-e> .>^^'V. V. '^oV^ ^o. ^ "^^ '^.^r:** -vi-^ 4 o \/ •• .^"""^ .(J ^9' ♦ ' * ,-^*5 .'^^'* v'^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding froniT^^^' The Library of Congress : ^^ '-■^^ ^^ < .- -^^0^ .^"^^- ^. •,'5 vTs O^ »>' -^^ 1 o. ^o Y: http://www.archive.org/details/informationrelatOOti^n ^ - .h" "c .^•* j.O'v. -fife" <^°^ -^m: i"-'* ^,„xxx^ > .0 'u. ^ '^c ^°-*^ ^ _ ^*i^^ !• ^%^. J ^ IIL INFORMATION ' ' RELATIVE TO TAKING UP LAND IN NEW NETHERLAND. By CoRNELis Van Tienhoven, Secretary of the Province. 1650. Translated from the Dutch. ' .1 INFORMATION RELATIVE TO TAKING UP LAND IN NEW NET11ERLAND,IN THE FORM OF COLONIES OR PRIVATE BOWERIES. 1650. [Hoi. Doc. v.] If any man be disposed to begin eitlier by himself or others, Colonies, Bouweries or Plantations in New Netherland, lying in the Latitude of one and forty degrees and a half, he shall first have to inform himself fully of the situation of the lands lying on rivers, havens and Bays, in order thus to select the most suitable and particularly tlie most convenient grounds : It is therefore to be borne in mind that the lands in New Netlierland are not all level & flat and adapted to raising of grain, inasmuch as they are, with the exception of some few flatts, generally covered with timber, in divers places also with large & small stones. In order, then first to describe those lands which are actually the most convenient and best adapted for early occupancy, where and how located, I sliall enumerate tlie following places, and commend the remainder to the consideration of proprietors of this country. I begin then at the most easterly corner of Long Island, being a point situate on the Main Ocean, inclosing within, westward, a large inland sea' adorned witli divers fair havens and bays, fit for all sorts of craft ; this Point is entirely covered with Trees, without any flatts and is somewhat hilly and stoney, very convenient for Cod fishing, which is most successfully followed by the Natives during tlie Season. This Point is also well adapted to secure the trade of the Indians in Wampum (thejuine of New Netlierland) since in and about the abovementioned sea and the islands therein situate, lie the cockles wliereof Wampum is made from which great profit could be realized by those who would plant a Colonic or liamlet 1 Gardner's Bay. Tr. 28 INFORMATION RELATIVE TO on the aforesaid hook for the cultivation of the land, for raising all sorts of cattlr, for lishing, and the Wampum trade. It would be necessary, in sucli case, to settle on tlie aforesaid land some persons thoroughly conversant with agriculture and others with the fishery. Oyslerbay, so called from the great abundance of fine and delicate oysters which are found tliere. Tliis bay is about a short mile across, or in width at the mouth; deep and navigable, without either rocks or sands, runs westward in proportion, and divides itself into two rivers, which arc broad and clear, on which said rivei's lie fine maize lands, formerly cultivated by the Indians, some of which they still work ; they could be had for a trifle. This land is situate on such beautiful bay, and rivers that it could at little cost be converted into good farms fit for the plou^li J there are here, also, some fine hay valleys. Martin Gcrritsars bay or Mniinnehouqk^ is much deeper and wider tliau Oyster bay, and runs westward in, divides into three rivers, two of which are navigal)}c-; the smallest stream runs up in front of tlie Indian village called Martinne houck, where they have their plantations. This tribe is not strong, and consists of about 30 families. In and about this bay there were formerly great numbers of Indian Plantations, which now lie Waste and vacant. This 1 uul is mostly level and of good quality, well adapted for grain and rearing of all sorts of cattle ; on the rivers are numerous ^'alleys of sweet and salt meadows ; all sorts of river fish are also caught there. Schouf's bni/j on the East river, also very open and uavigaoie, with one river running into it ; on said river are also fine maize lands, level and not stony, with riglit beautiful valleys. Beyond said river is a very convenient ho(jk of land, somewhat large, encircled by a large valley and ri\('r, where all descriptions of cattle can l)e reared and fed, sncli CMiivenience being a great accommodation for the settlers, who otherwise must searcli lor their cattle frequently several da}s in the bush. The country on the East river between Greenwich and tlie island Manhattans, is for the most part covered with trees, but yet Hat and suitable land, with numerous streams and valleys, TAKING UP LAND IN NEW NETHERLAND. 29 right good soil for grain, together with fresh hay and meadow lands. Wiequaeskeck, on the North riv-^er, five miles above New Amsterdam is very good and suitable land for agriculture, very extensive maize land, on wliicli the Indians have planted — pro- ceeding from the shore and inland 'tis flat and mostly level, well watered by small streams and running springs. This land lies between the Sintinck and Armonck streams situate between the East and North rivers. ' In tlie Bay of the North river, about two miles from Sandy Hook, lies an inlet or small bay ; on the south sliore of said bay, called Neyswesinck, there are also right good maize lands which have not been cultivated by the natives for a long time. This district is well adapted for raising and feeding all sorts of cattle, and is esteemed by many not ill-adapted for fisheries ; a good trade in furs could also be carried on there, and 'tis likewise accessible to all large vessels coming from sea, which are often obliged to lie to or anchor behind Sandy Hook, either in conse- quence of contrary winds, or for want of a pilot. The district inhabited by a nation called Raritangs, is situate on a fresh water river, that flows through the centre of the low land which the Indians cultivated. This vacant territory lies between two high mountains, far distant the one from the other. Tills is the handsomest and pleasantest country that man can behold, it furnished the Indians with abundance of maize, beans, pumpkins, and other fruits. This district was abandoned by the natives for two reasons ; the first and principal is, that find- ing themselves unable to resist the Southern Indians, they migrated further inland ; the second, because this country was flooded every spring like Renselaer's colonic, frequently spoiling and destroying tlieir supplies of maize which were stored in holes under ground. Tlu'ougli this valley pass large numbers of all sorts of tribes, on their way north or east, tliis land is therefore not only adapted for raising grain and rearing all description of cattle, but also very convenient for trade with the Indians. 