Lot
Govert Loockerman's Farm
Lot Group
Original Grants and Farms
Property Was Used in 1660 For:
Related Ancestors:
To Party 1
Full Stokes Entry (See images below)
GOVERT LOOCKERMAN'S FARM
Block Check List. 118-117-116-278-252-109-106-105104-114-103-100-94-93-92-101-102-121-119-118.
Noted on the Manatus Maps, 1639, as "24: Plan, van David de Provoost." — Vol. II: 197; C. Pis. 41-423.
The Hon. Elias de Raet, a director of the West India Co., with his friend Coenraet van Ceulen, both of Amsterdam, began a plantation here at a very early date. David Provoost was their first factor or agent. (For their real estate transactions in Harlem, see Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 118, 147-48; Chronology, 1638; Vol. II: 197, 234.) 1636, Oct. 28. "Mr. Counradus [van Cuelen] submits [to the directors at Amsterdam] that it will be necessary to send a ship to New Netherland, also to take measures regarding the government there and to find a suitable person for the office of commander." — See Chronology. Out of this suggestion came the appointment of William Kieft.
1640, Jan. 5. Provoost was appointed commissary of provisions. His last act relating to this farm was the delivery of the following lease:
David Provoost to Thomas Broen, cum sociis. Lease dated Feb. 16, 1640.
Leases "his plantation situate on the Island Manhate, with the dwelling house" for three years. The entire plantation to "be fenced at the expense of the Lessor and Lessee," half and half. — Chronology.
The house evidently stood not far from the site of the German Lutheran Church, in Block 113. A narrow road led to the outlet of the Fresh Water. Hague St. and Batavia Lane are remnants of this ancient road, which is shown on PI. 30, Vol. L
WiLLEM KiEFT, Director, etc., to Thomas Broen, David Davidsen, Ralph Cardel, and Pieter Breyley. Lease dated Dec. 14, 1640, for three years.
Leases "A certain parcel of land situate on the Island Manhatan near Bestavaer's Crippelbush which belongs to the Hon^l^ Elias de Raet and Mr. Coenraet van Ceulen, both residing at Amsterdam." — Chronology.
Director Kieft and Council, to Govert Loockermans and CoRNELis Leendertsen. Bill of sale, dated March 26, 1642. — Liber GG: 47 (Albany).
Desc. "A dwelling house situated on the East river of New Netherland on the Island of Manhattans, together with the land thereto belonging, as the same is fenced in by David Provoost, which fencing begins at a brook or fresh water emptying itself into the East river aforesaid, till to the lands of Cornelis van Tienhoven, whose palisade extending from the long highway [Broadway] towards the East river as may be seen by the marks by him made; bordering on the aforesaid land from the fence till to the great tree which is the right division line between the land of Philip de Truy and Tienhoven, the said Philip extending his palisadoes from the said Tree Northeast by east and east-north-east between both to Bestevaer's Kreupelbosch [Grandfather's Swamp] and from the East river northwest and north-northwest between both to the same swamp and since from old time to now, between the lands which we sell to Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen and the farm of Cornelis van Tienhoven, there has been a wagon road running to the Great Highway [Broadway], it is expressly ordained that as long as the said Govert Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen shall not have enclosed their purchased land all around sufficiently [high] against cattle, then Cornelis van Tienhoven or those who may succeed to his action shall have the privilege of using the aforesaid beyond his palisadoes (as having been a road for a length of time) with wagon and horses. But when the said land have been sufficiently cleared by Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen, and shall have been enclosed with a sufficient fence (which must be kept up by them) then the wagon road shall run exactly as palisadoes of Tienhoven's land stand; of which the said Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen shall give one-half the land for the breadth of the road and in like manner Cornelis van Tienhoven shall give one-half thereof which aforesaid road shall by them be used equally as much and as often as they shall deem proper, serving only as an outlet to the long highway, ... for their respective lands, without being a common highway but to be used by them respectively as their own private road."
