Lot
James Duane Estate
Lot Group
Original Grants and Farms
Property Was Used in 1660 For:
Original Grants and Farms Document(s)
Grant Lot Document(s)
Tax Lot Events
Full Stokes Entry (See images below)
THE JAMES DUANE ESTATE (Gramercy Seat)
Block Check List. 849-877-903-902-875-848. For the 4 A. tract (A) — 849-848. For the 10 A. tract (B) — 849-878-901-875-849. For the 6A. tract (C) — 878-904-902-901-878.
James Duane acquired this farm in three parcels.
A. A parcel at the south-west corner, adjoining the Tiebout farm, 4 acres more or less, from Judith Stuyvesant.
B. A parcel of 10 acres, more or less, from Gerardus Stuyvesant.
C. A parcel containing 6 acres or thereabouts, from John Watts Jr.
A. The Four Acre Parcel
Judith Stuyvesant to Frans Bastiaensz, free Negro. Deed dated Sept. 24, 1674. — "Original Book of N. Y. Deeds," in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collections (1913), 42-43.
"Appeared before us undersigned Schepens of the City of New Orange in New Netherland the worthy Mrs Judith Stuyvesand widow & executrix of deceased Mr Petrus Stuyvesand, who declared to cede, transfer and convey in right, true and free ownership to and in behalf of Frans Bastiaensz free Negro, certain parcel or piece of land situated across the Fresh Water about the Bowery past the section or neighborhood called Crommessie along the public road running into the wood commencing at the Northend of the lots of Crommessie and then running along said road northward thirty two and a half rods, thence towards the East fifty six and a half rods thence southward straight across to the land of Henry Peers eighteen rods and thence westerly again back to the public road forty six and one half rods, with such passive and active servitudes and rights as the same has been possessed and occupied by grantor to this date, free and unencumbered, without any charge resting on or originating from the same excepting the Lord's right (with this proviso, however, that said Francisco is bound, with his neighbors to keep in repairs the fence of said land) For which said piece of land said Mrs Stuyvesand for conveyance and transfer acknowledged to have been satisfied and paid therefore she, grantor, desisting from any claims, ownership-rights and pretensions she or any one on her behalf should or might advance. Promising to firmly and irrevocably keep perform and carry out this conveyance. In Testimony of the truth this has been personally subscribed to by the grantor besides the undersigned Schepens, at New Orange, September 24, 1674.
"Francois Rombouts Judith Stuyvesant.
"Guilain Verplanck.
"Known to me, "Ephraim Herman, Secretary." Frans Bastiansen was probably a son of Bastiaen d'AngoIa, who was captured in the West Indies by the prize bark "De Jonge Raven," and manumitted by Pieter Jacobsz of Flushing, and Jan De Graue, captain and mate of that vessel, Aug. 21, 1654. — Powers of Attorney, etc. (1651-6), trans, by E. B. O'Callaghan, p. 73, in city clerk's office.
Bastiaensen's land reverted to the Stuyvesant family. Anne Pritchard, who was a daughter of Nicholas WiUiara Stuyvesant, sold it to James De Lancey as follows:
Anne Pritchard, widow, to James Delancey. Deed dated June 24, 1746. Not found of record; recited in deed following. Conveys four acres of land, more or less. James Delancey to John Watts. Deed dated Nov. 13, 1747. Not found of record; then in possession of John Watts, Esq.
Conveys "all the estate, right, title, interest, property, possession, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said James Delancey of, in or to one other certain lot or parcel of land situate, lying and being adjoining to the above mentioned lot, bounded northerly and easterly by the said above mentioned lot, southerly by Charles Dawson's lot, and westerly by the road or King's Highway, containing about four acres of land, be the same more or less." (From an old abstract of title in the author's possession.)
John Watts seems never to have entered into possession of the foregoing parcel; Gerardus Stuyvesant, a brother of Anne Pritchard, sold it to Duane.
In the De Peyster Papers, III: 39, in the N. Y. Hist. Soc, there is a copy of a survey, neither dated nor signed — "Map of Land Sold James Duane," showing the three parcels of land herein set forth; this smaller piece is annotated "In dispute between the heirs of Stuyvesant & Duane — James Duane bought Coll. Gerardus Stuyvesant's quit-claim"
Gerardus Stuyvesant to James Duane. Deeds of lease and release dated July 21-22, 1761. — Liber "Deeds, CCLXXII: 21-24 (New York). Consid., £120.
