Lot: Francis B. Winthrop (The Turtle Bay Farm) (Original Grants and Farms)

FRANCIS B. WINTHROP

(The Turtle Bay Farm) Block Check List. 1313-1360-1299-1317-1315-12971295-971.

The earliest settlement on the East River between Bouwery No. I and Montagnes Point was at Turtle Bay.

George Holmes and Thomas Hall declared their intention to make a plantation and build a house there as early as Sept. 7, 1639. Their plantation is not listed on the Manatus Maps; an indication that that map had been completed earlier in the year.

The original patent extended from Turtle Bay and the Mill Kill as far south as the Kill of Schepmoes, but did not reach back to the Weckquasgeck Road as later grants did. Its depth into the woods was 100 rods of 13 feet to the rod, Dutch measure. Almost exactly 1200 feet, English measure.

"How this Vacancy Came to be Left out of the Adjoining Patents we think is Easily determinable if it be Considered that the aforesaid Vacancy is an Entire Swamp: which sort of Land it is well known was not Antiently esteemed worth patenting." Report of a committee of the Common Council, Jan. 9, \-]6o.—M. C. C, VI: 199.

The Ratzer Map shows a large swamp and a high hill between the plantation and the road.

The Turtle Bay farm also included part of the patent to Gabrielle Curtesee (Carbosie, Carpesy) and a considerable tract which was originally part of the common lands of the City of New York.

First, the Turtle Bay Grant, south of the creek.

WiLLEM KiEFT, Director etc., to George Homs and Thomas Hal. Ground-brief dated Nov. 15, 1639. — Liier GG: 32 (Albany).

Conveys "A certain piece of land lying on the Island Manhates, extending in breadth from Deutel Bay along the East River till to the Kill of Schepmoes, where the Beach tree lies over the water, and then in its length from the said river straight into the woods, and of the same breadth all along the water, 100 rods of 13 feet to the rod, upon the express condition and terms that George Homs and Thomas Hal, or their successors shall acknowledge the noble lords, the managers aforesaid, as their masters and patrons," etc.

The translation following better expresses the meaning of the original.

"We, Willem Kieft, Director General and Council of New Netherland, Etc., hereby testify and declare that today, date underwritten, we have Granted to George Homs and Thomas Hal, tobacco-planters in partnership, a certain piece of land situate upon the Island Manhatans, reaching in width from Deutel bay along the East river to the Kil of Schepmoes where the beach-tree lies across the water and in length from the said river directly into the woods for the same distance as along the water, one hundred rods of thirteen feet each: under the express condition and stipulation that George Homs and Thomas Hal , . . shall acknowledge the Noble Lords Directors as their Lords and Patroons," etc. "Done this 15th day of November, 1639."— M Y. Col. Docs., XIV: 26.

George Holmes and Thomas Hall were the first Englishmen to settle on Manhattan Island.

Sent out by West, the provisional governor of Virginia, Holmes, with a small force of men, one of whom was Thomas Hall, had taken possession of Fort Nassau on the South River. Van Twiller promptly sent an expedition against them, captured them and brought them to the fort at the Manhattans, Sept. I, 1635. David De Vries was just ready to sail for Virginia, Van Twiller asked him to take the men, 14 or 15 in number back with him, which he did, landing them near Hampton ten days later. — Jameson, Narr. N. Nelh., 195.

Holmes and Hall returned to New Amsterdam. They were working for Van Twiller on his plantation at Sapokanican in July, 1638.— Ca/. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 2.

Van Twiller returned to Holland. March 22, 1639, Kieft demanded and obtained from the two men an inventory of their late employer's property, which had been left in their charge. They were then living in Van Twilier's own house. — A^. Y. Col. Docs., XIV: 19.

Kieft took over the bouwery and other lands of his predecessor; the men applied for a grant of land for themselves, which was given to them after they had taken the oath of allegiance, August, 1639. — Ibid., 24.

Two carpenters contracted to build the house, Aug. 30, 1639, before the patent issued. — Chronology.

