I've recently taken in another nice lot of antiques on consignment. Included in that lot were two nice old documents, each pertaining to the very early days of New York City!
The first is an old NY map dated 1752 from Rockland Orange County New York. This is a super piece of early New York history, and over 250 years old! It is an original hand drawn deed map, measuring approx. 8" x 11". It is made on a pulp like paper. It details a piece of property in Rockland New York and Orange County. The map shows the property lines and description, all hand done with beautiful old handwriting. Lists specific distances, degrees, along a ditch, past a rock etc. It describes "New York And Orange County, A lot of land called Rockland, belonging to Jonathan Hazard and purchased of Mr Henry Ludlow, the 14 November 1752, Containing 17.9 acres of land....". Has some beautiful fancy caligraphy. The area that would become Rockland County was originally inhabited by Indians, and later settled by the Dutch. When the Duke of York (who became King James II of England) established the first twelve counties of New York in 1683, present-day Rockland County was part of Orange County NY. Rockland County was split from Orange County in 1798.
A second item comes in a primitive crude leather pouch. The pouch appears to be hand cut and sewn with an old button for a closure. Inside the pouch was found a large original hand drawn doccument, measuring approx. 16" x 26". It is made on a heavy pulp like paper. It details a piece of property in the eigth Ward of the City Of New York. The property owner who died is detailed as one David Mann. His executor here is deeding the property through his estate. It is all hand done with beautiful old handwriting. Along with the large indenture, there is also an attached tissue like paper showing property lots for this property. The early deed lists specific distances, degrees etc. At the bottom it has four old red wax seals with a kings portrait?
The indenture reads "This indenture made the tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve...a parcel of land, situate lying and being in the eighth Ward of the city of New York...located on the west side of Bowery Lane, or high road...and Whereas after the said David Mann had purchased this lot, piece or parcel of land, herein first above described, the street called Broadway was laid out or continued through the same, so that part therof now lies upon the easterly and part on the westerly side of the said street". Also talks about laying out lots along the new street called "Broadway" and speaks of a property auction at the Tontine Coffee House in New York City (The old Tontine Coffee House was located at the northwest corner of Wall and Water Streets and was where the NY Stock Exchange was first organized).
Both items are a cool look back at the early days of NYC!!!
