| Quantity: | 1 Box (0.25 cubic ft.) |
|---|---|
| Access: | Open to research |
| Acquisition: | The papers were presented to the New York State Library by Mrs. Alice F. Kauffman, Associate Librarian, State University College, Potsdam, on March 16, 1972. They had been given to the College Library by Mrs. Edith Van Ostrand of Marion, New York, in February 1966 at the suggestion of her daughter Mrs. Barnett Corbin of Potsdam. |
| Processed By: | Peter R. Christoph, Associate Librarian, Manuscripts & Special Collections, March 1972 |
Reyer Schermerhorn (1652-1719) was the son of Jacob Schermerhorn, a Dutch immigrant who settled in Schenectady and became a wealthy fur trader and real estate owner. Reyer added considerable lands to his inheritance and was a prominent citizen, serving as trustee of Schenectady, justice of the peace, and assistant judge of the Court of Common Pleas at Albany. He left large holdings to his son, Jan, including the original family homestead, the Schuylenkill. Jan's eldest son, the second Reyer, acquired large tracts of land in various patents in the present counties of Schenectady, Washington, and Saratoga. The younger Reyer left the Schuylenkill to his eldest son, Bartholomew, and other lands to the younger children.
The lands most frequently mentioned in this collection are those inherited jointly by three of the younger Reyer's children: Gerrit, Jeremiah, and Engeltie (Angelica). Engeltie married Nicholas Schermerhorn, her second cousin once removed, and their daughter, Elizabeth, married Hiram Carpenter. Another large block of papers deals with the land that Hiram received from his father, William, and from other members of his family.
The collection consists principally of deeds, leases and mortgages for land in Schenectady County, New York, but also includes papers relative to land in Washington, Saratoga, and Schoharie counties, specifically the Anaquassacook Patent and the Kayaderosseras Patent. The lands were passed from Reyer Schermerhorn to his descendants.
Folder |
Item |
Contents |
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Schenectady County |
1 |
1 |
[Schenectady Trustees]. Confirmation of title to Farms No. 4 to Reyer Schermerhorn, February 18, 1702/3. Signed by Jan Baptist Van Eps and Jan Wemp. Farms No. 4 were originally granted to Pieter Adriaensz van Woggelum alias Soogemackelyck (English grant 5, June 1667) and he conveyed them to Helmer Otten, August 13, 1670. Van Woggelum reconveyed them on April 6, 1681, to Reyer Schermerhorn, who had married Otten's widow. Jan van Woggelum, eldest son of Pieter, quit claimed the farms to Schermerhorn on June 18, 1695. (N.B.: This is Jacob's son, Reyer, 1652-1719). |
1 |
2 |
Reyer Schermerhorn. Deed to John Schermerhorn, Jr., for land on the Albany Street in Schenectady, September 3, 1773. (N.B.: This and all succeeding references are to Jan's son, Reyer, 1716-1793). |
1 |
3 |
Mary Schermerhorn. Lease to Bartholomew Schermerhorn for the Schuylenburgh farm in Schenectady township, July 12, 1793. Mary (Maria), widow of Reyer, here leases to her son, Bartholomew, the family homestead to which he later acquired full title. |
1 |
4 |
Description of unidentified lots 1, 2, and 3 outside the city of Schenectady, n.d. |
1 |
5 |
Esther Carpenter. Deed to Hiram Carpenter of land in Glenville, April 1, 1821. (N.B.: Esther is the widow of William and mother of Hiram.) |
1 |
6 |
Job Hedden. Agreement giving Hiram Carpenter the use of a piece of land, March 29, 1822. (N.B.: Job's daughter, Anne, was married to Hiram's brother, William. The land is probably in Glenville.) |
1 |
7 |
William Carpenter and his wife, Anna. Deed to Hiram Carpenter for land in Glenville, April 1, 1822. (N.B.: Property inherited from the elder William (1769-1814). See also Item 1-8.) |
1 |
8 |
Zachariah Carpenter and his wife, Jane. Deed to Hiram Carpenter for land in Glenville, April 1, 1822. (N.B. Zachariah and William (See Item 1-7) have sold to their brother Hiram this inheritance.) |
1 |
9 |
William O. Smith. Deed to Elizabeth (wife of Hiram) Carpenter for land in Glenville and Charlton, March 19, 1835. The parcels are: (1) land in Glenville sold to William Carpenter by Samuel Andrus on January 10, 1814; (2) land in Glenville sold to Smith by Abijah and Anna Capen on March 14, 1832; (3) east half of Lot 23, Great Lot 3, tract of Glenville; and (4) land in Charlton sold to Smith by Henry van Houvenburgh. (See also Item 1-10.) |
