An Account of Cash furnished by Peter DuBois Towards Purchasing of the Indians Certain Vacant Lands on the South Side of the Mohocks [sic] River And Of Sundrys Supplied by Him for the use of The Survey. Manuscript receipt. N.d. [ca 1760s-1770s], n.p. [New York]. 1p, 8 x 9 1/2 in. Accompanied by separate slip appearing to be docket for the receipt, "Mr. Ten Brock's [sic] Acct / of Disbursements / On Acct of the Lands at / Canajoharie." 3 1/4 x 8 in. 

This receipt appears to document an expedition led by surveyor Peter DuBois on behalf of Mr. Abraham Ten Broeck (1734-1810), a wealthy Albany merchant and politician who was involved in land transactions in the Mohawk Valley. By the 1760s, the Mohawk Valley in central New York was experiencing rapid expansion through the acquisition of land from Native peoples and land speculation. Located about 50 miles northwest of Albany along the southern bank of the Mohawk River, "Canajoharie" was a significant Mohawk settlement. This account of disbursements indicates that Dubois received cash for "purchasing of the Indians Certain Vacant Lands" in the Canajoharie region as well as for the purchase of various supplies. Totaling £441.12.11, Ten Broeck's disbursement is a significant sum, likely a small fortune for a moderate household. 

Notable are the other names referenced on the document which represent some of the earliest settlers of the region, particularly settlers associated with Schenectady, New York. During the 1760s, Schenectady was a crucial frontier trading post, suggesting that Dubois may have outfitted his survey in Schenectady before heading into the frontier. Among those mentioned are "Jellis Fonda," "Garrit Lansing," and "Isaac Vrooman." Also of interest is the reference to the payment of "Wages of Two Batteaumen & the use of a Batteau to Carry up the Stores" and "Rum for the Batteau Men." A batteau was a shallow-draft, flat-bottomed wooden boat used extensively in the Mohawk Valley in the 18th century to transport goods, military supplies, and settlers through shallow, rocky waters. So closely associated with this region were these vessels that a larger version was sometimes called a "Schenectady batteaux" and a smaller version an "Albany batteaux." Batteaumen, the specialized boatmen who operated the batteaux, were sometimes characterized as rough and rowdy, and were known for the strength and endurance. 

An interesting document with ties to important New York frontier settlers and settlements.  

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Native Americans, Native American History, American Indian, Indian History] [Westward Expansion, Frontier, Western Americana]

Receipt separated at folds into three pieces. Possibly incomplete. Expected toning.