USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Paterson > History of Paterson and its environs (the silk city); historical- genealogical - biographical > Part 16
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
The heirs and executors of Henry Brockholls, by deed ( unrecorded) dated December 27, 1768, in which they set forth the parties of the first part as "Frederick Philips of Philipsburgh in the County of West Chester and Province of New York Esqr., and Elisabeth his Wife The Honourable Roger Morris of the City of New York Esqr., and Mary his Wife Beverly Robinson of the City of New York Gentleman and Susannah his Wife David Van Horne of the City of New York Merchant and Ann his Wife William Liv- ingston of the City of New York Gentleman and Susannah his Wife David Clarkson of the City of New York Gentleman and Elisabeth his Wife which said David Van Horne Frederick Philips Beverly Robinson William Livings- ton and David Clarkson are Executors of the last Will and Testament of Henry Brockholst Late of Pompton in the Province of New Jersey deceased and which said Frederick Philips Mary Morris Susannah Robinson Ann Van Horne Susannah Livingston and Elizabeth Clarkson are devisees of the said Henry Brockholst deceased and which said David Van Horne William Liv- ingston and David Clarkson are Guardians of the Persons and Estates of Ann Brown and Sarah Brown Children of Mary Brown deceased who was a Daughter of Susannah French deceased one of the sisters of the said Henry Brockholst which said Ann and Sarah Brown are two other of the Devisees of the said Henry Brockholst and Margaret Philips Adolph Philips Nathaniel Marston the said Roger Morris and Beverly Robinson Executors of the last Will and Testament of Philip Philips deceased who was another of the De- visees of the said Henry Brockholst," conveyed to Garrabrant Van Houten
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Marte Reyerse, Holmer Van Houten and Abraham Godwin, of the County of Bergen in the Province of New Jersey, yeomen, in consideration of £ 1,800 New York money, "All That certain Tract of Land situate Lying and being near Passaick River in the County of Bergen in the Province of East New Jersey being Part of a Tract of Land formerly called by the Indians Totoa which said Tract of Land hereby Granted is known and distinguished in a certain Map or Chart made of the said Lands called Totoa on the fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty- two and annexed to the Deeds of Partition of the same between the Heirs and Devisees of Anthony Brockholst and Helmagh Roelofsen and Roelof Helmaghsen by Lot Number three and the Name Mr. Henry Brockost and begins at Passaick River at the South East Corner of the Lot distinguished in the said Map or Chart by Lot Number two and runs into the Woods North West and by North Eighty seven Chains and thirty Links to a Stake there drove in thence along the Ridge of Hills North East one Degree and fifteen Minutes more Northerly Seventy two Chains to a stake thence south East and by South one hundred and five Chains to Passaick River then up the said River to the Place where it Began Containing about Six Hundred and thirty eight Acres be the same more or Less," "excepting and reserving out of the said Premises hereby Granted that Parcel of Land which was formerly Conveyed by the said Henry Brockholst to -- Marinus and also all that Piece of Land which the said Henry Brockholst gave or conveyed to the Dutch near Passaic Falls." In the following spring ( March 27-28, 1769). the several purchasers of this remaining part of Lot No. 3 of the Totowa patent agreed to divide the same among themselves, and caused a map thereof to be made, apportioning the purchase into seven lots, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6 and 7. This subdivision is shown more clearly by the map on page 231. reproduced from the original found among the papers of the late Judge Gerrebrant Van Houten, a grandson of the Gerrebrant Van Houten named in the above deed. The deed of release to Martin Ryerson is on record ; that to Gerrebrant Van Houten, although still in an excellent state of preserva- tion, has never been recorded. After the preliminary recital the latter deed sets forth :