Thomas Hall, as all his subsequent history proves, was a restless man. By Sept. 6, 1640, he had grown tired of the solitude of the plantation so far away from the town. He sold his half share in the house and farm to his partner, except a boat, gun and dog, which he reserved. He also felt himself "at liberty to eat, drink, sleep, go and come to" the farm house. The price he asked was "1600 pounds of Tobacco payable from the crop which George shall make A° 164I." It is added in a postscript that Holmes paid the purchase price to Director Kieft. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 224, N. Y. State Library. Hall went back to Van Twilier's plantation at Sapokanikan.

George Holmes had married a widow with a little son, Jan Jemptingh. No record of their marriage nor of the baptisms of their children, Priscilla, WiUiam, and John, found in New Amsterdam.

Jan Jemptingh was 25 years old in 1661. Born in 1636, he must have been a very little fellow when he worked on Old Jan's land in 1646. His stepfather had to bring suit for his wages. — Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 103. With 70 florins of this money his mother bought a cow, which was the progenitor of all the animals on the farm Jan claimed in later years.

Holmes had a house at the corner of the Winckel and Brugh Straets. — Vol. II: 259. The family lived there in 1647. — Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 41.

After Hall's departure from Turtle Bay the records tell nothing about the farm until the death of Holmes, which occurred before October, 1658. In the Minutes of the Orphans Court a few meagre items give a clue to the history of the family.

1658, Oct. 4, the will of Jan Hutsitson was proved. He had left "to Jon Hom, son of Joris Hom, dec'd" 100 florins. — Min. of Orph. Court, 49. The boy was about five years old.

1658, Nov. 9, The administrators of the estate of Jan Hutsitson, deed., want the lowest bidder to complete a yacht which Hutchinson had been building for Rynier Pietersz. Simon Claesen Turck is accepted as the lowest bidder. — Ibid., 53-

1659, Jan. 8, Jeen Hom, widow of Joris Hom, appears before the Board. Her husband had left no will. She agrees to give each child at marriage 200 florins and asks for the 100 florins that had been bequeathed to her child. Joris Woolsy and Tomas Hall were appointed to look after the children and the property. — Ibid., 76, 78, 114, 123.

John Hutchinson seems to have built small vessels at Turtle Bay, where a saw mill had been set up by Pieter Cornelissen, "master millwright," later than 1649, when he was "in the Virginias;" earlier than 1658, the year in which both Holmes and Hutchinson died.

The facts about this saw mill, whose existence has never been noted in our histories, have been gleaned from brief and unsatisfactory entries in the records. It stood on the south bank of the creek, and is not to be confused with the grist mill of a later period, which was built on the north bank.

The earliest mention of the Mill-Kill is of Sept. 12, 1659, when Simon Turck requested by petition "that Willem Pietersen shall be ordered by the Magistrates to be satisfied with the mortgage on the land in the Deutel Bay, at the MillKill, and further with the assignment and obligation.

"Apostille: — As it is a matter, which appertains to the whole Board, the petitioner must apply to it." — Rec. N. Am., VII: 232.

Simon Claesz Turck was the husband of Merritje Pieters, daughter of Pieter Cornelissen deed., and therefore a lawful heir of the mill-wright. — Ibid., Ill: 108-9, ''7-

Willem Pietersen was the son of Pieter Cornelissen. There had been another daughter, Trynje Pieters. — Ibid.

Pieter Cornelissen from Munnickendam in the province of North Holland, "Master Millwright," sailed in the Rensselaerswyck, Sept. 25, 1636, under contract to erect a saw mill for KiHaen van Rensselaer in his colony. For ten years he held positions of trust and responsibility under the patroon, which he evidently abused. Van Rensselaer overlooked his disloyalty because of the man's ability. However, about 1646, Cornelissen found it expedient to leave the colony. He probably came to New Amsterdam, which he had often visited. His sonin-law, Symon Jansz. Henypot (called in later years Simon Claesz Turck), appears to have been in close touch with him from his earliest days in the colony. He administered Cornelissen's affairs after his death. As late as 1662, the estate was unsettled. — Rec. N. Am., IV: 47.

