New York Records
Millican, Milligan, Millikan, Milliken, Millikin, Mullican, Mulliken, Mullikin etc.



Early Millikin and Milligans in New York

Saint Andrew's Society of New York



Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York

William M. McBean published two books on the early membership of the Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York, the first in 1911 and next in 1922. He was the secretary of the Society and in his second publication, he updated and added new information to his biographical accounts of selected members of the Society, which included John Milligan, David Milligan and James Milligan, all Scotsmen. The list of members commences in 1756, when the Society is said to have been formed. In his introduction, McBean notes that on the nineteenth day of November in the year 1756, "a number of gentlemen, natives of Scotland, and of Scottish descent, met together and agreed to form themselves into a Society for charitable purposes." Many of the Scottish officers in the army, captains of trading vessels, some of whom became subsequently merchants of New York, and visiting Scotsmen were enrolled as members. John Milligan of Beaver Street, New York, was one of the original 47 founding members of the Society** and father of Jacob Milligan of Charleston. John first appears in New York as early as the 1730s, when the tax assessments list him as a small-time retailer and merchant***

** Two Hundred Fifty Years: The History of Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York 1756�2006, compiled and edited by Harlan Douglas Whatley.
*** "Damned Scoundrels" and "Libertisme of Trade": Freedom and Regulation in Colonial New York's Fur and Grain Trades compiled by Cathy Matson.


Roster of Saint Andrew�s Society

JOHN MILLIGAN, MD

In 1750 Druggist at Beaver Street; in 1755 styled doctor; in 1756 advertises "drugs and medicines in general both Chymical and Galenical, neat as imported," besides "Turlington's Balsam of Life," in which he seems to have set great store; in 1759 he "declines business," but later in the year he advertises "Wholesale business only"; in 1761 "At the Woman's Shoe Store in Beaver Street" and adds "Practitioner in Surgery and Physick." His business was somewhat general in its character.
[McBean, William M.: Roster of Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York with Biographical Data (New York, 1911), Vol. 1 1756-1783, p. 11]

DAVID MILLIGAN, Secretary 1761-64

His advertisement is curious, as it gives one an idea of the kind of business engaged in in those days. "Just imported in the ship 'Tartar,' from Liverpool, a fresh Assortment of Goods, and to be sold by David Milligan, at his Store at the widow Smith's, in Maiden Lane, for Cash or short Credit, viz.. Silver Watches, Birmingham Sheffield Hard-ware, blue and white Delph-ware, several sorts of gilt, plain and carv'd Staffordshire flint-ware; shoes for gentlemen, ladies, boys, girls, and children; strong shoes for Negroes, fine bottled beer, silk, cotton, thread, worsted and yarn stockings; black, buff, crimson and scarlet patterns for waistcoats or breeches; fine gold lac'd hats, men and boys plain ditto, of several sorts, cotton hollands and checks, linnen checks, coarse and fine; Jeans, pellows, thicksetts, barrogons, dimities, diapers, tablecloths, double ticks, ginghams, cotton gowns, bunts, Scotch check and printed hankerchiefs, &c. &c." In 1761 advertises, "At the Lancashire Witch in the Square," his goods and household furniture for sale, "as he intends to leave the province." In 1761 enters into partnership with Donald Morison in the Ship Chandlery business, Morison "going to the country." Firm to be Morison and Milligan. In 1762 partnership advertised as "late," Milligan in charge.
[McBean, William M.: Roster of Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York with Biographical Data (New York, 1911), Vol. 1 1756-1783, p. 23]

Biographical Register of Saint Andrew�s Society

JOHN MILLIGAN, MD

Dr. Milligan on February 19th, 1748, became a Freeman of the City, styled "Doctor of Physick," and was a druggist at Beaver Street. In 1756 he advertised "drugs and medicines in general, both Chymical and Galenical, neat as imported�, besides "Turlington's Balsam of Life," on which he seems to have set great store. In 1759 he "Declines business," but later in the year advertised "Wholesale business only." In 1761 he was located "At the Woman's Shoe Store in Beaver Street," and added in the advertisement "Practitioner in Surgery and Physick." His business was somewhat general in its character, his drug store being little different from the modern one. Evil days must have come to him for we find that he and his wife Ann gave a mortgage on their house in Beaver Street, and it was advertised for sale at foreclosure in August 1788.
[McBean, William M.: Biographical Register of Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York (New York, 1922), Vol. I 1756-1806, p. 20]

