Very early 1676 colonial document from New York signed by Matthias Nicholls

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Very early 1676 colonial document from New York signed by Matthias Nicholls:
$1295.00

AN EXTREMELY RARE, EARLY COLONIAL NEW YORKDOCUMENT SIGNED BY PROVINCIALSECRETARY MATTHIAS NICHOLS DATED 1676
12 1/2 inches X 7 1/2 inches written on laid paper. Guaranteed to be original and authentic
I do not sell copiesMATTHIAS NICHOLLS(1626 – 1687?).Provincial Secretary of New York. Born inPlymouth England, he was selected to serve as sec-retary by Samuel Maverick while who was one ofthe Royal Commissioners investigating conditionsin New England. Accompanying the commissionto New England which was headed by appointedGovernor Richard Nicolls (no relation) they wereassigned the task of “wresting” the province ofNew York from the Dutch. Matthias held the posi-tion of provincial secretary continuously until1680 except the short period of 1674-75 when theDutch briefly reoccupied New York. He servedtwice as Mayor of New York City, 1671-72 andagain in 1674-75. He is widely know as “the prin-cipal author of the legal code known as the‘Duke’s Laws’ promulgated by Governor Nichollsin 1665.” While family lore indicates that Nichollsdied in 1687, his name appears on a list ofappointees to a special court of oyer and terminerin New York in 1688.Document Signed. 1 page. 7 3/4” x 12 1/2”.Sept.6, 1676. An estate is bequeathed.“Know all men by these presents I J. Ambrose SuttonLate Inhabitant of ( ) in New Jersey & now in habi-tant of Staten Island have freely given and bequeathsunto Obadiah Holmes of the same Island all my house& land wch. I have of Peter Bellow, During my life,with all & Singular ( ) belonging unto the same as alsotwenty two heads of Cattle wch. I have & am now pos-sessed of upon the Island to be his own free & propberestate to be as jointly possessed of the same at the sd.Signing and sealing here of in Consideration of theabove ( ) said Obadiah Holems dose promise ( ) & bindmy self to give & pay or Cause to ( ) aid unto ( ) aboveAmbrose Sutton: yearly during his life ( ) Date hereof () some of sixteen pounds of good & Marchantable payof this Cuntry: Fourty ( ) Ambrose doth promise & giveunto ( ) said Obadiah Holmes what ( ) of sid sixteenpounds by ( ) shall no have any Occasion to make useof or to expend yearly during his life: to ( ) of wch.Agreement ( ) said Obadiah Holmes doth bind my selfemy heires, Exuctrs. & Administraors firmly by thesepresents & in testimony hereof I have herewith sett myhadn & seale this sixth of Sept. 1676. ObadiahHolmes”Entered in the book of Records of Wills July 8th,1678. Matthias Nicolls, Secry.The docket states“Ambrose Sutton Agreement withObediah Holmes who is admitted Administrator uponhis will. Gravesend, June, 1678.”Folds. Fine.