Appeared before me Robt. Livingston, secretary of Albany, colony of Renselaerswyk and Schaenhechtady, in presence of the Honorable Mr Dirk Wessels and Mr Jan Janse Bleeker, magistrates of the same jurisdiction, Jan Albertse Bratt, who declared that he grants, conveys and makes over in true, rightful and free ownership to and for the behoof of Jacob Casparse his interest in the land on the Noorman's kill, being the half of all the land lying on the Noorman's kill alias called Tawassoutha,1 excepting four morgens of good arable land which Jan van Bael reserved from the whole for himself at one end or the other as by lot should be determined, with the understanding that if said Van Bael did not make over the same to anyone, the buyers might fence, plant and cultivate the same and if Van Bael, the first seller, desired to sell the same the preference and refusal thereof should be given to the buyers according to contract of sale thereof made between J: v: Bael and Hen: Willemse and Jan Alb: Bratt, dated the 21st of December 1674,2 which he, the grantor, does by virtue of the conveyance received by him from Mr Jan Janse Bleeker and Jacob Sanderse Glen, attorneys of Jan Hendrix van Bael, of date the 29th of May 1683, and that free and unincumbered, without any charges thereon or issuing out of the same (saving the lord's right), without the grantor's making any further claim whatsoever thereto, acknowledging that he has received in payment and satisfaction therefore the half island of Jan Bruyn and fifteen beavers, therefore giving plenam actionem cessam and full power to the aforesaid Jacob Casperse, his heirs, successors and assigns, to do with and dispose of the aforesaid land as he might do with his own patrimonial estate and effects, promising to warrant and defend the same against all persons from all lawful claims, liens and demands, and further nevermore to do nor cause to be done anything contrary hereto in any manner, binding himself thereto as by law provided. Done in Albany, the 26th of June 1683.
Jan Brat
Dirck Wesselsz
Jan Jansz Bleecker
In my presence,
Robt. Livingston, Secretary
1 Jacob Caspersen was probably a brother of Isaac Caspersen and a son
of Casper Jacobsen Halenbeck. See Proceedings of Justices of the Peace,
1680-85, p. 631. and Early Records of Albany, I :16, 31. The name is variously
spelled' Halenbeck, Halenbeek, Hallenbeck and Hollenbeck. The early
members of the family were Lutherans and it is probable that Casper
Jacobsen came from Hollenhek, in Holstein, about 20 miles south of Kiel.
2 See note to preceding deed.
Early Records of the City and County of Albany Colony of Rensselaerswyck. Volume 2 (Deeds 3 and 4, 1678-1704) translated from the original Dutch by Jonathan Pearson. Pages 186-187.