Land Records of the Woolsey Family in and around Jamaica, Queens County, Long Island, New York



Land Records of the Woolsey Family in and around Jamaica, Queens County, Long Island, New York


by Wilford Whitaker

2003 Nov 20

A while ago I mentioned I was beginning to look at the Land Records of the Woolsey Family in and around Jamaica, Queens County, Long Island, New York.

I found some maps, which helped me determine some of the places for which I was searching, and also opened up some new avenues of concern.

For example, I found an old map of the town of Flatlands, about 1700, that shows a lot at the north end of town registered to "Mrs. Woolsey". This is probably Rebecca, widow of George 'Joris' Woolsey, but I didn't know they owned land in Flatlands. Though they did own property that was quite scattered around the area.

Also I found an 1873 map of Jamaica which shows a lot, or possibly two lots, registered to one "J. Woolsey" on Union Avenue, but no Woolseys are listed in the corresponding census records for that time in Jamaica. I'm not sure who this 'J. Woolsey' is.

Union Avenue is not far from Prospect Cemetery, Grace Church and cemetery, the Roman Catholic Cemetery, and not far from Beaver Pond, west of which was the George 'Joris' Woolsey Homestead.

Now, the following may be well known to those living in the area, but may be of interest to those of us who do not live there or perhaps have not researched in depth there.

In the earliest days, when a family member died, it was rather common to bury them on the family farm, perhaps in an isolated area of the farm, or on a hilltop, under a large tree, etc. Then as more people would move into an area, one particular spot would be set aside for 'God's Acre', the final resting place of the old settlers.

In Jamaica, this revered spot was called by various names: Jamaica Burial Ground, Village Burial Ground, Jamaica Cemetery, Jamaica Burial Ground. This became what is now called PROSPECT CEMETERY, and it is here that many of our Woolsey ancestors are buried.

Another cemetery and church in the immediate area was first built by the 'Dissenters', then a Stone Building was built there. There is quite a story surrounding the old Stone Church and the controversy between the "Dissidents" or Presbyterians and the Church of England or Espiscopalians and the Woolseys were right in the middle of this controversy, also. This became Grace Church, by which it is known today, although the old Stone Church was finally torn down and the building and church site was finally moved around the corner, and then to the spot where the latest church building is now standing. There is a Grace Church Cemetery.

There are other churches and cemeteries, but most of them are of a later date.

Rev. Thomas Poyer, representing the Church of England and Grace Church, preached the funeral sermon of Rebecca Cornell Woolsey in 1713. That sermon is among the surviving papers of Rev. Thomas Poyer, but I haven't been able to find them, yet.

Josephine Frost has made an inventory of these old cemeteries and I'll be copying her information this coming week in the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake.

If anyone knows of members of the Woolsey family buried in and around Jamaica, I would be grateful to hear from you. I do have the records as recorded in my article on Carolyn Wilkerson's Woolsey Website, "Long Island Cemeteries", but it needs revision.



2003 Dec 01

Having found the locations of Prospect Cemetery, the old Stone Church, Grace Church and Cemetery, etc., I will now proceed to give the land records of the Woolsey Family in New Amsterdam and Long Island. (One or two at a time.)

Although George 'Joris' Woolsey does not appear on the New Amsterdam land records until 1660, we know that he lived in New Amsterdam much earlier. His brother-in-law Thomas Willett (married Sara Cornell, sister of Rebecca Cornell) was granted land by the West India Company in New Amsterdam in 1743 and 1745. Thomas Willett sold on 2 Jan 1645 to Cornelia Teunison a lot and house on Manhattan adjoining the Public Tavern for 775 guilders and took a mortgage on the house. On 7 Dec 1645 Willett won a judgment against Teunison for the balance.

Thomas Willett's home in New Amsterdam was on the then East River bank immediately east of the Great Tavern which soon became the Stadt Huys or City Hall of the time. It was located in the present block bounded by Pearl Street (present #75-85 Pearl Street, per Iconography, IV:104 (once the thoroughfare along the waterside and at this section called Dock Street), Coenties Alley, and Stone Street (formerly called Hoogh, then Duke Street,) New York City. Seven houses are pictured there on in the graphic 1660 Castello Plan of New Amsterdam, next to the Stadt Huys.

George 'Joris' Woolsey has the topmost lot of that block, and in 1661, he recorded the purchase from Sarah Bridges, Willett's widow, who had married Charles Bridges (in Dutch: Carel Von Brugges).

