USA > New York > Ulster County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York, from its earliest discovery > Part 3
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
This first lot of 1,200 acres is the southernmost patent in the town and marks the town's southern boundary. It adjoins the Francis Harrison Patent,
The next is the George Harrison Patent, granted in 1750:
George the second. by the Grace of God, of Great Britten, France and Ireland, King and Defender of the Faith. * * To all to whom these presents shall come greeting:
Whereas our beloved subject. George Harrison, did by his humble petition presented to our trusty and well beloved George Clinton, Captain General, Governor in Chief of our Provinee of New York and Territories, thereupon depending in America, Vice-admiral of the same and Admiral of the white squadron of our fleet. * *
Granted by patent 2000 acres to George Harrison in three tracts: The first of which tracts beginning at the southwest corner of a certain tract of land containing 800 acres granted to Archibald Kennedy, Esq. and in the line of the north bounds of a certain tract of land granted to Augustus Graham and Alex. Griggs, runs from the said southwest corner along the west bounds of the said land granted to Archibald Kennedy, North 124 chains to the South bounds of a certain tract of land granted to William Bond, thence along his said south bounds North 61 degrees, West 46 chains to the Southwest corner of
33
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
William Bond's lands aforesaid, thence along the line of the East bounds of a certain tract granted to Lewis Morris and others, south 196 chains to the northwest corner of land granted to Augustus Graham and Alexander Griggs aforesaid and then along the line of their north bounds East 40 chains to the place where this traet first began ; containing 705 acres and the usual allowances for highways.
The second lot: This tract beginning at the southwest cor- ner of the lands granted to John Barbarie and runs thence along his west bounds and to a straight line which runs from the point in the High Hills on the west side of the Paltz River now commonly called and known by the name of the Paltz point to a point on the west side of Hudson River commonly called and known by the name of Jeffrow's hook or point, North 22 degrees, East 176 chains and 30 links, then along the aforesaid line from the said Paltz point to the said Jeffrow's point or hook, North 56 degrees, West 55 chains, thence South 21 degrees, West 181 chains, thence South 61 degrees, East 5! chains to the place where this tract first began ; containing 900 * acres and the usual allowances for highways.
This lot is partly in Marlborough and partly in Lloyd. The third lot is entirely in Plattekill.
In January, 1793, Gerard Banker, then State Treas- urer, conveyed to Daniel Graham 1841 acres of land. This tract commenced "at the southwest corner of the lands granted to Morris and others known as the seven patentees, thence running along the west bounds of said Morris tract 411 chains." * * * Some of this land lies in what is now the Town of Marlborough, but most of it is in the Town of Platte- kill. It will be seen that it joins the west line of the seven patentees and it is hard to determine just where this line is.
The first patent along the river on the north was the Barbarie patent, next the Bond, and the next Kennedy, next Grigg & Graham, and the next Kennedy.
These large tracts were afterward divided and sold to actual settlers. Some of the subdivisions are
2
34
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
herewith given. A patent was conveyed to Solomon Simson and by Solomon Simson and others to Samuel Fowler, John Young, Alex'r Young, Edward Hal- lock (grandfather of the late Nathaniel Hallock), and Levi Quimby, jointly; this was in what is now Plattekill.
The south course of the Bond Patent is cut on the rock on the south side of the highway leading to Lattintown in front of the C. S. Northrip house and can be readily seen by any person on passing along the road.
Leonard Smith settled in the north part of the town about 1762 and died there a few years thereafter. He purchased the north part of the Barberie Patent, being 1,000 acres; this adjoined the Samuel Hallock tract on the north, both together containing 2,000 acres and being the lands embraced in the original Barberie Patent. Upon the death of Mr. Smith, his sons became the owners of the tract; and his sons, Anning, John M., and Leonard, conveyed a part of the same to their brother, Luff, and is described as a part of the lands granted by letters patent to John Barberie, March 24, 1709, being a certain part of the northern moiety of said patent. It is supposed that this tract of 1,000 acres was divided between the children of Leonard Smith, but I only find the deed to his son Luff. Some of these lands are still in the Smith family.
·
This traet was the northern part of what is now the Town of Marlborough and was bounded on the south by the Samuel Hallock part of said patent, east by the Hudson river, north by the line of the Paltz Patent, now Lloyd line, and west by the mountain; the farm of the late Lewis Smith was a part of this tract. It contained the site of the old Smith Mills and docks of ancient times, the ancient burial ground of the Indians and the cornfields, and the old
35
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
Smith graveyard, where many of the first settlers of that part are buried.
