Photograph and Biography of Gilbert Washington Bowne, a 19th Century Owner of Lands on Rodman's Neck and City Island

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There is a fascinating item now being offered in an eBay auction.  It was brought to my attention by members of the Northeast Bronx History Forum.  It is described as a photograph of Gilbert Washington Bowne.  The photograph is a Carte de Visite (CDV) described by the seller as an original photographic copy of an 1840s daguerreotype that depicted Gilbert Washington Bowne.  The pertinent portion of the eBay auction description states:  

"Gilbert Washington Bowne was a notable resident of City Island, (Magnets Island [sic, an apparent misreading from the handwritten will of 'Miniford Island']) one of the Pelham Islands, Long Island Bay, who died at age 29 in 1853.  An original Civil War era CDV photo of Bowne in original album mat copied circa 1865 from an 1840s daguerreotype -- a fine seated waistview of young Bowne.  The 6 x 6.5" album page has beautiful hand-colored borders and is ink inscribed on the mat.  This photo came from a Civil War era CDV album of the Samuel Bowne Duryea family, notable Pelham Neck, The Bronx City Islanders"

Image of Album Page Including Carte de Visite

Photograph Purporting to Depict Gilbert Washington

Bowne.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from the Above Carte de Visite

Photograph Purporting to Depict Gilbert Washington

Bowne.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Gilbert Washington Bowne was born in 1824.  He was a son of Samuel Bowne and Sarah Skinner Bowne.  Gilbert's father, Samuel, was born on Pelham Neck (today's Rodman's Neck) in 1790.  He later became a resident of Brooklyn but remained a major investor in real estate on Pelham Neck (today's Rodman's Neck) and on City Island until the time of his death.  Indeed, at the time of his death, Samuel Bowne owned between 92 and 97 acres of land adjacent to (and south of) the estate that once belonged to Elisha W. King that contained the mansion known as "Hawkwood."  

Samuel Bowne also owned two large farms on the northern end of City Island that totaled about 94 acres (one about 30 acres and the other about 64 acres).  I have written before about Samuel Bowne and the Ferry Service that he ran between Brooklyn and Manhattan beginning in 1809 that made him very wealthy.  See Mon., Mar. 30, 2015:  Pelham Native, Samuel Bowne, and His Brother Revolutionized Ferry Service Between Brooklyn and Manhattan Beginning in 1809.  

"Samuel Bowne, Who Promoted ferry transportation between

Brooklyn and New York a century ago." Source:  McLoughlin,

Maurice E., Stories of Old Brooklyn: First Steam Ferry Named

Washington, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Oct. 29, 1931, p. 1, cols. 6-7.

NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge.

Samuel Bowne died on January 10, 1853.  In his will, he bequeathed to his son, Gilbert Washington Bowne, his lands on Rodman's Neck and City Island, stating:

"I do also give and devise unto my said son Gilbert Washington Bowne all that certain Farm piece or parcel of land situate and being at Rodman's Neck or Point in the Town of Pelham in the County of West Chester State of New York, Bounded by the Sound or East River City Island Narrows or Strait, also by land now or late of the Estate of Elisha W. King deceased and by the East Chester Bay, Containing ninety two acres and an half acre of land be the same more or less.  Also all that certain piece or parcel of land situate on Miniford otherwise called City [Page 255 / Page 256] Island in the Town of Pelham County of Westchester aforesaid containing twenty-four acres be the same more or less."

Source:  Will of Samuel Bowne dated November 23, 1846 in Ancestry.com New York, Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, Kings County Wills, Vol. 0014-0015 1852-54, pp. 255-56 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link). 

Detail from 1868 Beers Map Showing Portion of Pelham Neck

Once Owned by Samuel Bowne and, Later, by His Son, Gilbert

Washington Bowne.  Note Reference to "Bowne Est."Source:

"City Island, Pelham Township, Westchester Co., N.Y.

(with) Town of Pelham, Westchester Co., N.Y." in Atlas

of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys by and

Under the Direction of F.W. Beers, p. 35 (NY, NY:  Beers,

Ellis & Soule, 1868).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from 1868 Beers Map Showing Portion of City Island Once

Owned by Samuel Bowne and, Later, Gilbert Washington Bowne.