The foregoing instrument is called a "bill of sale," although the confirmation calls it a "ground-brief." Leendertsen 's inter-
est appears to have vested in Dirck Cornelissen of Wensveen, Loockermans' stepson. Subsequent deeds, made by them as "guarantees for their copartners residing in Holland," recited hereafter, seem to indicate that De Raet and van Ceulen retained their interests here for some time.
1646, Sept. I?. Loockermans and Cornelissen sold the south-west end of their farm to William Goulder. Situated between the swamp and the river; from Ferry St. on the west to Frankfort and Dover Sts. on the east.
1646. Sept. 17, they sold the south-easterly end of the farm to George Cleer. Situated between the line of Batavia St. and the river; from the present Catherine St. to a line somewhat east of Roosevelt St.
Cleer's title reverted to Loockermans, who re-conveyed it to Thomas Stevenson, July 28, 1653. — Liier HH: 41 (Albany). "A parcel of land, with houses, . . . situate at the East River, on the point at the west side of the Fresh Water Little Creek, bounded north, along the valley called Wolfert's Valley; on the west by the lot of Harry Bresar; breadth on the west side 14 rods; on the north side, in length, unto the end of said point, 31^ rods." — Desc. from Hoffman, Estate and Rights of the Corporation, II; 230.
1646, Sept. 18, Loockermans and Cornelissen contracted to lease the part of their farm west of the present Pearl St., to Hendrick Pietersen from Hasselt, for ten years.
All these transfers in full in Chronology. By 1653 Loockermans seems to have owned all of the tract not previously conveyed.
1653, Feb. 20. Govert Loockermans to Henry Bresier; a parcel of land between the line of Batavia St. and the river, on both sides of Roosevelt St. Brasier had been in possession much earlier. His land was confirmed to him, Sept. 13, 1667. — Liber Patents, \l: 99 (Albany).
1653, Oct. 15. Govert Loockermans to Egbert van Borsum. A house and lot at the ferry. Van Borsum had been in possession of this land much earlier; it was confirmed to him, March 12,1666. — Ibid.,W: 19 (Albany). For details see Chronology, O 15, 1653.
Van Borsum's holdings here were sold to Govert Loockermans before the latter's death.
Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc. to Govert Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen. Confirmation dated April 18, 1667. — Liber Patents, II: 11 (Albany). Desc. same as in ground-brief.
Govert Loockermans died before May 16, 1671. — Rec. N. Am., VI: 299. On June 10, 1671, his farm was sold at public vendue.
West of the highway it had been divided into three lots. Lot No. I extended along the line of the modern Pearl St. from Ferfy St. to Duane St. This was purchased by Baltasar Bayard. He sold it, Jan. 25, 1683, to Greetje, wid. of Hendrick Vandewater, Theophilus Ellsworth and Harman Jansen. — Liber Deeds, XIII: 16 (New York).
July 17, 1697, this lot was divided into three parts. Ellsworth took the southerly one-third; Mrs. Vandewater, the northerly one-third; and Margaret, wid. of Johannes Clopper, the middle portion. See /^/i/., XXXII: 235 (New York), Map annexed.
Lot No. 3 of Loockermans was sold to William Beekman. Lot No. 2, to Jacob Leisler; no deeds found of record. See recitals in Ibid., XXIII: 75 (New York). A quit-claim deed from Jacob Loockermans to Leisler, Oct. 18, 1679.
The north boundary of this lot is defined by the map of the corporation lands surveyed by Maerschalck, May I, 1762. — Chronology. The fence reached the highway 170 feet south of Duane St.
At an early date, certainly before the death of Loockermans, that part of the farm encircled by the old road to Boston (block 119), had reverted to the government. Probably because of non user. Granted to the city of New York by the Dongan Charter, it was finally laid out into lots by this map. The Chronology says the map is in the comptroller's office. A copy is in the files of the Title Guarantee and Trust Co.
As to the old road, see Chronology, Sept. 8, 1734.
