1777 Revolutionary War-Era Land Deed | Isaac Lewis of Shawangunk to Thomas... For Sale

1777 Revolutionary War-Era Land Deed | Isaac Lewis of Shawangunk to Thomas Ellison of New York | Witnessed by Cadwallader & Alexander Colden | 13”x15” Colonial Document

Own an authentic piece of Revolutionary-era New York history. This original 1777 vellum land indenture, executed during the height of the American Revolution, documents a land transaction between Isaac Lewis, a resident of Shawangunk in Ulster County, and Thomas Ellison, a merchant of New York City and New Windsor. This extraordinary document is witnessed by Cadwallader Colden and Alexander Colden, members of one of colonial New York’s most powerful families.

• Date: April 12, 1777

• Size: 13 x 15 inches

• Material: Laid paper with original wax seal

• Condition: Good with visible folds and tape reinforcement; mostly legible with full names and property boundaries.

• Names Mentioned:

  • Isaac Lewis (grantor)

  • Thomas Ellison Jr. (grantee)

  • Caleb St. John

  • Jonathan, Elijah & John Tom

  • Witnessed by: Cadwallader Colden & Alexander Colden

This Indenture
Made the twelfth Day of April in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven

Between Isaac Lewis of the Precinct of Shawongonk in Ulster County in New York, Yeoman, of the one part, and Thomas Ellison Junr. late of the City of New York, Merchant, of the other part.

Witnesseth, That the said Isaac Lewis for and in consideration of the sum of Two Shillings current Money of New York to him in hand well and truly paid by the said Thomas Ellison at or before the Execution hereof, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff and confirm unto the said Thomas Ellison his heirs and assigns All that certain Tract, piece or parcel of Land situate lying and being in the County of Ulster aforesaid being part of a certain Tract of Land patented by Letters Patent to Hopez Nanden and others in company, called Lot #3, being the Northernmost part thereof.

Beginning at a broad limestone stone standing in the ground by the fence on the east side of a small brook or run of water commonly known by the name of Cold Brook, and on or near the line dividing sixty-nine Degrees and forty minutes East Forty-two Chains and fourteen links to a land shown on said Lot whereon now liveth Caleb St. John, lying near the northwest corner of the farm now (Allentown). From thence North five Degrees and seven chains and sixty four links to a stake and stone (land whereon Jonathan Tom, Elijah and John Tom now live) with some remains of a fence. From thence North sixty-nine Degrees and forty-eight minutes West Thirty-six chains and fourteen links to a stake and stone (land belonging to farm known as Hardenburgh Patent). And from thence South twenty Degrees East to the place of beginning.

Containing by estimation One Hundred and three acres and three quarters of Land, together with all and singular the rights, members and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof, and also all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Isaac Lewis in and to the same and every part thereof.

To have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of land hereby bargained and sold with the appurtenances unto the said Thomas Ellison, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns from the day next before the day of the date of these presents for and during and unto the full end and term of one whole year from thence next ensuing and fully to be completed and ended.

Yielding and paying therefor the rent of one Pepper Corn on the last day of the said Term (if the same shall be lawfully demanded). To the intent that by virtue of these Presents and by force of the Statute made for transferring of uses into possession, the said Thomas Ellison may be in the actual possession of all and singular the said premises and be enabled to take and accept a grant and release of the reversion and inheritance thereof.

In Witness whereof, the parties to these Presents have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above written.

Isaac Lewis [seal]

Sealed & Delivered in the Presence of us
(Interlineations) Interlined between the 1st & 2nd lines
Cadwallader Colden
Alexander Colden

Isaac Lewis was a resident of Shawangunk during the American Revolution, an area known for supplying food, timber, and militia support. While limited genealogical information survives, landowners like Lewis played a critical role in the rural Revolutionary economy, transferring lands, growing food, and potentially participating in local defense efforts.

A powerful Hudson Valley merchant and landowner. Originally from NYC, Ellison relocated to New Windsor in 1723 where he built wharves, warehouses, and a gristmill. His properties were later used by the Continental Army, and his house served as headquarters for Generals Knox, Greene, and Gates. His daughter married into the Colden family, making him a key figure in early New York’s economic and political web.

Son of Cadwallader Colden Sr., colonial governor of New York, and a respected figure in his own right. Cadwallader Jr. held land, oversaw infrastructure development, and supported Loyalist interests during the war. His appearance on this deed ties it to New York\'s elite political circles of the 18th century.

Brother to Cadwallader Jr. and Postmaster of New York under the British Crown. A man of administrative skill, Alexander helped manage land claims, trade operations, and family affairs across Orange and Ulster Counties. His signature here adds immense provenance value to the document.

• Rare Revolutionary War-era deed (1777)

• Direct ties to prominent colonial families

• Physical witness of land transfers during wartime

• Ideal for framing, investment, or museum display

• Highly collectible due to signatures of Colden family

Carefully shipped in archival packaging with insurance and tracking.

Own a tangible piece of Revolutionary New York today.