Lot
Riker and Lawrence Farm
Lot Group
Original Grants and Farms
Property Was Used in 1660 For:
Full Stokes Entry (See images below)
THE RIKER AND LAWRENCE FARM Block Check List. I430-1450-1452-1487-1430-1485.
The Manatus maps of 1639 show two creeks not far apart emptying into the East River. The land between is designated as F: 't Quartier van de swarten de Comp slaven (the quarter of the blacks, the Company's slaves). See Vol. II: 207.
The southerly creek at that time fell into a bay of considerable size. The stream was the well known Saw-kill, which played an important part in the early days of Manhattan. The Randel Map, made nearly two hundred years later, shows great changes. The rushing Saw-kill that had turned mill wheels had been diverted into a culvert, arched over, and its trickling little stream was called Arch Brook. From the contour line on Randel, it is apparent that it had formerly tumbled into the river between two rocky points, a little to the south of 74th St.
The smaller stream to the north suffered a similar fate. There is a trace of it on Randel, at 79th St. and the river.
The land between the river and the old Indian road of the Wickquaasgeeks, bounded by the creeks, was delightfully situated, but a long way from the town of New Amsterdam. Before many years had passed the negroes were settled much nearer the city, many of them on Van Twiller's old plantation.
Earlier than April, 1677, George Elphinstone and his partner, Abraham Shotwell, had erected a leather mill and other buildings on this tract. Robert Ryder surveyed the property, on April 25, estimating it at 38^4^ acres, "including ye run of water formerly called ye saw mill creeke." Ryder's survey is in Land Papers, I: no (Albany). The records are silent about any earlier saw mill here. Possibly the Company's blacks had cut the trees in the forest, and sawed them into logs which were sent down the river.
Elphinstone transferred his rights here to Abraham Shotwell. — Liber Deeds, VI: 55 (Albany). Andros then issued the following patent.
Sir Edmund Andros, Governour, etc., to Abraham Shotwell. Patent dated Sept. 29, 1677. — Liber Patents, lY: 128 (Albany).
"Whereas there is a certaine piece of land upon this Island Manhattans on ye south-east side thereof, ye which, by virtue of my warrant, hath been layed out for Abraham Shotwell, beginning at a certain mark't tree and running in breadth north-east from ye land of John Basset to ye land of Jacob Young, 51 rodd, including ye run of water, formerly called ye saw mill creeke, where now a Leather mill is set, together with ye pond, ranging into ye woods lao rodd, being bounded to ye south-west by ye land of John Bassett, and to ye northeast by ye land of Jacob Young, and contains in all 38 acres and a quarter as by ye return of ye surveyor may and doth appeare."
Abraham Shotwell to John Robinson. Deed dated Nov. 6, !(>■]%.— Liber Deeds, V: 208 (Albany).
Conveys same premises.
John Robinson to John Lewin and Robert Wolley. Deed dated Jan. I, 1679. — Liber Deeds, VI: 413 (Albany).
Conveys undivided half of same premises.
"Capt. John Lewin, gentleman, his Royall Highnesses Agent and Servant here," aroused the ire of the deputy mayor and aldermen of the city in September, 1681, by interfering in matters which pertained to the city government, such as taking oaths in an irregular and unlawful manner, in short, making himself exceedingly unpopular. — M.C.C.,l: 87-89. He was probably recalled. His interest may then have vested in Robert Wolley, "citizen and clothworker, of London."
Charles Wolley, son of Robert Wolley, succeeded to this one-half interest.
April 15, 1703, the freeholders of Harlem voted to release to Wolley and partner so much of their land as lay within the patent of Harlem. — Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 595.
Charles Wolley to Christopher Rousby. Deed dated Feb. I, 1705. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, XXVI: 130 (New York).
Conveys the undivided one-half interest of said Charles Wolley in this farm.
Theotherhalfpart of the tract became vested in Christopher Rousby by the following series of instruments.
John Robinson and Greetje, his wife, to William Cox. Deed dated Feb. 12, 1683. — Liber Deeds, IX: 3 (Albany).
Conveys an undivided one-half of the premises described in the above mentioned deed, Shotwell to Robinson.
Will of William Cox. Dated July 15, 16S9; proved Aug. 9, i6Sg.— Liber Wills, 4: 53 (New York).
"Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Sarah Cox, which house she pleaseth to have, and to her heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto Samuel Bradley, my brotherin-law, my other house, which I bought of Mr. John Robinson, or this house which I now live in, to him and his heirs forever. . . . and God sending my said brother-in-law an heir that he call his name Cox Bradley and his children after him the same name. [The house that Cox bought of Robinson was at 119-121 Pearl St. See Vol. II: 329.] . . , Item: I give and bequeath unto Henry Bradley all my right and title I have to a piece of land at the mill, . . ." Mr. Cox was drowned, a few days after making his will, in returning from Amboy whither he had been sent by Leisler to proclaim the accession of William and Mary. There is a quaint account of his drowning in Chronology, Aug. _<;, 1689.
Mrs. Cox soon afterward married John Oort, merchant of New York, who died before May 16, 1691. On that day a license was issued to Captain William Kidd, Gentleman, and Sarah Oort, widow. This marriage license is entered in Liber Wills, 3: 195 (New York).
Henry Bradley died c. 1693. He was unmarried. Samuel Bradley, who was about to sail with Captain Kidd on one of his voyages, joined with the latter in making the following deed to Samuel Bradley, his father, and Mrs. Kidd's father.
William Kidd and Samuel Bradley to Samuel Bradley, Sr. Deed dated June i, 1695. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, X: i (Albany).
Kidd was hanged for piracy. Samuel Bradley died on the island of St. Thomas. Mrs. Kidd, having succeeded to the interests of her husband and two brothers, made a deed to her father.
Sarah Kidd, widow of William Kidd, to Samuel Bradley, father of said Sarah. Deed dated Sept. 14, 1703. Not found of record: recited ibid.
Conveys All interest of Sarah Kidd in a moiety of said farm.
Nov. 4, 1703, a marriage license was issued to Christopher Rousby and Sarah Kidd, widow.
Recorded in Z./^fr^/7/f, 7: 137 (New York). This man was the fourth husband of Sarah Bradley.
Samuel Bradley, the father of Mrs. Rousby, who had been holding the property in trust, made the following deed, which vested all title in Christopher Rousby.
Samuel Bradley to Christopher Rousby. Deed dated Jan. 7, 1904. — Liber Deeds, X: l (Albany).
Conveys one undivided moiety of the land in question.
Thus the entire tract became vested in said Rousby.
March 21, 1704, Rousby and his wife petitioned Gov. Cornbury to accept a deed to Queen Anne, and then to regrant the property to them. Cornbury complied with this request.
Christopher Rousby and Sarah, his wife, to Anne, Queen of England. Deed dated March 31, 1704. — Liber Deeds, X: 10 (Albany).
Difficulties in the title are here recited, especially that William Kidd was attainted as a pirate, and it has been deemed advisable to convey to her Majesty and from her to receive a new patent.
Conveys same premises.
.'\nne. By the grace of God Queen, etc., to Christopher Rousby and Sarah, his wife, and to the survivor of them and then to the heirs of Christopher Rousby. Patent dated May 2, 1704. — Liber Patents, VII: 232 (Albany).
This patent signed by Edward, Viscount Cornbury.
Confirms the said farm to the said Christopher and Sarah Rousby.
From Rousby and wife the land passed to John Gurney. No deed found.
Last Will and Testament of John Gurney. Dated Sept. 23, 1708. Proved May 14, 1709. — Liber Wills, VII: 406 (New York).
Devises half of said premises to his wife; half to his children. His wife is left sole executrix, with power of sale.
Mary Gurney, widow of John Gurney, to Thomas Hook. Deed dated May 24, 1709. — Liber Deeds, X: 238 (Albany).
Conveys the same farm.
Mary Gurney married Thomas Hook, July 10, 1709. Mr. Hook's will was proved, May 29, 1723, but the land stood in his name until 1730, and was then sold to John Devoor, who occupied it for half a century. — Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 595.
Last Will and Testament of John Devoor. Dated June 26, 1778. Proved Oct. 2, i-]%o.— Liber Wills, XXXII: 335 (New York).
Devises (among others) 24^ acres to his daughter, Affee, wife of John Cortright, "with the run of water formerly called the saw Kill."
John Cortright and Affee, his wife, to Isaac Gouverneur. Lease & Release dated May 20-22, 1786. Not found of record; recited in Liber Mtges., IV: 244, V: 422 (New York).
Conveys the farm so devised to Affee Cortright by John Devoor.
Isaac Gouverneur to John Leary, Jr. Deed dated Sept. 9, 1791. Not found of record; recited in Liber Mtges., V: 422.
John Leary, Jr., was a partner of Andrew Stockholm and David Dixon, who made the following mortgage. No deeds to Stockholm and Dixon have been found.
