Research

Report and abstract of sales of land forfeited to New York State by Roger Morris and claimed by John Jacob Astor


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
These records were generated because of a claim by John Jacob Astor to lands forfeited by Roger Morris and wife Mary Philipse. Included are abstracts of sales of land by the commissioners of forfeitures giving descriptions of lands; acreage; purchaser's names; purchase date and price paid. Also included is a report prepared for the surveyor general providing information on certain lots in Morris' estate.
Creator:
Title:
Report and abstract of sales of land forfeited to New York State by Roger Morris and claimed by John Jacob Astor
Quantity:

0.2 cubic feet

2 volumes

Inclusive Dates:
1781-1819
Series Number:
A4013

Arrangement

Volume 1:chronological by date of conveyance.

Scope and Content Note

These volumes document John Jacob Astor's claim to land forfeited by Roger Morris, who in 1779 was declared guilty of treason for loyalty to Great Britain during the Revolution.

A volume of abstracts of sales of forfeited estates by the Commissioners of forfeiture provides: descriptions of lands sold from the Morris estate; acreage; names of purchasers; dates of purchase; and price paid for each purchase.

The second volume is a report by Henry Livingston to the Surveyor General regarding sales by the Commissioners of Forfeiture of lots 3, 5, and 9 of Morris' estate. The report provides: names of purchasers; acreage purchased by each; total acreage in each lot; total acreage in all three lots; population of the lots; general description of the land in each lot; estimated acreage being cultivated; and estimated valuation of the land. Livingston wrote the report at the request of the Surveyor General, who had been directed by the state legislature to survey the forfeited Morris estate to determine if any of the land remained unsold.

Custodial History

Collation date 1819.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

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