Conveys "property in the Out Ward, Beginning at the N. W. corner of lands of Cornelius Tiebout; thence along the highway or Post Road N. 19° E. 6 ch., 3 1. to land of John Watts; thence along the land of John Watts, S. 45° 45' E. 10 ch., 48 1.; thence along said land of Watts S. 36° 15' E. 3 ch., ■^J, I. to land of C.
Tiebout; thence along Tiebout's land N. 61° W. 8 ch., 68 1. to Beginning; containing 4 acres, I rood, 14 perches. Bounded W. by said highway or Post Road; N. and E. by land of John Watts; S. by the land of Tiebout."
B. The Ten Acre Parcel
For the earlier title into John Watts, Sr., see the Rose Hill Farm.
John Watts and Ann, his wife, to James Duane. Deeds of lease and release dated Dec. 28-29, 1763. — Liber Deeds, CCLXXII: 24-2S (New York).
Conveys property in the Out Ward, adjoining land of Duane "Beginning at the N. corner thereof on the highway; thence S. 61° E. 16 ch., 62 1.; S. 78° 45' E. 7 ch., 94 1. to a large rock; thence S. 10° E. 8 ch., 10 1. to division fence between lands of John Watts and of Gerard Stuyvesant; thence along the fence N. 76° W. 8 ch., 30 1. to fence of C. Tiebout; thence along the same N. 61° W. 8 ch. 72 1. to land of Duane; thence in rear of said land N. 35° 15' E. 3 ch., 30 1.; thence along the same N. 45° 45' W. 10 ch., 48 1. to Beginning. Containing 10 acres, 2 roods, 17 perches."
The Duane house is shown on the Ratzer Map, 1766, but it had been demolished before the Randel Map of 1819 was surveyed.
"The site was east of Fourth Avanue, between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets. The lower section of Judge Duane's well, walled up with brick, was found on . the west side of Graraercy Park, when the city streets were opened." — Recitals in old abstract.
C. The Si.x Acre Parcel
For the earlier title into John Watts, Sr., see the Rose Hill Farm.
By an act of the legislature of New York, passed Oct. 23, 1779 (,Laws oj N. Y., 1779, Chap. 25), John Watt's, Sr. was attainted of treason and his estates were forfeited to the people of the state of New York and vested in them.
By an act passed May 12, 1784 {Laws of N. Y., 1784, Chap. 64) the commissioners of forfeiture were authorized to release this farm to Robert Watts and John Watts, Jr.
Isaac Stoutenburoh and Philip van Cortlandt, commissioners of forfeiture, to Robert Watts and John Watts, Jr. Commissioners' deed dated June 16, 1784. — Liber Forfeited Estates, II: I.
Conveys farm in the Out Ward, formerly belonging to John Watts, Sr. and by him forfeited.
Robert Watts and Mary, his wife, to John Watts, Jr. Release dated Feb. 20, iyS6.— Liber Deeds, CCLXV: 488 (New York).
Releases one moiety or half part of above premises.
John Watts, Jr. to James Duane. Deeds of lease and release dated March I, 1786. — Liber Deeds, CCLXII: 28-31 (New York). Consid., 5 s.
Conveys property in the Out Ward, "Beginning at a large round rock at the N. E. corner of land of James Duane, thence N. 82° 45' E. 6 ch., 75 1.; thence S. 13° E. 10 ch., 60 1. to fence at north side of land of P. Stuyvesant; thence N. 77° 15' W. along said fence 7 ch., 90 1. to S. E. corner of land of James Duane; thence N. 10° 30' W. 7 ch., 85 1. along said land to beginning. Containing 6J acres."
On March 4th, 1782, the "beautiful and delightful Villa, situate on the Bowery Road, about two miles and a half from this city, formerly possessed by William Burton, Esquire," was advertised for sale. The property included "about twenty-two acres of luxuriant meadow and arable land." — Chronology. This description applies perfectly to the Duane farm. Burton had probably been a tenant.
