A history of the Schenectady patent in the Dutch and English times : being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley, Part 8

Author: Pearson, Jonathan, 1813-1887; MacMurray, Junius Wilson, d. 1898
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Albany, N.Y.: [J. Munsell's Sons, Printers]
Number of Pages: 518


USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady > A history of the Schenectady patent in the Dutch and English times : being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley > Part 8


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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


ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE TWENTY FARMS INTO WHICH THAT PORTION OF THE GREAT FLAT LYING WESTERLY OF ARENT VAN CURLER'S BOUWERY WAS DIVIDED.İ


FARMS No. 1.


Both farms numbered one were patented to Catelyn De Vos, widow of Arent Bratt the norman, June 2, 1668. Patents, 590. June 15, 1668, a new patent was granted to Barent Janse [Van Ditmars] and Catelyn [De Vos] his wife. Patents, 593.


* See Van Slyck, Wemp and Glen. + See Eenkluys.


# The west line of Van Curler's farm is marked by the west fence of the Schenectady Car Works Yard.


63


Division of Lands.


Feb. 27, 1690, On occasion of her third marriage with Claas Janse Van Boekhoven, Catelyn De Vos secured her childrens' share in their father's [Bratt's] property by a mortgage upon these two farm. Deeds, Iv, 296. Oct. 13, 1713, On her death an appraisal of these two farms was made when the foremost farm was valued at £393.15, and the hindmost farm at Schermerhorn Papers. £354.7-6.


Jan. 1698. The will of Catalyntje De Vos speaks of the first lot as con- taining thirty-six acres and the aftermost lot thirty acres. Wills, 1, 74.


15 Aug. 1705. Former deeds being lost in 1690, Ryer Schmerhorn only surviving trustee, gave a new deed to Arent Bratt, grandson and heir of Arent Andriese Bratt, for the first lot thirty-six acres and aftermost lot thirty acres.


Deeds, v, 168.


In 1707, a contract was made that Margaret, widow of Andries Bratt de- ceased and wife of Harmanus Vedder,, should have the use of farm No. 1, during her life.


27 Aug. 1713, Reyer Schermerhorn and Dirk Bratt conveyed to Samuel Bratt the hindermost farm No. 1, containing fifteen morgens and 467 rods.


- Deeds, v, 284-5.


FARMS NO. 2.


They were first owned by Philip Hendrickse Brouwer.


April, 29, 1664, his administrators sold them to Cornelis Van Ness for Jan Dirkse Van Eps son of Maritie Damen his wife, for the sum of 1287, guilders. Deeds, II, 469.


April 29, 1667, the above sale was confirmed by the Governor's patent. Patents, 392.


May 1, 1681. Douwe Aukes claimed to have purchased at vendue half the hindmost farm which he afterwards sold to Davidt Christoffelse. Deeds, Iv, 181.


Feb. 4, 1713, Johannes Baptist Van Eps eldest son and heir of Jan Dirkse Van Eps deceased, conveyed to Arent Bratt the hindmost farm No. 2, com- prising twelve morgens. Deeds, v, 217.


See also Deeds, v, 310, 311 - will of Reyer Schmerhorn 5 April, 1717, and will of Myndert Van Gyseling April 2, 1771, among H. Yates' Papers.


·


64


History of the Schenectady Patent.


FARMS No. 3.


These farms were first granted to Sander Leendertse Glen, by Patent of date June 16, 1664.


On 6 April, 1704, Johannes eldest son and heir of Jacob Glen, eldest son and heir of Sander Leendertse Glen both deceased, conveyed to Claas Van Petten the foremost farm No. 3 containing ten morgens 130 rods together with two morgens of hindmost farm No. 3. Deeds, IV, 324.


Johannes Glen by will devised the remainder of hindmost farm, 26 Sept. 1706, to his younger brother Sander, comprising about twenty acres. Will in Court of Appeal's office.


