The Humble Petition of Abraham Delucena Minister of the Jewish Nation Residing at the City of New- York. Sheweth

That yo"" Petitioners Predecessors, ministers of the Jewish Nation, resideing at the City of New York, by reason of their ministerial fifunction, have from time to time beene Exempted by ye Government, not only ; from bearing any Of&ce Civil or Military within this City : but likewise beene Excus'd from severall Duties and Services Incumbent upon the Inhabitants of this city.

Wherefore yo' Petitioner most humbly beggs yo^ Excellencies care of him (in Consideration of his ministeriall ffunction) That hee may likewise be excused from all such Offices, duties and services, and be allowed the like Priviledges and advantages within this city, as have formerly beene Granted to his said Predecessors, as Ministers as aforesaid. And that yo^ Excellency will be pleased to Give such Directions in the premises as to yo"^ Excellency shall seem meet.

And yoJ^ Excellencies Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray etc.

New York * Abraham De Lucena.

13th Sept' 1710.

PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITV OF NEW-YORK 435

Read in Council 18*^ Sept and referred to Cap' Walters and M'' Mompesson to examine and make their report.

%• Here it may not be out of place perhaps to record the fact, that in 1729, Noe WiUey, of London, gave a deed to his three sons, merchants in Ncvv-Yorl^ of a certain lot fronting on what is now Chatham, Oliver, Henry and Catherine Sts. to be used as a Jewish burial ground, and in the year following a trust was created providing " that the said land shall forever remain as a burial place for the Jewish Nation, and to no other use whatever." On its ceasing to be used for that purpose a quit claim deed of it was executed to the Jewish Congregation, Shearith Israel, by one Isaac Gomez Jr.