After the peace James Duane found his farm in pretty good order, the house having been occupied by one of the British generals. — Chronology, Nov. 25, 1783.
Block Check List. 849-877-903-902-875-848. For the 4 A. tract (A) — 849-848. For the 10 A. tract (B) — 849-878-901-875-849. For the 6A. tract (C) — 878-904-902-901-878.
James Duane acquired this farm in three parcels.
A. A parcel at the south-west corner, adjoining the Tiebout farm, 4 acres more or less, from Judith Stuyvesant.
B. A parcel of 10 acres, more or less, from Gerardus Stuyvesant.
C. A parcel containing 6 acres or thereabouts, from John Watts Jr.
A. The Four Acre Parcel
Judith Stuyvesant to Frans Bastiaensz, free Negro. Deed dated Sept. 24, 1674. — "Original Book of N. Y. Deeds," in N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collections (1913), 42-43.
"Appeared before us undersigned Schepens of the City of New Orange in New Netherland the worthy Mrs Judith Stuyvesand widow & executrix of deceased Mr Petrus Stuyvesand, who declared to cede, transfer and convey in right, true and free ownership to and in behalf of Frans Bastiaensz free Negro, certain parcel or piece of land situated across the Fresh Water about the Bowery past the section or neighborhood called Crommessie along the public road running into the wood commencing at the Northend of the lots of Crommessie and then running along said road northward thirty two and a half rods, thence towards the East fifty six and a half rods thence southward straight across to the land of Henry Peers eighteen rods and thence westerly again back to the public road forty six and one half rods, with such passive and active servitudes and rights as the same has been possessed and occupied by grantor to this date, free and unencumbered, without any charge resting on or originating from the same excepting the Lord's right (with this proviso, however, that said Francisco is bound, with his neighbors to keep in repairs the fence of said land) For which said piece of land said Mrs Stuyvesand for conveyance and transfer acknowledged to have been satisfied and paid therefore she, grantor, desisting from any claims, ownership-rights and pretensions she or any one on her behalf should or might advance. Promising to firmly and irrevocably keep perform and carry out this conveyance. In Testimony of the truth this has been personally subscribed to by the grantor besides the undersigned Schepens, at New Orange, September 24, 1674.
"Francois Rombouts Judith Stuyvesant.
"Guilain Verplanck.
"Known to me, "Ephraim Herman, Secretary." Frans Bastiansen was probably a son of Bastiaen d'AngoIa, who was captured in the West Indies by the prize bark "De Jonge Raven," and manumitted by Pieter Jacobsz of Flushing, and Jan De Graue, captain and mate of that vessel, Aug. 21, 1654. — Powers of Attorney, etc. (1651-6), trans, by E. B. O'Callaghan, p. 73, in city clerk's office.
Bastiaensen's land reverted to the Stuyvesant family. Anne Pritchard, who was a daughter of Nicholas WiUiara Stuyvesant, sold it to James De Lancey as follows:
Anne Pritchard, widow, to James Delancey. Deed dated June 24, 1746. Not found of record; recited in deed following. Conveys four acres of land, more or less. James Delancey to John Watts. Deed dated Nov. 13, 1747. Not found of record; then in possession of John Watts, Esq.
Conveys "all the estate, right, title, interest, property, possession, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said James Delancey of, in or to one other certain lot or parcel of land situate, lying and being adjoining to the above mentioned lot, bounded northerly and easterly by the said above mentioned lot, southerly by Charles Dawson's lot, and westerly by the road or King's Highway, containing about four acres of land, be the same more or less." (From an old abstract of title in the author's possession.)
John Watts seems never to have entered into possession of the foregoing parcel; Gerardus Stuyvesant, a brother of Anne Pritchard, sold it to Duane.
In the De Peyster Papers, III: 39, in the N. Y. Hist. Soc, there is a copy of a survey, neither dated nor signed — "Map of Land Sold James Duane," showing the three parcels of land herein set forth; this smaller piece is annotated "In dispute between the heirs of Stuyvesant & Duane — James Duane bought Coll. Gerardus Stuyvesant's quit-claim"
Gerardus Stuyvesant to James Duane. Deeds of lease and release dated July 21-22, 1761. — Liber "Deeds, CCLXXII: 21-24 (New York). Consid., £120.
