Feb.,1771 Indenture between
John Harper Sr. and his heirs to distribute the 220 original lots
of Harpersfield, NY
(Many thanks to the wonderful staff of the Old
Stone Fort at Schoharie, NY for their permission to photograph
and post these important family documents on this site.)
This is
the only document I know of which shows the original
signature of John
Harper Senior and each of his living sons.
Scroll down to bottom of image and put cursor over signatures to see full size image of names.
Transcription of document is at bottom of page
 |
Original document size is 27" wide by 27 1/2" high.
This
Indenture made
the Ninth xxx Day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand
seven Hundred and seventy one Between John Harper of the first part,
William Harper of the second part John Har=
=per Jun.r of the third part, Joseph Harper of the fourth part, Alexander
Harper of the fifth part Andreas Rebar of the Sixth part and Thomas Hendry of
the Seventh part all of the County of Albany and Province of New York farmers
Witness=
eth that whereas in and by certain Letters patent under the Great Seal of the
Province of New York bearing date the Eighth Day of December one Thousand seven
Hundred and Sixty nine, There was Given, Granted, ratified and Confirmed unto
the
aforesaid parties and others to the Number of twenty two persons, all that certain
Tract or parcel of Land situate, lying and being in the County and Province aforesaid
Between the Cookquago Branch of Delaware river and a Branch of the Susquehannah
river called Adequitango by the said Letters patent erected into a Township,
by the Name of Harpers,field Containing in the whole the quantity of twenty two
thousand Acres with the usual Allowance for Highways, and being further bounded
and descri=
=bed as by the said Letters patent recourse being thereunto had may now fully
and at large appear And whereas all the parties to these Presents did lately
by Virtue of the said recited Letters patent and of sundry mesne Conveyances
in the Law stand saiyd
in Fee Simple as tenants in Common of the whole of the said Tract or Township
called Harpers field, that is to Say the said John Harper of two two and twentieth
parts, the said Joseph Harper of three two and twentheth parts, the said Alexander
Harper of
three two and twentieth parts, the said Andreas Rebar of the one full =|= Sixth
part, the said Thomas Hendry of one two and twentieth part, the said William
Harper of the one half of the Remainder of the said Tract, after the said five
Shares are dedicated
from it, and the said John Harper of the other half of the Remainder aforesaid
of said Tract, and have Caused the same to be laid out into Lots and Highways
by Adonijah Stanburrough Surveyor, which said Lots and Highways were marked by
him, and then
laid down upon a Map and Signed by him the first Day of October one Thousand
Seven Hundred and Seventy which is hereunto annexed, And whereas the aforesaid
parties for the speedy Settlement and Cultivation of the said Lands have given
to publick Uses,
and sold at an under Value to William Wills, Adonijah Stanburrough and others,
whereby their several proportions are lessened to the number of Lots and Quantity
of Acres herein after mentioned, And Whereas the parties to these presents did
meet together on the
Day of November one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy and drew for said Lands
by Ballet and the following Lots fell to the Share of the said John Harper so
his Remaining part of the afores.d Tract, to wit, all those Lots or parcels of
Land which
on the said Map or Chart hereunto annexed are known and distinguished by Number
three, N.o Six N.o fifty nine, N.o Sixty six,
N.o Eighty four, N.o Eighty nine,
N.o ninety six, N.o ninety eight, N.o one Hundred
and Seven, N.o one Hundred
and eighteen, N.o one~
Hundred and twenty six, N.o one Hundred and thirty five, N.o one
Hundred and
thirty eight, N.o one Hundred and forty two, N.o one Hundred
and forty four,
N.o one Hundred and forty six, N.o one Hundred and fifty
five, N.o one Hundred
and Seventy four, N.o one Hundred and Eighty six &,
N.o two Hundred and Seventeen. And the following numbers is drawn
to the Share of the said William Harper as his remaining part of said Tract,
to wit, all those Lots or parcels of Land known and distinguished on the aforesaid
Map, by Lots
N.o four N.o Seven, N.o Seventeen ~
N.o twenty one, Number thirty six, N.o thirty eight, N.o forty
two, N.o forty
nine, N.o fifty four, N.o Sixty two, N.o Sixty
seven, N.o Sixty eight, N.o Seventy
six, N.o Eighty eight, N.o Ninety two, N.o Ninety
nine, Number one Hundred and