Now this Indenture witnesseth that the said Marten Reyerse hellemigh van Houten and abraham Godwin for Divers Causes & Considerations them there unto Especially moving but more Particularly for and in Consideration of the Said Gerrebrant van Houten his Releasing and Remising all his Right title & Interest of in & to these lotts of land Numbered and Described on the above mention mapp or Chart of the Same Drawing by the said Marten hellemigh van Houten and abraham Godwin Containing three hundred and Sixty Six acres with which they acknowledge themselfs fully Satisfied & Contented HAVE for them selfs their heirs & assigns Granted Confirmed Released Remised and forever Quitt Claimed AND by these Presents Do Grant Confirm Release Remise and forever Quit Claim onto the said Gerre- brant van Houten his heirs and assigns forever all their Right title & Interest of in & to all those two lotts of land Nº. 2 & Nº. 6 Number Two Begining at the South Eastermost Corner of lott Number one at Passaik River and Run- ing By the Said lott North thirty Six Degrees west fifty two Chains and
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thirty links to Lott Number Six thence By the Same North forty one Degrees East twelve Chains and forty links to lott Number three thence By the Same South thirty Six Degrees East fifty Seven Chains and thirty links to Pessaik River thence up the Stream thereof to the place where it first Begon lott Number Six Begining at the Eastermost Corner of lott Number five and from thence runing by the Same North thirty Six Degrees west forty one Chains thence North forty one Degrees East Eighteen chains and twenty links to lott Number Seven thence by the same south thirty Six Degrees East forty one chains to lotts Number three thence South forty one Degrees west Eighteen Chains and twenty links to the Begining both lotts Containing in the whole one hundred and forty acres.
Godwin apparently lacked the ready money to engage in so considerable a real estate enterprise, as he gave a mortgage (March 28, 1769) for £ 300 to his associates in the purchase, on part of the Lot adjoining Garret Van Hou- ten, containing sixty-two acres. He did not long remain in possession of his subdivision, for by deed (unrecorded) dated March 29, 1769 (he being then "of the Precinct of Hagquacining, in the County of Essex, yeoman"), in con- sideration of £ 140 New York money, he conveyed to Garrabrant Van Hou- ten and Helmegh Van Houten, both of the Precinct of Saddle River, yeo- men :
All that tract of land lying and being in the township of Sadle river in the county of bergen at a place called totowa being the Northermost part of a lott of land knowing by the distinction on a certain map thereof by Nº. I Beginning at the Southermost corner of a lott of martin frans. Ryerse know- ing by the distintion of lott Nº. 5 in the line of garrat van houten from thence Running north forty one degrees East twenty two chains & Seventy Links, thence South thirty Six degrees east Seventeen chains & Sixty four Links, thence South forty one degrees west twenty two chains & seventy links, thence North thirty Six degrees west Seventeen chain and Sixty four links to the beginning containing forty acres Strict measure.
By deed (unrecorded) dated January 23, 1772, Abraham Godwin, then of the township of Saddle River, conveyed to Garrabrant Van Houten, of Totowa, for £417 IOS. New York money :
All that Lott or percil of Land Scituate Lying and being in the township of Saddle River in the County of bergin in the Eastern Division of the province of New Jersey frunting at pesaik River below the Great falls of sd River Being part of a Larger tract of Land formerly Sold by the heirs of henry brockholst to the Said abraham Godwin and partners Beginning at the North Edge of pessaik River and South Seventy-four Degrees west two chains and Seventy two Links from the South westermost Corner of Said Gerribrant van houtens Lot it Being the Division Line of sd Abraham God- win and sd garribrant van houten their Lotts from thence Runing North thirty six Degrees west Nineteen Chains thence North Seventy four Degrees East two Chains and Seventy two Links to the Line of Said Garrabrants Lott thence along his Line North thirty six Degrees west about twenty-one Chains to the Line of a Lott of Land Belonging to Said Garribrant van hou- ten & helimigh van houten thence South forty one Degrees west along the Line of Sd. Lott twenty two chains and Seventy Links to a Line of a Lott belonging to Gerrit van houten thence along Said Line South thirty Six
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Degrees East to pessaik River thence Down the Stream of Said River the Several Courses thereof to the Beginning place in which bounds is included four acres of Land adjoining to Sd Gerrit van houtens Lott of Land & a Small Lot of Land formerly Given by henry brockholst to the Dutch Church which is hereby Excepted as also a Smal peice of Groun of four pannel of fence in Lenght and two in bredth Reserved for a burieng place which to- gether with the four acres is Esteemed to be about five acres & one quarter of an acre and the Same being Deducted out of the above bounds therein Containing fifty one acres and three quarters of an acre be the Same more or Less.