On the 4th June, 1711, Claas Van Patten conveyed to his son Andries the foremost lot.


Deeds, v, 340, 353.


Feb. 24, and Aug. 11, 1714. Torectify a disputed line, R. Schermerhorn and Andries Van Petten make a final settlement. Deeds, v, 222, 341.


FARMS No. 4.


Farms No. 4 were granted to Pieter Adrianse Soegemakelyk, alias Van Woggelum, June 5, 1667, the first containing fourteen morgens, and the second twelve morgens. Patents, 478.


Van Woggelum conveyed both to Helmer Otten, Aug. 13, 1670. Deeds, II, 769.


Ap. 6, 1681, Van Woggelum reconveyed the same to Reyer Schermer- horn who had married Otten's widow.


Deeds, III, 108.


June 18, 1695, Jan, eldest son of Pieter Adriaense Van Woggelum, quit claimed the same to Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn Papers.


Feb. 24 and Aug. 11, 1714, Schermerhorn and Claas Van Petten settle the disputed line between foremost farms No. 3 and 4. Deeds, v, 222, 341.


Feb. 27, 1703. Catharine Otten, wife of Gerrit Symonse Veeder, exchanged eight morgens of the hoek [foremost farm, No. 9 ] with R. Schermerhorn for eight morgens of hindmost farm No. 4. Deeds, v, 287.


The patent for R. Schermerhorn's mill privilege on the Schuylenbergh Kil [at Schermerhorn's mills], was given and recorded in the Secretary of State's office, in Boston, Mass., Sept. 29, 1688.


65


Division of Lands.


FARMS NO. 5.


June 29, 1667, Governor Nicolls confirmed to Willem Teller the two farms, No. 5, which were first patented to him by Governor Stuyvesant, June 16, 1664. Patents, 491.


June 20, 1700, his son Johannes "being much reduced in property, in 1690 at Schenectady, by the French," received a conveyance of these two farms from his father. Deeds, IV, 209.


9 Ap., 1752, Willem Teller, son of Johannes, devised the foremost farm on the Poenties Kil to his son Willem, and the second or hindmost farm to his eldest son Johannes.


FARMS NO. 6.


Gerrit Bancker, of Albany, received the patent for these farms June 16, 1664, which patent was confirmed Ap. 27, 1667, by Governor Nicolls. * Patents, 382.


Evert, son and heir of Gerrit Bancker, sold the foremost lot to Isaac Swits, July 7, 1702, for £183 128 ;- it contained 22 acres. Deeds, v, 154. Isaac Swits made his will Ap. 1, 1701,-proved Oct. 4, 1707,-and devised a portion of the first farm to his eldest son Cornelis.


Will, Court of Appeal's office.


The hindmost farm belonging to Harmen Vedder; he conveyed the south- easterly half to his son Albert, Mar. 12, 170g, for the sum of £91 168. This moiety then contained ten acres. Deeds, v, 107.


Sept. 19, 1748, Albert Vedder was "now or late" the owner of the west half also.


Deeds, VII, 212.


Feb. 8, 175}, Albert Vedder, " synde out van daghen," made his will which was proved Feb. 13, 175g, and devised four and one-half morgens of this hindmost farm, No. 6, to his son Harme. Will, Court of Appeal's office.


FARMS NO. 7.


Pieter Jacobse Bosboom de Steenbakker received a patent of these farms June 16, 1664,- confirmed May 9, 1668. Patents, 552.


* Although granted to Gerrit Bancker, Harman Albertse Vedder had a half interest in these farms from the beginning. In the final division Bancker took the foremost lot and Vedder the hindmost, it being nearly opposite to lot No. 8, which he purchased of Hesselingh .- See Groot, Not. Pap., 1.


9


66


History of the Schenectady Patent.


17 Sept., 1669, Bosboom conveyed the foremost farm to Jan Labitie,- 11 morgens, 263 rods.


Deeds, II, 759. In 1702 this foremost lot belonged to Gysbert Gerritse Van Brakel. Deeds, v, 154. Jan Labitie sold 12 morgens out of this farm to Johannes Van Eps.


