POSTSCRIPT The Vineyard Lot The Vineyard Lot, referred to in the preceding pages, had no direct connection with the First Presbyterian Church, but as it is mentioned in related transactions, we may add this postscript in regard to it. On March 27, 1646, the Dutch Director General Kieft conveyed it to Cornelius Van Tienhoven, the Secretary of the Dutch West India Co., and a man with a picturesque career. (Liber G G of Deeds, page 142, as cited in Stokes' Inconography of Manhattan Island.) This was not confirmed to Van Tienhoven'r heirs and creditors when the rest of his property was so confirmed October 3, 1667, by the first English Governor Nicoll. (Liber II of Patents, p. 113, at Albany.) Prior to granting the new City charter of 1686, Gov. Dongan, whose masterful ability in real estate matters we have observed in connection with Wall street property, appears to have appropriated this tract to himself. On February 10, 1685-6, he sold it to his fidus Achates Capt. John Knight (Liber V of Patents, p. 297, Albany), and on March 9, 1685-6, Knight conveyed it back to Dongan in the instruments previously quoted. Francis Maerschalck's map of the Vineyard property, dated March 2, 1759 (No. 153, filed May 1, 1830, is in the Register's office in the Hall of Records. From this map it appears that the property was bounded on the north by about the line of Beekman street; on the east by Nassau street; on the south, by a line running a little south of Ann street to the obtuse angle of the St. Paul building on the southern corner of Broadway and Ann streets; and on the west by Park Row. Dongan built a cottage on this property, and laid out a handsome garden upon it, and for a long time thereafter it was known as the Governor's Garden or the Vineyard. (Val. Man. 1860, p. 543.) On April 22, 1697, Dongan mortgaged the Whitehall (the gubernatorial residence at the foot of Whitehall street) and the Vineyard for £296. (Liber 21 of Deeds, p. 290, Hall of Records.) In this instrument the property is described as on the "North side of ye said Citty adjoining the Commons; of ye land called ye Vyneyard." It was leased "for 14 years from May 1st next thence at 1 Peppercorn at ye feast of St. Michael the Archangel." This appears to be the first use of the name Vineyard. On July 13, 1762, Thomas Dongan, son and heir of Governor Dongan, then deceased, sold the Vineyard to Thomas White. (Liber XVI of Deeds, page 207, at Albany.) |