Background Craver Farmstead

the lease carries historical significance. alexander hamilton, stephen van rensselaer s brother-in-law, designed lease bound new tenants permanently estate, thereby adroitly sidestepping issue of feudalism, had been outlawed in new york state in 1782. 1790 “indenture” created craver farmstead, such agreement. under terms of lease, tenant had pay taxes, , use land agricultural purposes only. patroon reserved himself timber, water , mineral rights, , had right enter tenant s property exploit resources. tenant couldn t sell property, lease, another. if wished sell quarter sale clause restricted tenant further, van rensselaer having option of collecting one-fourth of sale price or taking full title property paying three-quarters of market price. in 1790 lease millers agreed yearly rent of 24 1/2 skipples of winter wheat, 4 fat fowls, , 1 day s service carriage , horses, due on january first of each year.

by 1797 original leased property had been transferred , divided 2 112.5 acre parcels william , henry coon, craver farmstead standing on william coon portion. on november 6, 1841, elizabeth craver, having inherited property late husband, william coon, consideration of $50, signed on interest in farm son john w. craver (she had been remarried william craver in 1799), family owned craver farmstead longer other tenant or owner.