Name/Title
Leasing Agreement for property of John Knapp and Abel B WatkinsEntry/Object ID
002891Tags
Abel Watkins, John KnappScope and Content
Core Agreement Details
Date of Indenture: December 28, 1815
The Parties: Abel B. Watkins of the Town of Wallkill, Orange County, New York (the landlord/party of the first part) and John Knapp (the tenant/party of the second part),
The Property: A farm or plantation named "Belmount," estimated at 150 acres, situated in Orange County, NY, including houses, buildings, and profits
Term of Lease: A duration of five years, beginning on April 1, 1816, and ending on April 1, 1821
Rent: An annual rent of $200 (lawful money of New York), with payments due yearly on the first day of December, starting December 1, 1816
Tenant Obligations & Covenants
As detailed the tenant, John Knapp, agrees to several strict management terms:
Taxes: Knapp is responsible for paying all taxes levied on the premises during the five-year term.
Property Maintenance: He must keep the premises in good order and repair, cultivate the farm in a "farmer-like manner," and commit no waste or destruction of timber (only using what is necessary for fuel and fencing).
Fencing: He must build eleven rods of "good and substantial stone fence" four feet high every year at his own cost.
Orchard Care: He must preserve the orchard and plant young trees to replace any that decay or are destroyed.
Surrender: At the end of the five years, he must peacefully surrender the property back to Watkins.
Landlord Rights & Additional Clauses
Right of Re-entry: If the rent remains unpaid for 30 days after it is due, Watkins maintains the lawful right to re-enter and repossess the property (2891a.jpg).
Crop Rights (The Addendum): As shown in the addendum in 2891.jpg, it is agreed that Abel B. Watkins and Horace Carpenter retain the right to enter the premises to care for, cut, and carry away crops currently in the ground. Furthermore, if Knapp leaves any crops in the ground at the expiration of the lease, he retains a similar right to enter and harvest them.
Signatures & Witnesses
The document is formally sealed and delivered in the presence of witness William Parson, and signed by both Abel B. Watkins and john Knapp
