Name/Title
1720 Gray Court Plantation IndentureEntry/Object ID
chs-009580Description
"This Indenture," written in elaborate script, typical of historic contracts or deeds, with densely packed handwritten text on aged, slightly yellowed paper and parchment. At the bottom, there is an attached, folded piece labeled "Memorandum" containing additional handwritten notes, recording the sale of certain chattel, personal property included in the sale, namely: cattle and three slaves. The main body of the document outlines terms and conditions for the sale of Daniel Crommelin’s Gray Court Plantation.
The attached handwritten memorandum lists enslaved individuals and livestock from a plantation called Gray Court in the County of Orange, recording the names and descriptions of three enslaved men, two identified as Indian and one as Negro, along with details about horses, mares, cows, bull, steer, and other livestock.Context
The subject document was in the possession of Harold R. Decker, who purchased it from a dealer in books and documents along with several documents signed by William Wickham as attorney. That dealer purchased the documents from an attorney in Goshen, N.Y. The subject document is an original copy made for the attorney at the time of the transaction and signed by the owner, Daniel Crommelin at that time.
This is the only known extant record documenting the enslavement of Native Americans (Indians) in Orange County, New York.
This document was transferred to the New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections, in January, 2009.Collection
H. R. Decker CollectionInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
SignatureTranscription
Daniel CrommelinCreate Date
October 17, 2006Update Date
July 17, 2026