DAVID MILLIGAN

Milligan's advertisement is curious, and gives one an idea of the kind of goods offered for sale in those days: "Just imported in the ship Tartar, from Liverpool, a fresh Assortment of Goods, and to be sold by David Milligan, at his Store at the widow Smith's in Maiden Lane, for Cash or short credit, viz., Silver Watches, Birmingham Sheffield Hardware, blue and white Delph-ware, several sorts of gilt, plain and carv'd Staffordshire flint-ware; shoes for gentlemen, ladies, boys, girls, and children, strong shoes for Negroes, fine bottled beer, silk, cotton, thread, worsted and yarn stockings; black, buflf, crimson and scarlet patterns for waistcoats or breeches; fine gold lac'd hats, men and boys plain ditto, of several sorts, cotton hollands and checks, linnen checks, coarse and fine: Jeans, pellows, thicksetts, barrogons, dimities, diapers, table cloths, double ticks, ginghams, cotton gowns, bunts, Scotch check, and printed handkerchiefs, &c., &c." In 1761 he advertised his goods and household furniture for sale, "at the Lancashire Witch in the Square," "as he intends to leave the province." In 1761 he entered into partnership with Donald Morison in the Ship Chandlery business, Morison "going to the country," and the firm became Morison & Milligan. On February 13, 1762, the partnership was dissolved and thereafter Milligan traded on his own account at his store "near the Ferry Stairs." In 1778 he was engaged in business in London and entered claims against certain goods seized in Savannah and taken to London. In 1784 he appeared before the Commissioners of Claims, describing himself in his petition as a "British Merchant," and presented a claim for compensation for the loss of the ship Inverness, John McKenzie, master. This ship had been burned by the Americans in Savannah River in 1776, and it was probably part of her cargo for which he presented claims in 1778. [p. 43]
[McBean, William M.: Biographical Register of Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York (New York, 1922), Vol. I 1756-1806, p. 43]

JAMES MILLIGAN

Notwithstanding his prominence in the national government this member has not been definitely traced and identified. The following appointments have been ascertained from the Records of the Treasury at Washington: July 25, 1775, to March 9, 1776, to sign Continental money; July 26, 1776, Commissioner of Accounts; December, 1777, Commissioner for Auditing Claims; February 3, 1778, Commissioner of Claims; November 5, 1779, Member Chamber of Accounts; November 9, 1779, Auditor General; October 13, 1781, Comptroller; November 1, 1787, Office of Comptroller discontinued. In 1768 Milligan, then of Fort Pitt, became a non-resident member of the Philadelphia Saint Andrew's Society, a resident member thereof and its Secretary in 1772, resigning from that Society in 1801. In June 1772 Milligan was in London testifying before a committee of the Board of Trade, and on February of that year made a sworn statement before the Lord Mayor relative to the number of settlers on the other side of the Allegheny Mountains, evidently giving the result of his experience while at Fort Pitt. What position Milligan occupied there has not come to our knowledge. Joseph Nourse, writing to Major-General Gates in 1779 from Philadelphia, calls Milligan a "Scotchman Man" and assumed that Gates could not have had him in mind when directing Nourse not to use any Scotchman in transmitting his correspondence, thereby showing that Gates looked upon them all as likely to be Loyalists while Nourse knew Milligan could be depended upon. While Congress sat in New York Milligan became a member of this Society. In January, 1801, Milligan was elected a director of the Insurance Company of North America. One of this name was a member of the Cincinnati of South Carolina through his services from 1777 to 1783 as Lieutenant in Pennsylvania regiments in the Revolution. He may have been a son of Dr. George Milligan of Ayrshire, Surgeon of the Three Independent Companies of Foot located at South Carolina in the year 1756, and Surgeon of the Royal Garrison at the Revolution. [p. 213]
[McBean, William M.: Biographical Register of Saint Andrew�s Society of the State of New York (New York, 1922), Vol. I 1756-1806, p. 213]


The Roll of Freemen of the City of New York

The "Roll of Freemen" of the City of New York under its English charters, from 1675 to 1776, when that of 1730 was suspended and the city ruled by the ''Military Courts of Police'' established by the British Commanders-in-Chief; and the continuation of the same from and after the revival of that charter in 1784 and civic action under it. The �Roll of the of the Freemen� gives the names, occupations, and employment of the free inhabitants of New York during the century preceding the Revolution, with the dates, and the Mayoralties, when, and under which, they were for the first time respectively made such "Freemen�.

Freemen made in the Mayorality of Robert Walter, Esq.

November 8, 1720
Josiah Millikin, barber.

Freemen made and Registered in the Mayorality of Edward Holland, Esq.