two, N.o one Hundred and Seventeen, N.o one Hundred and~
thirty four, N.o one Hundred and forty, N.o one Hundred
and forty one, N.o one
Hundred and forty nine, N.o one Hundred and fifty six, N.o one
Hundred and fifty
seven, N.o One Hundred and fifty nine, N.o one Hundred
and sixty, N.o one Hundred
and Sixty one, N.o one Hundred and Sixty~
six, N.o one Hundred and Sixty nine, N.o one Hundred and
Seventy two, N.o one
Hundred and eighty one, N.o one Hundred and Eighty three, N.o one
Hundred and
eighty four, N.o one Hundred and ninety four, N.o one Hundred
and ninety five,
N.o one Hundred and ninety six & N.o two~
Hundred and twelve, And the following Numbers were drawn to the Share of the
said John Harper Junior as his remaining part of said Tract to wit, all those
Lots or parcels of Land, known and distinguished on the aforesaid Map, by Lots,
N.o Nine, N.o thirteen, N.o Nineteen
N.o twenty seven, N.o twenty nine, N.o thirty,
N.o thirty one, N.o forty four,
N.o forty five, N.o forty six, N.o forty seven,
N.o fifty, N.o fifty one, N.o Sixty one, N.o Seventy,
N.o Seventy five, N.o one Hundred and eight, N.o one
Hundred and nine, N.o one Hundred and twelve, N.o one Hundred
and
thirteen, N.o one Hundred and Sixteen, N.o one Hundred
and twenty eight , N.o one Hundred and thirty two, N.o one
Hundred and thirty three, N.o one Hundred
and thirty seven N.o one Hundred and forty five N.o one
Hundred and forty seven,
N.o one Hundred and fifty, N.o one hun=
dred and fifty four, N.o one Hundred and fifty eight, N.o one
Hundred Sixty seven,
N.o one Hundred and Seventy five, N.o one Hundred and eighty
five, N.o one Hundred
and eighty eight, N.o one Hundred and eighty nine, N.o one
Hundred and ninety
seven, N.o one Hun=
dred and ninety, N.o one Hundred and ninety eight N.o one
Hundred and ninety
nine, N.o two Hundred, And the following nimbers were drawn to the
Share of the said Joseph Harper as his remaining part of said Tract, to wit,
all those Lots
or parcels of Land known and
distinguished on the aforesaid Map by Lots N.o fourteen, N.o fifteen,
N.o twenty
three, N.o twenty four, N.o twenty five, N.o twenty
eight, N.o fifty two, N.o Seventy four, N.o Seventy
Seven, N.o t Seventy eight, N.o N.o Seventy
nine, N.o eighty, N.o eighty five, N.o ninety,
N.o
ninety one, N.o ninety seven, N.o one Hundred and twenty
two, N.o one Hundred
and twenty three, N.o one Hundred and fifty one, N.o one
Hundred and Sixty three,
N.o one Hundred and Seventy one, N.o one Hundred and Seventy
nine N.o one Hundred
and eighty, N.o two
Hundred and five and number two Hundred and eleven, And the following numbers
were drawn to the Share of the Said Alexander Harper as his remaining part of
said Tract, to wit, all those or parcels of Land known and distinguished on the
aforesaid Map
by Lots N.o Ten, N.o thirty two, N.o forty eight,
N.o forty three, N.o fifty
three, number Seventy one, N.o Seventy two, N.o Seventy
three, Number eighty
two, N.o eighty three N.o eighty six N.o Ninety
three, N.o Ninety four, number
one Hundred and ten, N.o one Hundred and fourteen, N.o one
Hundred and fifteen, N.o one Hundred and nineteen N.o one
Hundred and twenty
four, N.o one Hundred and twenty seven, N.o one hundred
and forty three, N.o one hundred and forty eight, N.o one
Hundred and ninety three, N.o two Hundred
and three, N.o two Hundred and four,
N.o two Hundred and Six, N.o two Hundred and eighteen,
And the following numbers were drawn to the Share of the said Andreas Rebar as
his remaining part of said Tract, to wit, all those Lots or parcels of Land known
and distinguished on the
aforesaid Map by Lots N.o one, N.o ~
five, N.o eight, N.o eleven, N.o twelve, N.o twenty,
N.o twenty two, N.o Sixty,
N.o Sixty nine, N.o ninety five N.o one Hundred,
N.o one Hundred and three, N.o one Hundred and four, N.o one
Hundred and twenty, N.o one Hundred and twenty
one, N.o one Hundred and twenty nine, N.o one~
Hundred and fifty two, N.o one Hundred and fifty three, N.o one
Hundred and Sixty
eight, No. one Hundred and Seventy N.o one Hundred and Seventy three,
N.o one
Hundred and Seventy Six, N.o two Hundred and one, N.o two
Hundred and two, N.o two Hundred and seven, N.o
two Hundred and eight, N.o two Hundred and ten, N.o two
Hundred and Sixteen,
N.o two Hundred and nineteen & N.o two Hundred and
twenty, And the following Numbers were drawn to the Share of Thomas Hendry aforesaid
as his part of said
Tract, to
wit, all those Lots or parcels of Land known and distinguished on the aforesaid
Map by Lots N.o Sixteen, N.o twenty six, N.o thirty
seven N.o forty one N.o eighty
seven, N.o one Hundred and eleven N.o one Hundred and Seventy
