Klock Connections

Klock Papers

This series of articles appeared at some time during the 1930's in the St. Johnsville Enterprise and News. The owner of the E & N at the time was Lou D. MacWethy. His granddaughter has permitted articles from this time period to be used on the Fort Klock web site.

These papers were printed in the Enterprise and News in the 1920's and early 1930's.[Page 1]
Fort Klock Papers
1762-1845
Part I
September 30, 1926
About two miles east of St. Johnsville and near the north bank of the Mohawk River stands a sold stone edifice. In architecture it reflects the ancient type still found in the Rhine Valley and in fact it was built by workmen who learned their trade from their parents who were among the Palatine immigrants who came here from the Rhine Valley in the great migration of 1710. This is known locally as Fort Klock and was undoubtedly used as a refuge during the French and Indian War and the Revolution. Papers collected and preserved in this old homestead dated from 1762 to about 1845 and were turned over to the Mohawk Valley Historical Society in April of this year. On receipt of the papers Hon. Harry V. Bush, president of the Mohawk Valley Historical Association gave his personal attention to the task of classifying and correlating the documents. They naturally fall into three classes. The papers of the 18th century, the papers of the 19th century and the letters and documents in German. The work will therefore appear in three parts.

Part I - papers dated from 1762 to 1800. Part II - papers from 1800 to 1845.

Part III - translations of papers written in German. The historical society is indebted to the Rev. Herman Vesper of Canajoharie for his courtesy and attention in the matter of translating the German letters. The papers will be first copied and bound by the Montgomery County Department of Archives at Fonda, N. Y. and a permanent copy placed in the files at Fonda. Copies will be presented to the donor Mr. Lipe Klock and a copy with originals placed in the files in the fire proof vault of the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, Department of Records, at St. Johnsville, N. Y.

St. Johnsville, N. Y.
April 18, 1936
Mr. Harry V. Bush,
Pre. Mohawk Valley Historical Assn.
Dear Sir:
I herewith present to the Mohawk Valley Historical Association the papers and documents known as the Fort Klock papers, consisting of original documents pertaining to the Klock family, letters, deeds, conveyances, receipts and other documents. This is given with the express agreement that the papers are to be catalogued, preserved and copies made therefrom one copy of same to be returned to me.

It is also stipulated and agreed that the Mohawk Valley Historical Association agrees to protect and preserve these papers in some fireproof receptacle within the Mohawk Valley and that the originals or copies thereof shall be available to the Klock family for study and perusal at all times, and that if these terms are violated in any way then the said Klock papers shall revert to the original owners. The parties to this agreement hereunto set their hands this 18th day of April, 1936.

LIPE KLOCK,
Hon. Pres. Klock Family Assn.
H. V. Bush,
Pres. Mohawk Valley Historical Assn.
Witnesses:
Lou D. MacWethy

___

St. Johnsville, N. Y.
April 18, 1936
Mr. Lipe Klock,
St. Johnsville, N. Y

Dear Sir:
I hereby acknowledge on the part of the Mohawk Valley Historic Association, Inc. the gift of the papers and documents known as the Fort Klock papers and agree for myself and for the above association to care for them in perpetuity. I further agree that the papers shall be assorted and catalogued and copied and that a copy of all such papers shall be returned to you to do with as you see fit.I further agree that the Mohawk

[Klock Papers, Vol I, Page 2, Note: This text is copied exactly as it appears in the Klock papers. Spelling and grammar errors are part of the original text.]

Valley Historical Association will care for and preserve the papers in a suitable and fire proof place and that copies shall be available for study and perusal by the family at all times. I further agree on behalf of the Mohawk Valley Historical Society that the above mentioned papers shall remain forever within the confines of the Mohawk Valley and not be removed therefrom. Any default in this procedure shall void the agreement and the papers shall revert to the original owners.
H. V. Bush,
President of the Mohawk Valley Historic Association.
Witnessed this 18th day of April, 1936.
By L. D. MacWETHY

___

[Fort Klock Papers, Vol I, Page 3, Note: This text is copied exactly as it appears in the Klock papers. Spelling and grammar errors are part of the original text.]