By deed the same day (January 23, 1772) Abraham Godwin and Phebea his wife conveyed his tavern property on Water street to Martin Frans Reyerse ("in his actual possession now being," says the deed), for £ 190, New York money, by this description :
All the lot of ground lying and being in the county of Bergen at or near Totaway Bridge beginning at the Persimons Tree & heap of stones on the West edge of Passaick River at the South West Corner of Gerretbrant Van houten, it being end of division between said Godwin & Gerrebrant Van Hou- ten and running up said river south 74 degrees west two chains 72 links to a heap of stones thence north 36 degrees west 19 chains to the stake thence north 74 degrees east two chains & 72 links to a heap of stones in said divi- sion, thence south 36 degrees east 19 chains along the said division line be- tween said Van Houten & Godwin to the place of beginning containing four acres and nine tenths of an acre.
The settlement of the Saddle River patent on the one hand, and of Totowa on the other, left a large and fertile tract between, inviting the sturdy pioneer to make his home in this virgin region. The first purchaser of these vacant lands was Marian Campbell, widow of John Campbell, of Perth Amboy, who acquired from the East Jersey Proprietors a tract, described thus: "Being on Passaic river, Begining by the sayd River, sixtie-two chaines below the Mouth of Wachra brook And runing North & by west fourtie chaines thence west Ninetie five chaines thence Sowthwest & one degree fifteene minutes more Sowtherly fiftie-one chaines, thence Sowth East & by Sowth to the sayd Passaik River, And thence downe the Streame thereof to where it began, containing after allowances. for barrens, etc., six hundred Acres." This tract embraced all that portion of Manchester town- ship fronting on the river, from the Wagaraw or Goffle brook nearly to Cherry lane, and extending northwesterly from the river about half a mile. Mrs. Campbell conveyed her purchase (which she probably never saw) to Blandina Bayard, of New York, merchant, by deed dated April 3, 1697. Nine years later-November 1I, 1706-Mrs. Bayard conveyed the same tract to George Ryerson, of Pompton, Ryer Ryersen, of New York, yeoman, and Frans Ryerson, also of New York, yeoman. By deed dated April 18, 1707, Ryer Ryersen, yeoman, and Rebecca his wife, of Hackensack, conveyed to Jurian Westerfelt, also of Hackensack, and a yeoman likewise, "all that the full equal and lawful third part and proportion of the above tract," for the tempting consideration of £46 13s., 4d., or about $150, being at the rate of
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something like seventy cents an acre. It is not probable that the owners of this tract took any steps toward effecting a settlement thereon until more than two years after the deed just mentioned. Then they found some Indians still in possession, and had to deal with them. This Indian title was amicably extinguished, as appears by the following deed :
To all people and Nations to whome this Instrument shall or may Come, We, Pecca Chica, Cancheris Mochsan, Thetochkalm, Mendselom, Hachpunck, Inenoch, Gwachpachtan, Amesathawapan, of those Indians Inhabiting the north part of what the English Calls the East New Jersey, native preprietor in Company with Several others of our Relations of Several tracts of Land Lying within the Same Send Greeting, Be it known that we above named have Sold Granted Bargained assigned made over Conveyed and assured, and by these presents doe Clearly freely and absolutely, give, Grant, Bargain assign, make over Convey and assure and Sell unto George Ryerson of pechqueneck in the province of New Jersey Yeoman and Francis Ryerson of the City of New York Yeoman, and Jurya Westervelt of hackensack in the County of