Lot: Samler Farm (Original Grants and Farms)

Lot
Samler Farm
Lot Group
Original Grants and Farms
Property Was Used in 1660 For:
Full Stokes Entry (See images below)
THE SAMLER FARM Block Check List. 832-834-860-861-858-852-827-832.

Casper Samler's farm comprised:

A. The patent of Anthony Mathys, a free negro.

B. Part of the land of Claes Martensen van Rosenvelt.

C. Part of the Common Lands of the city of New York. Nearly forty five acres in all.

A. The Land of Anthony Mathys, a Free Negro Petrus Stuyvesant, Director, etc. to Anthony Mathys.

Ground-brief dated 1655. Not found of record; recited in

Liber Patents, II: 125 (Albany)

Conveys land described in confirmation following.

Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc., to Hilary, widow of Anthony Mathys, deceased. Confirmation dated Oct. 16, 1667— Hi J., II: 125 (Albany).

Confirms a grant made in 1655, of land lying behind Claes Martin, alias Cleyn Claes('s) land, between two pieces of marsh ground, so going north into the woods; it contains in breadth 50 rods, then stretching east and west, is in length 100 rods.

This tract is found in the possession of Wessell Petersen before April 3, 1696, when he petitioned for "Six Acres of Land lying between the Land of Solomon Pieters and A litle bridge within this Citty." — M. C. C, I: 403.

Jannetje Webber, widow; Wolfert Webber and Margaret, his wife; Benjamin Quackinbos and Clasie, his wife; John Horn and Rachel, his wife; Sybrant Brouwer and Sarah, his wife; Cornelius Webber to Jeremiah Callcutt. Not found of record; recited in Liier Deeds, XXXVII: 748 (New York).

Conveys "an undivided two-thirds of a certain dwelling and parcel of land ... at the Bowery in the Out Ward . . . fronting to the Kings Highway that leads to Harlem on the south side thereof. Containing 31^^ acres. Now in fence and in the possession of one Isaac Somarindyck and which did formerly belong to one Wessell Peterson."

Note: The grantors, except Wolfert Webber, were heirs of Arnout Webber. — See Mott, N. Y. 0/ Yesterday, 152. Possibly Arnout and Wolfert Webber bought from Wessel Peterson.

John Horn and Sarah, his wife, to Jeremiah Callcut. Not found of record; recited in Liier Deeds, XXXVII: 748 (New York).

Conveys one-third part of farm, etc., same as preceding instrument.

1719, April 14. Land of Jeremiah Callcut to be laid out "According to his purchase & the prayer of his Petition lyeing in the Bowery Division of the Outward formerly Called the Brugatey or Moore the Brickmaker" (i.e.,the little bridge near land of Moore, the brickmaker)." — M. C. C, III: 200.

Lawrence Garner and Mary, his wife, late widow of Jeremiah Callcutt, deceased, to John Bell. Deeds of lease and release dated Jan. 22-23, '7^9- — Liier Deeds, XXXVII: 745-48 (New York).

Conveys all the premises described in two preceding instruments.

John Bell to Lawrence Garner. Deeds of lease and release dated Jan. 26, 27, 1729. — Hid., XXXVII: 755-57 (New York).

Conveys same premises.

Mary Garner, daughter of Lawrence Garner, married Richard Schuckburgh.

Several entries in the Minutes between April 13, 1748, and May 4, 1757, explain how Dr. Richard Schuckburgh became possessed of certain portions of the Common Lands. — M. C. C, V: 221, 262; Hid., VI: 87, 88-90.

Richard Schuckburgh to Mary Schuckburgh, his wife. Power of atty. dated May 10, 1757. — Liier City Grants, C: 175 (corapt. office. New York).

Appoints Mary Schuckburgh, his wife, as his attorney to transfer to the mayor, et al., all the land not included in the survey of 31^^ acres, in the bowery of the Outward of the city, by Francis Maerschalck, surveyor, and to sell all included in the survey to Teunis Somarindyck. Also, to get a release from the mayor, et al. for said 31 yi acres.

Recites same as "Nichols to Hillary, ux, and children of Anthony Mattys, Oct. 16, 1667."

The proposed sale to Teunis Somarindyck did not take place.

Doctor Schuckburgh had encroached upon lands belonging

to the city. The following deed is in the nature of a release to the corporation of all the land outside the bounds of this carefully surveyed tract.

Richard Schuckburgh and Mary, his wife, to Mayor, el al. Deed dated May 11, 1757. — Liber City Grants, C: 177, compt. office (New York).

Conveys "all the Land contiguous to, but not included in the following boundaries:

"Beginning at a heap of stones at the S.E. corner of the following lot, where same joins the public Highway, which heap of stones is E. 13 ch. and 25 1. distant from [measured along] the three first courses hereafter mentioned, from a small run of water issuing out of said tract near S. W. corner into highway;

thence S. 66° 45', W. 7 ch.;

thence S. 73°, W. 3 ch., 30 1.;

thence S. 82°, W. 3 ch., 70 1.;

thence N. 17°, W. 19 ch.;

thence N. 3°, E. 3 ch., 8 1.;

thence N. 39°, E. 6 ch., 37 I.;

thence N. 73° 30', E. 5 ch., 60 1.;

thence S. 22°, E. 25 ch., 38 1. to Beginning. Containing 2i}i acres.

"Recites same as Nicolls to Hillary, the ux and children of Anthony Mattys, Oct. 16, 1667."

Richard Shucksburgh and Mary, his wife, to Benjamin NicoLL. Deed dated before July 15, 1759. Not found of record; recited in ibid., D: 108, compt. office (New York).

Conveys same land.

Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty to John Watts, and William Nicoll, executors of Benjamin Nicoll, deed. Deed dated Dec. 17, 1770. — Ibid., D: 108, compt. office (New York).

Conveys same as preceding instrument.

Recites that the mayor, et al., on July 15, 1759, did agree to grant and release unto Benjamin Nicoll 3 or 4 acres adjoining on west side of said tract; and between the same and the road leading to Bloomingdale and opposite to farms of Adam Vanden Burgh and John De Witt, "and in order to straighten the highways . . . and further to accommodate Benjamin Nicoll, he the said Benjamin Nicoll did consent and agree to give up for the Publick use another small peice of ground from the S. W. angle of his farm, in a square as the fence now stands."

Samuel Nicoll, "Practitioner in Physick, Henry Nicoll and Alicie, ux, and Mathias Nicoll and Sarah, ux, of the first part to Casper Samlar, of the Outward, of the second part." Deed dated March 27, 1780. — Liber Deeds, XXI: 58 (Albany). Also recorded in Liber Deeds, CCCXLVIII: 595 (New York).

Conveys "All that certain farm or plantation tract, piece or parcel of land and messuage, tenement or dwelling-house, situate, lying and being at the three mile stone in the Out Ward of the City of New York between the publick Road leading from the said City tor'ds Kingsbridge and the publick Road that leads to Bloomingdale as the same is now in fence and in the Tenure and Occupation of the said Henry Nicoll, being Bounded on the S. partly by the said Road leading to Kingsbridge and partly by a piece of Commons; on the N. by land belonging to one Daniel Amos and on the E. .by other part of the said Commons which said Farm and plantation contains about 37 Acres of land more or less, together with all and singular the barns, etc."

B. Land of Claes Martenszen van Rosenvelt Petrus Stuyvesant, Director, etc., to Lambert van Valckenburgh. Ground-brief dated May 15, 1649. Not found of record; recited in confirmation following.

Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc., to Thomas Hall and PiETER Stoutenburoh, for and on behalfe of ye children of Claes Martersen. Confirmation dated May 25, 1668. — Liber Patents, III: 43 (Albany).

Recites "ye ground-brief Stuyvesant to Lambert van Valckenburgh . . . Certaine Plantation lying and being upon this Island Manhatants, Conteyning in Breadth on ye East syde, behynde ye Plantation then in ye tenure or Occupation of Long Dirck & formerly of Teunis Gray, 75 r., between ye fence of ye said Long Dirck's land and that of Peter Lindens Plantation behynde on ye West syde it is in breadth to ye Swampe & ye fence by ye small Creek or Kill 125 r. & on ye North syde 150 r., in all Amounting to about 48 Acres or 24 Margen & 300 r. . . . ground-briefe bore date May 15, 1649, was transported & sold unto Claes Martersen, who being deceased & having left Thoms Hall & Pieter Stoutenbergh as Overseers & Trustees of his Children . . . &c."

Claes Martensen van Rosenvelt, the ancestor of the Roosevelt family, occupied the farm originally granted to Lambert van Valckenburgh, at least as early as 1655. No deed found of record. Van Valckenburgh was a resident of Fort Orange in July, 1652, and is not again found in New Amsterdam. Probably he sold his farm here to Claes Martensen when he went north.— See TV. Y. Col. Docs., I: 525.

There is an interesting article about Claes Martensen van Rosenvelt, by Dingman Versteeg in The New Netherland Register, Vol. I: 8. Versteeg identifies him as Nicolas Martens, mentioned in a court record as early as Aug. 26, 1638. — Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, p. 64.

The Roosevelt Genealogy, i6^g-igo2, compiled by Charles Barney Whittlesey, says that Claes Martenszen Van Rosenveldt came to New Amsterdam in 1649, "undoubtedly bringing with him his wife Jannetje Samuels." The same statement is found in The Ancestry of Theodore Roosevelt, by Wm. M. Clemens. Neither writer quotes any authority.

Mr. Versteeg says he found nothing further about this settler in the records until Oct. 23, 1650, when a son, Christiaen, was baptised. — Baptisms in Ref. Dutch Ch., 28.

His marriage is not recorded in New Amsterdam. His nick-name, "Klein Klaasje" (little Claes), probably indicates that he was a short man.

Before Dec. 10, 1660, Cleyn Claasie and his wife, Jannetje Thomas, were both dead. There were five minor children. Their history is set forth in the Minutes of the Orphan Masters, I: 171 et seq.

Nicolaes, son of Claes Martenzen and Jannetie Thomas, was baptised Oct. 2, 1658. — Baptisms in Ref. Dutch Ch., 50. He married Hilletje Jans of Albany, Dec. 9, 1682. — Marr. in Ref. Dutch Ch., 52. He is said to have been the direct ancestor of the Roosevelts of New York. In all probability he was born on this farm.

Theodore Roosevelt, his distinguished descendant, was born less than a half mile distant, at No. 28 East 20th St., on Oct. 27, 1858, almost exactly two hundred years later.

After Claes Martenszen's death his land reverted to the government; as part of the common lands of the city of New York it was conveyed to Casper Samler.

Mayor, et al., to Casper Samler. Deed dated March 16, 1799. — Liber City Grants, E: 36, compt. office (New York).

Conveys a triangular piece of the Commons, containing 5 acres, 2 rods, :8 perches.

The Samler farm house is shown on the Ratzer Map; on a survey of the Samler farm bv Goerck, Nov. 5, 1795, annexed to Liber Deeds, CCCXXXIX: 176 (New York); and on the Randcl Map. Site a little east of the north-east corner of Madison Ave. and 27th St.