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Five manuscripts, one map, and four books formerly belonging to various members of the Van Cortlandt family: New York (Colony) Laws, Statutes, etc. Lawes Establish'd by the Authority of his Majesties Letters Patents.. By virtue of a Commission from.. James Duke of Yorke.. 1664. This first set of laws for New York, commonly known as the "Duke's Laws" were promulgated by Governor Richard Nicolls, after a meeting with representatives in Hempstead, Long Island, on March 1, 1664. Bound with this code are nine additions most of which are "Orders made at the Generall Court of Assizes held in New York" 1664-1672. The texts are written in several different hands and signed variously by Richard Nicolls (1624-1672), first governor of New York, 1664-1668; Matthias Nicolls (1630?-1687), Richard's brother and secretary to the province during the period covered; and Francis Lovelace (1618?-1675?), brother of the poet Richard Lovelace and governor of New York, 1668-1673. Written copies of this code were prepared for all the towns on Long Island. Of these copies only four are apparently extant, including this one and one in the New York Historical Society.
New York (City) Coroner. Minutes of Coroners Proceedings in the City and County of New York, 1747-1758. This manuscript was probably written by an amanuensis for John Burnet who was coroner at the time. The minutes deal with his inquests into unexplained deaths. Edward Newenham Bibby (d. 1882) [Notes on Diseases and Their Symptons, ca. 182?]. Bibby, a prominent Yonkers physician and member of the Van Cortlandt family, attended th College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1809 and wrote this lengthy series of medical notes (190 leaves). There is also a deed signed by Richard Nicolls confirming the rights of Oloff Stevenszen Van Cortlandt (1600-1684) to a property on Stone Street in lower Manhattan. Included with this deed is a Dutch document dated July 6, 1650, pertaining to the land grant for this property and a map, 1897, showing its location in the 17th century. There is also a quadripartite indenture between John Jay, Augustus Van Cortlandt, and many others, which redistributes the land and other assets which Augustus Van Cortland had inherited from Fredrick Van Cortlandt to all of his family. This is signed and sealed by 22 beneficiaries. Also four books formerly belonging to various members of the Van Cortlandt and Bibby families.
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This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Van Cortlandt family papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
The Nicolls deed was the gift of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Crimin in 1970.
The two manuscripts pertaining to Laws, Statutes, etc. and the New York City Coroner were originally in the possession of Judge John Chambers (1710-1765) under whose tutelage Augustus Van Cortlandt (1728-1824) studied law. When Chambers died, half his books and manuscripts were left to his nephew John Jay and the other half to Van Cortlandt. These were deposited at Columbia in 1927 by his descendant, Augustus Van Cortlandt (1856?-1943) and finally donated to the University in 1978 by his daughter, Mrs. Charles Martin.
The Bibby notes and the four books were the gift of Mrs. Katherine Van Cortlandt Wilberding in 1978.
The quadripartite indenture was the gift of Mrs. Katherine Van Cortlandt Wilberding in 1995.
Source of acquisition--Cremin, Mr. and Mrs. Robert. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1970. Accession number--M-70.
Indenture: Source of acquisition--Wilberding, Katherine V.C. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--11/12/1995. Accession number--M-95-11-12.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/1989.
Indenture Cataloged HR 03/21/1996.
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