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COLONIAL CHARTERS 
 PATENTS AND GRANTS 
 
 to the 
 
 Communities Comprising 
 the 
 
 CITY OF NEW YORK 
 
 By 
 JERROLD SEYMANN, LL.B. 
 
 Legal Staff, Board of Statutory 
 Consolidation of the City of New York 
 
 Published by 
 
 The Board of Statutory Consolidation 
 
 of the City of New York 
 
 1939 
 
Copyright, 1939 
 
 by 
 Jerrold Seymann 
 
 [This edition is limited to 500 copies] 
 
 59 
 
 Printed by 
 
 J. B. LYON COMPANY 
 
 Albany, N. Y. 
 

 
 ^^ll JIllH.'stistS^ 
 
 K 
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 N important and interesting phase of the work of the 
 Board of Statutory Consolidation was the collec- 
 tion of legal material affecting the government of 
 the City of New York. The search for colonial material 
 led members of the legal staff into the archives of the State, 
 the recording offices of the municipalities which had been 
 incorporated into the Greater City of New York and vari- 
 ous libraries and historical societies. When the extent of 
 the research was realized, Mr. Jerrold Seymann was 
 assigned to the difficult task of preparing an authoritative 
 text on the subject of the colonial charters, patents and 
 grants to the City. The following pages bear eloquent 
 testimony of the care and patience with which he performed 
 that task. 
 
 This volume should prove to be of considerable value to 
 the Law Department of the City of New York, legal libra- 
 ries, historians and archivists. 
 
 Reuben A. Lazarus 
 
 Counsel 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 IN HIS Foreword Mr. Lazarus has clearly revealed 
 how this volume originated during the research work 
 undertaken for the Board of Statutory Consolidation. 
 It was a very happy determination, born of the realization 
 of a hiatus in published records relating to the City of 
 Greater New York, that this gap should be filled by this 
 work, to be brought to fruition by the patient pursuits of 
 Mr. Seymann of the legal staff of the Board. 
 
 This volume will hold a prominent place in a group of 
 fundamental sources indispensable to the Corporation of 
 the City of New York, lawyers, publicists, political scien- 
 tists, and historians. In 1853 Murray Hoffman's Treatise 
 upon the Estate and Rights of the Corporation of the City 
 of New York appeared as a small volume. Materially 
 revised and enlarged to two volumes, it appeared again in 
 1862. Two compilations by H. E. Davies (1855) and 
 David T. Valentine (1862) presented the Laws of the 
 State of New York relating particularly to the City of New 
 York. In 1865— 1866 were published Murray Hoffman's 
 two volumes of Digest of the Charters, Statutes and Ordi- 
 nances of, or relating to the Corporation of the City of 
 New York. In 1868 Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan's useful 
 volume, translations from the Dutch of Laws and Ordi- 
 nances of New Netherland came out under unofficial 
 auspices. It was not until 1894 that The Colonial Laws of 
 New York were issued as a body, in five volumes by the State 
 Commissioners of Statutory Revision. Three series of the 
 records of the municipality for the period 1653 to 1831, 
 embracing thirty-six volumes, namely, the Records of New 
 Amsterdam, and Minutes of the Common Council, were 
 published from 1893 to 1930 by committees under authority 
 
vi Introduction 
 
 of the City of New York. This is a fine record. The pres- 
 ent volume is a fitting companion work. 
 
 It is true that many more of our public records ought to 
 be printed, such as the invaluable Mayor's Court Minutes 
 from 1674 down. There are thousands upon thousands of 
 record libers and files scattered about our Greater City 
 suffering from improper housing and in need of proper 
 organization, classification and restoration. In some places, 
 indeed, conditions are better; but there is not a centralized 
 organization of the various organisms that constitute our 
 city's archives. 
 
 Throughout the United States there is a growing archival 
 consciousness expressing itself in a demand for proper hous- 
 ing and administration. The National Archives in Wash- 
 ington has been setting a good example that is becoming 
 known. The recently-organized Society of American Ar- 
 chivists in annual conventions and by its journal The Ameri- 
 can Archivist has been enlightening government officials. 
 Just now, through this Society, a special committee, of which 
 I am a member, has drafted a proposed Uniform State 
 Public Records Act, to be submitted to the Committee on 
 Scope and Program of the National Conference of Commis- 
 sioners on Uniform State Laws. 
 
 The business of taking proper care of and administering 
 our public records, whether old or new, is a function of the 
 government related to them. Therefore in every unit of 
 the government there should be a public archival agency 
 and in every city a centralized City Archives Building, 
 administered for all the needs of the government under the 
 direction of persons trained in this work as a profession. 
 It has been well said: "It is only by such a centralization 
 that the administrative business of a community, or group 
 of communities, can be efficiently and economically admin- 
 istered," and the interest of research be adequately 
 forwarded. 
 
 Victor Hugo Paltsits 
 
PREFACE 
 
 IN THE huge task of drafting an Administrative Code 
 for the City of New York, one of the first, and per- 
 haps most difficult, problems confronting the Board 
 was that of collecting all pertinent legal material. It con- 
 sisted of a painstaking examination of every law affecting 
 the public interests of the City. The search led the legal 
 staff of the Board of Statutory Consolidation back to the 
 Colonial laws. Even this was considered to be insufficient, 
 and the exhaustive investigation ultimately resulted in a 
 study of the ancient charters, patents and grants. The 
 rights of the City under such charters were protected by the 
 first New York State Constitution of 1777, and all revisions 
 of the organic law contained such rights substantially with- 
 out change. It appears in the most recent revision of the 
 Constitution as Section 15 of Article I and reads as 
 follows : 
 
 "All grants of land within this state, made by the 
 king of Great Britain, or persons acting under his 
 authority, after the fourteenth day of October, one 
 thousand seven hundred seventy-five, shall be null 
 and void; but nothing contained in this constitution 
 shall affect any grants of land within this state, made 
 by the authority of the said king or his predecessors, 
 or shall annul any charters to bodies politic and cor- 
 porate, by him or them made before that day; * * * " 
 
 It was discovered that few people knew of the existence 
 or whereabouts of the ancient charters, most of which had 
 never been published. Originals still in existence are dis- 
 persed among various recording offices, libraries and his- 
 torical societies as far afield as San Marino, California. 
 
 vii 
 
viii Preface 
 
 Because of lack of knowledge as to the whereabouts of 
 some originals, reliance in the past was of necessity placed 
 upon carelessly recorded copies. 
 
 The long felt need of collecting and publishing a com- 
 plete and authentic set of these widely scattered old docu- 
 ments for the use of the Corporation Counsel and his assist- 
 ants in establishing and determining the rights of the City 
 to its property was obvious. Reuben A. Lazarus, Counsel 
 to the Board, determined to meet that need, and assigned 
 to the author the duty of assembling the charters, patents 
 and grants to the various towns and villages which were 
 incorporated into the Greater City of New York at the 
 time when these municipalities were consolidated by the 
 Legislature in 1897 (L. 1897, ch. 378).* 
 
 During the three years that this book has been in prepara- 
 tion, every attempt was made to discover the whereabouts 
 of the original documents. When the originals could not 
 be found, the authentic engrossed record copies on deposit 
 in the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library 
 in Albany were used. These were deemed more accurate 
 than the copies which were later made from them and filed 
 in the office of the Secretary of State. Less than two months 
 ago, the Dongan Charter to the town of Jamaica was for 
 the first time made available to the public. It had previ- 
 ously been in private hands and was presented to the Rufus 
 King chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
 which deposited it for safekeeping in the Queens Borough 
 Public Library. The discovery of this charter necessitated 
 material revision of the proofs which had been previously 
 conformed with the copy recorded in Albany. 
 
 All of the charters contained in this volume were care- 
 fully compared with the original engrossed documents when 
 available, and the text in this volume is printed as closely 
 
 *A chart of the Communities Consolidated into New York City follows 
 page 612. 
 
Preface ix 
 
 verbatim et literatim et punctuatim as typography will allow. 
 It was felt that to modernize the style would have resulted 
 in the undesirable effect of editing the documents. The 
 following key is designed to elucidate only the more abstruse 
 abbreviations and contractions that occur in this volume in 
 order to assist the amateur in reading the texts. The writers 
 of the original manuscripts did not always mark contrac- 
 tions as custom demanded and they were not particularly 
 consistent whenever they did mark them. The contraction 
 mark is usually placed on or over the letter which imme- 
 diately precedes the place of elision; but there are excep- 
 tions. Perhaps the commonest survivals of signs that have 
 come down to the present day are & (and), a cursive writ- 
 ing of the Latin word et; and ^ (per) . — 
 
 A mark over a letter sometimes indicates that it is 
 doubled, as in comonly, rune, Sumes. 
 
 Admto rs = Administrators. 
 
 als=alias. 
 
 ft=syllable ber, as in Hibnise (Hiberniae), Rofet (Rob- 
 ert), Decemfe (December). 
 
 Co H =Colonel. 
 
 con=syllable tion in words that have it. 
 
 D ne =Domine. 
 
 Dni=Domini. 
 
 Gefi a11 , Geh", Gefi ra11 and Gen rH =Generall. 
 
 Gent=Gentleman, Gentlemen. 
 
 Innitants=Inhabitants. 
 
 L res =Letters. 
 
 Ma ties =Majesties (Majesty's) 
 
 ^ and p=syllables par, per, por and pro. 
 
 Petn rs =Petitioners. 
 
 pnts=presents. 
 
 q 5 =syllable que, as in Annoq } (Annoque), Publiq } (Pub- 
 lique) ; also used as a contraction in Esqj (Esquire). 
 
 Ricn=Richard. 
 
x Preface 
 
 w ch =which. 
 
 w th =with. 
 
 Xp ians = Christians. 
 
 y=A survival and modification of an Anglo-Saxon let- 
 ter, whose value is th, and it is always so pronounced 
 when written in the words y e (the), y* (that), y m 
 (them), y n (then), y* (they). 
 
 A great deal of time and care were exercised in the prepa- 
 ration of the documents for the printer. However, the 
 author does not profess to have achieved perfection in his 
 work. Rigid precautions were taken to make it as nearly 
 accurate as the margin of human error will allow. Never- 
 theless, it is expected that shortcomings will become appar- 
 ent. Minor inaccuracies are inevitable in dealing with as 
 great a mass of historical matter. The author, however, 
 is confident that every problem incident to the preparation 
 of this work has been considered and dealt with. 
 
 A short history of the charters was written by the author 
 for the purpose of explaining the background and events 
 which led up to the granting of the documents. It is based 
 on accurate historical data. In many cases original sources 
 were consulted. An extensive check list of sources has been 
 inserted at the end of the volume for reference. 
 
 The maps printed in this volume were selected mainly 
 for the purpose of illustrating the patents. An attempt 
 was made to print at least one for each town. They have 
 been reproduced from photographs of the original manu- 
 scripts by a special gravure process. Although they have 
 been reduced in size, every detail of the original is clearly 
 depicted. 
 
 It will be noted that throughout this volume many dates 
 have been written with a diagonal line separating the last 
 two figures and indicating two successive years thus: March 
 ioth, 1684/5. This occurs because of the difference 
 between the Julian or "old style" calendar legally used by 
 Great Britain and her colonies until 1752 and the Gregorian 
 
Preface xi 
 
 or "new style" calendar which had been introduced in 1582. 
 The year under the "old style" or Julian calendar used by 
 Great Britain ran from March 25th to March 24th. The 
 year under the "new style" or Gregorian calendar ran from 
 January 1st to December 31st. 
 
 It must be pointed out that all of the charters in so far 
 as they relate to New York City were repealed by the State 
 Legislature when it enacted the Administrative Code for 
 the City of New York. However, Subdivision "d" of Sec- 
 tion 2 of Chapter 929 of the Laws of 1937 (Administrative 
 Code) provides as follows: 
 
 "The repeal of any colonial charter or patent by this 
 act shall not affect in any way any franchises, grants 
 of land or rights of property of any nature granted by 
 any such charter or patent to any agency of govern- 
 ment; and all such franchises, grants of land and rights 
 of property are hereby ratified, confirmed and extended 
 to the City of New York." 
 
 The author gives his sincere thanks to Dr. Victor Hugo 
 Paltsits, former State Historian and at present Chief of the 
 American History Division and Keeper of Manuscripts in 
 the New York Public Library, without whose valuable sug- 
 gestions and aid the preparation of this volume could not 
 have been accomplished; Mr. Arnold J. F. van Laer, Archi- 
 vist of the State of New York, who so generously consented 
 to read and revise the proofs of the Dutch material and 
 prepare the footnotes therefor; and Dr. I. N. P. Stokes for 
 permission to use material from his Iconography of Man- 
 hattan Island. He also thanks the Huntington Library of 
 San Marino, California, the Long Island Historical Society, 
 and the New York Historical Society for their permission 
 and aid in reproducing various documents. He is indebted 
 to Miss Edna L. Jacobsen, head of the Manuscripts and 
 History Section of the New York State Library, for making 
 
xii Preface 
 
 available the original engrossed records, and to Mr. Frank- 
 lin A. Poole, librarian of the Association of the Bar of the 
 City of New York, and Augustine H. Matthews, librarian 
 of the Law Department of the City of New York, for lend- 
 ing to him many valuable books needed in the preparation 
 of the history. An especial debt of gratitude is due his 
 wife, Anne Seymann, for the laborious care with which she 
 read and reread the proofs for this volume. 
 
 Jerrold Seymann 
 New York, 
 December 15, 1939 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 First Sheet of the Dongan Charter to New York. City, 
 April 27, 1686 Frontispiece 
 
 From the original manuscript in the New York Public Library. The 
 charter is on 5 sheets of parchment and is the property of the City of 
 New York. It is deposited for safe keeping in the Manuscript Divi- 
 sion of the New York Public Library. For text of charter see page 216. 
 
 The Nicholas J. Visscher Map of New Netherland . Page 75 
 
 From an early proof copy engraved on copper, in the New York Public 
 Library. The date depicted is probably shortly before 1651. Original 
 size: Map 2iif"xi8^", View I2^"x2^j". This map was found in Dart- 
 mund, by Frederik Muller & Co., in 191 1. It is now part of the collec- 
 tion of I. N. P. Stokes on deposit in the New York Public Library. Fort 
 Kasimier on the Delaware River does not appear on this map. It does 
 appear on the N. J. Visscher Map known to modern collectors and which 
 was reproduced in Stokes' Iconography of Manhattan Island Vol. I, plate 
 7-b. The absence of Fort Kasimier is the only difference between this 
 proof copy and the N. J. Visscher Map known to modern collectors. This 
 proof copy is evidently one of the earliest impressions taken from the 
 plate, which had not yet been cleaned, and distinctly shows the light 
 guide lines used by the engraver in placing the titles. The fact that 
 Fort Kasimier is not here shown strengthens the proof that the N. J. 
 Visscher Map was originally engraved before or shortly after the found- 
 ing of Fort Kasimier in 1651. For full discussion of the N. J. Visscher 
 Maps see Stokes' Iconography of Manhattan Island, Vol. I, Plate 7-a, 
 7-b, 7-A and the descriptions of those plates on pages 143-151 inc., also 
 Vol. II Cartography "The Jonssonius Visscher Map and its Surveyors," 
 page 115 et sec. 
 
 Map of the Township of East Chester, Westchester 
 County Page 353 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 380. Surveyed and drawn by Christo- 
 pher Colles. Original size I3"x33". 
 
 Map of the boundaries of Long Reach, Westchester 
 County Page 357 
 
 From the original manuscript in Land Papers, Vol. IV, p. 125, in the 
 Manuscript Division, New York State Library, Albany, N. Y. Original 
 size I4"xi8". 
 
 xiii 
 
xiv Illustrations 
 
 Map of the Town of Pelham, Westchester County 
 
 Page 372 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 404. Prepared by James Davenport, 
 Surveyor. February 22, 1798. Original size ij"x2<)". 
 
 Draught of the bounds claimed by the town of West- 
 chester relative to Pell's Purchase and O'Neall's Pat- 
 ent [Westchester County] Page 380 
 
 From the original manuscript in Land Papers, Vol. Ill, p. 188, in 
 the Manuscript Division, New York State Library, Albany, N. Y. 
 Original size ^"yq" . 
 
 Map of the town of West Farms, showing the division line 
 as constituting the new town of West Farms and Mor- 
 risania Page 420 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Land Office of the Secretary of 
 State, Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 737. Not dated. Wm. G. Livingston, 
 Surveyor. Original size 20^' 'X28J/2' '. 
 
 A Small Draught of Fordham and Ye Meadows 
 
 Opposite page 425 
 
 From the original manuscript in Land Papers, Vol. I, p. 13, in the 
 Manuscript Division, New York State Library, Albany, N. Y. Dated 
 1669. Original size io"x8". 
 
 Map of the town of Yonkers, Westchester County Page 432 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 401. Dated 1797. Original size I5^2"xi7". 
 
 Map of the town of Brooklyn Page 455 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 398. Prepared by Henry Beddell, Surveyor. 
 Dated 1797. Original size I9"xi5" in color. 
 
 Draught demonstrating how the towns of Newtown, Brook- 
 lyn, Bushwick and Flatbush interfere Page 461 
 
 From the original manuscript in Land Papers, Vol. II, p. 218, in the 
 Manuscript Division, New York State Library, Albany, N. Y. Dated 
 January 9, 1694. Prepared by August Graham, Surveyor. Original 
 size 23"xi7" in color. 
 
Illustrations xv 
 
 Map showing the lines and bounds of the town of Bush- 
 wick, Kings County Page 465 
 
 From the original manuscript in Land Papers, Vol. IV, p. 82, in the 
 Manuscript Division, New York State Library, Albany, N. Y. Prepared 
 by Pieter Cortelyou. Dated, December 2, 1706. Original size i6^"xi3" 
 in color. 
 
 Map of the Bushwick Township Page 473 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 398. Prepared by Henry Beddell, Surveyor. 
 Dated, October 1797. Original size I9"xi5" in color. 
 
 Map of the town of Flatbush, Kings County. . . .Page 479 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 368. Prepared by Jeremiah Lott. Dated, 
 November 10, 1797. Original size I4"x2i" in color. 
 
 Map of the town of Flatlands, Kings County. . .Page 486 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 368. Prepared by Jeremiah Lott. Dated, 
 November 20, 1797. Original size I4"x2i" in color. 
 
 Map of the town of Gravesend Page 494 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 429. Laid down by John Terhune. 
 Original size 2i"x22" in color. 
 
 Map of the town of New Utrecht, Kings County. Page 509 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 417. Prepared by Jeremiah Lott. Dated, 
 October 14, 1797. Original size i4"x2o" in color. 
 
 Map of the town of Flushing, Queens County. . .Page 517 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 415. Surveyed by Wm. M. Stewart, Sur- 
 veyor. Dated, October 19, 1797. Original size i3"xi9" in color. 
 
 Map of the town of Hempstead, Queens County. Page 530 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 365. Surveyed by Wm. M. Stewart. Dated, 
 September 25, 1797. Original size 25"x28" in color. 
 
xvi Illustrations 
 
 Map of the town of North Hempstead, Queens County. . 
 
 Page 537 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 415. Prepared by Wm. M. Stewart, Sur- 
 veyor. Original size 2o"x2i" in color. 
 
 Map of the Town of Jamaica, Queens County. .Page 543 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 431. Surveyed by Wm. M. Stewart, Sur- 
 veyor. Dated, October 9, 1797. Original size i8^2"x23" in color. 
 
 Map of Newtown, Queens County Page 552 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y.Map File, No. 398. Prepared by Wm. M. Stewart, Sur- 
 veyor. Dated, November 10, 1797. (Reduced). 
 
 Map of the county of Richmond Page 568 
 
 From the original manuscript in the Department of Public Works, 
 Albany, N. Y. Map File, No. 372. Original size 2o"x27^" in color. 
 
 French draught of part of Staten Island Page 577 
 
 From the original manuscript in Land Papers, Vol. I, p. 99, in the 
 Manuscript Division, New York State Library, Albany, N. Y. "A French 
 map of the Guyon property and vicinity at Great Kills, found among 
 Land Papers dated 1676, shows two villages, one of which is New Dorp 
 and the other is apparently Stony Brook." — N. Y. State Hist. Assn. Quar. 
 Jour., Vol. II, No. 3, p. 172. Original size i3^"xio". 
 
 Chart showing the communities consolidated into the 
 Greater City of New York. Follows page 612 
 
 This chart was prepared by the author. It shows the statutory history 
 of the counties, towns and villages. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Foreword in 
 
 Introduction v 
 
 Preface vii 
 
 List of Illustrations xiii 
 
 Table of Contents xvii 
 
 HISTORY OF COLONIAL CHARTERS, PATENTS 
 
 AND GRANTS 
 
 New Amsterdam 3 
 
 New Amsterdam becomes New York 21 
 
 The Charters of New York County 25 
 
 Manhattan Island, New York City 25 
 
 Harlem 31 
 
 The Charters of Bronx County 35 
 
 East Chester 37 
 
 Morrisania 38 
 
 Pelham 40 
 
 Westchester 42 
 
 West Farms 46 
 
 Manor of Fordham 47 
 
 Kingsbridge and Yonkers 48 
 
 The Charters of Kings County 51 
 
 Brooklyn 51 
 
 Bushwick 53 
 
 Flatbush 55 
 
 Flatlands 57 
 
 Gravesend 58 
 
 New Utrecht 60 
 
 New Lots 62 
 
 The Charters of Queens County 63 
 
 Flushing (Vlissingen) 63 
 
 Hempstead 64 
 
 xvii 
 
xviii Contents 
 
 Page 
 
 Jamaica 65 
 
 Newtown 66 
 
 The Charters of Richmond County 68 
 
 Staten Island 68 
 
 GRANTS Nos. I to XXXVII, as follows: 
 
 No. I. Charter of the United New Netherland Co., 
 
 October n, 16 14 75 
 
 No. II. Charter of the West India Co. June 3, 
 1 62 1. Original text in Dutch and English 
 
 translation 78 
 
 Amplification of West India Co. Charter, 
 June 10, 1622. Original text in Dutch and 
 
 English translation 116 
 
 Amplification of West India Co. Charter 
 February 13, 1623. Original text in Dutch 
 
 and English translation 124 
 
 Agreement between the directors and the chief 
 participants of the West India Co. June 
 21, 1623. Original text in Dutch and Eng- 
 lish translation 128 
 
 No. III. Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions 
 June 7, 1629. Original text in Dutch and 
 
 English translation 142 
 
 No. IV. Charter of Freedoms and Exemptions for 
 
 New Netherland, 1640 164 
 
 No. V. Ordinance establishing a Board of Nine 
 
 Men. Passed September 25, 1647 J 73 
 
 No. VI. First Dutch Charter for New Amsterdam. 
 
 February 2, 1653 177 
 
 No. VII. Ordinance respecting Great and Small 
 
 Burgherright. Passed February 2, 1657. . . . 190 
 No. VIII. First Grant to the Duke of York, 
 
 March 16, 1664 193 
 
Contents xix 
 
 Page 
 
 No. IX. Articles of Capitulation. August 27, 1664 199 
 No. X. Nicolls Charter for New York City, June 
 12, 1665. 
 
 A. Revocation of the Dutch form of govern- 
 ment 203 
 
 B. The Mayor and Aldermen's Commission. 204 
 
 No. XL Colve's Charter, January 15, 1674 206 
 
 No. XII. Second Grant to the Duke of York, 
 
 November 4, 1674 210 
 
 No. XIII. Dongan Charter for New York City, 
 
 April 27, 1686 216 
 
 No. XIV. Act confirming grants, patents and 
 
 rights. Passed May 6, 1691 237 
 
 No. XV. A. Order for Cornbury Charter for New 
 
 York City, April 15, 1708 240 
 
 B. Cornbury Charter for New York City. 
 
 April 19, 1708 241 
 
 No. XVI. Montgomerie Charter for New York 
 
 City. January 15, 1731 248 
 
 No. XVII. Act confirming unto the City of New 
 York its rights and privileges. Passed, Oc- 
 tober 14, 1732 336 
 
 No. XVIII. Harlem. 
 
 A. Ordinance establishing village of Harlem. 
 Passed, March 4, 1658 338 
 
 B. Nicolls Patent for Harlem. May, 1666. 340 
 
 C. Nicolls New Harlem Patent. October 11, 
 
 l66 7 343 
 
 D. Dongan Patent for Harlem. March 7, 
 
 1686 347 
 
 No. XIX. Town of Eastchester. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Eastchester. March 9, 
 
 1666 353 
 
 B. Indian Deed for Eastchester. December 
 
 3. i7°o 356 
 
 C. Royal Patent for Eastchester. Septem- 
 ber 3, 1708 [Long Reach Patent] 357 
 
xx Contents 
 
 Page 
 
 No. XX. Town of Morrisania. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Bronck's Land. May, 
 1668 361 
 
 B. Andros Patent for Bronck's Land. April 
 
 25, 1676 362 
 
 C. Indian Deed to Lewis Morris. February 
 
 7> 1684-5 364 
 
 D. Royal Charter for Morrisania. May 6, 
 
 1697 365 
 
 No. XXI. Town of Pelham. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Pelham Manor. Octo- 
 ber 6, 1666 372 
 
 B. Dongan Patent for Pelham Manor. Octo- 
 ber 25, 1687 374 
 
 No. XXII. Town of Westchester. 
 
 A. Ground Brief for Throckmorton's Neck 
 from Willem Kieft. July 6, 1643 3 80 
 
 B. Grove Farm Patent from Governor Don- 
 gan. January 12, 1686 381 
 
 C. Ground Brief for Cornell's Neck from 
 Willem Kieft. July 26, 1646 384 
 
 D. Nicolls Patent for Cornell's Neck. April 
 
 15. l66 7 • 3 8 6 
 
 E. Nicolls Patent for Westchester. Febru- 
 ary 15, 1667 387 
 
 F. Dongan Patent for Westchester. January 
 
 6, 1686 389 
 
 G. Royal Charter for Westchester. April 
 
 16, 1696 400 
 
 No. XXIII. Town of West Farms. 
 
 A. Indian Deed to Jessop and Richardson. 
 March 12, 1 663 420 
 
 B. Indian Deed to Jessop and Richardson. 
 March 12, 1664 421 
 
 C. Nicolls Patent for West Farms. April 25, 
 1666 423 
 
Contents xxi 
 
 Page 
 
 No. XXIV. Manor of Fordham. 
 
 A. Deed from Elias Doughty to John Archer. 
 March i, 1666 425 
 
 B. Indian Deed to John Archer. September 
 
 28, 1669 426 
 
 C. The Royal Patent for Fordham. Novem- 
 ber 13, 1671 428 
 
 No. XXV. Towns of Kingsbridge & Yonkers. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Nepperhaem. Octo- 
 ber 8, 1666 432 
 
 B. Dongan Patent for Nepperhaem. Febru- 
 ary 19, 1684/5 434 
 
 C. Royal Charter for the Manor of Philipse- 
 borough. June 12, 1693 437 
 
 No. XXVI. Town of Brooklyn. 
 
 A. Ordinance establishing a Court of Justice 
 
 in "Breuckelen." Passed June 12, 1646. 455 
 
 B. Nicolls Charter for Brooklyn. October 
 
 18, 1667. (Huntington Library Copy) . 456 
 B'. "Breueklen Pattent." — Nicolls. October 
 
 18, 1667. (Albany Copy) 459 
 
 C. Dongan Charter for Brooklyn. May 13, 
 1686 461 
 
 No. XXVII. Town of Bushwick. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Bushwick. October 25, 
 J 667 465 
 
 B. Dongan Patent for Bushwick. February, 
 ^87 466 
 
 C. Royal Patent for Bushwick. August 12, 
 1708 473 
 
 No. XXVIII. Town of Flatbush. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Flatbush. October 11, 
 J 666 479 
 
 B. Dongan Patent for Flatbush. November 
 
 I2 > l6 §5 482 
 
xxii Contents 
 
 Page 
 
 No. XXIX. Town of Flatlands. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Flatlands. October 4, 
 1667 486 
 
 B. Lovelace Charter for Flatlands. Febru- 
 ary 5, 1668 489 
 
 C. Dongan Charter for Flatlands. March 
 
 11, 1685 491 
 
 No. XXX. Town of Gravesend. 
 
 A. Kieft Patent for Gravesend. December 
 
 I9» 1645 494 
 
 B. Nicolls Patent for Gravesend. August 
 
 13, 1668 498 
 
 C. Lovelace Patent for Gravesend. July 1, 
 1670. (Original Engrossed Copy) .... 500 
 
 C Lovelace Gravesend Patent. July 1, 
 
 1670. (Albany Copy) 503 
 
 D. Dongan Patent for Gravesend. Septem- 
 ber 10, 1686 505 
 
 No. XXXI. Town of New Utrecht. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for New Utrecht. August 
 
 15, 1668 509 
 
 B. Dongan Patent for New Utrecht. May 
 
 13, 1686 512 
 
 No. XXXII. Town of New Lots. 
 
 Andros Patent for Arian Lamberts. 
 
 March 1, 1677 515 
 
 No. XXXIII. Town of Flushing. 
 
 A. Kieft Patent for Flushing. October 10, 
 
 1645 5*7 
 
 B. Nicolls Patent for Flushing. February 
 
 15, 1666 520 
 
 C. Dongan Patent for Flushing. March 23, 
 1685 523 
 
 No. XXXIV. Town of Hempstead. 
 
 A. Kieft Patent for Hempstead. November 
 
 16, 1644 530 
 
Contents xxiii 
 
 Page 
 
 B. Nicolls Patent for Hempstead. March 
 
 6, 1666 534 
 
 C. Nicolls Patent for Hempstead. March 
 
 6, 1667 537 
 
 D. Dongan Patent for Hempstead. April 17, 
 J 685 539 
 
 No. XXXV. Town of Jamaica. 
 
 A. Nicolls Patent for Jamaica. February 15, 
 ^66 543 
 
 B. Dongan Patent for Jamaica. May 17, 
 1686 545 
 
 No. XXXVI. Town of Newtown. 
 
 A. Kieft Patent for Newtown. March 28, 
 1642 552 
 
 B. Indian Deed for Newtown. April 12, 
 l6 56 554 
 
 C. Nicolls Patent for Newtown. May 6, 
 1666 556 
 
 D. Dongan Patent for Newtown. November 
 
 25, 1686 559 
 
 No. XXXVII. Staten Island. 
 
 A. Indian Deed for Staten Island. August 
 
 10, 1630 568 
 
 B. Indian Deed of Sale of Staten Island to 
 Baron Van der Capellen. July 10, 1657. 569 
 
 C. Sale and Surrender of Staten Island by 
 Cornelis Melyn, as Patroon, to the Direc- 
 tors of Amsterdam. June 14, 1659 570 
 
 D. Surrender by Baron Van der Capellen to 
 the Company of his interest in Staten 
 Island. November 20, 1660 573 
 
 E. Ordinance erecting a Court of Justice on 
 Staten Island. Passed, January 28, 1664 575 
 
 F. Indian Deed of Staten Island. April 13, 
 
 l6 7° 577 
 
xxiv Contents 
 
 LIST OF SOURCES OF MATERIAL Page 
 
 Bibliography 585 
 
 Records Guides 586 
 
 Printed Documentary Collections 587 
 
 Secondary Sources 593 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 COLONIAL CHARTERS 
 PATENTS AND GRANTS 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 COLONIAL CHARTERS 
 PATENTS AND GRANTS 
 
 NEW AMSTERDAM 
 
 AMONG the earliest followers of Columbus who 
 explored the New World were John and Sebastian 
 ^ Cabot. Under a commission from Henry VII of 
 England they sailed for the Western Hemisphere in 1498 1498 
 and, cruising along the extensive coasts of North America, 
 they claimed for this sovereign the entire territory which 
 they occasionally saw at a distance. 
 
 Giavanni da Verrazzano, a Florentine in the service of 
 Francis I of France, succeeded the Cabots in these seas. 
 He sailed up the American Coast in 1524, and from his J 524 
 letter written at Dieppe on July 8, 1524 to the French 
 King describing his voyage, it is inferred that he entered 
 the Lower Bay only of New York. 1 No attempt was made, 
 however, by the French Government at this time to occupy 
 
 1 Texts or translations of the older corrupt texts of Verrazzano's letter to 
 Francis I., of France, dated July 8, 1524, announcing his discoveries in North 
 America, have been often printed, first, in Ramusio's Navigationi, vol. Ill 
 (1556), in Hakluyt's Divers Voyages (1582), in Collections of N. Y. Hist. 
 Soc., 2d ser., vol. I (184.1), p. 37, and reprinted in Asher's Henry Hudson 
 (i860), and elsewhere. These left much to be desired. But the discovery 
 of a codex in the possession of Count Giulio Macchi di Cellere of Rome and 
 its first publication in 1909 by Alessandro Bacchiani in Bolletlino delta 
 Societa Geografica Italiana, fasc. XI, pp. 1274-1323, established beyond 
 peradventure the genuineness of the letter and the certainty of the discovery. 
 This original codex, since purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, is in the Morgan 
 Library. It is reproduced in facsimile in Stokes' Iconography of Manhattan 
 Island, vol. II, pp. 169-171. The text with an English translation is given 
 by Edward Hagaman Hall in Fifteenth Annual Report (1910), of the Amer. 
 Scenic and Hist. Preservation Society. 
 
Colonial Charters 
 
 the territory, nor to claim sovereignty over it, and what- 
 ever rights may have been initiated by discovery, lapsed 
 by nonuser. 
 
 1424 'pkg inhabitants of the low countries, whom the physical 
 
 condition of the territory which they occupied had from 
 earliest ages designed to be a maritime nation, and whom 
 nature, education and the circumstance in which they were 
 placed, had directed to commercial pursuits, gave evidence 
 long before the voyage of Columbus, of a bold spirit of 
 discovery. Sixty-eight years previous to the sailing of that 
 expedition from Palos, Betencour, a native of the French 
 Netherlands, had discovered the Flemish Islands, since 
 called the Azores, and thus pointed the way to the western 
 world. 
 
 When the triumph of Columbus placed it in the power 
 of European monarchs to bestow unlimited territory on 
 such of their favorites as would take the trouble of seeking 
 it, Charles the Fifth of Spain granted, it is said, an island 
 in America to the Sieur Beveren, who dispatched two armed 
 vessels in search of new estate. His were the first Dutch 
 ships that had ever ventured on these seas. 2 
 
 1566 About 1566, seven provinces of the Spanish Netherlands, 
 
 borne down by the weight of oppression and tyranny to 
 which they had been long subjected, determined to achieve 
 their independence, and became known as the States of 
 
 J 594 Holland. During the period from 1594 to 1602, several 
 expeditions were formed for the purpose of discovery by 
 
 *594 merchants of the Netherlands. In 1594 some Amsterdam 
 merchants formed a private trading association called the 
 "Compagnie van Verre" or The Company of Foreign 
 Parts for the purpose of carrying on trade to the East 
 Indies, by way of the Cape of Hope. The association 
 caused four ships to be built for the purpose of this trade 
 and in 1595 dispatched them on their voyage under the 
 command of Cornells Houtman, a native of Flanders. 
 
 2 0'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, Hist, of N. Neth., (1855), 1:26. 
 
New Amsterdam 5 
 
 1602 
 
 1609 
 
 After an absence of two years and four months this expedi- 
 tion returned, completely successful in all its objectives. 3 
 On March 20, 1602, a charter was granted by the States 
 General of the United Netherlands to a group of indi- 
 viduals organized under the name of the East India Com- 
 pany, for the period of twenty-one years, with exclusive 
 powers for conquest, exploration, colonization and govern- 
 ment in the Eastern Seas upon the Cape of Good Hope on 
 one side and the Straits of Magellan on the other. 4 On the 
 eighth day of January, 1609, this company commissioned 
 Henry Hudson, an Englishman, (who on two previous 
 expeditions sponsored by a London Company organized 
 for that purpose, had been unsuccessful in finding a shorter 
 passage by way of the Northern Seas to China) to take 
 command of "de Halve Maen" 5 (Half-Moon) for the 
 purpose of exploration. He sailed from Amsterdam on 
 the fourth day of April, 1609 and after cruising down the 
 coast from Maine, he entered New York Bay on the third 
 of September and from thence sailed up the Hudson to a 
 point near Albany. He returned from his voyage of 
 exploration on November 7, 1609 to Dartmouth, Devon- 
 shire. 6 After this discovery by Hudson, no immediate 
 attempt was made by the States General to appropriate the 
 territory. During Hudson's voyage he had discovered and 
 explored that part of North America which the govern- 
 ment of the United Provinces officially named New Nether- 
 land on October 11, 1614, 7 on which day it granted a 1614 
 charter to a group of inhabitants of North Holland who 
 later united themselves as the United New Netherland 
 Company, giving to said company the exclusive right to 
 
 3 Murphy, H. C, Henry Hudson in Holland, Nijhoff Ed., (1909), p. 12. 
 4 Brodhead, J. R., Hist. State N. Y., (1859), I:2 3; Murphy, Hen. Hudson 
 in Holland, Nijhoff Ed., (1909), p. 15. 
 
 5 See A Word for the Halve Maen in Murphy's Hen. Hudson in Holland, 
 Nijhoff Ed. (1909), p. 57. 
 
 6 Emanuel Van Meteren's account of Hudson's voyage set forth in Murphy's 
 Hen. Hudson in Holland, Nijhoff Ed., (1909), p. 61. 
 
 7 0'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855) 1:74. 
 
Colonial Charters 
 
 visit and navigate to the lands "situated in America 
 between New France and Virginia whereof the sea-coasts 
 lie between the 40th and 45th degree of latitude" for four 
 voyages within the period of three years beginning January 
 1, 1615. 8 This company availed itself of the powers 
 granted by the charter, and various expeditions were made 
 to New Netherland until June, 1621, although the charter, 
 by its own limitations, had expired on January 1, 1618. 9 
 J 6 21 On June 3, 1621, the States General granted a charter 
 
 to the Dutch West India Company providing "that for the 
 term of four and twenty years, none of the natives or 
 inhabitants of these countries shall be permitted to sail to 
 or from the said lands or to traffic ... in the countries 
 of America, or the West Indies . . . but in the name of 
 the United Company of these United Netherlands." 
 
 The charter further provided that "the aforesaid com- 
 pany may in our name and authority, within the limits here- 
 inbefore prescribed, make contracts, engagements, and 
 alliances with the princes and natives of the countries com- 
 prehended therein and also build any forts and fortifica- 
 tions there, to appoint and discharge governors, people for 
 war, and officers of justice, and other public officers, for the 
 preservation of the places, keeping good order, police, and 
 justice, and in like manner for the promotion of trading, 
 and again, others in their place to put, as they, from the 
 situation of their affairs, shall see fit: Moreover, they must 
 advance the peopling of the fruitful and unsettled parts, 
 and do all that the service of those countries, and the profit 
 and increase of trade shall require : And the company shall 
 
 8 Act Book of States General, Royal Archives Hague, cited in N. Y. Col. 
 Docs., I:n; Brodhead, Hist. State N. Y., (1859) I:6o et seq. The original 
 charter, on a single sheet of paper, is preserved in the National Archives at 
 the Hague. It is reproduced in Stokes', Iconography, IV:P1 2. The map, 
 beautifully drawn in colors on vellum, is also preserved at the Hague. 
 A translated copy of the charter to the United New Netherland Co., will 
 be found in Grants No. I. See also Stokes', Iconography, 11:67. 
 
 9 0'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855) I:8i; Stokes', Iconography, I7. 
 
New Amsterdam 
 
 successively communicate and transmit to Us such contracts 
 and alliances as they shall have made with the aforesaid 
 princes and nations; and likewise the situations of the 
 fortresses, fortifications, and settlement by them taken." 
 
 "Saving, that they have chosen a governor-in-chief, and 
 prepared instructions for him, that shall be approved, as 
 a commission given by Us : And that further such governor- 
 in-chief, as well as other deputy governors, commanders, 
 and officers, shall be held to take an oath of allegiance to 
 Us and also to the Company." 
 
 This charter was modelled after that granted in the 
 beginning of the seventeenth century to the celebrated East 
 India Company with which body it was designed to 
 co-operate in extending national commerce, in promoting 
 colonization, in crushing piracy, but, above all, in humbling 
 the pride and might of Spain. It thus conferred upon the 
 West India Company powers of local sovereignty over the 
 territory of New Netherland, subordinate only to the 
 authority of the States General. The powers were abso- 
 lute, with the exception that governors-in-chief, and the 
 instructions proposed to be given to them, were to be first 
 approved by the States General, who were to issue the com- 
 missions; and oaths of allegiance were to be taken to their 
 High Mightinesses as well as to the company. 
 
 The company was divided into five separate Chambers 
 of Managers: and an executive board of Nineteen Dele- 
 gates was created. All the inhabitants of the United 
 Netherlands, as also of other countries, might become stock- 
 holders during the year 1621, after which, no new members 
 were to be admitted. On June 20, 1623, this Dutch West j6 23 
 India Company went into full operation under its charter 
 and the exclusive superintendence of New Netherland was 
 immediately transferred to the Amsterdam Chamber by 
 the College of Nineteen. 10 It was deemed necessary on 
 
 10 Octroy, By de Hooghe Mogende Heeren Staten Generael, verleent 
 aende West-lndische Companie, in date den derden Junii 1621. In s'Graven- 
 
8 Colonial Charters 
 
 June 10, 1622, and again on Feb 11, 1623 to amplify the 
 charter respecting the methods of subscription to the com- 
 pany, and concerning the salt trade. 11 
 
 1624 In May 1624, the West India Company took possession 
 of New Netherland by virtue of its charter and sent there 
 a number of Dutch colonists under the direction of Cornelis 
 Jacobsen Mey and Adriaen Jorissen Tienpoint; 12 and later 
 English Colonists were permitted to settle under the juris- 
 diction of the Dutch administration on equal terms with 
 the others. 
 
 The first Director-General of New Netherland was Cor- 
 nelis Jacobsen Mey and the second Willem Verhulst. 13 
 
 1625 In the year 1625, Peter Minuit was appointed third 
 Director-General of New Netherland. He was to super- 
 
 1626 sede Verhulst. He arrived in this country on May 4, 1626, 
 and took control of the province. A Council of five to 
 assist the Director was appointed and in the Director and 
 Council, all legislative, executive and judicial powers vested, 
 with appellate jurisdiction to the Chamber at Amsterdam. 
 
 In the summer of 1626, the Island of Manhattans, esti- 
 mated then to contain twenty-two thousand acres of land, 
 was purchased from the Indians, who received for that 
 splendid tract the trifling sum of sixty guilders, or twenty- 
 four dollars. 14 Fort Amsterdam, built on the south end of 
 Manhattan Island, became the headquarters of the govern- 
 ment, and the Capital of New Netherland. 
 
 Haghe, By Hillebrant Iacobssz. . . . Anno 1621. Small 4to. This is the 
 original edition. The most reliable English translation, by A. J. F. van Laer, 
 which was printed in Van Rensselaer Boivier Manuscripts (Albany, 1908), 
 pp. 86, ff., running parallel with a reprint of the Dutch text, is reproduced 
 herein in Grants No. II together with footnotes prepared by Mr. van Laer. 
 L1 The two amplifications together with an agreement dated June 31, 
 1623, are also set forth in Grants No. II. 
 
 12 TV. Y. Col. Docs., 1:149. Paltsits, V. H., The Founding of New Amster- 
 dam in 1626, printed in Proc. of Araer, Antiquarian Soc. (April, 1924). 
 
 13 Also "vander Hulst." 
 
 14 Stokes', Iconography, I:io. 
 
New Amsterdam 
 
 In pursuance of the terms of the charter, the States 1629 
 General approved the action of the Incorporated West 
 India Company in adopting on June 7, 1629 certain rules 
 and regulations, styled "Freedoms and Exemptions for the 
 patroons, masters or private persons who will plant any 
 colonies in, and send cattle to New Netherland, drawn up 
 for the benefit of the General West India Company in New 
 Netherland, and for the profit of the patroons, masters and 
 private persons," which authorized grants of land in New 
 Netherland. 13 
 
 In 1632, Peter Minuit was recalled, and on July 1, 1632, 1632 
 Wouter van Twiller, of Nieukerke, one of the clerks in the 
 employ of the West India Company, and a near relative 
 of the Patroon van Rensselaer was appointed Director- 
 General over New Netherland. His commission was 
 entitled from "the lords States General of the United 
 Netherlands, and the privileged West India Company." 
 He arrived in New Amsterdam in March 1633. 
 
 In September, 1637, Wouter van Twiller was superseded 1637 
 by Willem Kieft, the sixth Commander or Director- l ^3% 
 General, who arrived in New Amsterdam on the 28th of 
 March, 1638. 16 In August of that year he purchased 17 
 from the natives "a certain piece of land lying on Long 
 Island south of Manhates Island, reaching in length from 
 the plantation of George Rapaljee 18 a good league and a 
 half to the Mespaechtes 19 and in width from the East river 
 
 15 A copy of this charter in the original Dutch with the English translation 
 and footnotes by A. J. F. van Laer is reproduced in Grants No. III. 
 
 16 It is interesting to note that before Van Twiller was superseded he 
 took care to enlarge his own private estate by the purchase from the Indians 
 of the Island of Pagganck, lying south of New Amsterdam, now known as 
 Governor's Island, which contained 160 acres of land; also of two islands 
 in the River Hellgat; the greater containing about 200 acres, called 
 Tenkanas; the smaller some 120 acres in extent, lay west of the latter and 
 was named Minnahanock. 
 
 1T August 1st, 1638, N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV:i 4 . 
 
 18 Wallabout Bay — Frederick Van Wyck, Keskachauge, p. 190. 
 
 19 The mouth of Newtown Creek — Ibid. 
 
10 Colonial Charters 
 
 about one league to the copses of the same Mespaechtes." 20 
 1639 In the beginning of the year 1639, Kieft purchased 21 from 
 the Indians that portion of the Island of Nassau "situate 
 upon Long Island, called in the Indian tongue Suanhackey, 
 reaching in length along the southside of said island from 
 Reckauwhacky to Sicketeuwhacky, 22 and from said Sicketeu- 
 whacky in width to Martin Gerretsen's bay 23 and thence in 
 length westwardly along the East river to the kill of the 
 Flats," 24 by which purchase and that of the preceding year 
 he embraced within the Company's jurisdiction nearly the 
 whole of the present County of Queens. 
 1639 O n August 3, 1639, Kieft purchased from the Indian 
 
 sachems a tract of land, "called Keskeskeck, stretching 
 lengthwise along the Kill which runs behind the Island of 
 Manhattan, mostly east and west, and beginning at the 
 head of said Kill and running to opposite of the high hill 
 by the flat, namely by the Great Kill, with all right, titles, 
 etc., etc." The "Kill behind the Island of Manhattan" 
 is the Harlem River; the "Great Kill" is the Hudson; and 
 "the high hill by the flat" is, probably, the hill at the north 
 end of the island; 25 the "flat" refers to the plains of Harlem. 
 The boundaries of this tract, especially to the northward, 
 are rather indefinite; but the tract later became the lower 
 portion of Westchester County, and later still, part of the 
 Borough of the Bronx. 26 The transfer was made "in con- 
 sideration of a certain lot of merchandise," which the 
 sachems acknowledged to have received. 
 
 20 Meadows near the headwaters of Newtown Creek — Ibid. 
 
 21 January 15th, 1639, TV. Y. Col. Docs., XIV :i 5. 
 
 22 Rockaway to the Great River in the present town of Islip. Van Wyck, 
 Keskachauge, p. 473. 
 
 23 Oyster Bay — Ibid., p. 476. 
 
 24 Newtown Creek — Ibid., p. 487. 
 
 25 Fort Tryon Park, 190th Street. 
 
 26 See map entitled Historic Traces on Upper Manhattan prepared by 
 Morris William Ehrlich (1912) now in the Map Room of the N. Y. Public 
 Library. 
 
New Amsterdam 11 
 
 The flats of Haerlem on the north end of the Island of 
 Manhattan had already been occupied as bouweries, or 
 farms, by the Dutch settlers, and it is probable that some 
 of the boers, or farmers, crossed the river and occupied 
 the new land "upon the Maine." In the year 1640, a 1640 
 second purchase was made of the lands to the eastward of 
 Keskeskeck; and in 1641, Jonas Bronk or Brunk, made a 1 ^ > A l 
 purchase of five hundred acres of land between the Harlem 
 and Aquahung rivers. The latter soon lost its Indian name 
 and became known after the proprietor as Bronk's River; 
 today, the Bronx, a natural derivative from "Bronk's," 
 which has given its name to the Borough. 
 
 The first English settlers from the mainland crossed the 
 Sound shortly before this, and began a plantation at the 
 eastern extremity of Long Island, where Lyon Gardiner 
 purchased, on March 10, 1639, from Lord Stirling's agent 
 the Island of Monchonock, containing an area of about 
 3,300 acres. This was the first English settlement within 
 the present limits of what now constitutes New York 
 State; 27 and the place has ever since been called Gardiner's 
 Island, after the original purchaser. 28 
 
 The Dutch, whose settlements on Long Island had pre- 
 ceded those of the English by many years, were equally 
 active on the western extremity. The earliest grant for 
 lands in Kings County that has been discovered was a 
 patent from governor Van Twiller to Andries Hedden 
 and Wolphert Gerritsen, for a tract of land in Amersfort, 
 
 27 Thompson, Hist. L. Is., 3rd Ed (1918), 1:103. 
 
 28 Thompson in his History of Long Island, 3rd. Ed. (1918) 11:86, says, 
 "The first English settlement in this town, (Easthampton) Gardiner's Island 
 excepted, was begun upon the site of the present village of Easthampton, 
 in the spring of 1648, by a few families from Lynn and the adjoining towns 
 of Massachusetts; a previous arrangement having been made with the 
 Governors of Connecticut and New Haven, for procuring by their means, 
 a conveyance from the native proprietors. . . . The deed bears date April 
 29, 1648. . . ." 
 
12 Colonial Charters 
 
 1636 or Flatlands, bearing date the 1 6th June, 1636. 29 Grants 
 were made in the village of Breuckelen to sundry indi- 
 viduals; the earliest deed for land in this town, is a grant 
 to Abraham Rycker in 1638; and the earliest deed on 
 
 1639 record, is a grant to Thomas Besker in the year 1639. 30 
 We find a farm in progress in 1639 at Gowanus, and a com- 
 mencement made at Gravesend, in which town Anthony 
 Janse van Salee, 31 who arrived in the country sometime 
 between 1634 and 1637, obtained from governor Kieft, 
 on May 27, 1643, a grant of 100 morgen 32 or 200 acres 
 of land. 33 This must be considered as the commencement 
 of the Dutch settlements on Long Island. There is no 
 evidence that any direct and systematic efforts were made 
 for this purpose, till this period. 34 
 
 1640 I n 1640, the Director and Council made further pur- 
 chases of claims of Indians to soil in the neighborhood of 
 the Island of Manhattans. They bought from "the great 
 Chief Penhawitz," head of the Canarsee Tribe, all the land 
 left to him by his father on Long Island, with all his 
 hereditary rights and titles thereto. 35 This, according to 
 the claim of the Canarsee Tribe, consisted of the whole of 
 
 29 A Sketch of the First Settlement of the Several Towns on Long Island 
 with their Political Condition to the End of the American Revolution by Silas 
 Wood 1st. Ed. (Brooklyn 1824) p. 9; Van Wyck, F., Keskachauge, (1924), 
 p. 14. 
 
 30 Wood — First Settlement of Long Island., 2nd. Ed. (1828) p. 10. Thomp- 
 son's, L. I. 3rd. Ed. (1918) III:i98. 
 
 31 He once lived at Salee or Fez, a seaport town under the Turkish rule 
 on the coast of Africa, and was known as "The Turk," and the farm on 
 which he lived was referred to in the records of Gravesend as "Turk's 
 Plantation." — Hoppin, Washington Ancestry (1932), Biography of Anthony 
 Janse van Salee, 111:69. 
 
 32 A Dutch morgan approximates two English acres. 
 33 Thompson's L. Is., 3rd. Ed. (1918) ; III:io8; Wood's L. Is., 1st. Ed. 
 
 (1824), p. 9; Book G. G. Land Papers Albany, p. 61, translated in N. Y. 
 Col. Docs., XIV :45. 
 
 3 * Wood's L. Is., 2nd. Ed. (1828), p. 10. 
 
 35 N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV :28. For an interesting discussion on the question 
 of Chief Penhawitz being head of the Canarsee Tribe see Van Wyck, F., 
 Keskachauge, (1924) p. 419 et sec. 
 
New Amsterdam 13 
 
 the lands now included within the limits of Kings County 
 and a part of the Town of Jamaica. 36 This purchase, 
 together with that from the Indians beforementioned, 37 
 completed the Dutch title to all the lands bounded on the 
 west by the East River, and on the east by the present 
 County of Suffolk, which embraced all the territory on 
 Long Island, over which the Dutch ever exercised jurisdic- 
 tion. 
 
 On July 19, 1640, the States General with the approba- 1640 
 tion of their High Mightinesses granted a new charter of 
 "Freedoms and Exemptions for all patroons, masters and 
 private persons who should plant colonies in or convey 
 cattle to New Netherland." This charter formed the basis 
 of the municipal rights afterward enjoyed by the towns and 
 villages of New Netherland. It essentially modified that 
 already granted by extending the right to grant lands and 
 authorizing the representatives or Directors-General of the 
 chartered West India Company to make grants of land in 
 New Netherland to private individuals and corporations. 
 The privileges confined by the charter of 1629 to "mem- 
 bers" of the West India Company were now by the new 
 charter extended to "all good inhabitants of the Nether- 
 lands." One of the provisions of this new charter was that 
 whoever was to come to New Netherland and bring five 
 people over the age of fifteen years with him was to be 
 acknowledged "a master, or colonist," and entitled to 100 
 morgen or 200 acres of land. If, by these means, the settle- 
 ment of masters, or free colonists should so increase as to 
 become towns, villages or cities, the company was bound 
 to confer subaltern or municipal governments on them to 
 consist of magistrates and ministers of justice which were, 
 however, "to be selected and chosen by the Director-General 
 and Council, from a triple nomination of the best qualified 
 
 36 O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 1:215. 
 
 37 Supra p. 9. 
 
14 Colonial Charters 
 
 in the said towns and villages, to whom all complaints and 
 suits arising within their district shall be submitted." 38 
 
 1645 On September 10, 1645, trie Dutch purchased from the 
 Long Island Indians the "lands between the Coney Island 
 to Gouwanes along the North River and from Coney Island 
 along the seashore to W 'eywitsprittner 39 and thence North 
 by West and North North West to Gouwanes aforesaid," 40 
 which were now added to the public domain, and on October 
 19, Thomas Farington, John Townsend, William Law- 
 rence, Robert Freeman and others, who were forced to 
 remove from Massachusetts in the spring, obtained a 
 patent for 16,000 acres of land to the east of Mespath 
 which was duly incorporated by the title of Vlissingen 
 (Flushing) after the ancient trading city of that name 
 situated on the Island of Walcheren. 41 On December 19, 
 a patent, conveying equally liberal privileges, was granted 
 to the town of Gravenzande. 
 
