Historical Document:
The document I have transcribed below is an indenture - a legal contract, hand written on sheepskin (vellum), in keeping with legal practice dating back to Medieval times. The top edge of the document shows the wavy, or "indented" margin that gives these documents their name. As a safeguard against counterfeiting, the copies given to all parties were placed together and cut in the margin in a wavy, irregular pattern, uniquely identifying the authenticity of each copy.
The indenture was signed by the NY attorney, ABRAHAM De PEYSTER (b. 1658, d. 1728); an important colonist, merchant and politician in Colonial New York. Among other things, he was a member of the Governor's Council in the Province of New York, 1698-1702, 1708, 1710-1722; Mayor of New York City, 1691; Chief Justice of the Province, 1701; Receiver-General, 1708; Treasurer of the Province, 1706-1721 and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot Soldiers in 1695.
In the document, it appears that JOHN ABEALE (Abeel) signed for the VERPLANCK (Verplank) heirs using power of attorney. Names mentioned in the document can be classified into four general categories: The buyer of the property, the sellers (VERPLANK heirs/lineage), those acting in an official capacity, and those who are mentioned in reference to the property being transferred. These individuals are as follows:
Buyer: WILLIAM HUDDLESTON1 (Huddlestone) an affluent gentleman of New Amsterdam.
Seller(s): The heirs of ABRAHAM VERPLANK2, including ABRAHAM ACKERMAN,3DAVID ACKERMAN,4 SYLVESTER GARLAND,5 HENDRETH KIPP,6CORNELIA ROOS,7 PETER ROOS,8 CORNELIUS TUNISE SWARTH,9MELGERT VANDERPOOL,10 JOHANNES VAN GELDER,11 CATLINNA VERPLANK,12ISAACVERPLANCK,13 JACOBUS VERPLANK,14 and SAMUEL VERPLANK.15
Officials: JOHN ABEALE16 (power of attorney for the heirs) and ABRAHAM De PEYSTER17 (member of His Majesty's Council in the Province of New York)
Referents: NICHOLAS BYARDT18 was referenced in his official capacity, while CHRISTOPHER HOOGLAND,19 THOMAS LODWICKSON,20 JOHN RODMAN,21LUKE VAN THIENHOVEN,22 and JOHN VAN ZEE23 were referenced in terms of the land and its location. A predominantly illegible signature appears on the back of the document, which appears to be JAMES EVOTTS. Because this latter signature is so hard to read and I am not at all sure I have it right, I have not taken time to try to identify him or his role.
A small request: If it appears I have transcribed words, names and places incorrectly, please let me know. The words were difficult to read, and not knowing much "legalese" from the 17th century, I may easily have guessed incorrectly for some of the transcription. Also, if you have any information on people mentioned that will help me identify and place those I have not been able to place, please let me know. I have two heirs listed who I cannot connect directly to Abraham Verplank: Hendreth Kipp (for whom I do have some intriguing possibilities) and Cornelius Tunise Swarth. Any questions, comments, or corrections, please
... E-Mail me... ...
Enjoy!
A special thanks to Bob Fulkerson and Robert Protzmann, internet cousins whose generous
help in transcribing this manuscript and identifying the people and places was invaluable, as
their knowledge in this domain is far superior to my own.
In 1677, there were three hundred and sixty-eight houses in New York City. In 1693, the number was approximately five hundred and ninety-four, and by 1696, it was about seven hundred and fifty. By 1731, it had grown ten-fold to 8,628; and likely contained 1,200 houses. Houses were generally small and not very high (a good thing since there was no means for extinguishing fires except the carrying buckets of water and using ladders and fire-hooks). Originally, buildings were only one story, rarely exceeding two stories. The first three-story house, located on Pearl Street, opposite Cedar Street, was built by a member of the De Peyster family about the year 1690 (History of New York City).