It seems probable that Symon Jansz. came to the new world with Cornelissen. Peter Wolphertsen van Couwenhoven met him in New Amsterdam in 1637, and thought it worth while to write an account of their interview to the patroon. He must have returned to Holland, perhaps to get his wife, for he again landed in New Amsterdam, in August, 1638. — Van RensselaerBowier MSS., 350, 406, 413, 417, 818.

Pieter Cornehssen's career in Van Rensselaer's colony, and the trouble the patroon had trying to keep pace with his "subtlety," as he expressed it, are most amusingly told in the Van Rensselaer-Bowier MSS. (see page 811, and index).

When Cornelissen built the mill at Turtle Bay for George Holmes is not definitely known. The fact that it was a saw mill is proved by the Lovelace patent of Feb. 21, 1671, which speaks of the stream as the "Mill-Kill," and in the next sentence as "ye saw kill." — Liber Patents, III: 98 (Albany).

Holmes mortgaged the farm as security. The mortgage was assigned to Willem Pietersen, as part of his father's estate, and was evidently paid by the administrators of Holmes. Mrs. Holmes died before Feb. 11, 1661. Her daughter Priscilla had married Jonas Willemszen, Feb. 5, 1661. — Marr. in ReJ. Dutch Ch., 26.

"1661, Feb. II. Jeene Hom, widow of Joris Horn, has died, leaving four children.

"1661, April 2, Before the Board appeared Jan Jemptingh, 25 years old, son of Jeene Hom by her first marriage, and Priscilla Hom. They have two brothers, Willem, 14 years old, who has gone to Virginia, and another, 8, who is with them.

"Referring to the partition they request, that the house, plantation and other property here be sold. This request was communicated to Joris Wolsy, administrator of said estate, and it was recommended to him to do his best for it in this matter. Jan Jemptingh says, the cattle belong to him, as old Jan had given him 70 fl., for which his mother had bought a cow, of which the cattle are the increase. He is ordered, to prove it. Priscilla Hom says, she will take her two brothers to her."

Joris Wolsy is given authority to sell the property. — Min. of Orphanmasters, 173, 174.

The farm seems to have been practically deserted. Ten

years later. Gov. Lovelace, having been told that it "Doth not properly belong to any particular person," patented it to Capt. John Manning. This grant was withdrawn when the facts became known. It is printed here for its iconographic features.

Francis Lovelace, Governour, etc., to John Manning. Patent, dated Feb. 21, i6-ji.— Liber Patents, III: 98 (Albany). Note on margin: "Recalled."

"Whereas, there is a certain parcell of land upon this Island, Manhatans, adjoining to the Kill, or Creek, commonly called the Mill Kill, next to Dewtell Bay, on the North, and so running alongst the water side over against Man (Manning, the later Blackwell's) Island Eastward on the South side of ye saw kill, from whence it extendeth upon a line westward 150 rodd into ye woods, conteyning, by estimation, . . . acres, or , . . margen; which said parcell of land lyes unmanured and unplanted, and doth not properly belong to any particular person, to ye end some good improvement may bee made thereupon," the same is patented to Captain John Manning.

The Holmes heirs seem to have waited for John to attain his majority before applying for a confirmation.

Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc., to Priscilla Holmes, William Holmes, and John Holmes, children of George Holmes, deceased. Confirmation dated July 4, 1677. — Liber Patents, II: 68 (Albany).

Confirms the ground-brief of Nov. ij, 1639.

Priscilla Holmes and William Holmes, to John Holmes. Deed dated Feb. 12, 1678. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, XII : 51 (New York).

Conveys all thair interest in lands included in the patent or ground-brief of Nov. 15, 1639.

John Holmes conveys his interest to land in the city of New York to Priscilla and William Holmes.

