Monday, March 23, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1836 Lease of 309 Spring Street in New York City

Deed Book for New York County (State of New York)
Liber 362.  Pages 294 and 295.
  
This is to Certify that I have this twelfth day of February 1835 Let and rented unto John H Duryea the house now occupied by him No 309 Spring Street with the agreement that should the house be burnt down a new one shall be erected with all proper speed and if it shd be partially destroyed it shall be repaired should it be necessary to erect a new building said John H Duryea is not to pay rent while it is building with the appurtenances and the sole and uninterrupted use and occupation thereof for the term of five years to commence the first day of May 1835 at the yearly rent of five hundred & fifty dolls and City taxes payable quarterly.  Thos Van Zandt witness Ledyard Avery.  City and County of New York.  SS.  On the eighteenth day of June 1836 before me came Ledyard Avery proven to my satisfaction to be the individual who is the subscribing witness to the within Lease by the oath of George Cregier who being by me sworn said that he resides in the City of New York and that he knew him to be such person & the said Ledyard Avery being by me sworn said that he was present and saw Thomas Van Zandt to him known to be the individual described in and who executed said Lease sign and execute the same that he subscribed his name as a witness thereto and that he resides in the City of New York.  Wm G Wood, Commissioner of deeds, N.Y.
Recorded the preceding at the request of S. C. Duryea the 30th day of June 1836, at 1/4 past 3 P.M.
Wm H Burn, Rg

Know all Men by these presents that we Sarah M Duryea executrix & Van Rensalear Terry, Executor, of the last Will & Testament of John H Duryea, late of the City of New York, grocer, deceased, for the consideration of the sum of Seven hundred Dollars to us in hand paid by Stephen C Duryea & John Place, both of said City, grocers, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained sold assigned transferred and set over and by these presents do bargain sell assign transfer & it over unto them, the said Stephen C Duryea & John Place, their executors administrators & assigns.  All that certain agreement or Lease which is hereunto annexed for the house No. 309 Spring Street in said City lately occupied by the said John H Duryea, deceased, which said Lease bears date the twelfth day of February one thousand eight hundred & thirty five & was made & executed by one Thomas Van Zandt to the said John H Duryea for the term of five years from the first day of May 1835 at the yearly rent of Five hundred & fifty dollars & City taxes payable quarterly together with all the right title & interest of the said John H Duryea at the time of his death & if us the said Executrix & Executor as aforesaid since that time of in & to the said leasehold premises & every part & parcel thereof with the appurtenances To Have and To Hold the said assigned premises unto them the said Stephen C Duryea & John Place their executors administrators and assigns as fully to all interests & purposes as we have a right to assign & convey the same from the first day of May last for & during all the rest residue & remainder of the said term of years in & by the said agreement or Lease mentioned & described Subject however to the payment of the City taxes on said house & the annual rent of five hundred & fifty dollars during the remainder of said term to the said Thomas Van Zandt, his heirs or assigns as in & by said Lease is reserved and contained which said rent and taxes are to be paid by them the said Stephen C Duryea & John Place, their executors and administrators & assigns.

In Witness whereof we the said Executrix & Executor have hereunto set our hands & seals the twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.  Sarah M Duryea, Exectr (LS).  Van Rensselaer Terry, Execr (LS).

Sealed & delivered in the presence of the word "Annual" or 2d page being interlined.
Witness John Orser.  State of New York City & County of New York.  SS.
On the 30th day of June AD 1836 personally came before me John Orser, the subscribing witness to the foregoing instrument, to me known, who being by me duly affirmed, did depose and say that he resides in the said City that he knows Sarah M Duryea and Van Rensselaer Terry, the persons described in and who executed the said Instrument that they acknowledged severally in his presence, that they executed the same for the uses and purposes therein mentioned, and that he thereupon became a subscribing witness thereto.  Daniel J Parker, Com of deeds.
Recorded the preceding at the request of S C Duryea the 30th day of June 1836 at 1/4 past 3 PM.
Wm H Burn, Rg




Monday, March 16, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1836 Will of John H Duryea of New York City

WILL OF JOHN H DURYEA
of New York City
Written April 13, 1836
Proved May 17, 1836
New York County, New York, Will Book 75: 88-91; Surrogate's Court


Know all men by these presents that I, John H Duryea, of the City of New York, Grocer, being of sound disposing mind, memory, and understanding, Do make, publish and declare, this my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say;

First, It is my will, that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid out of my Estate by my  Executor and Executrix hereinafter named, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Sarah M Duryea, all my household furniture, Books, and pictures, of whatever name and description, situate and being in the house where I now reside.

