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The print version of the finding aid was compiled by Karen Cannell,
New York State Archives.
Overview of the Collection
Repository: |
Warren County Records
Center and Archives |
Sponsor: |
Funding for encoding
this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the
National Endowment for the Humanities. |
Collection Number: |
WCA_CaldwellEstate |
Creator: |
Caldwell family |
Title: |
Caldwell Estate papers
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Dates: |
1774-1900 |
Physical Description: |
1 cu. ft. of textual
records; surveys; maps |
Summary: |
The Caldwell family
of New York State was a successful and influential family
in both the Capital and Adirondack regions. The Caldwells
were active in various industries and in possession of many
land holdings. These papers consist of original Caldwell family
records and those generated bysurveyors in their work to partition
the estate of James Caldwell. The papers include an account
book, deeds (copies aoriginals), surveys, and maps. |
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Arrangement
There is no apparent arrangement scheme for the material.
Overview
These papers consist of original Caldwell family records and those
generated by surveyors in their work to partitthe estate of James
Caldwell. The papers include an account book and deeds (copies and
original), surveys, and maThe account book records payment of rent
on Caldwell manor properties. Rent accounts include a lot number,
sectioacreage, and payment records. Included with the accounts are
records of improvements made by renters to propertiesundries purchased
by renters, work done to a schoolhouse, gristmill operations and repairs,
and payment for steamboat services and lumber. Also included are accounts
of the William Caldwell estate.
Biographical Sketch
The Caldwell family of New York State was a successful and influential
family in both the Capital and Adirondack regions. The Caldwells were
active in various industries and in possession of many la holdings.
James Caldwell was born in 1747 in Donegal County, Ireland. He immigrated
to the United States in his early twenties with his older brother
Joseph. The brothers settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where they
worked for Francis Wade, an established merchant. Circa 1770, the
brothers moved to Albany, New York, where they established their own
mercantile business. In 1774, James married Elizabeth Barnes, the
daughter of a Philadelphia military officer and merchant. The couple
had eleven children, including a son William, born in 1776.
In addition to being a merchant, Joseph also worked as a teacher in
the Albany area. During the Revolutionary War, the Caldwell brothers
expanded their business and became suppliers for the milita They eventually
operated as wholesalers and suppliers to regions north of Albany,
including Canada. James also established tobacco mills in Albany and
sold the products to buyers throughout northeaste New York and Canada.
Throughout his lifetime, he owned thousands of acres of land in New
York, Vermont, and Canada. In 1787, he purchased over 1500 acres of
land on the western side of Lake George, N.Y. and became landlord
to hundreds of local residents (at the time, this land was within
the boundary of Washington County, but later became part of Warren
County). He was instrumental in founding the town of Caldwell, which
was renamed Lake George in 1963. The Caldwell family worked develop
the area, establishing mills and promoting travel to the region. The
family built a large home in Caldwell, which became known as the "Mansion
House." James Caldwell died in February 1 1829.
After the death of his father, William Caldwell remained in the town
of Caldwell, overseeing the family land holdings and investing in
the Delaware Turnpike Company. Like his father James, William operated
steamboats on Lake George. William Caldwell died in Albany, April
1, 1848.
William inherited much of his father's estate and the majority of
his own holdings, in turn, were left to his daughter, Eliza and her
husband John McGillis, who lived in St. Johns, Canada East (now know
as Quebec). William also left some land to Catherine and Helen Beck,
the daughters of his friend and colleague Theodric Romeyn Beck who
ultimately managed the estate as executor. A codicil to Caldwell's
will stated that any land not mentioned in the main will was to be
divided among the th women and their spouses and heirs. This led to
lengthy court proceedings and subsequent division of the land. Eliza
and John McGillis had at least one son, also named William. Eliza
Caldwell McGillis die in 1893 and after her death, her part of the
estate was divided among her heirs.
Custodial History
The custodial history is unknown.
Processing Information
This collection's description was created and enhanced as a part of
the New York State Archives EnvironmenHistory Virtual Research Collection
Project, 2004. The National Endowment for the Humanities provided
funding for thisproject.
Use of Collection
Access Restrictions
There are no legal restrictions; however, repository staff will access
all records and must approve all requests fo copies.
Available Alternate Formats
No other form exists.
Related Information
Related Material
The Caldwell records held by the Albany Institute of History and Art,
Albany, N.Y.; the William Godwin correspondence and miscellaneous
papers at the Carl H. Pforzheimer Library, New York, N.Y.; the James
Caldwell papers at the New York State Library, Albany, N.Y.; and the
Properties Records collection, the Deeds–Uncalled for papers, the
Maps–Surveys (filed), and the Survey papers, Warren County Archives,
Lake George, N.Y.; William Caldwestate file, Summary 316, Warren County
Surrogate's Court, Lake George, N.Y.
Other Finding Aids
A partial index is available at the repository.
Access Terms
Corporate Names
Subjects
Partition of decedents' estates
Geographic Names
Lake George (N.Y.)
Genre/Form
Function
Personal Names
McGillis, Eliza Caldwell
Caldwell, James
Caldwell, William
Beck, Theodric Romeyn, 1791–1855
Container List
| Dates |
Contents |
Box |
Folder |
| 1774 |
Indenture between estate
of Robert Kennedy and John Jones for laon the west side of Lake
George |
979 |
2 |
| 1774 |
Letters Patent granting
Robert Kennedy land on the west side of LaGeorge |
979 |
5 |
| 1774 |
Letters Patent granting
John Jones 200 acres on the west side of Lake George |
979 |
7 |
| 1785 |
Indenture-John Jones,
Barrack Master, Town of Sorel, Province oCanada and Udny Hay
and James Caldwell for land on the west side of Lake George
|
979 |
1 |
| 1785/06/27 |
Notice regarding lands
of Nova Scotian and other Canadian refuge(Clinton County, N.Y.,
along Lake Champlain) |
979 |
6 |
| 1787 |
Indenture-Udny Hay
to James Caldwell for 200 acres in Caldwell |
979 |
15 |
| 1793 |
Lease-James Caldwell
to Enoch Phillips for the Orchard Lot in Lo |
979 |
10 |
| 1802 |
Lease-James Caldwell
to Nathan Burdock for Lot in Caldwell Par |
979 |
11 |
| 1802 |
Lease-James Caldwell
to John Prosper re: north section of Lot 0 |
979 |
17 |
| 1808-1844 |
Miscellaneous accounts
and letters regarding land and leases |
979 |
4 |
| 1814-1860 |
Account/rent book |
599 |
|
| 1818 |
Mortgage-Mathew Cole
to James Caldwell for Lot 3 in the GarrisoTract |
979 |
12 |
| 1818 |
Mortgage-Samuel Pike
to James Caldwell for Lot 1 in the GarrisoGrounds |
979 |
13 |
| 1819 |
Deed-Samuel Payne to
James Caldwell for three lots in Caldwell |
979 |
14 |
| 1821 |
Lease-James Caldwell
to Samuel Payn for three lots in the townCaldwell |
979 |
9 |
| 1822 |
Deed-John Stevens to
James Caldwell for Lot 12 in the Town of Caldwell |
979 |
16 |
| 1850-1852 |
Genealogy and survey
notes; printed abstract of Supreme Court Commissioner's report
regarding the partition of the Caldwell estate among Eliza Caldwell
McGillis and Helen aCatherine Beck. |
979 |
3 |
| 1851-1900 |
Mansion House accounts;
notes from deeds; notice of pending acti Albany County Supreme
Court; will of William Caldwell; copies of court orders; copy
of final judgment |
979 |
8 |
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