Source:  "City Island, Pelham Township, Westchester Co., N.Y.

(with) Town of Pelham, Westchester Co., N.Y." in Atlas

of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys by and

Under the Direction of F.W. Beers, p. 35 (NY, NY:  Beers,

Ellis & Soule, 1868).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

At the time of Samuel Bowne's death on January 10, 1853, both he and his son Gilbert lived in Brooklyn.  The Bowne family was fabulously wealthy.  Consequently, Gilbert Washington Bowne received a tremendous windfall as one of the principal legatees named in his father's will.  Gilbert Washington Bowne, however, was not able to enjoy that windfall.  Only about ten months after his father's death, Gilbert Washington Bowne died, according to court records, on November 27, 1853.

Gilbert Washington Bowne was a young man, about 29 years old, at the time of his death. To make matters more tragic, he was newly-married.  Records establish that he married Mary Peters also of Brooklyn, daughter of John Peters formerly of Boston, on June 9, 1853 only five months before he died.  Mary Peters Bowne, of course, survived her husband.

Gilbert Washington Bowne's will was written rather confusingly.  Eventually, the confusion resulted in a major litigation among descendants of some of his legatees.  In his will, Gilbert Washington Bowne appeared to place the property he owned on Rodman's Neck in trust, directing his trustees to: 

"permit my cousin Gilbert Bowne and in case of his death, his family, to occupy my [Page 135 / Page 136] farm of land situate at Pelham in Westchester County in this State, and now occupied by the said Gilbert Bowne for and during the natural life of my uncle John Bowne (my said uncle now lives with him) without pying rent therefor, upon the express condition however that he the said Gilbert Bowne and his family take the charge of my said uncle and board, lodge, wash and mend for him, also pay the yearly taxes upon said farm, insure the buildings and improvements thereon in the name of my said Trustees and for such sum or sums . . . as they from time to time shall direct and keep the same so insured and deliver the Policy and Policies of Insurance, and certificate and certificate of renewal thereof unto my said Trustees and also that he keep up repair and maintain the buildings and improvements upon said Farm and the fences surrounding the same, that he use upon the said Farm all the manure made thereon, that he cut down no timber or wood growing thereon & commit no waste and use till and worksaid farm in a husbandlike manner; and in case the said Gilbert Bowne and his family shall fail or neglect to comply with all or any or either of the above conditions that then the perission thereby given is to cease and become and be null and void, and my said Trustees are hereby authorized to remove the said Gilbert Bowne and his family therefrom.  Upon the happening of the death of my said uncle John Bowne, the permission to occupy said Farm by the said Gilbert Bowne and his family upon the conditions above expressed relative thereto is to cease determine and be null and void, and the said sum of money above directed to be invested the interest or income whereof is directed to be applied to the support and maintenance of my said uncle John, and the accumulations thereof are to revert back to and form a part of my estate."

Source:  Will of Gilbert Washington Bowne dated 18, 1853 in Ancestry.com New York, Wills and Probate Records, Kings County, Vol. 0014-0015 1852-54, pp. 135-36 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link). 

Although the will provided that other real estate -- presumably including the properties owned on City Island -- should be held in trust for general distribution as provided in the will, there was no explicit mention of the properties on City Island.  There is, however, a map in the collections of the New-York Historical Society that depicts a portion of the lands on City Island owned by Gilbert W. Bowne at the time of his death.  See Andrew Findlay, Surveyor, "Map of Part of the Real Estate of Gilbert W. Bowne, Dec'd on City Island, Town of Pelham, County of Westchester, NY, 1858" (New-York Historical Society).  These lands on City Island were two different farms once owned by Samuel Bown who bequeathed them to his son, Gilbert Washington Bowne.  One farm was about 30 acres nd the other was about 64 acres.  See Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York Ninety-Fifth Session - 1872, Vol. 5, No. 71, Part 1, p. 475 (Albany, NY:  The Argus Company, 1872). 