At the vendue of Govert Loockermans estate, held July 10, 1671, his widow and heirs sold to Thomas D'Lavall "A Lott of Ground . . . att the ferry formerly belonging to Egbert van Borsum ... as also a parcell of Meadow with a slip of upland thereunto annexed, abutting with the Southwest side uppon the Lotts of Henry Bresier, with the North East side uppon the Old Kill, with the South East side uppon the highway alongst the East River [Cherry St.] and with the North West side uppon the highway [Pearl St.]. Amounting in all to three morgen and Eighty five Rodd." (This was the land east of Pearl Street.) — Book of Records of Deeds and Transfers (1665-1672), 215, in city clerk's office. New York.
D'Lavall conveyed the same property to Elias Puddington, May 20, 1672. — Ibid., 216.
Elias Puddington sold the meadow land, which had long been known as "Wolphert's meadows," but which never belonged to Wolphert Webbers, to John Payne of Boston, July 14, 1672. — Ibid., 216.
Feb. 26, 1706, Robert Puddington, son of Elias, and Samuel Clark of Boston, who had married Paine's daughter, Hannah, petitioned Cornbury for a confirmatory patent, which has not been found of record. The history of the tract is set forth fully in the petition. — Land Papers, W: 69 (Albany). June 6,1710, they asked that the land might be surveyed. — M. C. C, II: 407. Puddington and the heirs of John Paine seem to have partitioned the lands; Puddington took Van Borsum's house and lot at the ferry, which he sold to Thomas Husk, vintner, April 2, 1713. — Liier Deeds, XXVIII: 23 (New York).
Paine's heirs, Thomas Fairweather and John Mayo, sold the meadows to Abraham Wendell, Oct. 27, 1719, whose son, John Wendell, conveyed them to Anthony Rutgers, Nov. 16, 1743— Hid., XXXI: 82; CLV: 250 (New York). This plot, nearly seven acres in area, became part of the well known "Upland and Meadows."
See Misc. MSS. in the N. Y. Hist. Soc. relating to this property, endorsed "Boundridge of Lands near Beekman's Cripelbusch."
See Loockermans' Records by Edward F. de Lancey, in A''. Y. Biog. and Geneal. Rec, 1874; also Loockermans' Genealogy by Edwin R. Purple. — Ibid., 1877.
Block Check List. 118-117-116-278-252-109-106-105104-114-103-100-94-93-92-101-102-121-119-118.
Noted on the Manatus Maps, 1639, as "24: Plan, van David de Provoost." — Vol. II: 197; C. Pis. 41-423.
The Hon. Elias de Raet, a director of the West India Co., with his friend Coenraet van Ceulen, both of Amsterdam, began a plantation here at a very early date. David Provoost was their first factor or agent. (For their real estate transactions in Harlem, see Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 118, 147-48; Chronology, 1638; Vol. II: 197, 234.) 1636, Oct. 28. "Mr. Counradus [van Cuelen] submits [to the directors at Amsterdam] that it will be necessary to send a ship to New Netherland, also to take measures regarding the government there and to find a suitable person for the office of commander." — See Chronology. Out of this suggestion came the appointment of William Kieft.
1640, Jan. 5. Provoost was appointed commissary of provisions. His last act relating to this farm was the delivery of the following lease:
David Provoost to Thomas Broen, cum sociis. Lease dated Feb. 16, 1640.
Leases "his plantation situate on the Island Manhate, with the dwelling house" for three years. The entire plantation to "be fenced at the expense of the Lessor and Lessee," half and half. — Chronology.
The house evidently stood not far from the site of the German Lutheran Church, in Block 113. A narrow road led to the outlet of the Fresh Water. Hague St. and Batavia Lane are remnants of this ancient road, which is shown on PI. 30, Vol. L
WiLLEM KiEFT, Director, etc., to Thomas Broen, David Davidsen, Ralph Cardel, and Pieter Breyley. Lease dated Dec. 14, 1640, for three years.
Leases "A certain parcel of land situate on the Island Manhatan near Bestavaer's Crippelbush which belongs to the Hon^l^ Elias de Raet and Mr. Coenraet van Ceulen, both residing at Amsterdam." — Chronology.