01. The first actual land Transaction that I have found for George 'Joris' Woolsey is the following:

Fernow, B. "Documents relating to the History of the Early Colonial Settlements principally on Long Island, etc. Albany, New york. Weed, Parsons and Company. 1883. New York Historical Records." page 79.

DEED FOR A HOUSE AND PLANTATION IN FLUSHING, LONG ISLAND.


I, Thomas Robertson have sold to George Wolsey a house and plantation standing and situate in Flushing and the main bounds are to be seen in the book of the Town of Flushing, together with all the grain that is now on it and everything that is fastened by earth and nail, for the sum of one hundred and thirty guilders which is now paid me. . . . signed by Thomas Robertson in the presence of Jan Damen as witness, the 16th of August Ao 1647, in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. This is the mark "TR" of Thomas Robertson made by himself. J. Vinje.

Notice that Thomas Willetts sold his lot for 775 guilders and George 'Joris' Woolsey bought his lot for 130 guilders. A guilder was the Dutch money of the time and 7 or 8 guilders were equal to 'one winter beaver', a common form of exchange.

George 'Joris' Woolsey probably had his "town house" in New Amsterdam and his "country plantation" in Flushing.

In 1651 Thomas Willetts bought the Frigate "THE PALOMME" from Capt. Philipis Rest for 800 pieces of eight - winter beavers = about 8 guilders each
- each piece of eight = 50 stivers
- 20 stivers = 1 guilder
- 160 stivers - 1 winter beaver

I find the above land transaction between George 'Joris' Wolsey and Thomas Robertson interesting for several reasons:

  1. 130 guilders was a considerable sum at that day, and indicates that George 'Joris' was doing well as a young, enterprising man in the Dutch colony, though of English origin.

  2. b. George 'Joris' bought this property before he was married, so he was preparing a home to take his future bride.

  3. c. It included a "house and plantation standing", which gave him ample to "fix up" the place, without having to build from scratch.

  4. d. and "with all the grain that is now on it," In August, the grain would be ripening and almost ready to cut, so he would have his winter supply ready.

  5. e. And then this quaint and intriguing statement:
  6. "everything that is fastened by earth and nail" which would include the house, barns, outbuildings, fences, crops, etc.


So George 'Joris' Woolsey was well-prepared when he married in Dec 1647 to Rebecca Cornell.

I haven't searched the Flushing records for the metes and bounds of this "house and plantion" in Flushing, but will do so this week.

So, having safely enscounced George 'Joris" and his bride Rebecca Cornell, in their new home in Flushing, I will bring to a close this first installment of Woolsey Land Records. - Wilford Whitaker




2003 Dec 03

When one begins to dig in depth, one never knows what interesting tidbits will turn up, which makes the on-going search intriguing and exciting.

I'll digress a little from the Long Island Woolsey Land Transactions to share the following:

George 'Joris' Woolsey and Rebecca Woolsey had a daughter they named Mary who died then they also named their next daughter Mary, who was under 18 in 1691, when George 'Joris' made his will.

Mary Woolsey married in 1700 to Charles Williamson and we know they had two daughters named Mary and Rebecca. I'm hoping we can find their marriages/deaths sometime. I found several references to Samuel Williamson in the records, but didn't know what became of him, until the following:

LAND: Queens County, New York. Land Records of Queens County, Long Island, New York.
B2:611-612. 2 Sep 1708 Charles Williamson of Jamaica have put in my place my wife Mary to act as my lawful attorney in my name to seize collect all sums of moneys good wares and other demands which are or shall be due belonging to me. 12 Jul 1711. Witnesses: Rebecca Wood and Andrew Gibbs Charles Willliamson

LAND: Queens County, New York. Land Records of Queens County, Long Island, New York.
B2:612-613. 10 Jul 1711. Charles Williamson of Jamaica and Mary his wife to Mary Hornet of Jamaica. Said Charles Williamson being intended to sail to ye West Indies did by his letter of attorney 2 Sep 1708 ordained his wife Mary to sell and dispose of all his lands in America .. house for 15 lbs house and lot in Jamaica near ye church E by James Harding S by other lands of said Charles Williamson W by Timothy Wood and N by ye main street being 20 foot fronting ye said street. Charles Williamson by his attorney Wit: Thomas Smith and Samuel Clowes Mary Williamson ( LS )

From this we find that Charles Williamson gave to his wife Mary his power of attorney because he was going to sail to the West Indies. He left New York sometime after 2 September 1708 and hadn't returned by 10 Jul 1711, when she sold some of the Homestead property to Mary Hornet (Harnett). Notice this property was 'near the church' in Jamaica. Interesting, isn't it? - Wilford Whitaker




2003 Dec 8
George 'Joris' Woolsey Land Transactions #2


My first George 'Joris' Woolsey Land transaction showed him buying land in Flushing, Long Island, New York, in 1647, before his marriage to Rebecca Cornell.