It appears from the will of Gilbert Washington Bowne that at about the time of the death of his father, Samuel Bowne, on January 10, 1853, Samuel Bowne was permitting his elderly brother John Bowne -- the uncle of Gilbert Washington Bowne -- to live on the Bowne farm on Rodman's Neck.  It further appears that the elderly John Bowne was living there with the family of one of his own sons also named Gilbert Bowne -- the cousin of similarly-named Gilbert Washington Bowne.  Gilbert Washington Bowne decided to provide in his will to continue the living arrangements for the benefit of his uncle.  Indeed, Gilbert Washington Bowne took great pains in his will to help provide for his elderly uncle John Bowne.  He set aside funds in a trust, the interest from which would be used to help support his uncle.  He allowed his uncle to continue to live on the Bowne estate for the remainder of his life provided that he and his son, also named Gilbert, took care to preserve and maintain the farm.  

The Rodman's Neck farmhouse owned by Samuel Rodman (until he bequeathed it and the surrounding farm to his son, Gilbert Washington Bowne, and in which the family permitted John Bowne to live with his own son, also named Gilbert) likely was the farmhouse known for generations as the "Bowne House."  A photograph of the Bowne House appears immediately below.

"Bowne House Erected 1730 on Site of Pell's Manor-house;

near here the British Landed on October 18, 1776 -- Pelham

Bay Park."  Source:  Jenkins, Stephen, The Story of The Bronx

From the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians in

1639 to the Present Day, Between pp. 310-11 (G.P. Putnam's Sons,

NY and London, The Knickerbocker Press, 1912).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

 As the caption of the photograph immediately above suggests, according to local tradition, the Bowne House stood on the site of the house that Pelham founder built on Pelham Neck -- a house in which he never lived but clearly was serving as a working farmhouse according to an inventory of its contents prepared shortly after Pell's death in late September 1669.  It seems that a caretaker may have resided in the home built by Pell who continued to live in Fairfield after purchasing the lands that became Pelham from local Native Americans.  This tradition has been repeated countless times.  For an example, see:

"Pelham Neck is terminated by the property of the late Gilbert Bowne. On the site of the dwelling-house, stood the residence of Thomas Pell, Esq., first lord of the manor.  Perhaps the finest view of City Island and the adjacent waters are to be had from this portion of the Point." 

Source: Bolton, Robert, The History of The Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, From Its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. II, p. 71 (NY, NY: Chas. F. Roper, 1881).  

The Bowne House burned and was rebuilt on a number of occasions.  It was even used as a yacht club in the early years of the 20th century.  See Twomey, Bill, The Bronx in Bits and Pieces, pp. 103-04 (Bloomington, IN:  Rooftop Publishing, 2007).

Detail from Map Published in 1853 at About the Time

of Gilbert Washington Bowne's Death Showing Location

of Bowne Estate on Pelham Neck.  Source:  Dripps, Matthew

& Conner, R.F.O., Southern Part of West-Chester County

N. Y. (1853) (Museum of the City of New York, No. 29.100.2628).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Following Gilbert Washington Bowne's death, his confusing will with its web of overlapping trusts and the fact that it purported to deal with property that Gilbert's father had attempted to bequeath in his own will (but which had not yet been done at the time Gilbert died) meant that the large estate was ripe for litigation.  Indeed, complex litigation followed.  That litigation is reflected in the Record of the Case on Appeal in Annie Aletta Elwell Moffett v. Mary S. Elmendorf, et al.  (Given the length of the materials, it may behoove the reader to search for the phrase "Gilbert Washington Bowne" within the material.)

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Pelham Native, Samuel Bowne, and His Brother Revolutionized Ferry Service Between Brooklyn and Manhattan Beginning in 1809

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Pelham native Samuel Bowne, and his brother Rodman, reportedly revolutionized ferry service between Brooklyn and Manhattan in the early decades of the nineteenth century.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog will provide a little background in this regard and will transcribe an article published in 1931 that described Samuel and Rodman Bowne's accomplishments.  Additionally, an agreement executed among the City of New York and the Rodman brothers in 1820 providing the brothers a 19-year renewal period to offer their ferry service is included as well as minutes of a New York City Common Council meeting held in 1820 approving the draft of the agreement.