1 |
10 |
Hiram Carpenter to William O. Smith for land in Glenville and Charlton, March 19, 1835. Same property as in Item 9. (N.B.: These transactions were made with the approval of Daniel Smith, commissioner (the same Daniel Smith that married Hiram's sister Mary?)) |
1 |
11 |
Hiram Carpenter and his wife Elizabeth. Mortgage and bond to Schenectady and Saratoga Insurance Company, July 20, 1835. Debt satisfied February 11, 1839. (N.B.: The property mortgaged was (1) and (2) as described in Item 1-9.) |
1 |
12 |
Schenectady and Saratoga Insurance Company. Agreement with Hiram Carpenter to pay off his mortgage owed to Zachariah Carpenter, July 20, 1835. Signed by Platt Potter, secretary. |
1 |
13 |
[Schenectady and Saratoga Insurance Company]. Receipt to Hiram Carpenter for partial payment of interest on bond and mortgage dated September 1, 1836. Receipt dated September 19, 1836. |
1 |
14 |
_____. _____. Receipt dated September 22, 1836. |
1 |
15 |
Lawrence Schermerhorn and his wife, Elizabeth. Deed to Jacob N. Clute for land in Rotterdam township, November 29, 1836. |
1 |
16 |
Elizabeth, wife of Lawrence C. Schermerhorn. Deed to Daniel Smith for any and all property inherited by her husband from his grandfather, Reyer Schermerhorn, in Anaquassacook Patent (Jackson and Cambridge townships), Kayaderosseras Patent (Charlton township), and in Schenectady township, January 9, 1837. (N.B.: Lawrence C. was probably the son of Claas (Nicholas) Schermerhorn; both were brothers-in-law of Hiram Carpenter. |
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Anaquassacook Patent (Washington and Saratoga counties), 1763-1789 |
2 |
1 |
William Smith, Thomas Smith, and Johannes Quackenbush. Statement of accounts, October 1763. Provisions for Jacob Schermerhorn; transportation for Freeman Schermerhorn. |
2 |
2 |
Reyer Schermerhorn. Lease to Jacob Vinkenhouer for Lot No. 21 for 60 years, March 4, 1765. See also Items 2-3 and Item 2-10. |
2 |
3 |
___________. Another copy of Item 2-2. Fragment. |
2 |
4 |
Andrew Thomson. Memorandum of terms of agreement to lease from Reyer Schermerhorn land in Lot No. 17 for 12 years, September 22, 1766. |
2 |
5 |
Extract of Letters Patent granted to William Fisher, bearing date of October 29, 1771. (N.B.: Extract is unsigned and undated. Concerns 5 islands in the Battenkill. See also items 2-6, 2-7, 2-8 and 2-9.) |
2 |
6 |
John Bowles as attorney for William Fisher. Deed to Elizabeth McMennomy for 5 islands in the Battenkill, November 4, 1773. Land granted to Fisher for military service, October 29, 1771. See also items 2-5, 2-7, 2-8 and 2-9. |
2 |
7 |
Elizabeth McMennomy. Lease to John Bowles for 5 islands, November 5, 1773. See also items 2-5, 2-6, 2-8 and 2-9. |
2 |
8 |
Elizabeth McMennomy. Deed to John Bowles for 5 islands, November 6, 1773. See also items 2-5, 2-6, 2-7 and 2-9. |
2 |
9 |
John Bowles. Lease to James Moore for 5 islands for 1 year, November 8, 1773. See also items 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8 and 2-11. |
2 |
10 |
Maritie (widow of Jacob) Finkenour (Vinkenhouer). Deed to Reyer Schermerhorn for Lot No. 21, March 12, 1774. (See also Item 2-2.) |
2 |
11 |
James Moore. Letter to [Reyer] Schermerhorn (fragment). Discusses their personal differences. Reply on back, May 16, 1774; also asks whether Moore intends to keep the land by Andrew Thomson. (See item 2-9.) |
2 |
12 |
Reyer Schermerhorn. Lease to John Kimmis for land in Lot No. 4 for 1 year, April 22, 1784. See also Item 2-13. |
2 |
13 |
_____. Copy of Item 2-12. |
2 |
14 |
Reyer Schermerhorn. Memorandum of agreement to lease to Jacob Bour the south half of Lot No. 6, February 22, 1785. See also Item 2-15. |
2 |
15 |
_____. Fragmentary copy of Item 14. |
2 |
16 |
Daniel Barnes. Bond to Reyer Schermerhorn, given for a lease of the north half of Lot No. 6, January 23, 1788. (See also Folder 3, Items 3-13 and 3-14. |
2 |
17 |
Christophel Van Bommel. Bond to Reyer Schermerhorn, given for a lease of the south half of Lot No. 21, February 8, 1788. (See also Folder 3, Items 3-8 and 3-9.) |
2 |
18 |
Reyer Schermerhorn and Elijah Billing. Agreement that Schermerhorn will lease to Billing one-third interest in the sawmill on Lot No. 4 for 1 year, April 10, 1789. |