November 3, 1747
Hugh Mullaghan, Perriwigmaker, P.

February 19, 1748
John Milligan, Doctor of Physick, P.

Freemen made and Registered in the Mayorality of John Cruger, Esq.

October 1, 1765
Herculus Mulligan, Taylor, R.

Freemen made and Registered in the Mayorality of Whitehead Hicks, Esq.

January 31, 1769
John Moore, Merchant, R.
Cook Mulligan, Merchant, R.

At a Common Council held on 10th Day of October, 1808.

Assistant John W Mulligan, Attorney at Law was respectively, on application, admitted Freeman and took the Freeman�s oath.

[The Burghers of New Amsterdam and Freemen of New York 1675-1866, New York Historical Society 1885 (New York, 1886), p. 100, 160, 161, 203, 217 & 366]


New York Newspaper

To be Sold cheap by John Milligan, in Beaver-Street, near the Bowling-Green.
GODFREY�s Cordials, Stoughton�s Bitters, Bateman�s Drops, the genuine British Oyl, Anodyne Necklaces, Lockier�s Pills, Turky and India Rhubarb; Sagoe, Liquorisb Ball; Currants and Raisins; Quart and Pint Flint Bottles, with Ground Stoppers; Spice Glasses with Brass Caps; Likewise Drumgs and Medicines in general, wholesale or retail.

[New-York Gazette, or Weekly Post-Boy, February 10, 1749]


New York City Wills and Administrations, 1665-1770

Dated September 19, 1726: Proved, October 23, 1729
In the name of God, Amen. I, Benjamin Coles, of Oyster Bay, in Queens County, on Nassau Island, Gent., being very sick. I leave to my wife Phebe, all household goods and movable estate. I leave to my wife the use of all my homestead, lands, and meadows, during her life, and then to my son Joseph. I leave to my two daughters, Freelove and Jemimah, two lots of land, one lying by the highway that leads from Musketo Cove to Matinecock; and the other lying by the highway that leads from Musketo Cove to Oyster Bay. I make my wife and my brothers, Joseph Coles and Derick Albertson, executors. Witnessed by David Valentine, Josiah Milliken and Thomas Keble.
[Abstracts of Unrecorded Wills prior to 1792 on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York. New York Historical Society (New York, 1903), Vol. 35, p. 146]

Dated May 12, 1731: Proved August 1, 1732
In the name of God, Amen. I, Rebecca Goderus, widow of Francis Goderus, late of New York, mariner, being at present in health of body. I leave to my son, Joost Goderus, one gold ring of the value of 28 shillings. Also 1/6 of all my estate, real and personal. To my daughter Rachael, wife of Adolph De Groof, 1/6 of estate. To my daughter Mary, widow of William Cainham, 1/6. To my daughter Catharine, wife of John Hoogland, Jr., 1/6. To my daughter Rebecca, wife of Peter De Groot, 1/6, and to my daughter Jacomyntie, wife of Josias Milliken, 1/6. I appoint my friend, John Harris, of New York, baker, and Egbert Van Borsum, vintner, my executors. Witnessed by S. Clowes, Jr., E. Blagge, John Blagge.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 3, 1730-1744. New York Historical Society (New York, 1895), Vol. 27, p. 72]

Dated May 27, 1735: Proved March 6, 1737
In the name of God, Amen. I, Katherine Hoogland, of New York, widow, being sick. The debts that I owe to Egbert Van Borsum and John Stoutenburgh are to be paid. I leave to my eldest son, Francis Hoogland, 1 gold ring, value 20s., in full for his right of primogeniture. I leave to my two younger daughters, Anettie and Elizabeth, �4 yearly, till they are of age or married, and no division of my estate is to be made till they come of age; and then all my estate is to be divided among my five children, Francis, John, Rebecca, wife of James Ormond, Anettie, and Elizabeth. I make my two brothers-in-law, Captain Anthony Rutgers and Josiah Milliken, executors. Witnessed by Geritt Abramse, Joseph North, Samuel Schuyler.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 3, 1730-1744. New York Historical Society (New York, 1895), Vol. 27, p. 236]

Dated June 10, 1739: Proved May 21, 1741
"To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come. I, Thomas Parmyter, of New York, mariner." I leave to my sisters, Catharine and Elizabeth Parmyter, all my estate, and make them executors. Witnessed by Alexander Colhoun, Frances Nealson, John Milligan**.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 3, 1730-1744. New York Historical Society (New York, 1895), Vol. 27, p. 334]

Note: ** Colham corrected to Colhoun, and Milligen to Milligan, Corrections, Abstract of Wills Volumes I to V, in Collections of The New-York Historical Society (New York, 1908), p. 141.