Thirdly, I request and direct my said executor and Executrix, without delay after my decease, to collect in all outstanding debts due to me, and to convert all my Estate except the Household furniture, Books, and pictures, above mentioned, into cash and divide the same, including all the monies which shall belong to me, arising from the sale of the Real Estate of my late father, Garrit S Duryea and which is now advertized for sale under a Decree of the Court of Chancery, into three equal parts; one third part whereof, I give and bequeath unto my said Wife, to be at her absolute disposal; and the other two third parts thereof, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Catharine Jane Duryea, and to such other child of mine (if any) of which my said wife is now enciente and of which she shall be delivered, to be paid to such child, or children, as she or they respectively arrive at the age of twenty one years, in equal proportions, share and share alike, Provided, however, that should my said wife not be delivered of such child as aforesaid, then I give the said two thirds parts of said monies, to my said Daughter, Catharine Jane, to be paid to her as aforesaid and also should such child or children die before arriving at the age of Twenty one years, then and in that case I give to my said wife, the part or share which would otherwise have gone to such child or children, had she or they attained the age of twenty one years.

Fourthly, I will and direct that my said Executor and Executrix shall keep the monies hereby given to my said child or children, as interest, on good and sufficient security, until such child or children respectively shall be entitled to the principal thereof; and that they apply all the interest and income to be derived therefrom, towards the maintenance, education, and support of my said child or children.

And finally I hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my said Wife, Sarah M Duryea, Executrix and my Brother in Law, Van Renselaer Terry, of the City of New York, Ship Joiner, Executor of this my last will, and testament; and I hereby nominate and appoint my said Wife as Guardian to my said child or children.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal, this thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.  ------ John H Duryea SS

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Amherst Wight, New York, No 121 Spring Street
Isaac R Avery, New York, 501 Washington St

In the matter of proving the last will and testament of John H Duryea deceased

County of New York SS
Be it Remembered that on the Eighteenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six before James Campbell Esquire Surrogate of the County of New York personally appeared Sarah M Duryea & Van Rensselaer Terry who being by said Surrogate severally duly sworn and examined do depose and say as follows.  Sarah M Duryea for herself doth depose and say that she received the instrument in writing now produced and shewn to deponent purporting to be the last will and testament of John H Duryea deceased bearing date the thirteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six from the hands of said John H Duryea immediately after the same was executed that said instrument remained in the custody of deponent until after the decease of John H Duryea when she delivered the same to Van Rensselear Terry of the City of New York, Executor of said deceased Van Rensselaer Terry for himself doth depose and say that he received said Instrument from said Sarah M Duryea that the same remained in his custody until about the 11th of May instant when he brought the same to the Office of the Surrogate of the County of New York where he deposited the same for Probate and deponents further say that whilst said instrument remained in their respective possession the same was in no respect altered or changed.
Sarah M Duryea
Van Rensselear Terry
Sworn this 18th day of May 1836 before me.
James Campbell

In the matter of proving the last will and testament of John H Duryea deceased.
County of New York SS
Be it Remembered that on this seventeenth day of May in the year One thousand eight-hundred and thirty six before James Campbell Surrogate of the County of New York personally appeared Amherst Wight who being by the said Surrogate duly sworn and examined doth depose and say that this deponent was well acquainted with John H Duryea now deceased that he was present as a witness and did see the said John H Duryea subscribe the instrument now produced and shewn to the deponent purporting to be the last will and testament of the said John H Duryea deceased bearing the thirteenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six at the end thereof that such subscription was made by the said testator in the presence of this deponent and of Isaac Avery, R Avery that the said testator at the same time declared the Instrument so subscribed by him to be his last will and testament.  Whereupon this deponent and the said Issac R Avery signed their names at the end thereof at the request of the said testator and that the said testator at the time of executing and publishing the said last will and testament was of full age of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint and was in all respects competent to devise real estate.
A Wight
Sworn this 17th day of May 1836 before me
James Campbell
Surrogate






Monday, March 9, 2015

Amanuensis Monday: 1781 Will of Cornell Smith of Hempstead, Queens County, New York

WILL OF CORNELL SMITH OF HEMPSTEAD, QUEENS COUNTY, NEW YORK
Signed May 28, 1781
Proved July 28, 1781
New York County, New York:  Will Liber 34, Pages 257-259


His Excellency James Roberston Esquire Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America, Chancellor, and Vice Admiral of the same, and Lieutenant General of his Majestys Forces.

