Digital and Critical Curation (MUSE 359)

Highlights from the Collection

• MacKay_Letter_063
  Letter from G. V. Tackett to John McKay asking him to collect delinquent payment form Bastian Smith. If Smith does not cooperate he is to give the papers to the Sheriff. Tackett tells McKay other papers for John D. Nelson will be sent soon. August 19, 1817. Transcription: D[ea]r Sir Enclosed you will find an execution ag’t [against] Bastian Smith which I wish you to notify him & in case he comes and gives satisfactory sureity for the money payable in four months from this date with int [interest] you may take it and not give the Ex’n [execution] to the Shff [Sheriff] but if he does not do this I want the Ex’n handed to the Shff with a request to collect the [?] as soon as may be - My sending this to you is agreeable to the request of Smith - I have drawn a note for Smith to sign with his sureity - You will find the other Notes ag’t John D. Nelson enclosed as soon as they are out I want them put in a train for collection - I am D[ea]r Sir yours tr [signed] G. V. Tackett Sen. [Seneca] Falls Aug 19th 1817 Jno MCay Esq
• MacKay_Letter_037
  Agreement of the deed of the sale of land in Evon [Avon] Caledonia, New York, by John Mckay and Thomas Mumford to Jane Martin. June 1, 1816. Transcription of print and handwriting: [front] Articles of Agreement, made this first Day of June in the Year of our Lord 1816 Between John McKay & Thomas Mumford by John McKay Attorney for Thomas Mumford of the first part, and Jane Martin (widdow) of Caledonia County of Genesee and State of New York of the second part, as follows, to wit:--- The said parties of the first part, here-by covenant and agree with the said party of the second part, that they will sell and convey in fee, by a good and sufficient Deed, containing a full covenant of warranty, to the said party of the second part, all that certain piece or parcel of Land, situate, lying, and being in the Town of Caledonia in the County of Genesee and state of New-York and in the Village of Evon [Avon] known and distinguished on a map of said village made by Orange Risdon as Lot No. 45 bounded southerly on the state Road Westerly on Lot No 44 Northeasterly by Land owned by the said parties of the first part and southeasterly by Lot No. 46 the said piece of land being four Rods wide on the State Road and running back from the same twenty Rods to contain half an acre of Land and no more Upon the payment by the said party of the second part, to the said parties of the first part, of the Sum of $34.00 the first day of June 1817 and the sum of $33.00 first day of June 181 and the like sum of $33.00 the first day of June 1819 with interest on each of the above sums to be paid annually provided the said party of the second part & all within one year from the date hereof erect a dwelling house on the said Lot No. 45 one and a half stories high and at least equal to 14 feet by 20 either a frame or brick building and the same to be handsomely finished on the outside And the said party of the second part, covenants and agrees with the said parties of the first part, to pay them the said sums of money in a manner aforesaid, with the interest as aforesaid, which payment is hereby declared to be a condition precedent to the execution of a Deed by the said parties of the first part; and in case of failure on the part of the said party of the second part, to fulfill this contract, she the said party of the second part, hereby covenant and agree to pay to the said parties of the first part, the sum of twenty dollars which is agreed to be the liquidated damages for such failure, and on the payment of the said sum of twenty dollars this contract is to be void. In witness whereof, the said parties have hereunto set their Hands and Seals, the Day and Year first above written. Sealed and delivered in the presence of} [signed] John McKay [signed] Thomas Mumford by his Atty John McKay Jane Martin Her mark [signed] Elijah Owen
• MacKay_Letter_036
  Agreement of the deed of the sale of land in Evon [Avon], Caledonia, New York, by John Mckay and Thomas Mumford to Sylvester Brown. May 13, 1816. Transcription of print and handwriting: Articles of Agreement, made this thirteenth Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1816 Between John McKay of Caledonia County of Genesee & State of N York and Thomas Mumford of Cayuga County of Cayuga & State of N York by John McKay his attorney of the first part, and Sylvester Brown of Caledonia County of Genesee & State aforesaid of the second part, as follows, to wit:--- The said parties of the first part, here-by covenant and agree with the said party of the second part, that they will sell and convey in fee, by a good and sufficient Deed, containing a full covenant of warranty, to the said party of the second part, all that certain piece or parcel of Land, situate, lying, and being in the Town of Caledonia in the County of Genesee and State of New-York situate lying and being in the Village of Evon [Avon] in the town of Caledonia aforesaid, known & distinguished by Lot No 3 on a map or survey of said village made by Orange Risdon containing one acre and sixteen Rods of Land be the same or less upon the payment by the said party of