1 "Westchester County. Ta 30 INFORMATION RELATIVE TO On both sides of tlie South bay tind South river also lie some handsome hinds, not only suitable but very conveuient for agri- culture and trade. I liave aheady stated Avhere the first Colonists should, in ray opinion, settle, regard being had to the convenience of those lands in the possession of which other nations being anticipated, tliey would not be able to extend tlieir pretended limits lurther, and great peace and security would be attbrded to the inhabitants. I shall here further state the time wlien tliose emigrating hence to and arriving in New Netherlaud will take up land, and how e^ch shall afterwards earn a living and settle in the most econo- mical manner according to the fashion of the country. Boors and others who are obliged to work at first in Colonies ought to sail from this country in the fore or latter part of win- ter, in order to arrive with God's help in New Netherland early in the Spring, as in March, or at latest in April, so as to be able to plant during that summer, garden vegetaliles, maize and beans, and moreover employ the whole summer in clearing laud and building cottages as I shall hereafter describe. All then who ai-rive in New Netherland must immediately set about preparing the soil, so as to be able, if possible to plant some winter grain, and to proceed tlie next winter to cut and clear the timber. The trees are usually felled from the stump, cut up and burnt in the field, unless such as ai-e suitable lor building, for palisades, posts, and rails, which must be pre- pared during winter, so as to beset up in the spring on the new made land which is intended to be sown, in order tliat tlie cattle may not in any wise injure the crops. In most lands is found a certain Toot, called red Wortel, which must, before ploughing, be extirpated with a hoe, expressly made for that purpose. This being done in the winter, some plough right ai-ound the stumps, should time or circumstances not allow these to be re- moved ; others plant tobacco, maize and beans, at first. The soil even thus becomes very mellow, and they sow winter grain the next ikll. From tobacco, can be realized some of the expenses incurred in clearing the land. The maize and beans help to support both men and cattle. The farmer having thus begun, must endeavour, every year, to clear as much new land TAKING UP LAND IN NEW NETIIERLAND. > 31 as he possibly can, and sow it with such seed as he considers most suitable. It is not necessary that the husbandman should take up much stock in the beginning, since clearing land and otlier necessary labor do not permit him to save much liay and to build barns for stabling. One pair of draft horses or a yoke of oxen only is necessary, to ride the planks for buildings or palisades or rails from the land to the place where they are to be set. The farmer can get all sorts of cattle in the course of the second summer when he will have more leisure to cut and bring home hay, also to build barns and houses for men and cattle. Of the building of houses at first. Before beginning to build, it will above all things be necessary to select a well located spot, either on some river or bay, suitable for the settlement of a village or hamlet. This is previously properly surveyed and divided into lots, with good streets accord- ing to the situation of the place. This hamlet can be fenced all round with high palisades or long boards and closed with gates, which is advantageous in case of attack by the natives who heretofore used to exhibit their insolence in new plantations. Outside the village or hamlet other land must be laid out which can in general be fenced and prepared at the most trifling expense. Those in New Netherland and especially in New England, who have no means to build farm houses at first according to their wishes, dig a square pit in the ground, cellar fashion, 6 or 7 feet deep, as long and as broad as they think proper, case the earth inside with w^ood all round the wall, and line the wood with the bark of trees or something else to prevent the caving in of the earth ; floor this cellar with plank and wainscot it overhead for a ceiling, raise a roof of spars clear up and cover tlie spars with bark or green sods, so that they can live dry and warm in these houses with their entire families for two, three and four years, it being understood that partitions are run through those cellars which are adapted to the size of the family. The wealthy and principal men in New England, in the beginning of the Colonies, commenced their first dwelling houses in this fashion for two 49 lNt"ORMATIOK RELATIVE TO reasons ; fiisll), in uuler n<»t t«> waste time building and not to want loud tlif next season ; secondly, in order nut to discourage poorer laboring ije(.i])le whom they brought over in numbers lioui Falht rland. In the cuurse of 3 O': i years, w hen the country becfcnie adapted to agriculture, they built themselves handsome houses, spending on them several tliousiinds. Al'iir llie luMises arc built in the abu\ e described manner or otherwise acc' .^^ -^^o^ '0^ '; -^o \> •"-^^ ^^•n^ .f^\c/ » » • • ^ o f> • » • o^ ^> * y "-^c .-^c '''^^o^ ^,5°^ "^ov*^ ^o V^ '•' <^^ o ^o. •^^ >.