At this point there is another break in the history of the farm. The next owner was Johannes Ryckman, son of Captain .Albert Jansz Ryckman of Albany. He probably bought the plantation from John Holmes soon after he married Catharina Kip, daughter of Jacob Kip of Kipsborough.

Their marriage took place, July 11, 1697. — Marr. in Re/. Dutch Ch., 86. He was then of Albany. Their first child, Albert, was baptized in the church, July 24, 1698. — Baptisms in ReJ. Dutch Ch., 252. Ryckman was elected assessor here, Sept. 29, 1699.— Af. C. C, li: 89.

John Ryckman lived on the farm until his death in 1734. By his first wife he had seven children. His second wife was Cornelia Van Vleck, whom he married, June 17, 1717. — Marr. in Ref. Dutch Ch., 128. There were five children by the second marriage.

Ryckman was evidently an upright and amiable man. In his will he speaks of Samuel Kip, brother of his first wife, and Abraham Van Vleck, brother of his second wife, .is his "brothers," and appoints them his executors. The will was dated Jan. 10, 1732. Proved April 10, 1734. — Liber If'ills, XII: 153 (New York). Before June 29, 1734, the tract was sold to Capt. Robert Long. Recitals in M. C. C, IV: 213.

Cornelia Ryckman, widow, and the executors of John Rycfcman, deed., to Robert Long. Deed not found of record: recited in Liber Deeds, CCLXXXVIII: 503 (New York).

Conveys all that part of the Turtle Bay farm as possessed by John Ryckman in his life time.

1734, June 29, Captain Robert Long, Commander of his Majesty's ship "Seaford," asked for a water grant at Turtle Bay, which was granted. See Chronology.

The Grant which was dated Oct. 8, 1734, was recorded in Liber City Grants, B: 263 (New York).

Robert Long and Mary .^shfield, his wife, to Sir Peter Warren. Deed dated March 23, 1749. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, CCLXXXVIII: 503. Consid., 250 pounds.

Conveys same as Ryckman et al. to Long, ante.

Sir Peter Warren died in England, July 29, 1752. Surviving him were his widow and three daughters, Ann, Lady Southhampton; Charlotte, Countess of Abingdon; Susannah, wife of Lieut.-Col. Skinner, his only heirs at law.

His will dated July 26, 1752, was probated in London. There is a copy in Warren Papers, 1639-1795, in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Also in Liber Deeds, XIX: 277 (Albany).

March 20, 1771. "The Committee who were appointed to Enquire into the Incroachments made upon the Corporation Lands in the Outward made their report . . . We do further report that we have caused the Lands contained in the Patent formerly granted to Priscilla, William and John Holmes (and now possessed by the Representatives of S'' Peter Warren, Kip and Vanderhoof) to be surveyed by M'' Marshalk the City Surveyor," etc. The report submitted Nov. i, 1771. — M. C. C, VII: 272-274. This report is long and circumstantial.

The so-called survey is in the Booth-Emmet Coll. Vol. I: 10436. A copy in the Man. Com. Conn, (i860), at page 568. It is not a survey of the land patented to Holmes and Hall in 1639.

Maerschalck's attestation reads: "I have Surveyed the Farm commonly called Turtle Bay, granted by William Kieft 231} of April 1646. unto George Holmes & Thomas Hall, and find the same to be agreeable to the above Draft, Performed ye i6th May 1771." 23d April, 1646, is the date of Holmes's lot in town. — Liber Deeds GG: 143. See Vol. I: 38 1.

The "Draft" is merely a rough sketch J3f that section of Manhattan in 1771; a computation of areas in dispute. Long before this time the Turtle Bay patent had been extended over to the road. It was too late for the city to attempt to retrieve the commons. It never did. Neither Kip, Vanderhoof, the Warren heirs nor Devoor were disturbed in their holdings.

