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106

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Auction Date:2012 Feb 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Notarized DS as president, two pages, 8 x 13, June 21, 1937. Headed “In the Matter of acquiring title to Public Park bounded by Congress and Myrtle Avenues and Leavitt Street in the Third Ward, Borough of Queens, City of New York.” In part, “Franklin D. Roosevelt, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he joined in the prayer for relief contained in the petition of John M. Hackett and Bankers Trust Company, Executors under the Last Will and Testament of James R. Roosevelt [FDR’s half-brother], deceased. That your deponent [FDR] has been informed that the City of New York on June 26th, 1912 acquired title to Damage Parcels Nos. 1, 2 and 3 herein and made an award to an ‘Unknown Owner’ in the sum of 15,200. That your deponent has been further informed that your deponent’s father, James Roosevelt, died seized of 26 2/3% of the premises of which Damage Parcels Nos. 1, 2 and 3 formed a part by virtue of a deed made by Eliza M. Leavitt to James Roosevelt, dated November 26th, 1877 and recorded in the office of the Clerk, now the Register, of the County of Queens on December 1st, 1877 in Liber 516 of Conveyances, at Page 21. That your deponent’s father died testate and his Will was duly admitted to probate in the Surrogate’s Court of Dutchess County on December 22nd, 1900 and in and by the terms of the Will one-third thereof was devised to your deponent upon his attaining the age of 21, one-third was devised to your deponent’s half-brother, James R. Roosevelt, and one-third to the Executors and Trustees under said Last Will and Testament inntrust to pay the income thereof to your deponent’s mother, Sara D. Roosevelt…That your deponent has been informed that he is entitled to one-third of 26 2/3% of the awards made for Damage Parcels Nos. 1, 2 and 3 herein and makes claim to the same…” In fine condition, with expected folds, with a horizontal fold through a couple letters of signature.

Accompanied by a seven-page document, the Last Will and Testament of FDR’s half-brother, James R. Roosevelt. Dated November 22, 1924, it includes two Codicils dated August 10, 1926 and November 8, 1926. There are penciled notes in an unidentified hand on the first page, one noting “JRR Died 5/7/27.” A paragraph in the Will is bracketed on page 6: “Twenty-fourth: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real and personal, and of every name and kind, I give, bequeath and devise unto my daughter Helen Roosevelt Robinson forever.”

On November 26, 1877, Eliza M. Leavitt sold her Queens property to James Roosevelt, FDR's father. When he died in 1900, the land was equally divided in thirds, portioned to his sons James and Franklin and their mother Sara. The president's share was held in trust until he became of age. In 1907, the Commissioners of Estimate were appointed to determine title to the property; a "Damage and Benefit" report was filed five years later when some of the land was purchased by eminent domain. This report assessed property value of the real estate and determining if taking a portion of the whole property devalued or benefited the "damage parcel." When the state took some of the land to make improvements, a January 12, 1912 report awarded a $15,200 compensation to the "Unknown Owner" of the real estate and placed in escrow pending the title search.

In 1932, the New York City comptroller paid all the taxes and penalties on "Damage Parcels No. 1, 2, and 3, leaving a credit balance of $3.046.43. Two-thirds of the affected land belonged to the estate of his father, entitling the Roosevelt family to claim the remaining $3,046.43 credit. To collect the revenue, each heir needed to file a separate paperwork. On May 7, 1927 FDR, Sara and the heir of his brother's estate, Helen R. Robinson each filed a petition claiming one third of the proceeds of the land sale. A scarce "family matters" document signed by one of the world’s greatest leaders, with unique annotations.
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