Samuel Bowne was born on Pelham Neck (today's Rodman's Neck) in 1790.  He later became a notable resident of Brooklyn.  

In 1789, prior to Samuel Bowne's birth, New York City awarded a ferry lease to establish ferry service between Brooklyn and Manhattan.  At the time, the City required "that the boats, together with their masts and sails, be of such form and dimensions as the wardens of the port of New York should approve; that each boat be constantly worked and managed by two sober, discreet, and able-bodied experienced watermen; that each boat be always furnished with four good oars and two boat-hooks."  Ostrander, Stephen M., A History Of The City Of Brooklyn And Kings County, Vol. II, p. 27 & n.1 (Brooklyn, NY:  Published by Subscription, 1894) (citing "Historical Sketch of Fulton Ferry, 1879.").  

Six years later, in 1795, a new ferry was established at Catherine Street.  See id. at p. 27.  This ferry came to be known as the "New Ferry" or the "Catherine Ferry."  In 1809, Samuel Bowne and his brother obtained rights to run the Catherine Ferry and promptly revolutionized the service, thereby capturing a large share of the ferry traffic that connected the cities of New York and Brooklyn at the time. 

Within a short time the brothers did away with sails and oars as the principal motive power and introduced horse-drawn ferries.  According to one source, "The horses were retired in 1822, when steamboats were first used on Catharine Ferry, and two years later the Bowne brothers scored another tremendous 'scoop' by introducing on their line two splendid single-hull steamboats, the first of their class that ever crossed the East River."

An image of Pelham Native Samuel Bowne appears immediately below.  The transcribed text referenced above appears immediately thereafter, with each item followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Samuel Bowne, Who Promoted ferry transportation

between Brooklyn and New York a century ago."

Source:  McLoughlin, Maurice E., Stories of Old Brooklyn:

First Steam Ferry Named Washington, Brooklyn Daily Eagle,

Oct. 29, 1931, p. 1, cols. 6-7.  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"Stories of Old Brooklyn
-----
First Steam Ferry Named Washington
-----
Dedication of Hudson Span Recalls Time When Bowne Brothers Used New York - Brooklyn Line to Honor Father of Country
-----
By Maurice E. McLoughlin

The opening of the new George Washington Bridge over the Hudson a few days ago brought to mind the fact that Washington was honored over a century ago by having a Brooklyn-New York ferryboat named after him.

The twin ferryboat of the George Washington was called Independence.  The Revolutionary War was still fresh in the minds of every one and the names were received with much favor by Brooklynites who went gallavanting to New York and by New Yorkers who came over to get rest and recreation in Brooklyn.

Samuel Bowne, who was one of the outstanding citizens of the old village of Brooklyn, did much to promote adequate transportation between Brooklyn and New York and as a partner in the firm that owned one of the ferry lines he showed his patriotism by choosing the names menioned for his boats.

Improved Service

In 1809 Samuel Bowne and his brother, Rodman, purchased the New Ferry, or Catharine Ferry, and by making many improvements in the service, captured a good share of the traffic between the cities.

In 1814 they again showed their enterprise by doing away with sails and oars as motive power and by introducing the first ferryboat propelled across the river by horse power.  It was rather monotonous work for the horses, which although they walked many miles every day, really got nowhere.

Strange as it seems, this innovation revolutionized ferry traffic and folks rushed to the Bowne ferry to enjoy the thrill of quick transportation from shore to shore.  

The horses were retired in 1822, when steamboats were first used on Catharine Ferry, and two years later the Bowne brothers scored another tremendous 'scoop' by introducing on their line two splendid single-hull steamboats, the first of their class that ever crossed the East River.  It was these twin vessels that were given the names that proved the patriotism of their owners.

