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A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times
7: Adult Freeholders — Glen

Prof. Jonathan Pearson

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[This information is from pp. 113-120 of A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times; being contributions toward a history of the lower Mohawk Valley by Jonathan Pearson, A. M. and others, edited by J. W. MacMurray, A. M., U. S. A. (Albany, NY: J. Munsell's Sons, Printers, 1883). It is in the Schenectady Collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at Schdy R 974.744 P36, and copies are also available for borrowing.]

[The original version uses assorted typographical symbols to represent footnotes. To improve legibility, the online version uses the form (page number - note number.)]

Alexander Leendertse [or Lindsay] Glen came from Scotland by way of Holland about 1633, in the service of the West India company at Fort Nassau on the Delaware.

His wife was Catalyn Doncassen (113-3), they both died within about a year of each other, — she Aug. 12, 1684, he Nov. 13, 1685, — leaving three sons Jacob, Sander and Johannes.

He was a trader in Beverwyck and elsewhere for more than twenty years before removing to Schenectady, and his transactions seem to have been large both in real estate and merchandise. (113-4)

In 1646 he received a patent for a lot in "Smits Valey" [Pearl street], New Amsterdam (114-1), which he sold Aug. 23, 1660, "huysing ende erve gelegen in de Smits valey opt eyland Manhatans daer tegenwordig lauris Cornelise Van Welin woont, voor… de somme van twee duysent gul." (114-2)

In 1651 he received a grant of land at Fort Nassau and was preparing to build there, but was prevented by the Sweeds. (114-3)

He also owned land at Fort Casimer in 1657. (114-4)

When the company was formed in 1662 to take up lands at Schenectady Sander Leendertse became one of the first proprietors. (114-5)

Sander Glen's village lot was on the west side of Washington street, beginning at the north line of the lot belonging to the estate of the late Judge Paige and extending 200 (?) feet northerly along said street.

This lot passed by descent to his eldest son Jacob Sanderse and from the latter to his son Johannes Jacobse, who sold the southerly half in 1704 to Class Van Petten.

In 1707, Johannes son of Johannes Jacobse Glen, by will bequeathed the northerly half to his brother Sander, who in 1750 bequeathed the same to his son Isaac.

On the death of the latter he left this lot with other property to Jillis and Jacob Fonda, sons of his sister Susanna and Abraham Fonda. (115-1)

The farm of Sander Leendertse lying on the north side of the river was called Nova Scotia or more commonly Scotia. The patent of date 3 Nov., 1665, describes this bouwery as "a parcel of land between the lake and the river over against the town of Schenectady, — 100 acres or 50 morgens in confirmation of a purchase of the grantee from the Indians." (115-2) The Glen property extended along the river from "Class Graven's hoek" easterly to "Luysig hoek," just above Freeman's bridge, comprising with the additions several hundred acres. By marriage this estate passed to the Sanders family by whom a large portion of it is still held.

Besides the above land, Sander Leendertse also owned two bouwerys numbered three on the Great Flat which his grandson Johannes, son of Jacob Glen, sold to Claas Van Petten in 1704. (115-3)

The foremost lot No. 3 which lies next west of the Schermerhorn farm No. 4 is described as "bounded on the east by lot No. 4, with a slaint line between both lots south east by south and to the west (south-west] the woods, — 10 morgens, 130 rods. — also two morgens of land being part of the hind lot, being also lot No. 3, which Van Petten must take along the swamp or kil that runs beneath the hill by the highway." (116-1) This latter parcel was taken from the south end of the lot next the highway [river road]; the remaining ten morgens were retained and held by the Glen family, and in 1707 passed by will of Johannes Glen to his younger brother Sander.

The Van Petten bouwery, — the foremost lot No. 3, passed latterly into the Schermerhorn family and made part of their farm.