The hindmost lot was partitioned among Bosboom's four daughters, to wit, Maritie, wife of Hendrick Brouwer, Fytie, wife of Marte Van Ben- thuysen, Tryntje, wife of John Oliver and Anna, wife of Jan Mebie.


Deeds, VI, 185.


FARMS NO. 8.


Marten Cornelise Van Isselsteyn received a patent for these farms June 16, 1664,- confirmed by Governor Nicolls, April 13, 1668. Patents, 527. Oct. 23, 1668, he sold both farms to Claas Frederickse Van Petten and Cornelis Cornelise Vielè, comprising 22 acres. Deeds, II, 741.


The former sold his moiety,- the foremost farm to Jan Dirkse Van Eps, for which Jan Baptist Van Eps, his son and heir received a confirmatory deed from the trustees of Schenectady, Feb., 170}. Deeds, IV, 332.


Viele sold his moiety,-the hindmost farm -to Jurriaen Teunise Tappen of Albany, the 25th Aug., 1670, and next day received from Tappen the conveyance of a house and lot in Albany, probably in exchange.


Deeds, II, 777.


Tappen disposed of this farm to Dirk Hesselingh, who conveyed the same Feb. 1, 1672, to Harmen Vedder. Not. Pap., II; Deeds, VII, 185.


On the 15th Dec., 1672, Tappen confirmed the above sale by quit-claim to Vedder.


Deeds, II, 866.


FARMS No. 9.


These farms were first conveyed to Simon Volckertse Veeder, de bakker, by patent of date June 16th, 1664,- confirmed Jan. 15, 1667, by patent from Governor Nicolls. Patents, 310. Veeder made his will Jan. 8, 1699, bequeathing the hindmost farm to his son Volckert.


Wills, Court of Appeal's office. · Volckert Veeder made his will Aug. 4, 1733, and left the hindmost lot to his four sons. H. Yates' Papers.


67


Division of Lands.


Nov. 2, 1682, Simon Volckertse Veeder exchanged the foremost farm called the hoek with Jacob Casparse Hallenbeck for land on the Normans- kill. Not. Pap., II.


And June 8, 1687, Jacob Casparse and wife conveyed the hoek to Jan Jansen Bleecker for "two hundred and fifty good merchantable beaver skinns." Schermerhorn Papers.


17 March, 1699, Reyer Schermerhorn agreed to convey to Gerrit Symonse Veeder 8 morgens of land out of the hoeck to be cut of with an east and west line from the south end. Deeds, IV, 106.


23d Feb., 170g, Jan Janse Bleecker conveyed the hoek to Reyer Scher- merhorn.


5th March, 170%, Schermerhorn agreed to sell to Gillis Fonda four morgens out of the hoeck. Schermerhorn Papers.


When Gerrit Symonse Veeder made his will 12 March, 1749, he devised eight morgens out of the hoek to his children. H. Yates' Papers.


FARM NO. 10.


The double bouwery No. 10, was first patented to Teunis Cornelise Swart, June 16, 1664, and confirmed Jan. 16, 1667. Patents, 309.


Elizabeth, widow of Teunis Swart, then wife of Jacob Meese Vrooman, of Albany, Feb. 20, 1685, conveyed to her son Jesaias Swart, eight acres of land out of this farm to be taken from the extreme south end.


Deeds, III, 310.


26th April, 1692. Wouter Uythoff (third husband of Elizabeth), and said Elizabeth his wife, for 540 beavers conveyed the whole bouwery No. 10, to Claas Laurense Van Purmerend (alias Van der Volgen). Deeds, IV. 35. Jan. 4, 1693. Claas Laurense Van Purmerend sold to Claas Janse Van Boekhoven for £147 the half of farm No. 10 lying between the highway and the river,-eleven morgens. Deeds, IV, 34.