In the De Lancey Papers, 1 647-1 804, there is a memorandum of an acrimonious dispute between Oliver De Lancey (acting for the Warren heirs) and Defoor, about lands at Turtle

Bay. Undated, but it was "14 days before the Committee of the Corporation surveyed the lands." In N. Y. Hist. Soc.

The site of the original house at Turtle Bay has not been determined. Even the Ryckman homestead cannot be identified. Ratzer shows a group of farm buildings south of Turtle Bay itself, and stretching down to about 42nd Street. The houses on the Randel Map are probably later. Maerschalck's "survey" of 1771 shows no buildings.

Charles, Lord Southampton and Ann, Lady Southampton; of 1st part; Francis, Earl of Hertford and Henry Seymour Conway, surviving Trustees in the ante-nuptial settlement made between Lord and Lady Southampton, of second part; John Aylmer, surviving Trustee in ante-nuptial agreement between William and Susannah Skinner, of third part; Willoughby, Earl of Abingdon and Charlotte Countess of Abingdon, of fourth part; Philip Wenman, Viscount of Turin, surviving Trustee in ante-nuptial settlement between Earl and Countess of Abingdon, of fifth part. Partition agreement, dated March 31, 1787. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, LXXXI: 468 (New York).

Under this partition, Susannah Skinner became entitled to Parcel A, which included the Turtle Bay Farm. There is a copy of this deed in De Peyster Deeds, Vol. II, (MSS.) in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Also a statement dated 1787. The Turtle Bay Farm was "In possession of James Jarvis. 60 a. 35 p."

Henry Gage and Susannah, his wife, John Aylmer, surviving Trustee of Susannah Skinner, Francis Goslin and John Wilmot, Trustees of Susannah Gage, to Peter Kemble and John Watts. Power of Atty., dated Jan. 26, 1791. — Liber Deeds, LXXXI: 468 (New York).

Recites foregoing agreement of partition and empowers the said Kemble and Watts to sell the lands in New York, the portion of Mrs. Gage.

Henry Gage, and Susannah, his wife, to Peter Kemble and John Watts. Deed of Trust dated July 23, 1791. — Liber Deeds, XXV: 71 (Albany).

Conveys the Turtle Bay Farm, etc. In trust, to sell and dispose of the same and to pay the proceeds over to Francis Gosling and John Wilmot, Trustees of Susannah Gage.

Henry Gage and Susannah, his wife, John Aylmer, surviving Trustee, Francis Goslin and John Wilmot, Trustees, to Francis B. Winthrop. Deed, dated Oct. 21, 1791. — Liber Deeds, CCLXXXVIII: 503. Consid., pounds 1,500.

Conveys "all that certain farm or tract of land situate and lying in the seventh ward of the City of New York, adjoining the East River, and known by the name of Turtle Bay, and begins on the said River at a rock where a grist-mill formerly stood, and from thence runs north 17 deg., 25', east 3 chains; then north 7 deg., 50', west 3 chains and 30 links; then north 67 deg., 20', west 60 links; then north 39 deg., 20', west 2 chains and 80 links; then south 88 deg., 40', west 2 chains; and south, 78 deg., 40', west 2 chains and 90 links; then north 81 deg., 20', west i chain, 30 links; then north 21 deg., 21', west 5 chains; then north 8 deg., 40', east 90 links; then north 67 deg., 20', west i chain; thence along McQuier's land to the old road; then south 31 deg., 25', west 3 chains, 21 links and south 25 deg., west 2 chains, and south 41 deg., 10', west i chain; and south, 54 deg., 25', west, 4 chains and 10 links; and south 50 deg., 35', west 2 chains, 17 links; and south 81 deg., 25', west 5 chains and 8 links; thence south 28 deg., east 9 chains and 68 links; thence south 69 deg., 50', west 4 chains and 84 links; and from thence south 23 deg., east 22 chains and 40 links to the East River; and thence along the East River to the place of beginning. Containing 56 acres and 30 perches of land, being bounded to the southeast by said East River, to the north-east by land of Abraham Brevoort, to the north-west by land in the occupation of said Dennis McQuier, and to the south-west by land in the occupation of Van Vleck and White; together with a certain piece of land on the south-west side of said Turtle Bay, beginning at a certain rock lying near highwater mark, on which are marked the letters R. L. No. 2, and from thence running north-east 50 feet into the said Bay, and from thence north-north-west 100 feet, and from thence southwest to high-water mark, and from thence along high-water mark as it runs to the rock where it began."