Dated April 4, 1741: Proved, January 14, 1756
In the name of God, Amen. I, Gerardus Duyckinck, of New York, "limner," being in good health. I leave to my eldest son Gerardus �5, in full bar as heir at law. I leave to my wife Johana the use of all real and personal estate during her widowhood to bring up and maintain our children, and after her death all estate to all my children [not named]. My executors may sell real estate. If no children should survive, then I leave all my estate to my sisters, Hendrike and Mary. I make my wife and my brothers in law, David Abeel and David Van Brugh, merchant, executors. Witnessed by Thomas Niblott, Josiah Milliken and Richard Ray.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 5, 1754-1760. New York Historical Society (New York, 1897), Vol. 29, p. 94]

Dated June 28, 1748: May 9, 1760
In the name of God, Amen. I, James McNeal, of the Precinct of the Wallkill, in Ulster County, yeoman, being weak in body. I leave to my daughter Hannah a sorrel mare and a woman's saddle. To my daughter Mary a black mare and saddle, or �5 in lieu of a saddle. My executors are to pay all debts, and may sell land for that purpose. All the rest of my estate I leave to my wife Margaret during her life, and then to be divided among all my children, as she may direct by will or otherwise. But my son James shall have �60 when of age, and my two daughters each �20, in order to make them equal with my daughter Anne, who has had an equivalent. I make my wife and my good friends, Alexander Milliken and Jacobus Bruyn, executors. Witnessed by Samuel Haines, Alexander Milliken Jr., and John Milliken. Codicil, October 15, (???) -- Leaves to his son James a horse, 3 years old, "a natural paser." Witnessed by John Bayard, Archibald Hunter, Alexander Milliken, Jr.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 5, 1754-1760. New York Historical Society (New York, 1897), Vol. 29, p. 392]

December 27, 1748: Proved November 3, 1768
In the name of God, Amen. I, Edward Hayter, of New York, cooper. I direct all debts to be paid. I leave to my son John �5, "to be paid so soon as conveniently may be after my decease." I leave to my wife Hannah all the rest of my movable estate. "All that my now dwelling house at the corner of Beaver street, and all my ground thereto belonging, I leave to my son John and my four daughters, Hannah, Susanah, Mary, and Amy," but my wife Hannah shall have the use during her life. I make my wife executor. Witnessed by John Van Vorst, John Coo, John Milligen, Surgeon.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 7, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1899), Vol. 31, p. 210]

Note: The house and lot of Edward Hayter was the north corner of Broadway and Beaver street.-- W. S. P.

Dated April 21, 1749: Proved, February 27, 1749
In the name of God, Amen. I, Claura Long, of Beaver street in New York, widow, being sick. I leave to my two grand children, Robert and Sarah Anderson, all my personal estate. I make my friends, Edward Hayter and Hannah Hayter, executors. Witnessed by Francis Bratt and John Milligen.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 4, 1744-1753. New York Historical Society (New York, 1896), Vol. 28, p. 255]

Dated July 28, 1759: Proved February 12, 1765
In the name of God, Amen. I, Nathaniel Hazzard, of New York, merchant, being at present of sound and disposing mind. I direct all debts and funeral expenses paid. All my personal estate is to be viewed and appraised by two or three proper persons soon after my decease, and an inventory made. As I conceive it would be best for the interest of my family that my present trade and business be continued for their maintenance and education, it is my will that whatever goods may remain on hand be sold in the way of trade, and some proper person be employed by my executors as a clerk or bookkeeper. My executors may sell all my real estate except my dwelling house, situate in Hanover Square, wherein I now reside, and a sufficient sum be taken out of the proceeds to carry on my business for the advantage of my wife Elizabeth during widowhood, and all my underaged children. My dwelling house to be kept for their residence. If any of my children shall hinder or embarrass the business, they shall have no share in the management, but to have a share of the profits. "And in case after a Tryal be made, the Trade be found unprofitable," it is to be given up and the goods sold by executors. I leave to my son Nathaniel �400. To my son Samuel �300. To my son Joseph �200. To my nephew, Ebenezer Hazzard, �50 when he is 21. I leave to Benjamin Kissam, one of my executors, �50 for his trouble. "I leave my dwelling house and lot in Hanover Square to my sons Nathaniel and Samuel when they are 21. They severally paying to my executors �600 each at the appraisement of �1,200 for the whole." But my wife is to have the use of the best room during her widowhood. If either of my sons die, his share to go to the rest. If my said sons refuse to take the dwelling house at said sum of �1,200, then I leave it to all of my eight children. All the rest of my estate I leave to my wife Elizabeth and my children Nathaniel, Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth, Anne, Catharine, Mary, and Sarah. "If any dispute or controversy arise among my children, I earnestly recommend to them to avoid entering into any dispute at Law, but to settle their differences, arbitrating by indifferent persons." My executors are to consult and advise with my friends, James Jauncey, of New York, and Robert Cummings, merchant, of Freehold, whom I make guardians of my children. I make my wife and my daughters Elizabeth and Anne and my brother-in-law, Rev. Samuel Sackett, of Westchester County, and John Ray and Peter Wyckoff, both of Philadelphia, merchants, and Benjamin Kissam, of New York, attorney-at-law, executors.
Witnessed by Josiah Milliken, John Smith, Samuel Loudon.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 6, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1898), Vol. 29, p. 366]

