THE TOWN OF PELHAM. 77 



four hundred and thirteen lots on said island in the time of the war between 

 England and these states. I sold many of my lots for £10 each, and bought some 

 for that price, and so have the other proprietors; for £10 was the stated price for 

 each lot. I was offered £300 for one square by Mr. Gomez, a Jew that lived in 

 Hanover Square in the City of New York, containing thirty house lots. I also 

 was offered £1000 for one right, that is one thirtieth part of said Island contain- 

 ing thirty house lots, &c." a 



The water rights on the island were supposed to be principally invested 

 in the estate of the late John Hunter. Esq., the State having sold them 

 some years ago for querent to an individual from whom Mr. Hunter 

 purchased. 



In the possession of the New York Historical Society, is an ancient 

 MSS. entitled, "Number one, Book of Laws, ordered by the Community 

 of Minniford's Island, made the tenth day of May, one thousand, seven 

 hundred and sixty-three." From which we take the following : 



'•May 10th, 1763, this day, we, the Community of Mineford's Island, have 

 thought proper to apoint a stated ferry acroost from Mr. Samuel Rodman's Neck 

 to said Island, in manner and form as foiloweth : The ferryman to keep a good 

 sufficient craft to ferry a man or men acroost from Mr. Rodman's Neck to said 

 Island, and from said Island to the neck, at all times and from Day Light to Day 

 Light, and shall not fail to give good attendance Durering and for the ensuing 

 year from the date hereof, and likewise to keep a sufficient craft to take in a 

 horse and chair, or two horses in manner and form as abovesaid, and the ferry 

 man shall receve for each chair and horse not to exceed the sum of one Bh 

 and sixpence, and for each person the said ferry man not to exceed the sum of 

 four coppers for each time crossing said ferry, &e." 



The same year the ferry at the north end of said island was disposed 

 of to the best and fairest bidder, viz : Mrs. Deborah Hicks. On the 13th 

 of May, 1766, Jeremiah Fowler was ferryman ; nth of June, 1776, the 

 ferry was sold to John Bridgewater. 



The ferry across from the.south end of Minneford's Island, to the op- 

 posite shore of Long Island, was established 13th of May, 1766, and let 

 to John Barnes for the term of five years. 



"On the 14th day of June, 1763, Isaac Barnes, Benjamin Palmer, John 

 Bames, Enock Hunt, Joseph Mullinix and Joseph Palmer were chosen by the 

 proprietors trustees of the island." The year following, "8th of May, Capt. John 

 Wooley, Israel Pinckney, Aaron Hunt, Benjamin Palmer, Isaac Barnes and Caleb 

 Hunt were appointed the committee, and Benjamin Palmer, clerk and treasurer, 

 to the proprietors of the Island for one year." 



a Copy of original due, endorsed on the back, "sent to England," among Richard E. Mount's 

 papers, N. Y. Hist. Soc. 