The north line in this deed is almost coincident with the south line of lot 3, shown on Maerschalck's survey of 1762 (the Anderson parcel). An irregular line along the creek.

The beginning point is "at a rock where a grist mill formerly stood." The saw mill of 1658 may have been replaced by a grist mill on the same spot.

Five acres of the original farm, on the southerly border, became vested in Samuel Kip before his death. He may have bought from John Ryckman or from his heirs.

Nothing has been found to prove the transfer, but Jacobus Kip, son of Samuel Kip, devised the parcel to Nelia Van Vleck.

Last Will & Testament of Jacobus Kip. Dated Aug. 15, 1770; proved July 25, 1805. — Liber IVills, I: i, of record in the office of the court of common pleas (New York). Devises to Nelia, wife of John Van Vleck, five acres of land to be laid out along the line which divides his farm from Turtle Bay; which said five acres are to be laid out so as to be of equal breadth on the East River, and on the land belonging to Cornelius Vanderhoof.

This parcel came, by an unrecorded deed, into the possession of Francis B. Winthrop.

The Part of the Farm North of the Creek

The land north of the Mill-Kill was granted to Gabriel Carbosie, the miller, of Harlem. The ground-brief must have reached the creek to enclose 30 acres.

It was bounded south by lands of William Holmes. When the Holmes plantation was regranted by Lovelace in 1 671, that patent expressly stated that the land was south of the saw-kill. There can be no question but that the creek was the natural and logical boundary between patents and that the patentees so considered it. It is not practicable to run out the patent strictly according to the survey. That bounds west by the road; the distance extends beyond the old highway.

In later years the city chose to consider the area between the straight line of the survey and the stream as part of the Commons. There is hardly any doubt that it was included in the deed from the corporation to John Meserole in 1701.

Gabriel Carbosie, whose name is anghcised to Curtesee in the grant, is never found here after he procured his patent. Mr. Riker has written a sympathetic biographical sketch of Carbosie. — Hist, of Harlem, pp. 327, 420, 437. He says he followed his pastor, Fabriclus, to the South River. He evidently returned with him for both men got grants here in March, 1677. For Carbosie's land in town, see II: 324.

Sir Edmund Andros, Governour, etc., to Gabriell Curtesee. Patent dated March 19, 1676. — Liber Patents, IV: 121 (Albany).

"Whereas there is a certaine lott of land upon this Island Manhatans, the which by virtue of my warrant hath been laid out for Gabriell Curtesee, which said lott is 40 r. in breadth, being bounded to the S. E. by the river, and to the N. E. by the land of David Du Four, ranging in length N. W. 120 r. and bounded to the N. W. by the highway, to the S. W. by the land of William Holmes. Containing the quantity of 30 acres as by the return of the survey under the hand of the surveyor doth and may appear."

The land was laid out by Robert Ryder, Nov. 20, 1676. — Land Papers, T. 97 (Albany). Grant confirmed May 14, i(,-]-].—Ibid., XVI: 93.

Carbosie preferred to live in Harlem. His land reverted to the government. Under the Dongan Charter, April 27, 16S6, it vested in the city of New York.

In December, 1700, John Meserole of Bushwick, L. I., bought a large tract of land from the city at public vendue, his bid being the highest. He assigned this option to Jacob De Key, July 12, 1701. This transaction is part of the history of the De Peyster farm.

Shortly after, he purchased from the city at a public vendue this land at Turtle Bay. The sale is noted in the Minutes of the Common Council.