Samuel Bowne and his brother managed Catharine Ferry together until 1836, at which time Samuel secured a seven-year lease in his own name, at a yearly rental of $3,500.  On Jan. 24, 1852, he disposed of his interests to the firm of Smith & Bulkley, who eventually merged their interests with those of the Union Ferry Company.  

Samuel Bowne lived in a fine house at Washington and High Sts., not far from the point that later was chosen as the site for the entrance to Brooklyn Bridge.  He died there in 1853, deeply mourned as one of Brooklyn's leading citizens.

Mr. Bowne was born at Pelham Point, N. Y., in 1790.  He was descended from the Bowne family of Flushing and the Pells and Rodmans of Westchester County.

Samuel and Rodman Browne started in business together at Catharine Slip, New York City, and became interested from the start in shipping.  This is how they entered the ferry business, which built the foundation of a substantial fortune."

Source:  McLoughlin, Maurice E., Stories of Old Brooklyn:  First Steam Ferry Named Washington, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Oct. 29, 1931, p. 1, cols. 6-7.   

1814 Advertisement by Agents Selling 8-Month

and 12-Month Commuter Passes on the

"New-York and Brooklyn Ferry."  Source:

Ostrander, Stephen M., A History Of The City Of Brooklyn

And Kings County, Vol. II, Between pp. 28 & 29 (Brooklyn, NY:  

Published by Subscription, 1894).  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"FERRY FROM CATHARINE SLIP.

This Indenture made the twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, between the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York of the first part, and Rodman Bowne and Samuel Bowne of the second part, Witnesseth, That the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, for and in consideration of the rents, covenants, payments, articles and agreements herein after mentioned, on the part and behalf of the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, to be observed, paid, performed, fulfilled and kept, have demised, granted, and to farm let, and by these presents do demise, grant, and to farm-let, unto the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, all that certain 

     [Ferry from Catharine Market Slip to foot of Main-street, Brooklyn.]

Ferry established from the New or Catharine Market Slip, in the city of New York, over the East River to the foot of Main-street, in Brooklyn aforesaid, back to Catharine Market Slip aforesaid, with all and singular the usual accustomed ferriage, fees, perquisites, rents, issues, benefits, profits, and advantages whatsoever to the said Ferry belonging, or therewith used, or thereout arising, and also the Ferry-house and Lot in Brooklyn appertaining to the said Ferry, to have and to hold the said Ferrry with the appurtenances, and house, and lot, unto the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, for and during the full end and term of nineteen years from 

     [From 1st May, 1820, 19 years, to the 1st May, 1839.] 

the first day of May, last past, yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, during the said term unto the said, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, their successors and assigns, 

     [Rent for seven years, $1275.  Rent for five years, $1800.  Rent for seven years, $2000.  Payable quarterly.]

the annual rent herein after mentioned, that is to say, during the first seven years of the said term, the sum of twelve hundred and seventy-five dollars, annually; during the next ensuing five years of the said term, the sum of eighteen hundred dollars, annually; and during the next [Page 9 / Page 10] ensuing seven years of the said term, the sum of two thousand dollars, annually; all of which sums are to be paid in quarter yearly payments, on the usual days of payment of rent, that is to say, one fourth part thereof, on the first days of August, November, February, and May, in each and every year during the said term -- the first payment to be made on the first day of August next.  

     [Rights of the Corporation in case of default of lessees.]

Provided always, and these presents, and the premises hereby demised, are upon this express condition, that if it should so happen, that the said yearly rent, or any part thereof should be behind and unpaid for the space of ten days after any day of payment on which the same, or any part thereof ought to be paid, as aforesaid, or if the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, shall neglect to pay, perform, fulfil, and keep, any or either of the payment on which the same, or any part thereof ought to be paid, as aforesaid, or if the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns shall neglect to pay, perform, fulfil, and keep, any or either of the payments, articles, covenants, clauses, agreements matters and things herein contained, which on their part are to be paid, performed, fulfilled and kept during the term aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, that then and in every such case or cases, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York, their successors and assigns to enter into, and upon the premises hereby demised, and to have, possess, and enjoy the same as fully as though these presents had not been made, any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.  

