Lot
Trinity's Upper Farm
Lot Group
Original Grants and Farms
Property Was Used in 1660 For:
Full Stokes Entry (See images below)
TRINITY'S UPPER FARM
Block Check List. 604-585-528-527-519-506-503-488490-477-578-579-594-604-
AH of the holdings of Trinity Church north of the Bouwery of Anneke Jans. This upper farm is composed of four separate parcels:
A. Old Jan's land.
B. Symon Congo's land, originally part of Van Twiller's
Bouwery.
C. Master Fiscock's land.
D. Barent Dircksen's land.
A. Old Jan's Land
In the Key to the Manatus Maps, Vol. II, p. 190, number 9 is attributed to Jan Pietersen Van Housem. In the light of later investigation, it seems evident that John Celes, usually known as Old Jan, was the settler intended.
In Chronology, 1638, it is said that John Celes (Seals) received a grant or lease. No authority is quoted. See also O'Callaghan, in Man. Com. Coun. (1870), 922.
John Seals, an Englishman, was in New Amsterdam as early as 1638. — Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 65. He probably came from New England.
Old Jan, as he was generally called, died soon after April 7, 1645. His daughter, Phoebe (Femmetje), born in England, had married Teunis Nyssen, Feb. 11, 1640. — Marr. in Ref. Dutch Ch., 10.
By his will, Old Jan devised his property equally between his widow, Marritje Roberts, and his son-in-law, but the remainder was to his grandchildren.
WiLLEM Kieft, Director, etc., to Tonis Nyssen. Groundbrief dated April 3, 1647. — Liber CO: 208 (Albany).
Conveys "A certain plantation situated on the Island of Manhattans, formerly occupied by the deceased Jan Celes, extending on the south side of [to] the land and valley (marsh or meadow) appertaining to Everhardus Bog.ardus, Predicant [Preacher], and on the north side of [to] Cornelis Maersens and further along the Negroes' Plantation till to the Cripple Bush of the said Bogardus extending in the breadth along the Strand fifty rods; from the Strand along the Cripple Bush, Southeast-by-east one hundred and fifty rods, along the cripplebush till to the negroes' land, extending east-by-south forty-five rods, along the negroes plantation upwards along north-north-west, sixty rods to the Strand downwards, north-west-by-west, thirty-seven rods; along the cripplebush of Cornelis Maersen, extending north-west-by-north twentyseven rods, till along the said cripplebush till to the strand westerly, forty-one rods."
ToNis Nyssen to Augustyn Heermans. Deed dated June 17, 1651. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, A: 19 (New York).
Augustyn Heermans to Rut Jacobsen, of Fort Orange. Deed dated May 11, 16^^.— Ibid., A: 19 (New York).
No deed has been found out of Rutger Jacobsen, nor into Trinity Church.
Part of Old Jan's Land was leased by the corporation of Trinity Church to Abraham Mortier, May i, 1767.— /W</., XXI: 224 (Albany).
The lease was for 99 years; the rental was to be £2 per acre for the first period of 33 years; for the next 2i years, £3 per acre; for the last 2,2 y^^"" pt^riod, £4 per acre.
An excellent survey by Maerschalck, dated June 10, 1767, of this land under lease is in the possession of Francis W. Ford's Sons.
B. Symon Congo's Land
This parcel, about 8 acres in extent, originally formed part of Van Twiller's Bouwery.
WiLLEM KiEFT, Director, etc., to Symon Congo, a free negro. (Manumitted Feb. 25, 1644 — Laws & Ord. of N. Nelh., 36.) Ground-brief dated Dec. 15, 1644. Not found of record; recited in confirmation set forth below.
Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc., to Symon Congoe, a free negro. Confirmation dated Oct. 18, 1667. — Liber Patents, II: 129 (Albany).
Confirms a ground-brief for a piece of land to the west of [by] land then belonging to Jan Celes, between the said land and a certain swamp, having on the east side, Pieter Santomees land, so stretching to the said swamp next to the land of Jan Celes, south-east-and-by-south, it contains 25 rods; going east-south-east somewhat more southerly, 37 rods; east-northeast, 30 rods; north, somewhat more easterly, 48 rods on both sides of the swamp; in all amounting to about 8 acres or 4 morgens, 357 rods.