ABRAHAM ISAACC VERPLANK appeared to be a fairly generous man, if I "guesstimated" the matches correctly. CORNELIA ROOS, his step-great granddaughter was an heir (as well as a Peter Roos, who may or may not have been Cornelia's brother, or possibly even her son)
Note: For the most part, I have retained the original spelling from the indenture. Occasionally, you will see *s - these mean that either the words are illegible, or I am not sure that I have "translated" them correctly from the old script. I have put the names of the people in upper case - in the original manuscript, they are not.
This Indenture made the twenty sevendth day of February in the yeare of our Lord Christ one Thousand Six Hundred Ninety Nine and in the Twelfth yeare of the Raigne of our Sovernign Lord William the Third by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland. King defender of the faith and between JOHN ABEALE of the Citty of New York Merchant of the one parte and WILLIAM HUDDLESTON of the Said Citty Gentleman of the other parte. Whereas ISAACVERPLANCK, SAMUEL VERPLANK, JACOBUS VERPLANK, HENDRETH KIPP, CATLINNA VERPLANK, SYLVESTER GARLAND, CORNELIUS TUNISE SWARTH, ABRAHAM ACKERMAN, DAVID ACKERMAN, MELGERT VANDERPOOL, JOHANNES VAN GELDER, CORNELIA ROOS and PETER ROOS the heirs or children of ABRAHAM ISAACC VERPLANK in and by a certain instrument or power of Attorney Irrevocable beareing the date the thirteenth day of September which was in the tenth year of his now Mirjsys Raigne and in the Yeare of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety Nine did give and grant to the said JOHN ABEALE amongst other things theirin specified and contained full power and absolute and lawful Authority to grant bargaine alein sell and convey all or any part of their estates. Reall and personall land tenements and hereditainments property relating and belonging to the undivided estate of the said ABRAHAM ISAACC VERPLANK deed and upon the sale of all or any part or parcel thereof sufficient deed or deeds for them and in their names generally or perticularly to sign seale and deliver as by the said instrument beareing date as aforesaid relation being thereunto had more fully and at large will appeare. How this indenture wittnesseth that the said JOHN ABEALE *Qualarie as aforesaid for consideration of two hundred and twenty five pounds current money of the province of New York **robbin well and truly in hand paid before the unsealing and delivery hereof by the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge and himself herewith to be fully satisfied contented and paid. And thereof and herefrom and of and from every part and parcel thereof he doth fully freely and absolutely acquit, exonerate and discharge him the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs executors administrators and assigns by these presents hath granted bargained and sold conveyed assured and confirmed and doth by these presents grant bargaine and sell convey assign and conffirments him the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON and to his heirs and assigns forever. What that certain parcel of land situating and being within the Citty of New York bounded East by JOHN RODMAN South by King Street24 West by Smith Street25 and North by the land of LUKE VAN THIENHOVEN containing in **** the East side by JOHN RODMAN one hundred and two foot on the West fronting to Smith Street one hundred eleven foot. In benth South King Street seventy seven foot three inches and North by LUKE VAN THIENHOVEN eight foot --- all English measure. As also a certaine tract of land whereto the City of New York aforesaid bounded on the south and west sides by the kings farme26 on the North by the Land luff** of THOMAS LODWICKSON deceased and on the East by the land of JOHN VAN ZEE deceased containing five Morgan27 and two hundred and ten Rood and is called Lot One being the fourth part of thereabouts of A Certain field called the Culkehook28 as appears by A contract or deed of Varicom*** made the 17thApril Ano Nui 1671 (*??*) betwixt the partners and persons interested in the said field from Qcuilin (**?) VERPLANCK, JOHN VAN ZEE, THOMAS LODWICKSON and CHRISTOPHER HOOGLAND the said contract being recorded in the publishing Records of this Citty and witnessed by NICHOLAS BYARDT, the then secretary. Provided that the all naymes of the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assignes shall at all times and from time to time shall for ever and ever hereafter. Holding the East side of said tract of land leave out twelve foot thereof in breadth for and towards a passage for the owners of the other two lots as by the said instrument of partition is enjoyned together with all ways parts passages easements ***humminges***Liberties Priviledges Hereditiments and appurtances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any manner or ways appertaining or ****all used and enjoyed as parte parcel or member thereof and all the Estate right first interest properte possession claim and demand whatsoever WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assigns forever. And the said JOHN ABEALE for himself his heirs executors and administrators doth covenant grant promise and agree for and with the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assigns and every of them by these presents that he the said JOHN ABEALE at the time of the ensealing and delivery hereof hath by virtue of the instrument above in parte recited in himself good right full power and Lawfull and absolute authorite to grant bargaine and sell unto the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assigns forever the aforesaid parcel and tract of land and all and singular other the premises with the appurtances herein before granted intended to be hereby bargained and sold and every parte and parcell thereof unto the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON or his heirs and assigns for ever according to the true intent and meaning of these present.