I just re-checked the WOOLSEY CHRONOLOGY and find that I was not as specific as I could have been, so I will update that as I work through these Land Transactions.

  1. George 'Joris' Woolsey (probably living in New Amsterdam), bought land in Flushing, Long Island, New York in 16 Aug 1647. (This is Land Transaction # 01.)

  2. b. In the Dutch Reformed Church, at the Dutch Fort, in New Amsterdam, George 'Joris' Woolsey married 9 Dec 1647, to Rebecca Cornell.

  3. c. Their daughter Sara was born 3 Aug 1650, at New Amsterdam, and was christened 7 Aug 1650 "at ye English Church at Newtown."

  4. d. Their son George (Joris) Woolsey [Jr.] was b 10 Oct 1652 at New Amsterdam and was christened 13 Oct 1652, at the Dutch Reformed Church there, which was located inside the Dutch Fort.

  5. d. Their son Thomas Woolsey was born 10 Apr 1655 at Hempstead and was christened Suday 11 Apr 1655, at Hempstead, Long Island, by "Mr. Denton at ye English Church". I don't know if they owned property at Hempstead, or if they were visiting relatives when Thomas was born.

  6. e. Their daughter Rebecca Woolsey was born 13 Feb 1659, and christened Sunday 16 Feb 1659 at the Dutch Reformed Church in New Amsterdam.

  7. f. Their son John (Johannes) Woolsey was born 12 Jan 1661, at New Amsterdam, and was christened Sunday 16 Jan 1661, at the Dutch Reformed Church near Flushing. (Notice the Willetts also owned land in Flushing).

  8. g. Their daughter Mary (Marritje) Woolsey was born 19 Mar 1664 at New Amsterdam, and was christened 19 Mar 1664, at the Dutch Reformed Church in New Amsterdam, died before 1673.

  9. h. Their son William (Willem) Woolsey was born 12 Oct 1665 at Jamaica, "on ye Isleand Nassau", and was christened 30 Jun 1678 at Flatbush, Brookly, Long Island, "of reasonable age." William died before 1691, as he is not listed in his father's will at that time.

  10. i. Their daughter Mary (Marritje) Woolsey was born 8 Sep 1673 at Jamaica, "on ye Isleand Nassau," and was christened 30 Jun 1678 at Flatbush, Brooklyn, Long Island, "of reasonable age," with her brother William. She was named after her older sister Mary, above, who died before 1673.

Giving the above as a background, I am ready to give the second George 'Joris' Woolsey Land Transaction: (Remember that New Amsterdam was on the lower tip of Manhattan Island, bounded by the Hudson River on the North and the East River on the east, joining at the tip of the island.)

2 Jan 1645 - Thomas Willett sold to Cornelia Teunison a lot and house on Manhattan adjoining the Public Tavern for 775 guilders; he took a mortgage on the house. 7 Dec 1645 he won a judgment against Teunison for the balance on the purchase of the house (Icon., IV-103; CAL. D; pp. 31 & 98.)

Thomas Willett (the soldier and not the mayor of NY) married Sarah Cornell, a sister of Rebecca Cornell, who married George 'Joris' Woolsey. Thomas Willett was granted this land in 1643 and later confirmed in 1645 by groundbrief by the West India Company.

4 Jul 1645. Groundbrief granted by the West India Company to Thomas Willet, not recorded (but see below). Same date, Ritsaert Smidt (Richard Smith) received a groundbrief for a lot on Manhattan island next to Thomas Willet's (HS 1901, p. 172).