In the Alexander Papers in the N. Y. Hist. Soc. there is a copy of the grant of Oct. 18, 1667, which recites the grant of Dec. 15, 1644. It is endorsed as follows: "Minutes of patent to Congo, a free negro, bought by Derick Siecken of him but cannot find the Deed or said Dutch Patent. Geertje Cole [who was a grand daughter of Geertje Johnson, widow of Derick Jansen Day, otherwise called Derick Siecken] has Original patents both Dutch & English this is supposed to be the Land belonging named in Tunis Dey's agreement." There is a further statement that Derick Jansen Dey died shortly after making his will, Sept. 5, 1683.
DiRCK Dey, of the city of New York, gentleman, grandson and heir of Dirck Seeken, alias Dey, of the one part, and The Rector and Inhabitants of the city of New York (Trinity Church), of the other part. Deed dated March 25, 1758. — Liber Deeds, XXXIV: 523 (New York). Consid., £50, colonial.
Conveys "All that Certain piece or parcell of land scituate, lying and being upon the Island Manhatans to the west of [by] land formerly belonging to Jan Celes commonly called and known by the name of old Jans Land, between the said land and a certain swamp, having on the east side Peter Santomes land (now belonging to Nicholas Bayard), so stretches to the said swamp next to the land of the said Jan Celes alias Old Jans Land south-east-and-by-south it contains 25 rods; then going east-south-east, somewhat more southerly, 37 rods; then going east-north-east 30 rods; north, somewhat easterly', 48 rods on both sides of the swamp; containing 9 acres, 2 rods, 2 Perches; together with all and singular deeds and writings," etc.
Richmond Hill House stood on this tract; possibly Simon Congo's little house first occupied this charming site.
C. Master Fiscock's Land
This farm of 27 acres was occupied before 1638.
Edward Fiscock was evidently English. Called "Master Fiscock" sometimes in the records. He may have been a physician.
Van Twiller's ground-brief of 1638 bounds westerly by lands of Jan Van Rotterdam and Edward Fiscock. Hall's grant of 1642 recites that Edward Fiscock, Hans Hansen, and Maryn Adriensen had owned this farm in common.
Master Fiscock's one-third seems to have vested before February, 1639, in Claes Cornelissen Swits, who conveyed it to Maryn Adrlaensen, already entitled to a one-third share.
Hans Hansen's interest probably passed to Cornells Maersen of Rcnssclaerswyck, to whom he was indebted. — Records N. Nelli., II: 136. Maersen always lived in the colony of the patroon, yet his name became attached to this farm. The boundary stream and the marsh were known as "Cornells M.ncrsen's cripplebush" (see Old Jan's land).
As late as 1649, his heirs were trying to recover his lands at Manhattan.— Ca/. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 46. The grant to Hall
had probably extinguished all claims. For Maersen, see Van Rensselaer-Bowier MSS., 807.
Claes Cornelissen Swits to Maryn Adriaensen. Deed dated Feb. 19, 1639. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 73 (N. Y. State Library).
Conveys a house and plantation heretofore in occupation of Master Fiscock and Hans Hansen, situated on the North River of New Netherland near the plantation heretofore occupied by Tonis Nyssen, for the sum of fl. 400, calculated at 20 St. to the guilder.
Maryn Adriaensen to Thomas Hall. Deed not found of record; executed before Nov. 20, 1642.
Conveys this plantation.
Willem KiEFT, Director, etc., to Thomas Hall. Groundbrief dated Nov. 20, 1642. — Liber GG: 55 (Albany).
Conveys a piece of land lying on the island of Manhattan on the North river, formerly occupied by Edward Fiscock, Hans Hansen, Maryrs [sic) Adriaensen (having been owners), bounded on the north by the plantation of the late Director Wouter van Twiller and Laurens (should be Barent) Dircksen, baker, and eastward by the swamp.
This should read: bounded on the east by the plantation of the late Director Wouter van Twiller; on the north by land of Barent Dircksen, baker; southwardly, by the swamp.
"Thomas Hall, tobacco planter," makes acknowledgment of a debt to Marjm Adriaensen of 1,000 Carolus guilders, "being for the purchase of the plantation situate on the Island of Manhattan on the North River, heretofore cultivated by Hans Hansen," payment to be consummated on May I, 1644. Hall's security is given by "Francis Lastley and John Seals," Englishmen. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), II: 43 (Albany).
No further history found.
