1763 Land Grant, John Pickerd

Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys

1763 Land Grant, donated by Bill Pickard

Greetings,
Here is a transcription of a 1763 land grant. It was written on a double leaf (two pages joined at the top margin) piece of linen rag paper (I suppose). I copied as it was but changed the conventional "s" that looks like an "f" to make it easier on 21st century eyes. Again there are lots of comma's and about three periods. The mark for George House is sort of a jioned J and H or the upright of the "J" is the same stroke as the left upright of the "H". There is also some sort of mark between Jacob and Klock in that signature. I don't know if it is a mark or an initial but it apears that the same hand signes for both George House and Jacob Klock. Also, where you see the ~ symbol is where a name or phrase when on to the next line I guess much as we use a dash or hyphen. as background, John was the son of Nicholas Pickard and Anna Barbara Weiser and the grandson of Bartholomew Pickard and Eechje Classe of Schenectady (the notorious Eve Pickard). John had a number of brothers including Jacobus, William and Conrad. John and Conrad were on the Conajoharie Committee of Safety during the Revolution and John served as quartermaster in the Tryon Co. Militia. Conrad ended up settling on lot sixty mentioned in the grant but seems to have been there already for a decade or more by 1763 (Pickards were well known squatters). I don't know the price of land in 1763 but 400 acres for 5 shillngs seems to be a bargain. John is mentioned in Conrad Weiser's journals as John Picket and it seemed that it was Weiser's wish that John would act on behalf of the Indians and settlers as he seemed to have a good grasp on both languages. He may have served as a translator in the French and Indian War and this grant was some sort of reward. That is just conjecture on my part. perhaps someone in NY might have an opinion.
Thanks.
Bill Pickard

William H. Pickard
Archaeology Collections
Ohio Historical Society
1982 Velma Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43211

Land Grant - John Pickerd

To all Christian People to whom these present Writings shall come or whom it may in anywise concern, Greetings in our Lord God Everlasting, Know ye that George Klock and Conrad Matthys both of Conajohary in the County of Albany and Province of New York Yoemen for divers and good Causes and Considerations but more and especially for the sum of five shillings have remised released and forever quitclaimed and by these Presents for themselves and their heirs, do fully, freely, clearly and absolutely remise, release and forever quitclaim unto John Pickerd of the same place, yeoman, in his full and peaceable possession and seizin and to his heirs and Asigns forever all such Right, Estate, Title, Interest and Demand whatsoever, as they the said George Klock and Conrad Matthys, or either of them had or ought to have of, in, or to the aftermentioned four hundred Acres of Wood Land lying and being, in the County of Albany aforesaid on the south side of the Mohawks River by a certain Lake, called by the Indians Otseege within the Province of New York aforesaid, and the said four hundred acres of Land are situated in a certain Patent, granted in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty one, by the Honourable George Clark Esq. Lieutenant Governour in and over the Province of New York & unto Johannes Empie, John Groesbeck, Peter Waggoner and others, Relation thereunto had may more fully and at large appear. Two hundred Acres of the aforesaid four hundred Acres are contained in the Lot Number Nine beginning at the North West Corner of Lot Number Eight, running from thence North sixty Degrees West eighteen Chains and fifty Links, thence South thirty Degrees West one hundred & thirteen chains and four Links, thence South sixty Degrees east eighteen chains and fifty Links thence ~ North thirty Degrees West one hundred and thirteen Chains and four Links to the Place whereit first begun. And the other two hundred Acres are known and distinguished by the name of Number Sixty beginning at the South West Corner of Lot Number fifty nine and runs from thence South thirty Degrees West seventeen Chains and seventy five Links, thence South sixty Degrees East, one hundred and twenty Chains unto a Tract of Land formerly granted to John Lindesay & o, thence along that Line of the said John Lindesay & o: North thirty seven Degrees and thirty Minutes East eighteen Chains and twenty five Links, thence North sixty Degrees west one hundred & twenty two Chains to the Place whereit first begun, containing altogether in both Lots as above said, four hundred Acres of Land with the usual Alowance for Highways. To have and to hold all the above recited four hundred Acres of Land with all the Priviledges and Commodities to the same belonging or in anywise appertaining unto the said John Pickerd his Heirs and Assigns, to the only Use and Behoof of the said John Pickerd his Heirs and Assigns forever, so that neither they the said George Klock and Conrad Matthys, nor their Heirs, nor any other Person or Persons, for them or either of them, their or either of their Heirs, or in their Names, or in the Name, Right or Stead of any of them, shall or will by any Way or Means, hereafter have, claim, challenge or demand any Estate, Right, Title or Interest of, in, or to the aforesaid four hundred Acres of Land, or any Part or Parcel thereof, But from all and every Action, Right, Estate, Title, Interest and Demand of, in or to the Premises or any Part or Parcel thereof, they and ever of them, shall be utterly ~ excluded and barred forever by these Presents. And also the said George Klock and Conrad Matthys and their Heirs the said four hundred Acres of Land with the Appurtenances to the said John Pickerd his heirs and Assigns, to his and their own proper Use and Uses in Manner and From afore specified against their Heirs and Assigns, and every of them shall warrant and forever defend by these presents. In Witness Whereof the said George Klock and Conrad ~ Matthys have here unto set and put their Hands and Seals the twenty first Day of February in the year of the Reign of our most gracious Sovereign Lord George the Third by the ~ Grace of God, over Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith and so forth, and in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and sixty three___

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

In the Presence of us___

his George House mark	George Klock * (seal mark)
Jacob S Klock Thos. Gill	conrad matthys * (seal mark)