first part, stand seized as aforesaid; situated, lying and being in Conajohary being an Island in the Mohawk river Lying directly opposite to the North Shore of Said River and nearly opposite the House of Said Klock, and is well known to be the only Island of any __ considerable value in the East part of Conajohary Pattent Containing in Quantity about four acres be the same more or less, the said Johannis Klock paying all Quit Rent due his majestys __ Predecessors of Same Island __ Together with all Houses, Buildings, Improvements, Trees, woods, Underwoods, River, Streams, Waters, Quarries, Hunting, Fowling, Fishing, Profits, Hereditaments and Appurtenances; and all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Claim, and Demand whatsoever of the party aforesaid, of the First Part, either in Law or Equity, __ TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the above bargained premises to the Party aforesaid, of the Second Part, his __ Heirs and Assigns, to the sole and only proper Use, Benefit and Behoof of the Party of the Second Part, his Heirs and Assigns for ever; rendering therefor Yearly and every Year, to the party aforesaid of the First Part, their Heirs and Assigns, the Rent of one Ear Indian Corn if the same be lawfully demanded on the Premises. AND the Party aforesaid, of the First Part, for himself __ his __ Heirs, Executors and Administrators, DO Hereby __ Covenant, Grant, Bargain, Promise and Agree to and with the Party aforesaid, of the Second Part, His __ Heirs and Assigns, against All and every person or Persons claiming or to claim, any Estate, Right, Title or interest therein, or thereto, by any Ways or Means whatsoever, he will for ever Warrant and Defend, the these Presents, IN WITNESS whereof, the Parties to these present Indentures have interchangeably set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above written.
John Duncan (Seal)
Sealed and Delivered
In the Presence of
(?)
(James?) inal documents pertaining to th
___
1766
Recd. May 11 1766 of John J. Klock the Sum of Sixteen Shillings in behalf of Schuyler & Nukerck in full.
Ch. Nukerck.
On back of article:
Schuyler % Newkirk Rcpt

Capt. Butlor, Connajohary June 12th 1766 wan Recd you will plase to pay ounto Mr. John Clock the account wich I left in your hands of fingman and his Rect. Will Be Suffesent from Sir your oumbel Sarvent.
James Platto
To Capt. Butlor, Esqr. At Butlors Barrey?
On back of article:
James Plattour
Order
*Located at eastend of Oneida Lake at junction of Wood Creek.
___
1766
Recd, May 11, 1766 of John J. Klock the Sum of Sixteen Shillings in behalf of Schuyler & Nukerck in full.
Ch. Nukerck.
On back of article:
Schuyler & Newkirk Rcpt.

Captain Butlor Connagohary June 12th 1766 wan Recd you will plase to pay ounto Mr. John Clock the acount wich I left in your hands of fingman and his Rect. Will Be Suffesent from Sir your oumbel Sarvent.
To Capt. Butlor Esqr. James Platto at Butlor's Barry (?)
On back of article
James Plattour
Order
___
1767
Christian Nellis to Deobald Nellis, 72 acres of Woodland on Lot. 12, Harrison Patent.
THIS INDENTURE Made the Twenty ninth day of September in the Seventh year of the Reign of King George the third by the grace of god of great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the Faith &c and in the year of our Lord One thousand seven Hundred and Sixty Seven Between Christian Nelles of Canajohary in the County of Albany and Province of New York yeoman of the one part and Deobald Nelles of the same place County and Province aforesaid yeoman of the other part Witnesseth that the said Christian Nelles for and in Consideration of the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Current Money of New York to him in hand paid HATH Granted Bargained sold Released Enfeofed and Confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell release Enfeoff and Confirm to the said Deobald Nellis and to his heirs and Assigns forever Seventy two Acres of woodland out of a Lott called and knowing the name of Lott no. twelve part of twelve thousand acres of Land on the North side of the Mohawks River granted to Francis Harrison and other by Letters patent under the great seal of the rovince of New York bearing date the Eighteenth day of March in the Ninth year of the Reign of King George the first which Lott Number twelf by the Deeds of Pertition of said Tract is Bounded as follows viz. Beginning at a point which is sixty nine chains upon a north thirty degrees thirty minute west course distant from a Second point which second point is Eighty three chains upon a North Nine degrees west Course distant from a third point which third point is seventy three Chains upon a North thirty degrees thirty minuts west Course distant from a fourth point is one hundred and Ninety Chains upon a north fifteen degrees west Course distant from a Tree marked with the Bear wolf and Turtle at the beginning of said patent on the north side of the mohawks river and in the lines of the patent of Depeyster and Vanslyck and from the said beginning point Runing north fifty five degrees thirty minuts west thirty seven Chains then South Sixty degrees west to the Mohawks River thence north Sixty degrees East one hundred and Seventy Chains be it a little more or less to the Rear line of the said patent thence along the same south forty three degrees East until the beginning point of this Lott bears south Sixty three degrees and thirty Minuts west being nearly forty five chains and fifty links and from thence Running south Sixty three degrees thirty Minuts west to the Mohawks River thence up the River to the Place where the above Mentioned South Sixty degrees west line Comes to the River Containing about Six hundred and thirty five acres of land and the said seventy two acres of land out of this said lott no. twelf and runs from hence South Sixty three degrees and thirty Minuts west Seventy three Chains then south forty three degrees and thirty Minuts East to the place where first begun Containing Seventy two acres of woodland
To
Reverse Side:
Christian Nelles
To
Deobald Nelles

