This is Chapter Eight of eleven. This chapter of our family’s history takes place almost entirely within Saratoga County and the adjacent Washington County in New York State. Our 3x Great Grandparents Peter M. Devoe and Alida Shaw had a large family and much prosperity during a period of time which saw the advent of The Civil War.
Introduction — A Family of the 19th Century
Some of our ancestors didn’t move around very much. This is likely due to the fact that many of them were farmers and they owned land. Peter and Alida lived most of their lives within (no more than) a thirty mile radius (48 km) of where they were born.
the Atlas & Asher New Topographical Gazetteer of New York, circa 1871.
When they married, our ancestors lived in Halfmoon — but were married in the Dutch Reformed Church located in the nearby hamlet of Boght “Some of the earliest European settlements in Albany County were located in the general Boght Corners area [a hamlet of the present-day town of Colonie, New York], which is usually cited as ‘The Boght’ or ‘The Boght of the Kahoos’ in early colonial documents. ‘Boght’ is a corruption of the Old Dutch word for “bay” or “bend” referring to the bend in the Mohawk River... While hamlets in New York do not have specifically demarcated borders, the corners in the name itself is from the four corners created by the intersection of Boght Road and [present-day] US Route 9.
The first church in this area, the Reformed Dutch Church of the Boght, was established in 1781. The church, which was the first north of the city of Albany, was established on petition from the citizens of that city. The church was an offspring of the Niskayuna Reformed Church due to the common pastorate; this union of the two churches ended in 1803. The church worship was conducted in the Dutch language until the first decade of the 19th century. (Wikipedia) (1)
Peter M. Devoe and Alida Shaw Marry
Background image: Middle Dutch Church, New York City, by William Burgis.
(Courtesy of wikimedia.org).
Peter M. DeVoe was the eleventh of twelve children in the family, born at home in Saratoga County, New York on March 1, 1807. He died on December 26, 1888 in Easton, Washington County, New York. Peter M. Devoe married Alida [or Elida] Shaw on January 22, 1829 in Boght, Albany County, New. York at the Dutch Reformed Church. She was born on April 10, 1812, in Rensselaer County, New York, the daughter of Orman Shaw and Elizabeth ________ (Last name unknown). Alida died on February 17, 1896, in Easton, Washington County, New York. We observed that in some documents, she is also named as Olive, which may have been a nick name.
They had eight children:
- Clarissa (DeVoe) Doty, born May 1, 1830 — died December 14, 1865
- Lewis DeVoe, born May 31, 1831 — died January 26, 1901
- Norman DeVoe, born 1832 — died October 16, 1900
- Peter A. DeVoe, born June 23, 1834 — died October 31, 1909
(We are descended from Peter A.) - Charles DeVoe, born 1837 — died December 22, 1886
- Chauncey DeVoe, born 1838 — died November 7, 1902
- Esther (DeVoe) Norton, born 1840 — died date unknown
- Sarah C. (DeVoe) Cozzens, born December 25, 1842 — died March 5, 1911 (2)
(Image courtesy of Media Storehouse).
Putting On Our Detective Hats When Looking at the Early Census Materials
As we have done research on our family lines, we have always found census material to be helpful, but also sometimes problematic. Early Federal census material lacks much information and as just discussed, we end up having to put on our detective hats to take a look at what was likely going on.
After we were able to solve the mysteries of the parent’s names and the names of all the siblings through our analysis of the Will of Elias DeVoe… We continued to be confounded by a lack of many surviving early records which mention Peter M. Devoe. For a time, we even made comments about him just magically appearing in 1829 to marry Alida Shaw.
The 1840 United States Federal Census
The sixth Federal Census of the United States was done in 1840. The census began on June 1, 1840, and lasted six months. We did locate this particular census record, which shows him already living in the community of Easton, Washington County, New York.
From this Federal census we can learn that including him, listed are 10 people total:
- 2 boys under 5 years old: Charles, Chauncey
- 3 boys from 5 to 10 years old: Lewis, Norman, and Peter A.
- 1 man from 30 to 40 years old: Peter M. — the Head of Household
- 1 man from 50 to 60 years old: unknown male, perhaps Maty?