And that the aforesaid parcell and tract of land and premises and every part and parcell thereof at the time of the ensealing and delivery of these presents are soe at all times for ever hereafter and from time to time shall remaine coming** and be unto the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assignes clearly accquitted and dischanrged or otherwise sufficiently saved and kept harmless of and from all and all manner of former and other bargaines Sales Cisrs grants Leases Joinries Powers usses wills Jurailes statues Recognizes Judgments Executions Seizures Inclusions Extents and of and from all and Singular other Charges titles troubles Incumbrances and demands whatsoever had made acknowledged Consent unto procured done or suffered by the above mentioned heirs of ABRAHAM ISAACC VERPLANCK or any of them or their or any of their heirs or by him the saide JOHN ABEALE since the power acrued to him as aforesaid or by any other persons or persons whatsoever Lawfully having or Claiming any right or title to the same by his or their or any of his or their meannes title or procurement And the saide JOHN ABEALE for himself his heirs Executors and administrators doe Covenant promise grant and agree to and with the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assigns by these presents that neither the said heirs of ABRAHAM ISAACC VERPLANCK or their heirs nor any other person or persons whatsoever shall at any time hereafter shall make any lawful claim or***to the premises hereby granted shall at all times and from time to time for everafter jusfifie anow maintain ratify allow and continue this instrument as their and each of their absolute good sufficient and essecruall conveyance in the law irrevocable and more over that the said JOHN ABEALE and his heirs and all and every other person and persons whatsoever having or claiming or which shall or may have a claim or pretense have any manner of right fiffe interest or any other thing into or out of the before mentioned to be bargained promises or any parte or parcel thereof from or under him the saide JOHN ABEALE or from or under the heires of the saide ABRAM ISAAC VERPLANK shall and will from time to time and at all times for space or seven years now next ensueing upon every reasonable request and at the cost and charges in the law of the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON and heirs and assigns make doe suffer acknowledge or cause to be made done suffered acknowledged and executed all and every such **ffurtherlanafull** act and acts thing and things device and devices conveyances and assureances in the law whatsoever for the further better and more perfect assurance surity sure making and conveying of all and singular the herein before bargained premises and every part and parcel thereof unto the said WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assigns forever as by conncill learned in the law of the saide WILLIAM HUDDLESTON his heirs and assigns in that behalf shall be reasonably devised advised or required IN WITNESS where of the said JOHN ABEALE hath hereto sett his hand and seal the day and year first written.
JOHN ABEALE
attorney of saide heirs of ABRAM ISAAC VERPLANK
sealed and delivered in the presence of
ABRAM DEPAYSTER
JOHN RODAN
JAMES EVOTTS
New Yorke the 22nd of March, anno domi 1699
these appeared personally before me ABRAM DEPASTER one of his Mirjsys's council for this Province of New Yorke that within mention JOHN ABEALE and acknowledged this to be his voluntary act and deed
ABRAM DEPASTER
applied from JOHN ABEALE
WILLIAM HUDDLESTON
for lott in King Street at the Calkhook
recorded in the office of town clerk in the citty of New Yorke
the 29th of March, anno domi 1709
in bib 25th rag 110.111.112.113 cory exam ** schlepen29
NOTES
1. This is most likely WILLIAM HUDDLESTONE, a gentleman of means in New York at the time. Huddlestone's land is frequently mentioned in wills of the time, leaving, for example, property that is defined as bordering on Huddlestone's in New York City.
