York Surrogate's office (Lib. XXXIX., p. 308, new Nos.) It is dated 1st of I2th month, 1782, about the close of the Revolutionary War, and he describes himself as " far advanced in age, and in a low state of body, though of sound mind and memory." A local record, under date 1782, November 9, only a few days before the date of the will, relates that William Mott of Great Neck, and his father William Mott, aged 73, were robbed and beaten. But he lived between three and four years longer.

The will names six sons — William, Samuel, John, Richard, Joseph and Benjamin — to whom he gives all his farm at Great Neck, and all his undivided rights, but requires them to pay to his son, Henry Mott, and to his daughter, Elizabeth Underhill, wife of David Underbill, and to his daughter, Hannah Mott, an equal portion with his six sons. This would indicate that these eight children were still living, but that Henry had removed from Great Neck. And, in fact, Henry was married a year or two after the date of the will, and his eldest son, Valentine Mott, the celebrated surgeon, was born at Glen Cove the year following his marriage, and a few months before his grandfather's death. The will gives the executors power to sell the real estate in case the elder sons wish it sold before the younger sons are 21. The executors named in the will are his son- in-law, David Underhill, and his sons William, Daniel, John and Henry Mott. The will was proved I3th September, 1786.

3. Hannah Mott3, married, 5th of 3d month, 1731, Philip Pell, of the manor of Pelham, and had,

I. Philip Pell.

II. Hannah Pell.

III. Martha Pell.

4. Martha Mott3, youngest daughter of William Mott2, of Great Neck.

I have learned nothing further of Martha than is contained in her father's will quoted above, and her mother's will, dated I4th of 4th month, 1756, and proved 25th April, 1760 (New York Surrogate's office, Lib. XXII, p. 8), which says ; " in case my daughter Martha * * * dye a femme sole" her share shall go to the testatrix' son William.

The will of Hannah (Seaman) Mott, widow of the first William, also leaves £5 each to her two granddaughters, Hannah Stevenson, wife of Daniel Stevenson, and Martha Alyn, wife of John Alyn, Jr. She leaves her negro woman Bett to her daughter Martha. The testatrix describes herself as " far advanced in years." She makes her executors her son William, her cousin, Adam Mott of Cowneck, and her friend, Nathaniel Pearsall of Cowneck.