Thomas Willett's grant in New Amsterdam was on the then East River bank immediately east of the Great Tavern which soon became the Stadt Huys or City Hall of the time. It was located in the present block bounded by Pearl Street (present # 75-85 Pearl Street, per ICON. IV-104) (Once the thorough fare along the waterside and at this section called Dock Street), Coenties Alley, and Stone Street, (formerly called Hoogh, then Duke Street), New York City. Seven houses are pictured there on in the graphic 1660 Castello Plan of New Amsterdam. (ICONOGRAPHY OF NEW YORK CITY.)

Thomas Willett's grant (east of Great Tavern/City Hall, across Coenties Alley) 1645:

Stadt Huys
Coenties Alley
02 (First lot) Bridges to Wolsey 1661 (This is Land
Transaction # 02.)
(2nd lot) Thomas Willetts (Jr.) to Richard Willetts 1701
(3rd lot) Thomas Willetts (Jr.) to Jacob DeKey 1701
(4th lot) The HomeStead - Thomas Willetts (Sr.) of
Flushing, Long Island
(5th lot) Thomas Willetts (Jr.) to William Hartshorn
1715
(6th lot) Van Brugge to La Chair 1661
Alley (since closed)
Richard Smith groundbrief 1645

Thomas Willett (Sr) died early and his widow Sarah Cornell married Charles Bridges, an Englishman, but called by the Dutch Carel van Brugges (various spellings) so the sale of the first lot to George 'Joris' Wolsey was by Charles Bridges and the sale of the 6th lot was also by Charles Bridges.

Thomas Willett (Jr.) was the son of Thomas Willett (SR.) and Sara Cornell.

George 'Joris' Woolsey and Rebecca Cornell sold the above lot in New Amsterdam to Pattison, who sold to Post, who sold to Ten Eyck. I need to check those dates.

This concludes the 2nd land transaction.

Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker



2004 Jan 02
George 'Joris' Woolsey Land Transaction #3

This is land Transaction # 3, which is a continuation of Land Transaction #2, and shows the disposition of the house lot in New Amsterdam on the lower end of Manhattan Island.

WOOLSEY LAND TRANSACTIONS on LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK GEORGE 'Joris' WOOLSEY, SR. of New Amsterdam, New Netherland


LAND: Thomas Willett's home in New Amsterdam was on the then East River bank immediately east of the Great Tavern which soon became the Stadt Huys or City Hall of the time. It was located in the present block bounded by Pearl Street (present #75-85 Pearl Street, per Icon., IV-104) (once the thorough fare along the waterside and at this section called Dock Street), Coenties Alley, and Stone Street (formerly called Hoogh, then Duke Street), New York City. Seven houses are pictured there on in the graphic 1660 Castello Plan of New Amsterdam.

Corner lots on west end of Willett patent: 16 Apr 1661 Sale by Charles Bridges [who married Sarah Willets, the widow of Thomas Willets] to (his wife's brother-in-law) George Wolsey, not recorded. Was in Wolsey's possession 1660.

11 Feb 1666 Confirmation by Gov. Nicolls to George Wolsey, reciting the above sale, lot bounded to East by Charles Bridges, 34' x 92' x 24' x 92'.

Feb 1669 Sale by George Wolsey to William Pattison; confiscated 1673.

[This property was then granted to Lodowyck Post? Oct 1773.

Oct 1673 Regrant to Lodowyck Pos (Icon., II-319 & 404, from records) [Post?]

ORIGINAL GRANT TO THOMAS WILLETT, "THE SOLDIER"


Groundbrief granted by West India Company 4 Jul 1645, but occupied by Willett earlier than that.-

So George 'Joris' Woolsey was on this property as early as 1661, [but probably much earlier, even as early as before 1650]. It was confirmed to him in 1666 by the English Governor Nichols (after the English took control in 1664) and was sold by George 'Joris' Woolsey in 1669 to William Pattison.

So there the Woolseys lost their opportunity to keep some of the extremely expensive Manhattan real estate. George 'Joris' Woolsey was well-acquainted with another Englishman of New Amsterdam, Thomas Hall, who some people claim as their ancestor, and through the years have laid claim to the land on which Trinity Church is situated (without success, I may add.). I have been unable to find any children of Thomas Hall in New Amsterdam or on Long Island.

But I am interested in the English of New Amsterdam and have made a study of them because they were also acquainted with George 'Joris' Woolsey and his family. If you want to learn more about the above Thomas Hall, type in "Thomas Hall"+"Trinity Church" and you'll find some interesting New Amsterdam history.
Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker



2004 Oct. 2

George 'Joris' Woolsey Land Transactions #4


BEAVER POND 5 acres of Meadow lying below the bever pond

George Woolsey, Sr. + Little Playnes SW 1/4

Goodman Everet - 5 acres Meadow next ye bever pond

John Everit Little Playnes SW 1/4

Robert Coe

Nathaniel Denton

Rodger Linas

John Lynas Little Playnes NE 1/4

Benjamin Coe

Rodger Linas has a Home lot granted on ye west side of the Beaver Pond

John Baylies, Jr. - 15 Feb 1664 - sold to Mr. George Wooly [Woolsey] all my right of land & Medows in ye Town of Jemaico, viz: My house lot lying on ye west side of ye bever pond with Ten acres of Meadows, etc. Little Playnes NE 1/4

JAMAICA: Jamaica Town Records. p. 210. about 1669. Lot by Number - the meadow divided into 20 acre lots and numbered. Meadow Land: Messr. Woolsey lot # 13; Thomas Wiggins lot # 21.

PROBATE: George Wolsey WILL: filed 22 Feb 1698, Orange Co,NY. City Registers office, Queens, NY, NY. Dated 22 Day of Sep 1698. File location - At X-M, X- Block X - Liber A of Deeds.

[Because we will be looking at the Will of George Woolsey of Jamaica in some detail, I decided to put a copy of it here and will refer back to it from time to time. Note that it is dated 2 Nov 1691 and was registered 22 Sep 1698. Also note that "Item 1" gives to his eldest son George Woolsey, his home lot. This is the lot he purchased 27 years earlier from John Baylis, Jr. - ]

[ "1st. item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved and eldest Son, GEORGE WOLSEY all my lott of land being at ye Beaver Pond within ye town of Jamaica aforesaid. To have and to hold ye said Lott of land with ye appurtenances there on being to him ye said GEORGE WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns to ye only proper use of him ye said GEORGE WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns forever, . . ."]

[The Beaver Pond is no longer there, having been filled in for development and sub-division. But George Woolsey's land was west of or "near" or "at" the Beaver Pond and just west of George Woolsey's land was the "Old Burying Ground," now called "Prospect Cemetery" and can be found on modern day maps of Jamaica.]

In the name of God, Amen, I GEORGE WOLSEY of Jamaica in Queens County upon Long Island being at present weak of body but through Gods mercy, of sound memory and perfect understanding and considering ye frailty of humane nature ye certainty of death ye uncertainly of ye time do make and ordain this to be my last WILL and TESTAMENT as followeth, that is to say, first and principally I bequeath my soul to God who gave it cleaned from its sins and uniquely through ye meritts of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer ye Son Jesus Christ and my body to ye dust from which it was first taken to be decently and Christian like intered at ye discretion of my Executors here after named and as for ye worldly estate God hath endowed me with all I do give and bequeath as followeth; That is to say

1st. item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved and eldest Son, GEORGE WOLSEY all my lott of land being at ye Beaver Pond within ye town of Jamaica aforesaid. To have and to hold ye said Lott of land with ye appurtenances there on being to him ye said GEORGE WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns to ye only proper use of him ye said GEORGE WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns forever,

2nd. item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Son, THOMAS WOLSEY all ye fifteen acre lott of land lying to ye westward of Anthony Walters home lott in Jamaica afor said to have and to hold ye said lott of land all ye appurtenances there unto being to him ye said THOMAS WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns to ye only proper use, benefitt and behoof of him ye said THOMAS WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns for ever.

3rd. item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Son, JOHN WOLSEY all ye my thirty acre lott of land lying to ye eastward by ye Little Plains runing within ye bounds of Jamaica a for said to have and to hold the said thirty acre lott of land with its appurtenances to use ye said JOHN WOLSEY, heirs and assigns to ye only proper use and benefitt and behoff of him ye said JOHN WOLSEY, his heirs and assigns for ever. I do also give and bequeath unto my said Son, JOHN WOLSEY after my decease, two oxen and all my wearing apperall.

4th. item - I do give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter, MARY WOLSEY, one feather bed and bolster, two pillows, a pair of sheets and two coverlids to be delivered her at her day of marriage or is when she attains ye age of eighteen years, also one cow to be delivered her at ye same time.

