Description

New York City Deed Dated December 24, 1696. A Manuscript document in English recording a transfer of ownership from Luke van Thinehoven, a surgeon, to Sampson Benson for a lot situated on Smith Street, owned by van Thinehoven and sold to Sampson Benson. Ink on paper, 41.5 cm x 33 cm, with ink annotations on the verso.

The property located as: “… a certain parcel of ground situate lying and being In a Certain Street within the Citty of New York called smith street bounded west by the said street North by the ground of Henry Jellise west by the Land of Stephen van Courtland, and south by the Latt [sic] of Land of Gerrit Burge Containning in breadth in the front to the said street twenty five foot, North in length one Hundred six foot six inches, east in Breadth twenty foot and South in length one Hundred and five foot and six inches…”. Sampson Benson is recorded in this document with the anglicized spelling of his family name and with an added “p”. The original Swedish spelling was “Bensingh.” Samson Benson’s father emigrated from Sweden to Groningen, Netherland, and from there to the New Netherland. Sam[p]son Benson was born 04 July 1652 and married Tryntje Van Deusen (Benson).

Smith Street began below Wall Street, where William Street intersected with Wall Street. Smith Street is found on the Carwitham Plan dated 1730, as well as on the Plan of the City of New York published in The New York Directory, and Register, for the Year 1789. See: Augustyn and Cohen, Manhattan Maps 1527-2014. The condition of this remarkable document has been much improved with conservation, which included the removal of adhesive tape, the mending of tears, the thorough dry cleaning, mending and the careful preservation of the red wax seals from the reign of William III.

FULL TEXT:

“To All Christian People to whom these presents shall come Luke van Thinehoven of the City of New York Cuirurgeon Sends Greeting in our Lord God everlasting. Know Ye that the said Luke van Thinehoven and with the consent and good likeing of Katherine his wife signified by her being a party to these presents and by her voluntary signeing sealing and delivery for diverse good causes and valuable Consideracons them thereunto moveing but more especially for the consideracon of the Sum of ffortythree pounds good currant and Lawfull money of New York afore said to them well and truly in hand contented paid and satisfied by Sampson Benson ~~~~ of the said Citty Labourer the receipt there of they doe hereby acknowledge and there of and there from and of and from every parte and parcel thereof they do hereby acquitt exonerate and discharge him the said Sampson Benson XXXXX his executors administrators and assigns HAVE given granted bargained sell entrust convey assure and confirm unto himself said Sampson Benson XXX his heirs and Assigns for ever. All that a certain parcel of ground situate lying and being In a Certain Street within the Citty of New York called smith street bounded west by the said street North by the ground of Henry Jellise west by the Land of Stephen van Courtland, and south by the Latt of Land of Gerrit Burge Containning in breadth in the front to the said street twenty five foot, North in length one Hundred six foot six inches, east in Breadth twenty foot and South in length one Hundred and five foot and six inches: all English measure and the reversion and reverssions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues, and proffits, Thereof. And all the Estate right [?] the Interest property possession claim, and demand whatsoever of him the said Luke van Thinehoven and Katherine his wife of into or out of the Same or of into or out of any parte or parcell thereof. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said parcell of ground and premises in these presents granted with a and every appurtenances unto him the said Sampson Benson x his heirs and Assignes forever AND the said Luke van Thinehoven and Katherine his wife doe Covenant promise and grant to and with the said Sampson Benson his heirs executors administrators as followeth (vozt) [?] That he the said Luke van Thinhoven and Katherine his wife by themselves or by their heirs executors or administrators or some of them the said parcell of Ground and premises before grant’d with the appurtenances, thereto belonging, in the Quiet and peaceable possession and seizin of him the said Sampson Benson xx his heires executors administrators and assigns against all persons whatsoever Lawfully haveing or claiming any [?] to the same by any manner of ways meanes or procurement however shall and warrant and by these presents for ever defend [and?] witness the said Luke van Thinehoven & Katherine his wife have here unto sett their hands and seals the Twentyfourth day of December in the eighth Yeare of his New Majesties Reign Anno Domini 1696.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us

Richard Ashfield

John [?]

& his wife

And memorandum that it is agreed by both parties as to these presents. That if errosion [?] required there shall remain one foot all the [?] of this lott herby granted for a gutter for the water to run through this bond before sealing and delivery hereof.

Lucius van Thinehoven [with wax seal]

Catherine van Thinehoven [with wax seal]

Verso: “New York The 12the Johanowary 1696/7

Then Apiered Before Mee Liukes van Thinehoven Catheryna his wife and Declared the Wirdin Onstromendt to bee thaer volantary acts and deeds. Leonard Leurs Justce. [?]”

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