 1646 1° 1646, the administration of Director General Kieft, 
 although he was not superseded in fact until 1647, mav 
 now be said to have virtually terminated. During his 
 administration, however, the following plantations under 
 the jurisdiction of the Dutch were established at the west 
 end of Long Island; Flatlands (1636), Brooklyn (1637), 
 Bushwick (1641), Newtown (1642), Gravesend and New 
 Utrecht (1643), Hempstead (1644), and Flushing 
 
 (1645). 
 On July 28, 1646, a commission of the States General 
 
 was issued to Petrus Stuyvesant, appointing him Director- 
 General, giving him power "to administer with the Coun- 
 cil, as well now as hereafter appointed with him, the said 
 offices of Director, both by water and by land . 
 The powers conferred were of the most ample nature, and 
 
 38 N. Y. Col. Docs., I:n8, X19; A copy of this charter is set forth in 
 Grants No. IV. 
 
 39 Possibly the Strom Kill — Van Wyck, Keskachauge, p. 650. 
 
 40 N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV:6z, 63. 
 "Thompson, Hist. L. I., (1918) 11:68. 
 
New Amsterdam IS 
 
 under them the Director and Council claimed and exer- 
 cised almost absolute authority. The province was ruled 
 by proclamation. The Director-General was appointed by 
 the States General; the Vice-Director and Fiscal by the 
 West India Company. 42 In 1647, a ste P was made toward 1647 
 a representation of the people in the government. An 
 order of Council was issued allowing the people to choose 
 eighteen of the most expert and reasonable persons, from 
 whom the Director and Council could select Nine Men 
 "as is customary in Fatherland" to give their advice when 
 called on and to assist in promoting the welfare of the 
 country. 43 The election was held and in September, 1647, 
 an act or charter declaratory of their powers was pro- 
 mulgated. 44 This charter, meager as it was in privileges 
 and concessions, deserves notice as marking the glimmering 
 of public freedom at this remote day. It is true that about 
 fifteen years before there was a faint indication of the 
 republican principle of representation; but now the body 
 became fixed and gradually enlarged its authority. The 
 introduction of this direction of tribunal in the infancy of 
 this country is interesting also in another point of view. It 
 forms an additional proof that Holland was the source 
 from which New Netherland derived its municipal govern- 
 ments and marks how strongly its first settlers were 
 attached to those freedoms with which they were so familiar 
 in their Fatherland. With the election of the first Nine 
 Men all popular privileges ceased in New Amsterdam. 
 The sitting Board and not the citizens were to select their 
 successors and thus this court became from the outset 
 irresponsible to and uncontrolled by the people. 
 
 The year 1649 was a stormy one in the annals of New 6 
 Netherland. On March 15th, Adriaen van der Donck 
 was removed from the board of "Nine Men" for com- 
 
 42 O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855) II 1x7, 18. 
 
 43 O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855) 11:36. 
 
 44 A copy of this charter is fully set forth in Grants No. V. 
 
16 Colonial Charters 
 
 miting Crimen lesae Majestatis. 45 On May 8th, Stuyvesant 
 went in person to the house of Domine Backer and ordered 
 him not to read or allow others to read "from the pulpit 
 or elsewhere in the church . . . any writing, petition, or 
 proposal having relation to the municipal government," 
 unless such writing bore his or the secretary's signature, 
 or was by his order and that of the council. The pro- 
 hibition did not apply to eccleciastical affairs, but was 
 intended to prevent publication by the representatives of 
 the commonalty of a remonstrance against him. 48 This 
 remonstrance, formally drawn up on July 28th by Adriaen 
 van der Donck and ten others as representatives of the com- 
 monalty — as well as the petition of July 26th — appealed 
 to the States General for redress of their grievances against 
 the incompetent administrations of Kieft and Stuyvesant 
 and for the enactment of measures which would improve 
 conditions in the province of New Netherlands 7 It con- 
 tained the first specific application for a "Burgher or 
 Municipal Government, suitable to the province and 
 resembling somewhat the laudable institutions of Father- 
 land." It recommended "a public school, provided with 
 
 45 N. Y. Col. Docs., 1:316. 
 
 46 O'Callaghan, Laws & Ord. N. Neth., 108; N. Y. Col. Docs., XIV:ii4; 
 Representation (1649), in Jameson's Nar. N. Neth., 351. 
 
 47 The "Nine Men" wrote a letter on July 26, 1649, to the States-General 
 in which they asked for a full hearing for Adriaen van der Donck, Jacob 
 van Couwenhoven and Jan Evertse. (N. Y. Col. Docs., 1:258.) This letter 
 has only eight signatures, which is explained by the fact that Stuyvesant 
 had expelled Van der Donck. Accompanying the letter was a Petition of 
 the Delegates (the three men named in the letter), a Petition of the Com- 
 monalty of New Netherland, and The Remonstrance [or Representation] of 
 New Netherland. All these, together with the Answer to the Remonstrance 
 from Ne<w Netherland made by Sec. Van Tienhoven in behalf of Stuyvesant, 
 under date of Nov. 29, 1650 are preserved in the National Archives at the 
 Hague, and translated in N. Y. Col. Docs., 1:258-318, 422-32. The dele- 
 gates caused their Remonstrance, with wording slightly changed, to be 
 printed under the title, Vertoogh van Nieu-Neder Land, Weghens de 
 Ghelegentheydt, Vruchbaerheydt, en Soberen Staet desselfs (The Hague, 
 1650). It is a translation of this pamphlet which appears in Jameson's 
 Nar. N. Neth., 239-354. 
 
New Amsterdam 17 
 
 at least two good masters." It intimated favoritism and 
 governmental corruption, and protested that Fort Amster- 
 dam lay then like a mole-hill or a tottering wall, on which 
 there was not one gun carriage or one piece of cannon in 
 a suitable frame or on a good platform. It stated that the 
 people had been asked for money for the public works, 
 but they had excused themselves because they were poor, 
 and from fear of Stuyvesant, lest with a strong fort he 
 should become more cruel and severe; hence nothing was 
 done. The Company's grist-mill near the fort, it declared, 
 was so rotten from a leaky roof that it could not "go with 
 more than two arms," which added to the shortage of 
 bread. 48 
 
 As a direct result of the Remonstrance of 1649 a Com- 1 ( ) e )0 
 mittee of the States-General made a report on April 11, 
 1650 entitled a "Provisional Order respecting the Govern- 
 ment, Preservation and Peopling of New Netherland." 
 The eleventh article of this order stated, "the Council of 
 New Netherland shall consist of one President or Director; 
 one Vice-Director; and three Councilors, whereof one shall 
 be appointed on the part of their High Mightinesses and 
 the West India Company and the other to be selected from 
 among the resident inhabitants of the country." Another 
 article (the seventeenth) provided, "that there shall be 
 within the city of New Amsterdam a Burgher government, 
 consisting of a Schout, (Sheriff) two Burgomasters and five 
 Schepens." This was the foundation on which the municipal 
 concessions of 1653 were built. 49 
 
 The year 1653 was tne banner year of New Amsterdam 1653 
 during the entire Dutch regime. Until this time its govern- 
 ment was co-ordinate with that of the province, under the 
 administration of a director-general, provincial council, 
 and fiscal. We have seen that in April, 1650, a suggestion 
 for municipal government in New Amsterdam was made 
 
 48 Stokes, Iconography, IV:ii7. 
 
 49 N. Y. Col. Docs., 1:391; Stokes, Iconography, 1:33, IV:i20. 
 
18 Colonial Charters 
 
 in a report of a committee to the States General, but 
 deferring its inception for several years; also that, on April 
 4, 1652, the Directors at Amsterdam informed Stuyvesant 
 and his council that a municipal form of government, under 
 a schout, two burgomasters, and five schepens, was granted 
 to New Amsterdam; 50 but the separate office of schout was 
 not reposed in the city at this time. 
 
 On February 2, 1653, Stuyvesant and his council pro- 
 claimed the form of municipal government for New 
 Amsterdam in a long instrument, the full text of which has 
 been unknown hitherto to historians. 51 The substance of 
 this text is as follows: The director-general and council of 
 New Netherland "do by these presents declare, that their 
 Honors the Directors of the Chartered West India Com- 
 pany of the Chamber of Amsterdam, Lords and Patroons 
 of this Province, have thought well, under the superior 
 administration of their director-general and council of New 
 Netherland, to grant to this growing town of New Amster- 
 dam and its inhabitants a bench of justice, to be framed, 
 as far as possible and as the situation of the country per- 
 mits, after the laudable customs of the city of Amsterdam, 52 
 
 50 See letter of the director of W. I. Co. to director-general and council 
 of N. Neth., April 4, 1652, in Doc. Hist. N. Y. (4th ed.), 1:387; N. Y. Col. 
 Docs., XIV:i69. 
 
 51 This text and its importance in the history of this city were discovered 
 and recognised for the first time by Victor Hugo Paltsits in the course of 
 researches made in 191 1. A copy of the grant of municipal government is 
 fully reproduced in Grants No. VI. 
 
 52 The model furnished by the City of Amsterdam, was of a Schout, four 
 Burgomasters and nine Schepens, and a Council of thirty-six members. The 
 fourteen first named officers composed a Board or College, and were styled, 
 "the Lords of the Court of the City of Amsterdam." In this Board or Col- 
 lege was vested the right to make all city laws and ordinances. The powers 
 of the Schepens in New Amsterdam were far more limited than those which 
 were first established in the Fatherland in the year 1270. Though the 
 instructions plainly laid down, that they were to be "elected," and to con- 
 stitute a "court similar to that which exists in this city," Stuyvesant retained 
 the appointment in his own hands and gave them early to understand that 
 their existence did not in any way diminish the power and authority of 
 himself and Council "to make ordinances or publish particular interdicts 
 even for New Amsterdam." 
 
New Amsterdam 19 
 
 which gave her name to this first commenced town; but also 
 that all sentences shall remain revocable and appealable to 
 the director-general and council, in order to be definitely 
 determined by them." This bench of justice was to consist 
 of two burgomasters and five schepens who thenceforth 
 were to be sworn in on the second of February (Candle- 
 mas), Sunday excepted. It was to be served by a secretary 
 or clerk and a boode or messenger. Each year a certain 
 number of the bench were to be changed, the others remain- 
 ing in order to acquaint the incoming members with the 
 former transactions of the court. The jurisdiction of the 
 burgomasters was fixed as "between both rivers [Hudson 
 and East Rivers] and as far as the Fresh Water." They 
 were enjoined from making or publishing any new ordi- 
 nances without the knowledge, approbation, and ratification 
 of the director-general and council. In administrative 
 matters they were given absolute authority to nominate 
 persons to be weigh-masters, church-wardens, city surveyors, 
 fire-inspectors, etc.; but the nominees were subject to elec- 
 tion and confirmation by the director-general. The instru- 
 ment provided that the bench of schepens should consist of 
 the two burgomasters and five schenens — the oldest burgo- 
 master to preside and the oldest schepen to be vice-presi- 
 dent. The powers of this bench were to hear, examine, and 
 determine by sentence or arbitration all civil cases moved 
 and brought before them; also criminal dereliction of a 
 middle degree. The methods and orders for appeal to the 
 supreme bench were defined. The instrument prescribed 
 also the form of oath to be taken by burgomasters and 
 schepens and gave instructions to the secretary or clerk of 
 this inferior bench of justice {dyne banck van Jnstitie). 
 
 The year 1657 is particularly interesting on account of 1657 
 the establishment of the great and small burgher-right or 
 citizenship in New Amsterdam. The matter was proposed 
 on January 8th at a conference or "Common Council," 
 held at the City Hall, and attended by Stuyvesant, the city 
 
20 Colonial Charters 
 
 fathers, and seven of the principal merchants. The law 
 enacted on February 2d granted the "Great Burgher-right" 
 to all former as well as present provincial officials, burgo- 
 masters, schepens, Dutch clergymen, "and commissioned 
 officers to the Ensign inclusive of the City regiment," and 
 to the descendants of each in the male line, provided an 
 established residence had not been forfeited by failure to 
 keep "fire and light" through absence from the city. Public 
 officials could be chosen from this class only. The "Com- 
 mon or Small Burgher-right" was granted to all male 
 inhabitants who had "kept fire and light within the City 
 one year and six weeks," and to all native born or those 
 who had married or who thereafter married "native born 
 daughters of Burghers." Other persons who kept a shop 
 and carried on business in the city were required to secure 
 the small burgher-right from the burgomasters and pay 
 twenty guilders to the revenues of the city treasury. 
 Between April 10th and May 3d the burghers were regis- 
 tered. 53 
 
 53 This law has been erroneously adverted to by Chancellor Kent in his 
 charter of the City of New York, (Kent, Charter of the City of N. Y., 
 (1836), p. 107) as the earliest Dutch Charter. He says therein " * * * a 
 charter was granted to the city, on the second of February, 1657 by the Dutch 
 government. But it was a very limited and imperfect grant. The most strik- 
 ing part of it was the division of the inhabitants into 'great and small citi- 
 zens'. The former are the members of the government, and the descendants 
 in the male line, ministers of the gospel, etc.; the latter, all who 'reside within 
 the city during a year and six weeks and kept their fire and lights.' " 
 Burgher-right is well explained by Dr. O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855) 
 11:339, el seq; See also The Burgher-right of N. Am. 1648-i66i printed in 
 Collections of N. Y. Hist. Soc. (1885), pp. 1-35, and Stokes, Iconography, 
 IV:i75~6. A copy of the law passed February 2, 1657 is set forth in 
 Grants No. VII. 
 
New York 21 
 
 NEW AMSTERDAM BECOMES NEW YORK 
 
 Although at the time of the grant to the West India 1664 
 Company, no actual occupation of the territory embraced 
 within its terms had been made by any other nation, the 
 Dutch never held undisputed sovereignty over New Nether- 
 land. Occupying the territory lying to the north and south, 
 the English could not but view with jealousy and distrust, 
 the possession of the intervening lands by a foreign power. 
 In fact, it was always assumed by the English, that the title 
 to New Netherland was vested in the Crown of England 
 and that the Dutch occupation was a mere usurpation. 
 Upon the assumption that the sovereignty to New Nether- 
 land was vested in the Crown of England, Charles II, on 
 the 1 2th of March, 1664, granted to his brother, the Duke 
 of York, the territory embracing Long Island and New 
 York. 54 By the terms of the charter the Duke of York, 
 his heirs, deputies, agents, commissioners and assigns, were 
 empowered "to correct, punish, pardon, govern and rule 
 all such the subjects of us, our heirs and successors, as shall 
 from time to time adventure themselves into any the part 
 or places aforesaid . . . according to such laws, orders, 
 ordinances, directions and instructions as by our said dearest 
 brother or his assigns shall be established ... so always 
 as the said statutes, ordinances and proceedings be not 
 contrary to but as near as conveniently may be agreeable 
 to the laws, statutes and government of this our realm of 
 England." The charter further empowered the Duke of 
 York to appoint governors and other officers, and gener- 
 ally to establish a local government within the territory 
 embraced in the terms of the charter. 
 
 On April 12, 1664, the Duke of York sent an expedi- 
 tion consisting of four men of war of the king and a force 
 
 54 A copy of this Grant is fully set forth in Grants No. VIII. 
 
22 Colonial Charters 
 
 of 430 men under the command of Col. Richard Nicolls to 
 take possession of New Netherland. On August 29, 1664, 
 Peter Stuyvesant surrendered New Netherland to the 
 English and ratified the Articles of Capitulation which had 
 been prepared on August 27 by a commission of Dutch and 
 English. The Articles of Capitulation agreed upon, guar- 
 anteed certain permanent rights; liberty of conscience and 
 divine worship, and church discipline; the enjoyment of 
 their own customs concerning inheritances; the confirmation 
 of judgments rendered and the right to appeal therefrom 
 to the States General; the continuance of the present officers 
 until the election of new ones; the determination, according 
 to the manner of the Dutch, of differences of contracts and 
 bargains made before the Capitulation, the enjoyment of 
 property and the disposal of the same at pleasure. The 
 burgomasters proclaimed Richard Nicolls Governor. Fort 
 Amsterdam became Fort James and the name of the city 
 was changed to that which it now bears. 55 Before Nicolls 
 had sailed from England he had been appointed Governor 
 of New York by a commission from the Duke of York, the 
 original of which seems to have been lost, but which 
 undoubtedly conferred upon him in substantially the same 
 terms the powers of local government within the province, 
 which by the terms of the charter were conferred on the 
 Duke of York, his deputies and assigns. 
 
 Almost the first step taken by Nicolls after his arrival 
 was to create from the English portion of the province, con- 
 sisting of Long Island, Staten Island, and Westchester 
 County, the shire of Yorkshire, dividing it into three dis- 
 tricts, or ridings." The west riding was to include the 
 west end of Nassau or Long Island (now included within 
 the Counties of Kings and Queens and part of Nassau) and 
 Staten Island. The east riding of Yorkshire included the 
 
 •> B N. Y. Col. Docs., 11:250; O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 11:532; 
 Stokes, Iconography, IV :24a; The Articles of Capitulation are fully set forth 
 in Grants No. IX. 
 
New York 23 
 
 balance or easterly half of Nassau or Long Island. The 
 north riding of Yorkshire included what is now Westchester 
 County and probably a small part of Connecticut on the 
 shore of the sound. The government of the shire consisted 
 of a high sheriff, appointed by the governor and council, a 
 deputy sheriff for each riding, and justices of the peace, to 
 hold office during the governor's pleasure. Courts of ses- 
 sions were to be held three times each year by the justices 
 in each riding, presided over by the governor or any of his 
 council, or in their absence, by the senior justice. Annually, 
 the justices and the high sheriff were to meet with the gov- 
 ernor and his council in the court of Assizes at New York, 
 which afterwards became the general court of the province. 
 
 Two days after the surrender of New Amsterdam, Gov- 
 ernor Nicolls in a letter to Captain Young 56 promised that 
 "Deputys shall in convenient time and place, be summoned 
 to propose and give their advice in all matters tending to 
 ye peace and benefitt of Long Island." And shortly after- 
 wards, a circular was addressed to the inhabitants of Long 
 Island requesting them to send two delegates from each 
 town to a convention to be held at Hempstead on the last 
 day of February, 1665. In accordance with this call, dele- 
 gates from each town met at Hempstead on March 1, 1665. j665 
 The most important action of the meeting was to prepare, 
 or more properly to confirm, a body of laws, which after- 
 wards came to be known as the "Duke's Laws." 57 A num- 
 ber of additions and amendments were made by the Court 
 of Assizes, and afterwards the Code was transmitted to 
 England for confirmation. 
 
 The "Duke's Laws" originally obtained in the shire of 
 Yorkshire only, and did not go into effect in New York 
 until after the second occupation by the Dutch in 1674, 
 nor on the Delaware River, until 1676. From that time 
 
 56 Gen. Entries, 1:29, printed in N. Y. State Library Bull., Hist. No. 2, 100. 
 (Senate Doc, 1899, Vol. 12, No. 58-59.) 
 
 57 Duke's Laws are printed in Col. Laivs of N. Y., I:6-ioo. 
 
24 Colonial Charters 
 
 they continued in effect throughout the province, except as 
 modified by later enactments of the Assizes, the governor 
 and council, or the governor, council and assembly, prob- 
 ably until 1 69 1 ; — certainly as late as 1687, for in that year 
 Governor Dongan, answering certain charges against him, 
 in response to the question of what laws are in force in the 
 colony, replied: "The Laws in force are ye Laws called 
 his Royal Highnesses Laws and the Acts of the General 
 Assembly." 58 
 
 Until the "Duke's Laws" became of general effect 
 throughout the province, the Dutch laws probably continued 
 in force in accordance with the principle that the laws of 
 a conquered country continue in force until expressly abbro- 
 gated by the conqueror. 59 
 
 From this point on, the history of the Colonial Charters 
 to the various towns and communities which were consoli- 
 dated into the City of New York as it exists today will be 
 discussed separately. The towns and communities in the 
 counties will be discussed in the following order: First, 
 New York, including what is now Bronx County, (since 
 that county was not created until 19 12) ; Second, Kings 
 County; Third, Queens County and last, Richmond County. 
 
 58 See O'Callaghan, Cal. of N. Y. Col. Docs., 111:390. 
 
 59 For a discussion of this subject, see introductory note by Robert Ludlow 
 Fowler, in "Fac Simile of the Laws and Acts of the General Assembly, etc.", 
 published by the Grolier Club of New York, Chap. II. 
 
New York County 25 
 
 THE CHARTERS OF NEW YORK COUNTY 
 
 Manhattan Island, New York City 
 
 On the fourteenth of June, 1665, Governor Nicolls 1665 
 appeared in the Assembly and delivered to the clerk his act 
 of revocation of the old form of government of Schout, 
 Burgomasters and Schepens and declared that a commission 
 should be instituted for the city government, "to consist of 
 the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriff, according to the custom 
 of England in other his Majesty's corporations." This was 
 followed by his new charter, dated the 12th of June, 1665. 60 
 
 In 1667, Nicolls was recalled and Col. Francis Lovelace Y ^ 
 was appointed to succeed him. His commission directed 
 him to make no alteration in the laws of the government 
 settled before his arrival. 
 
 On July 30, 1673, New York was retaken by the Dutch T673 
 and on August 17, 1673, the commanders of the fleet 
 re-established the Dutch form of government by the 
 appointment of Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens. On 
 January 17, 1674, Colve, acting as Governor-General of 1674 
 the province, issued instructions to the Schout, Burgo- 
 masters and Schepens of the City of New Orange, for their 
 guidance in the government of the city. This document is 
 sometimes known as Colve's Charter. 61 The Dutch were 
 in possession of New York for too brief a period to 
 re-establish a permanent or stable form of government, 
 and their rule amounted to little more than a military occu- 
 pation of the city. By the Treaty of Westminster, signed 
 February 19, 1674, the Dutch relinquished New York, 
 although they were in actual possession of the city some 
 months thereafter. Whatever doubt may have existed 
 
 00 A copy of this charter is fully set forth in Grants No. X. 
 61 A copy of this charter is fully set forth in Grants No. XI. 
 
26 Colonial Charters 
 
 theretofore as to the title of the English was conclusively 
 set at rest by the terms of the treaty. 
 
 To remove any doubt of the validity of the Duke's title, 
 either from the want of Seisin in the Crown when it origi- 
 nated, or on account of the intermediate conquest by the 
 Dutch, a new charter was granted to the Duke of York 
 on the 29th of June, 1674. This grant was in substantially 
 the same terms as the former charter, and embraced the 
 same territory. 62 
 
 On July 1, 1674, Edmund Andros was appointed Gov- 
 ernor of the province, and was empowered by the commis- 
 sion "to performe and execute all and every ye powers 
 which are by ye said letters patent graunted unto Mee to 
 be executed by Me, my Deputy, Agent or Assignes." On 
 November 9, 1674, pursuant to instructions from the Duke 
 of York, 63 Governor Andros issued a "proclamation" con- 
 firming "all former grants privileges or concessions here- 
 tofore granted and all estates legally possessed by any 
 under his Royall Highnesse before the late Dutch govern- 
 ment." He also confirmed the "known book of Laws 
 formerly establisht and in force under his royall highnesse 
 government . . . the which are to be observed and prac- 
 tised together with the manner and time of holding Courts 
 therein menconed as heretofore." All magistrates and civil 
 officers "belonging there unto" are to be chosen and estab- 
 j6 7 - lished accordingly. 64 In October, 1675, Andros, by procla- 
 mation, and in virtue of the Duke's Letters Patent, 
 appointed certain persons to be the Mayor, Aldermen and 
 Sheriff, with full power, among other things, to "Rule and 
 Governe all the Inhabitants] of this Citty, Corporacon 
 or Libertyes thereof, and Strangers within the Same accord- 
 ing to the generall Lawes of this Government, Priviledge 
 
 62 A copy of this charter is fully set forth in Grants No. XII. 
 
 63 N. Y. Col. Docs., 111:215. 
 
 «* O'Callaghan, Doc. Hist. N. Y. ( 4 th ed.), 111:52-53; N. Y. Col. Laws, 
 (1894) 1:107-8. 
 
New York County 27 
 
 and Practize of this Place." This was undoubtedly a 
 recognition of the Nicolls Charter, and an appointment of 
 the functionaries under it, in order to remove doubts aris- 
 ing from the temporary dominion of the Dutch. 65 
 
 The next step in the history of the charters of New York 1683 
 City was taken in 1683. In November of that year, the 
 Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty presented a petition 
 to Lieutenant-Governor Dongan, praying for a confirma- 
 tion of all charters, and for various other franchises and 
 privileges. As a record of the claims of the corporation, 
 this document is important. Numerous discussions took 
 place in that year between the Governor and Common 
 Council. One part of their application was referred to the 
 Duke; and at last, on the 22nd of April, 1686, the com- j^g^ 
 plete charter was granted, under which the city govern- 
 ment was chiefly conducted, until the Charter of 1730 was 
 issued by Montgomery. 60 
 
 05 Min. Com. Court., I:i. 
 
 66 A copy of the Dongan Charter is fully set forth in Grants No. XIII. 
 Hoffman, in his Estates and Rights of the Corporation, I:2o, says: — A 
 point which, it seems, gave rise to some distrust as to this charter (the Don- 
 gan Charter of 1686 for the City of New York) should here be noticed. On 
 the sixth of February, 1685, the Duke of York ascended the throne of Great 
 Britain as James II. The query is raised as to what effect this ascension 
 had upon the ducal commission and consequently, upon the previous charter 
 of Nicolls and the proclamation and appointment made by Andros. 
 
 The patent to the Duke of 1664 granted the tract of country described 
 therein, including New York, "with all royalties and all his Majesty's 
 estate, together with the right of government." After the treaty of West- 
 minster in 1674, the Duke obtained, as was hereinbefore stated, a new 
 patent from the Crown. (See Grants No. XII.) This last charter was as 
 comprehensive in its character as that of 1664; and the Duke's commission 
 to his governors authorized them to exercise every power which by the 
 letters patent was granted to the Duke. 
 
 It is immaterial whether between February, 1685 and April, 1686 Dongan 
 had received a new commission from James as King, or acted under his 
 old commission from the Duke, given in 1682. Supposing that he acted 
 under his old commission from the Duke, the Duke was the grantee of all 
 royalties and right of government directly from the Crown. He had con- 
 ferred them, in the utmost extent, upon his governor. The accession to the 
 throne of the individual, could not of itself revoke a commission so as to 
 
28 Colonial Charters 
 
 1691 On May 6, 1691, the Colonial Assembly of New York 
 
 adopted an act for the purpose of quieting the minds of 
 the inhabitants and recognizing William and Mary as the 
 
 affect any rights conferred under it, before an actual revocation. It is clear 
 that as King he could not repeal a charter granted in truth by royal 
 authority, although delegated first to the Duke and next to the Governor. 
 
 I am aware that it has been urged, in former times, that the accession of 
 the Duke to the throne merged what he had done as Duke in his kingly 
 power; and that he could abrogate charters granted by him in that capacity. 
 The doctrine is contrary to reason, justice and law. The Crown cannot 
 revoke or annul a patent granted directly by itself, (Burrows, 1656) nor 
 consequently, a patent granted by its duly constituted agent. The Duke 
 was the grantee and agent of the Crown for this purpose ; the Governor 
 was his agent, and, therefore, the agent of the Crown. When James II 
 assailed the charters of the realm, he did it through the forms of law, by 
 a quo warranto, to which the courts lent themselves. (Miller's Eng. Gov., 
 111:58.) Other chartered bodies, intimidated or seduced, accepted new 
 patents from him. In the reign of James II it was asserted in the House 
 of Commons, that "the compulsory substitution of new for ancient charters, 
 amounts to a disseisin of the subject of his freehold, without a trial." (Vis- 
 count Lonsdale, May, 1685; Lingard's Hist., IV:28.) 
 
 In Marshall's History of the Colonies, it is stated that ineffectual efforts 
 were long made to induce the General Court of Massachusetts to surrender 
 the charter; but they resisted, "they deeming it better to die by the hands 
 of another, than by their own." (See also Powell's History of the Colonies, 
 54, 58.) There is a distinction to be here observed. Although every right 
 conferred by the Duke's Governors was irrevocable, yet when the Duke 
 became King, the royalties which had been conferred upon him as Duke, 
 vested in him as King. This is clearly expressed in the reply of Governor 
 Tryon to the questions addressed to him by the Board of Trade in 1774. 
 "By the grants of this province and other territories to the Duke of York 
 in 1663-4 an d J 674, the powers of government were vested in him, and 
 were accordingly exercised by his governors until he ascended the throne, 
 when his rights as Proprietor merged in his Crown, and the province ceased 
 to be a charter government. From that time it has been a Royal Govern- 
 ment." {London Doc., 44, Albany; Transcribed Valentine's Manual, 1851, 
 
 P- 37I-) 
 
 The result is, that the charters granted prior to that of 1686, under the 
 ducal commission, were unimpaired by the accession of James to the throne; 
 and that the charter of Dongan, even if bestowed under his commission 
 from the Duke, was effectual to ratify them as well as to confer any new 
 interests or franchises. The presumption from the recital must, however, 
 be that he had a fresh commission from James as King. 
 
 The Dongan Charter to the city has received both legislative and judicial 
 recognition and I am not aware that its validity has even been seriously 
 impeached nor is there any ground on which it can be successfully assailed. 
 
New York County 29 
 
 lawful sovereigns and establishing the acts of the last Par- 
 liament. 67 
 
 In 1702, Lord Cornbury was made Governor. On 1702 
 March 3, 1708 the common council decided to petition the 
 governor "for her Majesty's Grant of all the Vacant Land 
 upon Nassaw Island from High water to low water mark 
 from the Wallabought to the Redhooke for A further 
 Conveniency for the ferry of this City with power to estab- 
 lish one or more ferrys if there shall be Occasion and A 
 Confirmation of the same under A Moderate quit Rent 
 and at Reasonable Rates &c." The common council also 
 resolved to raise the sum of £300 to be used in procuring 
 the grant. The reason for this petition was to prevent 
 any attempt to secure a private grant for a ferry and to fill 
 the need of increased accommodations. 68 
 
 On April 8, 1708, Cornbury granted the petition of the 1708 
 Common council of the city, dated Mar. 3, 1 707/8, 69 for 
 the enlargement of the bounds of the ferry, it being then 
 ordered that a "warrant be prepared for the attorney- 
 general to draw a patent for all the Vacant and unappro- 
 priated Ground on Nassau Island from High water to Low 
 water marke fronting unto this City from the place Called 
 The Wallabought unto the Redhooke against Nutten 
 Island for the better Improvement and accommodation of 
 the Said ferry," etc. 70 The letters patent were issued by 
 Lord Cornbury on April 19, 1708. 71 
 
 In 1728, John Montgomerie became Governor of New 1728 
 York. On March 23, 1729/30 proceedings to procure a J 73o 
 new charter for the city commenced and continued for 
 nearly a year. The common council appointed a committee 
 to consider provisions for a petition to Governor Mont- 
 
 67 A copy of this act is fully set forth in Grants No. XIV. 
 68 M.C.C, 11:346-47. 
 69 Ibid. 
 
 ™0'Callaghan, Doc. Hist. N. Y. (4th Ed.) 111:258; a copy of this letter is 
 fully set forth in Grants No. XV-A. 
 
 71 A copy of this charter is fully set forth in Grants No. XV-B. 
 
30 Colonial Charters 
 
 gomerie "for his Majesties Grant of Confirmation of the 
 Charter of this Corporation in the Royal Stile and of all 
 their Ancient Rights and Priviledges thereunto belonging 
 and for such Additional Grants Emoluments and Privi- 
 ledges as Can be Obtained for the Advantage good Rule 
 & Government of the Inhabitants of this City." 72 On 
 March 28 this committee reported its recommendations. It 
 was then ordered that Mayor Robert Lurting and Alder- 
 man Frederick Philipse see the governor as to what to do 
 about a new charter. 73 On April 6 they reported that the 
 governor, when he received their petition would refer it 
 to "his Majesties Council for their Advice which he was 
 Obliged to do by his Instructions." The common council 
 ordered the recorder to prepare a draft of a petition which 
 was engrossed and signed. 74 A draft of the new charter 
 was also prepared and it was agreed that £1,400 would be 
 "Needfull to be provided by this Corporation for Obtain- 
 ing the Said Charter." 75 The city's petition was referred 
 to the council by the governor on Aug. 6 and on Aug. 13 
 they advised the governor to "grant His Majesty's Royal 
 Charter to the petitioners accordingly. 70 The governor 
 ordered a draft of the new charter and on October 13, 
 1730, it was approved by the common council who then 
 ordered it "Engrossed finished & Compleated and the seal 
 1731 Affixed with all Expedition." 77 On January 15, 1730/31 
 Governor Montgomerie signed the new charter and on 
 February 11, 1730/31, with appropriate ceremony, the 
 Montgomerie Charter was formally conveyed to the mayor 
 and other city officials. 78 
 
 72 Min. Com. Coun., IV 4. 
 " Ibid., IV: 5 -8. 
 
 74 For full text see Land Papers, (Albany), X:i30, published in Valen- 
 tine's, Man. Com. Coun. (1856), 593-95. 
 
 75 Af m. Com. Coun., IV:n. 
 
 76 MSS. entry in the Council Minutes, State Library, Albany. 
 
 77 Min. Com. Coun., IV:28. 
 
 78 For an account of the ceremonies see the Minutes of the Common Council, 
 IV:39~44; a copy of the charter is fully set forth in Grants No. XVI. 
 
New York County 31 
 
 The Montgomerie Charter not only grants additional 
 privileges rights, and estate to the city, but it is in its terms 
 confirmatory of prior grants, and of the Dongan and Corn- 
 bury charters. It recites in full these charters, concerning 
 the validity and force of which questions had arisen by 
 reason of the diversity of the names of the grantees, and 
 because prior grants and charters had been made in the 
 names of the governors instead of the sovereigns, respec- 
 tively. There was, therefor, question, as appears from the 
 text of the charter, whether the city had been hitherto 
 legally incorporated. This was the last charter given to 
 the city by any one of the Colonial Governors. It was a 
 very lengthy one and set forth all the powers of the city 
 somewhat in the style of our present charter. 
 
 On October 14, 1732, the Colonial Assembly passed an 1732 
 act entitled "An act for confirming unto the City of New 
 York its rights and privileges." By this act the city of 
 New York was continued as a corporation to be known as 
 the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty and all previous 
 letters patent, grants or charters issued to the city were 
 ratified and confirmed. 79 
 
 The Montgomerie Charter, together with those charters 
 which it enumerated and confirmed, and the Act of 1732, 
 formed the foundation of the municipal government and 
 of the rights of the corporation, down to the Revolution 
 and the Constitution of 1777, and even after that, subject, 
 however, to amendments made by the State Legislature. 
 
 Harlem 
 
 The town of New Harlem or Harlem as we know it 1636 
 today has been described as being unique in that it was a 
 town or village within an established city (New York) 
 and made its existence dependent upon that city "as being 
 within the liberties thereof." 
 
 79 A copy of this Act is set forth fully in Grants No. XVII. 
 
32 Colonial Charters 
 
 All that part of Manhattan Island north of a line drawn 
 from 125th Street and the Hudson River to 74th Street 
 and the East River was originally the town of New Harlem. 
 The pioneer settler of New Harlem was Dr. Johannes 
 de la Montagne who settled there in 1636. The land which 
 he occupied became known as Montagne's Flat. It ran 
 from about 109th Street to about 124th Street and con- 
 tained about 200 acres. There were a few other settlers 
 at this time, namely, Jacobus van Curler, Coenraet van 
 Keulen, whose land became known as Van Keulen's Hook, 
 and Hendryk de Forest. 
 
 Due to numerous skirmishes with the Indians, these 
 farms or plantations did not thrive and the settlers were 
 driven to seek shelter at New Amsterdam on several occa- 
 sions. Finally, Director-General Stuyvesant took a hand 
 in the affairs of New Harlem. It was to the advantage 
 of the government that a strong settlement with a garrison 
 be placed on this frontier end of the island. Such a settle- 
 ment would enhance the safety of the city of New Amster- 
 1 ®5° dam. Therefore, all things favoring the formation of a 
 lasting settlement, the Director-General and his Council, on 
 the fourth of March, 1658, passed an ordinance organizing 
 the village afterwards called New Harlem. 80 Summarized, 
 this ordinance provided for the formation of "a new village 
 or settlement at the end of the Island." It granted by lot 
 to each of the Harlem settlers full ownership of from 36 
 to 48 acres of farm land and from 12 to 16 acres of 
 meadow land which should be protected by the Director- 
 General and Council "with all their power, and when noti- 
 fied and required to assist them, with 12 to 15 soldiers." 
 The ordinance further provided for an "inferior court of 
 justice" when 20 to 25 families should have settled in the 
 village. They were to have "their own good, pious, ortho- 
 dox Minister," a great privilege in those days; "a good 
 wagon road from this place (New Amsterdam) to the vil- 
 
 80 The ordinance is fully set forth in Grants No. XVIII-A. 
 
New York County 33 
 
 lage aforesaid;" a "Ferry and suitable Scow;" and a "Cattle 
 and Horse Market." 
 
 With its first advent into life and activity, the infant 
 settlement received its name, fitly taken, as Riker remarks, 
 from the famous old city of North Holland. It was called 
 "Nieuw Haerlem," a name "conferred, no doubt, by Stuy- 
 vesant, .... Its selection was such as could neither 
 flatter any one settler, nor excite the jealousy of others, as 
 none of them were from Haerlem. Perhaps the semblance 
 in the two localities first suggested it. New Harlem and 
 New Amsterdam, like the two great cities after which they 
 were named, lay apart 'about three hours journey.' " 81 
 
 After the English had taken possession of New Nether- ^5, 
 land in 1664, the growing need of enlarged commonage and 
 of having the limits thereof fixed, naturally brought up the 
 subject of applying for a general patent, which should con- 
 firm the community in these and their other rights and 
 privileges, and also secure to them the large outlays made 
 in building their houses, as well as what it had cost them 
 to clear, fertilize and fence their lands. Recognizing the 
 dignity of New Harlem's position in the province of New 
 Amsterdam, Nicolls at once sent his surveyor to the dis- 
 trict, and, upon the latter's report, he gave written direc- 
 tions for drafting a patent in which he specified three things 
 to be observed, namely: 
 
 "There is one condition, which is, that that town is to 
 be forever thereafter called by the name of Lancaster." 
 
 "To build one or more boats fit for a ferry." 
 
 "There is also liberty of going further west into the 
 woods with their horses and cattle, for range, as they shall 
 have occasion." 82 
 
 In May, 1666, Governor Nicolls issued the first Harlem 1666 
 Patent or Charter which not only describes Harlem's 
 boundary, but grants the territory so named to the free- 
 
 81 Riker, History of Harlem, (1904), p. 173. 
 
 82 Riker, History of Harlem, (1904), p. 226. 
 
34 Colonial Charters 
 
 holders and inhabitants, their heirs, successors and assigns 
 forever. 83 This patent was not approved by the Harlem 
 people, whose wishes were disregarded in preparing it. 
 The change in the name of the town to Lancaster, a pet 
 idea with the Governor, was a most offensive feature, and 
 was never adopted. 84 The Bench of Justice or local court, 
 and, in general, such rights as they had enjoyed in common 
 with the other villages were indeed comprehended under 
 "the privileges of a town," but as it made all, without limi- 
 tation, "dependent on this city," this condition might 
 impose untold burdens. It omitted to name the meadows 
 or salt marshes on the mainland, now in the Borough of 
 the Bronx. In 1667, due to Governor Nicolls' direction 
 that all landholders submit their ground briefs to the 
 authorities of New York, the inhabitants of Harlem pre- 
 sented a petition for a new general patent. 85 This resulted 
 in the Harlem freeholders receiving a new town patent, 
 
 1667 dated October 11, i667. 8s This patent included the Bronx 
 property omitted in the previous patent and also granted 
 the right to call the town New Harlem. 
 
 1687 In 1687, Dongan issued a patent or charter to New 
 
 Harlem. This patent is dated March 7, 1686, which is 
 the old style dating, by which the year began March 25. 
 According to our present reckoning, it should be 1687. 87 
 This was the last patent or charter issued to Harlem. 88 
 
 Thus, is concluded the history of the charters to the 
 former City of New York from the period of the discovery 
 by the Dutch up to the Revolution. It is to be understood, 
 of course, that New York City at that time consisted only 
 of Manhattan Island. 
 
 83 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XVIII-B. 
 
 84 Lancaster, as a name applying to Harlem, is not once found on its 
 records; nor has it been met with as so used in any other record or docu- 
 ment of that period, saving the instance above noticed. Riker, History of 
 Harlem, (1904), p. 228. 
 
 85 Riker, History of Harlem, (1904), p. 239. 
 
 86 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XVIII-C. 
 
 87 See Preface. 
 
 88 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XVIII-D. 
 
Bronx County 35 
 
 THE CHARTERS OF BRONX COUNTY 
 
 We now come to that part of the City of New York 
 which is known to-day as Bronx County. This territory 
 was formerly a part of Westchester County. It was not 
 until 1874 that the western part of the present borough 
 was annexed to New York City and 1895 tnat trie eastern 
 part was annexed. 
 
 As has been stated before, the first purchase of land in 
 Westchester was the Keskeskeck purchase in 1639. 89 In 
 1640, a second purchase was made of the lands to the east- 
 ward of Keskeskeck. The original county of Westchester 
 was composed mainly of Manors and "Great Patents." 90 
 
 89 Page 10, supra. 
 
 90 There were two types of large grants of land made by the English in 
 America. The "Great Patents," as they were called, were usually granted 
 to several grantees. The Manors were necessarily granted to one person 
 only. The franchises, privileges, and other valuable incidents which the 
 Manor possessed and which the "Great Patents" did not possess were fewer 
 than is generally supposed. The greatest difference between the "Great 
 Patents" and the Manors lay in the peculiar public incidents, as they have 
 been called, which constituted a Manor, incidents essential to its existence, 
 and which related more to the government and good order of the territory 
 of the Manor, and the protection of the Manor, than to power and profit 
 of the lord of the Manor. Tenants could, and did, take up lands under 
 the grantees of the "Great Patents," as well as under the lords of the 
 Manors. The former could, and did, settle people upon their Patents under 
 leases, as well as deeds in fee, just as the latter did upon their Manors. 
 Both classes of proprietors sold in fee, or granted on leases of different 
 kinds, just as their houses dictated. The "Great Patents," their grantees, 
 and the inhabitants upon them, were subjected, in general and local matters, 
 to whatever public territorial divisions of the province embraced them and 
 the laws in force therein. The Manors, their lords, and their inhabitants, 
 whether tenants or holders in fee simple, of Manor-lands by purchase from 
 the lords, were subject only to the jurisdiction and courts of the Manor in 
 local matters. Both, in all matters not local, were governed by the law 
 courts and the civil and military authorities of the county and the province. 
 The tenure of both classes of these crown grants was the same, being "in 
 free and common socageas of the manor of East Greenwich in the county 
 of Kent." Under the feudal system which was introduced into England, 
 
36 Colonial Charters 
 
 There were six manors which together comprised the larger 
 part of its area. The "Great Patents" were more numerous 
 but together not so extensive in area. These latter and the 
 borough-town of Westchester, with a few small original 
 grants, formed the rest of the county. The manors in the 
 original county were, "Cortlandt," "Scarsdale," "Pelham," 
 "Morrisania," "Fordham" and "Philipseborough" or 
 "Philipseburgh." Of these "Cortlandt" and "Philipse- 
 burgh" were the largest. The manors of Fordham, Mor- 
 risania, Pelham and Scarsdale, lying nearer to the city of 
 
 lands were granted to knights as payment for military services and on 
 condition that such military service should be forthcoming upon the demand 
 of the sovereign or overlord from whom such lands were held. For a 
 variety of reasons, including the multiplication of such fiefs, their sub- 
 division, their inheritance by females incapable of military service, and 
 what not, there was enacted a law in 1290, during the reign of Edward I, 
 which would put an end to the formation of new military Manors forever. 
 In the old Saxon kingdom of Kent, which became the County of Kent under 
 the Normans, there was the Manor of East Greenwich, which was held by 
 the Crown in free and common socage. By free and common socage is 
 meant fealty to the king, or overlord, and payment at fixed intervals or 
 upon fixed occasions of a certain service as opposed to uncertain or military 
 service. This certain service might take the form of a yearly payment of 
 money, of some article, or a fixed quantity of grain or other produce, of 
 pelts, of plowing so many acres or for so many days and so on. At the 
 time of the coronation of an English king we find man} - claims advanced by 
 English gentlemen — one furnishes so many napkins for the royal table; 
 another holds the basin for the king to wash his hands; another the towel 
 to dry them; another provides a pigeon pie or venison pasty for the ban- 
 quet; another holds the king's stirrup when he mounts his horse to ride to 
 Westminster to be crowned; another when he returns. All of these, and 
 many more, are really the services to be rendered for the possession of all 
 the manors in England; and question might legally arise whether the Manor 
 lords have not forfeited the rights to their Manors by a failure to perform 
 such services unless the king, by his failure to accept such services, abrogates 
 the right to it and withdraws the necessity. Thus, we have, for instance, 
 in the patent from Governor Lovelace to Archer for the manor of Fordham 
 a provision that he shall pay twenty bushells of good peas per year "if the 
 same shall be demanded." In the grant to the Duke of York he held his 
 territory here "as of our manor of East Greenwich in our county of Kent 
 in free and common socage and not in capite or by any service," and in his 
 case he had to pay yearly "forty beaver skins when they shall be demanded 
 or within ninety days after." 
 
Bronx County 37 
 
 New York than the other two and more accessible, were 
 more settled. The manors of Westchester County in the 
 order of their erection were "Fordham" in November, 
 1 67 1, "Pelham" in October, 1687, "Philipseburgh" in 
 June, 1693, "Morrisania" in May, 1697, "Cortlandt" in 
 June, 1697 and "Scarsdale" in March, 1700. 
 
 At the time of the occupation by the English the land on 
 the mainland was laid out as follows: — On the west, lying 
 between the Hudson and the Bronx Rivers, north of Man- 
 hattan, was Colen Donck; next to the South came 
 "Brouncksland," east of the Harlem River; next, to the 
 eastward of that, came the West Farms; after this tract 
 was Cornell's Neck; adjoining it on the north was Oostdorp 
 or Westchester; beyond, on the Sound, was Throgg's Neck, 
 and north of Westchester was Pell's Purchase of 1654. 
 This territory eventually became the towns of East Chester, 
 Morrisania, Pelham, Westchester, West Farms, Kings- 
 bridge and Yonkers. Of these, all of Westchester, West 
 Farms, (which included the Manor of Fordham) Mor- 
 risania and Kingsbridge was absorbed into the city of New 
 York. Of the others, only a part was included. 
 
 We will now proceed to take up the charter history of 
 these towns in the order named. 
 
 East Chester 
 
 The territory which comprised the town of East Chester I ^ ) ^ . 
 was originally claimed by Thomas Pell as being part of 
 his grant from the Indians, dated November 14, 1654. On 
 June 24, 1664, three months before the surrender to the J ^. 
 English, Pell granted to James Euestis, Phillip Pinckney, 
 John Tompkins, Moses Hoit, Samuel Drake, Andrew 
 Ward, Walter Lancaster, Nathaniel Tompkins and Samuel 
 Word, "to the number of ten families, to settle down at 
 Hutchinsons, that is where the house stood at the meadows 
 and uplands, to Hutchinson's River, they paying according 
 to ye proportion of the charges which was disburst for the 
 
38 Colonial Charters 
 
 purchase, and other necessary charges, etc." 91 These 
 grantees drew up a covenant for their guidance for the 
 establishment of neighborly feeling among themselves and 
 for the prevention of disputes. 92 The settlement became 
 known as the "ten farms" and later, as East Chester, 
 because it lay to the eastward of Westchester. 
 
 1666 In 1666, the inhabitants of East Chester obtained a 
 
 further grant from the native Indians, "Annhoock" and 
 others. On March 9, 1666/7, tne inhabitants of the town 
 received a royal patent from Governor Nicolls, confirming 
 them in their possessions. 93 This charter enacted "that the 
 plantation shall continue and retain y e name of East Chester 
 by which name and style it shall be forever hereafter dis- 
 tinguished and known, etc." 
 
 1700 On December 23, 1700, we again find a deed from the 
 
 Indians, confirming the inhabitants of East Chester in their 
 
 1708 possessions 94 and on September 22, 1708, a patent was 
 issued under the great seal of the province to Captain Wil- 
 liam Peartree and his associates, confirming them in their 
 possessions. 95 
 
 Only a small part of the township was added to the 
 borough of the Bronx, mainly consisting of the village of 
 Wakefield at the southern end of the township. 
 
 Morrisania 
 
 The town of Morrisania, formerly the manor of Mor- 
 risania, derived its name from the Morris Family, the first 
 mesne lords and patentees under the Crown; the termina- 
 tion "ania" being in general use in the latter part of the 
 seventeenth century. At the period of the Dutch discovery, 
 it was called by the aborigines Ranachque, or Raraque. 
 
 91 Deed Book, II :19c, Office of Sec. of State, Albany. 
 
 92 See Bolton, Hist. West. Co. (1905), 1:204. 
 
 93 A copy of the patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XIX-A. 
 
 «4 Bolton, Hist. West. Co. (1905), I:2io. 
 
 95 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XIX-C. 
 
Bronx County 39 
 
 The first grantee under the Mohegan sachems of Ranach- 
 que, Shahash, Panazarah, Wanacapun, Kneed, Taquamarke 
 and Awarazawis, was Jonas Bronck, who in 1639 pur- j^g 
 chased from them two hundred and fifty morgen of land — 
 about five hundred acres, for which he subsequently obtained 
 a "grond brief" from the Dutch authorities. 90 By the 
 marriage of Bronck's widow, Antonia Slaghboom to Arendt 
 van Curler, Bronck's land passed into the van Curler 
 family. On October 3, 1644, van Curler obtained a "grond 1644 
 brief" for Bronck's land from Director Kieft. Van Curler 
 conveyed the land to Jacob van Stool from whom it passed 
 through several proprietors to Samuel Edsall. The sale 1668 
 to Samuel Edsall was confirmed by a royal patent from 
 Richard Nicolls in the year 1668. 97 
 
 The next possessor of Bronck's land was Captain Richard 
 Morris who purchased it from Edsall in August, 1670. 1670 
 Morris and his wife died in 1672 and the property passed 
 to his brother, Col. Lewis Morris, in trust for his orphaned 
 son. On March 25, 1676, Lewis Morris obtained letters 1676 
 patent for Bronck's land from Governor Andros. 98 
 
 On February 7, 1684/5, Lewis Morris obtained a con- ^g, 
 firmation deed to Bronck's land from the same Indians who 
 had originally granted the land to Joanes Bronck. 99 
 
 The estate passed to Col. Lewis Morris' nephew, Lewis 
 Morris, by his will, dated 1690. 
 
 On May 8, 1697, Lewis Morris obtained royal letters 1697 
 patent from King William III, erecting Morrisania into 
 a township and manor, to be holden of the king in free and 
 common socage; its lord yielding and rendering therefor 
 annually, on the Feast Day of the Annunciation of our 
 blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of six shillings. 993 
 
 96 See the patent of confirmation from Andros to Morris, in Grants No. 
 XX-B. 
 
 97 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XX-A. 
 98 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XX-B. 
 99 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XX-C. 
 99a A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XX-D. 
 
40 Colonial Charters 
 
 Morrisania was created into a town by the Act of 1788/ 
 and later in 179 1, 2 annexed to the ancient borough-town of 
 Westchester. It did not become an independent town again 
 till 1856. 3 
 
 Pelham 
 
 j^ 4 . The first settler in the town of Pelham, the southern 
 
 part of which has been annexed to the city of New York, 
 was Mrs. Ann Hutchinson who settled in what is known as 
 Pelham Neck about the year 1643. The Dutch called the 
 Neck after her, "Annes Hoeck," or Ann's Neck; the stream 
 near which her house stood was called Hutchinsons River, 
 the name which it still bears. There is no record of her 
 ever having received any patent or "grond brief." Appar- 
 ently, she was killed by the Indians in a raid on her farm 
 before she had an opportunity to do so. 
 
 !6<54 The next proprietor of Pelham was Thomas Pell of 
 
 Fairfield, Connecticut. He obtained a grant from the 
 Indians on November 14, 1654 — "embracing all that tract 
 of land called West Chester which is bounded on the East 
 by a brook called Cedar Tree Brook or Gravelly Brook, 
 and so running Northward as the said brook runs into the 
 woods about eight English miles, thence West to the river 
 Aquehung or Bronck's River to a certain bend in the said 
 river, thence by marked trees South until it reaches the tide 
 water of the sound which lyeth between Long Island and 
 the mainland, together with all the Islands, lying before 
 that tract of land so bounded as before expressed, and so 
 running East to place of beginning, etc., etc." 4 
 
 One of the principal Indian proprietors of this territory 
 and signers of the deed to Thomas Pell apparently assumed 
 
 1 L. 1788, ch. 64. 
 
 2 L. 1791, ch. 15. 
 
 3 L. 1855, ch. 210. 
 
 4 The description of the Indian deed to Thomas Peil is obtained from 
 Bolton's History of Westchester County (1905), 11:34. He states therein 
 that he obtained the particulars from a Mr. John Soulice of New Rochelle 
 who had seen the deed. 
 
Bronx County 41 
 
 Mrs. Ann Hutchinson's christian name, for he consistently 
 styled himself in the early deeds "Ann-Hoock," alias Wam- 
 page. This individual may have taken active part in the 
 destruction of Ann Hutchinson, for it was common among 
 the Indians for a warrior or brave to assume the name of 
 his victim. 
 
 Thomas Pell was constantly at odds with the Dutch gov- 
 ernment over the ownership of his property in Westchester 
 County, as he claimed that his purchase from the Indians 
 included "Vriedelandt" or Westchester. 
 
 On October 6, 1666, a large portion of the Indian grant : 666 
 of 1654 was confirmed to Thomas Pell by Richard Nicolls, 
 Governor of New York, and erected into a township and 
 manor; the proprietor rendering and paying in fealty there- 
 for yearly, unto his Royal Highness, James, Duke of York, 
 or to such governor as should from time to time, be by him 
 appointed, as an acknowledgment, one lamb upon the first 
 day of May as the same should be demanded. 5 
 
 Thomas Pell died about September, 1669 and his prop- 1669 
 erty passed to his nephew, John Pell of England. 
 
 On October 20, 1687, the whole territory was erected x 687 
 by Governor Dongan into one entire enfranchised town- 
 ship, manor and place of itself, henceforth to be called 
 u the Lordship and Manor of Pelham," under the feudal 
 tenure of paying yearly thereupon, twenty shillings at the 
 city of New York on the 25th day of March. 6 
 
 Later, John Pell conveyed most of the northern part of 
 the manor to Jacob Leisler of New York, which land 
 became what is now called New Rochelle. A balance 
 remained in the hands of successive Manorlords and the 
 southern part eventually came into the city of New York, 7 
 being mostly what is now Pelham Park and Hart, Hunter 
 and City Islands. 
 
 5 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXI-A. 
 6 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXI-B. 
 7 L. 1895, ch. 934. 
 
42 Colonial Charters 
 
 Westchester 
 
 1642 Vriedelandt, as the Dutch called it, or Westchester "was 
 probably first settled in 1642 by a Mr. John Throckmorton 
 and thirty-five associates who came from New England, 
 with the approbation of the Dutch authorities. 8 The Dutch 
 called this land "Vriedelandt," or "Land of Peace." 
 
 1643 On July 6, 1643, a patent or "grond brief" was granted to 
 Jan Throckmorton by William Kieft. 9 This grant, later 
 called Throgmorton's Neck, contracted into Throgg's Neck, 
 and sometimes Frog's Neck, embraced the eastern part of 
 what was later the town of Westchester. It was bounded 
 on the north by Eastchester Neck, on the east by Eastchester 
 Bay and the Long Island Sound, on the south by the East 
 River, and on the west by the Westchester Creek. In Octo- 
 ber, 1652, Throckmorton conveyed this tract of land to 
 Augustine Hermans 10 by permission of the Director- 
 General. 
 
 1665 In 1665, the town of Westchester asserted "that she had 
 
 always enjoyed Throckmorton's Neck." 11 After court 
 action, in September 1665, a judgment was granted to Mr. 
 Augustine Hermans against the inhabitants of Westchester 
 by Governor Richard Nicolls. 12 Shortly afterwards, Her- 
 mans sold fifty morgen of the land to Thomas Hunt who, 
 after the English occupation, received from Governor 
 ,, Nicolls a confirmatory grant or patent, dated December 4, 
 
 1686 1667, and on January 12, 1686/7, Governor Thomas Don- 
 gan confirmed to Thomas Hunt the property commonly 
 called the Grove Farm. Dongan's patent is called the 
 Grove Farm Patent. 13 The whole property passed through 
 
 8 Barber, J., and Howe, H., Hist. Collections of N. Y. (1841), p. 597. 
 9 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXII-A. 
 10 Rec. of Assize, 11:59, cited in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., (1905), 11:266. 
 ™Alb. Rec. Court of Assize, II:6o, cited Ibid. 
 ™Alb. Assize Rec, I =46, cited Ibid., IT267. 
 