And Jan. 5, 1693. Claas Janse conveyed to Dirk Arentse Bratt, his step- son for £73}, five and one-half morgens of the above purchase, being the easterly half of that portion lying north of the highway. Deeds, IV, 38.


On the same day, to wit, Jan. 5, 1693, in consideration of a sum of money paid him by Catharine Glen, sometime widow of Cornelis Barentse Van Ditmars, eldest son of Barent Janse Van Ditmars, Claas Janse Van Boek- hoven conveyed to said Catharine Glen (and as her dower), now wife of


68


History of the Schenectady Patent.


Gerrit Lansing, Jr., a piece of land out of farm No. 10, being the westerly half of that portion lying between the highway and the river-consisting of five and one-half morgens. Deeds, IV, 37.


The land in the immediate vicinity of the village,-the Great Flat and island,-were all taken up in 1662, by the fifteen first proprietors. Other persons followed the next and succeeding years and finding no lands un- occupied, either bought up the rights of the earlier owners or pushed further into the wilderness, on both sides of the Mohawk river.


The south side was considered the safest from Indian attacks and for that reason the Governor and Council at first discouraged settlements on the north side ; this was but a temporary check however. Before the year 1700 all the arable land on both sides of the river to and even beyond the western bounds of the town was taken up and sparsely settled .*


These lands had a rich alluvial soil formed by the annual overflow of the river, and were mainly found in the bends and eddys ; excepting the Great Flat they were generally small, comprising but a few acres.


FLATS OR PLAINS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIVER.


POVERSEN.t


Going west this is the first arable land lying on the south side of the river above the Great Flat. It commenced at the road running west from the first lockt and extended up the river to the " stone kil," a dry creek next above the second lock. It was first purchased from the natives by Benjamin Roberts, who sold the same to Henderick Lambertse Bont. The latter sold the easterly portion to Barent Janse Van Ditmars and the westerly portion to Douwe Aukes, who conveyed the same to his [adopted] son Cornelis Vielè. In 1713 Vielè was then residing on this land between the two locks.§


* It should be remembered that no land was considered arable, except the river bottoms and islands. There was not enough of this to meet the demand ; hence it was parcelled out sparingly and in small allotments, with much larger quantities of upland for wood and pasture.


+ This is the ancient name of this farm, the meaning of which is now lost. It is never overflowed by the river and can hardly be called a flat as the term was commonly used. # [Erie Canal.]


§ See Roberts, Bont, Van Ditmars, Aukes and C. Viele Patents, 1038; Alb. Com. Coun. Min., III, 75 ; Schermerhorn Papers ; Deeds, v, 198.


69


Division of Lands.


FIRST FLAT.


This flat or plain consisting of about 80 acres of lowlands is described in Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck's patent, granted in 1684, as "situated between "two creeks, one called Stone creek to the eastward, the other 'Platte creek ' to the westward, come to him in right of his mother who was a Mohawk woman." *


It has remained in the family to this day, passing from father to son by inheritance.


The easterly part of this flat called " Hazlenut flat" was owned by Manasseh Sixberry, in 1709 ; he then made his will, leaving his property to his four children.t


SECOND FLAT.


This farm beginning at a little above " Reghel brugse kil" } was first taken up by Jacobus Peek and Isaac Du Trieux about 1670, and patented to them in 1677.


It contained twenty-two and one-half morgens or forty-five acres and twenty acres of woodland.


In 1706, Maria widow of Isaac Du Trieux had permission from the trustees of Schenectady to sell to Jacobus Peek eight morgens of land on this flat.


Johannes and Jacobus, sons of Jacobus Peek, became the owners of the whole tract. It is now owned by John McCue on the west end, Abraham A. Bratt on the east end.§


THIRD FLAT.


This flat lies about eight miles above Schenectady, and consisted anciently of about 127 acres of lowland ; in 1864, it was computed at thirty morgens or say sixty-three acres and was then occupied,-the upper or westerly part by Simon and Nicholas Mebie and Abraham N. Bratt, the lower or easterly portion by the Bratts.


