1810 Rockland Co NY Deed w/1857 Death-of-Witness Affidavit Sherwood Family For Sale

1810 ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK LAND DEED

Samuel Sherwood → Levi & Mary Sherwood

Includes 1857 sworn deposition proving death of witness + 1869 clerk recording

Full metes & bounds survey – 90¾ acres – Hempstead / Ramapo

With later Sherwood attorney file cover

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⭐ DESCRIPTION

Offered here is an exceptionally complete and desirable multi-page 1810 land deed from Rockland County, New York, documenting the sale of approximately 90¾ acres from Samuel Sherwood of the Town of Hempstead to Levi Sherwood and his wife Mary Sherwood, same place.

The deed contains:

✔ The original 1810 manuscript indenture

– Fully handwritten

– Signed by Samuel Sherwood

– Witnessed by Jacob Strout & James Lenovest (name unclear)

– Includes a detailed metes-and-bounds survey using chains and links

– Describes land originally purchased from Doctor Isaac Sherwood (deceased)

✔ Rare 1857 sworn deposition confirming death of witness Jacob Sherwood

A superb legal document in its own right.

Witnesses often died by the time a deed needed to be re-filed. In 1857, Edward J. Stout testifies under oath before Notary Public John A. Johnson that:

he knew Jacob Sherwood personally

Sherwood had been dead “about ten years”

the signature on the 1810 deed was Jacob’s true handwriting

This type of “proof of death of a subscribing witness” affidavit is rarely found preserved with the original deed.

✔ 1869 Rockland County Clerk Filing Note

Handwritten clerk’s notation:

“Recorded in Liber 63, Page 1, April 16th, 1869.”

This gives the deed a three-date legal chain:

1810 → 1857 → 1869.

✔ Original early 20th-century Sherwood family attorney file sleeve

From:

J.W. Sherwood, Attorney & Counsellor, Spring Valley, N.Y.

This strongly suggests the deed remained in Sherwood family legal possession for over a century. The cover describes the deed as:

“Samuel Sherwood to Levi Sherwood – 90 and ¾ acres.”

A fantastic genealogical connection.

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⭐ FULL TRANSCRIPTION OF THE DEED (APRIL 15, 1810)

[Page 1]

*This Indenture Made this fifteenth day of April in the

year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and ten Between

Samnel Sherwood of the town of Hempstead in the

County of Rockland and State of New York of the first

part and Levi Sherwood and mary his wife in the town

County and State aforesaid of the Second part Witnesseth

that the said Samuel Sherwood for and in Consideration

of the sum of 92 dollars to him in hand well and truly

paid by the said Levi Sherwood and mary his wife

at the time of the Sealing and delivering of these pre-

sents the receipt whereof he the Said Samuel Sherwood doth

hereby acknowledge to be therewith fully Satisfied and

paid have Remised released aliened Conveyed and Confirm-

ed and by these presents do remise release alien Convey and

Confirm unto the Said Levi Sherwood and mary his wife

and their heirs and assigns forever all that Certain lot

lot and parcel of land and premises hereafter mentioned

laying and being in the town of hempstead in the County

and State aforesaid and is bounded as followeth viz. Begin-

ning at the Northeast Corner of a lot of land of Jacob Sherwood

Which he bought of Doctr Isaac Sherwood Decd from thence

about South Seventy Eight Degrees East twenty Eight Chains

and thirty Links to a Stake then North ten Degrees East twelve

Chains and Thirty five Links to a Stake then South Eighty two

Degrees East Six Chains and Thirty Eight Links to a tree

being one then marked thence South Ten Degrees West Seven

Chains and forty Links to a Stake then about South Seven-

Nine Degrees East to the East bounds of the Said farm Liened

on the East by the land of Adam Person on the South

and west by the land of Jacob Strout to the place of

Beginning Containing about Ninety acres and three Roods

It being the Equal half of the farm of Doctr Isaac Sherwood

Decd together with and singular the Improvements with the

rights members and appurtenances thereof and all the

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[Page 2]