 13 Bolton, Hist. West. Co., (1905), 11:268. A copy of the patent is fully 
 set forth in Grants No. XXII-B. 
 
Bronx County 43 
 
 several hands and it now is divided among numerous indi- 
 viduals. 
 
 The second grantee under the Dutch in the town of 
 Westchester was Thomas Cornell, one of Throckmorton's 
 companions at the Vriedelandt Colony, who obtained a 
 "grond brief" or grant on July 26, 1646 from Governor 1646 
 William Kieft. 14 The neck of land granted to Cornell lay 
 between "Brunk's Kill" and the creek, now called Pugsley's, 
 which enters the mouth of Westchester Creek. The indian 
 name of the neck was "Snakapins," but when Cornell settled 
 on the land it took his name. After the death of Thomas 
 Cornell, his daughter, Sarah Bridges, inherited the prop- 
 erty and it remained with her descendants. 
 
 Thomas Pell, who claimed all the land east of the Bronx 
 River as far as Mamaroneck and southward to the East 
 River, even tried to oust Mrs. Bridges from her property 
 at Cornell's Neck. She and her husband enjoined Pell 
 from interfering with them or their property and the case 
 was tried before a jury on September 29, 1665. Pell set ^65 
 up the defense that the Dutch had no right to the land in 
 question, that it belonged to Connecticut, therefore, the 
 Dutch could not give away what they did not own, and 
 that the "grond brief" of 1646 to Cornell was invalid. In 
 reply, the plaintiff quoted the terms of the surrender as 
 agreed to by Governor Nicolls and the further instructions 
 of the king, confirming any grant or conveyance made by 
 the Dutch. The jury found for the plaintiffs. The case 
 was a very important one for the principle involved. It 
 validated under English law every land grant, confirmation, 
 deed, or patent given by the Dutch West India Company 
 or its officers, and secured to every holder of land under 
 such circumstances the peaceful, absolute and undisputable 
 possession of his lot, farm or tract. 15 
 
 ]4 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXII-C. 
 
 15 Alb. Rec. Gen. Entries, 1:14 and Alb. Assize Rec, 15. Cited in Bolton, 
 Hi.fr. West. Co., (1905), 11:271. The original records were burnt in the 
 Capital fire at Albany, 1911. 
 
44 Colonial Charters 
 
 1667 On April 15, 1667, Governor Nicolls confirmed to Wil- 
 
 lian Willett, a grandson of Thomas Cornell and son of 
 Sarah Cornell by her first husband, the original tract, 
 known as Cornell's Neck or Black Rock. 16 
 
 Prior to 1647, "Vriedelandt" (Westchester) was settled 
 under grants from the Dutch. About this time some New 
 Englanders, probably carrying Connecticut's claim south- 
 ward, settled in "Vriedelandt" near Westchester Creek 
 without permission of Governor Stuyvesant. This action 
 led to dissension between the Dutch and the settlers. The 
 village of Westchester which was in controversy, was called 
 by the Dutch "Oostdorp," meaning East-town, it being the 
 most easterly of the Dutch towns on the mainland. 17 The 
 difficulties between Connecticut and New Netherland con- 
 tinued to increase until the British forces took over New 
 Netherland under Governor Richard Nicolls on August 27, 
 1664. However, formal settlement of the boundary was 
 not attained between New York and Connecticut until the 
 Congress of 1880-81. 
 
 On the 15th of February, 1667/8, the first patent to the 
 town of Westchester was granted by Governor Nicolls. 18 
 
 1686 The second patent to Westchester was one granted by 
 
 Governor Dongan on January 6, 1686/7, confirming the 
 first Nicolls grant of 1667. 19 
 
 1683 In 1683, when the counties were formed, the town of 
 
 Westchester was appointed the Shire town or county seat. 
 
 1693 By the act of May 11, 1693, it was ordered that "a public 
 and open market" should be held on every Wednesday of 
 the week in the same town, and further, that there should 
 be a fair held in the said town yearly upon the second Tues- 
 day in May and to last four days, or to end on the Friday 
 
 16 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXII-D. 
 
 17 For a detailed description of the various communications between the 
 Dutch and the English with reference to the dispute over Oostdorp, see 
 Bolton, Hist. West. Co., (1905), 11:275-286. 
 
 18 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXII-E. 
 
 19 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXII-F. 
 
Bronx County 45 
 
 following, "to which fair it shall and may be likewise law- 
 ful for all and every person to go and frequent." 20 
 
 The most important act in the history of the town of 1696 
 Westchester was its formation into a borough-town by 
 royal charter, bearing date of April 16, 1696 and signed 
 by Governor Fletcher. 21 The charter carefully divided 
 the limits of the town and prescribed that there should be 
 a mayor, six aldermen and six assistants or common council. 
 They should "elect and nominate one discreet and sufficient 
 person, learned in y e law, to be recorder and town clerk 
 for y e s d borough and town of W.Chester." A mayor's 
 court was instituted which could hear cases where the value 
 in controversy did not exceed thirty pounds. The mayor 
 and aldermen were named in the charter but, after the first 
 year, the positions were to be filled by a majority vote of 
 the electors. The electors should also send a discreet per- 
 son to represent them in the Assembly of the province. A 
 "body politick" in the said corporate town should be styled 
 "the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the Borough 
 and Town of Westchester." Twelve trustees were 
 appointed to dispose of undivided lands of the town. The 
 quit rent was an annual payment of thirty shillings current 
 money of New York. The county fairs to be held in the 
 town were to be increased to two, one in May, the other in 
 October. The borough-town of Westchester remained 
 such until its formation into a township in 1788. The town- 
 ship at the time of its formation in 1788 included the 
 ancient manor of Fordham and the West Farms tract, the 
 history of which will be discussed next; and all the land 
 between the Hutchinson River, the Bronx River, and the 
 Sound, with a northerly boundary at the Eastchester line 
 from Black Dog Brook to the Bronx River. This included 
 about one-half of the present borough. The town was 
 
 20 Ads of Assembly, Fowler's Bradford, p. 69, confirmed the nth day of 
 May, 1697. 
 
 21 A copy is set forth in Grants No. XXII-G. 
 
46 Colonial Charters 
 
 further increased by accession of Morrisania, February 22, 
 1791. It remained intact until May 13, 1846, when the 
 township of West Farms was formed out of its territory. 22 
 
 West Farms 
 
 The town of West Farms, which is now annexed to 
 Bronx County, was formerly a portion of the ancient 
 borough-town of Westchester. The original patent of 
 West Farms comprised the territory between the Fordham 
 line on the north, the Bronx River on the east, the Sound 
 on the south, and Bungay Creek in Morrisania on the west. 
 
 1663 On March 12, 1663, Edward Jessup and John Richard- 
 
 son of Westchester bought from nine Indians a tract of 
 land west of the Bronx River, extending south to the East 
 River and northerly to about the middle of the present 
 lower lake in Bronx Park; the westerly boundary was a 
 small stream called Bungay Creek by the English, or 
 "Sackwrahung" by the Indians; the eastern boundary was 
 the middle of the Bronx River. 23 Another deed from the 
 same Indians to Edward Jessup and John Richardson bears 
 the date March 12, 1664, and it was recorded for Richard- 
 son April 5, 1667 24 
 
 The tract was subdivided into twelve farms and was 
 thereafter called the "twelve farms" and since these lay 
 to the west of Westchester, more commonly, the "West 
 Farms," the tract was divided into two equal portions 
 between the two original patentees by a confirmatory patent 
 
 j666 °f Governor Nicolls, dated April 25, 1666. 25 
 
 In the southwest corner of the West Farms strip was 
 a small tract, whose ownership was in dispute between the 
 heirs of the patentees and the Morrises from 1666 to 1740, 
 
 22 See also Frederick Van Wyck, Select Patents of Neiv York Towns, 
 A. A. Beauchamp, Boston, (1938) Chapter IV entitled A Borough and Toivn. 
 23 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIII-A. 
 2 *A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIII-B. 
 25 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIII-C. 
 
Bronx County 47 
 
 when the Manor-lord of Morrisania obtained possession. 
 As there were a number of streams in that locality, the 
 question arose as to which was the Sackwrahung. The 
 West Farms people claimed that it was Bungay Creek, or 
 Brook; Col. Morris that it was a stream to the eastward, 
 called the Wigwam Brook and later, Leggett's Creek and 
 Bond Brook. The disputed strip was long known as the 
 "debatable land." 
 
 The twelve lots into which the West Farms was originally 
 divided have been long since distributed among numerous 
 proprietors. The town of West Farms, which was erected 
 from the town of Westchester in 1846, contained, besides 
 the original patent of West Farms (1663), the manors of 
 Morrisania and Fordham. 
 
 Manor of Fordham 
 
 The manor of Fordham was originally part of the town 
 of Westchester, having been incorporated therein by the 
 Act of 1788, 26 and later formed a portion of the town of 
 West Farms 27 with which town it was absorbed into New 
 York. 28 
 
 As will appear later, in 1646 Adriaen van der Donck 2646 
 bought Colen Donck. Fordham was included in that ter- 
 ritory. 29 Van der Donck's widow conveyed all of Colen 
 Donck to her brother, Elias Doughty. In 1666, Doughty j^^ 
 sold part of the territory to John Archer, 30 and on March 
 4, 1669, an Indian deed of confirmation was granted to ^g 
 John Archer. 31 In addition to the Doughty tract, Archer 
 acquired other lands from the Indians and eventually 
 became seized in fee of over twelve hundred acres. 
 
 26 L. 1788, ch. 64. 
 
 27 L. 1846, ch. 279. 
 
 28 L. 1873, ch. 613. 
 30 See p. 49 infra. 
 
 30 A copy of the Deed and Receipt are fully set forth in Grants No. 
 XXIV-A. 
 
 31 A copy of the deed is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIV-B. 
 
48 Colonial Charters 
 
 1671 On November 13, 1671, Governor Francis Lovelace 
 
 issued letters patent erecting the whole into an enfranchised 
 township or manor of itself to "be holden by the feudal 
 tenor of paying therefor yearly to the Duke of York and 
 his successors upon the first day of March when demanded 
 twenty bushells of good peas." 32 The name given to the 
 manor was Fordham, "Ford" taken from the wading place 
 at the passage commonly called "Spiting Devil" and "Ham" 
 (Saxon) meaning a house. The name may be construed 
 to mean the houses or village at the Ford. 33 
 
 1673 In 1673, the inhabitants of Fordham complained of the 
 
 ill government of John Archer and he voluntarily declared 
 that he renounced the government, authority and patroon- 
 ship of the town, reserving only property and ownership 
 of the lands and houses, at the same time giving the inhabit- 
 ants the right of nominating their own magistrates. 34 The 
 records show that he gave three mortgages to Cornelis 
 Steenwyck. Archer was unable to pay the various loans 
 from Cornelis Steenwyck and the manor thus fell to the 
 mortgagee by foreclosure. By Steenwyck's will the whole 
 manor of Fordham was left to the Nether Reformed Dutch 
 Congregation of the city of New York. The manor was 
 preserved intact until 1755, when by act of the Provincial 
 Assembly the congregation and minister of the church were 
 permitted to sell the lands. 
 
 KlNGSBRIDGE AND YONKERS 
 
 The town of Kingsbridge, which eventually became part 
 of Bronx County, 85 was established in 1873. 36 It originally 
 was that part of the township of Yonkers known as Lower 
 Yonkers, and was south of a line drawn from the north- 
 
 32 A copy of the patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIV-C. 
 88 Jenkins, S., Story of The Bronx, (1912), p. 61. 
 
 34 See Paltsits, Lovelace Min., 1668-1673, (1910) 1:23 et sec, 195-221, 234. 
 
 35 L. 1873, ch. 613. 
 se L. 1873, ch. 34- 
 
Bronx County 49 
 
 west corner of the land belonging to the Sisters of Charity, 
 known as St. Vincent de Paul, due east to the Bronx River. 
 Its northern boundary was the line mentioned above, from 
 the Hudson River to the Bronx; its southern boundary the 
 northern line of the ancient manor of Fordham, from the 
 Harlem River at East 230th Street to a point on the Bronx 
 River between First and Second Avenues, Williamsbridge, 
 and Spuyten Duyvil Creek; its western boundary the Hud- 
 son River. Besides the town of Kingsbridge a very small 
 part of the town of Yonkers, mainly boundary line adjust- 
 ments, was annexed to New York. 
 
 The first settler of the territory comprising the township ^ .g 
 of Yonkers as it existed before the separation of Kings- 
 bridge was Adriaen van der Donck who received a grant 
 from the Dutch authorities in 1646 for the tract of land 
 called "Nepperhaem." This tract extended north about 
 eight miles from the mouth of Spuyten Duyvil along the 
 east bank of the Hudson, thence easterly to the Bronx 
 River which was the eastern boundary. The southern 
 boundary was Spuyten Duyvil Creek. Although the tract 
 was called "Nepperhaem" in the deed from the Dutch, it 
 was generally known as "Colen Donck" (Donck's Colony) 
 and sometimes, as "De Jonkheer's," which by natural cor- 
 ruption became Yonkers, the "j" in Dutch being pronounced 
 "y." 37 Van der Donck also received deeds of confirmation 
 from the Indians. It was not until 1652, however, that 1652 
 van der Donck received his patent for a patroonship from 
 the States General. 38 
 
 Van der Donck's widow, Mary Doughty, married Hugh ^55 
 O'Neale and on October 8, 1666, Governor Nicolls granted 
 a confirmatory patent for "Nepperhaem" to them. 89 
 O'Neale and his wife sold the property to Elias Doughty 
 
 "Bolton, Hist. W est. Co., (190s), 11:579; O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., 
 (1855), 1:382; Jenkins, Story of The Bronx, (1912), p. 33. 
 38 Books of Patents, I :s6, in New York State Library, Albany. 
 39 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXV-A. 
 
SO Colonial Charters 
 
 of Flushing, who in turn sold it to Thomas Deleval, Esq., 
 Frederick Philips and Thomas Lewis and on February 
 
 1684 19, 1684/5, Thomas Dongan granted a confirmatory 
 patent to their descendants. 40 
 
 1693 Finally, by devise and various grants, the whole of the 
 
 property became vested in Frederick Philipse and was, on 
 June 1 2th, 1693, by royal charter erected into the lord- 
 ship and manor of Philipseborough to be holden of the 
 king in free and common soccage, its lord yielding, render- 
 ing, and paying therefor, yearly and every year the annual 
 rent of £4 12s. 41 
 
 The manor was broken up and sold by the Commis- 
 sioners of Forfeiture in 1779 when the property was con- 
 fiscated to the State because the then present owner, Col. 
 Frederick Philipse, had broken his military parole by not 
 returning to Yonkers. 42 
 
 This completes the history of the charters and patents 
 to the towns in Bronx County. We shall now take up the 
 charters and patents for Kings County. 
 
 40 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXV-B; 
 Bolton, Hist. West. Co., (1881), 11:588. 
 
 41 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXV-C. 
 
 42 L. 1779, ch. 25. 
 
Kings County 51 
 
 THE CHARTERS OF KINGS COUNTY 
 
 In Colonial times the area covering Kings County as it 
 exists today consisted of the following towns: Breucklen, 
 or Brooklyn; Boswick, or Bushwick; Midewout, or Flat- 
 bush; Amersfort, or Flatlands; Gravenzande, or Grave- 
 send and New Utrecht. These will be discussed in the 
 order in which they have been set forth, starting first with 
 Breucklen, or Brooklyn. 
 
 Brooklyn 
 
 The first settlement within the present limits of Brook- 1636 
 lyn was made in 1636, when some Dutch farmers took up 
 their residence along the shore of Gowanus Bay. At that 
 time they purchased from the Indians the lands lying at 
 Gowanus. 43 In 1637, a few Wallons settled on a bay called 1637 
 Wahle Bocht, or "the Bay of the Foreigners," which has 
 since received the corrupt appellation of Wallabout. This 
 land they also purchased from the Indians. In 1640, a 1640 
 ferry was established across the East River from the 
 present foot of Fulton Street and a settlement grew up on 
 the Brooklyn side which was known as the Ferry. 44 Finally, 
 in the year 1645, a settlement was established near the site 1645 
 of the present Borough Hall and was called Breuckelen 
 (also spelled Breucklyn, Breuckland, Brucklyn, Broucklyn, 
 Brookland and Brookline) until about the close of the 
 eighteenth century, when its orthography became fixed as 
 Brooklyn. The name, Breuckelen, meaning a marsh land, 
 seems to have been suggested by the resemblance of the 
 settlement to that of Breuckelen in Holland. 45 
 
 43 See p. 12 supra. 
 
 44 Ross, Hist. L. Is., (1902), 1:377. 
 
 45 For an interesting monograph on Brooklyn see Bruijkleen Colonie, 
 1638-IQ18 by Eugene L. Armbruster printed in New York, 191 8, edition 
 limited to 200 copies. 
 
 LIBRARY - 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 
52 Colonial Charters 
 
 1646 These early settlers organized a village and municipality 
 
 and notified Governor Kieft. The proceedings were 
 promptly indorsed and publicly ratified by Governor Kieft 
 in the proclamation of June 12, 1646. According to that 
 proclamation, the inhabitants of the village were author- 
 ized to elect two schepens or magistrates, with power to 
 decide all cases within their jurisdiction, according to their 
 charter; and to adjoin others to their number, should the 
 duties become too onerous. Any persons obstinately oppos- 
 ing these were to be deprived of their share in the land 
 around the village. 46 
 
 Later, the magistrates of Brooklyn petitioned Kieft for 
 someone to carry out their orders. Pursuant to this peti- 
 tion, on December 1, 1646, a schout was appointed to assist 
 them, Jan Teunissen was commissioned to fill this office, 
 dependent, however, on the company's schout fiscal at New 
 Amsterdam. 47 
 1657 It is believed that Governor Stuyvesant granted a general 
 
 patent to the town of Brooklyn in 1657. 48 One historian 49 
 states as follows: 
 
 "There is great reason to believe that there was a 
 General Patent of this town under the Dutch Government, 
 which patent is now lost. What strengthens this idea is, 
 that the first by Governor Nicolls under the English is con- 
 firmatory of some former grant. 
 
 "August 10th, 1695. The patentees and freeholders of 
 this town sold unto Stephanus Van Cortlandt, the neck of 
 land called Red Hook, containing by estimation 50 acres; 
 which they state in their deed 'was formerly given and 
 granted to the town of Broocklyn, in the year 1657, by 
 Governor Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor then at that 
 time, and since confirmed by the English Governors, Gover- 
 
 4G This proclamation is fully set forth in Grants No. XXVI-A. 
 47 Ross, Hist. L. Is., (1902), 1:384. 
 « Ibid. 
 
 49 Furman, Gabriel — "Notes Geographical and Historical, relating to the 
 Toivn of Brooklyn," (1865), 1 Vol. 
 
Kings County S3 
 
 nor Nicolls, and Governor Dongan.' Which is very strong 
 proof of there having been a general Dutch Patent for this 
 town." 
 
 A search for a copy of this patent has been unavailing. 
 If there was one, it probably has been lost or is in the 
 possession of some unknown private person. 
 
 On October 18, 1667, Governor Nicolls issued a charter 1667 
 to Brooklyn. This charter was a confirmation to certain 
 inhabitants on behalf of themselves and their associates of 
 any rights previously possessed by them. It set forth the 
 bounds of the town "including within the said bounds and 
 limits, all the lots and plantations lying and being at the 
 Gowanus, Bedford, Walle Bocht and Ferry," stating that 
 all these places were to be included and belong to the "said 
 town of Breucklen." 50 
 
 On May 14, 1686, Governor Dongan issued a town j6g6 
 patent to certain freeholders in behalf of themselves and 
 their associates, the inhabitants of the town of Breucklen. 
 This patent was a confirmation of the Nicolls Patent. It 
 is in substantially the same language as the Nicolls Patent, 
 with no change in terms or description. 51 As far as can be 
 discovered, it is the last Colonial Patent issued to Brooklyn 
 before the Revolution. 
 
 Bushwick 
 
 In the early part of the spring of 1640, a number of 1640 
 Frenchmen applied to Director-General Stuyvesant to 
 
 50 The original charter is at present in the Henry E. Huntington Library 
 at San Marino, California. A copy is recorded in Books of Patents, Albany. 
 This one differs slightly from the original and the names are missing. The 
 original has a seal on the first sheet in the upper left hand corner. At one 
 time there was another seal in the lower right hand corner of the last sheet, 
 right below the signature of Richard Nicolls, but this seal has disappeared. 
 A carefully compared copy of the original is fully set forth in Grants No. 
 XXVI-B. A copy of the charter recorded in Albany is also fully set forth 
 in Grants No. XXVI-B' for comparison. A facsimile of the charter in the 
 Huntington Library has been reproduced in Ross, L. I., 1:386-9. 
 
 51 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXVI-C. 
 
54 Colonial Charters 
 
 locate a town on the north east end of Long Island between 
 Breukelen and Middleburgh. Their rights were complied 
 with and a village was laid out between Mespath and Nor- 
 man's Kill, which was named Boswyck. On March 25, 
 
 1661 1 66 1, (the population then consisting of 23 families), the 
 following proclamation was issued: 
 
 "The Director-General and Council of New Netherland, 
 To all those who shall see these or hear them read Health : 
 Be it known, that for the public good, for the further pro- 
 motion and increase of the newly begun village of Boswyck 
 and for the more convenient administration of justice, they 
 have thought necessary to establish in the aforesaid village 
 a subaltern bench of justice, which shall provisionally, con- 
 sist of the following named commissionaries, viz.: Pieter 
 Jansen Witt, Jan Tilje and Jan Cornelissen." 52 
 
 It is interesting to note that Prof. H. L. Osgood states 
 on Bushwick 53 as follows: 
 
 "Of the records of the former Town of Bushwick no 
 trace has been found, though the opinion is expressed that 
 some of them are still in existence." 
 
 r 667 According to the records of the office of the Secretary 
 
 of State in Albany, a patent was issued to the town of Bush- 
 wick on October 25, 1667 by Governor Nicolls. 54 
 
 1687 The next patent issued to Bushwick was by Governor 
 
 Dongan. 55 According to the record in Albany, this patent 
 is dated "this (blank) day of February, 1687." 56 It con- 
 firms the grant by Governor Nicolls, mentioning the names 
 of the people to whom Nicolls had granted the patent 
 (which names are missing from our copy of the Nicolls 
 Patent). It also mentions a controversy that had arisen 
 
 52 O'Callaghan, L. & Ord. of N. Neth., (1868), p. 389. 
 
 53 Osgood, Report on the Public Archives of New York, printed in Annual 
 Report of Amr. Hist. Assn. for 1900. — Gov. Print. Office 1901. 
 
 54 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXVII-A. 
 
 55 Albany, Books of Patents, VI:i46. 
 
 56 A copy of the patent as it appears in the records in Albany is fully 
 set forth in Grants No. XXVII-B. The original cannot be found. 
 
Kings County 55 
 
 over the boundary line between New Town and Bushwick, 
 which apparently was settled by a commission appointed by 
 Governor Lovelace and it confirms this settlement, setting 
 forth the boundaries as fixed by the commission. 57 
 
 On the 1 2th of August, 1708, Governor Cornbury 1708 
 granted a further patent to the town of Bushwick, confirm- 
 ing the former Nicolls and Dongan Patents. This patent 
 was granted "in free and common soccage as of our Manor 
 of East Greenwich in the County of Kent within our 
 Kingdom of England." 58 This is the last of the Colonial 
 patents to Bushwick prior to the Revolution. 
 
 Flatbush 
 
 In the course of the year 1652, a settlement was com- 1652 
 menced on Long Island situated in "Vlacke-bos," or Flat- 
 bush, between Breuckelen and Amersfoort, and received 
 from Director Stuyvesant the name of Middlewout (or 
 Midwout). 59 At first, the town did not thrive due to 
 trouble with the Indians who had not been paid for their 
 property. The first Dutch church was founded in Flat- 
 bush by the Rev. Johannes Theodorus Polhemus. The 
 congregation was composed of people from the adjoining 
 towns. Services were performed every Sunday morning. 
 Saturday afternoon sermons were preached alternately at 
 Breukelen and Amersfoort. 60 In the Records of the Court 1656 
 of Assizes October 1675 mention is made of "A Patent of 
 Flatbush" dated 1656 having been produced, but whether 
 for only a private tract of land or not, it does not say. cl 
 
 57 For details of the Boundary Dispute see Paltsits, Lovelace Min., (1910), 
 1:31 et sec, 235-240. 
 
 58 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXVII-C. 
 S9 0'CalIaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), II:i 94 . 
 
 60 Ibid., 11:272. 
 
 61 O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1848 Ed.) in New York Public Library 
 consisting of MSS. notes for a revised edition, Vol. II: opposite p. 271; 
 The Records of the Ct. of Assizes were destroyed in the fire in the Capitol, 
 Albany, 1911. 
 
56 Colonial Charters 
 
 1667 On October 11, 1667, Governor Nicolls granted a patent 
 
 to the town of Flatbush. It was a confirmation to the 
 inhabitants of their possession and enjoyment of the 
 premises, by virtue of purchase from the Indians or other- 
 wise. It then proceeded to set forth the boundaries of the 
 town and granted the rights and privileges of a township. 62 
 
 1670 In the year 1670, a claim was interposed to the lands 
 
 of the town by Eskemoppas, sachem of Rockaway and his 
 brothers, as being the true owners thereof; and the 
 inhabitants, to prevent the consequences of perpetual hos- 
 tility with the new claimants, preferred — for the preserva- 
 tion of peace, and to establish more firmly their title to the 
 lands in dispute, — to agree to the payment of a certain con- 
 sideration which was mutually fixed upon between the 
 parties. The deed or release executed by the said Indians 
 on this occasion was for "All that parcel and tract of land 
 where the said town of Midwout stands, together with all 
 the lands lying therein stretching on the east side to the 
 limits of Newtown and Jamaica, on the south side to the 
 meadow ground and limits of Amersfort; on the west side 
 to the bounds of Gravesend and New Utrecht, and on the 
 north side along the Hills; that is to say, all those lands 
 within the limits aforementioned, that have not been 
 already purchased by any of the inhabitants of the town 
 aforementioned, nor is granted to any in their respective 
 Patents. And also excepting such meadow or valley in 
 the possession of the said inhabitants and in their patent 
 particularly set forth." The deed is dated April 20th., 
 1670. 63 
 
 ^85 On the 12th of November, 1685, Governor Dongan 
 
 granted a patent to Flatbush, which confirmed the patent 
 of Governor Nicolls and previous purchases from the 
 
 62 The original patent is on file in the office of the Commissioner of Records 
 in Kings County. A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants 
 No. XXVIII-A. 
 
 ^Thompson, Hist. L. Is., (1918), 111:177. 
 
Kings County 57 
 
 Indians. It also apparently confirmed the settlement of a 
 difference which had arisen over the boundaries between 
 Brooklyn and Flatbush. 64 This is all that can be found in 
 the way of charters or patents to the town of Flatbush 
 prior to the Revolution. 
 
 Flatlands 
 
 Amersfoort or Flatlands was originally settled in 1636 1636 
 by Van Twiller, Wolfert Gerritsen, Andreas Hudde and 
 Jacob Van Coder, who obtained grants of land from the 
 Indians. Van Twiller established a tobacco plantation on 
 part of his section and Gerritsen and Hudde had a well- 
 stocked farm called Achterveldt on theirs. The town was 
 originally called New Amersfoordt, after the birth place 
 of the celebrated Dutch patriot and jurist, Oldenbarnevelt. 
 
 The Nicolls Charter to Flatlands was granted to the 1667 
 inhabitants of the town on October 4, 1667. 65 It lays out 
 the boundaries of the town and sets up the rights and 
 privileges of a township. 
 
 On February 5, 1668/9, Governor Lovelace granted a 1668 
 charter to the town, confirming the Nicolls grant and also 
 confirming a certain deed of land, dated April 23, 1665. 66 
 
 On March 11, 1685/6, Governor Dongan granted a ^35 
 patent to the town of Amersfoort or Flatlands. This charter 
 confirmed the Nicolls Charter and the settlement of the 
 dispute over the boundary between Flatbush and Flatlands, 
 dated October 17, 1666. It also confirmed the Lovelace 
 Patent and the agreements made by the inhabitants of Flat- 
 lands with the town of Flatbush and Gravesend. 67 Accord- 
 
 64 The original patent is on file in the office of the Commissioner of 
 Records, Kings County. A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in 
 Grants No. XXVIII-B. 
 
 65 The original charter is owned by the Long Island Historical Society. 
 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIX-A. 
 
 66 A copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIX-B. 
 
 67 The original patent is owned by the Long Island Historical Society. 
 A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants No. XXIX-C. 
 
58 Colonial Charters 
 
 ing to the records, there were no further patents issued to 
 the town prior to the Revolution. 68 
 
 Gravesend 
 
 The history of the charters to the town of Gravesend is 
 interesting. This is the only town to which the records 
 are more or less complete. These records are in the pos- 
 session of the Commissioner of Records of Kings County. 
 
 1642 In 1642, Lady Deborah Moody and her son, Sir Henry, 
 with their followers, came from Massachusetts and settled 
 in the west corner of Long Island "by the express will and 
 consent of the Director General and Council in New 
 Netherland," and called the settlement " 's Gravenzande," 
 after the picturesque village (originally a walled city) of 
 that name at the embouchure of the River Mass, where the 
 ancient counts of Holland held their courts previous to 
 their removal to the Hague. 69 
 
 1645 On December 19, 1645, Governor Kieft issued a patent 
 
 to Lady Deborah Moody and her associates for the forma- 
 tion of the town of Gravesend. It granted to them, their 
 associates, successors, etc. the land in perpetuity as and for 
 their own free land of inheritance. It also gave them 
 "full power and authoritie upon ye said land to build a 
 towne, or townes, with such necessarie fortifications as to 
 them shall seem expedient, and to have and enjoye the ffree 
 libertie of conscience according to ye costome and Manner 
 of Holland, without Molestation or disturbance from anye 
 Madgistrate or Madgistrates, or any other Ecclesiasticall 
 Minister that maye Pre'tend jurisdiction over them, with 
 libertie likewise for them the said pattentees theyre asso- 
 ciates heyres etc; to erect a bodye politique and Civill Com- 
 bination amongst them selves as free men of this province 
 and of the towne of Gravesend, and to make such Civill 
 
 68 See also, Frederick Van Wyck, Long Island Colonial Patents, A. A. 
 Beauchamp, Boston, (1935), pp. 3, 131. 
 
 69 0'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 1:258. 
 
Kings County 59 
 
 ordinances as the Maior parte of ye Inhabbitants ffree of 
 ye sd towne shall think fitting for theyr quiet and peaceable 
 subsisting." 70 
 
 On August 13, 1668, Governor Nicolls issued a patent 1668 
 to the town of Gravesend which is recorded in the office 
 of the Secretary of State. It recites the patent from Gov- 
 ernor Kieft and confirms the same. It also confirms and 
 grants to the patentees "all the privileges belonging to a 
 town within this government." 71 
 
 On July 1, 1670, Governor Lovelace issued to the town 1670 
 of Gravesend a confirmatory patent, concerning which there 
 appears to be a great deal of confusion. However, the 
 facts relating thereto are indisputable, as the apparent 
 discrepancy existing between two apparently conflicting 
 patents is susceptible of a simple explanation. There are 
 apparently two versions of the patent from Lovelace. One 
 is a certified copy of the record of the patent in the office 
 of the Secretary of State. 72 The other is the original 
 patent in the custody of the Commissioner of Records of 
 Kings County. The record in Albany is incomplete as it 
 does not contain the portions of the original which are 
 italicized in the following quotation from it. 
 
 "The inheritance of all Couney Island (reserving only the 
 priviledge of erecting Hutts for fishing and dryeing of 
 netts there upon occasion for all persons who shall under- 
 take that designe for ye publique good) including all the 
 land within a lyne stretching from the westermost parte of 
 the said island unto the Southermost part of Anthony 
 Jansens old Bowerye their East bounds being the Strome 
 Kill which comes to the Marsh or fflye of Mathew Garret- 
 sons land aforementioned, As also the Meadowe ground 
 and Upland not specified in their former Pattent concern- 
 
 70 The original patent is on file in the office of the Commissioner of Records, 
 Kings County. A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in Grants 
 No. XXX-A. 
 
 71 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXX-B. 
 
 "Book IV of Patents, 66, 67. 
 
60 Colonial Charters 
 
 ing wch. there have been severall disputes and differences 
 betweene the Inhabitants of the said Towne and their 
 neighbour Francis Browne the which in parte were issued 
 both by my Predecessor and my selfe but since fully con- 
 cluded and determyned betweene them by Articles of Agree- 
 ment, the which articles, I doe hereby confirm and allow." 
 
 This patent confirms the Kieft and Nicolls grant there- 
 tofore given to the town of Gravesend. Immediately fol- 
 lowing the signature of Governor Lovelace, there appears 
 the notation, above the signature of Mathias Nicolls, secre- 
 tary, "That though it be not particularly mentioned in the 
 w th in wryten Patent, Yet it was intended & meant, & t'is to 
 be understood that y e utmost Lymitts & Extent of y e Bounds 
 of y e Land belonging to y e Towne of Gravesend is to reach 
 to y e Lynes of y e Patents of y e Townes of Flatlands, Flatbush 
 & New Utrecht." 
 
 The operative words and habendum clause of this patent 
 clearly create and define an estate in fee simple absolute. 73 
 1686 Cm September 10, 1686, Governor Dongan issued a new 
 
 patent to the town of Gravesend. 74 This patent amplified, 
 ratified and confirmed all previous grants to the town of 
 Gravesend. This is the last grant made to Gravesend prior 
 to the Revolution. 
 
 New Utrecht 
 
 j^ 4S The land opposite Staten Island, on the east side of the 
 
 Narrows, between Gowanus and Conyen Island, was 
 originally purchased from the Indians in 1645 an d granted 
 
 1652 t0 Cornelis van Werckhoven in 1652. After van Werck- 
 hoven's death, in 1657, trie territory lay defiled and waste 
 
 j6 5 7 and on January 16, 1657, Jacques Cortelyou, van Werck- 
 
 73 A carefully compared copy of the original patent is fully set forth in 
 Grants No. XXX-C. Also set forth in Grants No. XXX-C is a copy of 
 the patent on file in Albany for comparison. 
 
 74 The original patent is on file in the office of the Commissioner of 
 Records of Kings County. A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in 
 Grants No. XXX-D. 
 
Kings County 61 
 
 hoven's agent, applied under these circumstances for its 
 erection into a town. This request was complied with. 
 The lands were divided and, in compliment to the city of 
 which Mr. van Werckhoven had been in his lifetime a 
 magistrate, the place received the name of "New Utrecht." 75 
 Actual settlement did not, however, follow this division 
 of the soil, though some of the patentees had erected 
 houses on their land. The town, therefore, did not prosper 
 and it became necessary to call for the interference of the 
 government, on which occasion the inhabitants demanded 
 "the same exemptions and freedoms as the other towns." 
 An exemption from tithes followed and a sheriff and over- 
 seer were appointed on May 12, 1659, to attend to a few 1659 
 municipal wants which might arise in such hamlet. Despite 
 this encouragement, New Utrecht contained only 12 houses 
 in the beginning of its fourth year. On February 6, 1660, 1660 
 orders were issued to palisade the village and to cut down 
 "all the trees within gun-shot so that men might see afar 
 off." A blockhouse was soon after erected and toward 1661 
 the end of the following year, (December 22, 1661) the 
 town obtained a charter similar to those of other such settle- 
 ments, empowering the inhabitants to elect their magistrates 
 and to hold courts which exercised a like jurisdiction to 
 that of Haerlem. 76 
 
 On August 15, 1668, Governor Nicolls issued a charter ^53 
 to the inhabitants of the town. This charter was a con- 
 firmatory grant, setting forth the boundaries and setting 
 up a township. 77 
 
 On May 13, 1686, Governor Dongan issued a charter or ^g^ 
 patent to the town, confirming the Nicolls Patent. 78 This 
 
 76 0'Callaghan, Hist, of N. Neth., (1855), 11:185. 
 
 76 Thompson, Hist, of L. Is., (1918), 111:150. 
 
 77 The original charter is on file in the office of the Commissioner of 
 Records, Kings County. A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in 
 Grants No. XXXI-A. 
 
 78 The original charter is on file in the office of the Commissioner of 
 Records of Kings County. A carefully compared copy is fully set forth in 
 Grants No. XXXI-B. 
 
62 Colonial Charters 
 
 was the last of the Colonial grants to New Utrecht granted 
 prior to the Revolution. 
 
 New Lots 
 
 There is still another town in Brooklyn to be considered 
 and that is New Lots, which was formed out of Flatbush 
 on Feb. 12, 1852. 79 Osgood, in his Report of the Public 
 Archives of New York, states that the records of the 
 former town of New Lots have apparently been lost and 
 that no trace of them has been found, although the opinion 
 is expressed that some of them are still in existence. 80 
 
 That part of the town of Flatbush which was later called 
 the town of New Lots, was by the Dutch called Ostwout, 
 or East Woods, and was situated eastward of the old settle- 
 ment of Midwout or Flatbush (and connected therewith 
 by a tract of land lying on the northern part of the town, 
 known by the name of Keuter's Hoeck) but whether pur- 
 chased, if at all, before the execution of the deed from 
 Eskemoppas on April 20, 1670, 81 has not been fully dis- 
 covered. However the inhabitants obtained a patent for 
 1677 it from Governor Andros on March 21, 1677/8, in which 
 about forty of the principal inhabitants are named as 
 patentees. 82 That charter is on file in the New York State 
 Library at Albany. 83 A translation from the English into 
 Dutch was presented to the people, most of them being 
 Dutch, at the time the patent was granted. The Dutch 
 copy erroneously dated March 25, 1677, is among the 
 papers on file at the office of the Commissioner of Records, 
 Kings County. S4 
 
 79 French, J. H.— Gazetteer of the State of New York, (1861), p. 373; 
 L. 1852, ch. 417. 
 
 80 Osgood, Report on the Public Archives of N. Y., p. 221. 
 
 81 See p. 56 supra. 
 
 82 Thompson, Hist. L. Is., (1918), 111:178. The date is there erroneously 
 given as March 25, 1677. French's Gazetteer, makes the same error. 
 
 83 The copy in Albany is indexed under the name of Arian Lamberts and 
 not under New Lots. 
 
 84 A carefully compared copy of the charter is fully set forth in Grants 
 No. XXXII. 
 
Queens County 63 
 
 THE CHARTERS OF QUEENS COUNTY 
 
 What is now Queens County originally consisted of four 
 Colonial Towns, viz: Flushing, Hempstead, Jamaica and 
 New Town. The first town which will be discussed is 
 Flushing. 
 
 Flushing (Vlissingen) 
 
 The first indication that a patent to Flushing existed 
 prior to 1658 is a statement in O'Callaghan's History of 
 New Netherland, 85 as follows : 
 
 " . . ., the opportunity was taken to infringe the patent 
 of Flushing and to circumscribe within narrower limits the 
 privileges of its inhabitants." 
 
 The patents which we have for Flushing are the Kieft 
 Patent of 1645 an d one granted by Governor Nicolls on , 
 February 16, 1666/7 an d another granted by Governor 
 Dongan on March 23, 1685/6. Ross, in his History of 
 Long Island, 86 states that the first charter to the town of 
 Flushing was granted by Kieft in 1645. 87 He also states, as 
 follows : 
 
 "All town records were destroyed by fire in 1789. In 1792, 
 a copy of the Dongan Patent was furnished from the records 
 in Albany, under the seal of Governor Clinton. The Kieft 
 Patent was issued to eighteen patentees. They were 
 empowered to elect a Schout, to build fortifications 'to have 
 and enjoy the liberty of conscience according to the custom 
 and manner of Holland without molestation or disturbance 
 from any magistrate or magistrates or any ecclesiastical 
 minister.' In return for all this and other privileges they 
 agreed to 'reverently respect the High and Mighty Lords 
 for their Superior Lords and Patroons' and pay a really 
 moderate tax in 'case it be demanded.' " 
 
 85 O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 11:352. 
 
 86 Ross, Hist. L. Is., (1902), 1:528. 
 
 87 A copy of this charter is set forth in Grants No. XXXIII-A. 
 
64 Colonial Charters 
 
 1666 On February 15, 1666/7, Richard Nicolls granted a 
 
 patent to the town of Flushing, confirming the Kieft Patent 
 and further extending the privileges of the town to those 
 "belonging to a town within this government." 88 
 
 1685 On March 23, 1685/6, Governor Dongan issued a patent 
 
 to the town of Flushing, confirming the Kieft and Nicolls 
 grants and also confirming the Indian deeds and various 
 boundary agreements. 89 
 
 Hempstead 
 
 1644 In the spring of 1644, some English families crossed the 
 
 Sound from Stamford and commenced a plantation on the 
 north side of Long Island, east of Martin Gerritsen's Bay 
 at a site which the Dutch had already called Heemstede, 
 after a place of some respectability of the same name, in 
 the Island of Schouwen, and in the Province of Zealand. 
 In the fall of that year, they obtained a liberal patent of 
 incorporation from Director-General Kieft and the Council, 
 similar to that already granted to other towns, by which 
 they were empowered to manage their local affairs; estab- 
 lish courts of limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, and 
 nominate such among them as possessed public confidence 
 to be afterwards commissioned as magistrates of their own 
 town by the Director General. 90 
 
 1666 On March 6, 1666/7, Governor Nicolls granted a patent 
 
 to Hempstead, confirming the Kieft Patent of 1644 an d 
 setting forth the boundaries and rights similar to the patents 
 to other towns. 91 
 
 88 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXIII-B. 
 
 89 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXIII-C. See 
 also, Van Wvck, Select Patents of NeivYork Towns, Boston, (1938), Chapters 
 I, II. 
 
 90 O'Callaghan's Hist, of N. Netk., (1855), 1:317. A copy of this patent 
 is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXIV-A. 
 
 91 This patent is recorded in Albany, Books of Patents. A copy is fully 
 set forth in Grants No. XXXIV-B. There is another patent recorded in 
 Albany, dated March 6, 1667, from Governor Nicolls. There is a notation, 
 
Queens County 65 
 
 On April 17, 1685, Governor Dongan issued a confirma- 1685 
 tory patent to the town of Hempstead similar to other 
 patents to towns at that time. 92 
 
 Only a small part of the town of Hempstead was taken 
 into the present Queens County. 
 
 Jamaica 
 
 In the spring of the year 1656, a new town was set up 1656 
 in Canarresse, west of Heemstede, in compliance with the 
 request of some of the inhabitants of the latter settlement, 
 who were desirous of "a place to improve their labors." 
 It was granted the usual municipal privileges, in a docu- 
 ment as follows: 
 
 "Having seen the request or desire of the inhabitants 
 of the town of Hempstead, and subjects of the province, 
 the governor-general and council have consented and 
 granted unto the aforesaid inhabitants, free leave to erect 
 or build a town according unto their place limited, named 
 Conarise, about the midway from Hempstead, upon such 
 privileges and particular ground-briefs, such as the 
 inhabitants of the New Netherlande generally do possess 
 in their lands; and likewise in the choice of their magis- 
 trates, as in the other villages or towns, as Middleborough, 
 Breuklin, Midwout, and Amersfort. 
 
 "Done at the fort in New Netherland, this 21st of 
 March, 1656. Peter Stuyvesant. 
 
 "By order of the governor-general and council of the 
 New Netherlands, 
 
 "Cornelius Van Ruyven, Secretary." 93 
 
 however, at the foot of this patent that "the above patent for Hempstead is 
 recalled." A copy of this patent is also fully set forth in Grants No. 
 XXXIV-C. 
 
 92 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXIV-D. See 
 also Frederick Van Wyck, Long Island Colonial Patents, A. A. Beauchamp, 
 Boston, (1935), PP- 3, 145- 
 
 93 Thompson, Hist. L. Is., (1918), 11:582; Ross, Hist. L. Is., (1902), 1:548; 
 Wood, First Settlement of L. Is., (1828), p. 172. 
 
66 Colonial Charters 
 
 1660 I n 1660 a more ample patent was obtained from Director 
 
 Stuyvesant, incorporating the place by the name of Rust- 
 dorp. In legal transactions, this place was known by the 
 Dutch name of Rustdorp, but by the settlers it was called 
 Gemeco. 94 During the dispute between the English and 
 
 1663 the Dutch over the territory of Long Island in 1663, by 
 Proclamation of the king of England, the name of the town 
 was changed to "Crafford" and it has been called by this 
 name from time to time in various documents. 95 
 
 1666 On February 15, 1666/7, Governor Nicolls granted a 
 
 patent to the town of Jamaica. This charter ratified all 
 previous grants and set out the boundaries of the town to 
 be known as Jamaica, at the same time granting "all the 
 privileges belonging to a town within this government." 98 
 
 1686 On May 17, 1686, Governor Dongan granted a con- 
 
 firmatory patent to the town, extending the rights and 
 privileges. 97 
 
 Newtown 
 
 The first record of the town of New Town is a patent 
 to Maspat or Maspath, now Newtown, Long Island, filed 
 
 1642 in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany. It was 
 founded by Rev. Francis Doughty, who received the 
 patent, dated March 28, 1642, from Willem Kieft for 
 13,332 acres at Maspat, now Newtown. 93 During the year 
 
 1652 1652, according to O'Callaghan, 99 a settlement was com- 
 menced and located immediately east of the old established 
 plantation of Maspath (apparently the one granted by 
 Kieft) in contradistinction to which it was familiarly called 
 "the New Town," though its legal appellation was Middel- 
 
 1656 burgh. On April 12, 1656 the inhabitants of Newtown 
 
 9* Thompson, Hist. L. Is., (1918), 11:582, 586. 
 
 95 O'Callaghan, Hist, of N. Neth., (1855), II 498. 
 
 96 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXV-A. 
 
 97 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXV-B. 
 
 98 A copy of this patent is fully set forth in Grants No. XXXVI-A. 
 
 "O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 11:194. 
 
Queens County 67 
 
 bought the land from the Indians and received a deed for 
 same on July. 9, 1666. 1 Ross, in his History of Long 
 Island, says that on application to Governor Stuyvesant, he 
 granted a town warrant, or charter to the settlers, giving 
 the name of Middelburgh to the place and conferring on 
 the colonists all the privileges which had been awarded to 
 the other towns on Long Island which had asked that favor 
 from him. He states that this was the beginning of New- 
 town. 2 Most of the early records have been lost. In 
 November, 1663, the name was changed to "Hastings" by 1663 
 proclamation of the king of England. This was pursuant 
 to an open professed allegiance to Connecticut by the citi- 
 zens of Middelburgh. 3 
 
 In 1664, under Nicolls, the name was changed to "the ^^ 
 New Towne" and in 1666/7, on the 6th of March, Gov- 
 ernor Nicolls granted a confirmatory patent to the town. 4 
 
 On November 25, 1686, Governor Dongan issued a l ^^ ) 
 patent to the town of New Town. This patent confirms 
 the former one granted by Nicolls, although it refers to 
 the Nicolls Patent as being dated the 1 6th day of March, 
 1666. It also confirms the deed from the Indians, dated 
 the 9th of July, 1666. 5 
 
 Thus, is concluded the history of the charters to the 
 Colonial towns in what is now Queens County. 
 
 *A copy of the deed is set forth in Grants No. XXXVI-B. 
 
 2 Ross, Hist. L. Is., (1902), 1:540. 
 
 3 Connecticut laid claim to jurisdiction over Long Island under its charter. 
 *A copy of this patent is set forth in Grants No. XXXVI-C. 
 
 5 A copy of this patent is set forth in Grants No. XXXVI-D. 
 
68 Colonial Charters 
 
 THE CHARTERS OF RICHMOND COUNTY 
 
 State n Island 
 
 Richmond County or Staten Island was called by the 
 Indians Aquehonga Manacknong, or Eghquaous. Eghqua- 
 ous was the Indian name as recorded by the Dutch. 6 
 
 j6 2 6 In the year 1626, Eghquaous or Staten Island was bought 
 
 by the Director-General and Council from the Indians. 7 
 
 1630 In 1630 a patent of the island was granted to Michiel 
 
 Pauw. According to Stokes in his "Iconography of Man- 
 hattan Island" the name of Staten Island is mentioned for 
 
 1637 the first time in this deed to Pauw. 8 On June 16, 1637, 
 
 1639 Van Twiller received a deed from the Indians. 9 In 1639 
 (Feb. 10) David Pietersen de Vries started a plantation 
 on Staten Island where he lived for a year. On February 
 
 1640 7> ^40 he leased his plantation and house, for a term of 
 six years, to Thomas Smyth, who bound himself "to clear 
 land sufficient for 2000 palisades." The reason de Vries 
 leased the plantation was "no people had been sent me from 
 Holland, as was stipulated in the contract which I made 
 with Frederick de Vries, a manager of the West India 
 Company." 10 
 
 In 1640, Cornelis Melyn, a Dutch merchant, obtained 
 from the Directors in Holland an order for Staten Island, 
 authorizing him to erect the same into a "Collonie." He 
 arrived in New Netherland in the ship "Den Eyckenboon" 
 (The Oaktree) about the middle of the following summer 
 with his wife, children and servants. He settled on Staten 
 
 6 Albany, Patents, IV 163; See Grants. XXXVII-B. 
 7 O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 1:104. 
 
 8 Albany, Patents Book GG. p. 17; Stokes, Iconography, IV:A 1630 Au 30; 
 a copy of the deed is set forth in Grants No. XXXVII-A. 
 
 9 Stokes, Iconography, IV :A 1637 June 16. 
 
 10 Voyages of De Vries (trans, by Henry C. Murphy), 129; Records 
 N. Neth. (O'Callaghan's trans.), 1:185 (N. Y. State Library) ; Jameson, 
 Nar. N. Neth., 202, 205. 
 
Richmond County 69 
 
 Island with 41 colonists. They began to build houses imme- 
 diately, to plough, and to do everything toward the estab- 
 lishment of a good colony, sparing neither money nor 
 work. 11 On June 19, 1642, letters patent were issued, con- ^42 
 stituting him Patroon of the whole of Staten Island, the 
 Bouwerie of Capt. De Vries excepted, and investing him 
 with all the powers, jurisdictions and pre-eminences apper- 
 taining to that privileged order. Speaking of the Indian 
 troubles of 1643, Melyn said his houses, farms, and every- 
 thing else, were consumed by fire, and his cattle, as well as 
 some of his people, slain, and he, his wife and children 
 forced to flee for their lives and reside at Manhattas until 
 1647. He added that, as a result of the troubles with the 
 "Eight Men" with Stuyvesant, he (Melyn) and Jochem 
 Pietersen Kuyter were banished by Stuyvesant, and both 
 "departed for Fatherland from New Netherland with the 
 ship The Princess Amelia (de prinses Amalia) in company 
 with Director Willem Kieft." 12 
 
 In 1657, the whole of Staten Island was again purchased 1657 
 from the Indians in order to remove any dissatisfaction that 
 might exist among the native proprietors. 13 This deed was 
 annulled, however, December 22 of the same year. 14 
 
 In 1659, Melyn conveyed all his right and title on Staten 1659 
 Island to the West India Company. The deed is dated 
 June 14, 1659 and was executed in Amsterdam, Holland. 15 
 In the following year the Directors in Amsterdam pro- 
 ceeded to extinguish the remaining claims on the Island. 
 On November 20, 1660 Baron Frederik van der Capellen ^fo 
 ter Budelhoff, as executor and co-heir of the estate of 
 Baron van der Capellen, sold to the West India Company 
 
 11 Melyn's "Remonstrance ..." in Melyn Papers, N. Y. Hist. Soc. Col- 
 lections, (1913), XLVI:io9-i6. 
 
 12 Ibid. 
 
 13 A copy of the deed is set forth in Grants No. XXXVII-B. 
 14 Paltsits, Lovelace Min., (1910), 1:45 footnote I, citing AT. Y. Col. MSS., 
 XII :6i, 69. 
 
 15 A copy of the deed is set forth in Grants No. XXXVII-C. 
 
70 Colonial Charters 
 
 "his property on Staten Island with the patronage, 
 Mansion, out-houses, implements of husbandry stock," etc. 
 for the sum of three thousand guilders. 16 On May 23, 
 
 1661 1 66 1 Cornelis Melyn was asked by the council of New 
 Netherland if he has "in his care any records or docu- 
 ments" concerning Staten Island. He handed over various 
 petitions, land papers, etc., derived from the years 1640-2, 
 of which a list was made, and he said "he has no others 
 concerning the aforesaid island." 17 By these transactions, 
 Staten Island reverted to the public domain and became 
 "disenthralled from feudal burthens and feudal lords" for 
 the remainder of the Dutch rule. 
 
 A number of persons, partly Dutch and partly French, 
 from the Platinate, subsequently, in 1661, received grants 
 of land on the south side of the Island where a probable 
 site for a village was next surveyed. 
 
 1664 Early in January, 1664 the directors at Amsterdam 
 
 resolved to allow some Huguenot families to proceed with 
 an adventure from La Rochelle and other parts of France, 
 in their own or other ships, to New Netherland, and to 
 receive gratuitous grants of land there. They sent the 
 resolution to Stuyvesant, enclosed in a letter, which directed 
 him to give every assistance to the new colonists upon their 
 arrival. 18 The new Huguenot village on Staten Island was 
 by ordinance, granted on January 28, 1664, an inferior 
 court of justice by the provincial government, and David 
 d'Amarex, Pierre Billou and Walraven Lutten were named 
 as the first magistrates. Appeal was to the supreme-court 
 of director-general and council, "from all judgments exceed- 
 ing Fifty guilders." The local court was also "authorized 
 to enact proper Ordinances, [providing] that the Corn- 
 fields and Gardens be carefully fenced, kept inclosed, and 
 
 16 A copy of the deed is set forth in Grants No. XXXVII-D. 
 
 "JV. Y. Col. Docs., XIII:2oo-i. 
 
 18 Stokes, Iconography, IV :A 1664 Jan. 24; Cal. Hist. MSS., Dutch, 306. 
 
Richmond County 71 
 
 the broken fences properly repaired." 19 The Huguenots 
 represented by "seven or eight persons," who were to view 
 the land, were particularly pleased with Staten Island as a 
 place for a settlement. 20 The population increased, in the 
 course of a short time and from this time forward the 
 settlement was uninterrupted by any reverses. 21 
 
 In 1670 Governor Lovelace re-purchased all of Staten ^ 
 Island from the Indians. The deed dated April 13-15, 
 1670 granted, "All that Island lyeing & being in Hudsons 
 Ryver, comonly called Staten Island & by y e Indians 
 Aquehonga Manacknong — having on y e South y e Bay & 
 Sendy point, on y e North y e Ryver y e Citty of New Yorke 
 on Manhatans Island, on y e East Long Island, & on y e west 
 y e maine Land of After Coll, or New-Jersey," and pro- 
 vided that on "y e First Day of May next, . . . [the 
 Indians] are to surrend r the possession thereof unto such 
 person or persons as y e Governo r shall please to appoint 
 to see y e same put in Execution." 22 On May 2, 1670 pur- 
 suant to a warrant of Governor Lovelace, Mr. Thomas 
 Lovelace and Mr. Matthias Nicolls took possession of 
 Staten Island by "Turfe & Twigge." 23 
 
 In Oct. 1675 by reason of Staten Island's insular posi- x ^e 
 tion, it was given "Juerisdiction of it Selfe; and to have 
 noe further dependence on the Courts of Long Island nor 
 on their Militia." 24 
 
 There is no record of the existence of charters from the 
 Dutch or English Governors creating towns on Staten 
 Island, although a careful search was made of all places 
 where there might be any such record. Osgood, in his 
 "Report on the Public Archives, in the State of New 
 
 19 A copy of the ordinance is set forth in Grants No. XXXVII-E. 
 
 20 N. Y. Col. Docs., XtV:554-55. 
 
 2 iO'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth., (1855), II 427. 
 
 22 The Deed is set forth in Grants No. XXXVII-F. 
 
 2S See Grants No. XXXVII-F. 
 
