So have & to hold said just seventh part of 1200 acres of land as it is devided & undivided with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any ways appurtaining unto them the said Benjamin William and Jacob Codebec their heirs and assignes and to the only proper use benefit and behoof of them the said Benjamin William & Jacob Codebec their heirs executors and administrators and assignes that whereas the said Jacob Codebec has mortgaged the above said land unto Peter Guymard the 14th inst for the consideration of the above said. Now if the above said Benjamin Codebec William Codebec and Jacob Codebec do pay and release said mortgage with the interest and what said land shall be balanced appraised by three men (indifferently chosen) to be worth more than said money Said Benjamin William & Jacob Codebec shall pay the releasing said mortgage and interest that that money or overplush shall be devided amongst all my natural children by name Benjamin William Jacobus Marytie Elsie Helena Abraham En Naomie In equal shares. The said Benjamin William and Jacob paying the yearly quit due upon said lands then this deed of bargaine and saile to be in full power and virtue. In testimony whereof the said Jacob Codebec has hereunto set his hand and affisced his seale this 15 day of February in the 12 year of his majesties Reigne Annoq Dom 1725/6. The word (the 14th inst) was interhned between the 26th & 27th lines before execution of the presents. J Codebec SS Sealed and delivered in the presence of us Joseph Wheeler Jno Crooke June Jacobus Swartwout Jr. PIONEER DAYS These sturdy young people, ambitious, enterprising, accustomed to and delighting in the hardships of frontier life, found in this valley and at this place an ideal spot for their purpose. They determined to place themselves and their families beyond the realms of oppression and persecution, to live as free as the air they breathed, at a point relatively near, where their Huguenot countrymen had settled at Esopus and New Paltz. Game was abundant. Fish were in the streams in quantities. The soil was fertile, productive and easy of cultivation. The native inhabitants were kindly disposed and peaceable. Could anything be more alluring to these after their experience in their native land? Tradition relates that they were happy and contented in these new homes for many years. They were governed by a Christian sentiment and duty. Honor for honest industry abounded. Every person was comforted and ennobled by a "peaceful, pure and stimulating atmosphere of personal and religious freedom."