Andrew Stockholm and David Dixon to Gerard Bancker, treasurer of the State of New York. Mortgage dated July 30, 1793, to secure £3,000. — Liber Mtges., VI: 216 (New York).
Covers this farm.
Dickson's cotton manufactory at Hell Gate is mentioned in Chronology. May 31, 1794. These mills were extensive. The employees were brought from Manchester, England. The enterprise proved unsuccessful.
Gerard Bancker, treasurer of the State of New York, to The People of the State of New York. Assignment of mortgage dated March 26, 1798. — Liber Mtges., XXVII: 15 (New York).
Assigns the foregoing mortgage.
The mortgage was foreclosed by the State of New York.
Pierre C. Van Wyck, Master in Chancery, to John Lawrence. Deed dated March 6, 1806. — Liber Deeds, XCIV: 32 (New York). Consid., ^30,000.
Conveys premises as mortgaged.
The intervening title history, which is complicated, is set forth in Turtle, Abstracts of Farm Titles, II: 1.
In 1809, John Lawrence and Richard Riker bought a parcel of the common lands adjoining their farm. They then partitioned the property as follows.
John Lawrence and Patience, his wife, with Richard Riker and Jennet, his wife. Deed dated June 21, 181 1. —Liber Deeds, XCIV: 41 (New York).
This long deed of partition is set forth in full in Tuttle, Abstracts of Farm Titles, II: 18.
The effect of the deed was to vest in Mr. Riker the southerly part of the farm; the northerly part, in Mr. Lawrence. The division lines are well shown on Randel's Map of the farms, PI. 86.
Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 595, says that Mr. Lawrence repaired the old house (which had probably been built by Devoor), and that Mr. Riker built the fine stone house which he occupied until his death in 184I.
In a collection of etchings made by Eliza Greatorex (Old New York from the Battery to Bloomingdale, II: 153, 157, 159), there are delightful sketches of the Riker and Lawrence houses, drawn in 1869 and 1875. The picture at page 153 is of Arch Brook itself.
The mill which once stood in the bed of 74th St., about 250 ft. east of Avenue A, is one of the monuments of the patent of Harlem. The line of that patent runs to "the place where formerly stood the Saw Mills, over against Verkens or Hog Island. . . ." — Liber Patents, IV: 60, printed in Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 271.
The Manatus maps of 1639 show two creeks not far apart emptying into the East River. The land between is designated as F: 't Quartier van de swarten de Comp slaven (the quarter of the blacks, the Company's slaves). See Vol. II: 207.
The southerly creek at that time fell into a bay of considerable size. The stream was the well known Saw-kill, which played an important part in the early days of Manhattan. The Randel Map, made nearly two hundred years later, shows great changes. The rushing Saw-kill that had turned mill wheels had been diverted into a culvert, arched over, and its trickling little stream was called Arch Brook. From the contour line on Randel, it is apparent that it had formerly tumbled into the river between two rocky points, a little to the south of 74th St.
The smaller stream to the north suffered a similar fate. There is a trace of it on Randel, at 79th St. and the river.
The land between the river and the old Indian road of the Wickquaasgeeks, bounded by the creeks, was delightfully situated, but a long way from the town of New Amsterdam. Before many years had passed the negroes were settled much nearer the city, many of them on Van Twiller's old plantation.
Earlier than April, 1677, George Elphinstone and his partner, Abraham Shotwell, had erected a leather mill and other buildings on this tract. Robert Ryder surveyed the property, on April 25, estimating it at 38^4^ acres, "including ye run of water formerly called ye saw mill creeke." Ryder's survey is in Land Papers, I: no (Albany). The records are silent about any earlier saw mill here. Possibly the Company's blacks had cut the trees in the forest, and sawed them into logs which were sent down the river.
Elphinstone transferred his rights here to Abraham Shotwell. — Liber Deeds, VI: 55 (Albany). Andros then issued the following patent.
Sir Edmund Andros, Governour, etc., to Abraham Shotwell. Patent dated Sept. 29, 1677. — Liber Patents, lY: 128 (Albany).
"Whereas there is a certaine piece of land upon this Island Manhattans on ye south-east side thereof, ye which, by virtue of my warrant, hath been layed out for Abraham Shotwell, beginning at a certain mark't tree and running in breadth north-east from ye land of John Basset to ye land of Jacob Young, 51 rodd, including ye run of water, formerly called ye saw mill creeke, where now a Leather mill is set, together with ye pond, ranging into ye woods lao rodd, being bounded to ye south-west by ye land of John Bassett, and to ye northeast by ye land of Jacob Young, and contains in all 38 acres and a quarter as by ye return of ye surveyor may and doth appeare."