 24 Min. Com. Court., 1:4. 
 
72 Colonial Charters 
 
 York," 25 states on Staten Island: "... no records of the 
 four original towns of Staten Island can be found of a date 
 earlier than 1824, and that those since that date in most 
 cases must be very incomplete. The records of the first 
 century and a third of the history of those towns are now 
 totally lacking. Whether they have been lost or wilfully 
 destroyed, or whether they are wholly or in part in private 
 hands, the writer is unable to say; in any case they are 
 inaccessible." 
 
 Thinking that since Osgood made his report in 1901 
 some records might have turned up, the matter was dis- 
 cussed with Mr. Charles W. Leng, Secretary and Director 
 of the Staten Island Institute and Mr. Edward C. Delavan, 
 a prominent historian on Staten Island. Mr. Delavan 
 stated that: "No town on Staten Island was created by 
 royal or crown grant. The Southwest corner of the 
 Island was early known as the West corner. Then there 
 was the South Precinct and the North Precinct; the remain- 
 ing five thousand acres or so were included in the Lord- 
 ship and Manor of Castleton." The nearest thing to a 
 town was the Lordship and Manor of Castleton which was 
 granted by Governor Thomas Dongan to Judge John 
 Palmer. Judge Palmer reconveyed the property to Col. 
 Thomas Dongan. 
 
 25 Osgood, Public Archives in N. Y. Report of Amr. Hist Assq. (1900). 
 11:234- 
 
GRANTS 
 
 Numbers I to XXXVII 
 
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 — f : r 
 
THE NICHOLAS J. VISSCHER MAP OF NEW NETHERLAND 
 Date depicted: M.ip and View: probably 1651. Early proof copy, engraved on coppe: 
 Original size: Map. - 1 J | " 1 i • . \ i 
 
No. I. 
 
 CHARTER OF THE 
 
 UNITED NEW NETHERLAND COMPANY. 1 
 
 "The States General of the United Netherlands to all 
 to whom these presents shall come, greeting. WHEREAS 
 Gerrit Jacob Witsen, former burgomaster of the city of 
 Amsterdam, Jonas Witsen and Simon Morissen, 2 owners of 
 the ship called the Little Fox, (het vosje,) Captain Jan de 
 Wit, master; Hans Hongers, 3 Paul Pelgrom, and Lam- 
 brecht van Tweenhuysen, owners of the two ships called 
 the Tiger and the Fortune, Captains Adriaen Block and 
 Hendrick Corstiaensen (Christiaentsen), masters; Arnoudt 
 van Lybergen, Wessel Schenck, Hans Claessen, and Barent 
 Sweetsen, owners of the ship the Nightingale, (Nachte- 
 gael,) Capt. Thuys 4 Volckertsen, merchant in the city of 
 Amsterdam, master; and Pieter Clementsen Brouwer, Jan 
 Clementsen Kies, and Cornelis Volkertsen, merchants in 
 the city of Hoorn, owners of the ship the Fortune, Capt. 
 Cornelis Jacobsen Mey, master, have united into one com- 
 
 1 On Oct. n, 1614, thirteen merchants of Amsterdam and Hoorn, claiming 
 to have "discovered and found New Netherland, situate in America between 
 New France and Virginia, the sea coasts whereof lie in the Latitude of 
 forty to forty five degrees," jointly asked for the grant of exclusive trade 
 promised "by their High Mightinesses' published placard" of March 27. 
 They submitted a report (now lost) and a "Figurative Map" (reproduced 
 in Stokes, Iconography of Manhattan Island, II :P1. 23). The states-general 
 promptly granted their request, for four voyages, to be made within three 
 years, beginning January 1, 1615, or earlier. This document (translated), 
 which contains the names of the merchants and their ships, in here set forth. 
 The original charter, on a single sheet of paper, is preserved in the National 
 Archives at The Hague. It is reproduced in Stokes' Iconography, Vol. IV, 
 PI. 2. The map, beautifully drawn in colours on vellum, is also preserved 
 there. Stokes' Iconography of Man. Is., 11:67, see also N. Y. Col. Docs., 
 I:n and Brodhead, I:6o, et seq. 
 
 2 An error for Simon Willemsen Nooms — See Register of the Amsterdam 
 Admiralty, in Muller's Geschiedenis der Noordsche Compagnie, 368-69. 
 
 3 Hunger, in the charter of the Dutch East India Co., art. XVIII. 
 
 4 Correctly given in N. Y. Col. Docs., I:n, as Thys. 
 
76 Colonial Charters [No. i] 
 
 pany, and have shown to Us, by their petition, that after 
 great expenses and damages, by loss of ships and other 
 perils, during the present year, they, with the abovenamed 
 five ships, have discovered certain new lands, situated in 
 America, between New France and Virginia, being the sea- 
 coasts between 40 and 45 degrees of latitude, and now 
 called NEW NETHERLAND :— 5 
 
 "And whereas, they further represent that We did, in 
 the month of March, publish, for the promotion and 
 augmentation of commerce, a certain consent and grant, 
 setting forth that whosoever should discover new havens, 
 lands, places, or passages, should be permitted exclusively 
 to visit and navigate the same for four voyages, without 
 permitting any other person out of the United Netherlands 
 to visit or frequent such newly discovered places, until the 
 said discoverers shall have performed the four voyages, 
 within the space of time prescribed to them for that pur- 
 pose, under the penalties therein expressed, &c, and request 
 that We should be pleased to accord to them due testimony 
 of the aforesaid grant in the usually prescribed form: 
 
 "WHEREFORE, the premises having been considered, 
 and We, in our Assembly, having communications of the 
 pertinent report of the petitioners relative to the discoveries 
 and finding of the said new countries between the above- 
 named limits and degrees, and also of their adventures, 
 have consented and granted, and by these presents do con- 
 sent and grant, to the said petitioners, now united into one 
 company, that they shall be permitted exclusively to visit 
 and navigate the above described lands, situate in America, 
 
 5 The name "New Netherland" is first given to these lands in Block's 
 Figurative Map, and in this charter of the United New Netherland Com- 
 pany, which title was assumed by the associated merchants soon after the 
 charter was granted. Chalmers states, in his Political Annals, (1780), 
 Book I, p. 569, that "the name of New Netherland" had not any existence 
 at the time of the incorporation of the Dutch West India Company, that is, 
 in 1621. The above charter shows into what an egregious error this author 
 has fallen. 
 
[No. i] Grants 11 
 
 between New France and Virginia, the seacoasts of which 
 lie between the 40th and 45th degrees of latitude, and which 
 are now named NEW NETHERLAND, as is to be seen 
 on the figurative maps by them prepared; 6 and to navigate, 
 or cause to be navigated, the same for four voyages, within 
 the period of three years, to commence from the first day 
 of January, 161 5, or sooner, without it being permitted, 
 directly or indirectly, to any one else to sail, to frequent, or 
 navigate, out of the United Netherlands, those newly dis- 
 covered lands, havens, or places, within the space of three 
 years as above, on penalty of the confiscation of the vessel 
 and cargo, besides a fine of fifty thousand Netherlands 
 ducats, for the benefit of said discoverers. Provided, how- 
 ever, that by these presents we do not intend to prejudice 
 or diminish any of our former grants and concessions; and 
 it is also our intention that if any disputes or differences 
 should arise from these our concessions, that they shall be 
 decided by ourselves. 
 
 "We, therefore, expressly command all governors, 
 justices, officers, magistrates, and inhabitants, of the afore- 
 said United Netherlands, that they allow said company 
 peacefully and quietly to enjoy the whole benefit of this our 
 grant, and to interpose no difficulties or obstacles to the 
 welfare of the same. Given at the Hague, under our seal, 
 paraph, and the signature of our Secretary, on the nth 
 day of October, 16 14." 
 
 6 The figurative map is reproduced in Stokes', Iconography, Vol. II, Plate 
 C. PI. 23. 
 
78 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 No. II. 
 CHARTER OF THE WEST INDIA COMPANY 1 
 
 June 3, 1 62 1 
 
 Original text 
 
 Octroy, By de Hooge Mogende Heeren Staten Generael, 
 verleent aende West-Indische Compagnie, in date den 
 derden Iunij 1621. 
 
 De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen 
 den geenen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren 
 lesen, Saluyt. DOEN TE WETEN, dat Wy bemerckende 
 den welstant deser Landen, ende welvaren vande Ingese- 
 tenen van dien, principalijck te bestaen by de Scheep-vaert 
 ende Koophandel, die van alien ouden tijden uyt de selve 
 Landen geluckelijck ende met grooten zegen ghedreven is 
 geweest, op alle Landen ende Koninghrijcken. SOO 1ST, 
 dat Wy begeerende dat de voorsz Ingesetenen, niet alleen 
 by haere voorgaende Navigatie, Traffijcque ende Hante- 
 ringe werden gheconserveert, maer oock dat haer Traffijcque 
 soo veel moghelijck souden mogen toe-nemen, bysonder in 
 conformiteyt vande Tractaten, Alliantien, Verbonden ende 
 Entrecoursen, op de Trafficque ende Zee-vaert met andere 
 Princen, Republijcquen ende Volckeren eertijts gemaeckt, 
 die wy in alien deelen punctuelick verstaen onderhouden 
 
 1 The charter was first issued in Dutch, in pamphlet form, in 1621 (Asher, 
 Bibliographical Essay, p. 99, no. 54) ; reprinted in pamphlet form, with the 
 amplifications of June 10, 1622, and Feb. 13, 1623, and the agreement of 
 June 21, 1623, in 1623, 1624, 1629 and 1642 (Asher, no. 55-61) ; also printed 
 in Dutch in Wassenaer, Historisch Verhael, Vol. I, f.35~4ivo (meaning 
 folio 41 verso) ; Baudartius, Memoryen, 1624, Vol. II, 13th Book, p. 74-80; 
 de Laet, Historie ofte Iaerlijck Verhael, 1644, introd. p. [7-16]; Groot 
 Placaet Boeck, 1658-1797, Vol. I, col. 565-78; Aitzema, Saken van Stael en 
 Oorlogh, 1669-72, 1:62-66; Tjassens, Zee-Politie, 1670, p. 305-17; and 
 Van Rensselaer Bonuier MSS., 1908, p. 86-135 (which copy followed the 
 official text of the Groot Placaet Boeck). The present copy of the 1621 
 charter, is reproduced from the Van Rensselaer Boivier MSS. Mr. A. J. F. 
 van Laer, Archivist of the State of New York, has revised the proofs for 
 the present copy and the footnotes herein were prepared by him. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 79 
 
 No. II 
 CHARTER OF THE WEST INDIA COMPANY 2 
 
 June 3, 1621 
 
 Translation 
 
 Charter granted by the High and Mighty Lords the States 
 General to the West India Company, dated the 3d of 
 June 1 62 1. 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands to all who 
 shall see these presents or hear them read, greeting. Be it 
 known, that we, noticing that the prosperity of this country 
 and the welfare of its inhabitants consist principally in navi- 
 gation and trade, which from time immemorial has been 
 carried on by this country with good fortune and great 
 blessing with all countries and kingdoms; and desiring that 
 the aforesaid inhabitants not only be maintained in their 
 former navigation, commerce and trade, but also that their 
 commerce may be increased as much as possible, especially 
 in conformity with the treaties, alliances, conventions and 
 covenants concerning commerce and navigation formerly 
 made with other princes, republics and nations, which we 
 intend shall be punctually kept and observed in all their 
 parts; and finding by experience that without the common 
 
 2 The only translation of this charter heretofore printed is the very 
 imperfect one in Hazard, Historical Collections of State Papers, 1:121-31, 
 literally reprinted in O'Callaghan, History of Neiv Netherland, 1:399-407; 
 for criticism of this see J. F. Jameson's article on Usselinx in Papers of the 
 American Historical Association, 1887, II:i6o, 219-20. Translations, differ- 
 ing but slightly from the present, of the preamble and articles 1-3 and 45 
 appear in British Blue Book, Venezuela No. 3, (1896), p. 53-54; of article 
 2 in Report of the U. S. Commission on Boundary between Venezuela and 
 British Guiana, 1896-97, I:iio-ii. The present translation was first printed 
 in Van Rensselaer Boivier MSS., 1908, p. 86-135 and was prepared by 
 Mr. A. J. F. van Laer. 
 
80 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 ende achtervolght te moeten werden: Ende wy by experi- 
 entie bevinden, dat sonder ghemeene hulpe, assistentie ende 
 middelen van een Generale Compagnie, niet vruchtbaerlijcks 
 inden Quartieren hier naer ghedesigneert, ghedreven, 
 beschermt ende gemainteneert en kan werden, mits de 
 groote avonture van Zee-rooveryen, extorsien ende ander- 
 sints, die op soo groote verre reysen zijn vallende, Soo 
 hebben wy midts verscheyden ende andere pregnante redenen 
 ende consideratien ons daer toe moverende, met rijpe 
 deliberatie van Raede, ende uyt hooch-dringende oorsaecken, 
 goet gevonden, dat die Scheep-vaert, Handelinge ende Com- 
 mercien inde quartieren van West-Indien ende Africa ende 
 anderen hier naer ghedesigneert, voortaen niet anders en 
 sal werden gedreven, dan met gemeene vereenichde macht 
 vande Koopluyden ende Ingesetenen deser Landen, ende 
 dat tot dien eynde opgerecht sal worden eene Generale 
 Compagnie, die wy uyt sonderlinge affectie tot den gemeynen 
 welstant, ende omme de Ingesetenen van dien te conserveren 
 in goede Neeringhe ende welvaert, sullen mainteneren ende 
 verstercken met onse hulpe, faveur ende assistentie, voor soo 
 veel den jegenwoordigen staet ende ghestaltenisse der Lan- 
 den eenichsins kan verdragen, ende daer toe te voorsien met 
 behoorlijck Octroy, ende met de Privilegien ende Exemptien 
 hier naer volgende, Te weten: 
 
 I. Dat binnen den tijt van vier-en-twintich Jaren, nie- 
 mant vande Ingeboornen ofte Ingesetenen deser Landen, 
 anders dan alleen uyt den Naem van dese Vereenichde Com- 
 pagnie uyt dese Vereenichde Nederlanden, nochte oock van 
 buyten de selve Landen sal mogen varen ofte Negotieren 
 op de Kusten ende Landen van Africa, vanden Tropico 
 Cancri, tot Cabo de bonne Esperance, nochte op de Landen 
 van America, ofte West-Indien, beginnende van't Zuyteynde 
 van Terra Nova, door de Straten van Magellanes, le Maire, 
 ofte andere Straten ende Passagien daer ontrent ghelegen, 
 tot de Strate van Anjan, soo op de Noort-zee, als op de 
 
[No. ii] Grants 81 
 
 help, aid and means of a general company, no profitable 
 business can be carried on, protected and maintained in the 
 parts hereafter designated on account of the great risk from 
 pirates, extortions and the like, which are incurred on such 
 long and distant voyages; we, therefore, many other and 
 different pregnant reasons and considerations also us there- 
 unto moving, after mature deliberation of Council, and for 
 very pressing causes, have resolved that the navigation, 
 trade and commerce in the West Indies, Africa and other 
 countries hereafter designated, shall henceforth not be 
 carried on otherwise than with the common united strength 
 of the merchants and inhabitants of this country and that 
 to this end there shall be established a general company 
 which, on account of our great love for the common weal 
 and in order to conserve the trade and welfare of the 
 inhabitants of this country, we will maintain and strengthen 
 with our help, favor and assistance, so far as the present 
 state and condition of this country will in any way admit, 
 and for that purpose furnish with a proper charter and 
 endow with the privileges and exemptions hereafter enu- 
 merated, to wit: 
 
 I. That for the period of twenty-four years no native or 
 inhabitant of this country shall be permitted, except in the 
 name of this United Company, from these United Nether- 
 lands nor even from any place outside of them, to sail to or 
 trade with the coasts and countries of Africa, from the 
 Tropic of Cancer to the Cape of Good Hope ; nor to or with 
 the countries of America, or the West Indies, beginning at 
 the south end of Terra Nova, through the Straits of Magel- 
 lan, le Make, and other straits and passages situated there- 
 abouts, to the Strait of Anjan, 3 neither on the North Sea nor 
 
 3 Strait of Anjan; corresponding to Bering Strait. "Strictly speaking, 
 the Strait of An Jan is not laid down on the old maps at the same point 
 
82 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 Zuyt-zee, nochte op eenige Eylanden aende eene ende andere 
 zijden ende tusschen beyden gelegen; Mitsgaders op de 
 Austraelsche ofte Zuyderlanden, streckende ende leggende 
 tusschen beyde de Meridianen, raeckende in't Oosten de 
 Cabo de bonne Esperance, ende in't Westen het Oosteynde 
 van Nova Guinea incluys. Ende soo wie sonder consent van 
 dese Compagnie hem sal vervorderen te varen, ofte te 
 Negotieren op eenige Plaetsen binnen de voorsz Limiten, 
 dese Compagnie gheaccordeert, dat sal zijn op de verbeurte 
 vande Schepen ende Goederen, die bevonden sullen werden 
 op de voorschreve Kusten ende Gewesten te handelen, de 
 welcke datelijck ende al omme van wegen de voorschreve 
 Compagnie, aengetast, ghenomen ende als verbeurt, ten 
 behoeve van de selve gehouden sullen mogen werden. Ende 
 in cas soodanige Schepen ofte Goederen verkocht mochten 
 wesen, ofte in andere Landen ofte Havenen in-gheloopen, 
 sullen de Reeders ende Participanten voor de waerde vande 
 selve Schepen ende goederen mogen werden geexecuteert : 
 Uytgesondert alleen, dat de geene die voor date van dit 
 Octroy, uyt dese ofte andere Landen, op eenige der voorsz 
 Kusten uytgeloopen ofte uytgesonden zijn, hunne hande- 
 linge totten uytkoop haerder goederen, ende weder-kommen 
 in dese Landen, ofte andersints, ter expiratie toe van haer 
 Octroy, soo sy voor desen eenich hebben verkregen, sullen 
 vermogen te continueren, ende langer niet : Behoudelick dat 
 naer den eersten Julij sesthien hondert een ende twintich, 
 dage, ende tijde des ingancks van desen Octroye, niemant 
 eenige Schepen ofte goederen en sal vermogen uyt te 
 seynden naer de Quartieren in desen Octroye begrepen, 
 alwaer't dat voor date van dien dese Compagnie noch niet 
 eyntelick en ware gesloten: Maer sullen daer inne voorsien 
 sulcks als behoort, tegens den geenen die wetens in fraude 
 van dese onse goede meeninge het ghemeene beste soecken 
 te frustreren: Welverstaende dat de Zout-vaert op Ponte del 
 Re sal mogen werden gecontinueert, op conditien ende 
 
[No. ii] Grants 83 
 
 on the South Sea, nor to or with any islands situated on the 
 one side or the other, or between both; nor to or with the 
 Australian or South Lands, extending and lying between 
 the two meridians of the Cape of Good Hope in the east, 
 and of the east end of New Guinea in the west, inclusive. 
 And whoever shall venture, without the consent of this 
 Company, to sail to or to traffic with any places within the 
 aforesaid limits granted to this Company, shall forfeit the 
 ships and goods which shall be found trading upon the afore- 
 said coasts and lands, the which in the name of the aforesaid 
 Company may immediately and everywhere be attached, 
 seized and held as confiscated property for the behoof of 
 the same. And in case such ship or goods shall have been 
 sold or taken to other countries or ports, the owners and 
 partners may be levied on for the value of those ships and 
 goods; except only, that they, who before the date of this 
 charter shall have sailed from these or other countries to 
 any of the aforesaid coasts, shall be permitted to continue 
 their trade till they have sold their goods and come back 
 to this country, or otherwise until the expiration of their 
 charter if they have been granted any before this date, and 
 no longer. Provided, that after the first of July, sixteen 
 hundred and twenty-one, the day and time of the commence- 
 ment of this charter, no one shall be permitted to send any 
 ships or goods to the places comprehended in this charter 
 even if this Company should not be fully organized before 
 that date; but proper provision shall be made against those 
 who knowingly and fraudulently seek to frustrate our good 
 intentions for the common weal; it being understood that 
 the salt trade at Ponte del Re may be continued according 
 to the conditions and instructions already given, or to be 
 
 as our Bering Strait; but that is only because the northern Pacific was 
 unknown. As it was the strait supposed to divide America from Asia, 
 it exactly coincides with Bering Strait as a limit." Report of U. S. Com- 
 mission on Boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana, I:ioo. 
 
84 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 Instructien by ons daer van verleden ofte te verlijden, sonder 
 aen desen Octroye anders te wesen verbonden. 
 
 II. Dat voorts de voorschreve Compagnie op onsen 
 Name ende authoriteyt, binnen de Limiten hier vooren 
 ghestelt, sal mogen maecken Contracten, Verbintenissen 
 ende Alliancien met de Princen ende Naturelen vande Lan- 
 den daer inne begrepen, mitsgaders aldaer eenige Fortressen 
 ende verseeckertheden bouwen, Gouverneurs, Volck van 
 Oorloge, ende Officers van Justitie, ende tot andere noote- 
 lijcke diensten, tot conservatie vande Plaetsen, onder- 
 houdinge van goede ordre, Policie ende Justitie: Eensa- 
 mentlijck tot voorderinge vande Neeringe stellen, deporteren 
 ende af-stellen, ende wederom andere in hare plaetse sur- 
 rogueren, naer syluyden naer gelegentheyt van saecken 
 sullen bevinden te behooren; Voorts populatie van vrucht- 
 bare ende onbewoonde Quartieren mogen bevorderen, ende 
 alles doen dat den dienst der Landen, profijt ende ver- 
 meerderinge vanden handel sal vereyschen. Ende sullen 
 die vande Compagnie ons successivelijck communiceren, 
 ende over-leveren soodanige Contracten ende Alliancen als 
 sy mette voorschreve Princen ende Natien sullen hebben 
 gemaeckt, mitsgaders de ghelegentheyt vanden Fortressen, 
 verseeckertheden ende populatien by henluyden ter handen 
 genomen. 
 
 III. Behoudelick dat sylieden eenen Gouverneur Generael 
 verkooren, ende voor hem Instructie geconcipieert heb- 
 bende, de selve daer naer by ons geapprobeert ende Com- 
 missie ghegeven sal worden, Ende dat voorts soodanigen 
 Gouverneur Generael, soo wel als andere Vice-Gouverneurs, 
 Commandeurs ende Officieren, gehouden sullen wesen den 
 eedt van getrouwicheyt aen ons te doen, ende oock aende 
 Compagnie. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 85 
 
 given by us respecting it, without being in any way restricted 
 by this charter. 
 
 II. That further the aforesaid Company, in our name 
 and by our authority, within the limits hereinbefore set 
 forth, shall have power to make contracts, leagues and alli- 
 ances with the princes and natives of the countries therein 
 comprised also to build any fortresses and strongholds 
 there; to appoint, 4 transfer, discharge and replace governors, 
 troops and officers of justice and for other necessary services, 
 for the preservation of the places, the maintenance of good 
 order, police and justice, in general for the furtherance of 
 trade, as according to circumstances they shall see fit; more- 
 over, they may promote the settlement of fertile and unin- 
 habited districts, and do all that the service of this country 
 and the profit and increase of trade shall require. And the 
 [directors] of the Company shall regularly communicate 
 to us and transmit such contracts and alliances as they shall 
 have made with the aforesaid princes and nations, likewise 
 [report] the situation of the fortresses, strongholds and 
 settlements by them begun. 
 
 III. Provided that when they have chosen a governor 
 general and prepared instructions for him, the same must 
 be approved, and the commission given by us; and further, 
 that such governor general, as also other vice governors, 
 commanders and officers, shall be obliged to take the oath 
 of allegiance to us and also to the Company. 
 
 4 The translation of art. 2 of this charter, in the Report of the U. S. Com- 
 mission on Boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana, I:no, has at 
 this point, in brackets, the word provide with the following footnote: "This 
 important verb is omitted in the charter as printed in the Groot Placaet- 
 Boek, in Aitzema, and in Tjassens — and so, perhaps, in the original docu- 
 ment; but it is supplied, in the new charter of 1674, as aenstellen." As a 
 matter of fact, no such omission occurs, for the word stellen which appears 
 further down in connection with the words deporteren ende af stellen, refers 
 back to governors, troops and officers of justice. 
 
86 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 IV. Ende indien de voorsz Compagnie op eenige der 
 voorsz Plaetsen in schijn van vrientschap bedrogen, ofte 
 qualijck ghetracteert mochte werden, ofte dat in 't vertrou- 
 wen van eenige Penningen ofte Koopmanschappen, de selve 
 sonder restitutie ofte betalinge daer van te genieten, 
 gehouden worden, dat sy de schade naer ghelegentheyt der 
 saecken, ende naer dat sy best sullen vermogen, sullen doen 
 repareren, deur alsulcke middelen als men gevoechlijck sal 
 konnen doen. 
 
 V. Ende alsoo tot plantinge, verseeckeringe ende 
 defensie van desen handel, oock noodich sal zijn eenich 
 Krijghs-volck mede te nemen, sullen wy naer de constitutie 
 van't Landt ende gelegentheyt van saecken, de voorsz Com- 
 pagnie voorsien met soodanich Volck van Oorloge, van 
 Commandement ende van Fortificatien, als noodich sal 
 wesen, mits dat die by de Compagnie sullen worden betaelt 
 ende onderhouden. 
 
 VI. De welcke boven den Eedt die sy aen ons ende Sijn 
 Excellentie hebben gedaen, oock sweeren sullen, het Com- 
 mandement vande voorsz Compagnie te volgen, ende hare 
 saecken te helpen voorderen naer haer beste vermogen. 
 
 VII. Dat de Provoosten vande Compagnie aen Lant 
 sullen mogen apprehenderen het Krijgs-volck ende ander 
 Volck van Oorloge, dat hen in dienste vande voorsz Com- 
 pagnie begeven heeft, ende de gheapprehendeerde t'Scheep 
 brengen, 't zy in wat Steden, Plaetsen ofte Jurisdictien van 
 dese Landen de selve bevonden mochten werden, Mits dat 
 de Provoosten te vooren sullen aenspreken d'Officiers ende 
 Magistraten vande Steden ende Plaetsen daer sulcks valt. 
 
 VIII. Dat wy egeen Schepen, Geschut ofte Ammunitien 
 van dese Compagnie tot dienste deser Landen en sullen 
 nemen, dan met consent vande selve Compagnie. 
 
 IX. Hebben voorts dese Compagnie gheoctroyeert, 
 geprivilegeert ende ghegunt, octroyeren ende gunnen mits 
 
[No. ii] Grants 87 
 
 IV. And if the aforesaid Company in any of the afore- 
 said places be cheated under the pretense of friendship or 
 badly treated, or if any money or goods entrusted by them 
 be kept without their receiving restitution or payment, they 
 may according to circumstances and the best of their ability 
 cause the loss to be made good by all such means as can 
 properly be employed. 
 
 V. And as it will also be necessary for the establishment, 
 security and defense of this trade to take some troops along, 
 we will, according to the condition of the country and the 
 situation of affairs, furnish the said Company with such 
 troops for field and garrison duty as shall be necessary, 
 provided they be paid and supported by the Company. 
 
 VI. Which troops, besides the oath already taken to us 
 and to his Excellency, shall swear to obey the commands of 
 the said Company and to help promote their interests to the 
 utmost of their ability. 
 
 VII. That the provosts of the Company on shore shall 
 have power to apprehend any soldiers or other of the mili- 
 tary that have enlisted in the service of the aforesaid Com- 
 pany and to confine them on board ship in whatever city, 
 place or jurisdiction of this country they may be found; pro- 
 vided the provosts first inform the officers and magistrates 
 of the cities and places where this occurs. 
 
 VIII. That we will not take any ships, ordnance or ammu- 
 nition belonging to the Company, for the use of this country, 
 except with the consent of the said Company. 
 
 IX. We have further granted, privileged and conceded 
 this Company, and do hereby grant and concede, that they 
 
88 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 desen, dat sy met alle hare Schepen ende goederen vry sullen 
 mogen passeren voor-by alle Tollen eenige der Vereenichde 
 Provincien toekomende, ende dat sy de selve vryheyt sullen 
 gebruycken in sulcker voegen als de vrye Ingesetenen vande 
 Steden deser Landen daer inne hare vrydommen zijn 
 genietende, oock niet tegenstaende eenige onvrye Persoonen 
 in dese Compagnie zijn participerende. 
 
 X. Dat alle de goederen die dese Compagnie, gheduy- 
 rende den tijdt van acht eerst-komende Jaren, sullen uyt 
 dese Landen voeren nae de quartieren van West-Indien 
 ende Africa, ende andere binnen de voorsz Limiten begre- 
 pen, ende die sy van daer in dese Landen sullen brengen, 
 sullen wesen vry van uytgaende ende inkomende Convoyen : 
 Welverstaende by soo verre naer de expiratie vande voor- 
 schreve acht Jaren, den Staet ende gelegentheyt deser 
 Landen niet toe en laet dien vrydom van acht Jaeren noch 
 voor een tijdt van Jaeren te continueren, dat de selve 
 goederen daer naer, nochte oock de waren uyt de quartieren 
 in desen Octroye gedesigneert, ghekomen, ende wederom 
 uyt desen Lande gaende, inde uytgaende Convoyen ende 
 Licenten, geduyrende den gheheelen tijdt van desen 
 Octroye, niet hooger by ons sullen werden beswaert, dan 
 die jegenwoordelijck beswaert zijn, ten ware wy wederom 
 in Oorloge quamen te geraecken, in welcken ghevalle alle 
 de voorschreve goederen ende Waren niet hooger by ons 
 en sullen werden beswaert, als die op de laeste Lijste by 
 tijde vanden Oorloge beswaert zijn gheweest. 
 
 XI. Ende op dat dese Compagnie soude mogen bestaen 
 by een goede Regieringe, ten meesten profijte ende con- 
 tentement van alle de Participanten, Soo hebben Wy 
 
[No. ii] Grants 89 
 
 may pass freely with all their ships and goods without pay- 
 ing toll to any of the United Provinces and that they may 
 use this freedom in the same manner as the free inhabitants 
 of the cities of this country enjoy their freedom, notwith- 
 standing some persons who are not free should be members 
 of this Company. 
 
 X. That all the goods which this Company during the 
 eight next ensuing years shall carry out of this country to 
 the West Indies and Africa, and other places comprised 
 within the aforesaid limits, and those which they shall bring 
 thence into this country shall be exempt from outgoing and 
 ingoing convoy charges; 5 provided, that if at the expiration 
 of the aforesaid eight years, the state and condition of this 
 country will not admit of this eight years' freedom's con- 
 tinuing for another term of years, then outgoing convoy 
 charges and license fees 6 on the said goods and merchandise 
 coming from the places mentioned in this charter and again 
 exported from this country, during the whole term of this 
 charter shall not be rated higher by us than they are rated 
 at present; unless we should be again engaged in war, in 
 which case all the aforesaid goods and merchandises shall 
 not be rated higher by us than they were in the last list in 
 time of war. 
 
 XI. And in order that this Company may have a good 
 government, to the greatest profit and satisfaction of all 
 the participants, we have ordained that the said government 
 
 5 Convoyen; Import and export duties levied in 1572 by the province of 
 Holland and after 1577 by the States General for the support of the navy 
 and which entitled merchantmen sailing in company to protection by war 
 vessels. 
 
 6 Licenten; fees paid for license to trade to the enemy's country, first estab- 
 lished in 1573 by the province of Zealand and after 1577 paid to the States 
 General for the support of the navy. Both taxes, the Convoyen and Licenten, 
 
90 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 geordonneert, dat de selve Regieringe sal bestaen in vijf 
 Kameren van Bewinthebberen, als een binnen Amsterdam, 
 die hebben sal de administratie van vier negende-parten : 
 een Kamer in Zeelandt, voor twee negende-parten: Een 
 Kamer op de Maze, voor een negende-part: Een Kamer in 
 't Noorder-quartier, voor een negende-part: Ende de vijfde 
 Kamer in Vrieslandt, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen mede 
 voor een negende-part, op de Conditie in het Register van 
 onse Resolutien gestelt, ende de Acte daer van verleden: 
 Ende sullen de Provintien inde welcke geen Kameren en 
 sullen zijn, met soo vele Bewinthebberen werden geaccom- 
 modeert, ende over de respective Kameren verdeelt, als 
 sylieden hondert duysenden guldens in dese Compagnie 
 furneren sullen. 
 
 XII. Dat de Kamer van Amsterdam sal bestaen van 
 twintich Bewinthebbers : De Kamer van Zeelandt van 
 twaelf: De Kameren vande Maze ende van't Noorder- 
 quartier, elck van veertien : Ende de Kamere van Vrieslandt, 
 mitsgaders van Stadt ende Landen, mede van veertien 
 Bewinthebbers : Ten ware naemaels bevonden wort, dat 
 dit werck niet anders dan met meerder getal van Persoonen 
 uytgevoert soude konnen werden, in welcken gevalle 't 
 selve met kennisse vande negenthien, ende met onse goet- 
 vindinge, ende anders niet, sal mogen werden vermeerdert. 
 
 XIII. Ende werden de Staten vande respective Veree- 
 nichde Provintien gheauthoriseert, 't zy voor hun Ed: 
 Mog: haere ordinarise Gedeputeerdens, ofte voor de 
 Magistraten der Steden haerer Provincie, soodanige odre 
 te stellen op de aenteyckeninge vande Participanten, mits- 
 gaders de verkiesinge vande Bewinthebberen, als sy naer 
 
[No. ii] Grants 91 
 
 shall be vested in five Chambers of directors — one at 
 Amsterdam which shall have the management of four 
 ninths; one Chamber in Zealand, of two ninths; one Cham- 
 ber on the Maze, of one ninth; one Chamber in the Noor- 
 der-quart'ier? of one ninth; and the fifth Chamber in Fries- 
 land together with Stadt ende Landen, 9, also of one ninth — 
 upon the conditions set forth in the register of our resolu- 
 tions and the agreement 9 drawn up respecting it. And the 
 provinces in which there are no Chambers shall be accom- 
 modated with as many directors, divided among the respec- 
 tive Chambers, as the number of hundred thousand guilders 
 which they shall furnish to the Company. 
 
 XII. That the Chamber of Amsterdam shall consist of 
 twenty directors; the Chamber of Zealand of twelve; the 
 Chambers of the Maze and of the Noorder-quartier each 
 of fourteen; and the Chamber of Friesland together with 
 Stadt ende Landen also of fourteen directors. If it shall 
 hereafter appear that this work can not be carried on with- 
 out a greater number of persons, then more may be added 
 after notice to the Nineteen and our approbation, but not 
 otherwise. 
 
 XIII. And the States of the respective united provinces 
 are authorized to make such regulations, either for their 
 
 remained in force after the treaty of Munster, 1648, but had by that time 
 assumed the character of ordinary import and export duties. See Groot 
 Placaet Boeck, 1:2264-2555; Jhr. J. C. de Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Neder- 
 landsche Zeeivezen, 1:184-88; Robert Fruin, Geschiedenis der Staatsinstel- 
 lingen in Nederland, p. 189. 
 
 7 Nooderkivartier; the former name of that part of the present province 
 of North Holland situated north of the IJ and the Wijker-meer ; it included 
 the seven cities: Alkmaar, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Edam, Monnikendam, Medem- 
 blik and Purmerende. 
 
 8 Stad en Lande, or Stad en Ommelanden; former name of the province 
 of Groningen, referring to the city of Groningen with its surrounding ter- 
 ritory and the three country districts Hunsingo, Fivelgo and Westerkwartier. 
 
 9 A fifth chamber, to have one ninth of the capital, was reluctantly con- 
 ceded to Friesland and Gronigen upon their signing an agreement dat se 
 
92 Colonial Charters [No. n] 
 
 de Constitutie vande selve haere Provintie sullen bevinden 
 te behooren: Mits dat niemant inde Kamer van Amsterdam 
 tot Bewinthebber verkooren sal worden, dan die geene die 
 inde Compagnie voor sijn eygen sal participeren ter somme 
 van ses duysent guldens : inde Kamer van Zeelant, ter somme 
 van vier duysent gulden: ende inde Kameren vande Maze, 
 van 't Noorder-quartier ende van Vrieslant, mitsgaders 
 Stadt ende Landen, ter somme van ghelijcke vier duysent 
 guldens. 
 
 XIV. Dat de eerste Bewinthebbers sullen dienen den 
 tijt van ses Jaren, ende dat men de selve overstreken zijnde, 
 eerst by lotinge sal veranderen een derde-part van 't getal 
 vande Bewinthebbers, ende twee Jaren daer nae gelijcke 
 derde-part, ende d'andere twee volgende Jaeren het leste 
 derde-part, ende voorts successivelick de outste in dienste 
 zijnde laten afgaen: Ende dat in plaetse vande afgaende, 
 ofte vanden geenen die voor ofte naer soude mogen aflijvich, 
 oft om andere redenen verlaten worden, by de Bewint- 
 hebberen, soo blijvende als af-gaende, mitsgaders by de 
 Hooft-Participanten die in Persoone, ende op hare kosten 
 daer by sullen willen komen, drie andere sullen worden 
 genomineert, uyt welcke de voorsz respective Provintien, 
 Gedeputeerdens ofte Magistraten, nieuwe Electie van 
 Bewinthebber sullen doen, ende de vacante Plaetsen succes- 
 sivelick suppleren. Ende sullen voor Hooft-Participanten 
 ghehouden worden, die voor hun eygen soo veel participeren 
 als de respective Bewinthebberen zijn doende. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 93 
 
 Noble Mightinesses' ordinary deputies 10 or for the magis- 
 trates of the cities of their province, concerning the regis- 
 tration of the participants and the election of directors, as 
 they think proper, according to the constitution of their 
 province; provided that no person in the Chamber of 
 Amsterdam shall be chosen a director who shall not in his 
 own name participate in the Company for the sum of six 
 thousand guilders; in the Chamber of Zealand for four 
 thousand guilders; and in the Chambers of the Maze, of 
 the Noorder-quartier, and of Friesland, with Stadt ende 
 Landen, for the like sum of four thousand guilders. 
 
 XIV. That the first directors shall serve for the term 
 of six years and that at the expiration of the said term, 
 first one third part of the number of directors, selected by 
 lot, shall be changed; and two years after a like third part; 
 and again after two years, the last third part; and thence- 
 forth successively, the oldest in the service shall be retired; 
 and in the place of [each] retiring director or of such as 
 shall at any time die, or for other reason leave a vacancy, 
 three others shall be nominated by the directors, both 
 remaining and retiring, together with those chief participants 
 who in person and at their own expense shall care to join 
 them, from which number the aforesaid respective prov- 
 inces, deputies or magistrates, shall elect new directors and 
 successively supply the vacancies; and they shall be con- 
 sidered chief participants who in their own name participate 
 for the same amount as the respective directors. 
 
 hen daar meede sullen houden vernieuiut, en vorder daar in niet moogen 
 pretendeeren; en dee sen in het re guard van de Oostindische Comfagnie by 
 continuatie, of <verleenen van nieuiu Octroy voor deselve trekken in conse- 
 quentie, maar de equipatie en Kamere daar van laaten, soo en ter plaatse 
 deselve jeegenvuoordig zyn — that they will rest satisfied herewith and make 
 no further claims; and that they will not make this a precedent in case 
 of extension or renewal of the charter of the East India Company, but 
 leave the organization and the chamber thereof as and at the place where 
 thay are at present. Resolutions of Holland and West Friesland, Sept. 19, 
 1620. See also J. F. Jameson, IVillem Usselinx (Papers of the American 
 Historical Association, 1886-87, 11:217-18). 
 
 10 The Deputy States; an executive committee appointed by the Pro- 
 vincial States for the transaction of daily business. 
 
94 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 XV. Dat men de rekeninge vande equipagie en uyt- 
 rustinge vande Schepen mette dependentien van dien, sal 
 doen drie Maenden naer 't vertreck vande Schepen, ende 
 een Maent daer na Copyen aen ons, ende aende respective 
 Kameren seynden: Ende vande retouren, mitsgaders vande 
 verkoopinge der selver, sullen de Kameren (soo dickwils 
 wy dat goet sullen vinden, oft sy vande Kameren daer toe 
 versocht werden) Staet aen ons, ende aen malkanderen over 
 schicken. 
 
 XVI. Dat men alle ses Jaren sal maecken generale 
 Reeckeninge van alle uytreedingen ende retouren, mits- 
 gaders van winste ende verlies vande Compagnie, te weten, 
 een vande Negotie, ende een vander Oorloge, elck apart: 
 Welcke Reeckeninge in 't openbaer sullen worden gedaen, 
 naer voorgaende affixie van billetten, ten eynde yeder een 
 daer by Interest hebbende, op 't hooren vande selve 
 reeckeninge sal mogen komen : Ende indien voor de expiratie 
 van 't sevende Jaer, de Reeckeninge in manieren voorschreve 
 niet werden gedaen, sullen de Bewinthebberen verbeuren 
 heure Provisien, die tot proffijt vanden Armen sullen werden 
 bekeert, ende syluyden evenwel ghehouden blijven haere 
 Reeckeninge als vooren te doen, binnen sulcken tijde, ende 
 op soodanige peynen, als by ons tegens de gebreeckigen 
 sullen werden gestatueert. Ende sal niet te min onder- 
 tusschen vande winste vande Negotien uytdeelinge gedaen 
 worden, so dickwils als men bevinden sal datter thien ten 
 hondert geprofijteert sal zijn. 
 
 XVII. Niemant sal, gheduerende den tijdt van desen 
 Octroye, sijn Capitael ofte ingheleyde Penningen uyt dese 
 Compagnie mogen trecken : Gelijck men oock gheen nieuwe 
 Participanten sal mogen innemen : Dan indien ter expiratie 
 van vier en twintich Jaren mochte goet ghevonden werden 
 dese Compagnie te continueren, ofte een Nieuwe op te 
 rechten, sal finale Reeckeninge ende estimatie by de Negen- 
 thien met onse kennisse ghedaen worden, van alle 't geene 
 dese Compagnie is toe-behoorende, als oock vande noote- 
 
[No. ii] Grants 95 
 
 XV. That the accounts of the equipment and fitting out 
 of the ships, with their appurtenances, shall be rendered 
 three months after the departure of the ships and that one 
 month thereafter copies shall be sent to us and to the 
 respective Chambers; and the Chambers shall (as often as 
 we see fit or they are requested by the [other] Chambers) 
 send to us and to each other an account of the returns and 
 also of the sales of the same. 
 
 XVI. That every six years a general accounting shall be 
 made of all outfits and returns, as also of all gains and losses 
 of the Company, to wit, one relating to trade and one relat- 
 ing to war, each separate; which accounts shall be rendered 
 publicly, notices being previously posted, to the end that 
 every one who is interested may attend the hearing of the 
 said accounts; and if before the expiration of the seventh 
 year the accounts are not rendered in the manner aforesaid, 
 the directors shall forfeit their commissions, which shall 
 be appropriated to the use of the poor, and they shall never- 
 theless be held to render their accounts as aforesaid within 
 such time and under such penalty as shall be fixed by us 
 respecting the delinquents. And none the less a dividend 
 shall meantime be declared from the profits of the trade as 
 often as it shall be found that ten per cent has been gained. 
 
 XVII. No one shall be permitted during the continuance 
 of this charter to withdraw his capital or sums advanced 
 from this Company; nor shall any new participants be 
 admitted. If at the expiration of twenty-four years it shall 
 be judged well to continue this Company or to erect a new 
 one, a final accounting and estimate shall be made by the 
 Nineteen, with our approval, of all that belongs to the 
 Company, and also of their necessary expenses, and after 
 
96 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 lijcke kosten die by de selve zijn gedaen, ende yeder een 
 vermogen na de voorsz af-rekeninge ende ghedane esti- 
 matien, sijne Penningen te lichten, ofte inde volgende Com- 
 pagnie na advenant van dien, in 't gheheel ofte deel, te 
 continueren ofte participeren. Ende sal in sulcken gevalle 
 de volgende Compagnie de restanten, die volgens de 
 Reeckeninge ende estimatie bevonden sullen worden, tot 
 haren laste moeten nemen : Ende de Participanten, die inde 
 Compagnie niet sullen goet vinden te continueren, haer 
 contingent betalen, op alsulcke termijnen als de Negenthien 
 met onse kennisse ende goet-vinden sullen bevinden te 
 behooren. 
 
 XVIII. Dat soo dickwils het van noode sal zijn een 
 Generale vergaderinge vande voorsz Kameren te houden, 
 't selve sal geschieden by negentien Persoonen, daer inne 
 uyt de Kamer van Amsterdam sullen compareren acht: 
 uyt Zeelant vier: vande Maze twee: uyt het Noorder- 
 quartier twee : uyt Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen 
 twee. Welverstaende dat den negenthienden Persoon, ofte 
 soo veel meer als wy t' elckens sullen goet vinden, by ons 
 sal worden gedeputeert, omme inde voorsz Vergaderinge 
 de saecke vande Compagnie ten besten te helpen dirigeren. 
 
 XIX. Van welcke Generale Vergaderinge vande voor- 
 schreve Kameren, alle saecken dese Compagnie aengaende, 
 verhandelt ende beslooten sullen werden: Welverstaende 
 dat in saecken van Oorloge op de genomen Resolutie, 
 versocht sal worden onse approbatie. 
 
 XX. De voorschreve Generale Vergaderinge beschreven 
 zijnde, sal te samen komen om te resolveren, wanneer men 
 sal equiperen, hoe veel Schepen men op elck Quartier sal 
 senden, de Compagnie in 't gemeen betreffende, sonder dat 
 d'een oft d'ander Kamer yet sal mogen aenrichten buyten 
 de voorschreve gemeene Resolutien, maer sullen ghehouden 
 zijn de selve te effectueren ende in 't werck te stellen. Ende 
 indien eenige Kamer bevonden werde in ghebreecke te zijn 
 de ghemeene Resolutien te achtervolgen, ofte te contra- 
 
[No. ii] Grants 97 
 
 the aforesaid settlement and estimate any one may with- 
 draw his money or, in proportion thereof, in whole or in 
 part, continue and share in the succeeding Company; and 
 the succeeding Company shall in such case take the 
 remainder, which shall be found according to the account- 
 ing and estimate, and pay the participants who do not think 
 fit to continue in the Company their share at such times as 
 the Nineteen, with our knowledge and approbation, shall 
 think proper. 
 
 XVIII. That so often as it shall be necessary to have a 
 general Assembly of the aforesaid Chambers, it shall be by 
 Nineteen persons, of whom eight shall come from the 
 Chamber of Amsterdam, four from Zealand, two from the 
 Maze, two from the Noorder-quartier, two from Friesland 
 and Stadt ende Landen; provided, that the nineteenth per- 
 son, or so many more as we shall at any time think fit, shall 
 be deputed by us for the purpose of helping to direct the 
 affairs of the Company in the aforesaid Assembly. 
 
 XIX. By which general Assembly of the aforesaid Cham- 
 bers, all matters relating to this Company shall be considered 
 and decided; provided, that in matters of war, our appro- 
 bation of their resolution shall be asked. 
 
 XX. The aforesaid general Assembly being summoned, 
 it shall meet, whenever they are about to fit out, to resolve 
 how many ships they shall send to each place for the account 
 of the Company in general, and no individual Chamber 
 shall be permitted to undertake anything not included in 
 the aforesaid common resolution but [all] shall be bound 
 to carry it into effect and to execute it. And if any Chamber 
 should fail to comply with the common resolution, or be 
 found to act in violation thereof, we have authorized, and 
 
98 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 venieren, Hebben Wy de selve Vergaderinge geauthoriseert, 
 ende authoriseren by desen, om soodanich ghebreck ende 
 contraventie metten eersten te doen repareren, waer inne 
 wy des versocht zijnde haer sullen assisteren. 
 
 XXI. De selve Generale Vergaderinge sal ghehouden 
 worden de eerste ses Jaeren binnen de Stadt van Amster- 
 dam, ende twee Jaren daer nae in Zeelant, ende soo voorts 
 van tijde tot tijde inde voorsz twee Plaetsen. 
 
 XXII. De Bewinthebberen die van wegen de Com- 
 pagnie ghecommitteert zijnde, van Huys sullen reysen, 't 
 zy op de voorseyde Vergaderinge ofte elders, sullen voor 
 haer teer-kosten ende dach-gelden hebben vier gulden 's 
 daeghs, boven de Schuyt ende Wagenvrachten : Welver- 
 staende dat die geene die vande eene Stadt nae de andere 
 reysen, om die Kameren als Bewinthebberen ende Regierders 
 te frequenteren, egeen dach-gelden ofte reys-kosten en sullen 
 ontfangen, tot laste vande Compagnie. 
 
 XXIII. Ende of 't gebeurde dat inde voorseyde Generale 
 Vergaderinge eenige wichtige saecken voorvielen, daer inne 
 sy niet wel en konden verdragen, ofte dat sy selfs hun souden 
 mogen beswaert vinden, om elckanderen te overstemmen, 
 dat 't selve gelaten sal worden tot onse decisie: Ende 't 
 geene dien aengaende goet gevonden sal worden, sal 
 achtervolght ende na gekomen worden. 
 
 XXIV. Ende sullen alle Ingesetenen deser Landen, ende 
 oock van andere Landen, by openbare affixien van billetten, 
 binnen den tijdt van een Maent naer date van desen t' 
 affigeren, gewaerschouwt worden, dat sy binnen den tijdt 
 van vijf Maenden, innegaende den eersten Julij deses Jaers 
 sesthien-hondert een-en-twintich in dese Compagnie sullen 
 worden geadmitteert, ende dat sy hunne Penningen, die sy 
 sullen willen in leggen, sullen mogen op brengen in drie 
 termijnen: Te weten een derde-part ter expiratie vande 
 voorschreve vijf Maenden, ende d' ander twee derde-parten 
 op drie achter een volgende Jaren, ten ware de voorschreve 
 Generale Vergaderinge bevonden, dat men dese Termijnen 
 
[No. ii] Grants 99 
 
 by these presents do authorize, the said Assembly imme- 
 diately to cause reparation to be made for such failure or 
 violation, wherein, on request, we will assist them. 
 
 XXI. The said general Assembly shall be held the first 
 six years in the city of Amsterdam, and the following two 
 years in Zealand; and so on alternately in the aforesaid two 
 places. 
 
 XXII. The directors who by commission of the Company 
 shall go from home to attend the aforesaid Assembly or 
 otherwise, shall have for their expenses and daily allowance 
 four guilders a day, besides boat and stage fare; it being 
 understood that those who go from one city to another to 
 attend the meetings of the Chambers as directors and 
 managers shall receive no allowance or traveling expenses 
 at the charge of the Company. 
 
 XXIII. And if it should happen that in the aforesaid 
 general Assembly any weighty matter came before them, 
 wherein they could not agree, or even in which one side 
 should scruple to impose its decision on the other, the same 
 shall be left to our decision; and whatever shall be deter- 
 mined upon shall be followed and carried into execution. 
 
 XXIV. And all the inhabitants of this country, and also 
 of other countries, shall be notified by public posting of 
 notices within the month after the date hereof that they 
 may be admitted into this Company during five months 
 from the first of July, this year, sixteen hundred and twenty- 
 one, and that they may pay the money they wish to invest 
 in three payments; to wit, one third at the expiration of the 
 aforesaid five months and the other two thirds within three 
 next succeeding years, unless the aforesaid general Assembly 
 
100 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 soude mogen verlengen, daer van de Participanten te vooren 
 by affixie van billetten sullen werden gheadverteert. 
 
 XXV. De Schepen vande reyse weder komende sullen 
 wederom aenkomen ter plaetsen daer sy afgeseylt zijn, ende 
 of door fortune van Weder ende Wint, de Schepen van 't 
 eene Quartier uytgheseyldt, aenquamen in het ander, als die 
 van Amsterdam ofte van 't Noorder-quartier in Zeelant 
 ofte inde Maze, ofte die van Zeelandt in Hollandt: ofte die 
 van Vrieslandt, mitsgaders stadt ende Landen in een ander 
 Quartier : dat niet te min elcke Kamer de administrate ende 
 bewint van hare uytghesonden Schepen ende Koopman- 
 schappen sal behouden, ende dat sy de selve sullen mogen 
 verseynden ende vervoeran nae de Quartieren daer de 
 Schepen waren uytgeseylt, 't zy met de selve ofte andere 
 Schepen, mits dat de Bewinthebbers der selver Kamer, 
 gehouden sullen zijn haer selfs in Persoon te laten vinden 
 ter Plaetse daer de Schepen ofte goederen aenghekomen 
 zijn, ende geene Facteurs daer over sullen vermogen te 
 stellen: Maer in ghevalle haer selfs niet ghelegen en ware te 
 reysen, dat sy als dan de Bewint-hebberen vande Kamer 
 daer de Schepen gearriveert zijn, totte administrate sullen 
 committeren. 
 
 XXVI. Als d'een oft d'ander Kamer eenige Koopman- 
 schappen ofte retouren uyt die Quartieren binnen de 
 voorschreve Limiten begrepen, ghekregen heeft, daer van 
 dat d'ander niet en is versien, sal gehouden wesen die Kamer 
 die ongeprovideert is, op haer versoeck naer ghelegentheyt 
 vande saecke te provideren ende 't goet te senden, ende als 
 sy uytverkocht sullen hebben, noch meer to seynden. Dat 
 van gelijcken de Bewinthebberen vande respective Kameren, 
 eenige Persoonen tot de equipagien, ofte andersints uyt 
 andere Steden daer Kameren ofte Bewint-hebbers zijn, van 
 noode hebbende, daer toe de Bewinthebberen van dese 
 Compagnie sullen moeten versoecken ende employeren, 
 sonder eenige Factoren daer toe te gebruycken. 
 
 XXVII. Ende indien eenige Provincien goet vinden eenen 
 Agent te stellen, om die Penningen uyt haere Ingesetenen 
 
[No. ii] Grants 101 
 
 shall find it necessary to extend the time, whereof the 
 participants shall be notified by posting of notices. 
 
 XXV. The ships returning from a voyage shall come to 
 the place they sailed from; and if, by stress of wind and 
 weather, the vessels which sailed out from one district shall 
 arrive in another — as those from Amsterdam or the 
 N oorder-quartier in Zealand or the Maze; or from Zea- 
 land in Holland; or those from Friesland, with Stadt ende 
 Landen, in another district — each Chamber shall neverthe- 
 less retain the direction and management of the ships and 
 goods it sent out and be allowed to send and transport the 
 goods to the places whence the vessels sailed, either in the 
 same or other vessels; provided that the directors of that 
 Chamber shall be required to be present in person at the 
 place where the vessels and goods shall have arrived and 
 not to appoint factors to superintend the business; but in 
 case it shall not be convenient for them to travel, they shall 
 commit this business to the Chamber in whose district the 
 vessels arrived. 
 
 XXVI. If any Chamber shall have obtained any goods 
 or returns from the places included within the limits of this 
 charter with which another is not provided, it shall be 
 required to send such goods on request to the Chamber 
 which is unprovided, according to the situation of the case; 
 and when they have sold out to send more. And in like 
 manner, if the managers of the respective Chambers have 
 need of any persons for crews or other purposes, from the 
 cities where there are Chambers or directors, they shall 
 request and employ [the aid of] the directors of this Com- 
 pany therefor and not make use of any factors. 
 
 XXVII. And if any of the provinces think fit to appoint 
 an agent to collect the money from their inhabitants, deposit 
 
102 Colonial Charters [No. n] 
 
 te versamelen, ende in masse in eenighe Kamer in te leggen, 
 ende vande uytdeelinge betalinge te voorderen, sal de 
 Kamer ghehouden zijn alsulcken Agent toe te laten acces 
 inde selve Kamer, om aldaer geinformeert te werden vanden 
 Staet vanden uytgeve ende inkomen, uyt ende inschulden: 
 Behouden dat de Penningen by sulcken Agent ingebracht, 
 sullen bedragen vijftich duysent guldens, ende daer boven. 
 
 XXVIII. De Betwinthebbers sullen vande uyt-reyse ende 
 vande retouren, mitsgaders vande prinsen voor provisie 
 genieten een ten hondert, ende van Gout ende Silver maer 
 een half ten hondert. Welcke provisie sal verdeelt worden 
 voor de Kamer van Amsterdam vier negende deelen: De 
 Kamer van Zeelant twee negende deelen: vande Maze een 
 negende deel: van 't Noorder-quartier een negende deel: 
 ende van Vrieslant, mitsgaders Stadt ende Landen gelijcke 
 negende deel. 
 