2. ABRAHAM VERPLANK (Verplanck; b. abt 1613; d. abt. 1680) was born in Edham, Holland. He married MARIA VIGNE (b. 1613; d. 1689; daughter of Guillaume Vigne & Adrienne Cuveille) in 1634 in New Amsterdam (now New York). Abraham and Maria (her parents owned one of the first six farms on Manhatten Island -- theirs was near where the Chase Manhattan Bank now stands), were ancestors of Thomas Edison, the inventor. In addition, Maria, through her first husband, Jan Roos, is the ancestor of Eleanor Roosevelt, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and President Theodore Roosevelt. Abraham and Maria had nine children that I know of:
ABRAHAM VERPLANCK was a member of the original board of Twelve Men, convened August 29, 1641, for the purpose of advising the government about the course to be followed in dealing with the Indians. The council was made up of delegates from Manhattan and surrounding settlements. Verplanck suffered losses of property related to the Indian war that were so large that on April 27, 1643, he was forced to mortgage Paulus Hook to Jan Damen and Cornelis Van Tienhoven as joint securities for a loan which on the same day he had received from the Company to tide him over his difficulties. Three days later he leased Paulus Hook with the house and garden thereto belonging to Cornelis Arissen or Aertsen. (Year Book of Holland Society of New York, 1914, Bergen Book, Second Volume, pp 12).
3. ABRAHAM ACKERMAN was the brother of DAVID ACKERMAN. Abraham was married to Aeltie VanLaer, whom I believe was the daughter of Abraham's daughter, Abigail Verplanck and her husband, Adrieaen Vanlaer, making him the husband of Abraham Verplanck's grand-daughter..
4. DAVID ACKERMAN was married to ABRAHAM VERPLANCK's daughter, HILLEGOND VERPLANCK and was a famous colonist in his own right.
5. SYLVESTER GARLAND was Abraham's grandson, through his daughter Susanna Verplanck (b. 1642) and her husband, John Garland (Gurlalandt).
6. HENDRETH KIPP, although listed as an heir, is someone I do not have any information on, nor do I know exactly how he connects to Abraham Verplanck. However, the will of Jacobus Kip leaves property to "my wife and her heirs, viz., to the heirs of Jacobus ver Planck..." suggesting that his wife had a connection to the Verplancks, perhaps as an heir herself or through a previous marriage. There is also a Jacobus Verplanck listed as an heir (see note 14 below; Jacobus would have been Samuel's brother).
In the writeup on the Kip family in Holgate's American Genealogies, there was a Hendrick Kype who came to north American in 1635 and whose sons were active in New Amsterdam at the time. From the Collections on History of Albany, we learn that, "VERPLANCK, Guleyn [son of Abraham], merchant of New Amsterdam, m. Hendrikje Wessels of Aernhem, June 20, 1668. He d. April 23, 1684, and she m. Jacobus Kip, May 29, 1685. Ch: bp.; in New York. Samuel, b. Dec. 16, bp. Dec. 19, 1669; Abraham, bp. Jan. 24, 1674; Anna, bp. Sept. 15, 1680; Guleyn, bp. June 29, 1684." So the widow of Guleyn Verplanck (Abraham Isaac Verplanck's son), Hendrikje Wessels, married Jacobus Kip, however, a Hendreth Kipp is not listed among their children.
In the Abstract of Wills, Samuel Ver Plank's 's will mentions his mother, "now the wife of Jacob Kip".
