[Manuscript Document Acknowleging Receipt of Inheritance and Release of Further Claims]
New York City: 1808. Folio (16 by 10 in. - lightly folded once horizontally and twice vertically). [4]pp; approx. 1000 words of text on first three pages, with address at final page; ruled in light brown ink. A few oxidation spots, small tear along central fold at final page above dress (no loss of text), else clean and fine, written in a strong, neat hand.
Dated November 2, 1808, New York City: Moses Gomez (1744/45-1826), son of Rebecca Gomez (née De Lucena; the second wife of Mordecai Gomez), and a manufacturer of chocolate, here acknowledges receipt of $1852.17 from the executors of his mother's estate, thereby releasing any additional claim on the estate. This payment was prompted by the death, two months earlier, of Moses' brother, Abraham, the eldest (living) son of Rebecca. The proceeds from the sale of her Nassau property are to be equally divided with Moses' half-sister, Rachel (Waage), the daughter of Mordecai Gomez, by his first wife. Moses Gomez refers to the death of his widowed mother, Rebecca, who in her lifetime had published a last will and testament (dated July 21, 1798), and died in 1801. In her will she appointed her grandsons Abraham Gomez Jr. and Herman Henricks, and friend, attorney Henry Kermit, executors. Her property on Nassau Street was to be divided among her heirs. Moses Gomez states that according to Rebecca's will during the lifetime of her eldest son, Abraham, the Nassau property should be leased out from year to year, with the monies going to his support and ultimately to pay his funeral expenses. Upon his death, the house was be sold. One of the executors of Rebecca's estate, Herman (Harmon) Henricks (1771-1838), was Moses' nephew (the son of his sister, Eve) and was a prominent member of the Henricks copper mining family.
Signatures: Moses Gomez (twice, the second after a brief addendum); Witnesses: John Severidge jun.; Daniel Mack jun. (for the addendum). Fine. Item #52511
J.R. Rosenbloom, A Biographical Dictionary of Early American Jews (Univ. Kentucky, 1960), p.46; cf. L. Hershkowitz, Wills of Early New York Jews, pp. 84-91 (the will of Mordecai Gomez).
Price: $7,500.00