Paymaster-General of the British Army in New York, Abraham Mortier, 1771 [Richmond Hill]
Document Signed, "Abraham Mortier", receipt for maintenance of troops. "New York 10th July 1771, Received of Isaac Bevari Deputy Paymaster of his Majesty s Forces at Boston, by the Hands of Mr. Thomas J. William Apthorp, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fourteen Dollars, and Sixteen Fifty Sixth parts of a Dollar, which at the rate of Four Shillings and Eight Pence each Dollar Amounts to the Sum of Four and Hundred Pounds, sterling, being so much remitted by the aid Mr. Thomas William Apthorp to me from Boston, on Account of Lubice of the 29th Regiment..."
Major Abraham Mortier, Paymaster-General of the British army in New York, secured a 99-year lease from Trinity Church in lower Manhattan for a 26-acre parcel of land in Greenwich Village, which he named "Richmond Hill", which he offered to Lord Amherst as a headquarters during the French and Indian war. Major Mortier died in May 1775, at the outbreak of the American Revolution and Richmond Hill passed to his wife Martha.
In April 1776, Richmond Hill became the headquarters of George Washington. Richmond Hill was occupied by the British until 1783 and in 1789 the house was occupied by John Adams, who was then serving as the first Vice President of the United States. Abigail Adams said of the house: "In natural beauty it might vie with the most delicious spot I ever saw." Richmond Hill was purchased by Aaron Burr in 1794, and following his death in 1804 the estate was sold again to John Jacob Astor for $32,000.
7.50" x 9.0" Fine.