1701, Oct. 13. "Ordered the Mayor Issue his Warrant to the Treasurer to pay to William Sharpas Gierke of this Court the sum of Eighteen pounds fourteen Shillings Curr' Money of New Yorke being for halfe Years Sallary due to morrow, Drawing Deed for John Miserol drawing Conditions and being Vendue Master for Selling the Land to John Miseroll. ..." —M. C. C, II: 154.

This deed was not recorded, unfortunately. If it had been, or if the original had been found, we should know what John Meserole bought. All subsequent discussions about encroachments on the corporation land here would have been avoided. When the committee and the surveyor tried to straighten matters out in 1771, they plainly knew very little about the rights of the city or the owners. In 1738 Captain Matthew Norris had the title deeds in his possession. He advertised that fact.

John Meserole evidently built the mill and dwelling house on the north bank of the creek which are shown on Maerschalck's survey sixty years later.

There is no indication that Gabriel Carbosie ever settled on

the tract. It was part of the "Waste, Vacant, unpattented and Unapropriated Lands" when the city sold it to Meserole in the summer of 1701. The date of the erection of the mill may thus be fixed approximately.

Mr. Walter M. Meserole, Secretary of the Holland Society, a descendent of Jean Muserole, the founder of the family in America, is our authority for the early history of the family.

John Meserole, 2d, was baptised in Mannheim, Germany, Aug. II, 1661, his father, Jean Muserole a native of Calais, France, having been married in Mannheim, June 19, 1660. — Records of the French Congregation at Mannheim. He came to New Amsterdam with his parents in April, 1663. He was the only child. His father Jan or John Meserole, 1st, died at Bushwick in 1695, leaving all his lands there to his widow. She did not probate the will, but John Meserole, 2d, entered into possession of the Bushwick farm, although, from 1701 until his death in 1712, he lived at Turtle Bay. By his will dated Oct.

10, 1712, proved Dec. 16, 1712, he devised the farm at Bushwick to his two sons, John and Cornells; to his wife Mary, "All that ffarme Called Turtle bay ffarm, with the house Barnes Orchards, Lands Cattle etc." This devise included other land on Manhattan Island, and five slaves. — Liber Jf'ills, VIII: 1 49 (New York).

John Meserole's mother died five days after he did. Some four years later, his son, John Meserole, 3rd, discovered his grandfather's will and was advised that, because his grandmother had outlived her son (John Meserole, 2d) and had never made a will, he (John Meserole, 3rd) was the owner as the first born of his family, of the farm at Bushwick which his father had never owned and therefore could not have devised to his brother and himself. An action at law was instituted. The will of John Meserole, I st,was probated. John, 3rd, took the Bushwick property by right of primogeniture. — Records in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, at Albany.

Jean Meserole, 2d, married Nov. 24, 1682, Maritje, daughter of Tunis Covert (Flatbush Dutch Church Records). They had five children. Margrietje, married Carel de Beauvois; Debora, married David Van Cott; Jan, 3rd, married Elizabeth Praa; Cornells, married Jannetie Hom; Jannetje, married, Nov.

11, 1712, George Elsworth, Jr. — Marr. in Ref. Dutch Ch., 119. Mary, widow of John Meserole, intending to remarry,

transferred the farm, through an intermediary, to her prospective husband.

Mary Misseroll, widow and executrix of John Misseroll, deed., to James Brown, barber. Deed dated Nov. 17, 1713. — Liber Deeds, XXVIII: 171 (New York).

Conveys "A Certaine house Grist Mill and farm Commonly Called or known by the name of Turtle Bay farm situate and being in the County of New York. Also other land in New York, land at Bushwick," etc.

James Brown, barber, to John Price, carver. Deed dated Nov. 18, 1713.— Z.iii'fr Deeds, XXVIII: 73 (New York).

Conveys same property.

John Price, of Turtle Bay, near the City of New York, carver. Will dated Aug. 11 [1714I; proved June I, 1715. — Un. Wills, N. Y. Hist. Soc, 1902, p. 13.