Sander Leendertse likewise owned a pasture next east of the Borsboom pasture on the north side of Front street, containing about 2 1/2 morgens. This lot commenced 299 feet east of North street and had a front of 17 Rhynland rods or 210 feet English, and extended north to the river. About 1670 he sold it to Jan Labatie of Albany. (116-2)

The 11/21 May, 1667, and again 9th March, 1669, Sander Leendertse conveyed his Scotia lands to his three sons, and on the 23 Aug., 1686, Gov. Dongan renewed the patent to Sander and Johannes (their brother Jacob being deceased) for the above lands together with all addition of three [morgens] of woodland adjoining. (116-3)

In Jacob's will dated Aug. 14, 1685, be directed that his "lands at Nova Scotia near Schanegtade, at present used by my brothers to wit, Sander and Johannes shall remain in their hands, provided they pay, due rent for the same," — said land to be kept in the family. (116-4)

Jan. 30 1686/7, "Capt. Sander Glen, Johannes Glen his brother, of Nova Scotia, in the county of Albany, yeoman, and Antje wife of Capt Sander Glen, and Antje wife of Johannes Glen, for sixty-eight good beavers, sold to Claas Van Petten of the manor of Rensselaerswyck, a parcel of land between the river and the lake over against Schenectady, comprising twelve morgens of land, bounded east by land of Capt. Sander Glen, south by the river, west by land of Johannes Glen and north by the lake. (116-5)

The above twelve morgens of land, doubtless Jacob Glen's share — remained in the possession of Claas Van Petten until purchased back by exchange, by Johannes, Jacob's eldest son and heir, April 6, 1704. In this transaction Claas Pan Patten reconveyed not only said twelve morgens, but also "another piece on the north side of the river as by said Johannes Jacobse Glen's transport appears," and in exchange for the same, Johannes Jacobse Glen conveyed to him a piece of land now in Van Pettens' occupation, adjoining the lot of Reyer Schermerhorn, being lot No. 3, on the bouwland, bounded on the east by lot No. 4 "with a slaint line between both lots south-east by south, and to the west [south-west] the woods," — ten morgens 130 rods; — also "two morgens of land being part of the hindmost lot being also No. 3 which Van Petten must take along the swamp or kil that runs beneath the hill by the highway;" — "also the half lot in the said town of Schenectady bounded to ye north the other half of ye lot now in occupation of Johannes Jacobse Glen, to ye east the highway [Washington street], to the west the river [Binnè kil] and to the south the lot of Evert Van Eps, which he Glen doth convey to said Van Petten by virtue of a patent granted by Governor Stuyvesant to Sander Leendertse Glen grandfather of said Johannes Jacobse Glen June 16, 1664." (117-1)

Capt. Sander Glen died about 1695, without issue, leaving his estate to the children of his two brothers, Johannes and Jacob.

Jacob Glen of Albany, son and heir of Jacob Sanderse Glen, deceased, of said city, on the 30th Aug. 1707, conveyed to his uncle Johannes Sanderse Glen of Schenectady, his lands at Scotia opposite Schenectady; "lot in the town lying between lots of Arent Van Petten and Johannes Wemp; — and lot to the South of said town between lots of Reyer Schermerhorn on the east and west sides as bequeathed to said Jacob by his father Jacob Sanderse Glen by will dated 14th Aug., 1685, and by last will of his uncle Sander Glen deceased dated July 19 1690, and made over to him [Jacob Glen] by Haramanus Wendel and Anna his wife and by Helena Glen, co-heirs of said Jacob Glen, by conveyance of even date of these presents." Consideration 205 pounds [$512.50]. (117-2)

By inheritance and purchase, Johannes Sanderse Glen thus became possessor of the larger portion of his father's estate at Scotia, which after his death in 1731, passed to his two sons, Col. Jacob and Abraham Glen; — the former dwelt in the brick house built by his father in 1713, and still standing; the latter occupied the wooden house standing easterly there from and now occupied by Mrs. Connor. It is understood that Jacob purchased his brother's right in the estate, which he left to his only daughter and heir Debora, who married Johannes Sanders of Albany.