5th. item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife, REBECCA, all ye remainder of my land & tenements, good and chattels to have and to hold to her ye said REBECCA for and during her natural life, after her decease as followeth, that is to say all ye remainder of my house, land and meadow not already given. I do after my wifes decease give and bequeath ye same unto my three Sons, GEORGE, THOMAS & JOHN WOLSEY to be equall in portion without ye benefitt of joint tenancy or survivership and to usery of them, their heirs and assigns for ever and all my goods and chattels of what nature or kind soever ye shall be and remaine after my wifes decease, I give and bequeath unto my three Daughters, that is to say, SARAH HALLET, REBECCA WIGGINS & MARY WOLSEY to be equally divided between them.

6th. item - I do appoint, make and ordain my well beloved wife, REBECCA to be sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, desireing all my children to behave themselves to their mother, lovingly each to other.

7th. item - Lastly I do hereby revoke, make void and null all former and other Wills and Testaments by me made and do appoint this to be my last Will and Testament.

As Wittness my hand and seal at Jamaica ye second day of November in ye year of our Lord, Jesus Christ 1691. [signed] George Wolsey (Seal)

Signed sealed and published in ye presence of: Thomas Willett - Daniell Whitehead - Andrew Gibb, Sr.

Queens County (S - - ) At a Court of Common Pleas held at Jamaica this 23rd. of September in ye tenth year of ye reign of William ye Third, by ye grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King Defender of ye Faith and the last Will and Testament of ye within written, GEORGE WOLSEY deceased was forward by ye oaths of Capt. Daniell Whitehead and Andrew Bibb [ s/b Gibb?], witnesses there unto subscribed and dye Executor herein mentioned whereby authorized to sact and do what Exectors by law are impowered to do the giving in bond to bring into ye Court of Common Pleas for Queens County a true and perfect inventory of all and a list ye goods and chattels of ye said Testator. Entered the 22nd.day of Sept.1698. Per - A. Gibb (Clerk) Queens County (Seal)

[As was common in those days, the eldest son [George Woolsey, Jr.] received the Homestead Lot which was the most valuable of the various tracts of land George 'Joris' Woolsey, Sr. owned. George Woolsey, Jr. [known as Captain Woolsey, because of his involvement with the Militia] lived here for many years and kept a "country store", either in the house itself or adjacent to it.]

[Note also that George Woolsey invariably signed his own name as George Wolsey [with variations on it]. Because of indexing and retrieval problems involved with so many variations, I, long ago, decided to spell all the Woolseys in the United States as 'WOOLSEY', and all the Woolseys in England as 'WOLSEY', although in the notes, I spell the names as they occur in the records.]

This concludes the Woolsey Land Transaction Number Four, except the 10 acres of meadow still need to be accounted for.

Sincerely, Wilford W. Whitaker


2004 Oct 7 from Wilford Whitaker:

I found some more pertinent Land records concerning the land in and around Jamaica, which I will include here, and call it Land Transaction Number Four - Addendum. Some of these records refer to the Woolsey Homestead, and some of other interest.

Jamaica Town Records. NYG&B Soc. 1:30. 15 Feb 1664 - John Baylies Jr. TO Geo. Woolly Land & meadows in Jamaico - i.e. my hse lot being on W side of ye bever pond with 10 acres of meadow Daniel Denton, Thomas Benedict, John baylies Jr.

Henry Whitney - home lot + 1 acre at rear

Daniel Denton & John Baylies snr should Lay out & Mr. Walker, John Oldffields Gorges Woodyes (Woolsey) Meadows, that Lot of Meadow which was formerly Henry Whitneys

BEAVER POND 5 acres of Meadow lying below the bever pond

George Woolsey, Sr. + Little Playnes SW 1/4

Goodman Everet - 5 acres Meadow next ye bever pond

John Everit Little Playnes SW 1/4

Robert Coe

Nathaniel Denton

Rodger Linas

John Lynas Little Playnes NE 1/4

Benjamin Coe

Rodger Linas has a Home lot granted on ye west side of the Beaver Pond

John Baylies, Jr. - 15 Feb 1664 - sold to Mr. George Wooly [Woolsey] all my right of land & Medows in ye Town of Jemaico, viz: My house lot lying on ye west side of ye bever pond with Ten acres of Meadows, etc. Little Playnes NE 1/4

Jamaica Town Records. page 63. 23 May 1674. Lay out lots of safe meadow to minister's lot & George Woolsey.