Essex in the province of New-Jersey Yeoman their Heirs and assigns for ever All that a Certain tract of Land Lying and being in the County of Essex in the province of New Jersey aforesd : on Passaik River, begining by the said River and Runing along Jacob Corlion Line, Backwards tell it Comes to the great Stone and thence Runing up west north West Line till it Comes to the first hill and then Runing along to the foot of the Second hill tell it Comes half the hill then Runing along the same Second [hill] tell it Comes to meet a Small Branch or Gully, and then Runing along untell it Comes over the Road of Pamtan, and So along the hill untill it Comes to a thip Gully of Water Runing were the hill turns a Little West and from thence down to passaik River, where that Little Island is, (onely excepted Schichamack) Together with all and Singular and every the Right, Libertys, Previledges Imuneties Easements, Profitts and Comodities to the Same Belonging or in any wise appertaining and all the Estate Right Title Interest Reversion Re- mainder Claim and demand whatsoever of us above named Picca Chica, Cancherin, Mochsan, Thetochkalim, Mandschom, Nachpungk, Anenogh, Gwachpachtan, Amesathawapan, or any other Indian and our posterity of in or to the same belonging or appertaining To have and to hold the afore Men- tioned Tract of Land and premises together with all and every appurtenances unto the above Named George Ryersa Francis Ryersa and Jurya Westervelt, their Heirs and assigns forever, to the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof the said George Reyerson Francis Ryerson and Jurya Westervelt their Heirs and assigns forever and we above named Picca Chica Cancherin Mochsan, Tetochkalin Mandscham, Wachpunck, Anenoch, Gwachpagtan, Amestatwapan, for our selves and our Successors and posterity Doe promiss Covenant and Grant and agree to and with the above named George Reyerson Francis Reyerson and Jurya Westervelt, their Heirs and assigns, that wee are the true absolute and Lawful owners of the aforesaid granted and hereby to be Granted and bargained tract of Land and premises with its Appurtenances which hath been possessed by our Progenetors and predisessors, Time out of mind, and So from the Said Natural proprietors, from Generation to Genera- tion Successively devolveth to us above Named, and that the above bargained and hereby to see Granted tract of Land and premises with its appurtenances are free and Clearly acquited and Discharged of and from all former deeds, Grants Bargains, Sales, Mortgages and of and from all other incumbrances whatsoever had made Comited, Suffered or done by us as above named and mentioned or any other Indian or Indians whatsoever, and the Same and
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every part thereof unto the above named George Reyerson Francis Reyerson & Jurya Westervelt their Heirs and assigns shall and will Warrant and for- ever by these presents defend, not at all questioning the Most Gratious Con- currence and assistance of her most Sacred Majesty the Glorious Queen of Great Brittain, Under the Shadow of whose wings we humbly expect to be protected and preserved against all those who shall Invade our Just Rights therein &c &c, In Testemony whereof we above named have Set our mark and seal this Sixteenth day of September in the year of English count one thousand seven hundred and nine.
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Michael Sperling Albert Sobrisko als Interpenter
his
his
Picca Chica
[L. S.]
Tephgan [L. S.]
mark
his
his
Cancherin
[L. S.]
Seawhan [L. S.]
mark
mark
his
his
Mochsan
[L. S.]
Sampgha [L. S.]
mark
mark
his
his
Thetochkolin
[L. S.]
Nengro [L. S.]
mark his
Noschegawas
[L. S.]
Perawagkeek [L. S.]
Sokiemie
[L. S.]
Wegpachtan
[L. S.]
mark
true mark of
Wagbach
Schenck [L. S.]
