That there is a . . . land called Waghaghkomock in Elster . . . the sixth first petitioners had a lyine on . . . hundred acres for the improvement but . . . uttssen & Company who has a poss . . . the Minissink fort so it is that . . . Waghkomeck is purchased of the indians . . . the first grant
Therefore . . . have a patent for the same to . . .ever as to oath (other?) un equal favor . . . so 1200 acres in the . . . most . . . under a mo . . . Ecell . . . and . . . pray . . . thony Swartwout . . . Paire Gumare . . . out . . . David Jamisson . . . eck . . . Thomas Swartwout.
(The ". . ." indicate that it is impossible to read the lines or make out the words on the original paper owing to its extreme age.)
LAND PAPERS
In Office of Secretary of State at Albany. Vol. 2. Page 235. May 14th, 1697:
Petition of Thomas Swartod & others to have Jacob Rutson & Company restrained from unlawfully obstructing them in perfecting their title to 1200 acros of land, lying at a certain place called by the indian Waghgaghemek.
Col. Benjamin Fletcher Captain in Chieffe of ye Province of New York and Provinces depending thereon Vice Admiral of ye same May 14th 1697 The humble petition of Thomas Swartwod Peter Gumard Anthony Swartod Bernard Swartod Eliashia & c James Codebecke I humbly sheweth
That your Excellenceys petitioners have ye favor of Liene or grant to purchase to ye quantity of 1200 acres of land in Elster County at a certain place called by ye indians Waghgagkemek, which your Excellys petrs have discovered at their great charges and travaille, That pursuant thereunto ye petrs have made an agreement with ye native proprietors for ye said land and have got ye boundry laid out by ye indians by sundry mark'd trees and have paid some part of ye consideration; but have not obtained a deed from ye indians who have agreed to perform and execute the same.
That some months afterwards Jacob Rutsen and company did obtain your excellencey's favor of a liene or grant for purchasing of . . . akers of land at ye Minissing distant from ye petitioners land.
That the said Jacob Rutsen and company have surreptitiously . . . persuaded them not to make the deed . . . your Excellys petrs humbly pray your excellency will give some directions to Jacob Rutsen and company not to place unlawful obstructions to the just proceedings of your excellys petitioners, there being vacant land enough to be purchased in ye said county, if not at the place which they did assigne in their petition to your excellency and for which ye have ye grant.