William Mott, Sr.

Adam and Anne Mott By Thomas Clapp Cornell

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 Underbill, and his sons William, Daniel, John and Henry Mott. The will was proved I3th September, 1786.

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM8 AND ELIZABETH (VALENTINE) MOTT,

OF GREAT NECK.

I. William Mott4, born 8th January, 1743, married 2d December, 1789»

Mary Willis, daughter of William Willis. She lived to an advanced

age, and died 5th August, 1842. They had

(a.) William Willis Mott6, born 28th February, 1791, died by accident in early life.

(e.) James Willis Mott6, born 18th July, 1793, married, first, Abigail daughter of Walter Jones ; married, second, Lydia, daughter of Obadiah Townsend.

(c.) Robert Willis Mott6, born 10th October, 1796, married Harriet Cogswell, daughter of Dr. James Cogswell, of New York, by whom he had, I. Harriet, who married Wm. H. Onderdonk.

II. Elizabeth Mott4, married David Underhill.

III. Samuel Mott4, born 1751, died 1st April, 1791, married Sarah

Franklin, by whom he had,

(a.) William Mott5, born 11th January, 1785.

(b.) Walter Mott6, born 4th December, 1786.

(c.) Samuel Mott5, born 7th February, 1789.

(d.) Sarah Mott5, born 25th September, 1791.

IV. John Mott4, born 1755, died without issue, 11th November, 1823.

V. Henry Mott4. M. D., born 31st May, 1757, died 1840, married 1784, Jane Wall, daughter of Samuel Wall, she died in 1840. Dr. Henry Mott long practiced medicine in New York, and was much esteemed. His will, dated " 10th of 9th month (September), 1833, describes himself of New York, physician, and in good health. He leaves to his "dearly beloved wife, Jane Mott, for her natural life," his house with its furniture, plate, etc., situated No. 545 Broadway, with the stable, etc., 94 Mercer street, together with carriages, horses, etc., and after her death this property to go to their three daughters. He leaves to his son, Valentine Mott, M. D., certain shares of stock, and his books, but adds that so much has been given in his education, etc., that the remainder of the property is all to go to his three daughters, Esther W. Mott, Eliza Mott, and Maria M. Hobby, wife of Sette M. Hobby. The will first appoints as executors, his wife Jane Mott, his son Valentine Mott, and his nephew Benjamin A. Mott, as well as his daughters Esther W. Mott and Eliza Mott, but subsequent codicils revoke the appointment of the others and make sole executors and trustees under the will, his three daughters. Esther W. Mott, Eliza Mott, and Maria Mott Hobby. The will was proved I7th April, 1840 (New York Surrogate's office, Lib. 82 of Wills, p. 218).

Dr. Henry and Jane (Wall) Mott, had,

I. Valentine Mott*, M. D., the celebrated surgeon of New York, born at Glen Cove, 2Oth August, 1785, died in New York 26th of April, 1865. He graduated M. D. in Columbia College, in 1806, then studied in London and in Edinburgh, and in 1809 was appointed to the chair of Surgery in Columbia College. He lectured and taught during a large part of his life, and published several works. Sir Astley Cooper, of London, said that Dr. Valentine Mott had "performed more of the great operations than any man living or that ever did live."

Dr. Valentine Mott had inherited the Quakerism of his great-grandfather, the first William Mott, of Hempstcad, and his earlier portraits show him in the plain Quaker coat. But he subsequently abandoned Quakerism, and lost all interest in religion. But in his old age a strong religious feeling revived and he became an attendant on the Episcopal Church, and was received into the Church by baptism on Good Friday, 1856, and was confirmed in May, 1864, and became a communicant in the Church of the Transfiguration. " I have lived,"—he wrote—" to be changed from a skeptic to a full believer in the Divinity of my Saviour."

2. Esther W. Mott5.

3. Eliza Mott5.

4. Maria Mott, married S. M. Hobby.

VI. Hannah Mott4.

VII. Richard Mott4.

VIII. Joseph Mott4.

IX. Benjamin Mott.