Messrs. George Ryerson, Frans Ryerson and Jurian Westervelt soon after secured a deed or patent for "all that tract of land lying in the County of Bergen, beginning upon Passaic river, at the mouth of Bass brook, thence 1 unning north northeast 80 chains, thence west 80 chains to Awachra brook, thence down Awachra brook 34 chains upon a straight line. thence east 43 chains south by east to Passaic river, bounding on the west by" the former tract. They caused both these tracts to be surveyed by James Alexander, Surveyor-General of East Jersey, with the assistance of Powles Vanderbeck and Andrus Van Buskirk, sworn chain-bearers, who made a map thereof, dividing the same into parcels between the several owners, this survey bear- ing date June 7, 1721.
By deed dated March 16, 1723, George Ryerson, of Packquanack, and Jurian Westervelt, of Hackensack, released to Frans Ryerson, of the City of New York, two tracts described as follows :
All that lot of land beginning at Passaic river, at the mouth of Pase [ Bass] brook, and from thence running north, northeast 80 chains, thence west 2512 chains, south, southwest to Passaic river, thence down the stream thereof to the beginning.
Also lot beginning at a walnut tree upon Passaic river about 38 chains upon a straight line above the mouth of Awachra brook, thence running
mark
his
mark
mark
his
mark
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PATERSON AND ITS ENVIRONS
north 87 degrees west one chain 15 links to a stake ; thence north 27 degrees 45 minutes west 76 chains more or less to the back line of the first tract of land above described; thence south 43 degrees 45 minutes west to the most westerly corner of the same tract ; thence down along the most westerly line of the same, southeast by south to Passaic river; thence down the stream thereof to the beginning.
The other owners executed similar releases, whereby the lands were partitioned among the several owners. Notwithstanding the recent survey, a dispute arose between Frans Ryerson and Jurian Westervelt regarding their lines, and on April 25, 1723, they agreed to refer their differences to David Provost and Edmund Kingsland.
The deed last above mentioned shows that so late as 1723 none of the owners of the Wagaraw tract yet resided on these lands. Indeed, George Ryerson, one of the owners, never lived at Wagaraw, but always at Pacqua- nac (near the present Mountain View), and died there. By will dated July 26, 1744, proved March 29, 1749, he devised to his son John, his "plantation at Waggrow." John Ryerson took up his residence at Wagaraw, and lived on the Goffle road, about two miles east of the present Paterson city line. By will, dated December 4, 1779, he devised unto his son Hessel the most southerly equal two-thirds parts of his two lots of land, whereon he dwelt, and unto his grandson, John G. Ryerson, eldest son of his son, George Ryer- son, the most northerly equal third of the said two lots. This tract was partitioned between Hessel and John G. Ryerson by a map made by Abra- ham Willis, dated February 27, 1796, and in accordance therewith, Hessel Ryerson quit-claimed, March 30, 1796, to John G. Ryerson, three lots, the first containing 77.60 acres, the second 12 acres, and the third 50.26 acres.
Jurrie Westervelt probably removed to Wagaraw about 1730, and took up his residence on the farm allotted to him a short distance west of the Wagaraw brook, and near the Passaic river.
The share allotted to Frans Ryerson was occupied by his sons-Martin, Theunis, Joris, Derrick and Johannes. The last-named appears to have acquired the greater part of the farm, together with other lands, some of them adjacent to the former, and others more remote. By deed dated May 5, 1769, John Ryerse (son of George), and John Frans Ryerse, both of Wagraw, quit-claimed to John Westervelt, of Wagaraw, "a lot or parcel of land adjoining Westervelt's homestead, as it was allowed to Jurrian Wester- ' velt, deceased, and run out by James Alexander, being in breadth in the northernmost line 2634 chains, said survey bearing date June 7, 1721 ; also another small lot of land, being the third part of all that slip or gore of land lying between John Ryerson's land and Wagre brook, being the middlemost lot of said slip, lying between John Ryerse and John Frans Ryerse, contain- ing II acres, bounded south and east by John Ryerson's land, and west and east by Wagare brook, and north by said John Frans Ryerson's land." This deed recites that the three parties named therein "own a tract on Bass brook and Passaic river, containing 287.16 acres, sold them by David Ogden and Richard Morris, executors of Robert Hunter Morris, by deed dated Decem-
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ber 12, 1764, recorded in Book AB 5, page 354; also by virtue of a return bearing date June 21, 1765, recorded in Book S 5 at Perth Amboy, f. 252.