To All to whom these Presents shall come or may in any wise concern.  Sendeth Greeting.

Know ye that at Queens County on the Twenty Eight day of July last past before Samuel Clowes Esquire thereunto Delegated and appointed, the last Will and Testament of Cornell Smith, Deceased, (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed), was proved and is now approved, and allowed of by me; and the said Deceased, having whilst he lived and at the time of his Death, Goods Chattels and Credits within this Province, by means whereof the proving and registring the said Will, and the granting Administration of all and singular the said Goods Chattels and Credits, and also the Auditting allowing and final discharging the Account thereof doth belong unto me; The administration of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased, and any way Concerning his will, is granted unto Marsey Smith, Uriah Bedel and Richard Matthews, the Executrix and Executors in the said Will Named who are duly sworn well and faithfully to Administer the same, and to make and Exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the said Goods Chattels and Credits, and also to Render a Just and true account thereof when thereunto Required.  In Testimony whereof I have Caused the Prorogative Seal of the Province of New York to be hereunto affixed at Fort George in the City of New York the First day of August One thousand seven hundred and Eighty one. --- Jam Bayard Jun

Know all men by these presents that I, Cornel Smith, of the Township of Hempstead in Queens County and Province of New York, Yeoman, being this twenty Eight day of May in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty One, weak in Body but of sound mind and memory for which I bless Almighty God, and not knowing how soon it may please the Lord to take me away by Death thefore I do make and Ordain this present writing and no other to be my last Will and Testament as followeth.

First I do Recomend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body I Committ to the Earth to be Buried with a Desient Burial at the Discretion of my Executors herein after named, and as touching my worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased the Lord to bless me with.  I will devise and dispose of in the following manner.

Item.  I will and bequeath unto my loveing and well beloved Wife, Mercy Smith, my best feather Bed and furniture, two Cows and Calves, two horses and Farming Utensils, ten sheep and Thirty pounds in Money all at her Own disposall in Lue of her Right of Dower; and my Will is and I do Order and direct that my said Wife shall have the use of all my household Goods and four Cows, and the use and profits of my Dwelling house and Land that is to say, all the Land belonging to my homstead that Derived unto me from my Deceased Father, and also the Lott of Salt meadow and upland that I Bought of Abijah Bedel so long as she shall remain my Widdow towards the Education and bringing up of my Children, untill my younger Sons shall be twenty one years of age.

Item.  I will and Bequeath unto my Daughter, Susannah Smith, one Feather Bed, Beding, and appurtenances thereunto belonging to her own disposall.

Item.  I will and bequeath unto my Son, Amos, my Gun and Cuttash and the sword that was my Son Elijah’s.  I give unto my Son John to their Disposall.

Item.  My will is and I do order and Direct my Executors to sell all the Remainder of my moveable Estate not above disposed of, and the Money arising therefrom to be disposed of in the following manner.

First the above said sum of Thirty pounds to my said Wife as aforesaid and to my said Daughter Susannah the sum of sixty pounds in money to be at her own disposall, and my will is and I do order that all my Just Debts together with my funirall Charges be fully paid out of the money arising from my moveable Estate as aforesaid.  It is to be understood that my Negro Slaves is to be sold as my moveable Estate.

Item.  I will and bequest unto my Son, Jacob Smith, all the Remainder of the Farm and Land that I Bought of Nehomiah Sammis only Excepting the south part that I have already Conveyed unto my Son, Cornell Smith Juner, and to the Remain unto the said Jacob Smith and to his Heirs and assigns for ever.

Item.  I will and Bequeath unto my Son, Amos Smith, all the Land that I purchased of my Brother, Johnathan Smith, Deceased, it being about ten acres, and also all the Land that I purchased of Jonathan Smith Juner, Deceased, adjoining to the said ten acres, and also a pece of plain land and hollow ground that I purchased of Silvanus Smith, all which said three pieces I do give unto my said son, Amos Smith, and to Remain unto him and to his Heirs and assigns forever.