It was taken up by Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen in 1670, and patented to him in 1680.


* Council Min., v, 11, 12 ; Patents, 1,200; Deeds in Sec. State's office, III.


t Toll papers ; Patents, v, B. 10; Joh. Van Slyck's will, Court of Appeal's office.


# Rail bridge creek.


§ See Van der Baast's survey, Land Papers, II, 59; Dutch church and Toll Papers Deeds, Iv.


70


History of the Schenectady Patent.


In 1706, he sold to Jan Pieterse Mebie, the west half of the same con- sisting of sixty-three acres and seventy-nine rods. Mebie at first lived on the westerly end of this flat near the river but subsequently moved to the lower end of the same, where his house is still standing and in the occupa- tion of one of his descendants. The old Van Antwerp house was standing to the west of the Mebie house, until a few years ago .*


FOURTH FLAT.


The Fourth Flat lying next west of the third was granted in 1715, by the trustees of Schenectady to Pieter Vrooman, who in 1742, conveyed the same or at least the western portion of it, to Jan Wemple and Arent Bratt. Johannes Veeder married a daughter of Pieter Vrooman and inherited the easterly portion, now in possession of Myndert, grandson of said Johannes Veeder.


Jan Wemple's land extended to the Zandig kil.


DE WILLEGEN, OR WILLOW FLAT.


This flat commmenced at Stone creek below Port Jackson and ran down the river thirty-four rods [4188 ft.] and contained thirty-three morgens or sixty-six acres, 390 rods,-also 200 acres of woodland.


It was first granted to Pieter Van Olinda and Claas Willemse Van Cop- pernol. Van Olinda holding the easterly half and Van Coppernol the westerly half, which he conveyed to Philip Philipse in 1689 in exchange for the 6th Flat on the north side of the river.t


FLATS OR PLAINS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RIVER. CLAAS GRAVEN'S HOEK.


The first land settled upon west of Scotia was the Hoek. This farm was taken up by Claas Andriese De Graaf, the first settler. After his death, which took place before 1697, his widow, Elizabeth Brouwer, leased it to Jonathan Stevens and Daniel Mascraft. t


* Deeds v, 79; Land papers II, 59; Albany Records, xx, 333, 334 ; Deeds VI, 215 John Mebie's will in Court of Appeal's office.


+ Deeds v, 354, 358, Iv, 234, 236.


# See De Graaf.


71


Division of Lands.


In 1714, Gysbert Marcelis received a patent for six acres of land on the Hoek for a hofstede, he being then the owner of the neighboring island called Gyse's island. *


MAALWYCK.


Next west of the Hoek, lies. a tract called from the earliest times, Maal- wyck,-a name of obscure origin and signification.


Benjamin, or Bent Roberis first purchased this farm of the natives, with the approbation of the magistrates of Albany,-36 acres of land, together with 40 acres of woodland, which was confirmed to him July 1, 1669.


This bouwery lay opposite to Arent [ Bratt ], the norman's hindmost lot of land.t After Roberis' death his land passed to his two step-sons, Joseph and Pieter Clement, who disposed of it, together with Benten island, to Carel Hansen Toll and Cornelis Viele, Nov. 24, 1735, Toll taking the easterly half of the land, and westerly half of the island and Viele, the remainder. The farm is still in the possession and occupation of a descend- ant of Carel Hansen. #


SECOND FLAT.


This flat extends from Rector's easterly, and in 1864 was owned by


Gerrit Barbydt,


17 acres.


40


Frank Potter, D. D. Campbell,


30


Total with upland


87


The Second Flat proper, was originally taken up about 1678,-the eastern half by Pieter Cornelise Viele, and the westerly half by Jan Janse Joncker, alias Rotterdam.