D. Barent Dircksen's Land Manatus Map 1 1 : Plantage van Boerebacker
This was the bouwery called Walesteyn (Walensteyn, Wallenstein). Jan Cornelissen from Rotterdam occupied land here earlier than 1638. Prior to May of that year he returned to Holland on a visit. Before leaving, he transferred the upper part of his farm, between 15 and 16 acres in extent, to Barent Dircksen, the boerebacker, who leased it as follows:
1638, May 14. "This day, date underwritten, before me Cornells van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses appeared Barent Dircksen, baker, on the one part, and Cornells Jacobsen, of Martensdyk, the elder and Cornells Jacobsen his brother, on the other part, who in all amity and friendship agreed and covenanted about the hire of the Bowery called Walensteyn. Thus, Barent Dircksen aforesaid has leased and hereby does lease to Cornells Jacobsen the elder and Cornells Jacobsen the younger, who also acknowledge to have rented, the said Bowery for a term of six consecutive years under the following conditions: First, Barent Dircksen shall be bound to deliver to the lessees four milch cows, two heifers, one heifer calf, three bull calves, one mare and two stallions, a yearling sow, two wagons, a new and serviceable harrow and plough and further every thing now to be found upon the Bowery; for which the lessees shall pay to the lessor every year 150 pounds of butter, one half before, the other after the harvest, also 50 schepels of grain, either wheat rye, barley or such grain as they can spare to the satisfaction of the lessor, it being well understood that whatever increase of the said animals may be had during the said years shall be divided into two equal halves for the lessor and the lessees.
"The lessor shall also deliver to the lessees three old sows, seven little boars and one young sow, for which the lessees shall pay whatever impartial men may deem just and should any of the present stock of animals die without any neglect on the part of the lessees, the lessor shall bear the loss. After the expiration of the aforesaid six years the lessees shall be bound to surrender to the lessor the land, buildings and number of cattle in the same condition as now received; it being well understood, that if unfortunately the house should be burned down by either hostile Indians or others and not by the negligence of the lessees, the lessor shall stand the risk of the incendiary. Also, the land shall be properly planted and cleared, all as before, and neither the lessor nor the lessees shall be at liberty during the said six years to sell any of the milch cows, neither young nor old, but they make [may] take to themselves the steers and oxen every three years and if Jan Cornelissen of Rotterdam should return here from the Fatherland, the lessees shall be bound to deliver to said Jan Cornelissen according to his selection one of the cows then in the stable with a heifer calf and in case the lessor needs a horse and wagon either to haul firewood for himself or for other purposes, the lessees shall be obliged to let him have the same, provided it be not to the prejudice of the cultivation of the farm. The lessor shall be allowed to remain in his house until he has found another suitable dwelling. In testimony and in token of the truth these presents are signed by the parties respectively and two copies of the same tenor have been made hereof." — N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV: 7-8.
For some undiscovered reason this lease was surrendered by Cornells Jacobsen and his brother. Probably Barent Dircksen had, as yet, no other home and could not give possession. A new lease was issued, which was retroactive to May 14, 1638, for the same six year term.
1639, May 18. Contract for lease between Barent Dircksen, baker, and Gerrit Jansen, from Oldenborch and Volckert Evertsen, "for the hire of the Bowery called Walesteyn," for six years. The lease began May 14, 1638, and was to end May 14, 1644. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 118 (N. Y. State Library).
The same day. May 18, 1639, Dircksen sold the farm.
Barent Dircksen, baker, to Gerrit Jansen from Oldenburgh and Volckert Evertsen. Deed dated May 18, 1639. —Ibid^ I: 119 (N. Y. State Library); N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV: 23. Consid., 1,182 guilders.
Conveys a tobacco plantation, bounded southerly by the plantation of Mr. Fiscock and northerly by that of Mr. Lesley.
It appears from the recitals in the following lease that Barent Dircksen still lived on the farm in July, 1639, which confirms the attribution on the Manatus Maps.
Volckert Evertsen and Gerrit Jansen from OldenEURGH to WiLLEM (William) Willemsen (Williamson) and Jan (John) Habsen (Hobson). Lease dated July 7, 1639. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 124 (N. Y. State Library).
Leases "the plantation situate between the plantation of Jan Pietersen and Mr. Lasley on the North River of New Netherland, heretofore cultivated by Jan van Rotterdam and at present occupied by Barent Dircksen Swart." The lease of these two Englishmen is for a term of four years, within which time they covenant to erect on said plantation two houses, to wit: one 18 ft. wide and Tp ft. long, and one 16 ft. wide and 20 ft. long, which are to revert to the lessees {sic) on the expiration of the lease.
