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Deeds of George and Arsena Duplex

Danby, Tompkins Co., NY

George Duplex and Arsena Duplex
Deeds pertaining to their purchase of farmland in Danby, Tompkins Co., NY

Source: Tompkins County Deed Books, Ithaca, NY. The deeds were located and photocopied by Cheryl L.Hall whose assistance is greatly appreciated.

Comment: George and Arsena Duplex were children of Prince Duplex, an African American Revolutionary War soldier who moved from Connecticut to Danby, NY in the early 19th century. The following two deeds record their separate purchase of a 44 acre plot in 1836 and an 10 acre plot in 1856. The larger parcel is readily located by its description in the deed and appears to be the same property labeled as "G Duplex" on a 1853 map of Danby. The 10 acres of land purchased by Arsena Duplex described in the second deed possibly adjoins George's property, although the deed is silent on this point.

In the 1825 New York Census of Danby, the year of Prince Duplex's death, he and his son were enumerated (Prince and George "Duplase"). George "occupied" 45 acres of improved land and owned livestock. The first deed below documents George Duplex's purchase of 44 acres in 1836, quite likely the same property referred to in the 1825 census.

George Duplex died in 1860. His will left one-half of his farm to his sister Arsena and the other half to a niece, Laura Ann Duplex, the wife of Albert Young. With the death of Arsena in the 1860's, all the Duplex properties probably passed to the Young family. The 1870 Federal Census of Danby records Albert Young as owning $3,800 of real estate and $2,000 in personal property. By 1880, Albert and Laura Young had had moved to Ithaca, NY. No Duplexes or descendants are known to have lived in Danby after that date.

Submitted by: Forrester A. Lee (woody.lee@gmail.com)

February 18, 1836
Tompkins County Deeds, Book CC pp. 433-43

Jonathan B. Gosman
To
George Duplex

This Indenture made the fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Jonathan B. Gosman and Jane his wife of the Town of Danby in the County of Tompkins and State of New York of the first part and George Duplex of the same place of the second part witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollar current money of the United States to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged have granted, bargained, sold, remise released, aliened and confirmed And do by these presents grant, bargain, sell, remise release, alien and confirm unto the said party of the second part, in his actual possession now being and to his heirs and assigns forever

All that certain piece or parcel of land, situated in the Town of Danby aforesaid being part of lot number forty two in the North East section of Township Number seven in Watkins and Flint purchase being the farm conveyed by John Alan Miller and wife to said Gosman and situated North of the farm of Benjamin Fowler, on the highway leading from the farm of Thomas and John Swartout to that of the widow of Russell Jop, and containing forty four acres and one rood of land be the same more or less,

Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances there unto belonging or in anywise appertaining, And the reversion and revisions, remainder and remainders, rents issues and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest property claim or demand whatsoever of the said parties of the first part, either in law or equity, of, in, and to the above bargained premise, with the said hereditaments and appurtenances, To have and to hold the said premises above particularly described, to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns to the sole and only proper use and behoof of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever. And the said parties of the first part, for their heirs executors and administrators, do covenant and promise and agree to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, the above bargained premises, in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, against all and every person and persons lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof, will forever warrant and defend. In witness whereof, the parties in the first part, have hereunto put their hands and seals the day and, year first above written.

J. B. Gosman (signed with seal)
Jane Gosman (signed with seal)

Sealed and delivered in Presence of State of New York Tompkins County } ss:
Be it remembered that on the fifteenth of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six personally appeared before me Benj Jennings one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in said County Jonathan B. Gosman and Jane his wife persons well know to me to be the same persons described in and who executed the within deed and acknowledged that they executed the same freely and intentionally and for the uses and purposes therein mentioned and having examined Jane separate and apart from her said husband she acknowledged that she executed it without any fear or compulsion from her husband, I do allow the same to be recorded.

Benj Jennings
Recorded February 18, 1836
Alfred Wells Dep. Clk

November 28, 1856
Tompkins County Deeds, Book 65, pp. 187-188

Reuben Woodford
To
Arsena Duplex

This Indenture made the nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five between Reuben Woodford and Anna his wife of the Town of Danby Tompkins County and State of New York of the first part and Arsena Duplex of the same place of the second part witnesseth: That the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred Dollars current money of the United States to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged have granted bargained sold remise released aliened and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain sell remise release alien and confirm unto the said party of the second part in her actual possession now being and to her heirs and assigns forever.

All that piece or parcel of Land lying and being in said Danby County and State bounded as follows: Commencing at a stake and stone at the Northwest corner running South four degrees thirty minutes West forty rods to a stake and stone, thence South eighty five degree thirty minutes East forty rods to a stake and stone, thence North four degrees thirty minutes East forty rods to a stake and stone, thence North eighty five degrees thirty minutes West forty rods to the place of beginning. Containing ten acres of land be the same more or less.

Together with all and singular the hereditaments & appurtenances there unto belonging or in anywise appertaining and the reversions & revisions remainder and remainders rents issued and profits thereof, and all the estate right title interest claim or demand whatsoever of the said parties of the first part either in law or equity of in and to the above bargained premises with the said hereditaments and appurtenances To have and to hold the said premises above particularly described to the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns to the sole and only proper use and behoof of the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns forever And the said parties of the first part forever heirs executors and administrators do covenant promise and agree to and with the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns the above bargained premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns against all and every person and persons lawfully or equitably claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof will forever warrant and defend In witness whereof the parties of the first part have hereunto put our hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Reuben Woodford (signed)
Anna Woodford (signed)

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Elihu Keeler State of New York Tompkins County } ss:
On the 19th day of April in the year one thousand and eight hundred and forty five before me came Reuben Woodford and Anna his wife known to me to be the persons described in and who executed the within deed and each acknowledged due execution thereof and the said Anna on a private examination apart from her husband acknowledged that she executed the same freely and without any fear or compulsion of her said husband.

Elihu Keeler Justice of the Peace
Ezra Weaver Clerk
Recorded November 28, 1855 at 12th OClock N