Description:

Native American

Native American Document Signed & Sealed by NY Governor & Future VP George Clinton Regarding a Mohican Indian Land Dispute With the Dutch, Probably a Huge Part of the Catskills



Single page manuscript on large sheet of laid paper, heavily scripted on both recto and verso, 14.5" x 17.25", with smaller sheet laid in, manuscripted on recto and verso, 14.4" x 4". Boldly signed by George Clinton as "Geo Clinton", with the date of Clinton's signature indicated as "One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty six and of our Independence the eleventh ~" Professionally restored to folds with light overall toning and one small area of faint spotting. Near fine. Accompanied by the clay disc, 3.5" in diameter, with the raised relief of a giant sun peering over the mountains, light chipping to edges. Original green ribbon present.



The land in question appears to border "a tract of land upon the Albany River", which today would be the Hudson river. The Mahicans, or Mohicans, were original natives of what is now New York state, along the banks of the Hudson River. Like most Indian tribes of New England, the Mohicans were devastated by warfare and European diseases during the early colonial period, then forced to leave their homelands by Dutch and British expansion. A map of the original New York Indian Tribes is located for review at the bottom of the description. The document is signed by George Clinton in 1786 who later became our 4th VP under Jefferson and Madison, and was instrumental in the French Indian War.



A complex but fascinating affirmation of land ownership to resolve a land dispute whose roots go back PRIOR to 1672 from the original selling of land by the Indian "Maglasasut uper Sachem of Katskill" to Barent Pietersen." Although little is known about Barent Pietersen (aka Barent Pietersen Coeyman), records do exist that he was among the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam and in 1672 was also recorded as purchasing land called Schutter's Island (below Barent Island). The dispute is written as if a reflection of circumstances as remembered by "Maglasasut uper Sachem of Katskill's" descendants. As a large group of decendents they noted that "Maglasasut uper Sachem of Katskill" was either their father or uncle, that Maglasasut "in the presence of the Secretary of Albany & Gabrill Tomson Interpreter sould (sold) to to Barent Pietersen certain tract of Land upon Albany river" and that the land "was the proper right of our fathers and Uncle," and the land was sold only to Pieterson as "the said Lands and the other immunities was never hereofore sould (sold) to any Christian or other person whatsoever only to Barent Pieterson" and of interesting note that "We declare the said Barent Pieterson immediately after did make improvement of the said Lands & Premifies (premises) to his Verce Charges with his Family."



An incredible observation as this is complicated legalize and one which would have not been automatically forth coming or even considered by Maglasahut's descendants in the year of 1704 which was year that they testified such and signed a legal document in front of a Justice of the Peace, as follows: "In testimony whereof they the said Sembamet So of Brownis Benonap Son of the said Browns Wanaghakea Widow of Brownis Annabesem Sister of Magokinmena alias Maghshapeet Onakekoes brother of the said Mayhshapeet Nanaquoghat Grand Child of the said Mayhshapeet Hoewamo Cousen to the said Mayhshapeet Touwahees Brother of the aforesaid Ambamet have hereunto set their Hands & Seals this 22 Day of ~ August in the third year of her Majestyes Reign Annoqu Dom 1704." With all the following Indian decendants having signed their name in symbolic form as identified in this document including: Ambamet (MARK ) his (LS) Benonap (MARK) his (LS) Wawanagkea (MARK) her (LS) Nawnnaqugheek (MARK) his (LS) Anna her (MARK) besom (LS) Anekekoes (MARK) his (LS) Nanaguogga (MARK) her (LS) Hoewama (MARK) his (LS) Touwe (MARK) his (LS). Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of Hende Hansen Justus of the Peace"



This premise of the original land dispute appears to be Pietersen and Killjaen Van Rensolaer, one of the purposes of this affirmation was to resolve this difference in which they address their understanding of the original sale having taken place around 1672, to which they state "since we understand that Killjaen Van Rensolaer doth make pretence to said Lands and other the Primises belonging unto him the said Barent Pieterson and that the said Kiljaien Van Rensalaer said that the said Lands did belong to his Parents and that the said Killjaen Van Ranselaer not long since sought to take and make possession of the said Permises of the said Barent Petersen aforesaid with the pretence of the Indian Deed of sale was not incered perticulaer the depth into the Woods soo we the Children and relation of the aforesaid Indians Right Owners of the Lands aforesaid finding ourselves obleadged (obliged) to declare and nearer to insert the bounds and proper Right sould (sold) to the said Barent Pieterson."



However, as this entire piece is manuscripted in the same hand, and the last part is a Memorandum dated 1786, signed by George Clinton, this document appears to transcribe the originals having then added in the Memorandum as follows:



"MEMORANDUM that on the twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty four Edward Holland Esq. Mayor of the City of New York personally came and appeared before me John Chambers Esq. Second Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature and one o his Majesty's Council for the province of New York and being duly sworn made Oath that he is well acquainted with the Hand Writing of Hendrick Hansen (formerly a Justice of Peace) and Thomas Williams both deceased two of the Subscribing Witnesses to the aforegoing Instrument or Indian Deed and that he verily believe the Names Hend Hanson and Tho Williams above subscribed are the proper hands writing of them the said Henderick Hansen and Thomas Williams And I having perused the said Instrument or Indian Deed and finding no material Raisures or Interlinations therein do allow it may be Recorded (illegible) Chambers ~ The preceeding Indian Deed was Recorded at the request of Anthony Ten Eyck and in the Record thereof the following Eraisures (erasers) ... All of which we have caused to be Exemplified by the Presents In Testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of our said State to be hereunto affixed Witness our trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire General and commander in Cheif (Chief)of all the militia and Admiral of the Navy of the same at our City of New York this first day of August in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty six and of our Independence the Eleventh ~"

George Clinton"



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