Viele died early and his wife, Jacquemina Swart, married Benonny Arentse Van Hoeck, who was killed at Schenectady, in 1690. Afterwards she married Cornelis Vynhout, of Ulster county, and in 1699 they conveyed her share of this flat to her son, Lewis Viele,-19 morgens, 82 rods. Lewis,


* Patents 1673 ; Toll papers.


+ Opposite the first lock above the city.


# See Roberts, Clement, Toll and Viele; Patent, 981; Deeds, v, 108, 140, 141, 142.


72


History of the Schenectady Patent.


about 1709, conveyed the same to Ryer Schermerhorn for "ye behoofe of said town" of Schenectady,-18 morgens, and in 1718, the patentees of Schenectady conveyed the "easternmost end of said flat to Reyer Schermer- horn, bounded south, by the river, west, by heirs of Jan Janse Joncker, north, by woodland, in all, 17 morgens Rynland measure-together with 17 morgens woodland on the north side of the Second Flat."


Reyer Schermerhorn, by will made 1717, devised this land to his son Arent ; and Reyer Schermerhorn, grandson of Reyer Schermerhorn the first, in 1773, released said land to Abraham Schermerhorn.


After Joncker's death his share of this flat, being the westerly half, was divided among his five daughters. *


FOURTH FLAT.


This flat extends westerly from Rector's to " Arent Mebie's kil," and was owned in 1864 by


William Rector,


40 acres.


Smith B. Walton,


3


Adam Swart,


7


Nicholas Swart,


7


John Walton,


Total with upland


62}


In 1678 Sander Glen petitioned the Governor to grant the fourth flat to Lewis Cobes and his son-in-law Johannes Kleyn.


In 1683 the Mohawk Sakemakers conveyed this flat to Arnout Cornelise Viele,-16 or 17 morgens-for services rendered as interpreter,-lying over against the [second] flat occupied by Jacobus Peek,-and by the Mohawks called Wachkeerhoha.


In 1684 the patentees of Schenectady conveyed it to Ludovicus Cobes' and Johannes Kleyn with a lapiet by it, on the other [north] side of the river, containing 17 morgens, 164 rods of land.


* Gen. Entries, 12; Deeds, IV, 215, 216; VI, 464; Papers in Sec. State's Office, Mass. Book 129, p. 197; Toll papers ; Reyer Schermerhorn's will.


Lapie =remnant - a gore .- M'M.]


73


Division of Lands.


After Cobes' death, his widow Alida Pieterse married Dirk Ofmulder and occupied Cobes' portion. Maria, only daughter and heir of Cobes after her husband [Johannes Kleyn's] death in 1687, married Tam Smit “Van Nieu Englandt."


In 1698 Ofmulder and wife leased their share for life to Smith, save that on the death of Ofmulder's wife, her granddaughter Clara Kleyn was to have three morgens or the value of it.


By Kleyn's will his widow Maria Cobes had the half of this flat for life,- by the above lease her husband Smith had the use of the other half for life.


In 1714 Willem Marinus, who had married Baefie, youngest daughter of said Kleyn united with his wife and conveyed her third share of three morgens to Pieter Clement and Anna his wife,-sister of said Baefie, and in 1716 said Pieter Clement conveyed to the trustees of Schenectady six morgens of land at the west end of said flat.


In 1725 Col. Stephanus Groesbeck owned the westerly portion of this flat, which "hindmost half " was the portion owned by Kleyn and con- tained nine morgens .*


FIFTH OR WOLF FLAT.


This flat extending from " Arent Mebie's kil " west, is now in the pos- session and occupation of John Barhydt and consists of about 85 acres of land.


