The Estate of Johannes Luke
Johannes Luke was a Yeoman in the County of Albany, New York. He prepared his first will in 1770, prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Johannes’s only son and rightful heir Philip Luke would remain loyal to England for the duration of the war. After the war Philip and his family would reside in Saint Armand, Quebec, Canada, just north of the New York border. The family would live there in exile for the remainder of their lives. In 1778, Johannes prepared a new will, leaving all of his earthly belongings to his wife Geesje LaGrange Luke. It is this authors opinion that this action was not done to disinherit his most beloved son Philip Luke. The new will was written to protect his farm, chattel and personal belongings from the seizure of property by the State of New York. In the event of Johannes’s death his property would have gone to his son and heir, Philip and then in turn been confiscated by New York in settlement for his loyalist stance and activities during the war years. Johannes Luke died in 1787, his wife Geesje died intestate on May 30th, of 1790. On July 20th of 1790 Philip Luke received 400 pounds sterling from his brother-in-law Johannes Van Allen for his claim, whatever, to the deed of his fathers property. It is unknown if there was any additional agreement as to the remaining goods and chattel belonging to his parents.
Johannes Luke Will of 1778
Geesje Luke letter of Administration
Geesje Luke Inventory of Property
Event dates, Philip Luke signs deed to John Van Allen
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