John F. Ryerson, Gerrebrant Gerritsen, Gerrit Gerritsen, Jurrie Wester- velt and John Westervelt agreed, June II, 1770, in order to settle disputes and controversies lately arisen between them concerning the lands that they held at Wagaraw, "that a fixed line is now settled and agreed upon which said line is to begin at the Great Rock and run from thence to the bend of the Bass brook, commonly so called, and from thence westerly, along the said brook to the King's Road as the same now lyes in their possession."
John F. Ryerson having joined the British during the Revolution, his lands were confiscated in 1779, and on November 5, 1779, Hendricus Kuyper and James Board, commissioners of forfeited estates, conveyed to John Van Allen, a tract of Ryerson's lands, described as follows :
Beginning at a nut saplin in the line of Cornelius Westervelt, and thence along his land S. 631/2 degrees W. one chain, thence N. 83 degs. W. 3.50 chains to the land of the Widow Ryerson, thence along her land 30 degs. E. 29.25 chains, thence W. 5.70 chains, thence N. 12 degs. E. 30 chains, thence W. 25.60 chains to the land of Cornelius Westervelt, thence along said land N. 18 degs. E. 41.60 chains to the land of said Widow Ryerson, thence along land, S. 54 degs. E. 25.82 chains, thence N. 35 degs. E. 28.42 chains, thence N. 51 degs. W. 25.82 chains, thence N. 18 degs. E. 12.70 chains, to the Ramapo patent, thence along said patent S. 51 degs. E. 28.60 chains, to the rock called the Station Rock, thence from said rock, 121 chains to the place of beginning. Bounded west by the land of the Widow Ryerson and Cor- nelius Westervelt; north by the Ramapo patent, east by the Slooterdam patent, and south by Passaic river, containing 262 acres more or less.
By deed dated the same day, John Van Allen bought from Hendricus Kuyper and Gerret Lydecker, commissioners of forfeited estates, another farm of John F. Ryerson's which had been confiscated in like manner, and which included the homestead, etc .:
Beginning at the Passaic river and along the east line of Cornelius Westervelt, thence along said line, N. 18 degrees E. 40 chains, to the line of the Widow Ryerson, thence along said land, N. 87 degrees E. 12.86 chains, thence S. 18 degrees W. 47 chains to the Passaic river, thence along said river N. 811/2 degrees W. 4 chains, thence 10.50 chains to the beginning. Bounded south by Passaic river, north by land of Cornelius Westervelt, and north and east by land of the Widow Ryerson, containing 40 acres.
By deed dated January 16, 1787, Cornelius Haring, agent of forfeited estates, conveyed to Benjamin Shotwell, still another farm of John F. Ryer- son, which had been confiscated in 1779. This is described as a "tract at Wagaraw and adjoining with one end thereof to the north part of a tract of 13I acres formerly surveyed and returned to the said John Frans Ryerson and Derrick Ryerson, beginning at the north corner of said tract," etc., etc., containing 60.98 acres.
By deed dated March 8, 1787, Cornelius Haring, agent of forfeited estates, conveyed to John Stevens, Jr., of Hoboken, two other tracts of land
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PATERSON AND ITS ENVIRONS
of John F. Ryerson, which had been confiscated; one of these contained 54.93 acres, and another contained 20 acres, on the southeast of High Moun- tain, adjoining the north side of a tract of land belonging to John Ryerson and Cornelius Gerretsen, which contained 229.14 acres. Stevens conveyed these two tracts, December 1, 1792, to Richard Degray.
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