In 1678 " the comissaries of Schanechtade made application to ye Go: that the fifth Plaine or Flatland on the other [north] side of the Maquaes river may be disposed of for a minister, reader, &c .- And also that the rest of the Plains or Flatts may be at the disposall of the Cort." It is presumed this application was successful, for in 1698, the trustees of Schenectady rented the westerly half for seven years to Arent Vedder, Jan Danielse [Van Antwerpen] and Dirk Groot for 24 pieces of eight and two quarties.t


Jasaias Swart succeeded them as lessee, probably for another term of seven years and in 1713 his lease was renewed for twenty years at a rent of £6-19-6, and the trustees the same day conveyed to him thirty acres of


* Toll, Schermerhorn and Dutch Church Papers. Deeds, III, 119, 199; v, 196, 355. Col. MSS., XXVII. Col. Doc., Ix, 251. Deeds, XIII, 514. Jan Mebie's will.


+ Toll Papers.


10


74


History of the Schenectady Patent.


woodland, " northward of the Wolf, that is the Fifth Flat, and runs up on both sides of a kil commonly called the Fifth Flat kil." *


In 1716 the trustees of Schenectady sold the easterly half of this flat to Jan Mebie for £300 and a reserved rent of fifteen skipples of wheat,- commencing at the north-west end of the fourth flat by a [Mebie's] creek,- containing fifteen morgens Rynland measure. This rent was commuted by D. D. Campbell, Nov. 1, 1854.


In 1739 Lourens Claase Vander Volgen by will devised to his son Claas Lowrense his "lot of arable land, the hindmost [westerly] part of the five plains [Fifth flat] containing twelve morgens more or less, situate in the Woestyne on the north side of the Mohawk river come to me by the trustees of Schonegteday "- valued at £200.


In 1725, John Mabie by will devised to his eldest son Pieter " my lands ... on the north side of the Mohawk between the lands of Lawrence Van Der Volgen and lands of Col. Stephanus Groesbeck ;" the latter owned the westerly half of the fourth flat at this time.


In 1750, Claas Van Der Volgen sold to Pieter Mebie his twelve morgens and ninety-seven rods of land on the west end of this flat.


In 1768, Pieter Mebie by will devised his land being the whole of the fifth flat, to Jan Mebie his son, who in 1789, devised the same to his widow and two sons, Pieter and Simon, and they in 1799, conveyed the same to David Lawyer, Jr.


The latter sold the same to John S. Barhydt from whom it passed by inheritance to his son John, the present owner.t


SIXTH FLAT.


This flat begins just east of the seventh flat from which it is separated by the Droybergh, Verf or color kil, alias Tequatsera.} It was owned in 1864, by Aaron Swart.


It was first occupied by Philip Philipse De Moer as a tenant of the trustees of Schenectady. In 1689 he exchanged his ownership in the same with


* Dutch Church Papers.


+ Col. Mss. XXVII, XXVIII, 18; Toll and Dutch Church Papers; Council Min., 1678;


L. C. Van der Volgen's Will and John Mebie's will; Deeds XVII, 312.


# Sometimes written Togeutchero, and Toggutchero.


77


Division of Lands.


and her husband, Pieter Van Olinda, conveyed it to Johannes Clute, * which sale was confirmed by the Governor and Council Aug. 2, 1671.+


On 20 June, 1707, Johannes Clute and Bata his wife, conveyed it to his son Jacob, and sons-in-law of mature age, and to Robert Livingston, in trust, for his infant children. Į


Again, on June 25, 1707, Clute and his wife transferred the same to Robert Livingston for £420, §-and lastly to said Livingston, Aug. 9, 1707, for £706, together with 20 acres on the mainland between the two creeks,- to free himself from embarrassments.


FIVE SMALL ISLANDS AT NISKAYUNA.


At a conference with the Five Nations at Albany, 19 July, 1701, they say :


"BROTHER CORLAER :-


Wee have a small right in the Maquase river att Canastagiowne, to wit, five small Islands containing about five or six acres between Rosen- dael and Cornelis Tymes's, which wee give to Jan Baptist Van Eps and Lawrence Claese [ Vander Volgen ], the two Interpreters to be equally divided between, them,-John Baptist to have the uppermost halfe and Lawrence the lowermost,- and that in consideration, because they take much pains in interpreting." * *




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