Email this lot to a friend

« Email Address (separate multiple emails with a comma)

hide

Lot 35

translate

email

save

[1696 INDIAN LAND DEED]

Sign In to see what this sold for

17TH-CENTURY INDIAN DEED
15,000 ACRES INCLUDING LAND THAT BECAME
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S HYDE PARK ESTATE

35. [1696 INDIAN LAND DEED] Manuscript DS in Old Dutch, 4pps on 3 leaves, [New York], 24 June 1696. Translated. Agreement penned in gunpowder ink between Hendrick ten Eyck and five Indian chiefs, whose pictorial totem signatures adorn this document next to red wax seals. The most important of the Indian signatories is NIMHAM (fl. 1667-1744), whose totem resembles a ghost waving a hand. Also called "Squahikkon" or "Quahiccon," he was a member of an influential Wappinger Indian family and was likely an ancestor of Daniel Nimham, a famed Wappinger chief who with his son, was killed fighting on the American side during the Revolutionary War. Also signed by STEPHANUS VAN CORTLANDT (1643-1700), one of New York's largest landholders who held every major office in NY except governor; DAVID JAMISON (1660-1739) who became chief justice of NJ, and MEYNDERT HARMENSE, the surviving owner of the Sanders-Harmense Patent which bordered on the tract herein described which ultimately became the city of Poughkeepsie. His father, Dr. Harmense Myndert van den Bogaerdt, had served as surgeon at Fort Orange [Albany]. Ex Frank T. Siebert, a noted collector of Native American manuscripts and imprints.

"Hendrick ten Eijeck has come to an agreement with some Indians, rightful owners of the land and a waterway called Aquasing, called the Viskil by us; this land begins on the north side of the Viskil at the marker trees of Paling; these underwritten Indians sell to Hendrick ten Eijck all this...land with the Viskil and all other waterways until Meyndert Harmense's property; this aforesaid land reaches to the east until the Valkil [Fallkil] of Meyndert Harmense and to the west until Hutson's [Hudson's] River." Signed with their totems by the native proprietors: NIMHAM; WILLEM; MATTASIWANCK; QUAGAN; and RAPAWEES. Further, "This was signed and confirmed in the presence of Meyndert Harmense and his wife, and submitted by the Indians to Hendrick ten Eijck as witness." Meyndert Marmense and Lenne Meynders pen their signatures beneath. Thereafter is listed the payment rendered to the Indians, being 5 kettles; Rugs 4; another 8 shirts; Blankets 4; another 8 pairs of stockings; Duffels 4; Gunpowder 12 lbs; Lead 25 staves; Guns 4; Sewant [wampum] 300 guilders, black and white; Axes 12; Knives 20; Tobacco 2 rolls; Adzes 12; 1 barrel of cider; 1 half barrel of good beer; 2 hats; 1 anker of rum; 2 fine coats; 2 shirts, fine; and 2 pair of stocking [defect]. Stephanus van Cortlandt pens and ornately signs his endorsement in English, "One of the Justices of the Supreme Court of this Province, Meyndert Harmense and Helena Harmense, and being sworn upon the holy [Scriptures] said, that they were witnesses to the within deed, and saw the Indians therein named..." David Jamison also pens an endorsement recording the Deed. The document concludes with the statement, Jun 25, 1696, "Thus the rightful owners went with Jan Oostroom and Tijs Geraetse and conveyed the land and the Viskill, along with all the other waterways up to Meyndert Harmense's property; the land is called Aquasing..." Signed with the marks of JAN OOSTROOM; and TIJS GERAETSZ. With final signatory, Meyndert Harmensz, who witnesses, "This was signed in the presence of the rightful owners and me." Docketed on verso in English, "The original agree[ment] or first Indian purch[ase] made by Ten Eyck 24[th June] 1696 in Dutch." Four partial fold separations with paper loss affecting only a few words; normal toning; occasional lightfoxing. Handsomely matted and framed beside printed engraving of early Indian warrior and descriptive text. Overall 40½"x26¾". Accompanied by complete translation; and map of Crown Patent Grants awarded in Colonial Dutchess County, 1685-1706 (Based on map in McDermott, 1986: 2) referencing, among others, the Sanders & Harmense Patent.

In the early 18th century, Jacobus Stoutenburgh, a wealthy area landowner, purchased much of the land described in this deed from the [Great] Nine Partners. This tract, along with property north of Crum Elbow Creek eventually gave rise to Hyde Park, formally established as a town in 1821. Early residents included the Stoutenburghs and Drs. John and Samuel Bard, physicians to President George Washington. In 1867, James and Sara Delano Roosevelt, both members of prominent New York families, moved to Hyde Park; fifteen years later their son Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born there. At one point, FDR served as town historian, editing and publishing two books of early local records. "Springwood," the family homestead on the Hudson River, was a peaceful retreat for Roosevelt throughout his presidency. Located just below Crum Elbow Creek, the estate sits on the land sold in this 1696 deed - it is now a national historic site. Est: $20000-30000

Presented by Signature House

Click on thumbnails to see larger images:

View Signature House next auction.

Similar lots up for auction