MS 88.  Literal transcription – misspellings are left intact, xxx denotes illegible word, italicized items are my own comments for clarification.  Please note that in some instances, the letter “s” may have been replaced with the letter “f,” as was the custom at that time – TG.

Title Page:

Benjamin Yard}  Deed

to

Archibould Wm. Yard}            for 4 Acres of land

In pencil:

26^th Sept. 1778

            Trenton, N.J.

Body:

This Indenture Made the Twenty Sixth day of September in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven Hundred and seventy Eight Between Benjamin Yard Esq’r of Trenton in the County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey) Surviving Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Yard, Scrivenor, late of Trenton Deceased ( of the One Part And Archibould William Yard of the same Place, Baker, of the Other Part.  Whereas William Yard late of Trenton aforesaid, Innkeeper Deceased, Became seized in Fee Simple of Several Tracts and Lotts of Land in and about Trenton abovesaid And by his last Will and Testament bearing date the twelfth day of February, 1742, Among Other Things therein mentioned Did Give and Devise all his Real Estate Lands and Tenements in Hunterdon County aforesaid to his five sons, Joseph, William, John, Benjamin, and Jethro, to them their Heirs and Afsigns for Ever to be Equally Divided in Quantity and Quality, And the abovesaid Legatees, Joseph Yard, William Yard, John Yard, Benjamin Yard, and Jethro Yard did Unanimously agree and make a Just and Equal division thereof, and in Consequence thereof The said William Yard, John Yard, Benjamin Yard, and Jethro Yard By their Deed dated the Twenty second Day of March, 1749, did Release and forever Quit Claim unto the said Joseph Yard his Heirs and Afsigns forever Sundry lotts in and about Trenton aforesaid, Part and Parcell of the lands before mentioned being the one fifth part thereof, Marked Numbered and particularly discribed in the aforesaid Deed of Release and Quit Claim, Recours being thereunto had will more fully and at large appear And the said Joseph Yard being thereof Seized Did make his last Will and Testament bearing date the thirtieth day of November 1763 and therein did impower his Executors or the survivour of them to sell and Convey all his Real Estate Lands and Tenements.  Now This Indenture Witnefseth that the said Benjamin Yard as Surviving Executor of the last Will and Testament of Joseph Yard aforesaid deceased for and in consideration of the sum of Ninety nine Pounds to him in hand paid by the said Archibould William Yard at and before the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents the receit whereof the said Benjamin Yard doth hereby acknowledge and Every Part and Parcell thereof doth acquit Release and Discharge the said Archibould William Yard his heirs Executors Administrators and Every of them forever by these Presents Hath Granted Bargained Sold Aliened Enfeofed Released Conveyed and Confirmed and by these Presents Doth Grant, Bargain and Sell unto the said Archibould William Yard his Heirs and Afsigns forever a Certain lott of Meadow land lying and being in Trenton aforesaid and is called the Third lott being No. 13 as laid down in the Plan Figure 1 in the Deed of Release and Quit Claim aforesaid and is one of the lotts whereof Joseph Yard dyed Seized of, butted and bounded as follows Viz: Beginning at a Post standing in the line of land late James Trent’s and is a Corner of Benjamin Yard’s lott and from thence runs along the said Trent’s line South fifty Seven degrees West four Chains to a Post being a Corner of William Yard’s lott, and from thence runs along his line North twenty nine degrees West Ten Chains to a stone standing on the North side of Maidenhead Road, being another of the said William Yard’s Corner’s And from thence runs North fifty seven degrees East four Chains to a post being another of the said Benjamin Yard’s Corner’s And from thence runs along his line South Twenty nine degrees East Ten Chains to the Place of beginning Containing Four Acres of Land Together with all and singular the Mines, Minerals, Wayes, Waters, Rights, Liberties Previledges, Hereditaments and appurtenances Whatsoever to the said Lott of Land and Premifses Belonging or in any wise appertaining And all the Estate Right Title Interest Property Claim and Demand Whatsoever Either in Law or in Equity of him the said Benjamin Yard of in or unto the same, with the Reversions and Remainders Rents Ifsues and Profits thereof and of Every Part and Parcel Thereof To Have and to Hold the said Granted and Bargained Lott of Land above mentioned and Discribed, with the appurtenances unto the said Archibould William Yard his Heirs and Afsigns to the only Proper Use benefit and behoof of the said Archibould William Yard his heirs and Afsigns forever And the said Benjamin Yard doth Covenant for himself and for his Heirs to and with the said Archibould William Yard his heirs and Afsigns that he has not done nor wittingly or willingly have Suffered to be done, and Act, matter Cause or thing, whereby or by Reason whereof the abovesaid Granted and Bargained Lott of Land and Premifses with their and Every of their appurtenances, in any way Impeached, Defeated, Charged or Incumbered And that the said Archibould William Yard his heirs and Afsigns shall and may at all times forever hereafter Peaceably and Quietly Have Hold Use Occupy Pofsefs and Enjoy the abovesaid Lott of Land with the appurtenances, without any lawfull Let, suit denial Hindrance, Molestation, or any Interuption whatsoever of him the said Benjamin Yard and his Heirs or any other Person or persons whatsoever Lawfully Claiming or to Claim by from or under them or any of them, or by his or their Acts means Previty or Procurement In Witnefs whereof, the said Benjamin Yard Hath hereunto set his hand and Seal the day and year first above written 1778

                                                            Signed: Benj’n Yard Seal

Verso Left:

County of Hunterdon             Be it remembered that this first day of June 1804 before Me Benjamin Smith one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County afr’d (aforesaid) Came Benjamin Yard the Within Named Grantor, Who Acknoledged that he Executed the within deed of Conveyance for the Uses & purposes therein Expressed

Taken & Acknowledged}

Before me the date above}

Signed: B Smith

Verso Right (would have been completed before B Smith’s notation):

Sealed & Delivered}

in Presence of us}

Signed: Cha’s Axford Jun’r

            Ab’m Hunt