Christoph, Peter R. "The Dongan Papers 1683-1688, part 2" Syracuse University Press. FHL #974.7 N2do pt 2. p. 287. A List of the owne Estate of Jemaica. Anno 1683.

horse 3ye 2ye 1ye oxe cowse 3ye 2ye 1ye swine land hds estate

Geo. Woolsey Jun 0 0 0 0 4 6 0 1 0 0 25 0 081.10.0

Geo. Woolsey Sen 2 0 0 0 4 6 2 4 0 0 36 2 168.00.0

Tho. Woolsey 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 40.00.0

For those who keep track of such things, George Sen. was the 5th highest taxed.

Jamaica Town Records. p. 128. abt 1687? Living on Forsters River

Thomas Wiggins 7 & 35 acres; George Woolsy 19 & 25 acres; Mr. Woolsy 29 & 15

Jamaica Town Records. p. 123. about 1686. George Woolsey Meadow - 20 acres; a small lot 1 acre 1/2 upland; sixty six acres priveledge - to all ye meadows.

Jamaica Town Records. p. 137. about 1686. Mr. George Woolsie to Keep our Patent & Indian Purchases and not let any strangers to have a sight of them without liberty from the town. [George Woolsey was Town Clerk. www]

Queens County Land Records. p. 143.

6 Apr 1706. Nathaniel Denton [Jr.] Appointed by Jamaica Town Meeting, to keep "Town patents deeds & papers which is in Mrs. Rebeccah Wolsey's hands." [3 Mar 1723/4 - Nehemiah Smith acknowledges receipt from Nathaniel Denton of town patents, Indian deeds and other papers." Jamaica Town Records 3:238]

Index & Deeds of Queens Co., L.I., NY, Liber A,B,C 1683-1765 by Alex Label. FHL film# 17873 B2:49.

William Hallett of Hellgate in Newtowne for 5 sh. sold to Thomas Cardale of Jamaica land in Jamaica between land of Rebecca Woolsey on ye east side, ye land of Charles Williamson & John Woolsey on ye West & bounded N & S by 2 streets. 23 Mar 1705 - 25 Mar 1706 William Hallett - Will Urquhart (Rector of Jamaica),

Index & Deeds of Queens Co., L.I., NY, Liber A,B,C 1683-1765 by Alex Label. FHL film# 17873 B2:92.

George Woolsey of Jamaica on ye one part & John Woolsey of Jamaica on ye other part said George Woolsey for a sum of money sold unto John Woolsey all his right in a home lott in Jamaica in which John Woolsey & Mother now lives, bounded W by ye land of Thomas Cardale, S by a back street, E by Joseph Barton's lot & N by ye highway. 20 Mar 1705 - 15 Aug 1706 George Woolsey

Isaac Hicks and Thomas Cardall.

Index & Deeds of Queens Co., L.I., NY, Liber A,B,C 1683-1765 by Alex Label. FHL film# 17873 B2:49.

William Hallett of Hellgate in Newtowne for 5 sh. sold to Thomas Cardale of Jamaica land in Jamaica between land of Rebecca Woolsey on ye east side, ye land of Charles Williamson & John Woolsey on ye West & bounded N & S by 2 streets. 23 Mar 1705 - 25 Mar 1706 William Hallett

Will Urquhart (Rector of Jamaica), Nathaniel Denton,

Sam'l Hallett.


2004 Oct 8 from Wilford Whitaker:

I keep finding these little 'tidbits' that add to Land Transaction #4, land at home place, near Beaver Pond, in Jamaica, Long Island, New York.

The following is the Rev. Benjamin Woolsey, of Jamaica, then to Southold, Long Island, then to Dosoris, Glen Cove, Long Island, grandson of our immigrant ancestor.

****************************************************************
Benjamin, the future clergyman, was born at Jamaica in 1687 and graduated from Yale in 1709 at the age of 22. He and Abigail, daughter of John Taylor of Oyster Bay, were married 1714. Six years later he was installed in the Southold Church.
Two years [1722] after the settlement of the Woolseys at Southold, Rev. Woolsey bought for 300 pounds the land at Beaver Ponds, Jamaica, which his father had inherited. He also bought the old school house for twelve shillings.

****************************************

So, for a time at least, the Woolsey homestead remained in the hands of the Woolsey family.

You may want to check out the following website for Rev. Benjamin Woolsey.




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