 XXIX. Welverstaende dat sy-luyden van het Geschut, 
 ende de waerde vande Schepen niet meer als eens provisie 
 sullen ghenieten. Sullen voorts geenige provisie ghenieten 
 van Schepen, Geschut ende anders, waer mede wy dese 
 Compagnie sullen verstercken: nochte oock vande Pen- 
 ningen die sy voor dese Compagnie sullen lichten, nochte 
 van dat sy de Waren beneficieren. Gelijck sy tot laste vande 
 Compagnie niet en sullen mogen brengen eenige Vacatie, 
 Reys ofte Teer-kosten vande geenige die sy sullen mogen 
 committeren, om de uytreedinge te vorderen, ende de Waren 
 daer toe noodich te koopen. 
 
 XXX. De Boeck-houders ende Cassiers sullen gesala- 
 riseert werden tot laste vande Bewint-hebbers, uyt hare 
 provisie. 
 
 XXXI. De Bewint-hebberen sullen geene Schepen, Waren 
 ofte Goederen haer in 't gheheel ofte deel toekomende, aen 
 dese Compagnie mogen leveren ofte verkoopen: nochte 
 vande selve Compagnie eenige Koopmanschappen ofte 
 Waren koopen ofte doen koopen, directelijck ofte indirecte- 
 lijck, noch portie ofte ghedeelte daer inne hebben, op de 
 
[No. ii] Grants 103 
 
 the amount in bulk in any Chamber, and receive the pay- 
 ment of dividends, the Chamber shall be required to give 
 such agent access, that he may obtain information of the 
 state of the disbursements and receipts, and of the debts and 
 assets; provided that the money brought in by such agent 
 shall amount to fifty thousand guilders or upwards. 
 
 XXVIII. The directors shall have for commissions one 
 per cent on the outfits and returns, and also on the prizes, 
 and a half per cent on gold and silver; which commissions 
 shall be divided — to the Chamber of Amsterdam, four 
 ninths; the Chamber of Zealand, two ninths; the Maze, one 
 ninth; the Noorder-quartier, one ninth; and Friesland with 
 Stadt ende Landen, a like ninth. 
 
 XXIX. Provided that they shall not receive commissions 
 on the ordnance and value of the ships more than once. 
 They shall, moreover, have no commission on the ships, 
 ordnance and other things with which we shall strengthen 
 the Company, nor on the money which they shall collect for 
 the Company, nor on the profits they receive from the 
 goods; nor shall they charge the Company with any salaries, 
 expenses of traveling or board of those to whom they shall 
 commit the fitting out and purchasing of goods necessary 
 therefor. 
 
 XXX. The bookkeepers and cashiers shall have a salary 
 paid them by the directors out of their commissions. 
 
 XXXI. The directors shall not deliver or sell to the 
 Company any ships, merchandise, or goods belonging to 
 themselves in whole or in part, nor buy or cause to be bought 
 of the said Company, directly or indirectly, any goods or 
 merchandise, nor have any portion or part therein, on for- 
 feiture by those who shall be found to have acted to the 
 
104 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 verbeurte van een Jaer harer provisie, die contrarie desen 
 bevonden wert gedaen te hebben, ten profijte vanden Armen, 
 ende van haer Bewinthebberschap verlaten te worden. 
 
 XXXII. De Bewint-hebberen sullen ghehouden wesen by 
 affixie van Billietten, te notificeren, soo dickwils sy eenige 
 Waren ende Koopmanschappen van nieuws sullen hebben 
 ontfangen, ten eynde een yder daer van tijdelick kennisse 
 mach hebben, al eer tot eyndelijcke verkoopinge sal worden 
 gheprocedeert. 
 
 XXXIII. Ende of 't ghebeurde dat onder d'een of 
 d'ander Kamer yemandt vande Bewinthebbers in sulcken 
 Staet gheraeckten, dat hy niet en konde voldoen 't geene 
 hem sijner administratie aengaende, vertrouwt ware, ende 
 daer door eenige schade mochte komen, sal wesen tot laste 
 vande Penningen die alsulcke Bewinthebberen hebben in 
 Compagnie, de welcke oock voor haer administratie 
 specialijcken zijn verbonden, 't welck oock plaetse sal 
 hebben ten respecte van alle de Participanten, die uyt saecke 
 van koop van goederen, ofte andersints Debiteurs vande 
 Compagnie souden mogen wesen, ende sal gereeckent 
 worden in alien schijne, of haer ingeleyde Penningen tegens 
 't geen sy de Compagnie schuldich zijn, van aenbeginne 
 waer ghecompenseert, ende by recontre gedoodet. 
 
 XXXIV. De Bewinthebbers vande respective Kamers, 
 sullen responderen voor hare Cassiers ende Boeckhouders. 
 
 XXXV. Dat alle de Waren van dese Compagnie, die by 
 den gewichte verhandelt sullen worden, verkocht sullen 
 worden op eenderley ghewichte, te weten, op de swaerte 
 van 't ghewichte van Amsterdam, ende dat men alsulcke 
 Waren sal mogen overslaen binnen Scheeps-boort ofte inde 
 Pack-huysen, sonder daer van eenigen Accijs, Impost ofte 
 Waegh-gelt te betalen, mits dat de selve verkocht zijnde, 
 niet anders sullen mogen worden ghelevert dan ter Wage, 
 ende midts betalende den Impost ende Waegh-gelt, soo 
 dickwils als sy worden ghealieneert ghelijck andere goe- 
 deren, die Wage subject zijnde. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 105 
 
 contrary of one year's commissions for the use of the poor 
 and on pain of being deposed from their directorship. 
 
 XXXII. The directors shall be obliged to give notice, 
 by posting of bills, as often as they have a fresh importation 
 of goods and merchandise, to the end that every one may 
 have seasonable knowledge of it before they proceed to a 
 final sale. 
 
 XXXIII. And if it should happen that in one Chamber 
 or another any of the directors should get into such a situa- 
 tion that he could not make good what was intrusted to him 
 for his administration and in consequence thereof any loss 
 should occur, said loss shall be charged against the money 
 which such directors have in the Company, which [invest- 
 ment] is also especially pledged for their administration; 
 the same shall also be the case as to all the participants who, 
 on account of goods purchased or otherwise, shall become 
 debtors to the Company, and to all intents it shall be 
 reckoned as if the money which they put in had from the 
 beginning been counterbalanced and wiped out by what they 
 owe the Company. 
 
 XXXIV. The directors of the respective Chambers shall 
 be responsible for their cashiers and bookkeepers. 
 
 XXXV. That all the goods of this Company which 
 shall be disposed of by weight shall be sold by one standard 
 of weight, to wit, that of the weight of Amsterdam; and 
 that all such goods may be sold on board ship, or in store, 
 without paying any excise, impost or weight money; pro- 
 vided that, once being sold, they shall not be delivered in 
 any other way than at the Weigh-house and that the impost 
 and weigh money shall be paid as often as they are alienated 
 in the same manner as other goods subject to weigh money. 
 
106 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 XXXVI. Dat men de Persoonen ofte Goederen der 
 Bewinthebbers niet en sal mogen arresteren, besetten ofte 
 becommeren, om van hen te hebben Reeckeninge van 
 administratie vande Compagnie, noch oock om de betalinge 
 vande gagien, ofte loon vande geene die sy in dienste vande 
 Compagnie ghebruyckt hebben: Maer de geene die sulcks 
 yet op henluyden sal willen pretenderen, sullen ghehouden 
 zijn de selve te betrecken voor heur ordinaris Rechters. 
 
 XXXVII. Soo wanneer eenige Schepen vande reyse 
 sullen weder keeren, sullen de Generaels oft Commandeurs 
 over de Vlooten, Schip ofte Schepen ghehouden zijn binnen 
 thien dagen naer haere aenkomste, aen ons te komen doen 
 rapport van 't succes van hare reyse, ende daer van 
 schriftelijck rapport over geven ende leveren, indien de 
 sake sulcx vereyscht. 
 
 XXXVIII. Ende of 't ghebeurde (dat Wy geensints en 
 verwachten) dat yemant de Scheep-vaert, Negotie, Hande- 
 linge ofte Traffijcque van dese Compagnie, contrarie het 
 algemeene Recht, ofte oock jegens 't inhouden vande 
 voorschreve Tractaten, Verbonden ende Entre-courssen in 
 eeniger manieren wilde beschadigen ofte hinderlijck wesen, 
 sullen hun daer tegens mogen defenderen, ende reguleren 
 in conformiteyt vande instructie by ons daer van te geven. 
 
 XXXIX. Hebben voorts belooft ende belooven mits 
 desen, dat wy dese Compagnie tegens eenen yegelick sullen 
 mainteneren ende defenderen inde vrye Zee-vaert ende 
 Trafficque, ende ten dien fine de selve te hulpe komen met 
 een somme van thien hondert duysent guldens, te betalen in 
 vijf Jaren, daer van de eerste twee hondert duysent guldens 
 sullen worden gefurneert, soo haest den eersten termijn by 
 de Participanten sal wesen op ghebracht: Welverstaende 
 dat wy mette helft vande voorschreve thien hondert duysent 
 guldens, sullen ghenieten ende dragen winste ende risico, 
 gelijck alle andere Participanten in dese Compagnie genieten 
 ende dragen sullen. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 107 
 
 XXXVI. That the persons or goods of the directors shall 
 not be arrested, attached or encumbered in order to obtain 
 from them an account of the administration of the Com- 
 pany nor for the payment of the salaries or wages of those 
 whom they have employed in the service of the Company; 
 but those who wish to make any such demands upon them 
 must bring the matter before the ordinary judges. 
 
 XXXVII. Whenever any ship shall return from a voy- 
 age, the admirals or commanders of the fleets, ship or ships 
 shall be obliged to come and report to us the success of 
 the voyage within ten days after their arrival and shall 
 make out and deliver a report in writing, if the case 
 requires it. 
 
 XXXVIII. And if it should happen (which we by no 
 means expect) that any one ventured to injure or hinder 
 in any way the navigation, commerce, trade or traffic of this 
 Company, contrary to the common law or to the contents 
 of the aforesaid treaties, leagues and covenants, they shall 
 have the right to protect themselves against such actions 
 and shall govern themselves according to the instructions 
 to be issued by us concerning them. 
 
 XXXIX. We have, moreover, promised, and do promise, 
 that we will maintain and defend this Company against 
 every person in [their rights of] free navigation and trade, 
 and to that end will assist them with a sum of ten hundred 
 thousand guilders, to be paid in five years, whereof the first 
 two hundred thousand guilders shall be paid them when 
 the first payment shall be made by the participants; pro- 
 vided, that we, with half the aforesaid ten hundred thousand 
 guilders, shall receive and bear profit and risk in the same 
 manner as the other participants of this Company. 
 
108 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 XL. Ende in gevalle door een machtich ende geduerich 
 belet inde voorschreve Zee-vaert ende Trafficque, de saecken 
 in de Limiten van dese Compagnie wierden gebracht tot 
 een openbaer Oorloch, Soo sullen wy de selve Compagnie, 
 so veel 's Lants gelegentheyt sulcx eenichsints soude toe 
 laten, tot hare assistentie gheven sesthien Schepen van 
 Oorloge, het minste groot hondert vijftich Lasten, met vier 
 goede welbeseylde Jachten, het minste groot veertich 
 Lasten, zijnde behoorlijck ghemonteert ende voorsien van 
 alles: oock van Metalen ende ander Geschut, ende behoor- 
 lijcke quantiteyt van Ammunitie, midtsgaders van dubbelt 
 loopende ende staende Want, Zeylagie, Touwen, Anckers 
 ende andere toe-behoorten, sulcks die op alsulcke groote 
 Expeditie behooren versien ende gebruyckt te worden : 
 Behoudens dat die voorts sullen worden ghemant, ghe- 
 victuailleert ende onderhouden tot koste vande Compagnie : 
 Ende dat de Compagnie ghehouden sal zijn daer by te 
 voegen ghelijcke sesthien Schepen van Oorloge, met vier 
 Jachten, mede gemonteert ende voorsien als vooren, om 
 gelijckelijck tot defensie vande Trafficque, ende alle 
 Exploicten van Oorloge gebruyckt te werden: Midts dat 
 alle de Schepen van Oorloge, ende de Koopvaerdye-Schepen 
 (die mede sulcks sullen worden toegerust ende gemant als 
 't behoort) sullen staen onder een Admirael, by ons daer 
 over te stellen, naer voorgaende advijs vande voorsz 
 Generale Vergaderinge : Ende sullen volgen onse Com- 
 mandementen, midtsgaders de Resolutien vande Compagnie, 
 om des noot zijnde, gelijckelijck ten Oorloge gebruyckt te 
 werden : sulcx nochtans dat de Koopvaerders buyten noot 
 hare ladinge niet en sullen hasarderen. 
 
 XLI. Ende in gevalle soude mogen ghebeuren, dat de 
 Landen in hare Lasten merckelijck souden mogen worden 
 verlicht, ende dat dese Compagnie in sware lasten van 
 Oorloge soude komen te vervallen : Soo hebben wy belooft 
 ende belooven midts desen, de voorschreve subsidie sulcks 
 te vermeenderen als den Staet vande Landen sal mogen 
 
[No. ii] Grants 109 
 
 XL. And if by a powerful and continued obstruction of 
 the aforesaid navigation and trade, the affairs within the 
 limits of this Company should be brought to a state of open 
 war, we will, if the situation of this country will in any wise 
 admit of it, give them for their assistance sixteen ships of 
 war, the smallest one of one hundred and fifty lasts burden, 
 with four good, well-sailing yachts, the smallest of forty 
 lasts burden, which shall be properly mounted and provided 
 in all respects, both with brass 11 and other cannon, and a 
 proper quantity of ammunition, together with double suits 
 of running and standing rigging, sails, cables, anchors and 
 other things thereto belonging, such as are proper to be 
 provided and used in all great expeditions; upon condition 
 that they shall be manned, victualed and supported at the 
 expense of the Company and that the Company shall be 
 obliged to add thereto sixteen like ships of war and four 
 yachts, mounted and provided as above, to be used in like 
 manner for the defense of trade and all exploits of war; 
 provided that all the ships of war and merchantmen (which 
 likewise shall be provided and manned as is fitting) shall 
 be under an admiral appointed by us after previous advice 
 of the aforesaid general Assembly and shall obey our com- 
 mands, together with the resolutions of the Company, and 
 if need be, shall be used together for purposes of war, in 
 such manner, however, that the merchantmen shall not 
 unnecessarily hazard their lading. 
 
 XLI. And if it should happen that the country should 
 be greatly eased of its burdens and that this Company 
 should be put to the heavy charges of war, we have further 
 promised, and do promise, to increase the aforesaid subsidy 
 
 11 Metalen; literally, metal, as distinguished from iron cannon. See De 
 Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeezvezen, ed. 2. p. 281 ; de Laet, 
 Historie ofte Iaerlijck Verhael, apx. p. 3-9. 
 
110 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 lijden, ende die saecken vande Compagnie sullen komen te 
 vereysschen. 
 
 XLII. Hebben voorts geordonneert, Dat in gevalle van 
 Oorloge, alle Prinsen die op die Vyanden, ofte oock op die 
 Zee-roovers binnen de voorschreve Limiten, by de Com- 
 pagnie, of by den geenen die den selven t'hare assistentie 
 sullen worden by-gevoecht, soude mogen werden verovert: 
 Oock de goederen, die uyt krachte van onse Placaten sullen 
 worden aengehaelt, na aftreckinge van alle nootelicke 
 kosten, als oock vande schade die de Compagnie in 't ver- 
 overen van elcke Prinse soude mogen hebben gheleden : 
 mitsgaders de gherechtigheyt van Sijn Excellence als 
 Admirael, in conformite van onse Resolutie, dient halven 
 op den eersten April Sesthien-hondert ende twee ghenomen : 
 ende het thiende-part vande Officiers, Boots-volck ende 
 Soldaten, die de Prinsen gedaen sullen hebben, sullen blijven 
 ter dispositie vande Bewinthebbers vande voorschreve Com- 
 pagnie : Mits dat daer van gehouden sal worden Reeckeninge 
 apart, ende verscheyden vande Reeckeninge vande Negotien 
 ende Commercien : Ende dat het provenu vande selve 
 Prinsen sal worden geemployeert totte equipagie vande 
 Schepen, ende betalinge van het Volck van Oorloge, 
 Fortificatien, Besettingen ende diergelijcke saecken van 
 Oorloge ende defensie te Water ende te Lande depende- 
 rende, sonder dat men daer van sal doen eenige distributie, 
 ten ware dat het selfde provenu soo groot werde bevonden, 
 dat men sonder swackinge vande selve defensie, ende nae 
 dat d'onkosten vande Oorloge soude zijn betaelt, eenige 
 merckelijcke parthye soude mogen uyt deelen, de welcke 
 geschieden sal apart ende ghescheyden vande distributien 
 vande Commercien. Ende sal de verdeylinge gedaen 
 worden, een thiende-deel voor de gemeene saecke vande 
 Vereenichde Nederlanden, ende de reste onder de Partici- 
 panten van dese Compagnie, elcke ponts gelijcke, naer rate 
 van sijn ingeleyt Capitael. 
 
 XLIII. Behoudelick nochtans, dat alle de Prinsen 
 ende goederen, uyt krachte vande Placaten aengehaelt, in- 
 
[No. ii] Grants 1 1 1 
 
 in such manner as the situation of this country will permit 
 and the affairs of the Company shall require. 
 
 XLII. We have moreover ordained that in case of war 
 all the prizes which may be taken from enemies and pirates 
 within the aforesaid limits by the Company or those who 
 have been sent to its assistance; also the goods which shall 
 be seized by virtue of our proclamations — after deducting 
 all necessary expenses and the damage which the Company 
 may have suffered in taking each prize, together with the 
 dues of His Excellency as admiral in chief agreeable to our 
 resolution to that effect adopted on the first of April, six- 
 teen hundred and two, and the tenth part for the officers, 
 sailors and soldiers who have taken the prize — shall remain 
 at the disposal of the directors of the aforesaid Company; 
 provided that the account of them shall be kept separate 
 and distinct from the account of trade and commerce, that 
 the net proceeds of the said prizes shall be employed in 
 fitting out ships, paying the troops, fortifications, garrisons 
 and like matters of war and defense, by sea and land, and 
 that there shall be no distribution unless the said proceeds 
 shall amount to so much that a notable share may be dis- 
 tributed without weakening the said defense and after pay- 
 ing the expenses of the war, which distribution shall be made 
 separately and apart from that on account of trade; and 
 the distribution shall be made, one tenth part for the use 
 of the United Netherlands and the remainder for the 
 participants of this Company, in exact proportion to their 
 invested capital. 
 
 XLIII. Provided, however, that all the prizes and goods 
 taken by virtue of our proclamations shall be brought and 
 
112 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 ghebracht ende te Rechte gestelt sullen moeten worden, 
 ter judicature vande Rade ter Admiraliteyt vande 
 Quartieren daer die in ghebracht sullen zijn, om by de 
 selve kennisse genomen, ende ghesententieert te worden op 
 de deuchdelijckheyt ofte ondeuchdelijckheyt vande selve 
 Prinsen : Blijvende niet te min hangende den Processe 
 d'administratie vande inghebrachte Goederen by de Com- 
 pagnie, ende dat onder behoorlijcken Inventaris, ende 
 behoudens de Revisie vande geenen die by Sententie vande 
 Admiraliteyt ghegraveert soude mogen zijn, in conformiteyt 
 vande Instructie aen die vande Admiraliteyt gegeven: 
 Welverstaende, dat de Vendu-Meesters ende andere Officiers 
 vande Admiraliteyten, geen Recht sullen genieten ofte 
 mogen pretenderen vande Prinsen die by dese Compagnie 
 sullen worden ghebeneficieert, ende daer in sy niet en zijn 
 geemployeert. 
 
 XLIV. De Bewinthebbers van dese Compagnie sullen 
 solemnelijck belooven ende sweeren, dat sy hun in hare 
 administratie wel ende ghetrouwelijck sullen dragen, goede 
 ende deuchdelijcke Reeckeninghe doen van hare handelinge: 
 Dat sy in alles sullen bevoorderen 't meeste profijt vande 
 Compagnie, ende der selver schade beschutten, soo veel 
 mogelijck sal zijn: Dat sy den meesten vande Participanten, 
 in 't opbrengen ende uytdeylinge vande Penningen, niet 
 meer voordeel en sullen doen als den minsten : Dat sy in 't 
 innen ende ontfangen vande uytstaende schulden, den eenen 
 niet meer als den anderen sullen verschoonen : Dat sy voor 
 haer eygen Reeckeninge participeren, ende gheduyrende 
 haer Bewinthebberschap sullen blijven participeren, alsulcke 
 somme van Penningen als by desen Octroye zijn geordon- 
 neert: Midtsgaders dat sy alle ende een yeder vande poincten 
 ende Articulen in desen vermelt, voor soo veel haer aengaet, 
 sullen nae komen ende onderhouden, doen nae komen ende 
 onderhouden naer haer uyterste vermogen. 
 
 XLV. Alle welcke Privilegien, Vryheden ende Exemp- 
 tien, mitsgaders de assistentie hier vooren verhaelt, in alle 
 hare voorsz Poincten ende Articulen, wy de voorsz Com- 
 
[No. ii] Grants 113 
 
 tried before the council of the admiralty of the district to 
 which they are brought, that it may take cognizance of 
 them and determine the legality or illegality of the said 
 prizes, the administration of the goods brought in remain- 
 ing, nevertheless, with the Company, pending the process, 
 and that under a proper inventory, and saving to those who 
 might be injured by the sentence of the admiralty the right 
 of appeal, agreeable to the instructions given the admiralty; 
 provided that the vendue masters and other officers of the 
 admiralty shall neither receive nor claim any fees from 
 prizes which shall be sold for the benefit of this Company 
 and in [connection with] which they are not employed. 
 
 XLIV. The directors of this Company shall solemnly 
 promise and swear that they will act well and faithfully in 
 their administration and render good and just accounts of 
 their transactions; that they will in all things consult the 
 greatest profit of the Company and, as much as possible, 
 prevent its meeting with losses; that they will not give the 
 greatest participant any greater advantage in the payments 
 or distribution of money than the least; that, in collecting 
 and receiving outstanding debts, they will not excuse one 
 more than another; that they, for their own account, will 
 invest, and during the continuance of their administration 
 will continue the investment of all such sums of money as 
 by this charter are stipulated; and moreover, that they will, 
 as far as concerns them, to the utmost of their power, 
 observe and keep all and every the particulars and articles 
 herein contained. 
 
 XLV. All of which privileges, freedoms and exemptions, 
 together with the assistance above mentioned, in all their 
 points and articles, we have granted, allowed, promised and 
 
114 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 pagnie met goede kennisse van saecken hebben ghegunt, 
 verleent, belooft ende toegeseyt: Gunnen, verleenen ende 
 toeseggen hen mits desen : Beloovende henluyden de selve 
 te doen, ende laten genieten rustlijck ende vredelijck. 
 Ordonneren oock dat de selve sullen worden onderhouden 
 ende achtervolcht by alle Overicheden, Oflicieren ende 
 Ondersaten van dese Vereenichde Nederlanden, sonder 
 daer jegens te doen directelick of indirectelick, soo weynich 
 binnen, als buyten de selve Vereenichde Nederlanden, op 
 peyne van daer over als Beletters van 't ghemeen welvaren 
 der selver Landen, ende Overtreders van onse Ordonnantie 
 gestraft te worden aen Lijf ende Goet. Beloovende daer 
 en boven, dat wy de Compagnie, in 't innehouden van desen 
 onsen Octroye, sullen mainteneren ende staende houden, by 
 alle Tractaten van Payse, Alliancien ende Enter-coursen 
 met de nae-gebuyre Princen, Rijcken ende Landen, sonder 
 yet ghedaen ofte gehandelt te worden dat tot verminderinge 
 van desen soude mogen strecken. Ontbieden daerom ende 
 bevelen wel expresselijck alle Gouverneurs, Justicieren, 
 Oflicieren, Magistraten ende Inwoonders der voorschreve 
 Vereenichde Nederlanden, dat sy de voorschreve Com- 
 pagnie ende Bewinthebbers van dien, rustelijck ende 
 vredelijck laten ghebruycken het volkomen effect van desen 
 Octroye, Consent ende Privilegie : Cesserende alle contra- 
 dictien ende empeschementen ter contrarien. Ende op dat 
 niemant hier van ignorantie en pretendere, Soo hebben wy 
 belast, dat het sommier inhouden van desen Octroye by 
 publicatie ofte affixie van Biljetten sal worden genotificeert, 
 daer, ende soo het behooren sal: Want wy 't selve ten 
 dienste vanden Lande bevonden hebben te behooren. 
 Gegeven onder onsen grooten Zegel, Paraphure ende de 
 Signature van onsen Griffier, in 's Graven-Hage, op den 
 derden dach der Maent van Junio, in 't Jaer sesthien- 
 hondert een-ende-twintich. Was gheparapheert, /. 
 Magnus,"*- Onderstondt, Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch- 
 ghemelte Heeren Staten Generael. Onderteeckent, C. 
 Aerssen. Hebbende een uythangende Zegel van rooden 
 Wassche aen een koorde van witte zijde. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 115 
 
 pledged to the aforesaid Company, and do hereby grant, 
 allow and pledge with full knowledge of the matter, prom- 
 ising to allow them to enjoy the same quietly and peaceably. 
 We likewise order that the same shall be kept and observed 
 by all magistrates, officers and subjects of these United 
 Netherlands and that they shall not do anything contrary 
 to the same directly or indirectly, either within or without 
 the said United Netherlands, upon pain of being punished 
 therefor both in person and property as disturbers of the 
 common welfare of this country and transgressors of our 
 ordinance. We further promise that we will maintain and 
 uphold the Company in the contents of this our charter, by 
 all treaties of peace, alliances and covenants with the 
 neighboring princes, kingdoms and countries, without suffer- 
 ing anything to be done or transacted that might tend to 
 diminish its value. Wherefore we expressly charge and 
 command all governors, justiciaries, officers, magistrates 
 and inhabitants of these United Netherlands to permit and 
 suffer the Company and its directors to enjoy quietly and 
 peaceably all the benefits of this charter, license and 
 privilege, ceasing all opposition and obstruction to it. And 
 in order that none may pretend ignorance of this, we have 
 ordered a summary of the contents of this charter to be 
 publicly proclaimed and placarded wherever necessary, for 
 we have found this to be for the best interests of the country. 
 Given under our great seal, paraph and the signature of our 
 secretary, at the Hague, on the third day of the month of 
 June, in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-one. Was 
 paraphed, /. Magnus, vt - Underneath was written: By order 
 of the aforesaid Honorable Lords the States General. 
 Subscribed, C. Aerssen. Having a seal pendent of red wax, 
 on a cord of white silk. 
 
116 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 AMPLIFICATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY 12 
 
 June io, 1622 
 
 Original text 
 
 Ampliatie van 't Octroy: Waer inne de Zout-vaert op 
 Puncto del Rey buyten de Compagnie verboden wert: 
 Mede den tijdt van inleggen geprolongeert, &c. In 
 date den 10 Iunij 1622. 
 
 De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen 
 den geenen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren 
 lesen, Saluyt. DOEN TE WETEN, Alsoo hier bevoorens 
 seecker Ampliatie van 't Octroy aen de West-Indische Com- 
 pagnie verleent, tot meerder voortsettinge ende bevorde- 
 ringe vande selve, by ons uyt gegeven ende in forme van 
 Placaet over al is gepubliceert, luydende van woorde tot 
 woorde als volcht: 
 
 De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen 
 den geenen die desen sullen sien ofte hooren lesen, Saluyt. 
 Alsoo wy naer rijpe deliberatie van Raede, tot welstant 
 deser Provintien, ende welvaren vande goede Ingesetenen 
 van dien, hebben doen besluyten een Compagnie van Negotie 
 ende Trafficque, alhier in dese Nederlanden, op de West- 
 Indien, Africa, ende andere Plaetsen in onsen voorgaenden 
 Placate vanden negenden Junij inden Jare sesthien-hondert 
 een en twintich gedesigneert, met verbodt, dat geene Inge- 
 boornen ofte Ingesetenen deser Landen, binnen den tijt 
 van vier-en-tvvintich Jaren, naer den eersten Julij doen eerst- 
 komende, en souden vermogen te varen ofte Negotieren 
 binnen de selve Limiten, uytghesondert alleen die by den 
 Octroye aende voorsz Compagnie verleent zijn, toe-gelaten 
 
 12 Printed with other documents in pamphlet form in 1623, l ^ 2 4, 1629 
 and 1642 (Asher, no. 55-61) ; also in part in de Laet, Historie ofte Iaerlijck 
 Verhael, introd. p. [17], and by way of recital in the confirmation of Feb. 
 16, 1623, in Groot Placaet Boeck, vol. I, col. 579-82, which text was used in 
 the copy printed in the Van Rensselaer Boivicr MSS., and in the present 
 copy. An imperfect translation of the part printed in de Laet is found in 
 Hazard, Historical Collections of State Papers, 1:149-50. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 117 
 
 AMPLIFICATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY 13 
 
 June JO, 1622 
 
 Translation 
 
 Amplification of the charter: wherein the salt trade to 
 Puncto del Rey is forbidden except to the Company; 
 also the time of subscription extended, &c. Dated 
 June 10, 1622. 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands, to all 
 those who shall see these presents or hear them read, greet- 
 ing. Be it known, that whereas heretofore a certain ampli- 
 fication of the charter granted to the West India Company, 
 for the further promotion and benefit of the same, has been 
 published by us and brought to public notice everywhere by 
 means of placards, reading word for word as follows : 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands to all who 
 shall see these presents or hear them read, greeting. 
 Whereas we have after mature deliberation of council, for 
 the benefit of these provinces and the welfare of the good 
 inhabitants thereof, caused a company to be formed here 
 in these Netherlands for commerce and trade to the West- 
 Indies, Africa and other places mentioned in our former 
 proclamation of the ninth of June, in the year sixteen hun- 
 dred and twenty-one, with a prohibition that none of the 
 natives or inhabitants of this country for the term of twenty- 
 four years from the first of July next following should sail 
 or trade within the said limits, except only those who under 
 the charter granted to the aforesaid Company are per- 
 
 13 This translation was prepared by Mr. A. J. F. van Laer for the Van 
 Rensselaer Bowier MSS. 
 
118 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 om Sout te mogen varen op Punto del Rey, op het Reglement 
 by ons daer op ghemaeckt ofte noch te maecken: Ende 
 dat Wy de saecke naerder over ghemerckt, voor der Landen 
 dienst, ende tot vorderinge vande voorsz geoctroyeerde 
 Compagnie, dienstich ende noodich ghevonder, hebben de 
 voorsz Soutvaert op Punto del Rey, inde selve Compagnie 
 mede te incorporeren. SOO 1ST, dat Wy, blijvende ons 
 voorgaende Placaet vanden negenden Junij in sijn geheel, 
 mede geinterdiceert ende verboden hebben, interdiceren 
 ende verbieden by desen, dat geene Ingheboornen ofte 
 Inghesetenen deser Landen, binnen den tijt vande voorsz 
 vier-en-twintich Jaren, uyt dese Nederlanden, nochte de 
 voorsz Ingeboornen ofte Ingesetenen, oock uyt eenige 
 andere Rijcken ofte Landen, directelick ofte indirectelick 
 en sullen vermogen te varen op de voorsz Sout-vaert van 
 Punto del Rey, anders als uyt den Name ende van wegen 
 dese Compagnie, willende ende ordonnerende, dat alle 
 andere Ingeboornen ende Ingesetenen, die ter contrarie hen 
 vervorderen sullen te doen, ofte bevonden sullen konnen 
 werden gedaen te hebben, verbeuren sullen Schip ende 
 Goederen, die datelijck aen getast, ende ten behoeve vande 
 voornoemde Compagnie verbeurt ghehouden sullen werden. 
 Ende indien soodanige Schepen ende Goederen souden 
 mogen werden daer naer verkocht, ofte in andere Landen 
 ofte Havenen gebracht, Hebben wy geordonneert ende 
 ghestatueert, ordonneren ende statueren by desen, dat de 
 Reeders ende Participanten van dien, in dese Landen woo- 
 nende, ofte hier ghegoet wesende, voor de waerde van dien 
 sullen wesen convenibel, ende gheexecuteert mogen werden. 
 Wy hebben mede goet gevonden den tijdt om in dese Com- 
 pagnie te mogen komen, te prolongeren, gelijck wy doen 
 by desen voor den Ingesetenen deser Landen, tot den lesten 
 Julij toekomende, nieuwen stijl incluys: Ende voor den 
 Uytheemschen tot den laetsten Septembris, mede nieuwen 
 stijle daer aen volgende, ende oock inclusive. Ende en sal 
 naer dien tijdt niemant meer tot eenige teeckeninge ofte 
 inlatinge inde Compagnie werden gheadmitteert, ten enyde 
 
[No. ii] Grants 119 
 
 mitted to carry on the salt trade to Punto del Rey under the 
 regulations therefor adopted or to be adopted by us : whereas 
 upon reconsidering that matter, we find that it is useful and 
 necessary for the service of this country and for promoting 
 the aforesaid chartered Company to vest the aforesaid salt 
 trade to Punto del Rey also in the said Company: There- 
 fore we (our former proclamation of the ninth of June 
 remaining in full force) have also interdicted and forbidden, 
 and by these presents do interdict and forbid, the natives 
 and inhabitants of this country, during the term of the 
 aforesaid twenty-four years, to sail out of these Nether- 
 lands, as also out of any other kingdom or country, directly 
 or indirectly, in the said salt trade to Punto del Rey, except 
 in the name and on behalf of this Company; willing and 
 ordaining that all other natives and inhabitants who shall 
 venture to do, or shall be found to have done anything to 
 the contrary hereof, shall forfeit ship and goods which 
 shall be immediately seized and confiscated for the benefit 
 of the aforesaid Company. And if such ship and goods 
 should thereafter be sold or brought into other countries 
 or ports, we have ordained and decreed, and do hereby 
 ordain and decree, that the owners and participants thereof, 
 living in this country or owning property here, shall be 
 liable for the value thereof and that execution may issue 
 against them. We have also deemed fit, as we hereby deem 
 fit, to extend the time of entering this Company for the 
 inhabitants of this country till the last of July next, new 
 style, inclusive, and for foreigners till the last of Septem- 
 ber, also new style, next ensuing, and also inclusive. And 
 after that date no one shall be admitted or allowed to make 
 any subscription to this Company, so that all those who still 
 wish to be admitted to this Company may within the time 
 aforesaid subscribe or cause subscription to be made before 
 
120 Colonial Charters [No. n] 
 
 alle de geene die inde voorsz Compagnie noch sullen willen 
 komen, binnen den selven tijdt als noch, onder eenige vande 
 Directeurs daer toe gestelt, mogen teyckenen ofte doen 
 teyckenen voor sulcken somme van penningen als haer goet 
 duncken sal inde selve te herideren: Willende mede dat de 
 eerste ses Weecken gheexpireert zijnde, uyt de bequaemste, 
 ervarenste, ende meest ingeleythebbende Participanten, date- 
 lijck gheeligheert, gemaeckt ende gestelt sullen werden de 
 Bewinthebberen vande voornoemde Compagnie, in con- 
 formiteyt vanden Octroye, ende dat de selve als dan promp- 
 telijck sullen procederen tot d'equipagie, om de gheoctroy- 
 eerde Navigatie ende Handelinge datelijck by der handt 
 te nemen, ende in 't werck te stellen. Ende want wy willen 
 dat alle 't gunt voorsz is, vast ende bondich blijve, ende 
 also onderhouden werde in Recht ende daer buyten, Hebben 
 wy versocht de Staten ende Stadthouderen der respective 
 Provincien van Gelderlant ende Zutphen, Hollant ende 
 West-Vrieslant, Zeelandt, Utrecht, Vrieslant, Over-Yssel, 
 ende van Groeningen ende Ommelanden : Midtsgaders der 
 selver Gecommitteerde Raden, ofte Gedeputeerde Staten, 
 gelijck oock den Cancelaer, Presidenten ende die vande 
 Justicie vande voorsz Landen: Ende voorts belast ende 
 geordonneert, gelijck Wy belasten ende ordonneren mits 
 desen alle Collegien vande Admiraliteyten, alle Admiralen, 
 Oversten, Colonnellen, Ritmeesters ende Capiteynen, te 
 Water ende te Lande : Mitsgaders alle Justicieren ende 
 Officieren, dit aldus te houden ende doen houden, ende in 't 
 Sententieren heur daer naer te reguleren, sonder eenige 
 indrachte ter contrarien. Ende op dat niemant hier van 
 eenige ignorantie en pretendere, Versoecken ende ontbieden 
 Wy alle Overheyden, Magistraten, Officiers ende Justicieren 
 binnen dese Vereenichde Nederlanden, die het eenichsints 
 aengaen mach, dat sy desen alomme doen verkondigen, 
 uytroepen ende publiceren, daer men ghewoon is uytroepinge 
 ende publicatie te doen: Want wy 't selve voor den dienst 
 vande Landen ende de goede Ingesetenen van dien bevonden 
 hebben te behooren. Aldus ghedaen en gearresteert ter 
 
[No. ii] Grants 121 
 
 some of the directors thereto appointed for such sums of 
 money as they shall see fit to invest in the same. We 
 further desire that immediately after the expiration of the 
 first six weeks, from the most able and experienced par- 
 ticipants who have made the largest investments shall be 
 elected and appointed the directors of the aforesaid Com- 
 pany, in accordance with the charter, and that the same 
 shall thereupon promptly proceed to the equipment of 
 vessels in order to begin at once the granted navigation 
 and trade. 
 
 And desiring that what is above written shall be observed 
 and maintained, in law and without, we have requested 
 the States and Stadtholders of the respective provinces 
 of Gelderland and Zutphen, Holland and West Fries- 
 land, Zealand, Utrecht, Friesland, Over-Yssel, and of 
 Groningen and Ommelanden, together with the Deputy 
 Councils or States of the same, and the Chancelor, Presi- 
 dents and officers of justice of the said provinces, and have 
 further charged and commanded as we hereby do charge 
 and command all boards of admiralty, all admirals, com- 
 manders, colonels, captains of horse and foot, on water 
 and on land, together with all officers of justice, to observe 
 the same and to cause the same to be observed and in ren- 
 dering sentence to govern themselves accordingly, without 
 suffering any violation whatsoever. And in order that no 
 one may pretend ignorance hereof, we request and summon 
 all authorities, magistrates and officers of justice within these 
 United Netherlands, whom it may in any wise concern, to 
 have this amplification proclaimed, promulgated and made 
 public wherever it is customary to have such proclamation 
 and promulgation made; for we deem this fit for the 
 service of this country and its good inhabitants. Thus done 
 
122 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 Vergaderinge vande Heeren Staten Generael, in 's Graven- 
 Hage, desen thienden Junij in 't Jaer ons Heeren duysent 
 ses hondert twee-en-twintich. Was gheparapheert, N. 
 vander Meer, vt - Onder stont, Ter Ordonnantie vande 
 Hooch-ghemelte Heeren Staten Generael. Geteeckent, C. 
 Aerssen. 
 
 Ende dat de voorsz Compagnie deur eenige heure Ge- 
 committeerden naeder hant klaerlijck hebben gheremon- 
 streert ende vertoont, hoe die meeste ende grootste 
 teyckeninge daer op principalijck is gevolget, in voegen dat 
 men sonder 't selve geensints tot suffisante Capitalen soude 
 hebben konnen geraecken, overmits het meerendeel der 
 Participanten een fundamental Staet van voorseecker 
 gewin grootelijcks daer op gemaekt, Ons over sulcks ver- 
 soeckende, wy haer de boven-gheschreven Ampliatie tot 
 haren contentemente ende meerder ghewisheyt, oock ampu- 
 tatie van alle disputen ende contrabanden met onsen grooten 
 Zegel gheconfirmeert ende bevestiget, grootgunstich wilden 
 met deelen ende toekomen laten. SOO 1ST, day wy ons in 
 alles genegen vindende, omme de voorschreve West-Indische 
 Compagnie gunstelijck te favoriseren, nae rijpe deliberatie, 
 met voile kennisse van saecke gheaccordeert hebben, ende 
 accorderen mits desen, dat de bovengenoemde Ampliatie 
 ten fine voorsz met onsen grooten Zegel gheconfirmeert 
 ende bevesticht werde. Aldus gedaen in onse Vergaderinge 
 onder onsen grooten Zegele, Paraphure, ende de Signature 
 van onsen Griffier, in 's Graven-Hage opten sesthienden 
 Februarij 1623. Was geparapheert, /. Magnus, 1 *- Opte 
 Plijcque stondt, Ter Ordonnantie vande hooch-gemelte 
 Heeren Staten Generael. Geteeckent, C. Aerssen. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 123 
 
 and passed at the meeting of the Lords States General, at 
 the Hague, this tenth of June in the year of our Lord one 
 thousand six hundred and twenty-two. Was paraphed, 
 N. vander Meer, vt - Underneath was written: By order of 
 the aforesaid honorable Lords the States General. Signed, 
 C. Aerssen. 
 
 And whereas the aforesaid Company through some of 
 their deputies have later remonstrated and clearly shown 
 that the majority and the largest of the subscriptions were 
 thereupon made and that without this amplification no 
 sufficient capital could have been brought together, inas- 
 much as the majority of the participants largely counted on 
 this as essential for assured profit, and therefore request us 
 that, for their satisfaction and further security, and also 
 to prevent all disputes and contraband trading, we do them 
 the favor to grant them this amplification confirmed and 
 ratified under our great seal; Therefore, being in every way 
 willing to favor the aforesaid West India Company, we 
 have after mature deliberation and with full knowledge of 
 circumstances granted, and hereby do grant, that the afore- 
 said amplification, for the purpose aforesaid, be confirmed 
 and ratified under our great seal. Thus done in our meet- 
 ing under our great seal, paraph and signature of our secre- 
 tary, at the Hague, on the sixteenth of February 1623. 
 Was paraphed, /. Magnus, vt - On the fold was written : By 
 order of the aforesaid honorable Lords the States General. 
 Signed, C. Aerssen. 
 
124 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 AMPLIFICATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY 14 
 
 February 13, 1623 
 
 Original text 
 
 Ampliatie van't Octroy, In date den derthienden Februarij 
 sestien-hondert drie-en-twintich. 
 
 De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen 
 den geenen die dese jegenwoordige sullen sien ofte hooren 
 lesen, Saluyt. DOEN TE WETEN, dat wy op den vier- 
 en-twintichsten Martij, Anno sestien-hondert twee-ende- 
 twintich voorleden, in onse Vergaderinge gehoort hebbende, 
 't geene van wegen de Heeren Staten van Hollant ende 
 West-Vrieslandt, door seeckere extraordinaris Gedeputeer- 
 den voor gedragen is, dat omme te beter te vorderen de 
 West-Indische Compagnie, de Sout-vaert op de Puncto del 
 Rey, gelegen binnen de Limiten van 't Octroy vande selve 
 Compagnie, ende te vooren daer van geexcipieert, in 't voor- 
 noemde Octroy nootsaeckelijck diende ende mochte werden 
 begrepen, ende alle andere Sout-vaerten, buyten de Limiten 
 van 't Octroy gelegen, vry ende daer buyten ghelaten. Dat 
 mede de Hooft-Participanten vande voorschreve Compag- 
 nie, mogen hebben de nominatie van tripel ghetal, daer uyt 
 de Bewinthebbers verkoren sullen moeten werden : Mits- 
 gaders oock dat de Steden, daer gheen Kameren en zijn, 
 inleggende uyt heure Gemeenten op eenen Naem hondert 
 duysent gulden ofte meer, op nominatie als vooren, een 
 Bewinthebber op elcke hondert duysent gulden souden 
 mogen stellen in sulcke Kamer, daer sy goet vinden sullen 
 heure Penningen te brengen. Versoeckende dat Wy 't 
 voorschreve Octroy vande voornoemde West-Indische Com- 
 pagnie mette voorschreve Poincten wilden amplieren, opdat 
 
 14 Printed with other documents in pamphlet form in 1623, 1624, 1629 
 and 1642 (Asher, no. 55-61); also in de Laet, Historic ofte Iaerlijck Ver- 
 hael, introd. p. [10], and in Groot Placaet Boeck, vol. I, col. 5S3-86, which 
 text was followed in the Van Rensselaer Bowier MSS., and in the present 
 copy. An imperfect translation is found in Hazard, Historical Collections 
 of State Papers, I:i8i-82. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 125 
 
 AMPLIFICATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY 15 
 
 February 13, 1623 
 
 Translation 
 
 Amplification of the charter, dated the thirteenth of 
 February sixteen hundred twenty-three. 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands, to all 
 who shall see these presents or hear them read, greeting. 
 Be it known, that we, having heard in our meeting on the 
 twenty-fourth of March, in the year sixteen hundred and 
 twenty-two last past, that which on behalf of the Lords 
 the States of Holland and West Friesland was laid before 
 us by certain extraordinary deputies, namely, that for the 
 better promoting the West India Company it was necessary 
 that the salt trade to Puncto del Rey, situated within the 
 limits of the said Company's charter and formerly excepted 
 from it, should be included in the aforesaid charter, and 
 that all other salt trades, situated without the limits of that 
 charter, should be left free and out of it; also that the chief 
 participants of the aforesaid Company might have the 
 nomination of a triple number, out of which the directors 
 should be chosen; further, that the cities in which there 
 are no Chambers, contributing out of their funds in one 
 name one hundred thousand guilders or more upon nomina- 
 tion as aforesaid, might be entitled to appoint one director 
 for each hundred thousand guilders, in whatever Chamber 
 they should think proper to invest their money; and that 
 they desired that we would amplify the aforesaid charter to 
 the above mentioned West India Company with the afore- 
 
 15 This translation was prepared by Mr. A. J. F. van Laer for the Van 
 Rensselaer Boivier MSS. 
 
126 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 de Compagnie mochte werden geslooten, op 't welcke by 
 ons dier tijt wel ende rijpelick gedelibereert wesende : Wy 
 verklaert ende gheconsenteert hebben, Dat de voornoemde 
 Sout-vaert op de Puncto del Rey begrepen sal werden, 
 gelijck wy de selve deden begrijpen in 't voorschreve Octroy 
 vande West-Indische Compagnie, op de ordre ende inter- 
 dictien daer inne begrepen. Ende op de twee andere 
 Poincten mede verklaert, dat in krachte van 't dertiende 
 Articule van 't voornoemde Octroy, dien van Hollandt ende 
 West-Vrieslandt, gelijck oock alle andere Provincien vry 
 staet de nominatie vande Bewinthebbers, in voegen als 
 vooren te laten doen, ten meesten dienste ende voorderinge 
 vande Compagnie, Midtsgaders oock geaccordeert ende 
 geconsenteert hebben, dat de Steden daer geen Kameren en 
 zijn, inne leggende uyt heure Gemeenten hondert duysent 
 gulden ofte meer, op behoorlicke nominatie vande Hooft- 
 Participanten, ende over elcke hondert duysent gulden, sullen 
 mogen stellen een Bewinthebber, in sulcken Kamer, daer sy 
 goet vinden sullen heure Penningen te brengen. Van 't 
 welcke wy als nu versocht wesende by de Bewint-hebbers 
 vande West-Indische Compagnie, behoorlicke Brieven te 
 doen depescheren, geparapheert, geteyckent ende gesegelt 
 met onsen grooten Zegele naer behooren, hebben wy in 
 achtervolch van onse Resolutie, op den voornoemden vier- 
 en-twintichsten Martij genomen, dese onse Brieven van 
 alle 't gunt voorsz is doen depescheren. Beloovende 't selve 
 goet, vast ende van weerden te houden ende doen houden, 
 ende ordonnerende eenen yeghelijcken hem hier naer te 
 reguleren. Aldus gedaen in onse Vergaderinge, onder 
 onsen grooten Zegele, Paraphure ende de Signature van 
 onsen Griffier, in 's Graven-Hage den dertienden Februarij 
 1623. Was geparapheert, /. Magnus, vt - Opte Plijcque 
 stont, Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch-ghemelte Heeren 
 Staten Generael. Geteeckent, C. Aerssen. Hebbende een 
 uythangende Zegel in rooden Wassche aen een witte zijde 
 koorde. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 127 
 
 said provisions that the Company might be completed; and 
 this being by us at that time well and maturely deliberated 
 upon: we declared and consented that the aforesaid salt 
 trade at Puncto del Rey should be included, as we did 
 include it, in the aforesaid charter of the West India Com- 
 pany under the orders and interdictions therein contained. 
 And with respect to the other two provisions, we further 
 declared that, by virtue of the thirteenth article of the afore- 
 said charter, Holland and West Friesland, and likewise all 
 the other provinces, shall be free as formerly to cause the 
 nomination of directors to be made in the manner which is 
 for the best interest and advancement of the Company. 
 Moreover, we agreed and consented that the cities in which 
 there are no Chambers, upon advancing out of their funds 
 one hundred thousand guilders or more, on proper nomi- 
 nation by the chief participants and for each hundred 
 thousand guilders might appoint a director in whatever 
 Chamber they should think proper to invest their money. 
 Of the which, as we are now desired by the directors of the 
 West India Company to cause a suitable instrument in 
 writing to be properly drawn up, paraphed, subscribed and 
 sealed with our great seal, we have, agreeable to our 
 resolution adopted on the aforesaid twenty-fourth of March, 
 caused these letters to be drawn up for all that is afore- 
 said; promising to keep them and cause them to be kept, 
 well, firmly and truly and ordaining that all persons govern 
 themselves accordingly. Thus done at our meeting, under 
 our great seal, paraph and the signature of our secretary, 
 in the Hague, the thirteenth of February, 1623. Was 
 paraphed, /. Magnus , vt - In the fold was written: By order 
 of the aforesaid Honorable Lords the States General. 
 Signed, C. Aerssen. Having a seal pendent of red wax, on 
 a cord of white silk. 
 
128 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DIRECTORS AND 
 
 THE CHIEF PARTICIPANTS OF THE WEST 
 
 INDIA COMPANY 10 
 
 June 2i } 1623 
 
 Original text 
 
 Accoordt tusschen de Bewinthebberen ende Hooft-Partici- 
 panten vande West-Indische Compagnie, met appro- 
 batie vande Ho: ende Mog: Heeren Staten Generael 
 ghemaeckt. In date den 21 Junij 1623. 
 
 De Staten Generael der Vereenichde Nederlanden, Allen 
 den geenen die desen jegenwoordige sullen getoont werden, 
 Saluyt. DOEN TE WETEN, Alsoo op 't vertooch aen 
 ons ghedaen, by eenige Gedeputeerden vande Hooft-Partici- 
 panten vande geoctroyeerde West-Indische Compagnie ter 
 Kamere van Amsterdam, dat de selve tot verscheydene 
 reysen hen vervoecht hebben ghehadt soo in 't Collegie 
 vande Bewinthebberen, als oock meermaelen met haer 
 Gecommitteerden gebesoigneert, ten eynde in tijts goede 
 ordre ende Reglement soude mogen werden genomen ende 
 gestabilieert, tot contentement vande goede Participanten, 
 op dat de saecken te beter ende met meerder vruchts op 't 
 spoedichste in 't werck ghestelt, ende dien volgende in 
 treyn ghebrocht soude mogen werden, versoeckende onse 
 approbatie, 't zy by forme van ampliatie van 't Octroy, ofte 
 andersints by raminge van ordre vande voorschreve par- 
 ticuliere Kamer tot Amsterdamme, ofte soo wy te raede 
 souden vinden, over eenige Poincten aen ons tot dien eynde 
 ghepresenteert. Ende wy alvoorens daer op te resolveren, 
 goet hebben gevonden Copyen daer van over te senden aen 
 de respective Kameren vande West-Indische Compagnie, om 
 
 16 Printed with other documents in pamphlet form in 1623, 1624, 1629 
 and 1642 (Asher, no. 55-61) ; also in de Laet, Historie ofte Iaerlijck Ver- 
 hael, introd. p. [19-22], and in Groot Placaet Boeck, vol. I, col. 585-90, 
 which last text was followed in the copy printed in Van Rensselaer Bo-zvier 
 MSS., and in the present copy. An imperfect translation is found in Hazard, 
 Historical Collections of State Papers, 1:174-78, reprinted in O'Callaghan, 
 History of New Netherland, 1 1408-10. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 129 
 
 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DIRECTORS AND 
 
 THE CHIEF PARTICIPANTS OF THE WEST 
 
 INDIA COMPANY 17 
 
 June 21, 1623 
 
 Translation 
 
 Agreement made between the directors and the chief 
 participants of the West India Company, with the 
 approval of the High and Mighty Lords the States 
 General. Dated June 21, 1623. 
 
 The States General of the United Netherlands, to all 
 to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Be it known, 
 that whereas, in a memorial directed to us by certain 
 deputies of the chief participants of the chartered West 
 India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, setting forth 
 that they presented themselves several times before the 
 Assembly of the directors and also held a number of meet- 
 ings with the committee appointed by them to the end that 
 in due time proper rules and regulations might be adopted 
 and established to the satisfaction of the good participants 
 and that the business might the better and with the more 
 profit be set in motion as soon as possible and subsequently 
 be brought into proper operation, our approbation was 
 requested of several articles presented to us for that pur- 
 pose, either in the way of an amplification of their Charter 
 or else by framing an order for the aforesaid particular 
 Chamber of Amsterdam or in such manner as we should 
 find advisable; and whereas, before adopting any resolution 
 thereupon, we thought fit, to send a copy of the articles to 
 the respective Chambers of the West India Company, that 
 
 17 This translation was prepared by Mr. A. J. F. van Laer for the Van 
 Rensselaer Bonier MSS. 
 
130 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 de selve rijpelick te examineren, mette Hooft-Participanten 
 communiceren, ende hare Gedeputeerden, mitsgaders eenige 
 Gedeputeerden vande Hooft-Participanten by ons te senden, 
 volcomentlijck gelast ende gheauthoriseert, om daer over, 
 ende wat noch voorts tot bevorderinge van soo een noodige 
 saecke soude mogen dienen, in onderlinge conferentie te 
 komen, ende soo doenelijck, finalijcken t' accorderen op 
 onse approbatie. Ende dat die Gedeputeerden vande 
 respective Kameren, Directeurs ende Hooft-Participanten 
 in competenten getale daer op alhier zijn gekomen, ende 
 volgens ten overstaen, inductien ende tusschen-spreecken van 
 onse Gecommitteerden, nae verscheydene ghehoudene con- 
 ferentien, communicatien ende deliberatien, eyntelijck als 
 Bewinthebbers, Directeurs ende Hooft-Participanten sonder 
 prejudicie vande Provincien ende respective Steden, tot vor- 
 deringe vande West-Indische saecke, verdragen ende onder- 
 linge gheaccordeert hebben dese naevolgende Articulen. 
 
 Ten eersten, Dat geene veranderinge, extentien nochte 
 interpretatie van het Octroy ofte dependentien van dien 
 sullen werden versocht by de Bewinthebberen noch by de 
 Hooft-Participanten ofte yemant anders, dan nae voor- 
 gaende convocatie, communicatien ende approbatie van het 
 meerendeel der Bewinthebberen ende Hooft-Participanten, 
 die inde vergaderinge sullen present zijn. 
 
 Ten tweeden, Dat in alle vergaderingen daer Bewintheb- 
 beren ende Hooft-Participanten t'samen, ofte daer de 
 Hooft-Participanten alleen ende apart sonder de Bewintheb- 
 beren sullen besoigneren, alle nominatien, deputatien ende 
 electien met eenen name t'effens sullen gheschieden met 
 beslooten Briefkens den presiderenden in handen te geven, 
 ofte op andere secrete manieren. 
 
