Remsen and Schenk family papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The Remsen and Schenk family papers are comprised of various land and legal documents, including deeds, mortgages, wills, and conveyances to land primarily in Brooklyn. Most documents concern property owned by the Remsen and Schenk families.
Arrangement
Upon reprocessing in 2024, the original 1985 arrangement was retained. The collection is arranged into four series. Series 1 consists of documents relating to the Remsen family. Series 2 consists of documents relating to the Schenk family. Series 3 consists of other Brooklyn land documents. The items are housed together by series except for oversize items, which are together in their own folder.
Scope and Contents
The Remsen and Schenk family papers are comprised of various land and legal documents, including deeds, mortgages, wills, and conveyances to land primarily in Brooklyn. Most documents concern property owned by the Remsen and Schenk families. The collection relates to the following farmers: Jacob Remsen (1719-1794), Joris Remsen (1721-1794) Martin Schenk (1796-1823) and Lambert Schenk (1796-1815).
Subjects
Families
People
Topics
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
The materials in this collection are in the public domain.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Remsen and Schenk family papers, 1985.017, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Barbara Dickerson, 1982.
About this Guide
Processing Information
This collection was rehoused and the finding aid revised by Dee Bowers in 2024.
Sponsor Note
Repository
Container
Series 1: Remsen family
Declaration, 1760
Scope and Contents
Announcement of Jacob and Joris Remsen that they are claiming the land left to them by their father upon his death. The land is three small parcels on the south side of the road to the ferry, adjoining the property of John Nostrand and Cornelius Duryea in the Town of "Bruckland" near "Flatbush Meadows." The family homestead was apparently named "Crupelbush." This copy was signed by Jacob.
Declaration, 1760
Scope and Contents
Same as above, except signed by Joris Remsen.
Will, 1764
Scope and Contents
Rem Remson's will, bequeathing his estate to his brothers Isaac, John, Jacob and Joris, as well as his sisters.
Will, 1785
Scope and Contents
Jacob Remsen's will, bequeathing his estate to his son Isaac and sons-in-law Johannes Debevoise and Samuel Harris.
Will, 1786
Scope and Contents
Joris Remsen's will.
Probated will, 1794
Scope and Contents
A document signed by Jacobus Lefferts, surrogate of Kings County, declaring Jacob Remsen's will authentic. It lists executors as Isaac Remsen, Johannes Debevoise, and Samuel Harris. Included is a copy of the 1785 will.
Probated will, 1794
Scope and Contents
A document signed by Jacobus Lefferts, surrogate of Kings County, declaring Joris Remsen's will authentic. It names John Ditmars and Samuel Harris as executors.
Deed, 1704
Scope and Contents
Jeremiah Remsen to Isaac Remsen for land south of Flatbush.
Deed, 1704
Scope and Contents
Isaac Remsen purchased 66 acres from Jacob Buys.
Deed, 1709
Scope and Contents
Isaak [Isaac] Remsen purchased land from Matthys Corvoliuys [?], known as "Cripplebush" in the area known as "Brookland."
Deed, 1712
Scope and Contents
Isaac Remsen of "Crupplebush" bought 4 acres of land from Cornelius, Johannes, and David van Cats of Bushwyck.
Deed, 1714
Scope and Contents
Isaac Remsen obtained an "upland swamp" near "Criepelbos" from the Town of Brooklyn. It was bounded on the north by Jeremiah Remsen's land.
Deed, 1724
Scope and Contents
Isaac Remsen and Jacques Durje [Duryea?] bought 96 acres of land from Joseph Hegeman Tun and Arianje his wife, bound on the northwest by the highway leading from Bushwick to the ferry.
Deed, 1730
Scope and Contents
"Isaak Remse" purchased 6 acres of land in "Bruckland…a-long the road that leadeth to the ferry of New York" from Johannes Cushow.
Deed, 1759
Scope and Contents
Joris Remsen paid Rem Remsen for land in "Crupelbos," Brooklyn.
Estate sale notice, 1794
Scope and Contents
George Remsen's farm and property in Brooklyn Woods, New Lots, and Bushwick were put up for sale. Johannes Ditmars and Samuel Harris were executors.
Document, 1795
Scope and Contents
List of heirs of Joris Remsen's estate. Includes dozens of signatures.
Series 2: Schenk family
Will, undated
Scope and Contents
Apparently a draft of a will by Martin Schenk [Sr.?] dividing his estate into three parts, to be given to his sons Martin and Lambert and his daughter Anne Schenk Skillman.
Bond, 1783
Scope and Contents
John Grennelle of Dutchess County and William Nicholl of Islip, Long Island were bound to Martin Schenk [Sr.?] for 400 pounds.
Survey, 1796
Scope and Contents
Survey for Martin and Lambert Schenk of their farms in Brooklyn by Peter Vandervoort.
Conveyance, 1807
Scope and Contents
Road access to Lambert Schenk from Martin and Sarah Schenk. Lambert's copy.
Conveyance, 1807
Scope and Contents
Same as above, except it is Martin and Sarah's copy.
Bond, 1808
Scope and Contents
Martin Schenk bonded to Mercy Conselyea of Bushwick for $400. The bond was paid off in 1811.
Bond, 1815
Scope and Contents
Martin Schenk borrowed $4,125 from Jacobus Suydam of Newtown, Queens County.
Mortgage, 1815
Scope and Contents
Lambert Schenk bought land and a house from Jacobus Suydam of Newtown, Queens County. The property was situated on the road from Newtown to Brooklyn through the "Wallabought" [Wallabout Bay]. It bordered the land of Martin Schenk. The signature is missing from this document.
Mortgage, 1818
Scope and Contents
Martin Schenk purchased land bordering the highway from Bedford to New Lots from James Suydam of Newtown, Queens County.
Mortgage, 1823
Scope and Contents
Martin and Sarah Schenk probably cosigned this mortgage from James Suydam for Ida Harris, Jane Schenk, and Jacob Harris.
Series 3: Other Brooklyn land documents
Deed, 1698
Scope and Contents
Johannes Fine bought 74 acres of land from Dorothy Verseiur [?] and Jocham, her son, of "Newtonne" [Newtown]. The property bordered that of Samuel Coe on the south side.
Deed, 1700
Scope and Contents
Johannes Fine purchased land from Thomas Pettit.
Deed, 1710
Scope and Contents
Johannes Fyn [Fine?], a blacksmith, bought land from Thomas Pettit of Newtown, Queens.
Mortgage, 1802
Scope and Contents
Barrent Lefferts and his wife "Phebe" sold land to Lambert Suydam, Hendrik E. Suydam, Abraham Debevoise, Benjamin Linchman, Jeremiah Remsen, Martin Schenk, and Francis Skillman. Witnessed by Johannes E. Lott.
Mortgage, 1830
Scope and Contents
Andrew Mercein mortgaged property to Isaac Harris located at Pearl and High Streets, Brooklyn. Formerly the property of Joshua Sands.
Deed, 1837
Scope and Contents
Dr. Stephen C. Roe of New York City sold land in Onondonga County, NY to George Bushe of New York City.