And finally on the 27th of April, 1765, John Glen, Esq., of Albany, and John Glen, Jr., of Schenectady (and Catherine his wife), eldest son and heir of Jacob Glen of Albany, deceased, who was eldest son and heir of Johannes Jacobse Glen of Schenectady, deceased, who was eldest son and heir of Jacob Sanderse Glen, deceased, who was eldest son and heir of Sander Leendertse Glen of Schenectady, deceased, who died intestate; — conveyed to John Sanders of Schenectady, for 4,000 pounds [$10,000] — "All that tract of land called Scotia between the lake and the river over against the town of Schenectady — 100 acres — Also those two dwelling horses on Scotia's upland above mentioned and land thereunto belonging, hereinafter more fully described; — Also the lake and an island in the lake and the cripplebush and Swamp or lowland lying between the lake and the river; Also a certain piece of land running from Nova Scotia westerly upwards along the Mohawk river 100 rods, thence with a north line into the woods 100 rods all Rynland measure, thence with a straight line to the northernmost end or part of a certain lake, which is lying a little behind the land of Nova Scotia, and from thence along said lake and the lake's kil or creek as the same runs including the same to the Mohawk river, from thence westwardly, upwards and along said river to the place " of beginning, containing about 60 acres more or less; Also another parcel on the west bounds of Nova Scotia of 40 acres; — Also a tract called Achter-Wey and cripplebush lying between the lake and the river and the lake's kil, which said last tract contains part of the first mentioned tract." (118-1)

The two small islands in the Mohawk just west of the Glen house, also belonged to the Glen estate, — the one called Spuyten Duyvel now almost removed by the floods and Kruisbessen [gooseberry] island, which was purchased in 1750 by Col. Jacob Glen of Isaac Swits. (118-2)

Spuyten Duyvel together with a parcel of boslandt was purchased of the trustees of Schenectady by Johannes Sanderse Glen in 1705 for £16-10 [$41.25]. (118-3)

In 1706 Johannes Sanderse Glen owned a brew house; the lot on which this stood was on the east side of Washington street, 150 feet north of Front street, on the bank of the river.

In 1734 this lot was the property of Jan Baptist Van Eps, to which he added in the rear a parcel by exchange with Myndert Van Gyseling. (119-1)

The following were the children of Sander Leendertse Glen, the first settler.

Jacob the eldest son, settled in Albany as a trader, where he married Catharina, daughter of Jan Tomase Witbeck; after his death in 1685 (119-2), she married Jonas Volkertse Douw. His children were Johannes born 1675, Anna born 1677, wife of Harmanus Wendel, of Albany, Jacob born 1679, Helena born 1683, and Sander born 1685. (119-3)

Capt. Sander Glen, the second son of Sander Leendertse, was born in 1647 and died in 1695. His wife was Antje, daughter of Jan Barentse Wemp; after his death she married Abraham Groot in 1696. He left no children. By his will made July 19, 1690, half of his property was devised to the children of his brothers Jacob and Johannes.

Through his wife he came into possession of a portion of the estate of his wife's father and stepfather, Sweer Teunise Van Velsen [Westbrook]. (119-4) His residence was in Scotia, near the site of the ancient Glen House.

Johannes the youngest son of Sander Leendertse Glen was born in 1648. He settled in Schenectady and married first Annatie, daughter of Jan Peek, and secondly Diwer, daughter of Evert Wendel of Albany and widow of Myndert Wemp, in 1691. The ancient house standing in Scotia, the residence of Charles P. Sanders, was built by him in 1713 and occupied until his death in 1731. (119-5)

Besides the property before mentioned inherited from his father and brother, he obtained through his wife a portion of the Wemp and Van Velsen estates. He had eight children all by his first wife. (120-1)

Notes

(113-3) She was sister of Margaret, first wife of Willem Teller, and perhaps sister of Pieter Loockerman's wife. — Deeds, II, 466.

(113-4) In 1648 he gave his note to Willem [who?] for 10,078 guilders wampum, to be reimbursed in beaver. — Dutch. MSS., III, 11.

(114-1) Patents G. G., 152.

(114-2) Not. Papers, I, 9.

(114-3) Col. Doc., 1, 595.

(114-4) Hist. N. N., II, 590.

(114-5) The following are some of his real estate transactions in Schenectady, Beverwyck and elsewhere, as shown by the records:

1646, July 2, he received patent for lot in "Smits valey," New Amsterdam. — Patents G. G., 152.

1652, April 23, received patent for garden by the river in Albany, owned by Evert Pels, 1661. — Albany Co. Rec., 293.

1653, took oath of allegiance to Heer Van Rensselaer. — Albany Annals, II, 185.

1655, had a lot south of the lot of Willem Fred. Bont near the river. — Albany Co. Rec., 219.

1660, Aug. 13, mortgaged his house and lot where Jan Vinhagel lives for 576 gl. — Ibid., 277.

