1698 New York Land Deed Abutting Property Owned by William Beekman, for whom William Street and Beekman Street are Named

EARLY NEW YORK. Manuscript Document Signed, "Vanderclyff", 1 p. parchment, October 4, 1698, New York City, 14.25" x 14.25". Remarkably well preserved with original red wax seal. Toned, marginal wear, two small areas of paper loss at fold intersections, else Very Good.

Deed for the sale of land in lower Manhattan, "for twenty five pounds Currant money of New York", from the widow of Derick Vanderclyff to George Stanton, that being a tract of land "bounded on the South by...commonly called Nassau Street…and on the North by the land of William Beakman (Wilhelmus Beekman)". Docketing on the verso reads in part, "A Deed for A Lott next [to] / The Brewhauss”.

Beekman purchased his first parcel of land in lower Manhattan in 1652, followed by other parcels in the same area. Although a good deal of it was swampy and scarcely fit for grazing, it became the basis for the family's wealth. "Beekman's Swamp" housed tanneries, from which a trade in leather developed. Beekman was active in politics, an Alderman, one of the two Commissioners to build the wall extending along the present Wall Street, a Schepen, Lieutenant of the Burgher corps, and Deputy Mayor of New York (1681-1683). William Street and Beekman Street in New York City are named in his honor.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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