Lease.
Together with the appurtenances (Excepting the Reserving the mines minerals and oars and saveing the Convenants in the Deeds of Prtition Concerning the same, and Free Liberty to Cut wood and riting or Bringing away and Free Road at such place where it is convenient and without damage so much as possible unto Christian Nelles Junr and Adam Nelles and to their heirs and Assigns for ever and the said Deobald Nelles shall not Expose or Sell any wood Except the Concent of Christian Nelles Junr. And Adam Nelles or their heirs and assigns Except such place where the said Deobald Nelles Clean or lets Clean by others TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said seventy two acres of land with the appurtenances (Except as aforesaid) to the said Deobald Nelles his heirs and Assigns to the sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of the said Deobald Nelles his heirs and Assigns forever Rendering therefore yearly to our lord the King the quit rent of two shillings and six pence pr. hundred from the date hereof and the said Chrstian Nelles for himself and his heirs and Assigns doth Covenant and agree to and with the said Deobald Nellis their heirs and Assigns that and before the Ensealing hereof he stands lawfully siezed of the above Bargained seventy two acres of Land and premises of a good sureperfect absolute and indefatigable Estate of Inheritance in the law in fesimple and hath good right full power and Lawfull and absolute Authority grant bargain and sell the same in Manner and form aforesaid and that the same is free and Clear and forever hereafter shall remain free and Clear from all former and other gifts grants Bargains Sales and all other incumbrances in the law whatsoever having and Excepting the Clauses and provisoes in the Letters patent aforesaid by which the same was granted and the above bargained seventy two acres and premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said Deobald Nelles, his heirs and Assigns against all and every person and persons Claiming or to Claim any Estate right Title or Interest therein or thereto will forever Warrant and Defend saving Excepting and Reserving as aforesaid IN WITNESS whereof the practice to these present Indentures have Interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above Written.
His
Christion C N Nelles (Seal)
Mark
Signed Sealed & Delivered
In the Presents of us
Samuel Hagadorn
Chriestion Nelles Junior

***

1767
Recd. March 17, 1767 of Johannes J. Klocke the Sum of Twenty Shillings on account of Simon Nichols.
Ch. Nukerck.
Riverseside:
Recd. May 11th, 1768 of John J. Klocke the Sum of Sevin and Two pence since March 17, 1767.
Ch. Nukerck.
C. Nukerck
Rect. For
S. Nichols
***

1767
1765 John Clock Junier To John V. Douw Dr.
1765 Pr. Contra Cr. L S D
October 17th
By Cash
October 17th To 2 barrells Rum
Qt No. 1 33
2 31
__

Galls a 64
2/9 Pr.L8''' S 16
4'' S
Ballance due to John V. Douw
L4'' S 16
1767 February 3d Received the Above Contents by me
John V. Douw.
Reverse side:
Jo . V. Dow
Act. Of Rcpt
John Clocks Juniers
Accoumpt

***

1768
Pattent Issues to John Bracken the 26 March 1768 All that tract of Land in the County of Albany on the N Side of N River nearly oposite to Fort Hendrick beginning at the Hemlock tree Marked for the S W Corner of a tract Land granted to George Klock W. Nelles & others standing on the E side of a Brook Called by the Indians Dekayuhasonwe called Kaneda Crick & runs thence Down the Crick to a tract of Land granted to Petrus V. Driese then along the West bounds of the said Tract of Land granted to the Klock and Nelles thence along the same N 41

Part One Part Two Part Thee Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven