1800 Pickard Land Indenture

Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
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Introduction for the 1800 Pickard Land Indenture

The following is a transcription of an1800 land indenture between Conrad(e) Pickard and his two youngest sons, William and Abraham. The original document is a common for the time part letter-press printed and part manuscript instrument. The hand written portion was penned by son William. I have other documents written by him and I recognize his hand. The indenture concerns the sale of some of Conrad’s holdings in lot #60 in the Springfield patent. This land is just north of US 20 at East Springfield and is now split by County Road 31. Conrad Pickard’s grave is still visible in a small pioneer cemetery he set aside on his land. It is now overgrown and much smaller than its original 1-2 acres. It is located on the east side of CR31 about 1 mile north of US 20. Conrad and his wife Anna Margaret Walrath settled in Springfield about 1751 and raised his family. His lot, #60, abuts Lot #59 granted to his brother John in 1763. I don’t know that John ever settled there but Conrad somehow ended up controlling both sections. Conrad was 73 when this indenture was drawn up and I guess he figured he was settling his affairs at the end of his life although he ended up living almost 3 decades beyond this. From this and other documents I’ve read it would seem that he had more children and children-in-law than land and was trying to divide it up in an equitable manner. Some names mentioned here are his son John (1756-1836, m Maria Kynyet Bradt/Bratt) and George Stansel, married to Leah , Conrad’s daughter. William, 1772-1845, married Mary Clarissa Cameron and Abraham, 1776-1860 married Celinda Richardson. Stansel and his wife lived out their years in Springfield and I have no further information on Abraham. William and John and a number of other Pickards eventually settled in West Sparta, Livingston County, NY in the 1830’s after residing about 10 years at Owasco, Cayuga County. John died at West Sparta in 1836, William in 1845. Also mentioned in the transaction is Nathaniel Chapman who lived on neighboring lands in the “Chirivally” patent. The transaction was witnessed by Abner Cook and William Preston, not known to be related to Conrad Pickard although Abner’s brother Peabody Cook was married to Conrad’s daughter Mary.

Bill Pickard
Columbus, Ohio
December 26, 2006

This Indenture made the twenty ninth day of August in the year of our LORD, one thousand Eight hundred BETWEEN Conrade Pickard of Springfield County of Otsego and State of New York of the first part and William Pickard & Abraham Pickard of town county & State be fore said the second part, Witnesseth, That the said party of the first part, fore and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars to me in hand paid, by the parteys of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged; Have granted, bargained, sold, remised released, aliened and confirmed: AND by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien and confirm unto the parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns forever ALL that certain tract or lot of land situate lying and being in Springfield and is a part of Lot Number Sixty in a Certain Patent Granted in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty One to John Lawyer, Peter Wagoner and John Grosbeck and others the same containing fifty acres with the usual allowances for high ways and is hereby understood to be the equal half on one hundred acres with William Stansel bought and purchased of John Pickard and lyes joining to the lands belonging to the said Conrade Pickard on the North and East on the Line of Chirrivally Patent the same now being in the possession of Nathanel Chapman

TOGETHER with all and singular the hereditaments and appertanances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining; and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders and rents, issues and profits thereof; And all the estate, right, title, interest, claim or demand whatsoever, of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, of, in and to the above bargained premises with the said hereditaments and appertanances. TO HAVE and TO HOLD, the said above granted and bargained premises with all the above apertanances privlidge and commodities to the same belonging or in anywise appertaining to the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns, to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of the said partys of the second part, heirs and assigns for ever. And the said party of the first part, for his heirs, executors and administrators does covenant, grant, bargain, promise and agree to and with the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns; That the above bargained premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns, against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part of the said avbovementioned and described premises, will forever Warrant and defend

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE PARTIES TO THESE PRESENTS, HAVE HEREUNTO INTERCHANGABLY SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS, the day and year above written.

            SEALED AND DELIVERED                                                            his
           IN THE PRESENCE OF }                                               Conrade X Pickard
                                                                                                       mark

Abner Cook (signature)
William Preston (signature)