1660, 22 Dec., had a lot south and east of Annatie Bogardus. — Ibid., 289.

1661, had a garden south of Evert Pels' house and lot on the river — Ibid., 293.

1661, May 7, gave bond to Jan Sebast: Van Gutsenhoven for 975 gl. 12 st. — Ibid., 369.

1661, bought the house and lot of Marten Gerritse Van Bergen, sold under execution. — Ibid., 390-2.

April 17, 1662, sold part of a lot adjoining the hill to Jan Tomase Witbeck, for which he had a patent, 23 April, 1652. — Ibid., 300.

Oct. 25, 1662, sold the house where he now lives, lot and two gardens to Jan Bastiaense Gudsenhoven. — Ibid., 314.

Oct. 26, 1662, sold his house next to Dominie Schaets', to Thomas Powell, this lot was obtained by patent, 23 April, 1652. — Ibid., 314.

Oct. 17, 1663, sold to Jan Clute his house and lot on the hill. Ibid., 336.

Dec. 28, 1663, sold his two gardens behind Heer Van Rensselaer's house to Juriaen Theunise Tappen. Ibid., 341.

Dec. 29, 1663, sold a garden in or near Fort Orange to Caspar Jacobse [Halenbeck]. — Ibid., 341.

July 8, 1664, mortgaged his lands — upland and meadow, housing and cattle in Gravesend to Sarah Bridges of New York. — Deeds Sec. State's Office.

Aug. 18, 1664, sells a house and lot on the hill, lately Marten Gerritse Van Bergen's, to Jan Hendrickse Van Baal. — Albany Co. Rec., 358.

Nov. 3, 1665, received patent for land at Scotia. — Patents.

Sept., 1665, he owned a lot south and east of David Pieterse Schuyler. — Albany Co. Rec., 392.

May 11-21, 1667, he gave his bouwery at Scotia to his three sons. — Albany Co. Rec., 423.

9 Mar., 1669, he again conveys his bouwery at Schenectady to his three sons, which bouwery he had received by patent 3 Nov., 1665. — Ibid., 436.

Aug. 12, 1670, mortgaged his house and bouwery at Schenectady to Abram Staes for 288 gl. — Ibid., 504.

10 Jan. 1672, sold his lot opposite the court house, Albany, to Juriaen Theunise Tappen. — Albany Co. Rec., 492.

(115-1) Dr. Alex. Fonda's Papers.

(115-2) Patents, 21.

(115-3) See Van Petten.

(116-1) Deeds, N., 324.

(116-2) Patents, 758.

(116-3) Col. MSS., XXII, 97; Deeds, II, 671, 712.

(116-4) Will, Court of Appeals office.

(116-5) Deeds, IV, 330.

(117-1) Deeds, IV, 324; See also Van Petten.

(117-2) Deeds, V, 59.

(118-1) Deeds, VIII, 270.

(118-2) Sanders Papers; Jno. Sanders' will.

(118-3) A parcel of "boslandt gelegen achter U. E. lant op Schotia" for 36 pounds; also "aen parcell boslandt Rondt Scotia en Spieten Duyvel's island" for £16-10. — Groote Schuldt-boek.

(119-1) Deeds, III, 99.

(119-2) In Albanie anno 1685, Oct. 2 is myn broeder Jacob Sanderse dieiaken in den Here ontslapen s'naghs ontrent een winnigh naer 2 Uren tussen vriday en saterdagh. Albany Annals, XI, 47.

(119-3) See Albany Families and will of Sander Glen among Bratt Papers.

(119-4) See Wemp and Van Velsen.

(119-5) [The Sanders (old Glen) house, is situated on a pretty bluff overlooking the river and its islands, and the town, less than a mile distant, nestling amid the trees under the hills. The view is charming, as it doubtless ever has been. The building as seen in the photograph of it is large and dignified in appearance.

A large Dutch cleft door opens into a hallway of very ample dimensions in the centre of the house; the rooms on either side, though low ceiled, are large.

The exterior is stuccoed. The roof is surmounted by a railed-in platform, giving a view down upon the very large farm (900 acres about), which pertains to the place.

The house is English in style, though the wing or L in rear, has the characteristic sharp Dutch gable. (It probably ante-dates the main building.) — M'M.]

(120-1) See Schenectady Families Wemp and Van Velsen.

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