- 1 girl under 5 years old: Esther
- 1 girl 10 to 15 years old: Clarissa
- 1 woman 20 to 30 years old: the mother Alida
Here is an example where we have to interpret data: The general guidance on census information is this: you don’t know who answered the questions… you don’t know who was at the door… you don’t know what they knew or didn’t know… you don’t know if perhaps they were guessing, in a hurry, etc., etc.
Author Thomas Halliday describes this type of analysis, when he writes —
“Everything that we will see is nonetheless grounded in fact, either directly observable… [or] strongly inferred, or, where our knowledge is incomplete, plausible based on what we can say for sure.”
Thomas Halliday,
from his book “Otherlands, A Journey Through Earth’s Extinct Worlds”
We see that there is a girl under 5 years old living in the home, yet we have no record of a daughter (Esther) being born until the next year (1841). Yet it makes the most sense to us that this is the daughter Esther — even though some later records say 1841 is her birth year. Since we do not have an actual birth record for her, it’s more than likely that she was born in 1840, perhaps late in the year.
The Consequences of the 1911 New York State Fire
New York State conducted their own census every five years, starting in 1825. However, we learned from the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society that: “The first three state censuses for New York are difficult to access and largely unavailable online…” (1825, 1835, and 1845) “Most records have been lost—due to the 1911 State Capitol fire, all copies of this state census held by New York at that time were completely destroyed.”
Manuscripts and Special Collections, Albany, New York, burned entirely. State census records from 1825, 1835, and 1845 were lost.
The 1850 Federal Census
By the 1850 Federal Census, (the seventh census) we are able to account for one additional daughter: Sarah, born in December 1842. Being pretty good detectives, we also started to notice something unusual in the census material starting around 1850. We noticed that a Matey Devoe is listed as being age 60, and a male. We had no accounting as to who this person was.
Note: The age is noted incorrectly as 60, (the actual age is 65).
The 1855 New York State Census
We learn (again) from the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society that: “The 1855 New York state census is notable because it was the first to record the names of every individual in the household. It also asked about the relationship of each family member to the head of the household—something that was not asked in the federal census until 1880. The 1855 New York state census also provides the length of time that people had lived in their towns or cities as well as their state or country of origin—this is particularly helpful for tracing immigrant ancestors.”
What caught our attention were two notes listed on line 15, next to the name Maty Devoe — this description noted Maty as being 70 years old, and also a hermaphrodite (known today as intersex), and as a brother to Peter M.
This was a surprise, but a pleasant one and after we spent much time talking about it, it made sense. We had always wondered who this person was and why their name had different spellings and genders in various documents over time.
U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989,
Schenectady, Berne, and Schaghticoke, Book 5 (hand transcription).
We believe that Maty is Peter M. Devoe’s oldest sister Marytje, who was born on April 17, 1786. (Please see The DeVoe Line, A Narrative — Six). Also, we have come to believe that Marytje Devoe / Maty Devoe never married and lived their life in the home of relatives. It seems that at first Marytje lived with her parents Martinus and Maria Devoe of Halfmoon, until they passed away in the 1830s. From the 1840s onward, as Maty Devoe, they lived in the home of Peter M. Devoe and his wife Elida in Easton.
The 1860 Federal Census
The eighth census of the United States took place on June 1, 1860 and took five months. We noticed several important changes in the home — Peter M. and his wife Elida still lived there. Their son Norman also lived there along with his wife Julia. Peter and Elida’s daughters Sarah (aged 17), and Elida (aged 3), were still at home.
Of note, it appears that Marytje / Maty is still living in the home, but now is identified as being named Mita… [One thing to interject here is that census takers were often wrong in how to spell someone’s name.] …and aged 75, when their correct age should be listed as closer to 75 years, and listed with a small ‘f’ for female gender.
This is the last record we see of Marytje /Maty/ Mita, since they are not on the 1865 New York State Census. We believe that they must have passed on before 1865, having lived a long life. (3)
Intersex and Hermaphrodite People
Please note that this section contains an image of sensitive historical medical photography.
We were curious about how our intersex ancestor would have been perceived and how they would have lived during a much earlier era. It seemed to us, even though we cannot document this, that we observed Marytje /Maty as being loved by their family — certainly through the fact that they were always part of either their parent’s, or their brother’s homes.
From the John Hopkins University Press we read: “In early America, there was no surgery to “correct” genital anomalies; people lived with whatever bodies they were born with, in whichever gender that most suited them—though not without worry that their difference would be found out, particularly if they sometimes crossed the gender divide in their daily lives.”
Photo taken by the French photographer Nadar (real name Gaspard-Félix Tournachon) in 1860.
(Image courtesy of wikipedia.org).
Having focused on the word “hermaphrodite” found in the census material, we came to understand the need for a more contemporary term. From Wikipedia: “Terms used to describe intersex people are contested, and change over time and place. Intersex people were previously referred to as “hermaphrodites” or “congenital eunuchs”. In the 19th and 20th centuries, some medical experts devised new nomenclature in an attempt to classify the characteristics that they had observed… terms including the word “hermaphrodite” are considered to be misleading, stigmatizing, and scientifically specious in reference to humans… Some people with intersex traits use the term “intersex”, and some prefer other language.” (4)
Peter and Alida Devoe Owned Much Property
The last census in which we see Peter M. Devoe is the Federal Census from 1800. We observe that he and his wife Elida are the only ones living at home, but his son Chauncey and wife Calpurna appear to be living next door. Both men are noted as Farmers, and both women are Keeping house.
When Peter M. Devoe died on December 26, 1888, he had left a Last Will and Testament*, with both monies and land distributed to his wife Alida and amongst his various children. We noticed that he had to sign his Will with an “X” which indicated that he had not received any formal education. His Will was dated June 29, 1881, and probated on August 16, 1889 — (Please see the footnotes).
We found the following map, which is the only resource we have located, which shows Peter M. Devoe’s properties in Easton, Washington County, on the Hudson River. We know that he also owned property in Halfmoon, Saratoga County which was right next door.
Map of Washington County, New York
by Morris Levy, James D. Scott, Robert Pearsall Smith, Published in Philadelphia in 1853.
Being a farmer, it seems that he left a substantial estate. For example: In the Will he left his son Norman the oddly particular amount of $2,763 dollars. Today, that dollar value would be $91,345 — and Norman was just one of many people named… Lands were also distributed and the eventual administration of these ended up figuring into a lawsuit which the oldest son, Lewis Devoe, brought to the New York Supreme Court ten years later in 1899.
We cannot verify if Peter M. Devoe had received any property from his father Martinus Devoe, when Martinus died circa 1831-32, but… We do know from Lewis’s court paperwork that Peter M. was already acquiring land starting in the 1830s, and that he held on to that land for fifty years.
Many years later our generation heard family stories, in which it was rumored that Peter M. Devoe had much money — but — he also had a lot of children. So when it came down to our 2x Great Grandfather, Peter A. Devoe, there weren’t many resources left. It seems that this doesn’t ring quite true because Peter A. received $1,150 in cash when his father died, which was a substantial amount at that time ($38,019 today). Peter A. also received property even though he had relocated to Ohio decades earlier. (5)
The Lewis Devoe New York State Supreme Court Case
What we have been able to discern from these documents from over 100 years ago, is that Lewis was looking into the records about how different pieces of his family’s land were being assessed in Washington County, New York. It is interesting to note that this occurred nearly ten years after his father Peter M. Devoe had passed away, and also after his mother Alida had passed in 1896.
Observation: Perhaps the death of his mother brought new information to light? Apparently Lewis had strong concerns about what he learned, because he then brought a suit against his siblings that went all the way to the New York State Supreme Court. The gist of all this brouhaha was: It seems that he was quite upset that properties had been rented to tenants, then monies collected, and… well… Where was the accounting of this? Where did the money go to? To the children of the siblings?
(Family documents, — please see the footnotes).
What was the outcome of this case? To be certain, we haven’t been able to locate documents which provide resolution, but it is quite likely that it was settled amongst the various family members.
Except for the two siblings who had died in earlier years: Clarissa (DeVoe) Doty, who passed away in 1865, and Charles Devoe, who passed in 1886 — most of the children of Peter M. and Alida Devoe all passed away in the course of the next twelve years. As follows: Lewis (1901), Norman (1900), Peter A. (1909), Chauncey (1902), Esther (unknown), and Sarah (1911).
(Image courtesy of MutualArt).
In the next chapter we will be writing about our 2x Great Grandfather, Peter A. DeVoe, and his life in Ohio. He was very important and influential in the life of our Grandmother Lulu Mae (DeVoe) Gore. (6)
Following are the footnotes for the Primary Source Materials,
Notes, and Observations
Introduction — A Family of the 19th Century
(1) — three records
Boght Corners, New York
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boght_Corners,_New_York
Watervliet (town), New York
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watervliet_(town),_New_York
Note: Watervliet is now known in the present day as Colonie.
Atlas & Asher New Topographical Gazetteer of New York, circa 1871
https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e3-1c74-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99/book?parent=49161ec0-c5f6-012f-15b7-58d385a7bc34#page/2/mode/1up
Peter M. Devoe and Alida Shaw Marry
(2) — thirteen records
Maps of Antiquity
1871 – Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties – Antique Map
https://mapsofantiquity.com/products/warren-washington-and-saratoga-counties-asher-and-adams-nyo523
Note: For the map image.
Peter Devoe
in the U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989
New York > Bought > Bought, Book 6
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/216615:6961
Book page: 13, Digital page: 59/105, Entry 1.
Middle Dutch Church, New York City, by William Burgis
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Middle_Dutch_Church,_New_York_City,_by_William_Burgis.jpg
Note: For background image.
Clarissa Doty
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117887685/clarissa-doty?
and
Claracy Devorux
in the New York, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1847-1849, 1907-1936
https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61377/records/900482362?tid=&pid=&queryId=b5d3795d-78f4-416b-8f9f-b43b80be9baa&_phsrc=UnS9&_phstart=successSource
Washington > 1841-1908
Digital page: 41/428, Left column, entry 1.
Doty-Doten Family in America
Descendants of Edward Doty, an Emigrant by the Mayflower, 1620
by Ethan Allan Doty, 1897
https://archive.org/details/dotydotenfamilyi00doty/page/562/mode/2up
Book pages: 562, Digital pages: 562 /1048
Note 1: Clarissa DeVoe is also recoded in this history which has been used frequently in our history of The Doty Line — A Narrative. She and her husband Jacob N. Doty are listed in entry 7401.
Note 2: The book index has her listed as entry 7403, which is an error.
As explained by Susan Deanna Bond in an email dated August 9, 2025:
Lewis DeVoe
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120850897/lewis-devoe
Norman Devoe
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95566454/norman-devoe
Peter A. DeVoe
Note: We have written extensively about the life of Peter A. DeVoe in the next chapter. (Please see The DeVoe Line, A Narrative — Nine).
Charles DeVoe
in the U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/133711122:60525?tid=&pid=&queryId=0630ab78-d8a5-459e-b4a6-5124ba69049a&_phsrc=FsV3&_phstart=successSource
and
Charles Devoe
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/163938371/charles-devoe
Chauncey DeVoe
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179186338/chauncey-devoe
Esther DeVoe
Census – New York State Census, 1875
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNVQ-CT8
Book page: 10, Digital page: 141/488 Entry line 10
Note: We know her married name is Norton through Peter M. Devoe’s Will.
Sarah C. DeVoe Cozzens
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84524682/sarah-c-cozzens
Media Storehouse
The Hudson River Valley Near Hudson (Looking Toward Albany, New York)
by Unknown Painter, American School, circa 1850
https://www.mediastorehouse.com.au/heritage-images/hudson-river-valley-near-hudson-new-york-ca-19843763.html
Note: For the landscape image.
Putting On Our Detective Hats When Looking at the Early Census Materials
(3) — eleven records
The National Archives
1840 Census Records
https://www.archives.gov/research/census/1840
Peter M Daves
in the 1840 United States Federal Census
New York > Washington > Easton
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1616065:8057?tid=&pid=&queryId=326ef017-2790-44e9-921e-30cf4aca7577&_phsrc=Zxc2&_phstart=successSource
Book page: 142 (or 266), Digital page: 31/40, Entry 12 from the bottom.