Item.  I will and bequeath unto my two youngest sons, namely John Smith and David Smith, my Homestead whereon I now live and appurtenances, that is to say, my Dwelling House and Land near and adjoining that Derived unto me from my Father, Jonathan Smith, Deceased, which my Wife is to have the use of as aforesaid together with my Salt of Salt meadow and upland sittuate on Coes Neck that I bought of Abijah Bedel and a small Hay House on said neck to be Removed thereon, and also five acres of wood land, part of the land that I purchased of Samuel Clowes and James Wood, adjoining to the west side of the path that leads to Samuel Motts mill, all which I do give unto my said Sons, John Smith and David Smith, to be Divided Equill between them and Remain unto them and to Each of their Heirs and assigns for ever.  But my Will is that if either of them should Dye before theay shall arive to be twenty one years of age not then having Lawfull Issue that the Deceased sons part shall Remain unto the survivor of them and to his Heirs and assigns forever, but in Case both of my last named Sons should dye under the age of twenty one years not then having Lawful Issue, that then all the Land and meadow that is herein given unto them shall be equilly Divided amongst my surviving Sons and amongst their Heirs and assigns for ever.

Item.  I will and bequeath unto my Sons, Cornell Smith, Jacob Smith, and Amos Smith, my lott of Salt meadow and upland lying on Coes Neck that I purchased of Elijha Bedel, excepting a Small House thereon, to be equally Divided amongst to them shear and shear alike, and Remain unto them in severalty, and to their Heirs and assigns for ever, but if either of them should Dye under the age of twenty one years, not then haveing Lawfull Issue, that then the Deceased Sons part shall be Equilly Divided between the survivors of them and between their Heirs and assigns for ever.

Item.  I will and bequeath unto my Sons, Cornell Smith and Amos Smith, all the Remainder of the wood Land not above disposed of that I bought of Samuel Clowes and James Wood as aforesaid, equilly to be Divided between them and Between their Heirs and assigns forever and my will is that if my said Daughter, Susannah, should dye before she shall come to be Eighteen years of Age or Day of marridge, that then the said sixty pounds in money given unto her shall be divided between my said wife and my Daughter, Mary Rainer, to their own Disposall, and whereas I have given to my wife the sum of Thirty pounds and money as is above mentioned, thereofore my will is that she shall have the Sum of Thirty pounds more in Money out of my Moveable Estate and to be at her Own Disposall, and further my Will is that all the Remainder of my moveable Estate not above disposed of shall be Divided Equill amongst my said wife and my two Daughters, Mary Rainer and Susannah Smith, shear and shear alike and to their own Disposall.

Lastly, I do hereby ordain, Constitute, and appoint my loveing Wife, Mercy Smith, and my trusty Friends, Uriah Bedel and Richard Mathews, both of the Township of Hempstead, to be the Executors of this, my last Will and Testament, giveing them or the Survivors or Survivor of them full power and authority to Execute the same and every Article herein Contained.

In Witness hereunto the said Cornel Smith hath sett to his hand and fixed his Seal the year and Day above written.  --- Cornel Smith X his mark

Signed, Sealed, pronounced, and Declared by the said Cornel Smith to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who submitted to the same as Witnesses in his presence and in the presence of Each other. 
Hannah Whaley X her mark
Moses Cornelius
Richard Ellison

Queens County

Be it Remembered that on the Twenty Eight Day of July One thousand and seven hundred and Eighty One, personally came and appeared before me Samuel Clowes, Surrogate of the said County, Richard Ellison of Hempstead in said County, yeoman, and being duly affirmed, Declared that he did see Cornell Smith Sign and Seal the within Written Instrument, purporting to be the Will of the said Cornell Smith, bearing date the Twenty Eight Day of May one thousand seven hundred and Eighty One, and heard him publish and Declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament; That at the time thereof he the said Cornell Smith was of sound Disposing mind and memory, to the best of the Knowledge and Belief of this Deponent; and that his name subscribed to the said Will is of his own proper hand Writing which he subscribed as a Wittness to the said Will in the Testators Presence.  And that he, this affirmanant, did see Hannah Whaley make her mark, and Moses Cornelius the other wittnesses to the said Will subscribe their names as wittnesses thereto in the Testators Presence.  --- S Clowes Surrogate