     [Right to establish a Ferry from foot of Walnut street, 100 feet west of Little-street, L. I. reserved by Lessors.]

And provided further, and it is hereby expressly agreed by and between the parties to these presents, that it shall and may be lawful to, and for the parties of the first par, and their successors, at any time during the continuance of this lease, without any prejudice to the right and interest in the same of the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, to establish a Ferry across the East River from the foot of Walnut-street, or from any point to the westward of it, not exceeding 100 feet, or from any point to the eastward of it to the Wallabout, or to any point to the westward of the Wallabout, or to any point to the westward of Little-street, on the Long Island shore, with all the privileges usually appertaining to Ferries; and the said parties of the first part, for themselves and their successors, do covenant and agree to, [Page 10 / Page 11] and with the said parties of the second part, for themselves, their executors, administrators and assigns,

     [Corporation to keep the Chain in repair.]

to keep the chain used on the easterly side of the said Ferry, at the foot of Catharine Slip in good order and repair during the continuance of this lease; and the said parties of the second part, for themselves, their executors, administrators and assigns, do covenant, and agree to, and with the said, the Mayor Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, their successors and assigns, by these presents, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, shall, and will yearly, and every year during the said term, well and truly pay unto the said parties of the first part, their successors or assigns, the said yearly rents or sums of money herein before mentioned, at the days and times above specified for the payment thereof, without fraud or delay.  

     [Lessors to provide two Team and three row Boats.]

And also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, shall, and will during the whole of the said term of nineteen years, at their own proper costs and expenses, furnish, provide, and navigate upon the said Ferry, from Catharine Slip to Brooklyn, aforesaid, two good and substantial Team Ferry Boats, to be propelled by not less than eight good and substantial horses, and keep the said Team Ferry Boats at all reasonable times thereafter, continually employed on the said Ferry, during the term hereby granted.  And also that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators and assigns, shall and will, during the said term of nineteen years, if thereunto required by the said parties of the first part, or their successors, or the Committee on Ferries for the time being, maintain, and keep at their own proper costs and charges, three good and substantial Row Boats, of such size and construction as now is, or may be required by the Common Council, to carry and transport carriages and effects across the said river, from either side thereof, with safety, convenience, and expedition; and that the said Boats shall, when required, at all times during the said term, be kept in good and sufficient repair, and be furnished with good and sufficient oars, and other implements, at the proper expense and charges of the said parties of the second part, their executors, admin- [Page 11 / Page 12] istrators and assigns, and that each of the said Boats when required as aforesaid, shall be manned with two honest, sober, skilful, and able bodied men, who shall be competent to row said Boats, and who shall at all reasonable times give their constant and ready attendance to the said respective places of landing for the prompt and expeditious transportation and conveyance of passengers and effects across the said River; and also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, shall and will

     [Lessees to repair Frames, Ferry stairs, and Bridges -- the whole of the old, and half of new part of Pier on the easterly side.]

keep the Frames, Ferry-stairs and Bridges, used at the said Ferry on each side of the same, and the whole of the old part of the pier on the easterly side of the Slip, occupied for the use of the said Ferry at Brooklyn, and one half of the new part of said pier, in good order and repair, at their own expense, during the continuation of this Lease; and also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors or administrators,

     [Lessees not to transfer without consent.]  

shall not nor will at any time during the ame term, in any manner grant assign, transfer, or set over this present Lease or any part thereof, or the above described and demised premises, or any parcel of the same without the leave and consent of the said parties of the first part, or their successors, in writing, under their common seal, first had and obtained; nor shall do, commit, or suffer any act or acts, thing or things, either by commission or omission, which shall create a forfeiture of these presents, or the premises hereby demised, or in anywise lessen, injure, or encumber the same, or the rents and revenues thereof; but that they, the said parties of the second part, 

     [Ferry, how to be conducted.] 

will conduct and manage the said Ferry agreeably to such ruels, regulationss and restrictions as now are, or from time to time hereafter during the said term, shall by any by-laws, ordinance, order or resolution of the said parties of the first part, or their successors, be reasonably made or passed, in relation thereto.  