That Jacobus Kip was the husband of the widow Ver Planck is also evidenced when he is named an executor of the will of Henrica Anthony (dated August 24, 1702), "Codicil. Makes Henricus Coerten, mariner, Andreas Teller, merchant, William Jackson, Jacobus Kip, husband of the late widow Ver Planck, executors." An announcement, listed in the Collections on History of Albany, says "Major Richard Ingoldsby, Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New York. To all to whom these Presents may come. Whereas ABRAHAM VER PLANCK deceased was possessed of goods, etc., Letters of Administration were granted to Johanes Kip as principal creditor. Done at Fort James in New York, August 11, 1691.", further tying Jacobus Kip to the Verplancks (but still no mention of Hendreth).
The Register of the Early Settlers of Kings County, Long Island New York, lists, "Hendrick or Hendricus. Jan. 16, 1666, he and Bartel Claesen (Van Ruynen) bought of Jan Leeck 15 morgens, with plain and meadow land, in Flh, as per p. 1 of Lib. C of Flh rec. Mar. 15, 1670-71, he bought of Jan Cornelise Van Tessel a building-lot in Flh, as per p. 104 of Lib A of Flh rec. His name appears on ass. roll of 1693 and cen. of 1698 of Flh. Hendrick Kipp the eldest took the oath of allegiance in N. Y. in 1664. Signed his name 'Hendrick Kipp.'"
Despite all the tantalizing evidence suggesting a linkage, I have been unable to establish the exact relationship between the heir, Hendreth Kipp, and Abraham Verplanck.
7. CORNELIA ROOS was the daughter (b. abt 1688) of Johannes Roos, who was the grandson of Maria Vigne by her first husband Jan Roos (b. abt. 1613; d. bef 1635). Abraham therefore was Johannes' step-grandfather, so Cornelia was his step-great granddaughter.
8. PETER ROOS: to understand the connection of Peter Roos, I relied on the fact that one of Jan Roos and Maria Vigne's children was Gerritt Jansen Roos (born some time before 1632, and died in 1698), who married Aeltje Lamberts. Their child, Johannes, was the father of CORNELIA ROOS, named above as an heir of Abraham Verplanck. Garrit Jansen Roos (Maria's son) appears to have been a nephew of Jan Vignes, according to Jan's will, which calls Garrit "cousin" (meaning nephew, as there was no distinction in Dutch between the two relationships). Further insight is provided by the will of Gerrit Jansen Roos, who left a legacy not only to his son Peter (who was in the Netherlands), but also to Peter's son, Peter Gerritse Roos. So Peter and Cornelia were likely first cousins, sharing a great-grandmother, Maria Vigne, the wife of Abram Verplanck.
9. CORNELIUS TUNISE SWARTH, although listed as an heir, is someone I do not have any information on, nor do I know exactly how he connects to Abraham Verplanck.
10. MELGERT VANDERPOOL could be either the husband or the son (more likely the son) of Abraham Verplanck'sdaughter, Adriaantje Verplanck.The son would have been 29 at the time, and the father was still living.
11. JOHANNES VAN GELDER was the husband of Aefje (Eve) Roos, who was the daughter of Gerritt Jansen Roos, Maria Vigne & Johannes Roos son (and therefore, Aefje was the step grand-daughter of Abraham Verplanck). [Protzmann, 1999]
12. CATLINNA VERPLANCK (Catalyyna) was Abraham's daughter, born in 1638 and married to David Schuyler. It is through her that we are related to the Verplancks, through the Van Schaacks.
13. ISAAC VERPLANCK (b. 1651) was the son of Abraham Verplanck, and was married to Abigel Uyten Bogaardt.
14. JACOBUS VERPLANCK was the grandson of Abraham Verplanck through his son, Gulleyn Verplank and wife Hendricke Wessels.
15. SAMUEL VERPLANCK was the grandson of Abraham Verplanck through his son, Gulleyn Verplank and wife Hendricke Wessels.
16. JOHN ABEALE is probably John Abeel, a member of the Albany family (Protzmann, 1999). His will was witnessed by William Huddlestone, so they clearly were acquainted.
