Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
(1) Autograph Document Signed "Hamilton Atty for Def.," "Alexander Hamilton" in text, and "Hamilton Atty" as docket, seven pages (at least four pages in Hamilton’s hand including signatures), 8.25" x 13.5", front and verso. New York Mayors County, June 24, 1785. Jeronimus Van Alstyne, through his lawyer Alexander Hamilton, states "that he is not guilty of trespass" and "receiving the rents issues and profits of the said message or dwelling house with the appurtenances" during the period from 1776 to 1783 as charged by Edward Meeks, who seeks the money collected, because of "open war between the said King of Great Britain his Vassals and Subjects and the People of this State of New York" and [in Hamilton’s hand] "the army of the said king...conquered subdued and took possession of the said city of New York...and the said army of the said king so being in firm possession of the said city the said messuage dwelling house with the appurtenances being out of the occupation of the said Edward, Robert Pigot a Major General in the said army and Commandant of the said city of New York in virtue of the power authority to him given by the commander in chief of the said army as Commandant of the said city...did impower & direct the said Jeronimus together with Abel Hardenbrook Henry Brevoort and John Alstyne among other things, the said Messuage or dwelling house with he appurtenances to demise for so long time as the said authority should remain in force not revoked nor annulled upon such reasonable yearly or other rents as they...should think just should be able to obtain and the rents issues and profits thereof to collect and apply towards the support of one Gerrit Lydacker (sic) officiating clergyman to the congregation..." Chipped at blank edges, partial separation at some folds, one fold strengthened. Garrit Lydekker was minister of the Old Dutch Church, an Ancient Reformed Dutch Congregation, in New York which was turned into a hospital for British troops. The rent collected from Edward Meeks’ dwelling was used to "support" Lydekker. In 1779, the British made available to Lydekker and his congregation the use of St. George’s Chapel of the Church of England. There is, in the Ecclesiastical Records of New York, a letter from the Dutch congregation written on April 8, 1780 to the Vestry of Trinity Church expressing thanks to members of the Church of England for the use of their church. It’s signed by nine members of the Dutch Church including Garret Lydekker, Jeronimus Alstyne, Abel Hardenbrook, Henry Brevoort, and John Alstyne. Lydekker, a Loyalist, left with the British when they evacuated the city. After the war, a group of Van Alstyne Loyalists were taken by ship from New York City to Quebec, finally settling in Adolphustown and Kingston on Lake Ontario. ..plus (2) Docket signed "Hamilton Atty," 9.75" x 8", folded to 3.25" x 8" portion signed by Hamilton. Partial separation at folds. ..plus (3) Manuscript listing of 16 cases, four pages, 7.5" x 9", front and verso, New York Mayors Court, December 7, 1784. Docketed on fourth page "Hamilton Atty," ink blot across first half of signature. Stained, not on signature. ..plus (4) Manuscript listing of 10 cases, three pages, 7.5" x 9", front and verso, New York Mayors Court, May 25, 1784. Docket on fourth page "Hamilton/Attorney" not in Hamilton’s hand. ..plus (5) secretarially signed Hamilton docket. ..plus (6) Manuscript Document, four pages, 8" x 13". New York Mayors Court, February 2, 1786. Plea of Hamilton as attorney for Daniel Ebbets who is asked to pay rent for living in a home owned by Abraham Brasher during the British occupation of New York City. Brasher died and his executors listed in his will (a typescript of the will is present) and in this document seek payment. Hamilton’s plea is identical to his defense in the Van Alstyne case. This document is not in Hamilton’s hand and is not signed by him. Chipped at edges, some text missing. Each page is separated at the midfold; it may be incomplete. A fascinating collection recording attorney Alexander Hamilton’s defense of Loyalists against Patriots seeking compensation for their property seized by the British during the American Revolution, reminiscent of attorney John Adams’ defense of British soldiers in the Boston Massacre trials of 1770.
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