This paper is now 338 years old (in 2007). It is frail as it can be, and ready to disintegrate. Copies are made from a film negative the Long Island Studies Institute has in their file - the actual document is much too fragile to copy directly. The date at the top of the deed reads July 8th 1669.  I was privileged on my trip back to Long Island a few years ago to handle the original document.

Benjamin Coe was husband of Abigail Carman and brother-in-law to John Carman, whom he deeded the land of much of what is Great Neck on Long Island.

The deed reads to the best I can read of it:

"This present writing may witness to all [two words worn to blur]

any ways concern that I Benjamin Coe of [two right words again worn]

could [?] brother John Carman of Hemsted my lot of

medow lying on the great necke eastward newly [?] out w

all the privileges and apurtinances belonging to me in the

bounds of the towne of hemsted whether already layed out [?]

otherwise and doe herby give him full power to demand

poses and enjoy all and every part of the same [?] him [?]

his against me or any from me for ever [really obliterated by the crease]

[next line obliterated by crease]

signed and delivered in the presance of these witnesis: Robard Coe [second name unreadable]

[signed] Benjamin Coe"