Otherlands, A Journey Through Earth’s Extinct Worlds
or
Otherlands, A World in the Making
by Thomas Halliday, 2022
ISBN-10: 0593132882, ISBN-13: 978-0593132883
Fire at the New York State Library
https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/blog/fire-new-york-state-library
Peter M Devoe
in the 1850 United States Federal Census
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/8764443:8054?tid=&pid=&queryId=d9214997-668a-4c15-919e-cc751384d5b2&_phsrc=Rxw29&_phstart=successSource
Book page: 364, Digital page: 37/77, Entries 8 through 18.
Note: Entry 18 lists a 24 year old woman named Mary Augen, from Ireland. We believe that she may have been a servant girl.
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
New York State Census Records Online — 1855 New York State Census
https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/subject-guide/new-york-state-census-records-online#:~:text=1825%2C%201835%2C%20and%201845%20New%20York%20State%20Censuses&text=In%20some%20cases%2C%20counties%20may,by%20checking%20with%20county%20repositories.
Peter M Devoe
in the New York, U.S., State Census, 1855
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1654641341:7181?tid=&pid=&queryId=202e327c-c66c-478c-9b6b-4ba4ad93da39&_phsrc=Rxw12&_phstart=successSource
Digital page: 4/32, Left page, entries 7 through 15.
Notes: Of particular importance is entry 16 — Maty Devoe, listed as a brother of Peter M. Devoe, aged 70 years, and who is noted as an hermaphrodite.
Martynus Devoe
in the U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989
New York > Schaghticoke > Schenectady, Berne, and Schaghticoke, Book 5
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/150048134:6961
Book page: 393, Digital page: 118/209, Entry 4 from the page bottom.
Note: The record for their daughter Marytje, born on April 17, 1786.
and here:
Records for 1786
Holland Society Archives > 10 Research Collections > 4 Collegiate / Dutch Reformed Church Collections > 3 Dutch Church Records, 42037 > Book 05 – Schenectady Berne Schaghticoke
https://hsny.localarchives.net/?a=d&d=A-RG10-SG04-S03-Bk-05-Schenectady-Berne-Schaghticoke.1.153&e=——-en-20–1–txt-txIN%7ctxTA%7ctxCO%7ctxTY%7ctxTI%7ctxRG%7ctxSG%7ctxSE%7ctxSB%7ctxCT%7ctxIE%7ctxIT%7ctxTE%7ctxLA%7ctxSU%7ctxSP%7ctxDS%7ctxAD%7ctxPR%7ctxTR%7ctxFI-Schenectady———-
Book page: 393, Digital page: Image 153, Entry 4 from the page bottom.
The United States Census Bureau
1860 Census: Population of the United States
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/1864/dec/1860a.html
Peter M Devoe
in the 1860 United States Federal Census
New York > Washington > Easton
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/48630571:7667?tid=&pid=&queryId=35ec4bd5-43de-42e5-bb2e-505bfa1707e1&_phsrc=Rxw27&_phstart=successSource
Book page: 160, Digital page: 28/80, Entries 23 through 29.
Intersex and Hermaphroditic People
(4) — three records
Intersex People In The Past and Present:
Contemporary Advocacy in Historical Context
by Elizabeth Reis, Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York
https://www.press.jhu.edu/newsroom/intersex-people-past-and-present-contemporary-advocacy-historical-context
Note: Ms Reis is the author of Bodies In Doubt, An American History of Intersex
Intersex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex
(Image courtesy of The Getty Center via commons.wikimedia.org).
Hermaphrodite (Nadar)
1860s medical photography by Nadar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite_(Nadar)
Peter and Alida Devoe Owned Much Property
(5) — five records
Map of Washington County, New York Copy 1
by Morris Levy, James D. Scott, Robert Pearsall Smith
Published in Philadelphia in 1853
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3803w.la000573/?r=0.043,-0.261,1.472,0.74,0
Note: At this link the map is zoomable for more detail.
Peter Devoe
Census – United States Census, 1880
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZNZ-9DY
Digital page: 141/898, Entries 27 through 30.
Peter M Deroe
in the New York, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999
Washington > Wills, Vol V-W, 1888-1892
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/4806965:8800?tid=&pid=&queryId=5ac78e48-6b64-4511-8d11-0221dae472df&_phsrc=BYb9&_phstart=successSource
Book pages: 240-244 , Digital pages: 130-132/663
Notes: This record appears to be a handwritten transcription from the original document. Below is a typed transcription of the Will from the above file:
__________________________________________
I, Peter M. Devoe, of the town of Easton, in the County of Washington, State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, do make ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say:
FIRST — After all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Alida Devoe, in lieu of ___r, the sole use and control of my homestead farm, with all the appurtenances thereto, including Stock, Horses, Wagons, Plows and all the farming implements, together with all the household furniture, Beds, Bedding, &c., during her natural life.
