Van Rensselaer Manor Papers

Patent of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck

When New Netherland was conquered by the English in 1664 and renamed New York, the Rensselaerswyck Manor remained intact along with its land tenure policies.  In this document issued by Governor Thomas Dongan, Rensselaerswyck was formally recognized under the suzerainty of the British Crown. One of the terms of this land patent was the van Rensselaer's relinquishing claims to lands within the City of Albany and special territorial route connecting Albany to the Stockade along the Mohawk River, now known as Schenectady.

Patent of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck

For higher detail, see the Higher Resolution version of the Manor Patent.