 Ten derden, Dat de Compagnie geene Penningen op 
 Interesse oft deposito sal mogen lichten, dan met advijs ende 
 consent van 't meerendeel der Bewinthebberen ende Hooft- 
 Participanten, Doch sullen de respective Kameren in voor- 
 vallende noot, voor een reyse alleen mogen lichten elck een 
 
[No. ii] Grants 131 
 
 they might carefully examine them, confer with the chief 
 participants and send to us deputies from themselves, as 
 well as from the chief participants, fully empowered and 
 authorized, for this purpose and whatever might serve to 
 promote so necessary a business, to meet in mutual confer- 
 ence and if possible to come to final agreement, subject to 
 our approval; and whereas these deputies of the respective 
 Chambers, directors and chief participants, thereupon came 
 here in proper number and, in the presence and on the sug- 
 gestion and persuasion of our delegates, after the holding 
 of several conferences, communications and deliberations, 
 finally, as managers, directors and chief participants, with- 
 out prejudice to the provinces and respective cities, for 
 promoting the West India business mutually agreed upon 
 the following articles: 
 
 I. That no alteration, extension or interpretation of the 
 charter or acts depending thereon shall be sought by the 
 directors or by the chief participants or any others, except 
 after previous meeting, discussion and the approval of a 
 majority of the directors and chief participants who shall 
 be present at the meeting. 
 
 II. That in all joint meetings of the directors and chief 
 participants or those of the chief participants alone and 
 without the directors, all nominations, choice of deputies, 
 and elections shall take place, one name at a time, by placing 
 folded ballots in the hands of the presiding officer or in 
 some other secret manner. 
 
 III. That the Company shall borrow no money on 
 interest or deposit, except with the advice and the consent 
 of the major part of the directors and chief participants; 
 nevertheless in case of necessity and for one voyage only, 
 the respective Chambers may each borrow the twentieth 
 
132 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 twintichste deel van 't ingheleyde Capitael in hare Kamer, 
 sonder dat by de selve Kameren meerder lichtinge sal 
 werden gedaen, voor ende al eer de eerste gelichte Pen- 
 ningen sullen zijn afgelost. 
 
 Ten vierden, Dat alle Reeckeningen by het vijfthiende 
 Articule van 't Octroy gementioneert, sullen gedaen werden 
 nae stijle van Negotie, aen de Gecommitteerde byde Hooft- 
 Participanten te nomineren, ende onder Eede t'admitteren, 
 binnen den tijdt in 't voorsz vijfthiende Articule begrepen, 
 welcke Gecommitteerde daer af alleene in 't gros aen de 
 andere Hooft-Participanten rapport sullen doen, Doch 
 sullen de selve Gecommitteerden by Eede verbonden zijn 
 niet t'ontdecken, maer alles secreet te houden, dat de 
 Bewinthebberen secreet moeten houden: Sullen mede 't 
 verboth by het een-en-dertichste Artijckel van 't Octroy 
 noopende 't koopen ende 't verkoopen, den Bewinthebberen 
 gedaen, onderworpen zijn, geduerende den tijt van twee 
 Jaren. 
 
 Ten vijfden, Dat de selve Gecommitteerden sullen heb- 
 ben ende exerceren van wegen de Hooft-Participanten, het 
 recht den Agenten Artijckel seven-en-twintich gegeven ende 
 vergunt: Ende voorts de Boecken, Factuyren ende andere 
 Documenten, tot dien eynde tot harer beliefte te mogen nae 
 sien, ende de Coopmanschappen ende Brieven die de Com- 
 mercie aengaen, visiteren. 
 
 Ten sesten, Dat de eerste twee vacerende plaetsen der 
 Bewinthebberen tot Amstelredam, als mede de twee eerste 
 van Zeelandt, ende de eerste inde Camer vande Mase, sullen 
 successivelijck gesuppleert ende vervult worden by de 
 Hooft-Participanten vande respective Kameren, absoluyt by 
 pluraliteyt van stemmen, staende onder den selven Eedt, 
 hebbende administratie als de andere Bewinthebberen, ende 
 sullen ghehouden zijn den Hooft-Participanten te com- 
 municeren 't geene haer aengaet, haer recht inde selve ver- 
 gaderinge van Bewinthebberen te bewaren naer ghelegen- 
 theyt van saecken, de selve te convoceren, ende specialick 
 
[No. ii] Grants 133 
 
 part of the subscribed capital of their Chamber, but the 
 said Chamber shall not borrow any more before the first 
 loan shall have been paid off. 
 
 IV. That all accounts mentioned in the fifteenth article 
 of the charter shall be rendered in business form to the 
 committee to be nominated by the chief participants, and 
 admitted under oath, within the time mentioned in the said 
 fifteenth article, which committee shall make report thereof 
 only in gross to the other chief participants. But the said 
 committee shall be bound by oath not to divulge, but to 
 keep everything secret which the directors must keep secret. 
 They shall moreover during the time of two years be sub- 
 ject to the prohibition in regard to buying and selling placed 
 upon the directors by the thirty-first article of the charter. 
 
 V. That the said committee shall have and exercise, on 
 behalf of the chief participants, the rights given and granted 
 by Article twenty-seven to the agents; and moreover, for 
 this purpose, to examine the books, invoices and other docu- 
 ments at their pleasure, and inspect the merchandise, and 
 the letters concerning the business. 
 
 VI. That the first two vacant places among the directors 
 at Amsterdam, the first two of Zealand, and the first in the 
 Chamber of the Mase shall successively be supplied and 
 filled by the chief participants of the respective Chambers, 
 absolutely by plurality of votes; [these elected] are to be 
 bound by the same oath and to have the same powers as 
 the other directors, and shall be obliged to communicate 
 to the chief participants what concerns them, to preserve 
 their rights in the said meetings of the directors according 
 to circumstances and to call them together, and they shall 
 
134 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 aen de voorschreve Hooft-Participanten verbonden ende 
 revocabel zijn, blijvende successivelijck de resterende 
 Bewinthebberen vande respective Kameren eligibel vol- 
 gende het Octroy, ofte soo als inde respective Provincien 
 albereyts is gheordonneert, ofte noch geordonneert soude 
 mogen werden: Ende dat by provisie twee uyt de Hooft- 
 Participanten van elcke respective Kameren van Amster- 
 dam ende Zeelandt, ende eene uyt de Kamer vande Mase 
 ghecommitteert sullen werden, boven die inde voorige 
 Articulen vermelt zijn, om ondertusschen 't voorschreve 
 recht vande selve te bewaren, tot dat een ofte twee plaetsen 
 sullen vacant zijn. 
 
 Ten sevensten, Soo wanneer de Negenthiene sullen komen 
 te vergaderen, sullen de Hooft-Participanten vande Kamer 
 van Amsterdam, eene uyt de voorschreve twee Bewintheb- 
 beren of provisionele Gecommitteerden mogen eligeren, om 
 te wesen eene vande acht Bewinthebberen inde selve 
 Vergaderinge, van wegens de Kamer van Amsterdam te 
 compareren, ghelijck mede die Hooft-Participanten van 
 Zeelandt uyt de voorschreve twee Bewinthebberen of pro- 
 visionele Gecommitteerden by hun absolutelijcken ghestelt, 
 sullen mogen kiesen eene, om te wesen eene vande vier 
 Bewinthebberen van wegens haer Kamer inde vergaderinge 
 vande Negenthiene te compareren. Ende sullen daer 
 beneffens de voorschreve Hooft-Participanten, soo vande 
 Kamer van Amsterdam als van Zeelandt, noch mogen 
 eligeren elcks eene uyt de be-eedichde Gecommitteerde, 
 Artijckel vier ende vijf vermelt, om die voorschreve Gede- 
 puteerden elcks inden sijnen t'assisteren inde voorschreve 
 Vergaderinge vande Negenthiene, sonder dat nochtans de 
 selve Geassocieerden stemme apart sullen hebben. Ende 
 ten eynde de andere Kameren mede kennisse van saecken 
 opte selve vergaderinghe verhandelt mogen hebben, sal die 
 geassocieerde vande Kamer van Amsterdam, den Hooft- 
 Participanten van 't Noorder-quartier ende van Stadt ende 
 Landen: Ende die gheassocieerde vande Kamer van Zee- 
 
[No. ii] Grants 135 
 
 be specially responsible to and [their election] revocable 
 by the aforesaid chief participants; the rest of the directors 
 of the respective Chambers shall continue to be elected 
 according to the charter, or in such manner as is already 
 ordained, or may hereafter be ordained in the respective 
 provinces; and that provisionally two of the chief partici- 
 pants of each of the respective Chambers of Amsterdam 
 and Zealand and one of the Chamber of the Mase, shall be 
 deputed aside from the committee mentioned in the fore- 
 going articles, to take care of their aforesaid rights in the 
 meantime, until one or two places shall be vacant. 
 
 VII. When the Nineteen shall meet together, the chief 
 participants of the Chamber of Amsterdam shall be per- 
 mitted to choose one of the two directors or provisional 
 deputies aforesaid, that he may be one of the eight directors 
 in the said meeting for the Chamber of Amsterdam. In 
 like manner the chief participants of Zealand shall be per- 
 mitted to choose one of the aforesaid two directors or 
 provisional deputies, by them absolutely appointed, to be 
 one of four directors representing their Chamber in the 
 Assembly of the Nineteen. And in addition the aforesaid 
 chief participants, as well those of the Chamber of Amster- 
 dam as those of Zealand, shall each be permitted to choose 
 one of the sworn committee, mentioned in articles four and 
 five, to assist the aforesaid deputies, each assisting the one 
 from his Chamber, in the aforesaid Assembly of the Nine- 
 teen; nevertheless, these associates shall not have a separate 
 Vote. And that the other Chambers also may know of 
 the business transacted by the said Assembly, the associate 
 member from the Chamber of Amsterdam shall inform the 
 chief participants of the N oorder-quartier and Stadt ende 
 Landen and the associate member from the Chamber of 
 
136 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 landt, die vande Mase adviseren van 't ghebesoigneerde 
 inde voorschreve Vergaderinge, voor soo veele 't selve 
 communicabel sal zijn. 
 
 Ten achtsten, Dat naer desen niemant tot Bewinthebber 
 sal mogen gheeligeert werden, die in dienst vande Com- 
 pagnie van Oost-Indien is : Sullen oock Vader ende Soon, 
 Item, Broeders van heelen ende halven Bedden, geen 
 Bewinthebberen in eene Kamer te gelijcke mogen wesen; 
 Ende sullen de Bewint-hebberen geen provisie ghenieten, 
 ten zy dat sy ten dienste vande Compagnie behoorelijck 
 vaceren. 
 
 Ten negenden, Alsoo het noodich is om een yeder te 
 voldoen, dat den tijdt om in dese Compagnie te teeckenen 
 ende te herideren noch gheprolongeert werde, tot contente- 
 ment soo vande Ingesetenen als Uytlantsche, dat daerom 
 voor d'Ingesetenen tot ultima Augusti, ende voor d'Uyt- 
 landische tot ultima Octobris toekommende, beyde Stylo 
 novo incluys, de voorschreve inteyckeninge geprolongeert, 
 ende bekent gemaeckt worde deur affixie van Billetten, 
 sonder dat naer dien dach yemants anders sal mogen 
 ingenomen ofte inghelaten worden, maer dat een yeder 
 Kamer gehouden sal zijn den eersten dach naer ultimo 
 Octobris sijne Capitalen te sluyten, ende acht dagen daer 
 naer Copyen aen malkanderen over seynden : Welverstaende 
 dat de aen-ghevangene equipagie, haeren voortganck sal 
 hebben tot dienste vande Compagnie, ende dat de geene die 
 haere Pennigen voor andere hebben gefurneert, ende noch 
 sullen furneren daer van Interesse sullen genieten tot 
 discretie vande Negenthiene. 
 
 Ten thienden, Ende aengaende de generale reeckeninge, 
 Artijckel sestien, ende het veranderen van het derdendeel 
 der Bewinthebberen Artijckel veerthien in't Octroy ghemen- 
 tioneert, om eene goede ordre ende generalen voet in alle 
 Kameren daer in te houden, is noodich gevonden dat de 
 selve generale reeckeninge geschiede (ses Jaeren nae date 
 van 't geven van 't Octroy, beginnende den derden Junij 
 
[No. ii] Grants 137 
 
 Zealand those of the Mase of the business of the aforesaid 
 Assembly, as far as it shall be communicable. 
 
 VIII. That hereafter no person may be chosen a director 
 who is in the service of the East India Company; in like 
 manner, father and son, or brothers of the whole or half 
 blood, may not be directors at the same time in one Cham- 
 ber. And the directors shall receive no commissions unless 
 they properly attend to the business of the Company. 
 
 IX. Whereas, in order to satisfy every one, it is neces- 
 sary that the time for subscribing and contributing to this 
 Company shall be extended further, for the satisfaction of 
 our own inhabitants as well as of foreigners, therefore, be 
 the aforesaid subscriptions extended for inhabitants to the 
 last of August, and for foreigners to the last of October 
 next, both new style, and the fact made known by posting 
 of notices; after that date, no person may be received or 
 admitted, but every Chamber must close its subscription lists 
 the first day after the last of October, and eight days there- 
 after send a copy to each of the others; provided, that the 
 equipment already begun shall continue for the use of the 
 Company, and that those who have furnished money in 
 advance of others, or shall yet furnish it, shall receive 
 interest thereon at the discretion of the Nineteen. 
 
 X. And as to the general accounting, mentioned in 
 article sixteen of the charter, and the changing of a third 
 part of the directors in article fourteen, to maintain good 
 order and a general basis in all the Chambers, it is deemed 
 necessary that the said general accounting be made (six 
 years from the date of granting the charter, beginning the 
 third of June 1621, new style) according to mercantile 
 
138 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 sesthien-hondert een-en-twintich, Stylo novo,) naer coustume 
 van Coopmanschap in 't openbaer, mede ten overstaen 
 vande voorschreve Gecommitteerde vande Hooft-Partici- 
 panten vande respective Kameren, ende soo voorts succes- 
 sivelick, elcke ses Jaren te doen diergelijcke generale 
 reeckeninge : Doch sal by de Vergaderinge vande Negen- 
 thiene, op 't vervolch vande reeckeningen naerder ordre 
 beraemt werden, ten eynde d'afgaende Bewinthebberen, met 
 gesuyverde reeckeninge, ist doenelijck, mogen scheyden: 
 Ende sal de veranderinge van't derdendeel der Bewintheb- 
 beren, eerst geschieden ses Jaren na den negenden Junij 
 deses Jaers sestien-hondert drie-en-twintich, ende soo voorts 
 successivelijck elcke twee Jaeren conform het Octroy. 
 
 Ten elfsten, Dat niemant het Hooft-Participants recht 
 sal mogen genieten, dan die vanden beginne heeft in-ghe- 
 lecht, oft andersints twee Jaren opte Boecken bekent is, 
 voor sijn eygen reeckeninge in dese Compagnie te herideren, 
 soo veel een Bewinthebber inde respective Kameren ghe- 
 houden is te doen, volgens den Octroy, behalven dat 
 Kinderen, ende alle andere Erfgenamen, die op eenen name 
 de respective voile sommen voor hun eygen Erven, datelijck 
 nae de erffenisse ghequalificeert sullen zijn. 
 
 Ende ten twaelfsten, Indien eenige saecken voor vallen 
 daer uyt Processen souden mogen verrijsen, tot ondienste 
 vande Compagnie, sullen de Bewinthebberen in alle manieren 
 arbeyden, de selve in 't minnelijck neer te leggen (soo 
 doenelijck) indien niet, de saecken communiceren met de 
 Hooft-Participanten, om met gemeen advijs daer in gedaen 
 te worden soo als tot meesten dienst vande Compagnie 
 bevonden sal worden te behooren. 
 
 SOO IST, dat wy de voorschreve Articulen gheexami- 
 neert ende overwogen hebbende, ende tot d'eenicheyt ende 
 goede correspondentie tusschen die Bewint-hebberen ende 
 
[No. ii] Grants 139 
 
 custom in public, in the presence of the aforesaid committee 
 of the chief participants of the respective Chambers, and 
 so on regularly every six years a like general accounting; 
 but as to other accounts, further action shall be taken by 
 the Assembly of the Nineteen, to the end that the directors 
 who retire may leave no unsettled accounts if it be prac- 
 ticable. And the first change of a third part of the directors 
 shall take place six years after the ninth 18 of June this year 
 1623, and so on regularly every two years agreeable to the 
 charter. 
 
 XI. 19 That no one shall be permitted to enjoy the rights 
 of chief participants but those who subscribed at the begin- 
 ning, or else have been entered on the books for two years 
 as owning in their own name in this Company as much as 
 a director in the respective Chambers must own according 
 to the charter; except, that children and all other heirs, who 
 inherit in one name the respective full sums for themselves, 
 shall be qualified immediately after inheriting. 
 
 And, XII, if anything should happen from which law- 
 suits might arise to the disadvantage of the Company, the 
 directors shall do all in their power to settle the matter 
 amicably (if possible) ; if not, they shall communicate it 
 to the chief participants, that they may act therein with 
 mutual advice, in such manner as shall be found most to the 
 advantage of the Company. 
 
 Therefore having examined and considered the foregoing 
 articles and being desirous of promoting unity and concord 
 
 18 The copy of the Agreement in the introduction to de Laet's Historic 
 ofte Iaerlijck Verhael has the third of June this year 1623, which is evi- 
 dently the date intended. 
 
 19 Instead of this article, Hazard inserts article 11 cf the Charter of the 
 W. I. Co., which mistake is copied by O'Callaghan in History of Neiv 
 Netherland, 1 :41c 
 
140 Colonial Charters [No. ii] 
 
 Hooft-Participanten, mitsgaders tot bevorderinge vande 
 West-Indische Compagnie ghenegen wesende, hebben met 
 advijs vanden Heere Prince van Orangien, goet gevonden 
 de selve t'aggreeren, ende t'approberen, aggreeren ende 
 approberen midts desen, verstaende dat de selve by de 
 Bewinthebberen, Participanten, ende yeder een daer aen 
 ghelegen zijnde, nevens d'Articulen van 't Octroy punctue- 
 lijck sullen werden naerghekomen ende achtervolcht, ghelijck 
 of sy den Octroy waren geinsereert, Alsoo wy bevinden 't 
 selve tot dienste vande West-Indische Compagnie alsoo te 
 behooren. Ghegheven onder onsen grooten Zegel, Para- 
 phure, ende de Signature van onsen Griffier, in 's Graven- 
 Hage, den een-en-twintichsten Junij sesthien-hondert drie- 
 endetwintich. Was gheparapheert, N. van. Bouckhorst, 1 *- 
 Onder stondt, Ter Ordonnantie vande Hooch-ghemelte 
 Heeren Staten Generael. Gheteeckent, C. Aerssen. Heb- 
 bende een uythangenden Zegel in rooden Wassche, aen een 
 witte zijde koorde. 
 
[No. ii] Grants 141 
 
 between the directors and chief participants as well as the 
 advancement of the West-India Company, we have, with 
 the advice of the Prince of Orange, thought fit to agree to 
 and approve of, and do hereby agree to and approve the 
 same and demand that they with the articles of the charter 
 shall be strictly followed and observed by the directors, 
 participants and every person concerned therein, in the same 
 manner as if they were inserted in the charter; for we find 
 this to be for the best interests of the West-India Company. 
 Given under our great seal, paraph and the signature of 
 our secretary, at the Hague, the twenty-first of June, sixteen 
 hundred and twenty-three. Paraphed, N. van Bouckhorst, vt . 
 Underneath was written: By order of the aforesaid 
 Honorable Lords the States General. Subscribed, C. 
 Aerssen, having a seal pendent of red wax, on a cord of 
 white silk. 
 
142 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 No. Ill 
 CHARTER OF FREEDOMS AND EXEMPTIONS 1 
 
 June 7, 1629 
 
 Original text 
 
 Uryheden ende Exemptien voor de Patroonen / Meesters 
 ofte Particulieren / die op Nieu-Nederlandt eenighe 
 Colonien ende Vee sullen planten geconsidereert ten 
 dienst van de Generale West-Indische Compagnie in 
 Nieu-Nederlandt / ende het voordeel van de Patroonen 
 / Meesters ende Particulieren. 
 
 I. Dat de Participanten inde gemelde Compagnie / die 
 gheneghen sullen zijn in Nieu-Nederlandt eenighe Colonien 
 te planten / vermogen met de Schepen van dese Compagnie 
 derwaerts gaende / drie ofte vier persoonen te senden / 
 om de gheleghentheydt aldaer te besichtigen / midts datse 
 neffens de Officieren ende Bootsvolck den Artijcul-Brieff 
 sullen beeedighen / voor soo veel die haer aengaet. Ende 
 betalende voor Mondt-kost / Passagie van gaen ende 
 komen / ses stuyvers daeghs: Ende die inde Cajuyte soude 
 
 1 This charter is reprinted from the Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts 
 where the following footnote appears: "V. R. B. Mss 61. Printed pamphlet 
 in original paper covers, measuring 19. 3x15. 3cm; letterpress 11.9x11. 3cm. 
 The first recto is marked B3 ; the 3d, 4th and 5th are marked respectively 
 C, C2 and C3. It is apparently a separate issue of the second part of the 
 pamphlet entitled: Articulen . . . over het open ende vry stellen vanden 
 Handel ende Negotie op de Stadt Olinda de Pernambuco, ende Custen van 
 Brasil. Hier zijn achter by ghedruckt De Vryheden van Nieu-Nederlant. 
 Amst. 1631. (Asher, Bibliographical Essay, no. 332). With the exception 
 of capitalization and spelling it agrees with the text published under date 
 of March 1630 in Wassenaer, Historisch Verhael, v. 4, pt 18, £94-980, which 
 is based on that printed the same year for the West India Company. Asher 
 gives but one pamphlet of 1630 (no. 331), but his title differs slightly from 
 that given by Moulton, History of New York, pt 2, p. 389, and from the 
 facsimile title page in Fiske, Dutch and Quaker Colonies, illus. ed. I:ii7, 
 themselves different, which suggests that there were various issues in 1630. 
 In 1875, a reprint of the 1630 pamphlet in the possession of the New York 
 Historical Society was published by Geo. H. Moore, librarian of the 
 society." 
 
[No. in] Grants 143 
 
 No. Ill 
 CHARTER OF FREEDOMS AND EXEMPTIONS 2 
 
 June 7, i62g 
 
 Translation 
 
 Freedoms and Exemptions for the patroons, masters or 
 private persons who will plant any colonies in, and 
 send cattle to New Netherland, drawn up for the 
 benefit of the General West India Company in New 
 Netherland and for the profit of the patroons, masters 
 and private persons. 
 
 I. Such participants of the said Company as may be 
 inclined to plant any colonies in New Netherland shall be 
 permitted to send, in the ships of this Company going 
 thither, three or four persons to inspect the situation of 
 the country, provided that they, with the officers and ship's 
 company, swear to the Articles, 3 so far as they relate to 
 them, pay for board and passage, going and coming, six 
 
 2 The first translation of the Freedoms and Exemptions, made by Abraham 
 Lott, jr, in 1762, appeared in Moulton, History of Ne<w York, 1826, pt 2, 
 P- 389-98, and was reprinted in Dunlap, History of Neiv York, vol. 2, 
 app. H, and in N. Y. Historical Society Collections, ser. 2, 1:370-77. With 
 slight changes, the same translation has appeared in O'Callaghan's History 
 of Neiv Netherland, 1:112-20; Doc. rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 11:553-57; Laws 
 and Ordinances of New Netherland, p. 1-10; MacDonald's Select Charters, 
 p. 43-50; and Index to the Public Records of the County of Albany, 1630- 
 1894, Albany 1902, pref. p. lxiii-Ixv. The present translation by Mr. 
 A. J. F. van Laer is revised from that printed by O'Callaghan, from which 
 it will be found to differ materially. 
 
 3 Artijcul-Brieff ; probably a code of rules of similar tenor as the Articulen 
 ende Ordonnantien, ter Vergaderinge <vande Hoogh Mogende Heeren 
 Staten Generael gheresumeert ende gearresteert, Daer op aengenomen ende 
 beeedicht sullen ivorden alle de geene die hen voortaen in den dienst vande 
 geoctroyeerde West-lndische Compagnie sullen begeven, om met derselver 
 Schepen naer West-lndien, Brazil, ofte andere Limiten van't Octroy te 
 varen, passed Nov. 24, 1647, shortly after the renewal of the charter to 
 the W. I. Co. Groot Placaet Boeck, 1:625-54. 
 
144 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 versoecken te eten / twaelf stuyvers / ende hun onder- 
 werpen in cas van offensie ende defensie haer ter weere te 
 stellen / ghelijck als d'andere; Ende eenighe Schepen van 
 den Vyant veroverende / sullen oock haers portie genieten 
 Pro Rata, neffens de Bootsghesellen / yeder nae zijn 
 qualiteyt / te weten / dat de Coloniers buyten de Cajuyte 
 etende / ghereeckent sullen worden neffens de Matrossen / 
 ende die inde Cajuyte eten teghens den gheenen die aldaer 
 van's Compagnies Volck de Tafel / ende de kleynste gagie 
 heeft. 
 
 II. Doch sullen in desen geprefereert zijn soodanighe 
 Persoonen / die haer eerst sullen hebben gheopenbaert / 
 ende aen de Compagnie versocht. 
 
 B3 Ende 
 
 [folio ib] 
 
 III. Ende sullen voor Patroonen van Nieu-Nederlandt 
 erkent worden / alle soodanighe die binnen den tijdt van 
 vier Jaren / nae dat zy haer aen eenighe Camer van de 
 Compagnie alhier / ofte aen den Commandeur ofte Raden 
 aldaer / sullen verclaren / datse een Colonie van vijftigh 
 Zielen boven de vijfthien Jaren oudt zijnde / aldaer 
 aennemen te planten / een vierde part binnen's Jaers / ende 
 in drie Jaren nae de sendinghe van d'eerste / maeckende 
 t'samen vier Jaren / de resterende tot het voile ghetal van 
 vijftigh Persoonen van hier te schepen / Op pene van by 
 notoir versuym te verliesen de vercreghene Vryheden; Doch 
 sullen ghewaerschout zijn / dat de Compagnie 'tEylandt 
 van de Manhattes aen sich behoudt. 
 
 IV. Ende vander eerste uyre af/dat zy de plaetsen / 
 alwaer zy haer Colonien willen planten / hebben aenghe- 
 wesen / voor alle andere gheprefereert zijn tot den vryen 
 eyghendom van soodanige Landen alsse aldaer sullen heb- 
 
[No. in] Grants 145 
 
 stivers a day (such as desire to mess in the cabin to pay 12 
 stivers) and agree to give assistance like others, in cases 
 offensive and defensive. And if any ships be taken from 
 the enemy, they shall receive pro rata their portions with 
 the ship's company, each according to his quality, that is to 
 say, the colonists messing outside the cabin shall be rated 
 with the sailors and those messing in the cabin with those 
 of the Company's servants messing at table who receive 
 the lowest wages. 
 
 II. However, in this matter, those persons shall have 
 the preference who shall first have declared their intentions 
 and applied to the Company. 
 
 III. All such shall be acknowledged patroons of New 
 Netherland as shall agree to plant there a colony of 50 
 souls, upwards of 15 years old, within the space of four 
 years after they have given notice to any Chamber of the 
 Company here or to the commander or council there, 4 one 
 fourth part within one year and the remainder within three 
 years after the sending of the first, making together four 
 years, to the full number of 50 persons, to be shipped hence, 
 on pain, in case of wilful neglect, of being deprived of the 
 privileges obtained. But they are warned that the Com- 
 pany reserves to itself the island of the Manhattes. 
 
 IV. From the very hour they make known the situation 
 of the places where they propose to settle colonies, they 
 shall have the preference over all others to the free owner- 
 
 4 The Dutch of the first part of this article is defective. Literally trans- 
 lated, it reads: And shall be acknowledged as patroons all such who within 
 the space of four years after they shall declare themselves to any Chamber 
 of the Company here or to the commander or council there that they agree 
 to plant there a colony of 50 souls, upwards of 15 years old. 
 
146 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 ben verkoren; Doch deselve plaetse haer naderhant niet 
 ghevallende / ofte in 't kiesen van den gront bedroghen 
 zijnde / sullen deselve nae voorgaende Remonstrantie aen 
 den Commandeur ende Raet aldaer / een ander ghele- 
 gentheyt mogen uytkiesen. 
 
 V. Ende sullen de Patroonen door haer Volmachtig- 
 heden / ter plaetse daer zy haer Colonien willen planten / 
 haer Limiten moghen extenderen vier mijlen langhs de 
 Cust / ofte een syde van een 5 Navigable Riviere / ofte 
 twee mijlen langhs beyde de zijden van eene Riviere / ende 
 soo diep Landtwaerts in als de gheleghentheyt vande Occu- 
 pateurs toelaten sal. Welverstaende dat de Compagnie 
 den eygendom aen haer behoudt van de Landen / die 
 tusschen de Limiten van de Colonien blijven legghen / om 
 daer van in tijdt ende wijle te disponeren nae haer wel- 
 ghevallen / sonder dat yemandt anders op seven of acht 
 mijlen haer sal moghen naerderen teghens haren danck: 
 Ten ware de ghelegentheyt van het Landt daer on — 
 
 trent 
 [folio 2] 
 trent sulcks waer / dat den Commandeur endt Raedt op 
 goede redenen anders ordonneerden; Altoos acht nemende 
 / dat d'eerste Occupateurs in haers vercreghen Recht niet 
 geprejudiceert en worden / dan voor soo veel als den 
 dienst van de Compagnie soude moghen vereyschen / het 
 zy om aldaer Fortificatien te bouwen / ofte yets dierghe- 
 lijcke / blijvende (buyten dat) het commandement op 
 elcke Baeye / Reviere ofte Eylandt / aen de eerst-komende 
 Colonie / onder de Hooghe Jurisdictie van de Hoogh 
 [Mogende] Heeren Staten Generael ende Compagnie; 
 Midts dat de naest-komende Colonien op deselve Rivier 
 ofte Eylandt/ sullen vermoghen een ofte meer Raden / 
 neffens den selven te stellen / om met ghemeen advijs den 
 oirbar van de Colonien op die Rivier ofte Eylandt te 
 versorghen. 
 
 5 The words syde van een are not found in the text of the pamphlet here 
 reprinted but were written in the margin. They occur as part of the printed 
 text in Wassenaer, Historisch Verhael, v. 4, pt 18, f. 95. 
 
[No. in] Grants 147 
 
 ship of such lands as they shall have chosen : but in case the 
 location should afterwards not please them or they should 
 find themselves deceived in the selection of the land, they 
 may, after memorializing the commander and council there, 
 choose another place. 
 
 V. The patroons, by their agents, may, at the place 
 where they wish to settle their colonies, [fix] their limits 
 [so that the colony shall] extend four leagues along the 
 coast or one side of a navigable river, or two leagues along 
 both sides of a river, and as far inland as the situation of 
 the occupants will permit; with the understanding that the 
 Company retains for itself the ownership of the lands lying 
 and remaining between the limits of the colonies, to dispose 
 thereof when and at such time as it shall think proper, but 
 no one else shall be allowed to come within seven or eight 
 leagues of them without their consent unless the situation 
 of the land thereabout be such that the commander and 
 council for good reasons shall order otherwise; always 
 observing that the first occupants are not to be prejudiced 
 in the right they have obtained, except in so far as the 
 service of the Company should require it, either for the 
 building of fortifications or something of that sort, and 
 that (outside of this) the [patroon of the] first settled 
 colony shall retain the command of each bay, river or island, 
 under the supreme jurisdiction of their High Mightinesses 
 the States General and the Company; but the later colonies 
 on the same river or island may appoint one or more 
 councilors to assist him, that in consultation they may look 
 after the interests of the colonies on the river or island. 
 
148 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 VI. Ende alle het Landt binnen de voorsz. Limiten 
 gheleghen / midtsgaders de Vruchten / Supersitien / 
 Mineralen / Rivieren ende Fonteynen van dien voor altoos 
 in Eyghendom te besitten: Ende de Hooghe / middele 
 ende laghe Jurisdictie / Visscheryen / Voghelryen ende 
 Maleryen / met exclusie van alle andere / te houden van 
 de Compagnie tot een onversterflijck Erff-Leen / te Ver- 
 heer-ghewaden alst versterft met twintigh Guldens par 
 Colonie aen dese Compagnie binnen een Jaer ende ses 
 Weecken / aen de Cameren alhier / ofte den Commandeur 
 aldaer / een yeder ter Camere daer hy oorspronckelijck van 
 daen is gevaren. Des nochtans dat de Visscherye ende 
 Vogelrye by niemandt anders dan de Patroonen / ende die 
 zy-luyden dat sullen toestaen / sullen werden ghepleeght: 
 Ende soo yemandt metter tijdt in zijn Colonie soo veel 
 quame te prospereren / dat hy een oft meer Steden soude 
 moghen fonderen / sal den selven d'authoriteyt hebben / 
 om aldaer Offitien ende Magistraten te stellen / ende Tijtel 
 van zijn Colonie moghen ghebruycken / nae believen ende 
 qualiteyt der Persoonen. 
 
 Sal 
 [folio 2b] 
 
 VII. Sal mede aen alle Patroonen / die sulcks ver- 
 soecken / vergundt worden Venia Testandi, ofte Octroy / 
 om van de voorsz Leen-Goederen by Testament te moghen 
 disponeren. 
 
 VIII. De Patroonen sullen mede alle na gelegene 
 Landen / Rivieren ende Bosschagien tot haren oirbaer 
 moghen ghebruycken / ter tijdt ende wijle deselve by dese 
 Compagnie / andere Patroonen ofte Particulieren worden 
 aengheveert. 
 
 IX. Die dese Colonien sullen oversenden / sullen deselve 
 voorsien met behoorlijcke Instructie / om conform de 
 maniere van Regieringhe / soo in Politie / als Justitie / by 
 
[No. in] Grants 149 
 
 VI. They shall forever own and possess and hold from 
 the Company as a perpetual fief of inheritance, all the land 
 lying within the aforesaid limits, together with the fruits, 
 plants, minerals, rivers and springs thereof, and the high, 
 middle and low jurisdiction, rights of fishing, fowling and 
 grinding, to the exclusion of all others, said fief to be 
 renewed in case of demise by doing homage to the Company 
 and paying 20 guilders per colony within a year and six 
 weeks, either to the Chambers here or to the commander 
 there, each to the Chamber whence the colony was originally 
 sent out; however no fishing or fowling shall be carried on 
 by any one but the patroons and such as they shall permit. 
 And in case any one should in time prosper so much as to 
 found one or more cities, he shall have authority to 
 appoint officers and magistrates there and to use such titles 
 in his colony as he sees fit according to the quality of the 
 persons. 
 
 VII. There shall likewise be granted to all patroons who 
 shall desire the same, Venia Testandi, or liberty to dispose 
 of the aforesaid fiefs by will. 
 
 VIII. The patroons may also to their profit use all 
 lands, rivers and woods lying contiguous to them, until 
 such time as they are taken possession of by this Company, 
 other patroons, or private persons. 
 
 IX. Those who shall send over these colonies, shall 
 furnish them with proper instructions in order that they 
 may be ruled and governed conformably to the rule of gov- 
 
150 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 de Vergaderinghe van de Neghenthiene beraemt ofte noch 
 te beramen / gheregeert ende ghestiert te worden / welcke 
 zy al vooren de Bewinthebberen van de Respective Cameren 
 sullen verthoonen. 
 
 X. De Patroonen ende Coloniers sullen vermogen alle 
 haer Volck ende Goederen derwaerts te senden in de 
 Schepen vande Comp e . mits den Eedt doende / ende 
 betalende aende Comp e . voor 'toverbrenge van't Vole als in't 
 eerste Artijcule; ende voor Vracht vande Goederen vijf par 
 Cento contant van 'tgene deselve Goederen hier ghekost 
 hebben: Sonder nochtans hier onder te begrijpen het 
 Bestiael ende andere Gereetschappen tot de Landtbouwe 
 dienende / die de Compagnie voor niet sal overvoeren / 
 als zy plaets in hare Schepen heeft / midts dat de Patroonen 
 de plaetse daer toe approprieren op haer eyghen costen / 
 ende alles provideren / dat tot onderhoudt vant Bestiael 
 noodigh is. 
 
 XI. Maer in ghevalle het de Compagnie niet gheleghen 
 en quame eenighe Schepen te senden / ofte dat in de gaende 
 Schepen gheen plaets en ware / soo sullen in sulcken 
 ghevalle de Patroonen vermoghen / nae voorgaende com- 
 municatie 
 
 van 
 [folio 3] 
 van hare intentie / ende schriftelijck consent daer over 
 vercreghen van de Compagnie / selver Schepen of Jachten 
 derwaerts te senden / mits datse in't gaen of keeren niet 
 en sullen vermoghen te loopen buyten haer ordinarie Vaer- 
 water / ende de Compagnie daer vooren caveren / ende 
 een Adsistent opnemen tot mondt-costen van de Patroonen 
 / ende Maentgelden van de Compagnie. Op pene datse 
 ter contrarie doende / alle haer vercreghen Recht ende 
 Eygenschap tot de Colonie sullen verliesen. 
 
 XII. Ende alsoo d'intentie van de Compagnie is het 
 Eylandt van de Manhattes, voor eerst te populeren / sal 
 
[No. in] Grants 151 
 
 ernment, both as to administration and justice, made, or to 
 be made by the Assembly of the Nineteen, which [instruc- 
 tions] they must first lay before the directors of the respec- 
 tive Chambers. 
 
 X. The patroons and colonists shall be privileged to send 
 all their people and effects thither, in ships belonging to 
 the Company, provided they take the oath and pay the 
 Company for bringing over the people according to the 
 first article, and for freight of the goods five per cent cash 
 of the cost of the goods here; without including herein, 
 however, cattle and agricultural implements, which the Com- 
 pany is to carry over free, if there is room in its ships, pro- 
 vided that the patroons, at their own expense, fit up places 
 for the cattle and furnish everything necessary for their 
 support. 
 
 XI. In case it should not suit the Company to send any 
 ships, or there should be no room in the ships sailing thither, 
 then the said patroons, after having communicated their 
 intentions and obtained consent from the Company in 
 writing, may send their own ships or yachts thither, pro- 
 vided that, going and coming, they depart not from their 
 ordinary course, give security to the Company for the same 
 and take on board an assistant 6 at the expense of the 
 patroons as to his board and of the Company as to his 
 monthly wages, on pain, if doing contrary hereto, of forfeit- 
 ing all right and title they have obtained to the colony. 
 
 XII. Inasmuch as it is the intention of the Company to 
 people the island of the Manhattes first, this island shall 
 
 6 A supercargo; see art. XXIII. 
 
152 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 aldaer provisionelijck oock zijn de stapel van alle Vruchten 
 ende Waren / die op de Noort-Rivier ende Landen daer 
 ontrent vallen / eerse vorder versonden sullen moghen 
 worden: Wtghenomen die uyt der natuyren / selfs daer 
 niet nut zijnde / ofte niet als met grooten ondienst van 
 de Eyghenaers daer ghebracht souden moeten worden. In 
 welcken ghevalle de Eygenaers van dien ghehouden sullen 
 zijn soodanighe ongelegentheyt aen de Compagnie alhier / 
 ofte den Commandeur ende Raden aldaer / tijdelijck by 
 gheschrifte te remonstreren / om daer in voorsien te 
 werden /als na gheleghentheyt van saecken bevonden sal 
 werden te behooren. 
 
 XIII. Alle Patroonen vande Colonien in Nieu-Neder- 
 landt / mitsgaders Colonien op het Eylant van de Man- 
 hattes woonende / sullen vermoghen te bevaren ende te 
 behandelen die gantsche Cust van Florida tot Terra-Neuf 
 toe / midts met alle hare gehandelde goederen voor eerst 
 wederom op 'tEylandt van de Manhattes keerende / en 
 betalende vijf ten hondert voor recognitie aen de Com- 
 pagnie / om soo't mogelijc is / van daer / na behoorlijcke 
 Inventarisatie van alle ingeladen goederen / na dese Landen 
 ghesonden te worden. Ende oft gebeurde dat sulcks niet 
 en konde gheschieden / 'tzy door contrarie Stroomen oft 
 andersints / in sulcken gevalle sullen deselve goederen 
 nergens elders mogen gebracht worden / als alhier te 
 Lande / 
 
 C om 
 
 [folio 3b] 
 om met kennisse vande Bewinthebberen / ter plaetse daer 
 zy arriveren sullen / ghelost ende gheinventarieert / ende 
 de voorsz recognitie van vijf ten hondert / hier te Lande 
 aende Compagnie betaelt te worden / op verbeurte van hare 
 gehandelde Goederen / ofte de rechte waerde / indien zy 
 ter contrarie deden. 
 
 XIV. In cas dat de Schepen van de Patroonen / in't 
 gaen ofte komen / ofte in't bevaren van de Custe van 
 
[No. in] Grants 153 
 
 provisionally also be the staple port for all products and 
 wares that are found on the North River and lands there- 
 abouts, before they are allowed to be sent elsewhere, 
 excepting such as are, from their nature, unnecessary there 
 and such as can not without great loss to their owners be 
 brought there; in this case the owners thereof must give 
 timely notice in writing of the difficulty attending the same 
 to the Company here, or the commander and council there, 
 that such measures may be taken as the situation of affairs 
 shall be found to require. 
 
 XIII. All the patroons of colonies in New Netherland 
 and colonists living on the island of the Manhattes shall 
 be at liberty to sail and traffic along the entire coast from 
 Florida to Terra Neuf, provided that they do first return 
 with all such goods as they shall get in trade to the island 
 of the Manhattes and pay five per cent duty to the Com- 
 pany, in order that if possible, after proper inventory of 
 the goods in the ship, the same may thence be sent hither. 
 And if it should so happen that they could not return, 
 whether from contrary currents or otherwise, the said goods 
 may be brought nowhere but to this country, in order that 
 they may be unladen and inventoried with the knowledge of 
 the directors at the place where they may arrive and the 
 aforesaid duty of five per cent paid to the Company here, 
 on pain, if they do otherwise, of forfeiture of their goods 
 obtained, or the true value thereof. 
 
 XIV. In case the ships of the patroons, in going or 
 coming or in sailing along the coast from Florida to Terra 
 
154 Colonial Charters [No. ni] 
 
 Florida tot Terra-Neuf, ende verder niet / binnen ons 
 Octroy / eenighe Prinsen van den Vyandt quamen te 
 veroveren / sullen gehouden zijn deselve te brenghen ofte 
 doen brenghen / aen de Camer ter plaetse daer zy uytghe- 
 varen zijn / om by Haer E. gebeneficeert te worden: Ende 
 sal de Compagnie het derde-part daer van behouden / 
 blijvende de andere twee derde-parten voor haer tegens 
 haer gedane kosten ende Risico, alles op de ordre van de 
 Compagnie. 
 
 XV. Sal oock de ghemelte Patroonen vry staen / al-omme 
 op de Custe van Nieu-Nederlandt ende Circumjacentien 
 van dien / te verhandelen hare Goederen aldaer ghecon- 
 questeert / voor allerhande soorten van Coopmanschappen 
 aldaer vallende / uytghesondert Bevers / Otters / Mincken 
 ende alderhande Pelterijen / welcke handelinghe de Com- 
 pagnie alleen voor haer reserveert: Doch werdt het selfde 
 toeghestaen te moghen gheschieden daer de Compagnie 
 gheen Commissie en heeft midts dat soodanighe Hande- 
 laers ghehouden sullen zijn / alle de Pelterijen die zy sullen 
 konnen becomen / te brenghen op't Eylandt van de Man- 
 hattes, soo't eenichsins moghelijck is / ende die aldaer te 
 leveren aen den Directeur / om by hem met de Schepen 
 ende Goederen herwaerts aen ghesonden te werden / ofte 
 alhier te Lande komende sonder 'tselve ghedaen te hebben / 
 die te lossen met kennisse vande Compagnie onder behoor- 
 lijcken Inventaris / om by haer betaelt te werden aen de 
 Compagnie een Gulden van yeder leverbaer Vel / Otter 
 ende Bever / blijvende den inkoop Risico 
 
 ende 
 [folio 4] 
 ende alle andere onconsten tot laste van de Patroonen ofte 
 Eyghenaers. 
 
 XVI. Alle grove Waren die de Coloniers vande Pa- 
 troonen aldaer sullen hebben gheconquesteert / 'tzy Peck / 
 Teer / Weedasch / Hout / Granen / Visch / Zoudt / Hart- 
 steen ofte diergelijcke / sullen met de Schepen van de Com- 
 
[No. in] Grants 155 
 
 Neuf and no further, within [the limits of] our charter 
 should conquer any prizes from the enemy, they must bring 
 them, or cause them to be brought, to the Chamber of the 
 place from which they sailed in order that their honors may 
 have the benefit thereof; the Company shall keep the one 
 third part thereof and the remaining two thirds shall belong 
 to them in consideration of the expense and risk at which 
 they have been, all according to the orders of the Company. 
 
 XV. It shall also be permitted the aforesaid patroons, 
 all along the coast of New Netherland and places circum- 
 jacent, to trade their goods, products of that country, for 
 all sorts of merchandise that may be had there, except 
 beavers, otters, minks and all sorts of peltry, which trade 
 alone the Company reserves to itself. But permission for 
 even this trade is granted at places where the Company 
 has no agent, on the condition that such traders must bring 
 all the peltry they may be able to secure to the island of the 
 Manhattes, if it is in any way practicable, and there deliver 
 them to the director, to be by him sent hither with the ships 
 and goods; or, if they should come here without having 
 done so, then to unload them with due notice to the Com- 
 pany and proper inventory, that they may pay to the Com- 
 pany one guilder for each merchantable beaver and otter 
 skin; the cost, insurance and all other expenses to remain 
 at the charge of the patroons or owners. 
 
 XVI. All raw materials which the colonists of the 
 patroons shall have obtained there, such as pitch, tar, 
 potash, timber, grain, fish, salt, limestone and the like, shall 
 be conveyed in the Company's ships at the rate of 18 
 
156 Colonial Charters [No. ui] 
 
 pagnie overgebracht werden teghens achthien Guldens par 
 Last / vier duysent voor een Last gherekent / midts dat 
 het Bootsvolck van de Compagnie het Zoudt sullen 
 gehouden zijn te kruyen ende aenboort te brenghen / waer 
 van de thien Lasten een hondert maecken. Ende by ghe- 
 breck van Schepen / ofte plaetse inde Schepen / vermoghen 
 'tselve met hun eyghen Schepen te doen overcomen op hare 
 costen : Ende ghenieten hier te Lande alsulcke Vryheden 
 ende Benefitien / als de Compagnie vergunt is / mits in 
 beyde ghevallen betalende / boven de recognitie van vijf 
 ten hondert / achthien guldens van yeder hondert Zouts / 
 dat met de Schepen vande Compagnie overghebracht wort. 
 
 XVII. Ende alle Waren die int voorgaende Articule niet 
 gementioneert en zijn / ende gheen Last-waren en zijn / 
 daer van sal voor Vracht betaelt worden een Daelder voor 
 elck hondert ponden Gewichts / ende de Wijnen / Brande- 
 wijnen / Verjuys ende Azijnen sullen betalen par Vat 
 achthien guldens. 
 
 XVIII. De Compagnie belooft de Coloniers van de 
 Patroonen / inden tijdt van thien Jaren niet te beswaren 
 met Convoy / Tol / Accijs / Imposten / ofte eenighe 
 andere Contributien: Ende na d'expiratie van de selve 
 thien jaren / ten hooghsten met sulcken Convoy als de 
 Goederen hier te Lande teghenwoordigh beswaert zijn. 
 
 XIX. Dat zy oock gene Coloniers van de Patroonen / 
 Man ofte Vrou / Soon ofte Dochter / Dienst knecht ofte 
 Dienstmaecht / sullen uyt haren dienst onttrecken: Ende 
 schoon ye- 
 
 C2 mant 
 
 [folio 4b] 
 mant alsulcks begeerde / datse den selven niet en sullen 
 aennemen / veel min gedooghen dat zy van hare Patroonen 
 in eens anders dienst souden overloopen / als nae voor- 
 gaende schriftelijcke bewilliginghe van hare Patroonen. 
 Ende dit geduyrende den tijdt van sulcke Jaren als zy aen 
 hare Patroonen verbonden zijn / na welcker expiratie het 
 
[No. in] Grants 157 
 
 guilders per last, four thousand weight to be accounted a 
 last, and the Company's ship's crew shall be obliged to 
 wheel and bring the salt on board, whereof 10 lasts make 
 a hundred. 7 And, in case of lack of ships or of room in the 
 ships, they may send it over in their own ships at their own 
 cost and enjoy in this country such freedoms and benefits as 
 have been granted to the Company; but in either case they 
 must pay, over and above the duty of five per cent, 18 
 guilders for each hundred of salt that is carried over in the 
 Company's ships. 
 
 XVII. For all goods not mentioned in the foregoing 
 article and which are not carried by the last there shall be 
 paid for freight one daelder for each hundred pounds 
 weight; and for wines, brandies, verjuice and vinegar, there 
 shall be paid 18 guilders per cask. 
 
 XVIII. The Company promises the colonists of the 
 patroons not to lay any duties, tolls, excise, imposts or any 
 other contributions upon them for the space of 10 years; 
 and after the expiration of the said 10 years, at the highest, 
 such dues [only] as the goods pay here at present. 
 
 XIX. They will not take from the service of the patroons 
 any of their colonists, either man or woman, son or daughter, 
 manservant or maidservant; and, though any of these should 
 desire it they will not receive them, much less permit them 
 to leave their patroons and enter into the service of another, 
 except on written consent obtained previously from their 
 patroons and this for and during so many years as they are 
 bound to their patroons; after the expiration whereof, the 
 
 7 Hundred; an old measure for coarse salt, equal to 248 hectoliters, about 
 704 bushels. 
 
158 Colonial Charters [No. m] 
 
 de Patroonen vry sal staen de Coloniers / die in haren 
 dienst niet willen continueren / hier te doen brengen / ende 
 dan eerst in hare vryheyt te stellen. Ende so wat Colonier 
 aen een ander Patroon overloopt / ofte buyten zijn Contract 
 hem in vryheyt sal begeven / den selven beloven wy / na 
 vermoghen / te doen leveren in handen van zijnen Patroon 
 ofte Commijs / om aldaer na gelegentheyt van saken 
 teghens hem gheprocedeert te worden / na Coustume deser 
 Landen. 
 
 XX. Alle Vonnissen by de Gerechten van de Patroonen 
 gewesen / monterende boven de somme van vijftigh 
 Guldens / daer van sal Appel vallen aen den Commandeur 
 ende Raden van de Compagnie in Nieu-Nederlandt. 
 
 XXL Ende belanghende de particuliere Persoonen / die 
 voor haer selfs ofte anderen / die in dienst van haer 
 Meesters hier te Lande in minder ghetal / als de Patroonen 
 / derwaerts als vrye Luyden sullen gaen woonen / sullen 
 met goet vinden van den Directeur ende Raedt aldaer / soo 
 veel Landts vermogen te kiesen ende aenveerden / als zy 
 bequamelijck sullen konnen bearbeyden / ende 'tselve in 
 vollen eygendom behouden / voor haer oft voor haer 
 Meesters. 
 
 XXII. Oock vermogen te vangen met de vrye Jacht / so 
 te Water / als te Lande / generalijck inde publijcke 
 Bosschen ende Riviren / ende privative / in't Resort van 
 hare Colonien / na d'ordre van den Directeur ende Raedt. 
 
 XXIII. Soo wie 'tzy Coloniers van de Patroonen voor 
 haer Patroonen / ofte vrye Luyden / voor haer selven / 
 ofte andere parti- 
 culiere 
 
 [folio 5] 
 culiere voor hare Meesters / vinden bequame Stranden / 
 Baeyen / ofte andere ghelegentheyt tot Visscheryen / ofte 
 om aldaer Zout-Pannen te maken / vermoghen 'tselfde te 
 aenveerden ende te bearbeyden in vollen eyghendom / met 
 exclusie van alle anderen. Werdt de Patroonen van de 
 Coloniers 00c Schepen toegestaen te senden langs de Custe 
 
[No. in] Grants 159 
 
 patroons shall be at liberty to bring hither such colonists 
 as will not continue in their service and then only to set 
 them free. And if any colonist runs away to another 
 patroon, or, contrary to his contract, leaves his service, we 
 promise to do everything in our power to deliver the same 
 into the hands of his patroon or commis that he may be 
 prosecuted there according to the customs of this country, 
 as occasion may require. 
 
 XX. From all judgments given by the courts of the 
 patroons above 50 guilders, there shall be appeal to the 
 Company's commander and council in New Netherland. 
 
 XXI. And as to private persons who on their own 
 account, or others who in the service of their masters here 
 in this country shall go thither and settle as freemen in 
 smaller numbers than the patroons, 8 they may with the 
 approbation of the director and council there, choose and 
 take possession of as much land as they can properly culti- 
 vate and hold the same in full ownership either for them- 
 selves or for their masters. 
 
 XXII. They shall also have rights of hunting, as well by 
 water as by land, in common with others in public woods 
 and rivers and exclusively within the limits of their colonies, 
 according to the orders of the director and council. 
 
 XXIII. Whosoever, whether colonists of the patroons 
 for their patroons, or free men for themselves, or other 
 private persons for their masters, shall find any shores, bays 
 or other places suitable for fisheries or the making of salt 
 pans may take possession thereof and work them as their 
 own absolute property to the exclusion of all others. The 
 patroons of colonists are granted permission also to send 
 
 8 Smaller number than that required of a patroon by art. III. 
 
160 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 van Nieu-Nederlant op de Visscherye van de Cabeljauw / 
 ende met de Vanghst te gaen adroicture na Italien ofte 
 andere Neutrale Landen; midts in sulcken ghevalle aen de 
 Compagnie voor recognitie te betalen ses guldens par Last: 
 Ende hier te Lande comende met hare Ladinghe / vry 
 zijn / sonder onder pretext van dit consent / ofte van de 
 Compagnie / eenighe andere Waren na Italien te voeren / 
 op arbitrale straffe / blijvende in't believen van de Com- 
 pagnie een Sobra Cargo op elck Schip te stellen / als in't 
 elfste Artijcul. 
 
 XXIV. Ende indien yemant van dese Coloniers / door 
 zijn industrie ende naersticheyt / quame te ontdecken eenige 
 Mineralen / costelijcke Gesteenten / Cristallen / Mar- 
 moren ofte yets diergelijcke / oock eenighe Visscheryen 
 van Peerlen / sullen de selve de Patroon ofte Patroonen 
 van alsulcke Colonie eygen blijven; midts de Vinder 
 toelegghende voor een premie sulcx als de Patroon alvoren 
 met zijn Colonien sal stipuleren by Contract. Ende sullen 
 de Patroonen vry zijn van alle recognitie aen de Com- 
 pagnie den tijdt van acht Jaren / ende alleen voor 'tover- 
 brenghen betalen twee ten hondert / ende nae de voor- 
 schreven acht Jaren voor recognitie ende vracht / een 
 achtste part van 'tghene het hier te Lande waerdigh is. 
 
 XXV. De Compagnie sal alle Coloniers / soo vrye / als 
 dienstbare nemen in hare Sauvegarde / ende deselve teghens 
 alle Inlandtsche ende Wtlandtsche Oorloghe ende gheweldt 
 / met de macht die zy aldaer heeft / helpen defenderen / 
 soo veel moghelijck zijn sal. 
 
 C3 Soo 
 
 [folio 5 b] 
 
 XXVI. Soo wie eenighe Colonien sullen planten buyten 
 'tResort van Manhattes Eylandt / sullen ghehouden wesen 
 de Wilde van die plaetse voor de grondt te contenteren / 
 ende de Limiten van hare Colonien moghen vergrooten / 
 midts na advenant Coloniers daer plantende. 
 
 XXVII. Sullen haer oock de Patroonen ende Coloniers / 
 insonderheydt evertueren / om op't spoedighste eenighe 
 middelen onder haer te vinden / waer mede zy den Predi- 
 
[No. in] Grants 161 
 
 ships along the coast of New Netherland on the cod fishery, 
 and with the catch to go directly to Italy or other neutral 
 countries, provided they pay to the Company in such cases 
 a duty of six guilders per last; and if they come to this 
 country with their lading, they shall be free, but they shall 
 not, under pretext of this consent or [leave] from the Com- 
 pany, carry any other goods to Italy on pain of peremptory 
 punishment, it remaining at the option of the Company to 
 put a supercargo on board each ship as in the eleventh 
 article. 
 