Abraham Shotwell to John Robinson. Deed dated Nov. 6, !(>■]%.— Liber Deeds, V: 208 (Albany).
Conveys same premises.
John Robinson to John Lewin and Robert Wolley. Deed dated Jan. I, 1679. — Liber Deeds, VI: 413 (Albany).
Conveys undivided half of same premises.
"Capt. John Lewin, gentleman, his Royall Highnesses Agent and Servant here," aroused the ire of the deputy mayor and aldermen of the city in September, 1681, by interfering in matters which pertained to the city government, such as taking oaths in an irregular and unlawful manner, in short, making himself exceedingly unpopular. — M.C.C.,l: 87-89. He was probably recalled. His interest may then have vested in Robert Wolley, "citizen and clothworker, of London."
Charles Wolley, son of Robert Wolley, succeeded to this one-half interest.
April 15, 1703, the freeholders of Harlem voted to release to Wolley and partner so much of their land as lay within the patent of Harlem. — Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 595.
Charles Wolley to Christopher Rousby. Deed dated Feb. I, 1705. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, XXVI: 130 (New York).
Conveys the undivided one-half interest of said Charles Wolley in this farm.
Theotherhalfpart of the tract became vested in Christopher Rousby by the following series of instruments.
John Robinson and Greetje, his wife, to William Cox. Deed dated Feb. 12, 1683. — Liber Deeds, IX: 3 (Albany).
Conveys an undivided one-half of the premises described in the above mentioned deed, Shotwell to Robinson.
Will of William Cox. Dated July 15, 16S9; proved Aug. 9, i6Sg.— Liber Wills, 4: 53 (New York).
"Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Sarah Cox, which house she pleaseth to have, and to her heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto Samuel Bradley, my brotherin-law, my other house, which I bought of Mr. John Robinson, or this house which I now live in, to him and his heirs forever. . . . and God sending my said brother-in-law an heir that he call his name Cox Bradley and his children after him the same name. [The house that Cox bought of Robinson was at 119-121 Pearl St. See Vol. II: 329.] . . , Item: I give and bequeath unto Henry Bradley all my right and title I have to a piece of land at the mill, . . ." Mr. Cox was drowned, a few days after making his will, in returning from Amboy whither he had been sent by Leisler to proclaim the accession of William and Mary. There is a quaint account of his drowning in Chronology, Aug. _<;, 1689.
Mrs. Cox soon afterward married John Oort, merchant of New York, who died before May 16, 1691. On that day a license was issued to Captain William Kidd, Gentleman, and Sarah Oort, widow. This marriage license is entered in Liber Wills, 3: 195 (New York).
Henry Bradley died c. 1693. He was unmarried. Samuel Bradley, who was about to sail with Captain Kidd on one of his voyages, joined with the latter in making the following deed to Samuel Bradley, his father, and Mrs. Kidd's father.
William Kidd and Samuel Bradley to Samuel Bradley, Sr. Deed dated June i, 1695. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, X: i (Albany).
Kidd was hanged for piracy. Samuel Bradley died on the island of St. Thomas. Mrs. Kidd, having succeeded to the interests of her husband and two brothers, made a deed to her father.
Sarah Kidd, widow of William Kidd, to Samuel Bradley, father of said Sarah. Deed dated Sept. 14, 1703. Not found of record: recited ibid.
Conveys All interest of Sarah Kidd in a moiety of said farm.
Nov. 4, 1703, a marriage license was issued to Christopher Rousby and Sarah Kidd, widow.
Recorded in Z./^fr^/7/f, 7: 137 (New York). This man was the fourth husband of Sarah Bradley.
Samuel Bradley, the father of Mrs. Rousby, who had been holding the property in trust, made the following deed, which vested all title in Christopher Rousby.
Samuel Bradley to Christopher Rousby. Deed dated Jan. 7, 1904. — Liber Deeds, X: l (Albany).
Conveys one undivided moiety of the land in question.
Thus the entire tract became vested in said Rousby.
March 21, 1704, Rousby and his wife petitioned Gov. Cornbury to accept a deed to Queen Anne, and then to regrant the property to them. Cornbury complied with this request.
Christopher Rousby and Sarah, his wife, to Anne, Queen of England. Deed dated March 31, 1704. — Liber Deeds, X: 10 (Albany).