the second part, to the first parties of the first part, of the Sum of one thousand three hundred and two dollars & seventy five cents according to the condition of a certain Bons obligatory bearing even date here with executed by the party of the first part & made payable to the parties of the first part And the said party of the second part, covenant and agree with the said parties of the first part, to pay them the said sum of money in a manner aforesaid, with the interest as aforesaid, which payment is hereby declared to be a condition precedent to the execution of a Deed by the said parties of the first part; and in case of failure on the part of the said party of the second part, to fulfill this contract, he the said party of the second part, hereby covenant and agree to pay to the said parties of the first part, the sum of ten dollars which is agreed to be the liquidated damages for such failure, and on the payment of the said sum of ten dollars this contract is to be void. In witness whereof, the said parties have hereunto set their Hands and Seals, the Day and Year first above written. Sealed and delivered in the presence of} [signed] John McKay [signed] John McKay attorney for Thomas Mumford [signed] Sylvester Brown N.B. all insurers and interlinings made before signing [signed] Elijah Owen
• MacKay_Letter_033
  Survey of a lot of land owned by Alex McDonald in Ontario County, NY. No date. Dates reflected in letter refer to previous surveys. Transcription: The survey of the State Road in Caledonia cannot be found Survey of Lot No. 27, conveyed to Alex McDonald by deed dated 12 January 1803 - Beginning at a post in the N bounds of the Highway 85 links East of post No. 22 - 26 on the South side - Thence S 87°40’ E 10 chs to the middle of a small spring - Thence down the middle of the outlet of said spring as follows viz N 2°30’ E 1 ch 27 links thence S 87°3o’ E 1 chain thence N. 27° E 1ch 50 links - thence N. 48° E 3 ch 50 lks to a white maple westside of the out let - Thence N. 42° W 1 ch Thence N. 87 1/2° W 4 ch 37 lks to the most Easterly extremity of the Big Spring - thence round the south side of said spring so far that a line drawn from the place of beginning at said N 2° 30’ E will intersect the same containing 5 62/100 acres - The above is a copy of John Smiths survey - Copy of a deed to A. McDonald dated 1 June 1805 being 1 acre lying in the East part of lot N 49 Northwardly of & adjoining the Magara Road in the Township of Springfield (or No 1 in the first range) in the County of Ontario aforesaid and bounded as follows to to wit - on the East ny Lot No. 27 - on the South by the Niagara Road aforesaid - on the North by the waters of the Big Spring to the West by a line to be run parallel to the East line of said lot number forty nine and at such a distance West from the same as to contain the said quantity of one acre & no more [inside cover] Written in pencil: Description of McDonald lot Written in ink: M: John McKay Caledonia Monroe County
• MacKay_Letter_025
  Letter from Hector McKay in Conesus Lake, New York to his brother Mordecai McKay in Pennsylvania. He describes how and what the family is doing. May 15 1811. Letter is blurred in spots and difficult to read. Transcription: [front] Mr Mordecai McKay Sunbury North County [back] D[ea]r Brother its long time sense I have taken my pen to [?] a word or two to you haveing so good an opportunity that mother is well at my house Also our Brothers and Sisters are all well Sister Jane hath one son and calls him Mordecai McKay Whaley John hath two sons Robert two daughters Daniel two daughters and poor me one Daughter & two sons - Brother Robt started last Satderday to montreall withe larg cargo of flower [?] he keeps very large assortment goods for sale at the Big Spring Mother his feble But she can ride twelve mils [miles] in a day yet but that be making but [?] [?] to get to Sunbury to see you and yours but she expect god willing to [?] all her chilldren and grand chilldren in this Counry this summer she cannot think of going Pennsylvania in her life time Hugh Harrison Esq. departed this life by a stroke he got at Bosleys saw mill Brother Daniel hath been preparing lumber to go down the Ohio River with but watters keeps still so that I dont expect he will get down this season - I must think you have for got me alltogether Mr. Brewer and family arrived here last friday in good order [envelope] From Conesus Lake May 15 1811 Written on the envelope at a later time: Letter of Hector McKay Second Son of Robert and Jenet McDonald McKay. To Mordecai McKay his brother - the grandfather of Anna McK McDonald at Sunbury Northumberland Co. Penn
• MacKay_Letter_111
