Estate / Collection: Collection of a New York Surveyor

[MURRAY HILL]
MAERSCHALK, FRANCIS M. Mansucript map on vellum of the Blomendal (Bloomingdale) Road near Inclenburg, 1763. New York: 1763. Manuscript map in ink on vellum, signed and inscribed "Surveyed July 5th 1763/By Francis Maerschalk", the verso with "Inclenberg/9th Ward" in an early hand near the contemporary docketing "Path of the Bloomingdale & Kingsbridge Roads to the Cross Road by Maerschalk 1763." The full vellum 15 x 23 inches (38 x 58 cm). Small loss at lower right corner, a tear into vellum near title, a small patch of old paper near title, other creases, spotting and soiling, the verso with a tape repaid and old stamp.

A very early manuscript map of the the northern reaches of the 9th Ward, near todays 42nd Street, showing the fork in the road where Bowery Lane diverts into to "Blomendale Road," more commonly known as "Bloomingdale," to the northeast and "Post Road," also known as "Boston Post Road." The lands here are shown on Ratzer's 1766 survey at the very northern extent of the map under the lands named as "Inclenberg," site of the Robert Murray manor house. "Inclenberg" is Dutch for "beautiful hill" and eventually this became known as Murray Hill. Robert Murray's name is recorded on one of the parcels here as are many other names associated with the Dutch through revolutionary period such as John Alsop, Jacobus Van Zandt and others. On the southern end of the map a stream is indicated and several large, undivided parcels were likely wetlands. The parcels are further divided by a central "Middle Road" and bounded by the "Cross Road" at north.

Such 18th century manuscript surveys by Francis Maerschalk are scarce and this is an excellent early example on vellum.