Director Kieft and Council, to Govert Loockermans and CoRNELis Leendertsen. Bill of sale, dated March 26, 1642. — Liber GG: 47 (Albany).
Desc. "A dwelling house situated on the East river of New Netherland on the Island of Manhattans, together with the land thereto belonging, as the same is fenced in by David Provoost, which fencing begins at a brook or fresh water emptying itself into the East river aforesaid, till to the lands of Cornelis van Tienhoven, whose palisade extending from the long highway [Broadway] towards the East river as may be seen by the marks by him made; bordering on the aforesaid land from the fence till to the great tree which is the right division line between the land of Philip de Truy and Tienhoven, the said Philip extending his palisadoes from the said Tree Northeast by east and east-north-east between both to Bestevaer's Kreupelbosch [Grandfather's Swamp] and from the East river northwest and north-northwest between both to the same swamp and since from old time to now, between the lands which we sell to Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen and the farm of Cornelis van Tienhoven, there has been a wagon road running to the Great Highway [Broadway], it is expressly ordained that as long as the said Govert Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen shall not have enclosed their purchased land all around sufficiently [high] against cattle, then Cornelis van Tienhoven or those who may succeed to his action shall have the privilege of using the aforesaid beyond his palisadoes (as having been a road for a length of time) with wagon and horses. But when the said land have been sufficiently cleared by Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen, and shall have been enclosed with a sufficient fence (which must be kept up by them) then the wagon road shall run exactly as palisadoes of Tienhoven's land stand; of which the said Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen shall give one-half the land for the breadth of the road and in like manner Cornelis van Tienhoven shall give one-half thereof which aforesaid road shall by them be used equally as much and as often as they shall deem proper, serving only as an outlet to the long highway, ... for their respective lands, without being a common highway but to be used by them respectively as their own private road."
The foregoing instrument is called a "bill of sale," although the confirmation calls it a "ground-brief." Leendertsen 's inter-
est appears to have vested in Dirck Cornelissen of Wensveen, Loockermans' stepson. Subsequent deeds, made by them as "guarantees for their copartners residing in Holland," recited hereafter, seem to indicate that De Raet and van Ceulen retained their interests here for some time.
1646, Sept. I?. Loockermans and Cornelissen sold the south-west end of their farm to William Goulder. Situated between the swamp and the river; from Ferry St. on the west to Frankfort and Dover Sts. on the east.
1646. Sept. 17, they sold the south-easterly end of the farm to George Cleer. Situated between the line of Batavia St. and the river; from the present Catherine St. to a line somewhat east of Roosevelt St.
Cleer's title reverted to Loockermans, who re-conveyed it to Thomas Stevenson, July 28, 1653. — Liier HH: 41 (Albany). "A parcel of land, with houses, . . . situate at the East River, on the point at the west side of the Fresh Water Little Creek, bounded north, along the valley called Wolfert's Valley; on the west by the lot of Harry Bresar; breadth on the west side 14 rods; on the north side, in length, unto the end of said point, 31^ rods." — Desc. from Hoffman, Estate and Rights of the Corporation, II; 230.
1646, Sept. 18, Loockermans and Cornelissen contracted to lease the part of their farm west of the present Pearl St., to Hendrick Pietersen from Hasselt, for ten years.
All these transfers in full in Chronology. By 1653 Loockermans seems to have owned all of the tract not previously conveyed.
1653, Feb. 20. Govert Loockermans to Henry Bresier; a parcel of land between the line of Batavia St. and the river, on both sides of Roosevelt St. Brasier had been in possession much earlier. His land was confirmed to him, Sept. 13, 1667. — Liber Patents, \l: 99 (Albany).
1653, Oct. 15. Govert Loockermans to Egbert van Borsum. A house and lot at the ferry. Van Borsum had been in possession of this land much earlier; it was confirmed to him, March 12,1666. — Ibid.,W: 19 (Albany). For details see Chronology, O 15, 1653.
Van Borsum's holdings here were sold to Govert Loockermans before the latter's death.
Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc. to Govert Loockermans and Cornelis Leendertsen. Confirmation dated April 18, 1667. — Liber Patents, II: 11 (Albany). Desc. same as in ground-brief.
Govert Loockermans died before May 16, 1671. — Rec. N. Am., VI: 299. On June 10, 1671, his farm was sold at public vendue.
West of the highway it had been divided into three lots. Lot No. I extended along the line of the modern Pearl St. from Ferfy St. to Duane St. This was purchased by Baltasar Bayard. He sold it, Jan. 25, 1683, to Greetje, wid. of Hendrick Vandewater, Theophilus Ellsworth and Harman Jansen. — Liber Deeds, XIII: 16 (New York).
July 17, 1697, this lot was divided into three parts. Ellsworth took the southerly one-third; Mrs. Vandewater, the northerly one-third; and Margaret, wid. of Johannes Clopper, the middle portion. See /^/i/., XXXII: 235 (New York), Map annexed.
Lot No. 3 of Loockermans was sold to William Beekman. Lot No. 2, to Jacob Leisler; no deeds found of record. See recitals in Ibid., XXIII: 75 (New York). A quit-claim deed from Jacob Loockermans to Leisler, Oct. 18, 1679.
The north boundary of this lot is defined by the map of the corporation lands surveyed by Maerschalck, May I, 1762. — Chronology. The fence reached the highway 170 feet south of Duane St.
At an early date, certainly before the death of Loockermans, that part of the farm encircled by the old road to Boston (block 119), had reverted to the government. Probably because of non user. Granted to the city of New York by the Dongan Charter, it was finally laid out into lots by this map. The Chronology says the map is in the comptroller's office. A copy is in the files of the Title Guarantee and Trust Co.
As to the old road, see Chronology, Sept. 8, 1734.
At the vendue of Govert Loockermans estate, held July 10, 1671, his widow and heirs sold to Thomas D'Lavall "A Lott of Ground . . . att the ferry formerly belonging to Egbert van Borsum ... as also a parcell of Meadow with a slip of upland thereunto annexed, abutting with the Southwest side uppon the Lotts of Henry Bresier, with the North East side uppon the Old Kill, with the South East side uppon the highway alongst the East River [Cherry St.] and with the North West side uppon the highway [Pearl St.]. Amounting in all to three morgen and Eighty five Rodd." (This was the land east of Pearl Street.) — Book of Records of Deeds and Transfers (1665-1672), 215, in city clerk's office. New York.
D'Lavall conveyed the same property to Elias Puddington, May 20, 1672. — Ibid., 216.
Elias Puddington sold the meadow land, which had long been known as "Wolphert's meadows," but which never belonged to Wolphert Webbers, to John Payne of Boston, July 14, 1672. — Ibid., 216.
Feb. 26, 1706, Robert Puddington, son of Elias, and Samuel Clark of Boston, who had married Paine's daughter, Hannah, petitioned Cornbury for a confirmatory patent, which has not been found of record. The history of the tract is set forth fully in the petition. — Land Papers, W: 69 (Albany). June 6,1710, they asked that the land might be surveyed. — M. C. C, II: 407. Puddington and the heirs of John Paine seem to have partitioned the lands; Puddington took Van Borsum's house and lot at the ferry, which he sold to Thomas Husk, vintner, April 2, 1713. — Liier Deeds, XXVIII: 23 (New York).
Paine's heirs, Thomas Fairweather and John Mayo, sold the meadows to Abraham Wendell, Oct. 27, 1719, whose son, John Wendell, conveyed them to Anthony Rutgers, Nov. 16, 1743— Hid., XXXI: 82; CLV: 250 (New York). This plot, nearly seven acres in area, became part of the well known "Upland and Meadows."
See Misc. MSS. in the N. Y. Hist. Soc. relating to this property, endorsed "Boundridge of Lands near Beekman's Cripelbusch."
See Loockermans' Records by Edward F. de Lancey, in A''. Y. Biog. and Geneal. Rec, 1874; also Loockermans' Genealogy by Edwin R. Purple. — Ibid., 1877.