  A report to stockholders showing the possible capital that might be brought in from a Flour Mill with 5 and 10 year calculations as well as variances that may occur and how it would affect the capital. It also has the rules set down by the board. It does not appear to be a complete document. No date. Transcription: [front] Amount of Capital} Estimated for the building of the mill and its appurtenances $65.000. Sum to be invested in grain $10.000. Total amount of the Capital to be paid in $75.000. Should it be the choice of the members that shall constitute the association to increase this amount the undersigned would say that $80.000 might be used to advantage. Stock} The undersigned would propose that the shares be $500. Each. and that for the $75.000. capital paid in, there shall be issued stock for the amount of $112.500., and that $37.500 of this stock (or seventy five shares) shall be the sole and exclusive property of the undersigned Joslyn Hutchinson, in consideration of his taking upon himself the whole responsibility of erecting the mill upon the best known models and when said mill is finished, to become the active director of all business connected therewith, in purchasing, employing requisite labor, manufacturing, selling, accounting and declaring and paying over the dividends. Directorship} As the Director and Superintendent of said Flouring Mill, the said Joslyn Hutchinson proposed to hold himself at all times strictly accountable to the Shareholders or board of officers for the faithful discharge of his duties; that he is to be advised by them whenever they may think proper to do so, and to submit all records and papers to them and to give any desired information at any time it is requested;-- and that the said Hutchinson shall receive in addition to the amount of Stock above mentioned the sum of three thousand dollars per annum, to defray all contingent personal expenses connected with the superintendence. [back] Calculations showing the advantages to the stock members that pay in the capital, by the mode indicated in the preceding page, in preference to a division of the profits. Estimate for 5 years Suppose the profits amount to only $60.000 per annum one third ⅓ of that for five years would be —-----------------$100.000 Stock delivered to J. Hutchinson (actual value)-----------$25.000 Salary for five years—-----------------------------------------$15.000 —----------------------------------------------------------------$140.000 By a division of Profits J. Hutchinson would have 150.000 Balance in favor of the capitalists $10.000 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Suppose the profits be $75.000 per annum, ½ for five years is—-----------$187.500 One third of that amount for 5 years would be —--------$125.000 Stock delivered to J. Hutchinson (actual value)------------$25.000 Salary for five years—------------------------------------------$15.000 —-----------------------------------------------------------------$165.000 Balance in favor of the capitalists—-------------------------$22.500 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Estimate for 10 years Suppose the profits be $60.000 per annum, ½ for 10 years would be —-----------$300.000 One third of that amount for 10 years would be —------$200.000 Stock delivered to J. Hutchinson (actual value)-----------$25.000 Salary for five years—------------------------------------------$30.000 —-----------------------------------------------------------------$255.000 Balance in favor of the capitalists—-------------------------$45.000 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Suppose the profits be $75.000 per annum, ½ for 10 years would be—-----------$275.000 One third of that amount for 10 years would be —------$250.000 Stock delivered to J. Hutchinson (actual value)------------$25.000 Salary for five years—------------------------------------------$30.000 —-----------------------------------------------------------------$305.000 Balance in favor of the capitalists—-------------------------$70.000
• MacKay_Letter_020
  Letter from Jenet McKay to her son Mordecai McKay. She tells him about the family and asks how he is doing. January 12, 1808. Transcription: D[ea]r Son I take this opertunaty to write these fue lines to you perhaps they may be the last that I shall trouble you with - I was eighteen months helpless with the Rumatitis payns in which I longs for your vissit but the Lord visited one in mercy and hath restored me to my former health. Your brother John hath a son five months old and his name is William and Hector hath another which he call Daniel three months old. I was in Geenava with the gerls two months and they were doing well and doing well about the about the first November. I returned to Hector’s place at which time I mitt with John Brewer and he informed me that you was a going to saw with Depew for a lost forten - but if so be it appears you have forgot me and all my troubles and distress, but my deer son you may as well go to Law with Mr Depew for your father never had a graspe of pen for land only fair promises and [top line of page cut off] self that I sold my wright to land but to gate learning for my youngest chilldren mongest which you were one - however I shall not believe the report till I have it from your self - I allso herad you was about to take wife how [exciting?] so please to gove me her name on a peace of paper if the world and the carrs thereof will not allow you to com and see me - you know I cannot read riting and nithere do you send me any but believe me i can get good neighbours to read and write for me. I remain your very Affectioned Mother [signed] Jenet McKay NB Daniel is well and hath bult a saw mill and neset [next] summer if he lives he will bult grist mill your Brother in Law Robt Wheley is well and is wife also and hath bult house and bought land within 2 mills [miles] of the mil turn over [turn to next page] it is a large track of good land Robert is teaching school in Big Tree Town Friend are all well [signed] J McKay January 12th 1808 PS Please to let me know if you have news from Philadelphia or any other of my friends o that I could write my mind to you I think of you very often [signed] Jenet McKay To Mordecai McKay
