The Sears Family Collection contains documents and letters related to the family descending from the line of William Sewall (Suel) Sears (1713-1795), who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, moved to White Plains, New York and eventually settled in Montgomery, Orange County, New York in 1760.
This collection includes deeds, indentures, and legal documents from his sons Benjamin Sears (1745-1817) and James Sears (1740-1804).
Benjamin Sears was appointed sheriff of Ulster, later Orange County, by Governor George Clinton on February 18, 1793 as well as Vendue Master (authorized auctioneer) for the county by John Jay. Although the documents pertain to land in the Town of Montgomery, which changed from Ulster to Orange County in 1798, Benjamin and his line established a farm along the Blooming Grove Turnpike in 1791. These documents were found in a trunk dating from the late 18th, early 19th century with the initials “H B”, which could be the initials of Henry Brewster (1750-1830), a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and local landowner in the Town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, New York.
James Sears traveled to West Point, Connecticut and New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. He purchased land and worked mills on the Wallkill River, was a slave owner, took on an apprentice to learn the art of a cloather, and interacted with his brothers, including Benjamin Sears. James and his descendants lived in Montgomery on the same property until 1993. Documents are also included from James’ son William Elliott Sears (1782-1858), grandson William Elliott Sears (1822-1894), and great granddaughter Idellette Calvin Sears (1868-1910). These documents were found in a second leather covered wooden trunk from the 18th century in Montgomery. The box and documents have been preserved and passed down through the family.