The southern portion of the Barbarie Patent deeded by Abner Brush, by Thomas Colden, sheriff, to Samuel Hallock, dated 1776, consideration £2,111, con- veys lands :
Being part share and proportion of a certain tract of land situate upon Hudson's River in the County of Ulster, which fell to the share of a certain Richard Albertson in his life time upon the division and partition of a certain tract of land pur- chased in 1:51 by said Richard Albertson and one Hugh Went- worth in their life time, of Mrs. Elizabeth Barberie, containing about 2000 acres of land and the usual allowance for highways. One share and proportion of said tract that fell upon the divi- sion and partition thereof unto the said Richard Albertson, is the part of the said tract of land lying and being on the south side of a line, beginning on the west side of Hudson's River at a heap of stones erected by mutial consent and agree- ment of the said Albertson and Wentworth, a little to the northward of Nicolls landing having a small arberbite sapling near it and to run from said heap of stones to a heap of stones in the rear line of the above named tract, also one half part of 40 acres on the north side of the said partition line which was reserved for the use of a saw mill to be erected thereon jointly between the sd Albertson and Wentworth.
The deed is witnessed by John Bennitt and George Clinton, afterward Governor Clinton.
The above tract was the land granted by patent to John Barbarie of 2,000 acres. Upon his death it appears to have become the property of his wife. Elizabeth Barbarie, and she sold to Richard Albert- son and Hugh Wentworth. It was then divided be- tween them by a line running from the river west through the middle of the tract to the middle of the rear line. Albertson had the south part. He con- veved to Brush, and Brush to Hallock, 1,000 acres. This land laid along the north side of the Bond. Patent, and was granted to Barbarie about 1710 by letters patent from the King. Brush built and resided
36
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
in the house where Charles W. Carpenter recently died. Nicolls' landing was afterward called Brush's dock or landing. It was at what is now called Sand's dock. It was a very ancient landing, and sloops and vessels sailed from there to New York City and car- ried wood and produce for many years. There was also a ferry run by Samuel Hallock.
Samuel Hallock by executrix, Sarah Hallock, widow and relict, conveyed to Benjamin Sands and others: Deed dated May 1, 1786; consideration £2,000. Fol- lowing is the description :
Southerly moiety or 1-2 part of the patent granted to John Barbarie commencing at Hudson River at north-east corner of Bond Patent of 600 acres, and runs west along the north line of said Bond Patent and bounded on the north by the other half of the Barbarie Patent owned by Anning Smith and others. and also the undivided one-half interest in the 40 acres on the north of the line to be used for a saw mill &e jointly.
Benjamin Sands and others sold to Isaac Hill by deed dated June 28, 1799, conveying the Milton dock property :
Beginning at rock marked " J H" to Sutton's line or north bounds of Bond's patent, along said patent line to road leading from Sutton's saw mill to the river, 1 acre, ? rods, 14 perches. dwelling house, store house and wharf.
Isaac Hill sold to William Soper; the deed dated April 18, 1809, conveyed the above piece of land and dock, and reserves 22 feet by 12 feet for a burial ground, as the same was formerly fenced by Isaac Hill to whose benefit and to his heirs the above reservation is made, but they are to keep the fence in repair at their own expense.
Soper conveyed to Absalom Barrett, May 2, 1836. Barrett to David Sands and Josiah Lockwood, March 1, 1845. Sands and James Sherman and George G. Reynolds, assignees of Lockwood, to Sherburne Sears, April 13, 1847. Sears to Jacob Handley, April 1,
37
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
1850; and Handley by his last will and testament de- vised the property to Theophelia G. Townsend, and she conveyed the same to her son, William H. Townsend, August, 1907.
Benjamin Sands built the dock soon after he ob- tained the deed from Sarah Hallock. It was at that time very small and has been enlarged from time to time and has been in constant use. It is a favorite landing place for all kinds of vessels.
William Bond conveyed his lands to his daughter, Susanna Bond, and she conveyed to William Weynant, A.D. 1752, viz. :
In consideration of natural affection and love which she bears unto her nephew William Weynant also for and in con- sideration of 5 pounds, all that full 100 aeres being a part and parcel of the above described tract of 600 acres to be taken and allowed by him the said William Weynant in any part of the said 600 acres in regular shape or form, either square or oblong as it shall suit him in time or form.
Delivered in the presence of
THOMAS KNOLLTON
DAVID RANDAL
Acknowledged and proven before CADWALLADER COLDEN, One of His Majesty's Council for the Province of New York.
Susanna Bond also conveyed a tract of land to Jurian Mackey out of the said patent of 600 acres as follows :
Near Dam's Commer being a part of the patent of Capt. William Bond the west side of Hudson's River joining north by Barbaree. east by Hudson's River, south by Woolsey. west- erly by Cornel Moresses patent, that is to say, one-half on the north side excluding 100 acres belonging to said Mackey and a piece belonging to Capt. Daniel Gardner * and my two negro men, wench and child, one called or known by the name of Shadwel. the other by the name of Orendata Orendetes, the girl by the name of Saterea Orendetes, and her child
38
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Thomas, and all my horses and cattle with all my moveable things.
Proven and acknowledged before Levi Pawling, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
It would appear from this deed that Susanna Bond parted with her slaves at this time, 1754.
She also conveyed a tract of land out of the Bond Patent in 1763 to James Hunter. In this conveyance she is designated as spinster, and conveys to James Hunter, a free mulatto, yeoman, all the Bond patent of 600 acres.
Excepting and always reserving out of the limits and hounds aforesaid 100 aeres of land formerly conveyed by the said Susanna Bond to William Weygant, his heirs &c. also 100 acres conveyed by her to Jurian Mackey, his heirs &c and also all that part of said tract which the said Susanna Bond for- merly conveyed to Jesse Hallock, his heirs &e
It appears from this conveyance that she at this time parted with the balance of the Bond Patent and she must have died soon after, as I find that she is dead in 1765. She lived to a good old age, as she and her father settled on the patent at Milton in 1712, and the tradition is that she was a woman at that time and kept house for her father and superintended the work of their slaves when her father was absent. She was never married and she and her father died upon the lands and were buried there.
I find that William Bond conveyed all of the Bond Patent to his daughter in October, 1739, and she after- ward made the conveyances which are above given. He also conveyed to her his other lands.
It seems that James Hunter in 1765 conveyed his . land to John Belfield. Belfield, by sheriff. conveyed to Jacob Griffin, 1771. William Bond died about 1740 and his daughter lived alone upon the lands until the time of her death except, it is supposed, that her
39
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
nephew, William Weynant, lived with her, as she afterward gave him a deed of a part of the land.
The two negro men and the wench that she sold to Jurian Mackey at the time she conveyed the 100 acres of land to him, were slaves that were brought from Africa and purchased by William Bond, and they retained their original African names. It is shown they had more slaves at different times; several had died and some were sold before this; and after the sale to Mackey it is quite likely she retained some to take care of her, though no mention is made of any slaves in her conveyance to James Hunter. He is spoken of as a free mulatto. It is most likely that he had been one of her slaves and that she had pre- viously set him free or he had purchased his freedom, and she conveyed to him the balance of the Bond Patent after excepting the parts that she had sold; he retained the lands for a few years, and I find men- tion of him again twice.
The Jesse Hallock to whom she had deeded some of the land must have been a non-resident, as I find no mention of him afterward, and none of his name have ever heard that such a person existed. He most likely conveyed his land to Edward Hallock.
Susanna Bond had a sister Jane who married Jurey Wygant. In December, 1762, she conveyed to this sister a tract of land in the town of Plattekill which had belonged to William Bond & Co. under an other grant. In October, 1764, Jane Wygant and Jurey. her husband, conveyed the same lands to their son, Michael Wygant. I speak of this to show that Su- sanna did have a sister. The tradition about it has always been that Susanna was the only child of William Bond. Certainly everything that William Bond had, he gave to her, and Susanna conveyed some of her property to her nephew, William Wygant, and some to her sister Jane Wygant. These people all re-
40
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
sided here, and these Wygants were among the first in the town. William Wygant selected his 100 acres out of the southeast part of the Bond Patent. Wygant conveyed to Elijah Lewis and Lewis to William Eley in 1780. This is the land now owned by Silverman, Fisk, Hyde, Sturgeon and others. It is supposed that William Wygant built the Sturgeon house.
Kennedy sold his 800-acre tract to Jacob Gomez; and Daniel and Abram, children of Jacob Gomez, sold the tract to Richard Woolsey. In May, 1754. Richard Woolsey sold a part of this tract to Richard Harcourt. This is described as follows:
All that certain piece of land situate on the west side of Hudson's River in the Precinct of Highlands in Ulster County, Province of New York, beginning at Hudson's River at a pitch pine sapling marked on four sides with stones around it; from thence north 73 degrees west 29 chains to a stake with stones round it, from thence south one degree, east 36 chains to a stake with stones around it, from thence south 43 degrees cast 71 chains and 50 links to Hudson's River to a white pine bush marked on four sides with a heap of stones round it, from thence along the river to the place where it begins. 256 acres, bounded North, West and South by other lands of Richard Woolsey, East by Hudson's River.
In 1770, Richard Woolsey conveyed to Thomas Knowlton 211 acres of this traet. It is described as being in the precinct of Newburgh, the northern part of the Highland precinct having by this time been formed into a separate district called Newburgh Pre- cinet. This traet is described as being on the north of Harcourt's land and extending along the river and as far back as Harcourt's line. In 1760, Richard Wool- sey conveyed another part of this tract to his son, Benjamin; afterward a part to his son, John; and John conveyed 203 acres to his son, Henry.
Richard Woolsey sold 155 acres, on the south side of what he sold to Harcourt, to Edward Hallock, and
41
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
Edward Hallock sold to John Youngs, June, 1776. In the ancient deed it is described as follows:
All that certain parcel of land situate on the west side of Hudson's river, bounded as follows: Beginning at Richard Harcourt's southeast corner of his farm at Hudson's river, thence running along his line north 23° West 25 ch. & 50 links to a stake and stones and in Benj. Woolsey's corner, thence mimning along his line $ 1º and 50" E 40 ch. & 95 links to another heap of stones and in John Woolsey's corner, thence along his line * * * to a chestnut oak tree, marked on three sides with three notches and a blaze, standing on the bank of Hudson's river, thence northerly along the said river to the place of beginning : containing 155 acres.
It appears from the amount sold out of this patent that there were over 1,000 acres including barren lands.
James Graham of the city of New York, the eldest son and heir-at-law of Augustine Graham, deceased, conveyed to Zachariah Hoffman all that one-half part of the Griggs & Graham Patent of 1,200 acres. Prior to this time Alexander Griggs conveyed his one-half part to Jurey Quick and JJurey Quick in 1727 leased his part of the tract to Zachariah Hoffman, and in the lease it is spoken of as follows:
Beginning at a certain point of land between the two branches of the stream, in consideration of the sum of 5 shillings to him in hand paid by the said Zachariah Hoffman :
All that certain one-half or equal moiety, being part of the lands granted to Capt. John Evans and now resumed. * Beginning at the north side of the south branch of the Old Man's Kill 102 chains along the river west into the woods 115 chains, south 120 chains, east 148 chains to place of beginning, containing 1200 acres be the same more or less.
Leased for the term of one whole year from then next ensu- ing, yielding and paying therefor to the said Jury Quick the rent one pepper corn only at the feast of the annunciation of the blessed Virgin, Mary, if the same shall lawfully be de- manded.
-
42
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
It appeared to have been the custom at that time to lease the lands before executing a mortgage or deed upon them, and the next day after this lease Quick executed a mortgage to Hoffman in consideration of 70 pounds upon these same lands, and in 1741 Quick and his son, Thomas Quick, sold these lands to Hoff- man for 80 pounds, so it will be observed that Hoff- man became the owner of the 1,200 acres without pay- ing much money. Hoffman afterward died and his two daughters, Geartry DuBois, and Ida Hoffman, became the owners of the entire patent, and Geartry DuBois conveyed her part to Lewis DuBois by deed as follows:
To all People to whom these Presents come or may in any- wise concern.
Geartry Dubois, widow of Nathaniel Dubois, Late of the County of Orange and Province of New York, Deceased sendeth greeting. Know ve that whereas Jachariah Hoffman, Late of Schawangunk in Ulster County and province aforesaid, De- ceased : By his last Will and Testament in writing Bearing Date the twenty-fifth Day of February in the year 1743 & 4 among other things therein contained Did Give, Devise and Bequeath all that Certain Tract of Land Containing Twelve hundred acres formerly Granted By Patent to Augustine Gra- ham & Alexander Griggs Situate lying and being upon Hudson River, County of Ulster, province of New York. and then in the Tenure of Jury Quick with the Heriditants and Appur- tenances thereunto belonging unto his two Daughters, Namely the said Geartry Dubois and his Daughter Ida and to their heirs and assigns forever to be equally Divided Between them as by the said Will and Testament being had may more fully and at Large appear.
And whereof the said Geartry Dubois being Possessed of the full equal half Part of the said Tract of Land above Mentioned in her own Right at the time of her marriage with the said Nathaniel Dubois for and in consideration of the Love and Affection which she hath and doth bear towards Lewis Dubois, her son-in-law and for Divers other Good Causes and Valuable Considerations her thereunto moving Hath Remised, Released and forever Quit-claimed * * unto said Lewis Dubois * All the Estate, Right, Title in and to all
43
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
that the Equal half Part of the said twelve hundred acres Tract above mentioned *
** * which said half Part of said Tract the said Lewis Dubois is now in the Possession thereof.
Dated June 11. 1763.
Acknowledged October 21, 1764.
Before Charles Clinton, Esq. one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.
Ida, the daughter of Hoffman, married Cornelius Bruyn, and in 1746 she conveyed her undivided one- half part of the patent to Nathaniel BuBois and this descended to his son, Lewis DuBois, so that he was the owner of and in possession of the lands in question some time before he received the deed from his step- mother or mother-in-law as above stated. When he received her deed he was the owner of all of it. I find no mention of Quick afterward. Quick had been in the possession of these lands for a long while; he was as- sessed for the same and paid taxes on them under the assessment roll of 1724, 1725 and 1726 and other years. There has always been a tradition in the town, and the Quick family have always claimed and con- tended, that Jurey Quick, their ancestor, owned all this tract of land, or the undivided one-half interest in it, and that he was turned out of it with very little consideration.
Lewis DuBois was in possession of these lands at the time he got his deed in 1763 from his stepmother, and the presumption is that he had been there several years and was living there under title from his father; for at the time he was interested in various projects and had agreed to give to the Marlborough Society two acres of land. The subscription list for the church states, "Providing that Lewis DuBois does give two acres of land. "
On April 8th of the next year, he did execute a deed for the land to John Woolsey and Stephen Case, first trustees. He was the largest subscriber, giving fifteen
44
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
pounds on the first and eight pounds on the last sub- scription, so he must have been a man of means, and doing business at this time.
He had previously, but the year cannot be ascer- tained, erected a large house, substantially the same as the house now stands, which is owned by John Rusk. It was all forest at the time and the trees were cut down and hewn into timber right where the house stands. It was one of the first frame houses in the country, and from its size and general appearance, and so unusual for those times, that it made quite a sensation and people came long distances to see it. Jurey or Jurian Quick as he was sometimes called, ap- pears to have been in possession of these lands for many years. He was evidently placed in possession by Graham & Griggs, the original patentees, as it was necessary in order to hold the patent that there should be some actual settler upon it, and a certain number of acres should be cleared every year. He also paid the taxes, and continued in possession after Zachariah Hoffman became the owner, and after his death, and while his daughters were the owners.
Judging from the deed, Lewis DuBois' first wife was his own cousin. He, DuBois was born in 1728 and died in 1802. Among other children he left one, Lewis DuBois who died in 1854. He was the father of twelve children, among others Nathaniel H., who was born at Marlborough in 1815, and died in the past year. He was the grandson of the old Colonel. He spent his whole life at Marlborough, and was a man of good business qualities, and always identi- fied with the interests of the town. His mind and memory were always strong, and they were as clear as ever up to the time of his death. Every one in the southern portion of Ulster county was well acquainted with Nathaniel DuBois. He was generous, kind and
45
PATENTS AND LAND GRANTS.
respected by all. One of his last acts was to place a clock in the tower of the Presbyterian church.
It would appear from the will of Lewis DuBois that this tract of land, the Graham & Griggs patent, said to be 1,200 acres (lands were cheap in those times and they gave good measure) actually contained 1,486 acres by a survey made by DuBois in 1786. He says in his will:
Also I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Lewis all that part of the traet of land whereon I now dwell, granted by letters patent bearing date the fifth day of June Anno Domini 1:12 unto Augustine Graham and Alexander Griggs which part of the said tract hereby devised to my son, Lewis: Begins at a walnut tree formerly marked with three notches on four sides, for the northwest corner of said tract where two stone fences meet. thence along the westerly bounds thereof as the magnetie needle pointed in the year 1286 * to a cer- tain point of land at the north side of the south branch of the Old Man's Kill, being the place of beginning mentioned in the said letters patent containing eight hundred and twenty-four aeres be the same within the bounds more or less * Also I give and bequeath unto my son, Wilhel- mus, all the southerly part of the said tract being bounded as follows: to wit: Beginning at the south side of the Old Man's Kill aforesaid, at a certain point of land between the said branches, being the place of beginning mentioned in the afore- said letters patent and runs from thence along the south bounds of the said tract as the needle pointed Anno Domini 1786. * Containing six hundred and sixty-two aeres be the same within the bounds aforesaid more or less.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.