     [Premises to be surrendered at the expiration of Lease.]

And also, that they, the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, shall and will on the last daay of the term hereby granted, or other sooner determination hereof, well and truy deliver up the said hereby demised premises, with the rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, into the hands and possession [Page 12 / Page 13] of the said parties of the first part, their successors or assigns, without fraud or delay; and the said parties of the second part, for themselves their executors, administrators, and assigns, and the said, the Mayer, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New-York, for themselves and their successors, do mutually covenant, grant and agree to, and with each other respectively, in manner following, that is to say,

     [Boats and furniture to be paid for by appraisement.]

that the Team Boats and all other boats and furniture of what description soever, as shall be actually employed on the said Ferry, at the expiration of the said term, shall be valued by three indifferent persons or appraisers; one to be chosen by the said parties of the first part, or their successors, one by the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, and the third by the persons or appraisers so chosen by the said parties to these presents, and before they proceed to make the said valuation the decision of two of which said persons or appraisers given in writing under their hands and seals, shall be final and conclusive, provided that the said parties of the first part shall not be bound to pay for any number of boats commonly denominated Team Boats, exceeding two, unless the saiid parties of the first part, or their successors, shall during the said term request the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns, to build a greater number of Boats of that description.  And it is hereby further agreed by and between the said parties, that such decision shall be made and given within twenty days after the expiration of the said term, or other sooner determination of these presents as aforesaid.  And the said parties of the first part, their successors and assigns, shall and will within ten days thereafter, pay to the said parties of the second part, his executors, administrators, or assigns, the sum awarded to be due to him or them, provided the said Boats and Furniture shall be assigned and delivered over within the said term, by the said parties of the second part, their executors, administrators, or assigns to the said parties of the first part, their successors or assigns, free and clear from any claims and demands from any person or persons whatsoever.  

[Page 13 / Page 14]

In testimony whereof, to one part of these presents remaining with the said, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York, the said parties of the second part, have set their hands and seals; and to the other part thereof remaining with the said parties of the second part, the said, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New-York, have caused the Common Seal of the city of New-York to be affixed, the day and year first above written.

Sealed and Delivered in presence of OGDEN EDWARDS.  }

RODMAN BOWNE, [L. S.]

SAMUEL BOWNE, [L. S.]"

Source:  FERRY LEASES, NOW IN FORCE; Printed Under the Direction of the Comptroller; Ordered by Resolution of the Board of Assistant Aldermen, of October 22, 1832, pp. 9-14 (NY, NY:  Board of Assistant Aldermen, 1832).

"COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES 24 July 1820 . . . 

The Counsel presented the following Communication.  Vizt

'The Counsel herewith submits for execution the Draught of a Lease to Rodman Bowne and Samuel Bowne of the Ferry from Catherine Slip to the foot of Maine Street at Brooklyn for nineteen years from the first day of May last.  This Lease has been prepared in pursuance of the Report of the Ferry Committee upon this subject and of subsequent directions given by them.

These directions were, first, that the Lease shoud be made to Samuel and Rodman Bowne, second, that the Ferry granted should be from Catherine Slip to the foot of Maine Street at Brooklyn, instead of from Catherine Slip to Brooklyn.  To this alteration Mr. Bowne has consented.  Third, that the Lessees shall have the Ferry house and the Lot appertaining to the Ferry during the continuance of the this Lease.  This House and Lot Mr. Rodman Bowne has considered as an appurtenance to the Ferry, although it is not expressly mentioned in his Lease, and has heretofore occupied it as such.  

The Counsel also submits for the acceptance of the Board a release from Rodman and Samuel Bowne and wife of the westerly side and half part and Northerly or outer side of a certain pier on the Easterly side of the Ferry Slip at Brooklyn, now used by Messrs. Bownes, and also a smalll block or pier at the outlet of the Slip.  This release is made in pursuance of a former agreement with the Corporation,

Respectfully Submitted

(Signed)  Ogden Edwards"

Source:  MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 1784-1831, Vol. I, p. 240 (NY, NY:  Published by the City of New York, 1917).

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