Lot 240

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Seven Early Dutch New York Papers, 1683-1790, Van Rensseaer, Staats, Livingstons, and Others!

A group of seven documents, spanning the years of approximately 100 years, relating to early Dutch settlers in the New York area. All documents relate to members of the Staats family, who emigrated from Holland. Included is a translation of Abraham Staats' will, a deed between Stephen Van Rensselaer and a local farmer, and two legal documents.

Major Abraham Staats (1620-1694) was born in Amsterdam and became one of the first settlers of the New Netherland colonies and the founder of the Staats family in New Amsterdam. He emigrated to Albany, New York in 1642 with his wife, Trijntje "Catharina" Jochems, and was employed by the Van Rensselaer family as a surgeon. The couple had five children, Jochem, Samuel, Elizabeth, Abraham Peter, and Jacob. Elizabeth went on to marry Johannes Schuyler, who was the paternal grandfather of Philip Schuyler.

Highlights and Excerpts:

Stephen Van Rensselaer Signed Deed, 1p oversized, Albany, dated July 7, 1790:
An indenture between Stephen Van Rensselaer and Archie Ward Jr. of the town of Watervliet. An agreement between the two men, in which Ward paid five shillings for 127 acres of farmland, with an additional yearly rent of wheat and fat payment to be delivered to the manor house. Signed "Stephen Van Rensselaer" and with a mark by Ward.

The English Translation of Abraham Staats' Will, 3pp, Albany, dated April 20, 1683:
"…appeared before me Robert Livingston Secretary of Albany Colony…and the after named witnesses the esteemed Major Abraham Staats having the absolute use of his senses and memory who considering the shortness of mens Life the certainty of Death and the uncertain Hour thereof…The appearer therefore Declares…that after his Decease the one true half of his whole Estate…credits money gold silver coined and uncoined jewels cloaths linnen [sic] woolen household furniture and others…shall remain to his wife - Trijntje Joachimse to use and to dispose thereof as long as she lives…To whome he the Appearent makes the other half of his whole Estate as by name Sarah Staats Isaack Bruyn a son of the Deceased Catalyne Staats in whose place he succeeds in the Inheritance Jacob Staats - Joachim Staats Samuel Staats Elizabeth Staats and Abraham Staats Junr. to be amongst them equally Divided the one no more than the other…" Signed at the conclusion "Robt Livingston Secry."

New York Supreme Court Legal Costs, 1p, New York, dated April 1764:
"Costs due to Wm Livingston of Council for the Plaintiff" for James Jackson & Isaac Staats v. John Stiles Joachim/Staats Tenant. The costs, accrued over the period of two years, from 1764 to 1766, are for retaining fees, term fees, costs and copies, judge certification, and instructions for proofs, totaling four pounds, fourteen shillings, and sixpence. Signed by Daniel Horsmanden as "Dan: Horsmanden."

Lawyers' ALS to Isaac Staats Re: Case Verdict, 2pp bifolium, New York, dated February 28, 1766:
A letter from lawyers William Livingston and Whitehead Hicks reading, "This morning we finished the award in the Dispute between you, & your Nephews Jochim & Gerrit Staats after having spent several Days in considering the several Affidavits and Proofs of both Parties, and found the supposed Will to carry such evident Marks of Fraud and Forgery that we unanimously concurred in awarding against you…And as we awarded you to execute a Release to the Dependents, of all your Right to the Lands in Dispute by virtue of the said presented will…It would have given us great pleasure for your sakes had the Instrument been capable of being supported: but as it appeared so satisfactory to us all, to be Forgery, we were obliged in Justice and Conscious to determine against you." Signed "Wil: Livingston" and "Whitehead Hicks." 

Deed Between William Staats and Andrew Ward, 1p, No Place, dated December 11, 1793. An indenture between Andries Ward Jr. and William Staats of Albany, Mariner, "...in consideration of the sum of Four Hundred Pounds paid by the said William Staats...All that Farm piece or parcell of Land situate lying and being in the Manor of Rensselaerswyck...containing one hundred and twenty seven acres." Also signed by Ward with a mark and with a blind embossed paper seal. 

The five documents are accompanied by a partial document, that appears to be related to the settlement mentioned by Livingston in relation to Isaac Staats and his nephews. The partial page, measuring 7.25" x 2.75", mentions the "award" to "said parties...Jockum [sic]..." Along with a 1p documents, dating from 1831 to 1832, recording current accounts in New York between a Mr. Asa Wilson and R.H. King, detailing merchandise sales and payments in cash.

All documents have flattened folds, with separations to some folds. Some separations have been repaired with tape. Some areas of paper loss and chipping. Edge toning and varying degrees of soiling. The William Staats deed is missing the lower fourth of the document and is separated in a number of places, along with further separations starting. Boldly signed by all.

Stephen Van Rensselaer (1764-1839) was a New York businessman, soldier, and politician. He inherited his family's manor, Rensselaerswyck, at the age of 21 and developed the land by offering tenants reasonable rates on leases. Van Rensselaer would go on to serve in the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate before rising to the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served in the War of 1812 as a major and commanded the Army of the Centre - a collection of militia and regular Army troops amassed in upstate New York. However, his defeat at the Battle of Queenston Heights led to his resignation, although he remained in service of the militia. At his death, Van Rensselaer was worth more than $100 billion dollars in today's money, making him one of the top ten richest persons in U.S. history.

Robert Livingston the Elder (1654-1728) was a prominent New York colonial officer, businessman, and fur trader. He became the first lord of Livingston Manor, a 160,000-acre land tract awarded to him by George I. He was grandfather to William Livingston (1723-1790) who signed the U.S. Constitution and served as Governor of New Jersey during the American Revolution. Before the war, William Livingston studied law and began a practice in New York City sometime around 1748. In 1772, he moved to Elizabethtown and lived with a young Alexander Hamilton.

Whitehead Hicks (1728-1780) was a Quaker from Hicksville New York. He studied law and joined a practice in 1950, later serving on the New York Supreme Court of Judicature. From 1766 to 1776, Hicks also served as the 42nd Mayor of New York City.

Daniel Horsmanden (1691-1778) was born in Kent, England but immigrated to the United States after a failed financial speculation. In 1736, he was appointed Recorder of New York City and the following year became a justice of the supreme court in the Province of New York. He became Chief Justice in March 1763.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

May 26, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000