eight, N.o one
Hundred and eighty seven
N.o two Hundred and thirteen, N.o two hundred and fourteen,
All which said Lots are Granted and accepted by and from each and every of the
said parties to these presents according to the Numbers, Contents, Lines, Marks
and Limits specified
in the said Map ~
hereunto annexed. Now Therefore This Indenture Witnesseth, That the said William
Harper, John Harper, Jun.r Joseph Harper, Alexander Harper, Andreas Rebar and
Thomas Hendry for and in Consideration of the premises and the Sum of five Shill.s
now to them paid by the said John Harper have granted, bargained sold, aliened,
released and Confirmed, and by these presents as absolutely Grant, bargain, sell,
alien, release and Confirm unto the said John Harper in his actual possession
now being and to his
Heirs and assigns forever, all those Lots or parcels of Land on the said Map
or Chart hereunto annexed and which were as aforesaid drawn to the Share of the
said John Harper and also all the Estate Right, Title, Interest, Claim and Demand
whatsoever of the parties to these pre=
senty or either of them both in Law and Equity of in and to the same to have
and to hold all and singular the said Lots or parcels of Land above mentioned
Likewise all such Lands as may fall into all or either of the said Lots by any
Contest of Limits concerning any
other patent to him the said John Harper his Heirs and assigns forever as his
and their seperate and divided Estate unto his and their only proper Use and
Behoof forever. And the said John Harper and all the other parties to these presents
(except the said Willi=
liam Harper | have for the like Consideration and do hereby in like Manner Grant,
bargain, sell, alien, release, and Confirm unto the said William Harper and to
his Heirs and assigns forever, in his actual possession now being by Virtue of
the Premises
all those Lots or parcels of Land on the said Map or Chart hereunto annexed,
and which were as aforesaid drawn to the Share of the said William Harper, and
also all the Estate Right, Title Interest Claim and Demand whatsoever of the
said parties to ~
these Presents or either of them both in Law and Equity of in and to the same
to have and to hold all and Singular the said Lots or parcels of Land above mentioned
Likewise all such Lands as may fall into all or either of the said Lots by any
Contest of Limits concer=
=ning any other patent to him the said William Harper his Heirs and Assigns forever
as his and their separate and divided Estate unto his and their only proper Use
and Behoof forever, And the said John Harper William Harper and all the other
parties
to these Presents ( except the said John Harper Junior) have for the like Consideration
and do hereby in like Manner Grant, bargain, sell, alien, release and Confirm
unto the said John Harper Junior and to his Heirs and Assigns forever, in his
actual ~
possession not being by Virtue of the premises all those Lots or parcels of Land
on the said Map or Chart hereunto annexed, and which were as aforesaid drawn
to the Share of the said John Harper Junior, And also all the Estate Right Title
Interest Claim
and Demand whatsoever of the said parties to these Presents or either of them
both in Law and Equity of in and to the same to have and to hold all and Singular
the said Lots or Parcels of Land above mentioned, likewise all such Lands as
may fall into all
or either of the said Lots by any Contest of Limits concerning any other patent,
to him the said John Harper Jun.r his Heirs and Assigns, as his and their separate
Estate unto his and their only proper Use and Behoof forever. And the said John
Harper Junior and
all the other parties to these Presents (except the said Joseph Harper) have
for the like Consideration and do hereby in like manner grant, bargain, sell,
alien, release and Confirm unto the said Joseph Harper and to his Heirs and Assigns
forever in his
actual possession now being by Virtue of the premises all those Lots or parcels
of Land on the said Map or Chart hereunto annexed, and which were as aforesaid
drawn to the Share of the said Joseph Harper, and also all the Estate, Right,
Title, Interest, Claim
and Demand Whatsoever on the said parties to these Presents or either of them
both in Law and Equity of in and to the same to have and to hold all and Singular
the said Lots or parcels of Land above mentioned, likewise all such Lands as
may
fall into all or either of the said Lots by any Contest of Limits concerning
any other patent to him the said Joseph Harper his Heirs and assigns, as his
and their separate Estate unto his and their only proper Use and Behoof forever.
