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Archiver > NYALBANY > 2004-03 > 1079283840


From: Leslie Potter <>
Subject: Re: [NYALBANY] deed records
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 12:10:11 -0800
References: <200403141119_MC3-1-7619-437B@compuserve.com>
In-Reply-To: <200403141119_MC3-1-7619-437B@compuserve.com>


David,

In any other jurisdiction besides New York the deeds would answer your
questions.

david stott wrote:

>Basically, I have found that my ancestor John Colvin settled on 300 acres
>of land in the Coeymans area after his service in the Rev War... I have yet
>to find a land grant or his military records.
>
Try White's Genealogical Abstracts of Rev. War Pension Applications and
Rev. War Service Records.

>So I am unclear as to how he came about owning this land or if he indeed
>did own the land.
>
This is a typical scenario for New York State.

>John Colvin farmed this property until his death in Jan 1814... John
>apparently died intestate, because I have never located a Will for he or
>his wife.
>
If he died intestate owning real estate, an administration should have
been raised. However, keep in mind that in 1814 the Patroon system,
with its medieval legal conventions, was still in full force and effect.

> Nor have I ever found a date of death for his wife Sarah Fuller.
>Sarah just seems to disappear.
>
Typical.

>to their son, James....( I assume this occurred via a sale or possibly just
>a deeding of the land to him), because I find that James sells the
>property in 1834... but he retained the mineral rights.
>
Behold the joys of no premise description clause.

>I am hoping that the land deeds give me a clue about
>
>#1. Where the land actually was located
>
a deed will definitely do that.

>#2. More detailed date of death of John Colvin, besides Jan 1814
>
administration papers, if there are any should do that. A premises
description clause in James' deed selling the farm should have covered
that.

>#3. Any further info on John Colvin's wife's status
>
This information is not likely to be found in a deed, but it is possible.

>#4. Possibly the mentioning of the Colvin family burial ground reportedly
>on the property
>
Only if it were on the farm and were an exception out of the sale.

>#5. Possible mention as to how John Colvin received the property in the
>1st place
>
Only if there is a "Whereas deed:" or John Colvin sold the farm before
he died.

>Based upon everyone's reading films &/ or "slinging of the deed books", can
>anyone give me any inclination as to what may be contained in them??
>
I have a file that explains the anatomy of a deed. I can not find it
right now, but will send it along later.

>Or am I chasing up the wrong tree ???
>
No, you are not.

Leslie


>
>Dave
>
>.
>
>
>

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