17. ABRAHAM DEPEYSTER was one of the most distinguished men of his time, and was Mayor of New York, 1692-1695 (his grandson, Johannes continued the tradition, and was mayor of Albany from 1729 - 1733). His mansion stood on the south side of Pearl street, a little east of Pine street. He owned nearly half of the north side of Wall street, and a large lot on the east side of William street, extending from Wall to Pine street, was known as "DePeyster's Great Garden" much of which is mentioned in his and his wife Margaret's wills. He died September 17, 1767.
18. NICHOLAS BYARDT (Bayard) was a prominent New York citizen and a relative of the Stuyvesants (Pieter was the Governor of New Amsterdam and married a Bayard, as did his sister, who was the ancestress of the American Bayard line. Nicholas Bayard was the owner of the greater part of the "Bayard Farm," which was located on the lower part of the city of New York. It lay on both sides of Broadway, the eastern part being the "Bowery" mentioned in his will. Elizabeth street, Hester street, and Ann street (now Grand street) were named after his daughters.
Note of interest: There is currently a restaurant located on the property where Nicholas Bayard once had a house (built in 1673), Bayard's at One Hanover Square (between Pearl & Stone Streets) in New York City.
19. CHRISTOPHER HOOGLAND is likely a reference to CHRISTOPHER HOOGLAND whose house was at the south corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane, and who left property to his son, also CHRISTOPHER HOOGLAND in his will.
20. THOMAS LODWYCKSON according to Protzmann (1999) is Thomas Lewis in most records. He was Irish and born around 1628 in Belfast.
21. JOHN RODMAN is likely the John Rodman whose will mentions both William Huddlestone and Jan Vigne.
22. LUKE VAN THIENHOVEN was the son of Rachael Vignes and Cornelis Van Tienhoven, who was quite the scoundrel. Luke's mother, Rachael, was the sister of Jan Van Zee (Vignes). The land referred to as belonging to Lucas is likely part of an inheritance Lucas' from his uncle, Jan Van Zee (Vignes) in the will that was proved December 10, 1689 (Lucas was one of three executors of his uncle's will).
23. JAN VAN ZEE is another version of Jan Vangee (i.e. Jan Vigne). At different times he changed his name to "anglicize" it when the British took New Amsterdam from the Dutch. He was the first white male born in New Netherland.
24. It is possible that King Street is the current Beaver Street, which was formerly Prince Street. Alternatively, it could have been the street known as the 'Burger's Path' off of Pearl Street, which is now called the Old Slip and runs into William Street. William Street is on the west and the Burgher's Path was on the south, similar to the description on the indenture. Other east-west streets that could have bounded the land on the south side don't provide any insight. Wall Street was Het Cingle, Exchange Place was Garden Street, and Pine Street was Tienhoven Street (Fulkerson, 1999).
25. Smith Street is the current William Street, known during the Dutch days as 'Smee' and then as 'Smit Street' (Fulkerson, 1999). [Thanks to Bob Fulkerson for providing the following map]:
If King Street was what is now Beaver Street, then the property was bounded approximately on the north by Pine [Thienhoven] Street, east by Pearl Street, south by Old Slip [Burgher's Path], and west by William [Smith] Street. DePeyster's home was near the corner of Pearl and Pine, while Bayard's home was located nearby, at what is now One Hanover Street, between Pearl and Stone (near the intersection of Beaver and William Street in the map above)..
26. The King's farm was on the Hudson River, next to the Domine's Bouwery, later the Duke's Farm and the subject of the famous Trinity Church law suits (Protzmann, 1999).
27. A morgan was a Dutch unit of land measure that is about 2 acres.
28. Culkehook is Calck Hoeck (and various other spellings). It was a hook of land protruding into the Collect Pond (or Fresh Water), a natural collecting basin for rain water, used by the early settlers until it was drained and filled in. It was here that John Fitch tested his first steamboat in the late 1700s, with limited success. It is at the site of the Tombs Prison, just north of the present City Hall (Protzmann, 1999).
29. I believe that a schlepen was a council member or magistrate/justice.
Back to Main Genealogy Page