Dated October 4, 1765: Prove October 29, 1765
�Whereas I, Henry Goulburn, of the Island of Jamaica, West Indies, at present in New York, did in the present year, 1765, make my last will and testament, which having been left in the Island of Jamaica, I cannot herein particularly recite. And being desirous to make a Codicil, Do this 19 of August, 1765, make this Codicil.� I leave to Sarah Dunn, wife of William Dunn, of Jamaica, �200�, and other legacies to family and friends. And I hereby confirm my last will and this codicil. Witnessed by Daniel Ebbetts, glazier, John Miligan, surgeon, Peter Hill.
Codicil, October 14, 1765. Whereas in my will I made my wife Sarah, and William Grey, of the Parish of St. Andrew�s, and George Papley and Samuel Jackson, of the Parish of Kingston, executors, I order that the said William Grey shall have no power to act until after the death or marriage of my wife, and then jointly with the others. Witnessed by Daniel Ebbetts, Robert McAlphine and John Miligan.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 6, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1898), Vol. 29, p. 422-3]

May 2, 1766: Proved August 29, 1766
In the name of God, Amen. I, Adam Scot, of the Precinct of Wallkill, in Ulster County, being sick and weak. I leave to my two sons, Alexander and John, the messuage or tenement where I dwell. After paying debts, I leave all the rest of my personal estate to my wife Sarah, until my children are of age, "and they are to be taught to read and write, so far as to understand accounts." My wife is to have a reasonable maintenance during widowhood. I make my friends, David Jaggers and John Milliken, both of the Precinct of Wallkill, executors.
Witnessed by Andrew Kidd, James Kidd and James Fulton.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 7, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1899), Vol. 31, p. 20]

Dated April 6, 1767: Proved June 24, 1767
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Kennan, of New York, �taylor�. After all debts are paid, I leave to my son, Thomas Kennan, son to Jane Miliken, 1000 acres of land in or near Kinackticut, in conjunction with Andrew Cunningham, now clerk to Judge Smith, Thomas Hiet, John Devan, James Ollifer, Mr. Augustus Coatlen, Mr. Kyssock, George Hopkins, �and so forth�. If he dies without issue, then to my loving brothers and sisters, Robert, Thomas, Mary, and Jane Kennan. I leave to each of my apprentice boys, if they serve the remainder of their term with William Laughhead, �10 each. I leave to my friend, William Laughhead, all the rest of my estate, books, debts, furniture, and watch, �for his love and care of me during my sickness�, and he is to take the deed and pay the expense of the said 1000 acres of land for my son Thomas.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 7, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1899), Vol. 31, p. 77]

Date November 12, 1767
Grant of Administration to Lydia, wife of Jonah Milliken, merchant, Queens Co.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 7, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1899), Vol. 31, p. 464]

Date May 24, 1768: Proved June 11, 1768
In the name of God, Amen. I, Isaac Youngs, of Southold, in Suffolk County. I leave to my wife, Love Youngs, all my land and buildings, and all my moveable estate (except as hereafter stated), for her to dispose of when and how she pleases, she paying all debts and charges. I leave to my son Isaac �my best Hatt and best coat�; To my daughter, Mary Miliken, six large silver spoons. I make my wife and my loving friend, Samuel Landon, Jr., executors.
Witnessed by Joseph Landon, miller, William Landon, weaver, Israel Youngs.
[Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate�s Office, City of New York, Vol. 7, 1760-1766. New York Historical Society (New York, 1899), Vol. 31, p. 213]