 XXIV. In case any of the colonists, by his industry and 
 diligence should discover any minerals, precious stones, 
 crystals, marbles or the like, or any pearl fishery, the same 
 shall be and remain the property of the patroon or 
 patroons of such colony, provided the discoverer be given 
 such premium as the patroon shall beforehand stipulate 
 with his colonists by contract. And the patroons shall be 
 exempt from the payment of any duty to the Company for 
 the term of eight years, and for freight merely shall pay 
 two per cent; and after the aforesaid eight years, for duty 
 and freight, one eighth part of what the same may be worth 
 in this country. 
 
 XXV. The Company will take all the colonists, free men 
 as well as those that are in service, under its protection and 
 help to defend them against all domestic and foreign attacks 
 and violence, with the forces it has there, as much as lies 
 in its power. 
 
 XXVI. Whosoever shall settle any colonies out of the 
 limits of Manhattes Island must satisfy the Indians of that 
 place for the land and may enlarge the limits of their 
 colonies if they settle a proportionate number of colonists 
 thereon. 
 
 XXVII. The patroons and colonists shall in particular 
 endeavor as quickly as possible to find some means whereby 
 
162 Colonial Charters [No. in] 
 
 cant ende Schoolmeester sullen mogen onderhouden / op 
 dat de Godsdienst ende yver tot de Religie in haer niet en 
 verflaeuwe / ende voor 'teerste derwaerts een Siecke- 
 Trooster versorghen. 
 
 XXVIII. De Colonien die op de respective Rievieren 
 ofte Eylanden sullen comen te legghen / sullen vermoghen 
 (te weten / elcke Rieviere ofte Eylandt voor sich) een 
 Gecommitteerde uyt te maecken / die den Commandeur 
 ende Raedt van dat Gheweste sal informeren / ende zijns 
 Colonies saecken by den Raedt bevorderen; Van welcke 
 Gecommitteerde alle twee Jaren een sal verandert worden / 
 ende alle de Colonien sullen ghehouden zijn / ten minsten 
 alle twaelf Maenden / pertinent rapport van haer Colonie 
 ende Landen daer ontrent / aen den Commandeur ende 
 Raedt aldaer over te senden. 
 
 XXIX. De Coloniers sullen niet vermoghen aldaer 
 eenighe Wollen / Linnen ofte Cattoene Lakenen te 
 maecken / ofte eenighe andere stoffen te Weven; op pene 
 van uytghestooten ende als meyneedigh arbitralijck ghe- 
 straft te worden. 
 
 XXX. Sal de Compagnie haer evertueren / on aen de 
 Coloniers soo veel Swarten toe te stellen / als haer 
 moghelijck wesen / sal / op de ordre daer van te maecken: 
 sonder nochtans daer in ghehouden of verbonden te zijn / 
 verder of langer als haer sulcx soude moghen ghelieven. 
 
 De 
 [folio 6] 
 
 XXXI. De Compagnie belooft 't Fort op 'tEylandt van 
 de Manhattes, op het spoedighste te doen voltrecken in 
 behoorlijcke defensie. Ende dese Vryheyden ende Exemp- 
 tien by hare Hoogh-Mogh. de Heeren Staten Generael te 
 doen approberen ende confirmeren. 10 
 
 FINIS. 
 t'AMSTELREDAM, 
 
 Gedruckt by Theunis Jacobsz. Anno 1631. 
 
 9 Read : een Predicant. 
 
 10 Note in manuscript: 1.7. Juny 1629 gearresteert. 
 
[No. in] Grants 163 
 
 they may support a minister and a schoolmaster, that thus 
 the service of God and zeal for religion may not grow cool 
 and be neglected among them, and they shall for the first, 
 procure a comforter of the sick there. 
 
 XXVIII. The colonies that shall be established on the 
 respective rivers or islands (that is to say, each river or 
 island for itself), may appoint an agent, who shall give the 
 commander and council information about that district and 
 further matters before the council relating to his colony; 
 of which agents one shall be changed every two years; and 
 all colonies must, at least once in every 12 months, send an 
 exact report of their colony and of the lands thereabout to 
 the commander and council there. 
 
 XXIX. The colonists shall not be permitted to make any 
 woolen, linen or cotton cloth, nor to weave any other stuffs 
 there, on pain of being banished and peremptorily punished 
 as oath breakers. 
 
 XXX. The Company will endeavor to supply the colon- 
 ists with as many blacks as it possibly can, on the conditions 
 hereafter to be made, without however being bound to do 
 so to a greater extent or for a longer time than it shall see 
 fit. 
 
 XXXI. The Company promises to finish the fort on the 
 island of the Manhattes, and to put it in a posture of defense 
 without delay. And to have these Freedoms and Exemp- 
 tions approved and confirmed by their High Mightinesses 
 the Lords States General. 11 
 
 FINIS. 
 AT AMSTELREDAM. 
 
 Printed by Theunis Jacobsz. Anno 1631. 
 
 11 Note in manuscript: Passed June 7, 1629. 
 
164 Colonial Charters [No. iv] 
 
 No. IV 
 
 FREEDOMS AND EXEMPTIONS FOR NEW 
 NETHERLAND. 1640 1 
 
 FREEDOMS and EXEMPTIONS granted and 
 accorded by the Directors of the General Incor- 
 porated West India Company at the Assembly 
 of the XIX., with the approbation of the High 
 and Mighty Lords States General of the free 
 United Netherlands, to all Patroons, Masters, 
 or Private persons who will plant any Colonies 
 or introduce cattle in New Netherland. 
 Exhibited 19 th July, 1640. 
 
 All good inhabitants of the Netherlands and all others 
 inclined to plant any Colonies in New Netherland shall be 
 at liberty to send three or four persons in the Company's 
 ships going thither, to examine the circumstances there, on 
 condition that they swear to the articles, as well as the 
 officers and seamen, as far as they relate to them, and pay 
 for board and passage out and home, to wit, those who 
 eat in the master's cabin, fifteen stivers per day, and those 
 who go and eat in the orlop, shall have their board and 
 passage gratis, and in case of an attack, offensive or defen- 
 sive, they shall be obliged to lend a hand with the others, 
 on condition of receiving, should any of the enemy's ships 
 be overcome, their share of the booty pro rata, each accord- 
 ing to his quality, to wit — the Colonists eating out of the 
 Cabin shall be rated with the seamen, and those eating in 
 the cabin with the Company's servants who board there and 
 have the lowest rate of pay. 
 
 In the selection of lands, those who shall have first 
 notified and presented themselves to the Company, whether 
 
 1 This document was translated by E. B. O'Callaghan and printed in 
 N. Y. Col. Docs., I:ii9, from which the present copy is reproduced. The 
 original was in the Royal Archives at the Hague, file: West Indie. 
 
[No. iv] Grants 165 
 
 Patroons or private Colonists, shall be preferred to others 
 who may follow. 
 
 In case any one be deceived in selecting ground, or should 
 the place by him chosen afterwards not please him, he will, 
 upon previous representation to the Governor and Council 
 then be at liberty to select another situation. 
 
 For Patroons and Feudatories of New Netherland, shall 
 be acknowledged all such as shall ship hence, and plant there 
 a Colonie of fifty souls, above fifteen years of age, within 
 the space of three years after having made a declaration 
 and given notice thereof, to some Chamber of the Com- 
 pany here or to the Governor or Council there; namely, 
 one-third part within the year, and so forth, from year to 
 year, until the number be completed; on pain of losing, 
 through notorious neglect, the obtained Freedoms and 
 cattle. But they shall be warned that the Company reserves 
 the Island Manhattes to itself. 
 
 All Patroons and Feudatories shall, on requesting it, be 
 granted Venla Testandi, or the power to dispose of, or 
 bequeath, his fief by Will. 
 
 For Masters or Colonists, shall be acknowledged, those 
 who will remove to New Netherland with five souls above 
 fifteen years; to all such, our Governor there shall grant 
 in property one hundred morgens, Rhineland measure, of 
 land, contiguous one to the other, wherever they please to 
 select. 
 
 And the Patroons, of themselves or by their agents, at 
 the places where they will plant their Colonies, shall have 
 the privilege to extend the latter one mile (consisting of, or 
 estimated at, 1600 Rhineland perches) along the coast, bay, 
 or a navigable river, and two contiguous miles landward in; 
 it being well understood, that no two Patroonships shall 
 be selected on both sides of a river or bay, right opposite 
 to each other; and that the Company retains to itself the 
 property of the lands lying between the limits of the 
 Colonies, to dispose thereof hereafter according to its 
 
J 66 Colonial Charters [No. iv] 
 
 pleasure; and that the Patroons and Colonists shall be 
 obliged to give each other an outlet and issue, (uytteweeghen 
 ende nyttewateren) at the nearest place and at the smallest 
 expense; and in case of disagreement, it shall be settled in 
 the presence and by the decision of the Governor for the 
 time being. 
 
 The Patroons shall forever possess all the lands situate 
 within their limits, together with the produce, superficies, 
 minerals, rivers and fountains thereof, with high, low and 
 middle jurisdiction, hunting, fishing, fowling and milling, 
 the lands remaining allodial, but the jurisdiction as of a 
 perpetual hereditary fief, devolvable by death as well to 
 females as to males, and fealty and homage for which is to 
 be rendered to the Company, on each of such occasions, 
 with a pair of iron gauntlets, redeemable by twenty guilders 
 within a year and six weeks, at the Assembly of the XIX., 
 here, or before the Governor there; with this understand- 
 ing, that in case of division of said fief or jurisdiction, be 
 it high, middle or low, the parts shall be and remain of 
 the same nature as was originally conferred on the whole, 
 and fealty and homage must be rendered for each part 
 thereof by a pair of iron gauntlets, redeemable by twenty 
 guilders, as aforesaid. 
 
 And should any Patroon, in course of time, happen to 
 prosper in his Colonie to such a degree as to be able to 
 found one or more towns, he shall have authority to appoint 
 officers and magistrates there, and make use of the title 
 of his Colonie, according to the pleasure and the quality 
 of the persons, all saving the Company's regalia. 
 
 And should it happen that the dwelling places of private 
 Colonists become so numerous as to be accounted towns, 
 villages or cities, the Company shall give orders respecting 
 the subaltern government, magistrates and ministers of 
 justice, who shall be nominated by the said towns and vil- 
 lages in a triple number of the best qualified, from which a 
 choice and selection is to be made by the Governor and 
 
[No. iv] Grants 167 
 
 Council; and those shall determine all questions and suits 
 within their district. 
 
 The Patroons who will send Colonies thither, shall fur- 
 nish them with due instruction agreeably to the mode of 
 government both in police and justice established, or to be 
 established, by the Assembly of the XIX., which they shall 
 first exhibit to the Directors of the respective Chambers, 
 and have approved by the Assembly of the XIX. 
 
 The Patroons and Colonists shall have the privilege of 
 sending their people and property there in the Company's 
 ships, on condition of swearing allegiance, and paying to 
 the Company for the conveyance of the people, as in the 
 first article, and for freight of the goods requisite for their 
 bouwery, five per cent on the cost of the goods here, with- 
 out, however, including herein the cattle, on the freight of 
 which the Company shall be liberal. 
 
 But in case it should come to pass that the Company 
 have no ships to dispatch, or that there be no room in the 
 sailing vessels, in such a case the Patroons and Colonists 
 can, upon previously communicating their determination to, 
 and obtaining the consent of the Company in writing, send 
 their own ships thither, provided, in going and returning, 
 they shall not leave the ordinary track laid down, and take 
 a supercargo, whose board shall be at the expense of the 
 Patroons or Colonists, and whose wages shall be paid by 
 the Company; on pain, in case of contravention, of forfeit- 
 ing their ship and goods to, and for the behalf of, the Com- 
 pany, it remaining optional with the patroons, during the 
 term of the current grant, and no longer, to convey over 
 their cattle, wares and people in the Company's ships, in 
 their own or in chartered vessels. 
 
 And, whereas, it is the Company's intention first to settle 
 the Island of the Manhattes, it shall provisionally be the 
 staple of all produce and wares accruing on the North river 
 and the country thereabout, before they can be sent further, 
 except those which by nature itself are useless there, or 
 
168 Colonial Charters [No. iv] 
 
 cannot be brought there except with great loss to the own- 
 ers, in which case the latter shall be bound to give timely 
 notice of such inconvenience to the Company here, or to 
 the Governor and Council there, that it be provided for, 
 according as the circumstances shall be found to require. 
 
 All Patroons, Colonists and inhabitants there, as well 
 as the stockholders in the Company here, shall be privileged 
 to sail and trade to the entire coast, from Florida to New- 
 foundland, on the following conditions : 
 
 First, that all goods which will be sent hence for sale 
 there, whether freighted by the Company, or by Colonists, 
 or the stockholders themselves, must be brought into the 
 Company's stores for inspection and payment of the proper 
 duties, to wit: ten per cent on the cash cost of the article 
 here, besides convoy-freight and average, an agreement 
 being made for the freights of what may be sent in the 
 Company's ships; and bulk will not be allowed to be broken 
 any where except at the Manhattes, or such place as the 
 Company here may order, so as to be at liberty, after 
 proper inspection of their loading and the entry thereof, 
 to depart to whatever place they think proper. 
 
 And on the other wares which will be sent thence hither, 
 shall be paid here, over and above the convoy duty granted 
 by the State to the Company, five per cent, according to the 
 valuation to be made here, on such penalty as aforesaid; 
 but an agreement must be made with the Governor and 
 Council there, for the freight of any of the goods that are 
 being sent from there in the Company's ships, as aforesaid; 
 and on all beavers, otters and others peltries, which will 
 be sent from there here, shall be paid to the Governor and 
 Council there, ten per cent, all in kind, and due receipt for 
 the payment thereof, shall be brought along, on pain of 
 confiscation of all the furs which will be found not to have 
 paid any thing for the behoof of the Company, and with 
 that to be exempt from further duty. 
 
[No. iv] Grants 169 
 
 And in case said private ships, in going or coming, or 
 in ranging along the coast from Florida to Newfoundland, 
 happen to capture any prizes, they shall, in like manner be 
 obliged to bring the same, or to cause the same to be 
 brought, to the Governor and Council in New Netherland, 
 or to the Chamber whence they respectively sailed, to be 
 rewarded by them, and the third part thereof shall be 
 retained for the Company, before deducting his Highness' 
 and the State's portion, the two other third parts for them- 
 selves, in return for their incurred expenses and risk, all 
 in pursuance of the Company's order. 
 
 In like manner they shall not be at liberty to depart 
 thence with their goods obtained in barter, without first 
 returning to the said place, to enter their goods there and 
 to obtain proper clearance, signed by the Governor and 
 Council, and they shall be bound to return to this country, 
 with their ships and yachts, to the place they sailed from, 
 in order to discharge all their freight into the Company's 
 stores, according to the register and clearance to be brought 
 from thence, on pain of forfeiting their ship and goods for 
 the Company's behoof, should they go and break bulk 
 elsewhere, or have any unregistered goods on board. 
 
 The Company promises, during the continuance of the 
 present charter and no longer, not to burden the Patroons 
 and Colonists in that country, either with customs, toll, 
 excise, imposts or any other contributions, and after the 
 expiration hereof, at farthest, with no greater duty than 
 is imposed on goods in this country. 
 
 The Company shall not take from the service of the 
 Patroons or Colonists, their man servants or maid servants, 
 even though some person should solicit it; nor receive them, 
 much less suffer them to go from their master's service to 
 that of another, during the term of such years as they are 
 bound for; and if any man servant or maid servant run 
 away, or take his freedom contrary to contract, the Com- 
 pany shall, according to its means, cause such to be delivered 
 
170 Colonial Charters [No. iv] 
 
 into the hands of their masters, to be proceeded against 
 according to the circumstances of the case. 
 
 From all definitive judgments pronounced by the Courts 
 of the Patroons or Colonists, for an amount exceeding one 
 hundred guilders, or from such as entail infamy, also from 
 all sentences pronounced in matters criminal, on ordinary 
 prosecution, conformable to the custom of this country, an 
 appeal shall lie to the Governor and Council of the Com- 
 pany in New Netherland. 
 
 All Patroons, Colonists and inhabitants are allowed free 
 hunting and fishing, both by land and by water, generally 
 in public woods and rivers in the extent of their lands, 
 according to the order to be made thereupon by the Gover- 
 nor and Council; and the Patroons exclusively within the 
 limits of their Colonies, with the clear understanding that 
 the Governor and Council shall not be excluded therefrom. 
 
 All Patroons, inhabitants or Colonists, are allowed to 
 send ships along the coast of New Netherland and the 
 countries circumjacent thereunto, to fish for Cod, &c, and 
 to proceed with the catch straight to Italy or other neutral 
 countries, on condition of paying to the Company for duty, 
 in such case, six guilders per last, and on coming here with 
 their freight, it shall be allowable and sufficient to pay the 
 Company the custom dues alone, without conveying, under 
 pretence of this consent, any other goods elsewhere, on 
 pain of arbitrary punishment, it remaining at the pleasure 
 of the Company to put a supercargo on board each ship, on 
 such conditions and terms as hereinbefore set forth. 
 
 If any Patroons, inhabitants or Colonists happen by 
 their industry, diligence or otherwise to discover any 
 minerals, precious stones, crystals, marbles, pearlfisheries 
 or such like within the limits of their lands, all such Patroons 
 and Colonists shall give one-fifth part of the net proceeds 
 to the Company, which for this purpose shall have the 
 power to appoint one or more inspectors, at the charge of 
 said mines and pearlfisheries; but any one finding such 
 
[No. iv] Grants 171 
 
 without their limits, the same shall belong to the Company 
 on paying the discoverer such premium as the merits of the 
 case shall demand. 
 
 The Company shall take all Colonists, whether free or 
 bound to service, under their protection, defend them as 
 far as lies in their power with the force which it has there, 
 against all domestic and foreign wars and violence, on con- 
 dition that the Patroons and Colonists shall, in such case, 
 put themselves in a suitable state of defence for which pur- 
 pose each male emigrant shall be obliged to provide himself, 
 at his own expense, with a gun or musket of the Company's 
 regular calibre, or a cutlass and side arms. 
 
 And no other Religion shall be publicly admitted in New 
 Netherland except the Reformed, as it is at present 
 preached and practiced by public authority in the United 
 Netherlands; and for this purpose the Company shall pro- 
 vide and maintain good and suitable preachers, school- 
 masters and comforters of the sick. 
 
 The particular Colonies which happen to lie on the respec- 
 tive rivers, bays or islands shall have the privilege (to wit, 
 each river or island for itself) of designating a deputy who 
 shall give the Governor and Council of that country informa- 
 tion respecting his Colonie, and promote its interests with 
 the Council; one of which deputies shall be changed every 
 two years, and all the Colonies shall be obliged to com- 
 municate to the Governor and Council there a pertinent 
 report, at least every twelve months, of their condition and 
 of the lands in their vicinity. 
 
 The Company shall exert itself to provide the Patroons 
 and Colonists, on their order, with as many Blacks as pos- 
 sible, without however being further or longer obligated 
 thereto than shall be agreeable. 
 
 The Company reserves unto itself all large and small 
 tythes, all waifs, the right of mintage, laying out highways, 
 erecting forts, making war and peace, together with all 
 wildernesses, founding of cities, towns and churches, retain- 
 
172 Colonial Charters fNo. iv] 
 
 ing the supreme authority, sovereignty and supremacy, the 
 interpretation of all obscurity which may arise out of this 
 Grant, with such understanding, however, that nothing 
 herein contained shall alter or diminish what has been 
 granted heretofore to the Patroons in regard to high, 
 middle and low jurisdiction. 
 
 The Company shall, accordingly, appoint and keep there 
 a Governor, competent Councillors, Officers and other 
 Ministers of Justice for the protection of the good and the 
 punishment of the wicked; which Governor and Councillors, 
 who are now, or may be hereafter, appointed by the Com- 
 pany, shall take cognizance, in the first instance, of matters 
 appertaining to the freedom, supremacy, domain, finances 
 and rights of the General West India Company; of com- 
 plaints which any one (whether stranger, neighbor or 
 inhabitant of the aforesaid country) may make in case of 
 privilege, innovation, dissuetude, customs, usages, laws or 
 pedigrees; declare the same corrupt or abolish them as bad, 
 if circumstances so demand; of the cases of minor children, 
 widows, orphans and other unfortunate persons, regarding 
 whom complaint shall first be made to the Council holding 
 prerogative jurisdiction in order to obtain justice there; of 
 all contracts or obligations; of matters pertaining to pos- 
 session of benefices, fiefs, cases of Iesae majestatis, of 
 religion and all criminal matters and excesses prescribed 
 and unchallenged, and all persons by prevention may receive 
 acquittance from matters there complained of; and gener- 
 ally take cognizance of, and administer law and justice in, 
 all cases appertaining to the supremacy of the Company. 
 
[No. v] Grants 173' 
 
 No. V 
 
 ORDINANCE 
 
 Of the Director and Council of New Netherland 
 establishing a Board of Nine Men. 1 
 
 Passed 25 September, 1647. 
 
 PETRUS STUYVESANT, on behalf of the High and 
 Mighty Lords States General, his Serene Highness the 
 Prince of Orange and the Hon ble Directors of the General 
 Incorporated West India Company of the United Nether- 
 lands, Director general of New Netherland and the 
 Curacao islands, Captain and Commander in Chief of the 
 said Company's Ships and Yachts in this Northern part of 
 America; together with the Hon ble Council. 
 
 To all those who shall read, or hear these Presents 
 read, Greeting: 
 
 WHEREAS We, pursuant to Our Commission and 
 general Instruction, desire, wish or require nothing else but 
 that this government of New Netherland entrusted to Us, 
 and especially this Our Capital and residence, New Amster- 
 dam-, may grow and advance in good order, justice, police, 
 population, prosperity and mutual peace and improvement; 
 be provided and furnished with a proper and strong Fort, 
 a Church, School, Sheet-piling, Pier and similar highly 
 necessary public and common works and buildings, where- 
 unto We, in pursuance of our concurrent Instruction, are 
 commanded to solicit the cooperation of the Commonalty, 
 as such concerns their own welfare and defence, and is 
 customary in all well ordered Governments, Colonies and 
 Places; Yet, however, being disinclined to burthen and 
 
 1 The original record of this ordinance appears in Dutch in N. Y. Col. 
 MSS., IV:334, in the N Y. State Library. The copy set forth herein is 
 reproduced from a translation by E. B. O'Callaghan in his Laws & Ordi- 
 nances of Neva Netherland (1868), p. 75. 
 
174 Colonial Charters [No. v] 
 
 oppress, by virtue of our granted Commission and Instruc- 
 tion, the good and peaceable Commonalty, our dear Vassals 
 and Subjects, by exactions, impositions and intolerable taxes, 
 but rather to induce and solicit them, by a more reasonable 
 manner of consent, to lend a helping hand in such honorable 
 and most necessary works; And whereas it is difficult to 
 bring so many heads under one capoch, or so many votes 
 into one voice, We have, by the advice of our Council, 
 heretofore proposed and submitted to the Commonalty that 
 they, without passion or hatred or envy, select twice the 
 number of Nine persons from the most notable, most 
 reasonable, most honorable and most respectable of our 
 Subjects, in order that a single number of Nine persons may 
 be chosen and appointed from them to confer, as Selectmen, 
 with us and our Council, on the subject of such approval and 
 cooperative means, and to assist, to the best of their knowl- 
 edge and information, in promoting and forwarding the 
 welfare both of the Commonalty and of the Common- 
 wealth; whereunto, then, on the day aforesaid, a double 
 number being selected by our dear subjects, the good Com- 
 monalty, are by Us and our Council therefrom chosen, to 
 wit: 
 
 From the Merchants — Augustyn Heerman, Arnoldus 
 van Hardenberch, and Govert Loockermans; 
 
 From the Burghers — Jan Jansen Damen, Jacob Wol- 
 phertsen and Hendrick Kip; 
 
 From the Farmers — Machiel Jansen, Jan Evertsen Bout 
 and Thomas Hall, as Spokesmen for the Commonalty, who 
 having taken the oath of fidelity to Us and the Hon bIe 
 Council to regulate and govern themselves in conformity 
 to reason and the Orders and Instructions yet to be given, 
 are hereby confirmed in their abovementioned quality, under 
 the following Rules : 
 
 First. That they as good Spokesmen and Agents of the 
 Commonalty will aim at, and as far as lies in their power, 
 
[No. v] Grants 175 
 
 help to promote the honor of God and welfare of our dear 
 Fatherland, the greatest advantage of the Company and 
 the prosperity of the worthy Commonalty here, and the 
 advancement of the pure Reformed Religion as taught at 
 this day in the Church here and in Netherland. 
 
 Second. That they shall not set up and form any private 
 Conventicles and Meetings, much less consultations and 
 resolutions, without the knowledge and advice of the 
 Director General and his Council, or without his special 
 and particular Order, except only, when legally convened 
 and having heard the proposals of the Hon ble Director 
 General and Council, they can adjourn and take a recess in 
 order to confer with each other upon, and to consider such 
 proposals and thereafter to give advice: Provided, never- 
 theless, that the Director General retains the power to 
 commission himself or some one of the Council to act as 
 President at such our consultations and deliberations, to 
 collect the votes and to make a report to the Council. 
 
 Third. Whereas in consequence of the increase of the 
 Inhabitants, Lawsuits and disputes which parties bring 
 against each other, are multipled, and also divers questions 
 and quarrels of trifling moment, which can be determined 
 and disposed of by Arbitrators, but, in consequence of 
 matters of greater importance, frequently remain over and 
 undecided, to the prejudice and injury of this place and 
 the good people thereof, and also to the great expence, loss 
 of time and vexation of the contending parties, three out 
 of those chosen shall have access once a week, on Thursday, 
 the usual Burgher Court day, to our general Council as 
 long as civil cases are before the Court in order to obtain 
 a knowledge of the cases and parties who might be referred 
 to them as Arbitrators and Good Men; to wit, one from 
 the Merchants; one from the Burghers; one from the 
 Farmers, which shall regularly rotate every month. And 
 if one of them be indisposed or absent, he may subordinate 
 another of the elected in his place; And parties referred by 
 
176 Colonial Charters [No. v] 
 
 the Council to them as Arbitrators and Good Men and 
 being judged shall remain bound to submit without 
 opposition to the pronounced decision, or in default thereof 
 be fined One pound Flemish for the first time, to be paid 
 before the aggrieved party can appeal, or obtain a hearing 
 before our Council from the decision of the Good Men. 
 
 Fourth. The number of the Nine elected Select Men 
 shall continue until further Order and circumstances, saving 
 that Six shall retire annually, and 12 picked out from the 
 most qualified Inhabitants, which names shall be returned 
 to us by the Nine Men assembled collegialiter without its 
 being necessary to convene the entire Commonalty here- 
 after, which Meeting shall take place on the last of 
 December following the next New Year's day and so every 
 year afterwards. 
 
 Thus done and enacted in Council, 25 September A° 
 1647. (Signed) P. Stuyvesant, L. Van Dincklage, La 
 Montagne, Brian Newton, Paulus Leendersen van die Grift 
 and A. Keyser. 
 
[No. vi] Grants 177 
 
 No. VI 
 
 FIRST DUTCH CHARTER 
 
 FOR 
 
 NEW AMSTERDAM 
 
 1653 1 
 
 Extract from the Letter Book of the letter [sent] by 
 the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of New Amster- 
 dam to the Hon. Directors of the Chartered West India 
 Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, with their Honors' 
 resolution passed thereon. 
 
 The Second point Resolution 
 
 Furthermore, they also request [the right] to choose a point: 
 schout, or at least to nominate a double number. It is true, T he P ? S1 " 
 
 . . . . tion of 
 
 the fiscal, Tienhoven, occupies the said place, but with as schout shall 
 little satisfaction to the burghers (who have presented a ^"sepa-* 
 petition on the subject) as respect for them. rate( * fr ° m 
 
 tn6 I1SC3.1 s 
 
 Agrees with the original, °* ce > but 
 
 Jacob Kip, Secretary L°lfsaid 
 
 , _, . „ , . „. TT position 
 
 1 The text, in two contemporary copies, was discovered by Victor Hugo s hall be 
 
 Paltsits in the course of researches made in 191 1 for Stokes' Iconography of made by 
 
 Manhattan Island. He recognized their importance as the fundamental the Di- 
 
 source of the origin of municipal government in this city. A reproduction ^ , 
 
 is given on Stokes, Iconography, [IV:P1. 9 (a to e, inclusive)] of one of anc j t h e 
 
 these copies, which was made by Jacobus Kip, first secretary of New Council, in 
 
 Amsterdam, in 1656, when, upon the dismissal of Cornelis van Tienhoven accordance 
 
 from all offices he had held, including that of schout of the city, the city . 
 
 fathers again sought, at a time they deemed most opportune, to have a given them. 
 
 separate city schout, free from provincial entanglements. The form of 
 
 government is accompanied by coordinate correspondence, and marginalia 
 
 explain the judgments of Stuyvesant and his council with respect to the 
 
 request of the city officials, dated June 7, 1656. (See Rec. N. Am. 11:109-11, 
 
 for translation.) A translation of all these papers, made for Stokes, 
 
 Iconography by Arnold J. F. van Laer, accompanies their reproduction in 
 
 that work. It is with the kind permission of Mr. Stokes that that translation 
 
 is printed herein. 
 
 The second copy is in the handwriting of Hans Bontemantel, one of the 
 
 directors at Amsterdam, who was actively interested in the business of the 
 
178 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. VI] 
 
 Copy 
 The 
 
 Director 
 General 
 and 
 
 Council, 
 taking into 
 considera- 
 tion the 
 last pre- 
 ceding 
 orders, ad- 
 vice and 
 communi- 
 cation 
 from the 
 Hon. 
 
 Directors, 
 dated the 
 26th of 
 April of 
 last year, 
 
 1655, 
 whereby 
 the Hon. 
 Patroons 
 advise to 
 have the 
 duties of 
 schout of 
 this city 
 provision- 
 ally per- 
 formed by 
 the fiscal, 
 therefore, 
 the 
 
 Director 
 General 
 and 
 
 Council, 
 without 
 counter 
 order, or 
 at least 
 without 
 further 
 advice and 
 notice 
 from the 
 aforesaid 
 Hon. 
 
 Directors, 
 can not 
 make any 
 separation 
 therein. 
 Done at 
 Fort 
 
 To the Right Honorable Gentlemen, the Hon. Director 
 General and the Hon. Council of New Netherland. 
 
 Show with due reverence and respect, the burgomasters 
 and schepens of the city of Amsterdam in New Netherland, 
 
 That they are reliably informed that the Hon. Cornelis 
 van Tienhoven has by the Hon. Patroons of this province 
 been discharged from the positions which he has occupied 
 here in this country, and consequently also from the office 
 of schout of this city, which he has also held until this time. 
 
 And whereas the Right Hon. Directors of the West India 
 Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, the lords and patroons 
 of this province (upon the request to that effect made both 
 by the commonalty and by the petitioners' predecessors) 
 have in their Honors' communication, dated the 1 8th of 
 May 1654, been pleased to order that the position of schout 
 of this city should be separated from the fiscal's office, as 
 appears from the copy thereof hereto annexed; 
 
 Therefore, they, the petitioners, hereby respectfully pray 
 your Honors (since the Hon. Cornelis van Tienhoven has 
 been discharged from all his offices) that your Honors, in 
 pursuance of said communication, may be pleased to appoint 
 a reasonable, intelligent and competent person from among 
 the burghers or inhabitants here as Schout of this city, 
 whereby justice will be maintained and the flourishing con- 
 dition of this just or newly commencing city may be more 
 and more promoted. 
 
 West India Company and in its affairs in New Netherland. His copy was 
 perhaps made from Secretary Kip's transcript, as both are found among 
 N. Net/i. Papers, in the New York Public Library, and formerly belonged to a 
 larger collection of Bontemantel's papers. It consists only of the "Form 
 of government in New Netherland. A° 1653," a heading which he gave 
 it. This copy is broken up into groups, with numerous paragraphs, some 
 of which have headings as, for example, "Burgomasters' Jurisdiction," 
 "Schepens," and "Oath of Burgomasters and Schepens." Bontemantel 
 reproduces none of the marginalia found in the Kip copy, but he has added 
 a few marginal notes of his own, mainly explanatory of divergences with 
 respect to the authority given to the burgomasters of New Amsterdam as 
 compared with the practice pertaining to burgomasters in old Amsterdam. 
 (Stokes, Iconography, IV:i32.) 
 
[No. vi] Grants 179 
 
 Awaiting hereupon your Honors' favorable disposition, Amster- 
 dam, in 
 we remain, New 
 
 Your Honors' obedient servants, the burgomasters and , Net ^ er " h 
 
 schepens of the city of Amsterdam in New Netherland. 7th of June 
 
 Below was written: By order of the same. Signed: ^as l 5 ' 
 
 Jacob Kip, Secretary. s'tSylel 
 
 . . , . ... sant. Below 
 
 Agrees with the original, wa s 
 
 Jacob Kip, Secretary border 
 
 of the 
 Hon. 
 
 [Form of Government in New Netherland A 1653]* General' 
 
 NT • • anC * 
 
 xr e T 1 j The Director General and Council of New Netherland Council of 
 
 Netherland # j^ ew 
 
 Govern- hereby make known that the Hon. Directors of the Nether- 
 Chartered West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, \* nd - , 
 
 . Signed: 
 
 lords and patroons of this province, have thought nt, under c.v: Ruy- 
 the high authority of their Director General and Council secretary 
 of New Netherland, to favor this new and growing city of 
 New Amsterdam and the inhabitants thereof with a court 
 of justice, to be constituted as far as possible and as the 
 circumstances of this country permit according to the 
 laudable custom of the city of Amsterdam, name-giver to 
 this newly developing city, however, in such a way that all 
 judgments shall remain subject to reversal by and appeal 
 to the Director General and Council, to be by them finally 
 disposed of. 
 
 As to the appointment of the judges requisite thereto, 
 the aforesaid honorable patroons order that qualified, 
 honorable, reasonable, intelligent and the most well-to-do 
 persons be chosen and selected, who are neither corrupt 
 nor opponents of the aforesaid lords patroons or their 
 government here established, but peace loving and well 
 affected subjects, being native born or real estate owning 
 
 2 This marginal note is in the handwriting of Hans Bontemantel, from 
 whose copy the title in brackets is supplied. 
 
 3 See footnote, 2, supra. 
 
180 Colonial Charters [No. vi] 
 
 inhabitants, who according to the laudable custom of 
 Amsterdam have been for at least seven years burghers 
 here in this city, or else were born and brought up within 
 the provinces of the United Netherlands, promoters and 
 professors of the Reformed religion, as in conformity to 
 the word of God and the regulations of the synod of 
 Dordrecht it is at present taught in the churches of the 
 United Netherlands and here in this country. Which court 
 of justice, for the present time, until it shall be otherwise 
 ordained or enlarged by the aforesaid Hon. Directors or 
 their agents, shall at first consist of two burgomasters and 
 five schepens, who from now on shall be chosen and sworn 
 by the Director General and Council on the 2d of February 
 (not being a Sunday), and shall be served by a secretary or 
 clerk and an ordinary sworn messenger, of whom yearly a 
 certain number shall be changed and some continue in office 
 in order to inform the newly appointed members as to the 
 preceding business. 
 
 As to the burgomasters, whose particular duty and 
 function it is to see to the proper administration, order and 
 welfare of the city, extending between the two rivers to 
 the Fresh Water, they are also to take care that proper 
 quiet, peace and harmony prevail among the commonalty; 
 
 However, in such a way that by the aforesaid burgo- 
 masters no new offices or ordinances shall be made, much 
 less bestowed or published, without the previous knowledge, 
 approval and confirmation of the Director General and 
 Council, as representatives of the sovereignty and supreme 
 government, but the burgomasters shall have the right 
 (what concerns them particularly and is especially recom- 
 mended to them), to propose and report to the Director 
 General and Council what they consider necessary for the 
 good order, peace, quiet, welfare and government of the 
 burghers, wherein then, in the presence of the burgomasters, 
 by laws and ordinances such provision shall be made as the 
 circumstances shall demand. 
 
[No. vi] Grants 181 
 
 And furthermore, from this time forth there is reserved 
 to the burgomasters the care and supervision of the align- 
 ment of houses, streets and fences, in order that within 
 this city the same may be built and laid out in orderly 
 fashion. Likewise, they are to see to it that at a convenient 
 time this city be properly accommodated and provided with 
 the necessary public buildings, such as churches, schools, a 
 court house, weigh house, charitable institutions, dock, pier, 
 bridges and other similar works, for which buildings, as in 
 course of time and with the increase of population they 
 become necessary, there will necessarily be required sub- 
 sidies and funds, which must of necessity be procured from 
 the burghers and inhabitants according to circumstances. 
 Therefore, the burgomasters, but with the advice of the 
 schepens and the approval of the Director General and 
 Council, shall have power and authority to lay a reasonable 
 tax on the burghers and inhabitants to meet the needs of 
 this city and also to impose fines and penalties on the unwill- 
 ing contraveners and to levy them by execution. 
 
 In case any orphan masters, church masters, surveyors, 
 fire wardens, or other similar officers should be found 
 necessary, the burgomasters shall report this to the Director 
 General and Council and the need thereof being understood 
 and acknowledged, the burgomasters shall have the absolute 
 nomination of the persons thereto needed and qualified, but 
 the appointment and confirmation shall depend on the 
 Director General. 
 
 As to the court of schepens, although the burgomasters 
 of Amsterdam, the name-giver to this city, properly speak- 
 ing have no judicial authority in conjunction with the 
 schepens, whether over inhabitants or burghers, or in 
 criminal or civil matters, nevertheless, since the schepens for 
 the present are still weak and the honorable lords patroons 
 have thought fit to compose the court of justice of two 
 burgomasters and five schepens, the burgomasters will until 
 further order in the sessions of the court of schepens have 
 
182 Colonial Charters [No. vi] 
 
 an advisory and a casting vote and when present alternately 
 preside, the vice presidency being annually occupied by the 
 oldest schepen, and all this until it shall be otherwise 
 ordained or decided by the aforesaid patroons or their 
 agents here. 
 
 Which burgomasters and schepens, according to circum- 
 stances, shall meet at least once or twice a week at a regular 
 time and place to be decided upon and made known by 
 them, to hear, examine and determine, whether by judg- 
 ment or arbitration, according to the circumstances of the 
 case, all civil questions which are moved or brought before 
 them, also criminal offenses of a minor degree, hereinafter 
 more fully specified. 
 
 However, if they find the case fit to be arbitrated and 
 the parties disposed thereto, the arbitration shall be con- 
 ducted completely out of court by both the burgomasters 
 and those whom they according to the circumstances of the 
 case may wish to adjoin to themselves from among the 
 schepens or other honest burghers, yes, even, if the burgo- 
 masters should find the matter of sufficient importance, 
 from among the council, from which arbitration there shall 
 lie no bill of review or appeal. 
 
 And before the said court of burgomasters and schepens 
 must needs be brought in the first instance all matters 
 amounting to one hundred guilders or less (the arrest made 
 by the fiscal excepted) ; also all actions of slander, or differ- 
 ences of words between lord and vassal, master and servant, 
 mistress and maid, neighbour and neighbour, buyer and 
 seller, tenant and landlord, gentleman and workman and 
 other such like questions. 
 
 Likewise, all criminal actions consisting of acts, threats, 
 fights, or wounding, whether they be brought or instituted 
 before the aforesaid court by the parties, or by the fiscal 
 (representing until further order the schout of the city). 
 
 Likewise, before the said court, until further order and 
 increase of population, shall be subject to be cited, be com- 
 
[No. vi] Grants 183 
 
 pelled to appear and be amenable not only the burghers and 
 inhabitants of this city of New Amsterdam, for the present 
 extending to the Fresh Water, together with the arriving 
 passengers, merchants, traders, skippers, masters of sloops 
 and their sailors, so long as they remain on the roadstead or 
 in the harbour of this city, but also all other inhabitants of 
 Manhattan island, as well as the inhabitants of Amersfoort, 
 Breuckelen and Midtwout and all those residing in the 
 adjacent territory across the East and North rivers, who 
 thus far enjoy no court of justice either by patent from the 
 aforesaid lords patroons or their agents, and all this until 
 such time as it may be otherwise ordained or decided by 
 the aforesaid lords patroons or their agents, who refer to 
 them the duty of ordering, installing and appointing such 
 officers and judges in and outside of this city as they accord- 
 ing to the population and increase of colonies, cities, vil- 
 lages, hamlets and inhabitants shall deem suitable for the 
 more convenient administration of justice. 
 
 All those who desire to have some one summoned before 
 the aforesaid court of justice shall do so through the ordi- 
 nary court messenger, to be qualified thereto by the Director 
 General and Council, at least twelve hours before the case 
 is called, when the contending parties shall be bound to 
 appear in their own person, without either of them, be he 
 plaintiff or defendant, being allowed to be assisted by 
 advocates, attorneys, or any one else, except women, 
 imbeciles and minors, who may appear with their guardians, 
 and those who are either sick or who have traveled out of 
 the jurisdiction shall in such case be allowed to appoint 
 some one in their stead, who is neither an advocate nor an 
 attorney, nor occupies himself with any legal business, nor 
 receives compensation therefor. 
 
 The aforesaid burgomasters and schepens may in the 
 suits between the parties appearing before them decree the 
 providing of a deposit, definite condemnation, or discharge, 
 
184 Colonial Charters [No. vi] 
 
 as they according to the circumstances of the case shall 
 deem proper. 
 
 In cases of injury, whether by words or deeds, they shall 
 as above stated use diligence as arbitrators to make the 
 parties agree and pacify them if possible. If not, they shall 
 refer the complete account of the proceedings and the docu- 
 ments to the Director General and Council and upon the 
 decision thereof impose a penalty to keep the peace. 
 
 In case the defendant, being duly cited, does not appear 
 in person as hereinbefore stated, default shall be decreed 
 against him, and upon the second default the schepens may 
 order a deposit to be made and authorize the plaintiff, 
 especially if he be a stranger, to take out the sum demanded, 
 upon security or guaranty of restitution, if such should 
 afterwards be deemed proper. 
 
 And if thereafter the case against the defendant, upon a 
 third citation, be called to purge himself of his second 
 default, or hear judgment pronounced, the burgomasters 
 and schepens shall, if the defendant even then fails to 
 appear, change the aforesaid deposit, by a judgment by 
 default, to a definite condemnation, if the case lends itself 
 thereto. 
 
 In cases and questions of slander, the burgomasters and 
 schepens may by the court messenger summon the parties 
 to appear in person, under penalty of forfeiture of one 
 daelder [one and a half guilders] for the first default, of 
 forfeiture of three guilders for the second time and of 
 forfeiture of one pound Flemish [six guilders] for the 
 third time. The parties even then failing to appear, the 
 aforesaid burgomasters and schepens may refer them to the 
 Director General and Council, provided that they shall 
 first levy the aforesaid fines by execution, one half to be for 
 the benefit of the said gentleman and the other half to be 
 employed at their discretion. 
 
 The fines for default which the parties shall incur before 
 the aforesaid court shall be, for the defendant, the first 
 
[No. vi] Grants 185 
 
 time eight stuivers, the second time twelve stuivers, and the 
 third time sixteen stuivers, and for the plaintiff as much 
 again, to be applied as above. Of which defaults a record 
 shall be kept as well by the court messenger on the ordinary 
 roll, as by the secretary or clerk in the minutes. 
 
 From all definite judgments rendered by the aforesaid 
 burgomasters and schepens in civil as well as in criminal 
 matters and above one hundred guilders (with the exception 
 of judgments default), the parties who find themselves 
 aggrieved may appeal to the Director General and Council 
 of New Netherland, provided that the appellant first of all 
 deposit the moneys or goods mentioned in the definite 
 judgment and pay the costs of the suit, if he has been con- 
 demned to do so. 
 
 Furthermore, the appellant shall be bound to have the 
 appeal entered by the clerk or secretary within the space of 
 ten days after the pronunciation of the judgment and to 
 prosecute the same at the first meeting of the Director 
 General and Council, or by petition, within the space of 
 twenty days, to give notice thereof to the Director General 
 and Council. The appeal being granted, he shall deposit in 
 the hands of the Supreme Council twelve guilders, which 
 shall be returned to him in case the judgment from which 
 he appeals is modified. 
 
 It being the proper function of the burgomasters and 
 schepens to render law and justice between the contending 
 parties, they shall practise the same according to the written 
 laws of our fatherland, especially, as far as is possible and 
 the nature of the case will permit, according to the laudable 
 customs and ordinances of the city of Amsterdam and the 
 ordinances issued by the Director General and Council, 
 which shall be duly observed. But if parties litigating 
 before them either in the court room or out of it insult 
 them in their official capacity or in person, by word or 
 gesture, or insult each other, the court may by preemptory 
 execution fine or punish them according to the nature of the 
 
186 Colonial Charters [No. vi] 
 
 offense, the penalty not to exceed the sum of twelve guilders. 
 
 Finally, the burgomasters and schepens shall cause this 
 and all other privileges, orders and instructions which from 
 time to time may be issued by the aforesaid Hon. Directors 
 or their agents in this city to be registered and kept in a 
 register, to which the burgomasters and schepens who are 
 in office may either jointly or individually have recourse as 
 often as they please, without it, however, being necessary 
 or permissible for them privately to make extracts there- 
 from. 
 
 Thus, until further amplification, provisionally done at 
 the meeting of the Hon. Director General and Council of 
 New Netherland, this 2d day of February anno 1653, in 
 New Netherland. Was signed: P. Stuyvesant, La Mon- 
 tagne, Brian Newton and Cor: van Tienhoven. 
 
 We, the burgomasters and schepens, qualified thereto by 
 the Director General and Council promise and swear in the 
 presence of Almighty God, saving our former oath of 
 allegiance to the High and Mighty Lords the States 
 General of the United Netherlands as sovereigns, the Hon. 
 Directors of the Chartered West India Company as lords 
 and patroons of this New Netherland province, and their 
 Director General and Council already appointed or here- 
 after to be appointed, that we, in our aforesaid capacity, 
 to the best of our knowledge shall administer true law and 
 justice between parties in cases brought before us, without 
 any passion of favor or disfavor; that we shall promote 
 and help promote the welfare of this city and the inhabitants 
 thereof; that we shall [uphold] the honor of God and his 
 pure religion as in conformity to the word of God and the 
 regulations of the synod of Dordrecht it is taught in the 
 churches of the Netherlands and here, and no other; that 
 we shall maintain and help maintain the high jurisdiction 
 
[No. vi] Grants 187 
 
 of the aforesaid lords patroons and their supreme govern- 
 ment already established or hereafter to be established; 
 and that we shall bar and help bar whatever in any way shall 
 conflict therewith. So help us God Almighty. 
 
 And by virtue of the foregoing there have been chosen 
 and appointed: 
 
 As burgomasters 
 Joncker Arent van Hatten, formerly schepen of the city of 
 Culemborch, steward of the county domain and mem- 
 ber of the pelder board of the said county, and at 
 present captain of the burgher guard here. 
 Marten Cregier, old inhabitant of this city, formerly a 
 representative of the commonalty and at present also 
 a captain of the burgher guard. 
 As schepens 
 Paulus Leendersen van der Grift, from Amsterdam 
 Willem Beeckman, from Sutphen, both former representa- 
 tives of the commonalty and lieutenants of the burgher 
 guard 
 
 Pieter Wolfersen van Couwenhoven, one of our inhabitants 
 
 of this province and a former deacon 
 Maxsimiljan van Gheel 
 
 Allardt Antony, both from Amsterdam, sworn burghers 
 and merchants here 
 
 Was signed: 
 
 P. Stuyvesant V. 1 
 
 Instructions for the secretary or clerk of the Inferior 
 Court of Justice 
 
 In the first place, he shall be bound to attend the ordinary 
 as well as the extraordinary sessions and court days of the 
 burgomasters and schepens, in order to serve the court with 
 his pen and make a perfect record according to the true 
 intent and meaning of all that the presiding officer shall 
 order him to write. 
 
188 Colonial Charters [No. vi 
 
 2 
 
 He shall take care to enter in the minutes the complaint 
 of the plaintiff as well as the answer of the defendant, 
 according to their true intent and meaning, without any 
 favor or ill will, or regard of persons, and, after the mem- 
 bers have expressed their opinions, on the order of the 
 presiding officer note the final conclusion underneath. 
 
 3 
 In case there should on any point be any difference of 
 opinion among the burgomasters and schepens, the vote of 
 the majority shall be followed according to the rules of 
 procedure, but he shall not be at liberty to divulge outside 
 the court the opinion of the minority, but if requested to do 
 so by the minority he may enter their opinion underneath 
 the order or decision of the majority. 
 
 4 
 After the adjournment of the court he shall carefully 
 copy into a register the complaint and the answer of the 
 parties and all the orders of the burgomasters and schepens, 
 and once or twice a year deliver an authentic copy thereof 
 to the secretary's office of the Director General and Council. 
 
 5 
 For each order issued by the burgomasters and schepens, 
 or entered on the margin of a petition, he shall be entitled 
 to receive a fee of twelve stuivers for writing, and for enter- 
 ing the same in the minutes six stuivers. 
 
 6 
 In order to accommodate residents as well as strangers, 
 he shall be at liberty to draw up petitions for whoever asks 
 for it, provided that he causes the same to be signed by the 
 petitioner, for which he shall receive a fee of sixteen 
 stuivers if the petition has to do with civil matters, and 
 otherwise twenty stuivers if the petition relates to questions 
 
[No. vi] Grants 189 
 
 of slander of minor offenses, and for drawing up an affidavit 
 he shall receive twenty-four stuivers. 
 
 7 
 But petitions and remonstrances which by order of the 
 burgomasters and schepens are to be presented or exhibited 
 in their official capacity to the Director General and Council, 
 together with all other writings and instruments drawn up 
 by order of the aforesaid burgomasters and schepens, he 
 shall write gratis on the yearly salary promised him by the 
 Director General and Council. 
 
 8 
 
 Finally, he shall promise and swear to practice and per- 
 form all that is hereinbefore mentioned to the best of his 
 ability and knowledge and furthermore, for so far as his 
 capacity is concerned, to promote and help promote the 
 honor of God and his pure religion, the sovereignty of the 
 High and Mighty Lords the States General, together with 
 the high jurisdiction and authority of the Hon. Directors 
 and their supreme government, already established, or here- 
 after to be established, without planning, much less prac- 
 tising, anything contrary thereto. So truly may God 
 Almighty help me. 
 
 And to the aforesaid office was chosen and appointed 
 Jacob Hendricksen Kip, formerly chief clerk in the secre- 
 tary's office of the Director General and Council of New 
 Netherland. 
 
 Done in Council, this 2d of February 1653, in Fort 
 Amsterdam. 
 
 Was signed: P. Stuyvesant 
 La Montagne 
 Brian Newton 
 Cor: van Tienhoven 
 
190 Colonial Charters [No. vii] 
 
 No. VII 
 
 ORDINANCE 1 
 
 Of the Director General and Council of New Netherland 
 declaring who may be admitted Great and Small 
 Burghers. Passed i February, 1657. 
 
 The Director General and Council of New Netherland, 
 To all those who see these presents or hear them read, 
 Greeting, make known. 
 
 That they, out of consideration of the good and voluntary 
 services, expeditions, watches and other burthens, which 
 the Burghers have hitherto done and borne, and in the hope 
 and confidence which the Director General and Council still 
 indulge, of their continuance and perseverance therein, have, 
 on the humble petition of the Burgomasters and Schepens, 
 privileged and favored the Burghers and good Inhabitants 
 of this City, with a Great and Small Burgherright, as can 
 be more fully seen by the grant of privilege made to the 
 Burgomasters and Schepens, in amplification of that already 
 bestowed; And whereas, in all beginnings, something or 
 somebody must be the first, so that thereafter a distinction 
 and difference may be made, therefore, also, the necessity 
 of such distinction being founded on reason, in the establish- 
 ment of the Great and Small Burgherright, whereof the 
 Burgomasters and Schepens have, by petition to the Director 
 General and Council, requested further explanation, speci- 
 fication and distinction as to who, and what class are, for 
 the present, to be included in the Great, as well as in the 
 Small Burgherright, the Director General and Council of 
 New Netherland, invest, qualify, and favor with the 
 Great Burgherright, 
 
 1 The original record of this ordinance appears in Duch in N. Y. Col. 
 MSS., VIII 1442; XVI:ios, in the N. Y. State Library. The present copy is 
 reproduced from a translation by E. B. O'Callaghan in his L. & Ord. 
 
 N. Neth., (1868), p. 301. 
 
[No. vii] Grants 191 
 
 First, those who have been, and at present are in the 
 High or Supreme government of the Country, them and 
 their descendants in the male line. 
 
 Secondly, all former and actual Burgomasters and 
 Schepens of this City, their descendants in the male line. 
 
 Thirdly, the Ministers of the Gospel, formerly and at 
 present in office, them and their descendants in the male line. 
 
 Fourthly, the commissioned officers to the Ensign inclu- 
 sive, of the City regiment, them and their descendants in 
 the male line. All with this understanding, that the above 
 mentioned gentleman and persons, for themselves or their 
 descendants in the male line, have not lost nor forfeited 
 Burgherright by absence from the City and by not keeping 
 fire and light; agreeably to the laudable custom of the City 
 of Amsterdam in Europe. 
 
 Further, all others who desire and are inclined, or here- 
 after may be desirous and inclined, to be enrolled in the 
 Great Burgherright, and to enjoy the privileges and benefits 
 thereof, shall, according to the foregoing grant, apply for 
 the same to the Burgomasters and receive it, on paying 
 therefor the sum of Fifty guilders, Dutch money, or the 
 equivalent thereof. 
 
 With the Small Burgherright are invested and favored, 
 
 First, all those who have resided and kept fire and light 
 within the City one year and six weeks. 
 
 Secondly, all born within this City. 
 
 Thirdly, all who have married, or may hereafter marry, 
 native born daughters of Burghers, provided that the 
 Burgherright be not lost or forfeited by absence from this 
 City, or by not keeping fire and lights in conformity as 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Further, all others who either now or hereafter will keep 
 any shop, however it may be called, and carry on business 
 within this City or the jurisdiction thereof, shall be bound 
 to apply to the Burgomasters for the Small Burgherright, 
 
192 Colonial Charters [No. vii] 
 
 and pay therefor Twenty guilders Dutch money, or the 
 equivalent thereof. 
 
 All Servants of the Hon ble Company under wages, also 
 Passengers and New-comers who will settle elsewhere, pro- 
 vided they do so within six weeks, remain alone exempt 
 from applying for Burgherright, for the exercise of all sorts 
 of handicraft and the practice thereof. 
 
 The moneys arising from the receipt of the Burgherright 
 shall be received by the Burgomasters, and by them 
 expended principally in the strengthening and circumval- 
 lation of this City. 
 
 In order that all this may be the better and more regu- 
 larly practiced, observed and obeyed, the Burgomasters are 
 ordered and authorized to make out, or cause to be made 
 out on the first, and all following occasions, correct Lists 
 of those who, according to the tenor hereof, are invested, 
 qualified and favored, either with the Great or Small 
 Burgherright, and of those hereafter who obtain and receive 
 the same, and have a true Register thereof made, and when 
 done, deliver a copy thereof into the Office of the Secretary 
 of the Director General and Council. 
 
 Thus done, resolved, resumed and enacted in the 
 Assembly of the Director General and Council of New 
 Netherland, holden in Fort Amsterdam, in New Nether- 
 land, the 2 February, A° 1657. 
 
