November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
Michael Poltz, document signed, one folio sheet (17-7/8" x 14-7/8"), partially printed; framed. In this partially printed and sealed indenture, dated 1 May 1769 and witnessed by Martha Miller and William Scott, “Henry Beekman of Rhinebeck Prieceint [precinct] in Dutches [sic] County Esqr. of the first Part, and Mighel Poltz of said Preceint in the said County Yeoman” enter into agreement by which Beekman conveys Poltz and his heirs a perpetual lease on a farm consisting of 173-1/2 acres lying within Rhinebeck to Michael Poltz “Yeoman” of Rhinebeck, in return for “one Couple of live fat Hens” and “an additional yearly Rent of twenty one shepele [of good sweet marchanable [merchantable] winter wheat” on the 1st day of May of each year. The schepel was unit of measurement for volume, essentially a large wicker basket holding technically .764 bushels or about 60 pounds of wheat. Henry Beekman (1687-1775) was a prominent politician and landowner who inherited the extensive Beekman estate from his father, consisting of two substantial land parcels in Dutchess County, New York. From 1725-1759, he represented that county in the New York General Assembly. Michael Poltz (1739-1823) emigrated to New York from the Palantine in 1755. A member of the Dutch Reformed Church, he is buried in the Wurtemburg Cemetery at Rhinebeck, New York. CONDITION: A 1-1/2" tear in upper center margin of document coming into the header text and another, same length, in lower center margin, going through footer text, both with old cellophane tape repairs; there are some other old, residual traces of mounting tape in the margins; otherwise, a handsome and interesting document worthy of conservation. JLK