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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Richard Gosman DeBevoise Surveying Work Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | DeBevoise, Richard Gosman | |
| Title | Richard Gosman DeBevoise Surveying Work Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1857-1925 | |
| Abstract: | The collection (approximately of a cubic foot in size) consists principally of rough drafts of surveying sketches made or prepared in the process of surveying land for various individuals. These or sketches have been not only on regular papers used for such purposes, but also on the backs of letters, post cards or other miscellaneous items. Very few bear dates, but there can be but little doubt they were drawn during the period ca. 1880-1920. Apparently, though some Queens areas are included, the overwhelming majority the items appear to be surveys of properties in Brooklyn. In all instances, items originally pinned together have been clipped together so that any relationship they may have had is still preserved. The vast majority of these sketches are in pencil, and some of the larger sheets are somewhat frayed. | |
| Extent: | 2 boxes, .7 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | D-3 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
Richard Gosman DeBevoise (18??-1935) a resident of Woodhaven at the time of his death was a civil engineer and surveyor by profession. Descendant from families which had resided on Long Island since the 17th century, DeBevoise was also a serious student of genealogy. On his maternal side, he was related to the Nostrand family, longtime residents of Brooklyn, Mr. DeBevoise was in partnership for one period with John L. Nostrand "Corner of Myrtle and Bushwick Avenues (as a calling card in the collection states) in the Borough of Brooklyn. It is not known how long the partnership lasted, but judging from some letters in the collection, probably not very long. It would appear that most the surveying drafts in this collection are the work of only DeBevoise himself. DeBevoise died in a subway accident on December 12, 1935. The Long Island Daily Press of December 13, 1935 printed his obituary.
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Scope and Content Note
The collection (approximately of a cubic foot in size) consists principally of rough drafts of surveying sketches made or prepared in the process of surveying land for various individuals. These or sketches have been not only on regular papers used for such purposes, but also on the backs of letters, post cards or other miscellaneous items. Very few bear dates, but there can be but little doubt they were drawn during the period ca. 1880-1920. Apparently, though some Queens areas are included, the overwhelming majority the items appear to be surveys of properties in Brooklyn. In all instances, items originally pinned together have been clipped together so that any relationship they may have had is still preserved. The vast majority of these sketches are in pencil, and some of the larger sheets are somewhat frayed.
In an effort to make the collection more useful and manageable other materials not falling into the above category rough drafts of surveys have been separated into other series. These consist of and include two specification sheets for grading land: about ten letters addressed to DeBevoise ca. 1901-1925 to which are attached various rough surveys, bills, notes or memoranda (these letters addressed to DeBevoise alone would probably indicate that he no longer in partnership with Nostrand); about twenty letters addressed to Nostrand, dated ca. 1866-1902, the majority of which also have rough sketches or other data attached to them; and a few miscellaneous printed items such as a "Price-List of Nassau Heights Lots Situated on Grand Street, Newtown L.I. …". undated but probably ca. 1890-1900, and "Hudson by Daylight Map …” dated 1878.
In the Archives at Queens Library's and Print Collection will be found perhaps a hundred or so completed surveys, as well as some non-survey sketches of various kinds which DeBevoise completed.
Late in 1972, some additional material was located interspersed mistakenly with papers belonging to another collection, The Rogers-Waters Family Papers. This new material consists only of some 100 documents, more than half of which are receipts, and virtually all of which pertain to the Nostrand alone. More specifically, the following series exist.
Receipted bills signed by John L. Nostrand for having received payment for surveying work. These are dated from the 1860’s to the 1880’s, and a few of the latter dated are made out to Nostrand and DeBevoise. ca. 70 items
Miscellaneous bills and documents consist of various receipted tax bills; some calling cards, and miscellaneous documents dated 1870’s-1880’s with a few earlier or later. One 1912 item may belong to the Rogers - Waters Collection rather than this one. ca. 35 items
Catherine Nostrand Documents series contains one insurance policy; 4 receipted Jamaica Village and Jamaica Town tax bills made out to Catherine Nostrand's Estate; inventory of personal items belonging to Mrs. Nostrand, dated 1857-1861.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Richard Gosman DeBevoise Surveying Work Papers, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Names:
- DeBevoise, Richard Gosman
Subject Places:
- Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