Leaves to his wife Mary "all my estate of lands and goods" during her life, &c. At time of probate, Mary Price w.as the wife of William Davenport.

The next link in the chain of title is a deed from the heirs of Mary Meserole Davenport to Cornells Meserole and George Elsworth Jr. The date of her death has not been found. No will or intestacy in New York Co.

John Mizerol, Johannes van Cott, and Carel Bevois, to CoRNELis Mizerol & George Elsworth Jr. Deed dated .\ms. 6, 1719. — Bushwick Tov:n Records, Book 700, at p. 128; new p. 342.

Conveys "All right title and interest in a Certain Messwadge ffarm Tenement tract or parcel of Land together with a Grist mill standing yrupon and yrunto belonging scituate Lying and being at a place Commonly Called Turtle Bay on York Island alias Manhatan Island in the County & Province of New York aforesaid Containing by estimation Thirty ackers be it more or less as the same was laid out by the surveyors."

Cornells Meserole and George Ellsworth Jr., appear to have conveyed the farm to George Ellsworth Senior. Deed not found of record.

George Elsworth Sr. who had married Adriaentje Rommen in May, 1682 {Marr. in Ref. Dutch Ch., 51), was a well-known merchant of New York. He probably bought the farm for his son Theophilus, who seems to have lived there.

By his last will and testament dated Aug. 8, 1727, proved Feb. II, 1733 {Liher JVills, XII: 132, New York), he gave his widow a life estate in all his real property, remainder to his children share and share alike.

Arianchea Elsworth, Theophilus Elsworth and Sarah, his wife; John Elsworth and Sarah, his wife; George Elsworth and Jannette, his wife; Ahasuerus Elsworth, John Constable and Ananche, his wife, to Matthew NorRis. Deed dated Sept. 4, 1736. — Liber Deeds, XXXII: 66 (New York). Consid., £150.

Conveys "all that certain messuage, Tenement or house, watermill and lott or parcell of ground situate, lying and being at Turtle Bay within the bounds of New York City whereof the said George Elsworth, Senior, died seised. Bounded to the river S. E. and ranging in length N. W. 120 r. and bounded to the N. W. by the highway, bounded to the N. E. by the land of David DetFoare, and S. W. by the land of William Holmes, containing 30 acres."

1738, April 10. To be sold . . . "Also Forty four Acres of Land lying upon Manhatans Island, within four Miles of this City, with a very good Grist Mill and two Bolting Mills, a large Quantity of New fencing stuff ready prepar'd for use, an old Orchard that makes Thirty Barrels of Syder, and fifty young Trees planted last Spring, all grafted of the best Kind of Fruits, being Part of Turtlebay, and formerly the Place belonging to Theophilus Elseworth. . . .

"Any Person inclin'd to purchase any of the Premisses may see the Title Deeds at the House of Matthew Norris, Esq; at New York, who is seized of the said Lands in Fee simple, and will give Conveyances thereof to the Purchasers, with absolute Warranty, and any Purchasers may be further informed as to the Moveables." — A^. Y. Weekly Journal, April 10, 1738. Although this advertisement rates the property at 44 acres, the deed which followed conveyed but 30.

Matthew Norris and wife to Andries van Albody. Deed dated July 28, 1738.— /,(>r Deeds, XXXII: 125 (New York).

Conveys a farm of 30 acres. Same as heirs of George Elsworth, Sr., to Matthew Norris.

Andries Albody afterwards assumed the name of Andries Anderson. He died seized of this farm. No will of record in New York.

After his death his heirs had a map made by Francis Maerschalck, dated Dec. 2, 1762. It divided the tract into three equal lots, of about ten acres each. A copy of the map is annexed to the deed of partition.

Andries Albody, who had married Hannah, widow of John Buys, in 1732 (Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 524), agreed to share his estate equally between her two children by her first marriage, and the children of their marriage [see Liber Deeds, XXXVI: 164). However, the partition was only between the sons of the second marriage.

Elias Anderson, of the first part; John An…