Evertsen must have purchased Gerrit Jansen's interest.
Volckert Evertsen to Cornelis Maesen. Deed dated Oct. 24, 1646. — Ibid., II: 151 (N. Y. State Library).
Conveys "house and plantation ... at the North River on which plantation adjoin [those of] Mr. Wouter van Twiller and Thomas Hall."
Cornelis Maesen was of Rensselaerswyck. There is an excellent biography of him in Van Rensselaer-Bowier MSS., 807. He and his wife were buried the same day, early in 1648.
He is not found as a resident of New Amsterdam, although the marsh north of Old Jan's Land was sometimes called Cornelis Maesen's Cripplebush (see Liher GG: 208).
The land was regranted, in 1677, by Gov. Andros to Peter Jansen of the Bowery (Pieter Jansen Slot). The grant is not of record. The usual preliminary survey, by Robert Ryder, made Nov. 10, 1677, reads: "I have made a Survey ... of land neare the Bowery Lying to the westward of the land of Bastian Else 42 rods: ranging nearest west by the land of Jacob Peetersen the greate to Hudson's River, 56 rods. Being in breadth by Hudson's River 40 rods [thence to land of] Bastiaen Else sixty and six rods. Quantity ffifteen and three-quarter acres and twelve rods. For Peter Jansen of the Bowery." — Land Papers, I: I49 (Albany).
Pieter Jansen Slot lived "beyond Fresh water," in 1686, according to Selyn's list; evidently on part of the later Tiebout farm. In earlier years he was a resident of Harlem. — See Riker, Hist, oj Harlem, and the Sloat Genealogy.
No later history of this tract is found in the records.
Parcels A, C, and D were vested in the corporation of Trinity Church by Cornbury's patent, Nov. 23, 1705. — Chronology.
More than fifty years later. Trinity bought parcel B, Congo's land. The easterly boundary of the farm was straightened by agreement between Aaron Burr and the church. May i, 1797. — Liber Deeds , CW : 307 (New York). A diagram annexed to the deed shows the old lines of the negro grants perfectly.
Block Check List. 604-585-528-527-519-506-503-488490-477-578-579-594-604-
AH of the holdings of Trinity Church north of the Bouwery of Anneke Jans. This upper farm is composed of four separate parcels:
A. Old Jan's land.
B. Symon Congo's land, originally part of Van Twiller's
Bouwery.
C. Master Fiscock's land.
D. Barent Dircksen's land.
A. Old Jan's Land
In the Key to the Manatus Maps, Vol. II, p. 190, number 9 is attributed to Jan Pietersen Van Housem. In the light of later investigation, it seems evident that John Celes, usually known as Old Jan, was the settler intended.
In Chronology, 1638, it is said that John Celes (Seals) received a grant or lease. No authority is quoted. See also O'Callaghan, in Man. Com. Coun. (1870), 922.
John Seals, an Englishman, was in New Amsterdam as early as 1638. — Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 65. He probably came from New England.
Old Jan, as he was generally called, died soon after April 7, 1645. His daughter, Phoebe (Femmetje), born in England, had married Teunis Nyssen, Feb. 11, 1640. — Marr. in Ref. Dutch Ch., 10.
By his will, Old Jan devised his property equally between his widow, Marritje Roberts, and his son-in-law, but the remainder was to his grandchildren.
WiLLEM Kieft, Director, etc., to Tonis Nyssen. Groundbrief dated April 3, 1647. — Liber CO: 208 (Albany).
Conveys "A certain plantation situated on the Island of Manhattans, formerly occupied by the deceased Jan Celes, extending on the south side of [to] the land and valley (marsh or meadow) appertaining to Everhardus Bog.ardus, Predicant [Preacher], and on the north side of [to] Cornelis Maersens and further along the Negroes' Plantation till to the Cripple Bush of the said Bogardus extending in the breadth along the Strand fifty rods; from the Strand along the Cripple Bush, Southeast-by-east one hundred and fifty rods, along the cripplebush till to the negroes' land, extending east-by-south forty-five rods, along the negroes plantation upwards along north-north-west, sixty rods to the Strand downwards, north-west-by-west, thirty-seven rods; along the cripplebush of Cornelis Maersen, extending north-west-by-north twentyseven rods, till along the said cripplebush till to the strand westerly, forty-one rods."
