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Subject: Fwd: Early LaGrange's (2nd continuation) by Vreeland Y Leonard
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 21:03:28 EDT

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Full-name: CARKCUZ
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Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 20:34:22 EDT
Subject: Early LaGrange's (2nd continuation) by Vreeland Y Leonard
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the last of the transcription of "THE LA GRANGE FAMILY" compiled by Vreeland
Y Leonard [Dutch Settlers Society of Albany Yearbook 1948-49

"This Patent was purchased of the Dutch Proprietor, John Hendrick Van
Bell in 1672 by Francis Lovelace. The patent deed given to Van Bell by
Francis Lovelace, otherwise Lord Lovelace, the Governor of the Colony of New
York, is now in the possession (1840 when this was written) of Esq. La Grange
as a relic of antiquity. The land of the patente however, went out of the
hands of the La Grange family after the death of the old Patentee by an
artful maneuver and slight of hand in law, attributable, it is said to the
Van Rensselaer family. This case was settled 1775. Not many years since
Esq. La Grange in virtue of claim derived from his ancestor's patent,
received as one of the heirs, some two or three thousand dollars. Mr. La
Grange has in his possession,as the rightful heir, being the oldest son of
his father, who was also the oldest son of his father, and of the same
Christian name, a large silver tankard, embossed after the ancient manner,
with the family Coat of Arms. This tankard belonged to his remote ancestor
John La Grange. He had also his ancestor's golden signet ring with his
initials and family coat of arms. He had also, for it is our purpose to
speak of such specimens of antiquity as may come to our knowledge, a powder
horn surmounted and ingeniously figured, which was found by an officer in
Gen. Sulivan's expedition, in an Indian's wigwam."

The above statement in regard to the Van Baal Patent is wrong. The
correct story is as follows: Jan Handrickse Van Baal had secured from the
Indians the title to a parcel of land and (as this land was in the center of
what later was the West Patroon of the Van Rensselaer Family) upon the
request of Henry Van Baal, son and heir to Jan Handricks Van Baal, the title
to this land was confirmed by Governor Lovelace on June 27, 1711.

From Patent, Vol. 4, page 91. New York State Library

A CONFIRMATION granted unto Jan Hendricks Van Baal of a certain
parcell of Land near Schanectade in the County of Albany.

Francis Lovelace, Esq. One of the Gentlement of His Majestie's
Hon.ble Prioy Chamber and Governour General under His Royal Highness James,
Duke of York and AlbanyCr of all his territories in America; To all who these
presents shall come, SENDETHE Greetings, Whereas by the consent of the
Commissaries at Albany, Jan Hendricks Van Baal hath made purchase of the
Indian Propriotors of the Magnes of a certain parcell of land near
Schanectady lyeing and being by the Kill or Creek called by the Indian name
TAWALSOUTHA, otherwise the Noeman Kill, the said land streching from the Sand
Hills Northwest on to an outhooke of land, the which it also includes,
containing in breadth and length on both sides of the Kill all the land at it
lyes in a square together with the Woodland Valley or Meadow Ground, Kills
and Creeks therein included, the said Indian Propriotors names who made sale
of the Land and set to these marks for the Conveyance thereof being Canachko,
Schacnwino, Canhowadadin and Sagadcrinechta, who acknowledge to have received
satisfaction for the same. Now for a confirmation unto him the said Jan
Hendricks Van Baal in his possession and enjoyment of the premises, KNOW YEE
that by virtue of the Commission and Authority unto me given by His Royal
Highness, I have Ratified, Confirmed and Granted and by these presents do
Ratify, Confirm and Grant unto the said Jan Hendricks Van Ball, his heirs and
assigns, the aforesaid parcell of land and premisses with all and singular
the Appurtenances, to have and to hold the said parcell of landand premisses
together with the Woodland Valley or Meadow Ground, Marshes, LaKills and
Creeks within the limits of the said Land unto the said Jan Hendricks Van
Baal, his heirs and assigns unto the proper use and behooffe of him the said
Jan Hendrick Van Baal his heirs and assignes forever yielding a paying
therefore yearly and every year as a Quite Rent unto His Royal Highness his
use, when it shall be demanded by such Officer or Officers in Authority as
shall be Empowered and Established from time to time hereafter to Command and
Receive the same. Given under my hand and Sealed with the Seal of the
Province at Fort James in New York, this One and twentieth day of August in
the 24th year of His Majesties Reign Anno Domini 1672.

Francis Lovelace

Recorded by order of the Governor the day and year above written.

Mattias Nicolls, Secy.

New York 27 June 1711.

The above written confirmation was recorded from the original at the request
of Henry Van Baal, son and heir of the before mentioned Jan Hendricks Van
Baal in the said confirmation mentioned.

J. Wileman

In the meantime, one-half of this land had been sold to Omy La
Grangie "in Albany ye 8th of Sept. in ye second year of his Maj. Reign, Ano
1686," by Jan Hendrickse Vrooman and Geesie, his wife, for the heirs of Van
Baal (Early Records of Albany, Vol. 2, page 312) the other half being
purchased by Johannes Symonse Veeder. This tract of land estimated in maps
of the last century as containing sixty-nine thousand (69,000) acres, being
in the form of a square each side of which was about eleven miles, reaching
from what is now Guilderland south east to Feura-bush) and was held by the La
Granges and Veeders, they receiving the rents from numerous tenant farmers.

Sometime during the 1760's, the Van Rensselaers entered a suit to
oust the La Granges and Veeders and so gain possession of what had turned out
to be a very desirable farming property. This suit was decided May 7, 1775
in favor of the Van Rensselaers, but conditioned upon the approval of the
King of England. This was unobtainable on account of the Revolutionary War
and so the land remained with the La Granges and Veeders until Feb. 8, 1789
when the original award was confirmed by special Referees, who the La Granges
and Veeders maintained had been bribed. The size of the Van Baal Patent was
reduced in size toa square 1 1/2 miles on the side, but as the Van
Rensselaers were afraid the award would not be accepted, the added extra
land, two miles wide on each side, so that the adjusted square measured 5 1/2
miles on the side. (Secy of State Office, Book 38, page 439). Upon this
ettlement, the La Granges and Veeders turned over to the Van Rensselaers the
lands and tenements of Sixty-three (63) families. (History of the
Presbyterian Church at New Scotland by Rev. J. G. K. McClure, D. R. Niver
publisher. 1876).

Following is a chart showing the first four generations of the La
Granges in tabular form. Each male member who has been traced has been given
a number while the female members take their father's number with a letter
added. Those names without numbers or letters either died young or els no
more information about them was obtainable. .........[I included this chart
following the first continuation of Mr. V.Y.Leonard's work -- Barbara Leonard
Carkner ]

A copy of the complete record of the La GFamily as I have been able
to compile it is in the State Library in Albany, and another copy is in the
Labrary of the D.A.R. in Washington.

I do have a copy of most of cousin Vreeland Leonard's if anyone
would like me to look up info for them.

Enjoy & check it out!

Barbara Leonard Carkner
Bethlehem (Albany Co,NY)

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