And the said Joseph
Harper and all the other parties to these presents (except the said Alexander
Harper) have for the like Consideration and do hereby in like Manner Grant, bargain,
sell, alien, release and Confirm unto the said Alexander Harper his Heirs and
assigns ~
forever, in his actual possession now being by Virtue of the premisses all those
Lots or parcels of Land on the said Map or Chart hereunto annexed, and which
were as aforesaid drawn to the Share of the said Alexander Harper and to his
Heirs and Assigns, and also
all the Estate Right Title Interest Claim and Demand whatsoever of the said parties
to these presents or either of them both in law and Equity of in and to the same
to have and to hold all and Singular the said Lots or parcels of Land above mentioned
likewise
all such Lands as may fall into all or either of the said Lots by any Contest
of Limits concerning any other patent to him the said Alexander Harper his Heirs
and Assigns as his and their separate Estates unto his and their only proper
Use and Behoof forever And the
said Alexander Harper and all the other parties to the presents (except the said
Andreas Rebar) have for the like Consideration and do hereby in like manner Grant
bargain sell alien release and Confirm unto the said Andreas Rebar his Heirs
and Assigns
forever in his actual possession now being by Virtue of the premisses all those
Lots or parcel of Land on the said Map or Chart hereunto annexed, and which were
as aforesaid drawn to the Share of the said Andreas Rebar, and also all such
Lands as may
of
them
fall into the whole or either of the said Lots by any Contest of Limits concerning
any other patent likewise all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest Claim and Demand
whatsoever of the said parties to these presents or either^both in Law and Equity
of in and to the same
to have and to hold the said Lots or parcels of Land above mentioned with their
appurtenances to him the said Andreas Rebar his Heirs and Assigns as his and
their separate Estate unto his and their only proper Use and Behoof forever in
his actual
Andreas Rebar and all the other parties (except the said Thomas Hendry) have
for the like Consideration and do hereby in like manner grant, bargain, sell,
alien, release and Confirm unto the said Thomas Hendry his Heirs and Assigns
forever, in his actual
possession now being by Virtue of the premises, all those Lots or Parcels of
Land on the Map or Chart aforesaid hereunto annexed and which were as aforesaid
drawn to the Share of the said Thomas Hendry, and also all the Estate Right,
Title, Interest, Claim and Demand
whatsoever of the said parties to these Presents or either of them both in Law
and Equity of in and to the same to have and to hold all and Singular the said
Lots or parcels of Land above mentioned Likewise all such Lands as may fall into
all or either of the said Lots
by any Contest of Limits concerning any other patent, to him the said Thomas
Hendry his Heirs and Assigns as his and their separate and divided Estate unto
his and their only proper Use and Behoof forever In Testimony whereof all the
Parties to these
Presents to have hereunto interchangeably Set their Hands and Seals the Day and
year first above written
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us ______________________
The Words / did lately / on the Sixth and / the one full Sixth / on the eighth John
Harper, Sr Seal John
Harper Jun Seal Alexander
Harper Seal
and / one Thousand seven Hundred / on the twelfth, and/ except the /
on the thirty ninth lines being first written on Erazures and the words
/ of them / interlined between the fifty seventh & fifty eighth lines William
Harper= Seal Joseph
Harper Seal Andreas
Reber Seal
John Reber xxxx
Adonijah Stanburrough Thomas
Hendry Juner Seal
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