ToNis Nyssen to Augustyn Heermans. Deed dated June 17, 1651. Not found of record; recited in Liber Deeds, A: 19 (New York).
Augustyn Heermans to Rut Jacobsen, of Fort Orange. Deed dated May 11, 16^^.— Ibid., A: 19 (New York).
No deed has been found out of Rutger Jacobsen, nor into Trinity Church.
Part of Old Jan's Land was leased by the corporation of Trinity Church to Abraham Mortier, May i, 1767.— /W</., XXI: 224 (Albany).
The lease was for 99 years; the rental was to be £2 per acre for the first period of 33 years; for the next 2i years, £3 per acre; for the last 2,2 y^^"" pt^riod, £4 per acre.
An excellent survey by Maerschalck, dated June 10, 1767, of this land under lease is in the possession of Francis W. Ford's Sons.
B. Symon Congo's Land
This parcel, about 8 acres in extent, originally formed part of Van Twiller's Bouwery.
WiLLEM KiEFT, Director, etc., to Symon Congo, a free negro. (Manumitted Feb. 25, 1644 — Laws & Ord. of N. Nelh., 36.) Ground-brief dated Dec. 15, 1644. Not found of record; recited in confirmation set forth below.
Richard Nicolls, Governour, etc., to Symon Congoe, a free negro. Confirmation dated Oct. 18, 1667. — Liber Patents, II: 129 (Albany).
Confirms a ground-brief for a piece of land to the west of [by] land then belonging to Jan Celes, between the said land and a certain swamp, having on the east side, Pieter Santomees land, so stretching to the said swamp next to the land of Jan Celes, south-east-and-by-south, it contains 25 rods; going east-south-east somewhat more southerly, 37 rods; east-northeast, 30 rods; north, somewhat more easterly, 48 rods on both sides of the swamp; in all amounting to about 8 acres or 4 morgens, 357 rods.
In the Alexander Papers in the N. Y. Hist. Soc. there is a copy of the grant of Oct. 18, 1667, which recites the grant of Dec. 15, 1644. It is endorsed as follows: "Minutes of patent to Congo, a free negro, bought by Derick Siecken of him but cannot find the Deed or said Dutch Patent. Geertje Cole [who was a grand daughter of Geertje Johnson, widow of Derick Jansen Day, otherwise called Derick Siecken] has Original patents both Dutch & English this is supposed to be the Land belonging named in Tunis Dey's agreement." There is a further statement that Derick Jansen Dey died shortly after making his will, Sept. 5, 1683.
DiRCK Dey, of the city of New York, gentleman, grandson and heir of Dirck Seeken, alias Dey, of the one part, and The Rector and Inhabitants of the city of New York (Trinity Church), of the other part. Deed dated March 25, 1758. — Liber Deeds, XXXIV: 523 (New York). Consid., £50, colonial.
Conveys "All that Certain piece or parcell of land scituate, lying and being upon the Island Manhatans to the west of [by] land formerly belonging to Jan Celes commonly called and known by the name of old Jans Land, between the said land and a certain swamp, having on the east side Peter Santomes land (now belonging to Nicholas Bayard), so stretches to the said swamp next to the land of the said Jan Celes alias Old Jans Land south-east-and-by-south it contains 25 rods; then going east-south-east, somewhat more southerly, 37 rods; then going east-north-east 30 rods; north, somewhat easterly', 48 rods on both sides of the swamp; containing 9 acres, 2 rods, 2 Perches; together with all and singular deeds and writings," etc.
Richmond Hill House stood on this tract; possibly Simon Congo's little house first occupied this charming site.
C. Master Fiscock's Land
This farm of 27 acres was occupied before 1638.
Edward Fiscock was evidently English. Called "Master Fiscock" sometimes in the records. He may have been a physician.
Van Twiller's ground-brief of 1638 bounds westerly by lands of Jan Van Rotterdam and Edward Fiscock. Hall's grant of 1642 recites that Edward Fiscock, Hans Hansen, and Maryn Adriensen had owned this farm in common.
Master Fiscock's one-third seems to have vested before February, 1639, in Claes Cornelissen Swits, who conveyed it to Maryn Adrlaensen, already entitled to a one-third share.