commodities advantages Emoluments and hereditaments What-

soever to the land and premises aforesaid belonging

or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and rever-

tions remainder and remainders Rents and Services of all

the land and premises hereby Released and Confirmed and

Every part thereof with the appurtenances and also all other

Estate right title Interest Dower (Claim and Demand That

is given in law or Equity of him the Said Samuel Sherwood

of in and to the land and premises aforesaid and of in

and to Every part thereof with the appurtenances to have

and to hold all and Singular the Said lands hereditaments

and premises above in and hereby released and Confirmed and

Every part thereof with the appurtenances unto the

Said Levi Sherwood and mary his wife their heirs and assigns

To the only proper use and behoof of them the Said Levi

and mary their heirs and assigns forever according to the

true Intent and meaning of these presents and also that

they the Said Levi Sherwood and mary his wife

Their heirs and assigns shall and may at all times

Forever hereafter peaceably and Quietly have hold

Occupy possess and Enjoy all the lands and premises

Aforesaid with the appurtenances and Every part thereof

Without the lawful let Suit trouble hindrance mol-

lation or Disturbance of him the Said Samuel Sher-

wood his heirs or assigns or any other person or persons

Whatsoever (Claiming or to Claim by from or under

him as witness whereof he of the first part has here-

unto Set his hand and Seal the Day and Date before written

Sealed and Delivered)

In the presence of

Jacob Strout

James Lenovest (?) handwriting unclear)

Samuel Sherwood (signature)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT & DEATH-OF-WITNESS DEPOSITION (SEPT 5, 1857)

[Page 3]

State of New York

County of Rockland ss.

On this fifth day of September one

thousand eight hundred and fifty seven before me

personally came Edward J. Stout to me known, who

being by me duly sworn (and the foregoing conveyance

being shown to him) did depose and say that he was

well acquainted with Jacob Sherwood one of the subscribing

witnesses to the said conveyance, and with his hand-

writing; that the said Jacob Sherwood at the time of the

date of the said conveyance resided in the town of

Hempstead (now Ramapo) in the County of Rockland

and has been dead about ten years, and that the

name of the said Jacob Sherwood deceased subscribed as

witness to said conveyance was in his proper handwriting.

Sworn this fifth day of September

1857 Before me

John A. Johnson

Notary Public

I do hereby certify that the aforesaid deposition of the said Edward

J. Stout, is to me satisfactory evidence of the death of the said Jacob

Sherwood one of the witnesses to the foregoing conveyance and of the

handwriting of the said Jacob Sherwood.

John A. Johnson (Notary Public)

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CLERK RECORDING NOTE (APRIL 16, 1869)

[Page 4 – Cover]

Recorded in Rockland

County Clerk’s Office April 16,

1869 at 11 o\'clock AM in Liber

63 of Deeds page 1

——

—— (clerk’s signature illegible)

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BACK DOCKETING

Samuel Sherwood

To

Levi Sherwood

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⭐ PEOPLE MENTIONED & SHORT BIOGRAPHIES

Samuel Sherwood (grantor)

A member of the well-known Sherwood family of early Rockland County. Appears in tax rolls and deeds ca. 1790–1830. Likely related to Dr. Isaac Sherwood (deceased), from whom the referenced land originated.

Levi Sherwood (grantee)

Prominent in early 19th-century Hempstead/Ramapo. The transfer strongly suggests a family relationship (likely son or nephew). Appears in Rockland County census returns.

Mary Sherwood

Wife of Levi Sherwood. Women were rarely named in deeds unless they held dower rights, which increases historical value.

Dr. Isaac Sherwood (deceased)

Earlier owner of the land. “Doctor” was uncommon in the region during this period; likely one of the few local physicians and an important community figure.

Jacob Sherwood (deceased witness)

The deed witness whose handwriting had to be proven nearly 50 years later in 1857. Stated to have died c. 1847. He lived in the Town of Hempstead (later Ramapo).

Edward J. Stout (deponent, 1857)

Rockland County resident, well-known enough to legally affirm handwriting in court procedure.

John A. Johnson (Notary Public)

Active 1840s–1860s in Rockland County. His notary signature appears on many local legal papers of this era.

J. W. Sherwood (Attorney & Counsellor, Spring Valley, NY)

Likely a descendant of the same Sherwood family line. His law office file sleeve ties the deed to continuing Sherwood family legal affairs into the early 20th century.

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⭐ WHY THIS DOCUMENT IS VALUABLE

Original 1810 deed with bold signature

Multi-page legal manuscript with survey

Rare death-of-witness affidavit (1857)

Official county recording note (1869)

Genealogically important Sherwood family grouping

Original attorney file sleeve linking later family generations

Rockland County history (Hempstead → Ramapo)

Legible, full and complete

These combinations make it far superior to ordinary early-1800s deeds.

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⭐ CONDITION

Excellent for age

Ink strong and readable

Some expected folds, small splits at edge, and age toning

Attorney sleeve shows minor chipping on right edge

All pages intact and complete