• MacKay_Letter_019
  Contract stating John McKay will store and process the grain of the “Scotch Settlers” at his mill in exchange for compensation. December 5th, 1806 Transcription: [front] Jas Wadsworth Dec 5th 1806 [inside] Geneseo Dec 5th 1806 Mr. John McKay Dear Sir The Scotch Settlers are instructed to deliver their wheat and Rye provided their contracts allow of the latter (which I do not now recollect) intended to apply in payment of their land at your Mill. You will please to take charge of their grain which they deliver and store it in a place where it will be safe and kept by itself. You will take the grain by weight and recieve none but what is merchantable. You will give to each Settler a receipt for the quantity he delivers and as an encouragement to good husbandry you will mention in each receipt the quality of the grain as either of the first or second quality. You will keep a particular account of all the grain you receive and the time of the delivery. In the season of receiving grain you will regularly every month transmit to Mr. Heslop by Post an account of all the grain you have received, mentioning the Settlers’ name of whom received, the time of delivery and the quality of the grain. Respecting the future disposal of the grain you will receive further instructions. You will be allowed a suitable compensation for your trouble in receiving the grain of the Scotch Settlers. I am Dear Sir Sir with respect Your Obt Servt [signed] Jas Wadsworth
• MacKay_Letter_015
  Deed. Sale of land in Caledonia, New York, from David Walker and Samuel Irvin to James B. McKay. February 11, 1852. Transcription of print and handwriting: [front] David Walker and Samuel Irvin TO James B. McKay Livingston County, ss. Recorded on the 11th day of Feby, 1852, at 4 o’clock. PM, in Liber 42 of Deeds, at page 148, and examined. [signed] [Jerall D. Root?] [page one] This Indenture made this second day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two between David Walker and Samuel Irvin Executor of Margaret Simpson late of Caledonia County of Livingston & State of New York [?] being thereunto duly authorized by the last will & testament of the said Margaret of the first part, and James B. McKay of the Town County and State aforesaid- Witnesseth, that the said part is of the first part, in consideration of the sum of Four Hundred dollars - to them duly paid have sold, and By these Presents, do grant and convey to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land, situate in the Village of Caledonia, County and State aforesaid, and described as follows - viz. Being the front part of Village Lots Number four and five, and the north half of Village Lot Number six, being in the whole, ten rods front and fifteen rods deep, containing one hundred and fifty square rods of ground, be the same more or less, being the same property formerly owned and occupied by Isaac J Lewis - Lying on the west side of the Highway heading north, from the Village of Caledonia to the Village of Mumford With the Appurtenances, and all the Estate, Title and Interest therein of the said party of the first part. And the parties of the first part do hereby covenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part, has heirs and assigns, they will forever warrant and defend against any person whomsoever, lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof. In Witness whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. Sealed and Delivered in Presence of [signed] David Walker, Samuel Irvin [page 2] State of New York, Livingston County, ss. On this second day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty two before me the subscriber, personally appeared David Walker & Samuel Ervin to me known to be the persons described in, and who executed the within instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same. [signed] Alex Ferguson justice of the Peace
• MacKay_Letter_145
  Photograph of John McKay's house in Caledonia, New York with two unknown people, a man and a woman, on the front porch. This house now stands in the Village Green at the Genesee Country Village and Museum. No date.
• MacKay_Letter_144
  This photo is not labeled but it is most likely a photo of John McKay's flour mill in Avon, New York. No date.
• MacKay_Letter_143
  Ellen Hutchinson was a literary editor for the Tribune in New York City. She was married to a famous art critic named Royal Cortissoz. He wrote the epithet above Lincoln's statue at the Lincoln Memorial. Her parents were Joslyn Hutchinson and Jennet McKay Hutchinson. Photo not dated. Transcription: [Written along edge] Nellie Hutchinson [at top] Ellen Mckay Hutchinson, Daughter of Janet {Jennet] McKay Hutchinson - granddaughter of John McKay wife of Royal Cortissoz art-critic of NY Tribune. [signed] Jessie McVean