Conveys "property in the Out Ward, Beginning at the N. W. corner of lands of Cornelius Tiebout; thence along the highway or Post Road N. 19° E. 6 ch., 3 1. to land of John Watts; thence along the land of John Watts, S. 45° 45' E. 10 ch., 48 1.; thence along said land of Watts S. 36° 15' E. 3 ch., ■^J, I. to land of C.
Tiebout; thence along Tiebout's land N. 61° W. 8 ch., 68 1. to Beginning; containing 4 acres, I rood, 14 perches. Bounded W. by said highway or Post Road; N. and E. by land of John Watts; S. by the land of Tiebout."
B. The Ten Acre Parcel
For the earlier title into John Watts, Sr., see the Rose Hill Farm.
John Watts and Ann, his wife, to James Duane. Deeds of lease and release dated Dec. 28-29, 1763. — Liber Deeds, CCLXXII: 24-2S (New York).
Conveys property in the Out Ward, adjoining land of Duane "Beginning at the N. corner thereof on the highway; thence S. 61° E. 16 ch., 62 1.; S. 78° 45' E. 7 ch., 94 1. to a large rock; thence S. 10° E. 8 ch., 10 1. to division fence between lands of John Watts and of Gerard Stuyvesant; thence along the fence N. 76° W. 8 ch., 30 1. to fence of C. Tiebout; thence along the same N. 61° W. 8 ch. 72 1. to land of Duane; thence in rear of said land N. 35° 15' E. 3 ch., 30 1.; thence along the same N. 45° 45' W. 10 ch., 48 1. to Beginning. Containing 10 acres, 2 roods, 17 perches."
The Duane house is shown on the Ratzer Map, 1766, but it had been demolished before the Randel Map of 1819 was surveyed.
"The site was east of Fourth Avanue, between Twentieth and Twenty-first streets. The lower section of Judge Duane's well, walled up with brick, was found on . the west side of Graraercy Park, when the city streets were opened." — Recitals in old abstract.
C. The Si.x Acre Parcel
For the earlier title into John Watts, Sr., see the Rose Hill Farm.
By an act of the legislature of New York, passed Oct. 23, 1779 (,Laws oj N. Y., 1779, Chap. 25), John Watt's, Sr. was attainted of treason and his estates were forfeited to the people of the state of New York and vested in them.
By an act passed May 12, 1784 {Laws of N. Y., 1784, Chap. 64) the commissioners of forfeiture were authorized to release this farm to Robert Watts and John Watts, Jr.
Isaac Stoutenburoh and Philip van Cortlandt, commissioners of forfeiture, to Robert Watts and John Watts, Jr. Commissioners' deed dated June 16, 1784. — Liber Forfeited Estates, II: I.
Conveys farm in the Out Ward, formerly belonging to John Watts, Sr. and by him forfeited.
Robert Watts and Mary, his wife, to John Watts, Jr. Release dated Feb. 20, iyS6.— Liber Deeds, CCLXV: 488 (New York).
Releases one moiety or half part of above premises.
John Watts, Jr. to James Duane. Deeds of lease and release dated March I, 1786. — Liber Deeds, CCLXII: 28-31 (New York). Consid., 5 s.
Conveys property in the Out Ward, "Beginning at a large round rock at the N. E. corner of land of James Duane, thence N. 82° 45' E. 6 ch., 75 1.; thence S. 13° E. 10 ch., 60 1. to fence at north side of land of P. Stuyvesant; thence N. 77° 15' W. along said fence 7 ch., 90 1. to S. E. corner of land of James Duane; thence N. 10° 30' W. 7 ch., 85 1. along said land to beginning. Containing 6J acres."
On March 4th, 1782, the "beautiful and delightful Villa, situate on the Bowery Road, about two miles and a half from this city, formerly possessed by William Burton, Esquire," was advertised for sale. The property included "about twenty-two acres of luxuriant meadow and arable land." — Chronology. This description applies perfectly to the Duane farm. Burton had probably been a tenant.
After the peace James Duane found his farm in pretty good order, the house having been occupied by one of the British generals. — Chronology, Nov. 25, 1783.