Difficulties in the title are here recited, especially that William Kidd was attainted as a pirate, and it has been deemed advisable to convey to her Majesty and from her to receive a new patent.
Conveys same premises.
.'\nne. By the grace of God Queen, etc., to Christopher Rousby and Sarah, his wife, and to the survivor of them and then to the heirs of Christopher Rousby. Patent dated May 2, 1704. — Liber Patents, VII: 232 (Albany).
This patent signed by Edward, Viscount Cornbury.
Confirms the said farm to the said Christopher and Sarah Rousby.
From Rousby and wife the land passed to John Gurney. No deed found.
Last Will and Testament of John Gurney. Dated Sept. 23, 1708. Proved May 14, 1709. — Liber Wills, VII: 406 (New York).
Devises half of said premises to his wife; half to his children. His wife is left sole executrix, with power of sale.
Mary Gurney, widow of John Gurney, to Thomas Hook. Deed dated May 24, 1709. — Liber Deeds, X: 238 (Albany).
Conveys the same farm.
Mary Gurney married Thomas Hook, July 10, 1709. Mr. Hook's will was proved, May 29, 1723, but the land stood in his name until 1730, and was then sold to John Devoor, who occupied it for half a century. — Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 595.
Last Will and Testament of John Devoor. Dated June 26, 1778. Proved Oct. 2, i-]%o.— Liber Wills, XXXII: 335 (New York).
Devises (among others) 24^ acres to his daughter, Affee, wife of John Cortright, "with the run of water formerly called the saw Kill."
John Cortright and Affee, his wife, to Isaac Gouverneur. Lease & Release dated May 20-22, 1786. Not found of record; recited in Liber Mtges., IV: 244, V: 422 (New York).
Conveys the farm so devised to Affee Cortright by John Devoor.
Isaac Gouverneur to John Leary, Jr. Deed dated Sept. 9, 1791. Not found of record; recited in Liber Mtges., V: 422.
John Leary, Jr., was a partner of Andrew Stockholm and David Dixon, who made the following mortgage. No deeds to Stockholm and Dixon have been found.
Andrew Stockholm and David Dixon to Gerard Bancker, treasurer of the State of New York. Mortgage dated July 30, 1793, to secure £3,000. — Liber Mtges., VI: 216 (New York).
Covers this farm.
Dickson's cotton manufactory at Hell Gate is mentioned in Chronology. May 31, 1794. These mills were extensive. The employees were brought from Manchester, England. The enterprise proved unsuccessful.
Gerard Bancker, treasurer of the State of New York, to The People of the State of New York. Assignment of mortgage dated March 26, 1798. — Liber Mtges., XXVII: 15 (New York).
Assigns the foregoing mortgage.
The mortgage was foreclosed by the State of New York.
Pierre C. Van Wyck, Master in Chancery, to John Lawrence. Deed dated March 6, 1806. — Liber Deeds, XCIV: 32 (New York). Consid., ^30,000.
Conveys premises as mortgaged.
The intervening title history, which is complicated, is set forth in Turtle, Abstracts of Farm Titles, II: 1.
In 1809, John Lawrence and Richard Riker bought a parcel of the common lands adjoining their farm. They then partitioned the property as follows.
John Lawrence and Patience, his wife, with Richard Riker and Jennet, his wife. Deed dated June 21, 181 1. —Liber Deeds, XCIV: 41 (New York).
This long deed of partition is set forth in full in Tuttle, Abstracts of Farm Titles, II: 18.
The effect of the deed was to vest in Mr. Riker the southerly part of the farm; the northerly part, in Mr. Lawrence. The division lines are well shown on Randel's Map of the farms, PI. 86.
Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 595, says that Mr. Lawrence repaired the old house (which had probably been built by Devoor), and that Mr. Riker built the fine stone house which he occupied until his death in 184I.
In a collection of etchings made by Eliza Greatorex (Old New York from the Battery to Bloomingdale, II: 153, 157, 159), there are delightful sketches of the Riker and Lawrence houses, drawn in 1869 and 1875. The picture at page 153 is of Arch Brook itself.
The mill which once stood in the bed of 74th St., about 250 ft. east of Avenue A, is one of the monuments of the patent of Harlem. The line of that patent runs to "the place where formerly stood the Saw Mills, over against Verkens or Hog Island. . . ." — Liber Patents, IV: 60, printed in Riker, Hist, of Harlem, 271.