Hans Hansen's interest probably passed to Cornells Maersen of Rcnssclaerswyck, to whom he was indebted. — Records N. Nelli., II: 136. Maersen always lived in the colony of the patroon, yet his name became attached to this farm. The boundary stream and the marsh were known as "Cornells M.ncrsen's cripplebush" (see Old Jan's land).
As late as 1649, his heirs were trying to recover his lands at Manhattan.— Ca/. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 46. The grant to Hall
had probably extinguished all claims. For Maersen, see Van Rensselaer-Bowier MSS., 807.
Claes Cornelissen Swits to Maryn Adriaensen. Deed dated Feb. 19, 1639. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 73 (N. Y. State Library).
Conveys a house and plantation heretofore in occupation of Master Fiscock and Hans Hansen, situated on the North River of New Netherland near the plantation heretofore occupied by Tonis Nyssen, for the sum of fl. 400, calculated at 20 St. to the guilder.
Maryn Adriaensen to Thomas Hall. Deed not found of record; executed before Nov. 20, 1642.
Conveys this plantation.
Willem KiEFT, Director, etc., to Thomas Hall. Groundbrief dated Nov. 20, 1642. — Liber GG: 55 (Albany).
Conveys a piece of land lying on the island of Manhattan on the North river, formerly occupied by Edward Fiscock, Hans Hansen, Maryrs [sic) Adriaensen (having been owners), bounded on the north by the plantation of the late Director Wouter van Twiller and Laurens (should be Barent) Dircksen, baker, and eastward by the swamp.
This should read: bounded on the east by the plantation of the late Director Wouter van Twiller; on the north by land of Barent Dircksen, baker; southwardly, by the swamp.
"Thomas Hall, tobacco planter," makes acknowledgment of a debt to Marjm Adriaensen of 1,000 Carolus guilders, "being for the purchase of the plantation situate on the Island of Manhattan on the North River, heretofore cultivated by Hans Hansen," payment to be consummated on May I, 1644. Hall's security is given by "Francis Lastley and John Seals," Englishmen. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), II: 43 (Albany).
No further history found.
D. Barent Dircksen's Land Manatus Map 1 1 : Plantage van Boerebacker
This was the bouwery called Walesteyn (Walensteyn, Wallenstein). Jan Cornelissen from Rotterdam occupied land here earlier than 1638. Prior to May of that year he returned to Holland on a visit. Before leaving, he transferred the upper part of his farm, between 15 and 16 acres in extent, to Barent Dircksen, the boerebacker, who leased it as follows:
1638, May 14. "This day, date underwritten, before me Cornells van Tienhoven, Secretary of New Netherland, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses appeared Barent Dircksen, baker, on the one part, and Cornells Jacobsen, of Martensdyk, the elder and Cornells Jacobsen his brother, on the other part, who in all amity and friendship agreed and covenanted about the hire of the Bowery called Walensteyn. Thus, Barent Dircksen aforesaid has leased and hereby does lease to Cornells Jacobsen the elder and Cornells Jacobsen the younger, who also acknowledge to have rented, the said Bowery for a term of six consecutive years under the following conditions: First, Barent Dircksen shall be bound to deliver to the lessees four milch cows, two heifers, one heifer calf, three bull calves, one mare and two stallions, a yearling sow, two wagons, a new and serviceable harrow and plough and further every thing now to be found upon the Bowery; for which the lessees shall pay to the lessor every year 150 pounds of butter, one half before, the other after the harvest, also 50 schepels of grain, either wheat rye, barley or such grain as they can spare to the satisfaction of the lessor, it being well understood that whatever increase of the said animals may be had during the said years shall be divided into two equal halves for the lessor and the lessees.
"The lessor shall also deliver to the lessees three old sows, seven little boars and one young sow, for which the lessees shall pay whatever impartial men may deem just and should any of the present stock of animals die without any neglect on the part of the lessees, the lessor shall bear the loss. After the expiration of the aforesaid six years the lessees shall be bound to surrender to the lessor the land, buildings and number of cattle in the same condition as now received; it being well understood, that if unfortunately the house should be burned down by either hostile Indians or others and not by the negligence of the lessees, the lessor shall stand the risk of the incendiary. Also, the land shall be properly planted and cleared, all as before, and neither the lessor nor the lessees shall be at liberty during the said six years to sell any of the milch cows, neither young nor old, but they make [may] take to themselves the steers and oxen every three years and if Jan Cornelissen of Rotterdam should return here from the Fatherland, the lessees shall be bound to deliver to said Jan Cornelissen according to his selection one of the cows then in the stable with a heifer calf and in case the lessor needs a horse and wagon either to haul firewood for himself or for other purposes, the lessees shall be obliged to let him have the same, provided it be not to the prejudice of the cultivation of the farm. The lessor shall be allowed to remain in his house until he has found another suitable dwelling. In testimony and in token of the truth these presents are signed by the parties respectively and two copies of the same tenor have been made hereof." — N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV: 7-8.
For some undiscovered reason this lease was surrendered by Cornells Jacobsen and his brother. Probably Barent Dircksen had, as yet, no other home and could not give possession. A new lease was issued, which was retroactive to May 14, 1638, for the same six year term.
1639, May 18. Contract for lease between Barent Dircksen, baker, and Gerrit Jansen, from Oldenborch and Volckert Evertsen, "for the hire of the Bowery called Walesteyn," for six years. The lease began May 14, 1638, and was to end May 14, 1644. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 118 (N. Y. State Library).
The same day. May 18, 1639, Dircksen sold the farm.
Barent Dircksen, baker, to Gerrit Jansen from Oldenburgh and Volckert Evertsen. Deed dated May 18, 1639. —Ibid^ I: 119 (N. Y. State Library); N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV: 23. Consid., 1,182 guilders.
Conveys a tobacco plantation, bounded southerly by the plantation of Mr. Fiscock and northerly by that of Mr. Lesley.
It appears from the recitals in the following lease that Barent Dircksen still lived on the farm in July, 1639, which confirms the attribution on the Manatus Maps.
Volckert Evertsen and Gerrit Jansen from OldenEURGH to WiLLEM (William) Willemsen (Williamson) and Jan (John) Habsen (Hobson). Lease dated July 7, 1639. — Records N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), I: 124 (N. Y. State Library).
Leases "the plantation situate between the plantation of Jan Pietersen and Mr. Lasley on the North River of New Netherland, heretofore cultivated by Jan van Rotterdam and at present occupied by Barent Dircksen Swart." The lease of these two Englishmen is for a term of four years, within which time they covenant to erect on said plantation two houses, to wit: one 18 ft. wide and Tp ft. long, and one 16 ft. wide and 20 ft. long, which are to revert to the lessees {sic) on the expiration of the lease.
Evertsen must have purchased Gerrit Jansen's interest.
Volckert Evertsen to Cornelis Maesen. Deed dated Oct. 24, 1646. — Ibid., II: 151 (N. Y. State Library).
Conveys "house and plantation ... at the North River on which plantation adjoin [those of] Mr. Wouter van Twiller and Thomas Hall."
Cornelis Maesen was of Rensselaerswyck. There is an excellent biography of him in Van Rensselaer-Bowier MSS., 807. He and his wife were buried the same day, early in 1648.
He is not found as a resident of New Amsterdam, although the marsh north of Old Jan's Land was sometimes called Cornelis Maesen's Cripplebush (see Liher GG: 208).
The land was regranted, in 1677, by Gov. Andros to Peter Jansen of the Bowery (Pieter Jansen Slot). The grant is not of record. The usual preliminary survey, by Robert Ryder, made Nov. 10, 1677, reads: "I have made a Survey ... of land neare the Bowery Lying to the westward of the land of Bastian Else 42 rods: ranging nearest west by the land of Jacob Peetersen the greate to Hudson's River, 56 rods. Being in breadth by Hudson's River 40 rods [thence to land of] Bastiaen Else sixty and six rods. Quantity ffifteen and three-quarter acres and twelve rods. For Peter Jansen of the Bowery." — Land Papers, I: I49 (Albany).
Pieter Jansen Slot lived "beyond Fresh water," in 1686, according to Selyn's list; evidently on part of the later Tiebout farm. In earlier years he was a resident of Harlem. — See Riker, Hist, oj Harlem, and the Sloat Genealogy.
No later history of this tract is found in the records.
Parcels A, C, and D were vested in the corporation of Trinity Church by Cornbury's patent, Nov. 23, 1705. — Chronology.
More than fifty years later. Trinity bought parcel B, Congo's land. The easterly boundary of the farm was straightened by agreement between Aaron Burr and the church. May i, 1797. — Liber Deeds , CW : 307 (New York). A diagram annexed to the deed shows the old lines of the negro grants perfectly.