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Anaquassacook Patent (Washington and Saratoga counties), 1794-1834 |
3 |
1 |
Jeremiah Schermerhorn. Bond to Nicholas Schermerhorn and his wife, Engeltie, and Gerrit Schermerhorn, for a sum of money; they also have given him a deed to land in the Kayaderosseras patent as partial payment for his share in Anaquassacook, June 13, 1794. (N.B.: Jeremiah, Gerrit, and Engeltie had inherited their father's land in the patent in common. |
3 |
2 |
Jeremiah Schermerhorn. Deed to Gerrit, Nicholas and Engeltie Schermerhorn for the north and west parts of Lot No. 17, September 24, 1794. See also Items 3-3 and 3-10. |
3 |
3 |
Gerrit, Nicholas and Engeltie Schermerhorn. Deed to Jeremiah Schermerhorn for the south end of Lot No. 17, September 24, 1794. See also items 3-2 and 3-10. |
3 |
4 |
List of debtors; undated, unsigned. Ca. 1795? Includes Daniel Barnes, Cornelius Sharp, Ephraim Cutter, William Fisher, George Barber. |
3 |
5 |
Nicholas Schermerhorn. List to William Mitchell, debtor, for period May 1795-February 22, 1796. |
3 |
6 |
Jeremiah Schermerhorn. Bond to Gerrit, Nicholas and Engeltie Schermerhorn assigning to them an obligation dated April 1, 1789 of Bartholomy Wilday, January 9, 1795. |
3 |
7 |
Jeremiah Schermerhorn. Bond to Gerrit, Nicholas and Engeltie Schermerhorn, assigning to them an obligation dated June 1, 1791, of Josiah Woodworth, January 9, 1795. |
3 |
8 |
Jeremiah Schermerhorn and his wife, Nancy (Annatje). Lease to Nicholas Schermerhorn of land formerly leased by Christophel Van Bommel, 1788, and currently by Cornelius Sharp, for 1 year, April 1, 1796. (See also Folder 2, Item 2-17 and Folder 3, Item 3-9.) |
3 |
9 |
Jeremiah Schermerhorn and his wife Nancy. Release to Nicholas Schermerhorn of land described in Item 3-8; April 2, 1796. |
3 |
10 |
Abner Stone, Washington County sheriff. Announcement of impending auction of land of Gerrit and Nicholas Schermerhorn, to be held on June 15, 1800, in the town of Cambridge; June 3, 1800. (See also items 3-2 and 3-3.) |
3 |
11 |
Gerrit Schermerhorn and Angelica Nicholas (Engeltie wife of Nicholas?). Deed to Richard and Timothy March of a portion of Lot No. 4, June 16, 1802. |
3 |
12 |
David Barber. Assignment to James Schermerhorn of rents received from Philip Warner, who is renting from Angeline (Engeltie) Schermerhorn, mother of James, January 5, 1832. |
3 |
13 |
Gerrit Schermerhorn. Deed to Angelica (Engeltie) Schermerhorn of Lot No. 6 leased January 23, 1788 by Daniel Barnes; May 24, 1834. Gerrit sells the lease to Elizabeth, wife of Hiram Carpenter, July 14, 1834. Gerrit is Engeltie's brother and Elizabeth's uncle. (See also Folder 2, Item 2-16 and Folder 3, Item 3-14.) |
3 |
14 |
Angelica Schermerhorn. Deed to Elizabeth, wife of Hiram Carpenter, for Lot No. 6, June 12, 1834. Elizabeth is Angelica's daughter. (See Folder 2, Item 2-16 and Folder 3, Item 3-13. See also Folder 1, Item 1-16 concerning a share in this land held by Lawrence Schermerhorn, brother of Elizabeth.) |
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Kayaderosseras Patent |
4 |
1 |
Willem Berret. Deed to Jacob Volleweyder of a share in a sawmill on the Aal Plaats Kil, February 17, 1762. Conveyed to Berret, Henderikies Wemple and Jacob Fonda by Arent Bradt. (See also Item 4-2. |
4 |
2 |
Jacob Volleweyder. Deed to Dirick Van Vranken of a share in a sawmill on the Aal Plaats Kil, February 21, 1770. (See also Item 4-1.) |
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Schoharie Township |
5 |
1 |
Jacob Mann, Schoharie County sheriff. Deed to Thomas Morrell for land of James Morrow sold at auction, September 6, 1800. |
5 |
2 |
Thomas Morrell. Quit claim to Nicholas Schermerhorn for land described in Item 5-1, October 9, 1800. |
5 |
3 |
George Dunbar. Letter to Capt. Beriah Stiles asking that his land now occupied by James Schermerhorn not be sold, April 13, 1809. |
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Miscellaneous |
6 |
1 |
Bathsheba Eastman. Letter to Daniel H. Eastman, August 16, 1849. A recounting of her family since their move from Herkimer to Ogdensburgh in 1817. |
6 |
2 |
Gerrit van Antwerp. Letter to Elizabeth Carpenter, October 21, 1851. Reports death of Mrs. Elizabeth van Antwerp. Letter written for Gerrit by John P. DeGraff. |