2nd — I give devise and bequeath to my grand-daughter, Anna Doty, one hundred (100) dollars.
3rd — After the death of my said wife, Alida. I give devise and bequeath to my sons Lewis, Norman, Peter, Charles, and Chauncey and to my daughters, Esther Norton and Sarrah C. Cozzens, and to their heirs, all the residue of my estate, both Real and Personal in whatever it may consist to be divided between them equally, share and share alike, including the several sums or portions heretofore Paid or given to them, which sums are as follows, viz: I have given to Lewis, fifteen hundred and fifty (1550) dollars, to Norman, twenty-seven hundred and sixty three (2763) dollars. For fifteen hundred (1500) Dollars of which I had a mortgage against him, which said mortgage I direct my executors to cancel and discharge after my death, without interest. To Peter, eleven hundred and fifty (1150) Dollars. Charles, three hundred (300) Dollars. To Chauncey, fourteen hundred and seventy (1470) dollars, and to my daughter, Sarah C. Cozzens two hundred (200) Dollars.
4th — I further direct that the premises known as the “Hemlock Grocery.” situated on the Champlain canal, between Schuyler Ville and Cove Ville, shall be included in the portion of Lewis, at the price of six hundred (600) dollars, and hereby give, devise and bequeath same unto him.
5th — 1 further direct that my farm of Forty (40) acres, situated in the town of Halfmoon and known as the “John Simmons” Farm shall be included in the portion of Chauncey, at the price of one thousand (1000) dollars, and I hereby give, devise and bequeath the same to him.
6th — I further direct that the income derived from all Moneys [sic], Notes, Bonds or other indences of debt of which I may be possessed at my death, shall be at the disposal of my said Wife, Alida, if she shall need the same for her support or comfort, and if the same shall not be needed by her as above stated, then I direct that my executors place the same at interest in some safe place, or invest in some safe securities to be accounted for at her decease.
7th and lastly —I further direct that no interest shall be charged on any of the sums paid or given to any my children above named.
Likewise, I make, constitute and appoint my said Wife Alida Devoe, and my son-in-law, Frederick Cozzens, at Easton and Greenwich, in Washington county respectively residing, to be executrix and executor of this my last Will and Testament. hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the 29th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one (1881).
PETER M. X DEVOE [his mark]
Witness to mark, J. T. Smith
The above instrument consisting of one sheet, was at the date thereof subscribed by Peter M. Devoe, in the presence of us and each he at the time of making such subscription, acknowledged that he made the same, and declared the said instrument so subscribed by him to be his last Will + Testament. Whereupon we then and there at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.
J. T. SMITH, residing at Schuyler Ville, N. Y.
Thomass Toohey, residing at Schuyler Ville, N. Y.
__________________________________________
Peter M Deroe
in the New York, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999
Washington > Minutes, Vol W-X, 1889-1891
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1724296:8800?tid=&pid=&queryId=78260969-514b-4129-bba5-ddbee3a9efea&_phsrc=BYb13&_phstart=successSource
Digital pages:
Note 1: Peter M. Devoe’s Will was entered into Probate until August 16, 1889. Note 2: Leading up to this there were additional notices filed with the Court on the following 1889 dates: January 14, February 18, April 8, August 16.
“$1 in 1888 is worth $33.06 today…”
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1888
The Lewis Devoe New York State Supreme Court Case
(6) — two records
Land – United States, New York Land Records, 1630-1975
Washington Grantee index 1891-1900 vol 7
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WC-KCWH?i=121&cc=2078654&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AC33P-G4PZ
Book page: 216, Digital page: 122/531
Note: Categorized as Land Assessment and Deed Records
(Family documents).
(Family documents).
(Family documents).
MutualArt
The Will Found, by George Smith, 1868
https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/THE-WILL-FOUND/A5D86394FC8B44A0
Note: For the genre painting.
Our Ancestors, Our Narratives 