[No. viii] Grants 193 
 
 No. VIII 
 
 FIRST GRANT TO THE DUKE OF YORK, 1664. 1 
 
 Charles the Second By the grace of God King of England 
 Scotland ffrance and Ireland defender of the ffaith etc TO 
 ALL to whom these presents shall come Greeting KNOW 
 YEE that wee for divers good Causes and Consideracons 
 us thereunto moveing HAVE of our especiall grace certaine 
 knowledge and meere mocon given and Graunted And by 
 these presents for us our heires and Successors Doe give 
 and Graunt unto our dearest Brother James Duke of Yorke 
 his heires and Assignes ALL that part of the Mayne land 
 of New England begining att a certaine Place called or 
 knowne by the name of St. Croix next adyoyneing to New 
 Scotland in America and from thence extending along the 
 Sea Coast unto a certaine Place called Petuaquine Pemaquid 
 and (soe) upp the River thereof to the furthest head of the 
 same as itt tendeth Northwards and extending from thence 
 to the River of Kinebequi and soe upwards by the shortest 
 course to the River Cannada Northward And alsoe all that 
 Island or Islands comonly called by the severall name or 
 names of Matowacks or Long Island scituate lyeing and 
 being towards the west of Cape Codd and the Narro 
 Higansetts abutting upon the Mayne land betweene the 
 twoe Rivers there called or knowne by the severall names 
 
 1 The present copy is reproduced from a copy printed in N. Y. Col. Laws, 
 1:1-5, in which the following note appears: "The original parchment of 
 the grant to the Duke of York is in the N. Y. State Library, and has 
 become very indistinct. The grant is also recorded in the office of the 
 Secretary of State in vol. i of patents, at p. 139. The following copy of 
 the grant is made from a carefully compared copy of the original parchment 
 contained in a 'Report of the Regents of the University on the Boundaries 
 of the State of New York,' transmitted to the legislature May 28, 1873. 
 Words interlined in the original parchment are here inclosed in parentheses." 
 There is another contemporary copy or transcript, in the form of a signet 
 bill, preparatory to the issuance of the grant; and hence filed in the Privy 
 Seal office, London. — See Andrews, Guide . . . Public Record Office (Wash., 
 1912), 1:273. 
 
194 Colonial Charters [No. vni] 
 
 of Conectecutte and Hudsons River. Together alsoe with 
 the said River called Hudsons River and all the land from 
 the west side of Connectecutte River to the East side of 
 De la Ware Bay And alsoe all those severall Islands called 
 or knowne by the names of Martin Vinyards and Nantukes 
 otherwise Nantukett Together with all the lands Islands 
 Soyles Rivers Harbours Mynes Mineralls Quarries Woods 
 Marishes Waters Lakes ffishings hawking hunting and 
 ffowleing and all other Royalties proffitts Comodities and 
 hereditaments to the said severall Islands lands and premises 
 belonging and appertaineing with their and every of their 
 appurtencs AND all our Estate right title interest benefitt 
 advantage Clayme and demaund of in or (to) the said lands 
 and premisses or any part or parcell thereof AND the 
 Revercon and Revercons Remaynder and Remaynders to- 
 gether with the yearely and other the Rents Revenues and 
 proffitts of all and singuler the said premisses and of every 
 part and parcel thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ALL 
 and singuler the said lands Islands hereditaments and prem- 
 isses with their and every of their appurtenncs hereby given 
 and Graunted (or hereinbefore menconed to bee given and 
 granted) unto our said dearest Brother James Duke of 
 Yorke his heirs and Assignes for ever To the only proper 
 use and behoofe of the said James Duke of Yorke his heires 
 and Assignes for ever To bee holden of us our heires and 
 Successors as of our Manor of East Greenwich in our 
 County of Kent in ffree and Comon Soccage and not in 
 Capite or by Knights Service YIELDING AND REN- 
 DERING And the said James Duke of Yorke Doth for 
 himselfe his heirs and Assignes covenant and promise to 
 yeild and Render unto us our heires and Successors of and 
 for the same yearely and every yeare ffortie Beaver Skynns 
 when they shall bee demanded or within Nynety days after 
 AND WE DOE FURTHER of our especiall grace certaine 
 knowledge and meere mocon for us our heires and Suc- 
 cessors give and Graunt unto our said dearest Brother James 
 
[No. viii] Grants 195 
 
 Duke of Yorke his heires Deputyes Agents Commissioners 
 and Assignes by these presents full and absolute power and 
 authority to Correct punish Pardon Governe and Rule all 
 such the Subjects of us our heires and Successors as shall 
 from tyme to tyme Adventure themselves into any the 
 parts or Places aforesaid or that shall or doe att any tyme 
 thereafter Inhabite within the same according to such Lawes 
 Orders Ordinances direccons and Instruments as by our 
 said dearest Brother or his Assignes shall bee established 
 And in defect thereof in Cases of necessitie according to 
 the good discreccons of his Deputyes Commissioners 
 Officers or Assignes respectively as well in all Causes and 
 matters Capitall and Criminall as Civill both Marine and 
 others SOE ALLWAYES as the said Statutes Ordinances 
 and Proceedings bee not contrary to but as neare as con- 
 veniently may bee agreeable to the Lawes Statutes and 
 Government of this our Realme of England AND SAVE- 
 ING and reserveing to us our heirs and Successors the 
 receiveing heareing and determineing of the Appeale and 
 Appeales of all or any Person or Persons of in or belonging 
 to the Territories or Islands aforesaid in or touching any 
 Judgment or Sentence to bee there made or given AND 
 FURTHER that it shall and may bee lawfull to and for 
 our said dearest Brother his heires and Assignes by these 
 presents from tyme to tyme to Nominate make Constitute 
 Ordeyne and Confirme by such Name or Names Stile or 
 Stiles as to him or them shall seeme good and likewise to 
 revoke discharge Change and alter as well all and singuler 
 Governors Officers and Ministers which hereafter shall 
 bee by him or them thought fitt and needfull to bee made 
 or used within the aforesaid Parts and Islands and alsoe to 
 make Ordayne and Establish all manner of Orders Lawes 
 direccons Instruccons formes and Ceremonies of Govern- 
 ment and Magistracy fitt and necessary for and concerneing 
 the Government of the Territories and Islands aforesaid soe 
 allwayes as the same bee not contrary to the Lawes and 
 
196 Colonial Charters [No. vni] 
 
 Statutes of this our Realme of England butt as neare as may 
 bee agreeable thereunto And the same att all tymes here- 
 after to putt in Execucon or abrogate revoke or change not 
 only within the Precincts of the said Territories or Islands 
 butt alsoe upon the Seas in goeing and comeing to and from 
 the same as hee or they in their good discreccons shall thinke 
 to bee fittest for the good of the Adventurers and Inhabi- 
 tants there AND WE DOE FURTHER of our especiall 
 grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon Graunt Ordeyne 
 and Declare That such Governors Officers and Ministers 
 as from tyme to tyme shall bee authorized and appointed 
 in manner and forme aforesaid shall and may have full 
 power and authority to use and exercise Marshall lawe in 
 cases of Rebellion Insurreccon and Mutiny in as large and 
 ample manner as our Leiftennants in our Countyes within 
 Our Realme of England have or ought to have by force of 
 their Comission of Leiutennancy or any lawe or Statute of 
 this our Realme AND WE DOE further by these presents 
 for us our heires and Successors Graunt unto our dearest 
 Brother James Duke of Yorke his heires and Assignes that 
 itt shall and may bee lawful to and for the said James Duke 
 of Yorke his heires and Assignes in his or their discreccons 
 from tyme to tyme to Admitt such and soe many Person 
 and Persons to Trade and Traffique unto and within the 
 Territoryes and Islands aforesaid and into every or any 
 part and parcell thereof And to have possesse and enjoye 
 any lands or hereditaments in the parts and Places afore- 
 said as they shall thinke fitt according to the Lawes Orders 
 Constitucons and Ordinances by our said Brother his heires 
 Deputyes Comissioners and Assignes from tyme to tyme to 
 bee made and established by virtue of and according to the 
 true intent and meaneing of these presents and under such 
 Condicons reservacons and Agreements as our said Brother 
 his heires or Assignes shall sett downe Order direct and 
 appoint and not otherwise as aforesaid AND WEE DOE 
 FURTHER of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and 
 
[No. viii] Grants 197 
 
 meere mocon for us our heires and Successors give and 
 Graunt to our said deare Brother his heires and Assignes by 
 these presents that itt shall and may bee lawful to and for 
 him them or any of them att all and every tyme and tymes 
 hereafter out of any Our Realmes or Dominions whatso- 
 ever to take lead Carry and Transport in and into (their) 
 Voyages and for and towards the Plantacon of our said 
 Territoryes and Islands all such and soe many of our love- 
 ing Subjects or any other Strangers being not prohibited or 
 under restraint that will become our loveing Subjects and 
 live under our Allegiance as shall willingly Accompany them 
 in the said Voyages Together with all such Cloathing 
 Implements ffurniture and other things usually transported 
 and not prohibited as shall bee necessary for the Inhabitants 
 of the said Islands and Territoryes and for their use and 
 defence thereof and maunaging and Carrying on the Trade 
 with the People there and in passing and returneing to and 
 fro YEILDING AND PAYING to us our heires and Suc- 
 cessors the Customes and Duties therefore due and payable 
 according to the lawes and Customes of this our Realme 
 AND WEE DOE alsoe for us our heires and Successors 
 Graunt to our said dearest Brother James Duke of Yorke 
 his heires and Assignes and to all and every such Governor 
 or Governors or other Officers or Ministers as by our said 
 brother his heires or Assignes shall bee appointed to have 
 power and authority of Governement and Commaund in 
 or over the Inhabitants of the said Territoryes or Islands 
 that they and every of them shall and lawfully may from 
 tyme to tyme and att all tymes hereafter for ever for their 
 severall defence and safety encounter expulse repell and 
 resist by force of Armes as well by Sea as by land and all 
 wayes and meanes whatsoever all such Person and Persons 
 as without the speciall Lycence of our said deare Brother 
 his heires or Assignes shall attempt to inhabite within the 
 severall Precincts and Lymitts of our said Territories and 
 Islands AND ALSOE all and every such Person and Per- 
 
198 Colonial Charters [No. vm] 
 
 sons whatsoever as shall enterprize or attempt att any tyme 
 hereafter the distrucon Invasion detriment or annoyance 
 to the Parts Places or Islands aforesaid or any part thereof 
 AND LASTLY OUR WILL and pleasure is and wee doe 
 hereby declare and Graunt that these our Letters Pattents 
 or the Inrollment thereof shall bee good and effectuall in 
 the Law to all intents and purposes whatsoever NOT- 
 WITHSTANDING the not reciteing or menconing of the 
 premisses or any part thereof or the Meets or Bounds 
 thereof or of any former or other Letters Patents or 
 Graunts heretofore made or Graunted of the premisses or 
 of any part thereof by us or of any of our Progenitors 
 unto any other Person or Persons whatsoever Bodyes 
 Politique or Corporate or any Act Lawe or other Restraint 
 incertainty or ymperfeccon whatsoever to the contrary in 
 any wise notwithstanding ALTHOUGH EXPRESSE 
 MENCON of the true yearely value or certainty of the 
 premisses or of any of them or of any other Guifts or 
 Graunts by us or by any of our Progenitors or Predecessors 
 heretofore made to the said James Duke of Yorke in these 
 presents is not made or any Statute Act Ordinance Provision 
 Proclamacon of Restriccon heretofore had made Enacted 
 Ordeyned or provided or any other matter Cause or thing 
 whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwith- 
 standing IN WITNES whereof Wee have caused these 
 our Letters to bee made Patents WITTNES our Selfe att 
 Westminster the Twelveth day of March in the Sixteenth 
 yeare of our Raigne. 
 
 By the King Howard. 
 
 Mar. 12, 1664. 
 
[No. ix] Grants 199 
 
 No. IX 
 
 ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. 1 
 
 Dated Aug. 27, 1664 
 
 "I. We consent that the States General, or the West 
 India Company, shall freely injoy all farms and houses 
 (except such as are in the forts) and that within six months, 
 they shall have free liberty to transport all such arms and 
 ammunition, as now does belong to them, or else they shall 
 be paid for them. 
 
 "II. All publique houses shall continue for the uses which 
 they are for. 
 
 "III. All people shall still continue free denizens, and 
 shall injoy their lands, houses, goods, wheresoever they are 
 within this country, and dispose of them as they please. 
 
 "IV. If any inhabitant have a mind to remove himself, 
 he shall have a year and six weeks from this day to remove 
 himself, wife, children, servants, goods, and to dispose of 
 his lands here. 
 
 "V. If any officer of state, or publique minister of state, 
 have a mind to go for England, they shall be transported 
 fraught free, in his Majesty's frigotts, when these frigotts 
 shall return thither. 
 
 "VI. It is consented to, that any people may freely come 
 from the Netherlands, and plant in this colony, and that 
 Dutch vessels may freely come hither, and any of the Dutch 
 
 1 The present copy is taken from Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan's translation from 
 the Dutch in Gen. Entries, 1:23, printed in his Hist. N. Neth., (1855), 11:532. 
 It is also printed in N. Y. State Lib. Bui. No. 2, p. 95. A contemporaneous 
 Dutch broadside of these articles, probably issued in Holland as a news 
 bulletin, is reproduced as PI. 13, in Stokes, Iconography, IV 1240 and in 
 Paltsits, Lovelace Min. (1910), 1:65. The original is in the New York Public 
 Library. This is headed (translated) : 
 
 "Articles of Surrender of New Netherland on the 27th of August, Old 
 Style, Anno 1664." It continues: 
 
 "Symon Gilde van Rarop, skipper of the ship 'Gideon,' coming from 
 Manates or New Amsterdam, in New Netherland, reports that New Nether- 
 land, on the 8th of September, New Style, was delivered over to the English 
 on the following conditions ..." 
 
200 Colonial Charters [No. ix] 
 
 may freely return home, or send any sort of merchandise 
 home, in vessels of their own country. 
 
 "VII. All ships from the Netherlands, or any other 
 place, and goods therein, shall be received here, and sent 
 hence, after the manner which formerly they were before 
 our coming hither, for six months next ensuing. 
 
 "VIII. The Dutch here shall injoy the liberty of their 
 consciences in divine worship and church discipline. 
 
 "IX. No Dutchman here, or Dutch ship here, shall upon 
 any occasion, be pressed to serve in war against any nation 
 whatsoever. 
 
 "X. That the townsmen of the Manhattans shall not 
 have any soldiers quartered upon them, without being satis- 
 fied and paid for them by their officers, and that at this 
 present, if the fort be not capable of lodging all the soldiers, 
 then the Burgomasters, by their officers, shall appoint some 
 houses capable to receive them. 
 
 "XL The Dutch here shall injoy their own customs con- 
 cerning their inheritances. 
 
 "XII. All publique writings and records, which concern 
 the inheritance of any people, or the reglement of the 
 church or poor, or orphans, shall be carefully kept by those 
 in whose hands now they are, and such writings as particu- 
 larly concern the States General, may at any time be sent 
 to them. 
 
 "XIII. No judgment that has passed any judicature here, 
 shall be called in question, but if any conceive that he hath 
 not had justice done him if he apply himself to the States 
 General, the other party shall be bound to answer for the 
 supposed injury. 
 
 "XIV. If any Dutch living here shall at any time desire 
 to travaile or traffique into England, or any place, or planta- 
 tion, in obedience to his Majesty of England, or with the 
 Indians, he shall have (upon his request to the governor) 
 a certificate that he is a free denizen of this place, and 
 liberty to do so. 
 
[No. ix] Grants 201 
 
 "XV. If it so appeare, that there is a publique engage- 
 ment of debt, by the town of the Manhatoes, and a way- 
 agreed on for the satisfying of that engagement, it is agreed, 
 that the same way proposed shall go on, and that the engage- 
 ment shall be satisfied. 
 
 "XVI. All inferior civil officers and magistrates shall 
 continue as now they are, (if they please,) till the customary 
 time of new elections, and then new ones to be chosen by 
 themselves, provided that such new chosen magistrates shall 
 take the oath of allegiance to his Majesty of England before 
 they enter upon their office. 
 
 "XVII. All differences of contracts and bargains made 
 before this day, by any in this country, shall be determined 
 according to the manner of the Dutch. 
 
 "XVIII. If it do appeare, that the West India Company 
 of Amsterdam do really owe any sums of money to any 
 persons here, it is agreed that recognition and other duties 
 payable by ships going for the Netherlands, be continued 
 for six months longer. 
 
 "XIX. The officers military, and soldiers, shall march 
 out with their arms, drums beating, and colours flying, and 
 lighted matches; and if any of them will plant, they shall 
 have fifty acres of land set out for them; if any of them will 
 serve as servants, they shall continue with all safety, and 
 become free denizens afterwards. 
 
 "XX. If, at any time hereafter, the King of Great Britain 
 and the States of the Netherland do agree that this place 
 and country be re-delivered into the hands of the said States, 
 whensoever his Majestie will send his commands to 
 re-deliver it, it shall immediately be done. 
 
 "XXI. That the town of Manhattans shall choose 
 deputyes, and those deputyes shall have free voyces in all 
 publique affairs, as much as any other deputyes. 
 
 "XXII. Those who have any property in any houses in 
 the fort of Aurania, shall (if they please) slight the forti- 
 
202 Colonial Charters [No. ix] 
 
 fications there, and then injoy all their houses as all people 
 do where there is no fort. 
 
 "XXIII. If there be any soldiers that will go into Hol- 
 land, and if the Company of West India in Amsterdam, or 
 any private persons here will transport them into Holland, 
 then they shall have a safe passport from Colonel Richard 
 Nicolls, deputy governor under his Royal Highness, and the 
 other commissioners, to defend the ships that shall transport 
 such soldiers, and all the goods in them, from any surprizal 
 or acts of hostility, to be done by any of his Majestie's ships 
 or subjects. That the copies of the King's grant to his 
 Royal Highness, and the copy of his Royal Highness's com- 
 mission to Colonel Richard Nicolls, testified by two com- 
 missioners more, and Mr. Winthrop, to be true copies, shall 
 be delivered to the Honourable Mr. Stuyvesant, the present 
 governor, on Monday next, by eight of the clock in the 
 morning, at the Old Miln, and these articles consented to, 
 and signed by Colonel Richard Nicolls, deputy governor to 
 his Royal Highness, and that within two hours after the 
 fort and town called New Amsterdam, upon the isle of 
 Manhatoes, shall be delivered into the hands of the said 
 Colonel Richard Nicolls, by the service of such as shall be 
 by him thereunto deputed, by his hand and seal. 
 
 JOHN DE DECKER, ROBERT CARR, 
 
 NICH. VARLETH, GEO. CARTERET, 
 
 SAM. MEGAPOLENSIS, JOHN WINTHROP, 
 
 CORNELIS STEENWYCK, SAM. WILLYS, 
 JACQUES COUSSEAU, JOHN PINCHON, 
 
 OLOFFE S.VAN KORTLANDT, THOMAS CLARKE, 
 
 "I do consent to these articles. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS." 2 
 
 2 The names printed on the Dutch Broadside in the N. Y. Public Library 
 are slightly different in spelling. They are, in order, as follows: "J. d. 
 Decker, N. Verlet, Sam. Megapolensis, Cornells Steenivijck, 0. Stevens*. 
 Cortlant, Jacque Couseau, Robbert Carr, George Cartovriaht, John Win- 
 throp, Sam. IVilles, Tho. Clarcks, John Phinchon. lck stae desa Artijkelen 
 toe (engeteeckenl). Richardt Nicolls." 
 
[No. x] Grants 203 
 
 No. X. 
 NICOLLS CHARTER FOR NEW YORK CITY 1 
 
 A 
 
 Revocation of the Fforme of Government of New 
 
 Yorcke Und r Y e Style of Burgomast rs and 
 
 schepens. 
 
 By vertue of his Ma tie * Letters Pattents bearing date the 
 12 th day of March in the 16 th yeare of his Ma ties Reigne, 
 Granted to his Royall Highness, James Duke of Yorke 
 wherein full and absolute Power is given and Granted to 
 his Royal Highnesse or his Deputyes, to Constitute, appoint, 
 Revoke and discharge, all Officers both Civill and Military, 
 as also to alter & Change, all Names and Styles fformes or 
 Ceremonyes of Government; To the end, that his Ma ties 
 Royall pleasure may bee observed and for the more Orderly 
 establishment, of his Ma ties Royall Authority, as near as may 
 bee Agreeable to the Lawes and Customes of his Ma ties 
 Realme of England; Upon mature deliberacon and advice, 
 I have thought it necessary to Revoke and discharge, And 
 by these p r sents in his Ma ties name, do Revoke and discharge 
 the fforme and Ceremony of Government of this his Ma ties 
 Towne of New Yorke, under the Name or Names, Style or 
 Styles, of Scout Burgomasters and Schepens; As also, that 
 for y e future Administracon of Justice, by the Lawes 
 
 1 The leaves which contain the order "Revocation of the fforme of 
 Government of New Yorke undr ye Style of Burgomast rs and Schepens" 
 (June 12, 1665), and the charter of Gov. Nicolls, establishing a court of 
 mayor and aldermen (June 12, 1665), are missing in the original minutes 
 of the city court in the office of the City Clerk, under June 13, 1665. In 
 the printed Rec. N. Am., ed. by Fernow, V 1248-50, these two documents 
 were printed from texts in Gen. Ent., I, which later were destroyed in the 
 capitol fire at Albany in 191 1. The copies in Rec. N. Am. are now the only 
 authentic ones and the present copies are reproduced 'verbatim et literatim et 
 punctuatim from that work. 
 
204 Colonial Charters [No. x] 
 
 Establisht in these the Territoryes of his Royall Highnesse 
 wherein the Welfare of all the Inhabitants and the Preser- 
 vacon of all their due Rights and Privileges, Graunted by 
 the Articles of this Towne, upon Surrender under his Ma ties 
 obedience, are concluded; I do further declare, That by a 
 Particular Commission, Such Persons shall bee Authorized 
 to putt the Lawes in Execucon, in whose abilityes, Prudence 
 and good Affection to his Maties Service, and y e Peace and 
 happynesse of this Governm 1 I have especially reason to put 
 Confidence, which persons so Constituted and appointed, 
 shall bee Knowne and Called by y e Name and Style of 
 Mayor, Aldermen and Sherriffe, according to the 
 Custome of England in other his Ma ties Corporacons; 
 Given under my hand and Seale, at ffort James in New 
 Yorke, this 12 th day of June 1665. 
 
 Richard Nicolls. 
 
 B 
 
 The Mayor and Aldermen's Commission. 
 
 WHEREAS upon mature deliberacon and advice I have 
 found it necessary to discharge the fforme of Governm 1 late 
 in Practice w th in this his Ma ties Towne of New Yorcke, 
 under the name and Style of Scout, Burgomast rs and 
 Schepens, which are not knowne or Customary, in any of his 
 Ma ties Dominions; To the end that the Course of Justice 
 for the future, may bee Legally, equally and impartially 
 administred to all his Ma ties Subjects as well Inhabitants as 
 Strangers; Know All Men by these Presents; That I 
 Richard Nicolls, Deputy Govern 1 " to his Royall High- 
 nesse the Duke of Yorke, by vertue of his Ma ties Letters 
 Pattents, bearing date the 12 th day of March, in the 16 th 
 yeare of his Ma ties Reigne, Do Ordaine, Constitute and 
 Declare, That the Inhabitants of New Yorke, New 
 Harlem w th all other Ma ties Subjects, Inhabitants upon this 
 Island, Commonly call'd and Knowne by the name of Man- 
 hatans Island, are, and shall bee for ever, accounted, 
 
[No. x] Grants 205 
 
 Nominated and Established, as one Body Politique & 
 Corporate, under the Governm* of a Mayor, Aldermen and 
 Sherriffe, And I do by these P r sents Constitute and appoint, 
 for one whole yeare, Commencing from the date hereof, and 
 ending the 12 th day of June, w ch shall bee in the Yeare of 
 Our Lord 1666; M r Thomas Willett to bee Mayor, M r 
 Thomas Delavall, M r Oloffe Stuyvesant, M r John Brugges, 
 M r Cornelis van Ruyven and M r John Laurence, to bee 
 Aldermen, and M r Allard Anthony to bee Sherriffe; Giving 
 and Granting, to them the said Mayor and Aldermen, or 
 any foure of them, whereof the said Mayor or his Deputy, 
 shall be alwayes one, and upon equall Division of voyces, 
 to have alwayes the Casting and Decisive voyce, full Power 
 and authority to Rule Governe as well all the Inhabitants of 
 this Corporacon as any Strangers, according to the Generall 
 Lawes of this Government, and such Peculiar Lawes as are 
 or shall be thought convenient and necessary for the good 
 and wellfare of this his Ma ,ies Corporacon; As also, to 
 appoint such under Officers as they shall judge necessary 
 for the orderly execution of Justice; And I do hereby strictly 
 Charge and Command all persons to obey and execute, from 
 Time to Time, all Such Warrants, Orders and Constitutions, 
 as shall be made by the said Mayor and Aldermen, as they 
 will Answer the Contrary at their Utmost Perills; And for 
 the due administracon of Justice, according to y e fforme and 
 manner prescribed in this Commission, by the Mayor Alder- 
 men and Sherriffe, These Presents shall bee to them, and 
 every of them, a Sufficient Warrant and discharge in that 
 behalf e; Given under my hand and seale at ffort James in 
 New Yorke this 12 th day of June 1665. 
 
 Rich d Nicolls. 
 
206 Colonial Charters [No. xi] 
 
 No. XI. 
 COLVE'S CHARTER. 1 
 
 Provisional Instruction for the Schout, Burgomasters 
 and Schepens of the City of New Orange. 
 
 ist. The Schout and Magistrates, each in his quality- 
 shall take care that the Reformed Christian Religion con- 
 formable to the Synod of Dordrecht shall be maintained, 
 without suffering any other Sects attempting any thing 
 contrary thereto. 
 
 2. The Schout shall be present at all Meetings and pre- 
 side there, unless the Honble. Heer Governour or some 
 person appointed by him be present who then shall preside, 
 when the Schout shall rank next below the youngest acting 
 Burgomaster. But whensoever the Schout acts as Prose- 
 cutor on behalf of Justice or otherwise, having made his 
 complaint, he shall then rise up and absent himself from 
 the Bench during the deciding of the case. 
 
 3. All matters appertaining to the Police, Security, and 
 Peace of the Inhabitants also to Justice between man and 
 man, shall be determined by final Judgment by the Schout, 
 Burgomasters and Schepens aforesaid to the amount of 
 Fifty Beavers and under, but in all cases exceeding that 
 sum, each one shall be at liberty to appeal to the Heer 
 Governour General & Council here. 
 
 4. All Criminal offences which shall be committed within 
 this City and the Jurisdiction thereof shall be amenable to 
 the Judicature of said Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens 
 who shall have power to judge and sentence the same even 
 unto DEATH inclusive; provided and on condition, that 
 
 1 These instructions sometimes known as "Colve's Charter" because granted 
 by Colve, governor general of the province, have been translated and pub- 
 lished in Documentary History of New York by E. B. O'Callaghan, (1849), 
 I:6o8. They were reprinted in the N. Y. Col. Laws, I:io2, from which this 
 copy was reproduced. The province continued under the Dutch government 
 until June 26, 1674., when, pursuant to treaty, it was restored to the English. 
 
[No. xi] Grants 207 
 
 no sentence of corporal punishment shall be executed unless 
 the approval of the Heer Governour General and Council 
 shall be first sought and obtained therefor. 
 
 5. The Court shall be convoked by the President Burgo- 
 master who shall, the night before, make the same known 
 to Capt. Willem Knyff, (who is hereby provisionally quali- 
 fied and authorized to be present at and preside over the 
 Court in the name and on the behalf of the Hr. Gover- 
 nour,) and so forth to the remaining Schout, Burgomasters 
 and Schepens. 
 
 6. All motions shall be put by the first Burgomaster, 
 whose proposition being made and submitted for considera- 
 tion, the Commissioner there presiding in the name of the 
 Hr. Governour shall first vote there, and so afterwards 
 the remaining Magistrates each according to his rank; and 
 the votes being collected, it shall then be concluded accord- 
 ing to plurality; But if it happen that the votes are equal, 
 the President shall then have power to decide by his vote, 
 in which case those of the contrary opinion as well as those 
 of the minority may Register their opinions on the Minutes, 
 but not publish the same in any manner out of the Court 
 on pain of arbitrary Correction. 
 
 7. The Burgomasters shall change Rank every half 
 year, wherein the oldest shall first occupy the place of 
 President and the next shall follow him; but during this 
 current Year the change shall take place every 4 months, 
 since three Burgomasters are appointed for this year. 
 
 8. The Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens shall hold 
 their Session and Court Meeting as often as the same shall 
 be necessary, on condition of previously appointing regular 
 days therefor. 
 
 9. The Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens shall have 
 power to enact, and with the approbation of the Hr. Gover- 
 nour to publish and affix some Statutes, Ordinances and 
 Placards for the Peace, Quiet and Advantage of this City 
 and the inhabitants thereof within their district, provided 
 
208 Colonial Charters [No. xi] 
 
 that the same do not in any wise conflict, but agree, as much 
 as possible, with the Laws and Statutes of our Fatherland. 
 
 10. Said Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens shall be 
 bound rigidly to observe and cause to be observed the Pla- 
 cards and Ordinances of the Chief Magistracy, and not to 
 suffer any thing to be done contrary thereto, but proceed 
 against the Contraveners according to the tenor thereof; 
 and further promptly execute such orders as the Heer 
 Governour General shall send them from time to time. 
 
 ii. The Schout, Burgomasters & Schepens shall be also 
 bound to acknowledge their High Mightinesses the Lords 
 States General of the United Netherlands and his Serene 
 Highness the Lord Prince of Orange as their Sovereign 
 Rulers, and to maintain their High Jurisdiction, Right and 
 Domain in this Country. 
 
 12. The election of all inferior officers and servants in 
 the employ of said Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens 
 shall, with the sole exception of the Secretary, be made and 
 confirmed by themselves. 
 
 13. The Schout shall execute all judgments of the 
 Burgomasters and Schepens, without relaxing any, unless 
 with the advice of the Court, also take good care that the 
 jurisdiction under his authority shall be cleansed of all 
 Vagabonds, Whorehouses, Gambling houses and such 
 impurities. 
 
 14. The Schout shall receive all fines imposed during his 
 time, provided they do not exceed yearly the sum of Twelve 
 hundred Guilders Seawant value which, having received he 
 shall enjoy the just half of all the other fines, on condition 
 that he presume neither directly nor indirectly to compound 
 with any criminals, but leave them to the judgment of the 
 Magistrates. 
 
 15. The Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens aforesaid 
 shall convoke an Assembly on the nth day of the month 
 of August, being eight days before the Election of new 
 Magistrates, and in presence of the Commissioner to be 
 
[No. xi] Grants 209 
 
 qualified for that purpose by the Honble Governr General, 
 nominate a double number of the best qualified honorable 
 and wealthy persons, and only such as are of the Reformed 
 Christian Religion, or at least well affected towards it, as 
 Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens aforesaid, which nomi- 
 nation shall be handed and presented folded & sealed, on 
 the same day, to his Honor; from which nomination the 
 Election shall then be made by his Honor on the 17th day 
 of the month of August, with continuation of some of the 
 old Magistrates, in case his Honor shall deem the same 
 necessary. Done, Ffort Willem Heindrick the 15th 
 January 1674. 
 
 By Order of the Honble Heer 
 Governr General of 
 New Netherland, 
 (Was Signe d ) N. Bayard, Secrety. 
 
210 Colonial Charters [No. xii] 
 
 No. XII. 
 
 SECOND GRANT TO THE DUKE OF YORK, 1674. 1 
 
 His Ma ties Letters Patents 
 To His Royall Highnesse, 
 Recorded November 4 th 1674. 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND by the Grace of God, 
 KING of England Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender 
 of the ffaith &c, TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall 
 come Greeting; KNOW YEE, that wee for divers good 
 causes and consideracons, HAVE of our espetiall GRACE, 
 certaine knowledge and meer motion, GIVEN and granted, 
 and by these p r sents, for us, our Heirs and Successo rs Do 
 give and graunt unto our Dearest Brother, JAMES DUKE 
 OF YORKE, his Heires and Assignes, ALL that part of 
 the Maine Land of NEW ENGLAND, begining at a cer- 
 taine place called or knowne by the name of S l Croix, next 
 adjoyning to NEW SCOTLAND in America; And from 
 thence extending along the Sea-Coast, unto a certaine place 
 called PETUAQUINE or PEMAQUID, and so up the 
 River thereof; to the furthest head of the same, as it 
 tendeth Northwards, and extending from the River of 
 KINEBEQUE, and so upwards by the shortest Course to 
 the River CANADA Northwards; And all that Island or 
 Islands, commonly called by the severall name or names of 
 MATOWACKS or Long Island, Scituate and being towards 
 the west of Cape Cod, and the narrow HIGANSETTS, 
 abutting upon the Maine Land, between the two Rivers 
 there, called or knowne by the severall names of 
 
 1 This patent was given by the king to James, Duke of York, and granted 
 anew the same territory as that described in the patent of March 12, 1664. 
 This second patent was deemed necessary because of the intervening 
 possession of New York by the Dutch, which was regarded as extinguishing 
 the former grant. (Stokes, Iconography, IV :30c).) This text is taken from 
 the copy recorded in Deed Book, I:i in the office of the Secretary of State, 
 Albany. 
 
[No. xii] Grants 211 
 
 CONECTICUTT and HUDSONS River, together also 
 with the said River called HUDSONS River, and all the 
 Land from the west side of CONECTICUTT River, to the 
 East side of DELAWARE Bay; And also all those several! 
 Islands, called or knowne by the names of MARTIN- 
 VINEYARDS and NANTUKES, otherwise NAN- 
 TUCKETT; Together with all the Lands, Islands, Soiles, 
 Rivers, Harbo rs , Mines, Mineralls, Quarryes, woods, 
 Marshes, waters, Lakes, ffishings, Hawking, Hunting & 
 ffowling; And all other Royalties, proffits, Commodities and 
 Hereditam ts , to the said severall Islands, Lands and 
 premisses, belonging and appertaining, w th their and every 
 of their Appurtenances, and all our Estate, Right, Title, & 
 Interest, benefit and advantage Claime and demand, of, in 
 or to the said Lands or p r misses, or any part or parcell 
 thereof; And the Revercon and Revercons, remainder & 
 remaind" together with the yearly and other Rents, Reve- 
 nues and Proffitts of the p r misses, and of every part and 
 Parcell thereof; TO HAVE AND [TO] 2 HOLD all and 
 singular the said Lands and premisses, with their and every 
 [of their] Appurtences hereby given and graunted, or here- 
 inbefore mentioned] given and graunted, unto our said 
 Dearest Brother, JAMES Duke [of] Yorke his Heirs and 
 Assignes for ever; To bee holden of us, our Heirs and 
 Successo rs , as of our Manor of East Greenwich, in our 
 County of KENT, in free and common Soccage, and not in 
 Capit[e] by Knight service YEILDING and rendring; And 
 the said JAMES Duke of Yorke, for himselfe, his Heirs 
 and Assignes, doth Covenant and promise to yeild and 
 render unto us, our Heirs and Successo 15 of and for the 
 same, yearly and every yeare, fforty BEAVER Skins when 
 they shall bee demanded or within ninety dayes after such 
 deman[d] made; And wee do further, of our speciall grace, 
 certaine knowledge and meer motion, for us our Heirs and 
 
 2 The matter in brackets is illegible in the original. 
 
212 Colonial Charters [No. xii] 
 
 Successo rs , Give and grant unto our said Dearest Brother, 
 JAMES Duke of Yorke, his Heirs, Deputyes, Agents, Com- 
 mission", and Assignes by these p r sents, full and absolute 
 power and authority, to Correct, punish, pardon, Govern 
 and Rule, all such the Subjects of us, our Heirs and Suc- 
 cesso rs , or any other Person or ^sons, as shall from time to 
 time adventure themselves into any the parts or places 
 aforesaid, or that shall, or do at any time hereafter 
 Inhab[it] within the same, according to such Lawes, Orders, 
 Ordinances, direcco[ns] and Instruccons, as by our said 
 Dearest Brother, or his Assignes, sha[ll] bee established; 
 And in defect thereof in cases of necessity, according [to] 
 the good Discecons of his Deputyes, Commission", Officers 
 or Agents respectively, as well in all Cases and matters 
 Capitall and Criminall, as Civi[ll] Marine and others so 
 alwayes as the said Statutes, Ordinances and proce[ed]ings, 
 bee not contrary to, but as neare as may bee Agreeable to 
 the Lawes Statutes and Governm', of this our Realm of 
 England; And saving and reserving, to us, Our Heirs and 
 Successo", the receiving, hearing and determining of the 
 appeal and Appeals of all or any ^son or =Psons, of, in or 
 belonging to the Territoryes or Islands aforesaid, or touch- 
 ing any Judgm* or Sentence to bee there made or given; 
 And further, that it shall and may bee Lawfull, to and for 
 our said Dearest Brother, his Heirs and Assignes, by these 
 p r sents, from time to time, to nominate, make, constitute, 
 ordaine, and Confirme, such Lawes as aforesaid, by such 
 name or names, Stile or Stiles, as to him or them shall seem 
 good : And likewise to revoke, discharg[e] change and alter, 
 as well all and singular, Governo" Officers and Minister [s] 
 which hereafter shall bee by him or them thought fit and 
 needfull to bee made or used within the aforesaid Islands 
 and parts; And also to make Ordaine and Establish all 
 manner of Lawes, Orders, direccons, Instructions, formes 
 and Ceremonyes of Governm 4 , and Magistracy, fit and 
 necessary, for and concerning the Governm* of the Terri- 
 
[No. xii] Grants 213 
 
 toryes & Island aforesaid, so alwayes as the same bee not 
 contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of this our Realme of 
 England, but as near as may bee agr[ee]able thereunto, and 
 the same at all times hereafter, to put in Execu[con] or 
 Abbrogate, revoke or change, not onely within the p r cincts 
 of the said Territoryes or Islands, but also upon the Seas, 
 in going and coming to and from the same, as hee or they 
 in their good discretions shall think fittest for the good 
 of the Adventurers and Inhabitants. And do fu[rth]er of 
 our especiall grace, certaine knowledge and meer motion, 
 [Gra]unt, ordaine and Declare, That such Governo", 
 Deputyes, Officers and [Mi]nsters, as from time to time 
 shall bee authorized and appointed, in manner [and] forme 
 aforesaid, shall and may have full power and Authority 
 within [the terrijtoryes aforesaid, to use and exercize Mar- 
 shall Law, in Cases of Rebellion Insurrecon and M[u]tiny, 
 in as large and ample manner, as our Liev ts in our Countyes 
 within our Realme of England, have or ought to have by 
 force of their Commission of Lievtenancy, or any Law or 
 Statute of this our Realme AND WEE do further by these 
 presents, for us, our Heirs and Successo", grant unto our 
 said dearest Brother, JAMES Duke of Yorke, his Heirs & 
 Assignes, That it shall and may bee Lawfull, to and for the 
 said JAMES Duke of Yorke, his Heires and Assignes, in 
 his or their Discrecon, from time to time, to admit such 
 and so many person and ^sons, to Trade & Trafficke into, 
 and w th in y e Territoryes and Islands aforesaid, (and into 
 every or any the Territoryes and Islands aforesaid,) & into 
 every, or any part and Parcell thereof; And to have, pos- 
 sesse and enjoy any Lands & Hereditam ts , in the ^tes and 
 places aforesaid, as they shall think fit, according to the 
 Lawes, Orders, constitutions and ordinances by our said 
 Brother, his Heirs, Deputyes, Com rs and Assignes, from 
 time to time to bee made & established, by vertue of, and 
 according to the true intent and meaning of these p r sents, 
 and under such Condicons, reservacons and Agreem ts , as our 
 
214 Colonial Charters [No. xii] 
 
 said Dearest Brother his Heirs and Assignes, shall set 
 downe, order, direct and appoint, and not otherwise as 
 aforesaid; AND WEE DO FURTHER, of our especiall 
 grace, certaine knowledge & meer motion, for us, our Heirs 
 and Successo rs , give and graunt, unto our said Deare 
 Brother, his Heires and Assignes by these p r sents, That it 
 shall and may bee Lawfull, to and for him, them or any of 
 them, at all and every time and times hereafter, out of any 
 of our Realmes or Dominions, whatsoever, to take, lead, 
 carry and transport, in and into their voyages, for and 
 towards the Plantacon of our said Territoryes, and Islands 
 aforesaid, all such and so many of our Loving Subjects, or 
 any other Strangers, being not prohibited, or under 
 restraint, that will become our Loving Subjects, and live 
 under our Alegiance, and shall willingly accompany them in 
 the said Voyages, together with all such Cloathing, 
 Implem ts , ffurniture & other things usually transported, 
 and not prohibited, as shall bee necessary for the Inhabitants 
 of the said Islands and Territoryes, and for their use and 
 defense thereof, and manageing & carrying on the Trade 
 w th the people there, and in passing and returning to and 
 fro. YEILDING AND PAYING to us our Heirs and 
 Successo rs , the Customes and Dutyes therefore due and 
 payable, according to the Lawes and Customes of this our 
 Realme. And wee do also, for us, our Heirs and Successo", 
 graunt to our said Dearest Brother, JAMES DUKE OF 
 YORKE, his Heirs and Assignes, and to all and every such 
 Governo 1 ", or Governo rs , or Deputies, their Officers or 
 Ministers, as by our said Brother, his Heirs or Assignes, 
 shall bee appointed to have power and Authority of 
 Governm*, or Command; in, or over the Inhabitants of the 
 s d Territoryes or Islands, that they or every of them, shall, 
 and Lawfully may from time to time, and at all times for 
 ever hereafter, for their severall defense & safety, 
 encounter, repulse, & expell & resist by force of Armes, (as 
 well by Sea as by Land) and all wayes and meanes whatso- 
 
[No. xii] Grants 215 
 
 ever, all such ^son and ^sons, as without the speciall 
 License of our Dearest Brother, his Heirs and Assignes 
 shall attempt to Inhabit w th in the severall p r cincts and Limits, 
 of our said Territoryes and Islands. And also all and every 
 such ^son and ^sons whatsoever, as shall enterprize and 
 attempt at any time hereafter, the Destruccon invasion, 
 detrim 1 or annoyance, to the parts, places or Islands afore- 
 said, or any part thereof; And lastly, our will and pleasure 
 is, And we do hereby declare & graunt, That these Our 
 £res patents, or y c enrolm 1 thereof, shall bee good and 
 effectuall in the Law, to all intents and purposes whatsoever, 
 Notw th standing the not well and true reciting or menconing 
 of the premisses, or any part thereof, or the Limits or 
 Bounds thereof, or of any former or other £res, patents or 
 graunts whatsoever, made or graunted or of any part 
 thereof, by us, or any of our progento rs , unto any ^son or 
 3$sons whatsoever, Bodyes politick or Corporate, or any 
 Law or other restraint, incertainty or imperfeccon whatso- 
 ever, to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding; Although 
 expresse mencon of the true yearly value or certainty of the 
 p r misses, or of any of them, or of any other guifts or 
 Graunts by us, or by any of our progento rs , heretofore made 
 to the said James Duke of Yorke, in these p r sents, is not 
 made, or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, provision, procla- 
 mation or restriccon heretofore had, made, enacted or pro- 
 vided, or any other matter, caus[e o]r th[ing] whatsoever, 
 to the contrary thereof, in any wise notw th standing. IN 
 WITNESSE [whereof] wee have caused these our £res, 
 to bee made patents, witnesse our selfe at westm. the [29 th 
 day of] June, in the 26 th yeare of our Reigne. 
 
 PIGOTT. 
 
216 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 No. XIII. 
 
 DONGAN CHARTER FOR NEW YORK CITY 1 
 
 Thomas Dongan Leiutenant Governour and Vice 
 Admirall of New Yorke and its Dependencyes under his 
 Majestye James the Second By the Grace of God of Eng- 
 land Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the 
 faith Supreme Lord and proprietor of the collony and 
 province of New Yorke and its Dependencyes in America 
 &c, TO ALL to whom this shall come, SENDETH 
 GREETINGS : WHEREAS the Citty of New Yorke is 
 an ancient Citty within the said province, And the Cittizens 
 of the said Citty have antiently been a body politique and 
 
 1 This charter which was signed and sealed by Gov. Dongan on April 27, 
 1 686 is the second English charter of the city of New York. The first was 
 the Nicolls Charter of 1665. The original document which is still owned 
 by the city, is in the custody of the New York Public Library, where, with 
 the Montgomerie Charter and other documents, it was deposited for safe 
 keeping by Comptroller Bird S. Coler, in 1899. 
 
 It is described as being "beautifully engrossed on five very large and 
 thick sheets of parchment, it is so massive, so imposing to the eye, that it 
 seems to have been prepared as a guaranty of the liberties not of a little 
 colonial capital of some four thousand inhabitants, but of a city like the 
 New York of to-day. Once pendant from it but long ago detached by the 
 hand of time, is an impression of the large provincial seal bestowed when 
 Lovelace was governor in 1669, protected by a silver box bearing on its 
 cover the inscription: 'N. Bayard Esq r Mayor, 1686.' " — Van Rensselaer, 
 Hist. City of N. Y., IL299. The complete charter is reproduced in Stokes' 
 Iconography, IV:P1. 18 (a to e). Dongan's provincial seal is reproduced in 
 the Iconography, Frontispiece Vol. V. Gov. Bellomont, writing to England 
 on Nov. 29, 1700, said of the charter: "... 'tis sealed with the Duke of 
 York's seal, and neither the Great Seal of England nor Seal of the Province, 
 yet it bears date 2 d year of King James, so that the whole foundation is 
 wrong." This led him to declare that it was "not a legal Charter;" that 
 "In strictness this is no City, and all the judgments that have been pass'd 
 in the Mayor's Court are void." — N. Y. Col. Docs., IV:8i2. This charter 
 was transcribed into the Minutes of the Common Council (1:290-306) under 
 date of Jan. 5, 1693. 
 
 The present copy of the charter was carefully compared with the original 
 charter in the N. Y. Public Library, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 217 
 
 corporate And the Cittizens of the said Citty have held 
 used and Enjoyed As well within the same as Elsewhere in 
 the said province Diverse and sundry Rights Libertyes 
 priviledges ^franchises ffree Customes, preheminences advan- 
 tages Jurisdiccons Emoluments And Immunityes, as well by 
 prescripcon As by Charter Letters pattents Grants and Con- 
 firmations not only of Divers Governours and Comanders 
 in Cheife in the said province But also of severall Gover- 
 nours Directors Generalls, and Comanders in Chiefe of the 
 Nether Dutch Nation Whilst the same was or has beene 
 under their power and subjeccon AND WHEREAS 
 Diverse Lands Tenements and Heriditaments Jurisdiccons 
 Libertyes immunityes and priviledges, have heretofore been 
 given and Granted or menconed to be given and granted to 
 the Cittizens and inhabitants of the Said Citty sometimes by 
 name of Schout Burgomasters and Schepens of the Citty of 
 New Amsterdam And sometimes by the name of the Mayor 
 Alderman and Comonalty of the Citty of New Yorke some- 
 times by the name of the Mayor Aldermen and Sherriffe 
 of the Citty of New Yorke sometimes by the name of the 
 Mayor and Aldermen of the Citty of New Yorke and by 
 Diverse other names As by their severall Letters pattents 
 Charters Grants writeings Records and muniments amongst 
 other things may more fully appear AND WHEREAS the 
 Citizens and inhabitants of the said Citty have Erected 
 built and appropriated at their Owne propper Costs and 
 Charges severall publique buildings Accomodations and Con- 
 veniences for the said Citty, (that is to say) The Citty Hall 
 or Stathouse with the ground thereunto belonging, Two 
 markett houses, the bridge into the Dock, The wharfes or 
 Dock with their appurtenances And the new Buriall place 
 without the Gate of the Citty and have Established and 
 setled one fferry from the said Citty of New Yorke to Long 
 Island for the Acomodacon and conveniency of passengers 
 the said Citizens and Travellers. 
 
218 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 AND WHEREAS severall the inhabitants of the said 
 Citty and of Manhattans Island doe hold from and under 
 his most sacred Majesty Respectively As well by severall 
 and Respective Letters Pattents Grants Charters and Con- 
 veyances made and granted by the Late Leiutenants Gover- 
 nours or Comanders in Cheifs of the said province as other- 
 wise severall and respective messuages Lands tenements and 
 Heriditaments upon Manhattans Island and in the Citty of 
 New Yorke aforesaid And that As well the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty and their suc- 
 cessours As alsoe the inhabitants of the said Manhattans 
 Island and Citty of New Yorke aforesaid and their heires 
 and Assignes respectivly may hold Excercise and Enjoy not 
 only such and the same Libertyes priviledges and ^franchises 
 Rights Rolaytyes ffree Customes Jurisdiccons and immuni- 
 tyes as they have anciently had used held and Enjoyed but 
 also such publique buildings Accomodations Convenienes 
 Messuages tenements Lands and Heriditaments in the said 
 Citty of New Yorke, and upon Manhattans Island afore- 
 said which as aforesaid have beene by the Citizens and 
 inhabitants erected and built or which have as aforesaid 
 been held Enjoyed granted and Conveyed unto them or any 
 of them Respectively. 
 
 KNOW YE THEREFORE That I the said Thomas 
 Dongan by Virtue of the Comicon and Authority unto me 
 given and power in me resideing at the humble Peticon of 
 the now Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty 
 of New Yorke and for diverse other good Causes and Con- 
 siderations me thereunto moveing have given Granted, 
 Ratifyed and Confirmed And by these p r sents for and on 
 the behalfe of his most sacred majestye aforesaid his heires 
 Successours and Assignes Do give grant ratifye and Con- 
 firme unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the 
 said Citty All and Every such and the same Libertyes 
 priviledges ffranchiscs Rights Royalties ffree Customes 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 219 
 
 jurisdiccons and immunityes which they by the name of the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty or otherwise have 
 anciently had held used or Enjoyed PROVIDED Alwayes 
 that none of the said Libertyes priviledges ffranchises Rights 
 ffree Customes Jurisdiccons or immunityes be inconsistent 
 with or Repugnant to the Laws of his Majestyes Kingdome 
 of England or any other the Laws of the Generall Assembly 
 of this province And the aforesaid publique buildings accomo- 
 dations and Conveniencyes in the said Citty. (that is to say) 
 The aforesaid Citty Hall or statthouse with the ground 
 thereunto belonging, Two markett houses, The Bridge into 
 the Dock, The wharfes or Dock The said New Buriall place 
 and the aforemenconed fferry with their and Every of their 
 rights members and appurtenances Together with all the 
 profitts benefitts and advantages which shall or may accrue 
 and arrise at all times hereafter for Dockage or wharfage 
 within the said Dock with all and Singular the rents issues 
 profitts gaines and advantages which shall or may arrise 
 grow or accrue by the said Citty Hall or Statthouse and 
 ground thereunto belonging markett houses bridge Dock 
 Burying place fferry and other the above menconed premisess 
 or any of them And alsoe all and Every the Streets Lanes 
 Highways and Alleys within the said Citty of New Yorke 
 and Manhattans Island aforesaid for the publick use and 
 service of the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the 
 said Citty and of the inhabitants of Manhattans Island 
 aforesaid and travellers there Together with full power 
 Lycence and authority to the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comonalty and their successours forever to Establish 
 appoint order and Direct the Establishing makeing layeing 
 out ordering Amending and repairing of all streets Lanes 
 alleys highwayes water courses fferry and Bridges in and 
 throughout the said Citty of New Yorke and Manhattans 
 Island aforesaid necessary needfull and Convenient for the 
 inhabitants of the said Citty and Manhattans Island afore- 
 
220 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 said and for all travellers and passengers there PRO- 
 VIDED Alwayes That this said Licence soe as above 
 granted for the Establishing makeing laying out of streets 
 Lanes Alleys Highwayes fferry and bridges be not Extended 
 or be construed to Extend to the takeing away of any per- 
 son or persons right or property without his her or their 
 Consent or by some knowne Law of the said province And 
 for the Consideracons aforesaid I doe likewise give grant 
 ratifye and confirme unto all and Every the respective 
 inhabitants of the said Citty of New Yorke and of Man- 
 hattans Island aforesaid and their severall and Respective 
 heires and Assignes all and Every the severall and respective 
 messuages tenements lands and hereditaments scituate lyeing 
 and being in the said Citty and Manhattans Island aforesaid 
 to them severally and respectively granted conveyed and 
 Confirmed by any the Late Governours Leiutenants or Com- 
 anders in Cheife of the said province or by any of the 
 former Mayors or Deputy Mayors and Aldermen of the 
 said Citty of New Yorke by Deed grant conveyance or 
 otherwise howsoever To hold to their severall and Respec- 
 tive heires and Assigns forever. 
 
 AND I doe by these presents give and graunt unto the 
 said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty of 
 New Yorke All the Wast Vacant unpattented and unappro- 
 priated Lands lyeing and being within the said Citty of New 
 Yorke and on Manhattans Island aforesaid Extending and 
 reaching to the Low water marke in by and through all 
 parts of the said Citty of New Yorke And Manhattans 
 Island aforesaid Together with all Rivers Rivoletts Coves 
 Creeks ponds waters and watercourses in the said Citty and 
 Island or either of them not heretofore Given or granted 
 by any of the former Governours Leiutenants or Comanders 
 in cheife under their or some of their hands and seals or 
 seal of the province or by any of the former Mayors or 
 Deputy Mayors and Aldermen of the said Citty of New 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 221 
 
 Yorke to some respective person or persons Late inhabitants 
 of the said Citty of New Yorke or Manhattans Island or of 
 other parts of the said province 
 
 AND I doe by these p r sents give grant and Confirme unto 
 the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty 
 of New Yorke and their successours forever the Royaltyes 
 of fishing fowling Hunting Hawking mineralls and other 
 Royaltyes and priviledges belonging or Appertaining to the 
 Citty of New Yorke and Manhattans Island aforesaid 
 (Gold and silver Mines only Excepted) TO HAVE HOLD 
 and Enjoy all and singular the premisses to the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty of New Yorke 
 and their successours forever RENDRING AND PAY- 
 ING therefor unto his most sacred Majestye his heires 
 successours or Assignes or to such officer or OFFICERS 
 As shall be appointed to receive the same yearly forever 
 hereafter the annuall quittrent or acknowledgement of one 
 Beaver Skin or the Value thereof in currant mony of this 
 province in the said Citty of New Yorke on the five and 
 twentith day of March yearly forever 
 
 AND Moreover I will and by these presents doe grant 
 appoint and declare That the said Citty of New Yorke and 
 the compasse precincts and Limitts thereof and the juris- 
 diccon of the same shall from henceforth Extend and Reach 
 itselfe and may and shall be able to reach forth and extend 
 itself as well in Length and in breadth as in circuit to the 
 furthest Extent of and in and throughout all the Said Island 
 Manhattans and in and upon all the Rivers Rivoletts Coves 
 Creeks and waters and watercourses belonging to the same 
 Island as farre as lowe water Mark And I doe alsoe for 
 and on behalfe of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his 
 heires and successors firmly Enjoyne and Comand That the 
 aforesaid Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the Citty 
 aforesaid and their Successours Shall and may freely and 
 quietly have hold use and Enjoy the aforesaid Libertyes 
 
222 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 Authorities Jurisdiccons ffranchises Rights Royaltyes privi- 
 ledges Exempcons Lands tenements Hereditaments and 
 p r misses aforesaid in manner and forme aforesaid according 
 to the Tenour and Effect of the aforesaid Grants pattents 
 Customs and Letters pattentts of Grant and Confirmacon 
 without the Let hinderance or impediment of me or any of 
 my Successours Governours Leiutenants or other Officers 
 whatsoever 
 
 AND alsoe I Doe for and on the behalfe of his most 
 sacred Majestye aforesaid his heirs and Successours Grant 
 To the Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty 
 of New Yorke and their successours by these presents That 
 for the better Government of the said Citty Libertyes and 
 p r cints thereof there Shall be forever hereafter within the 
 said Citty A Mayor and Recorder Town clerke and six 
 Aldermen and six assistants to be appointed nominated 
 Elected Chosen and Sworne as hereinafter is perticulerly 
 and respectively menconed who shall be forever hereafter 
 called the Mayor Aldermen and Comonaltye of the Citty 
 of New Yorke And that there shall be forever One cham- 
 berlaine or Treasurer one Sherriffe one Coroner one Clerke 
 of the Market one high Constable seven subconstables and 
 one Marshall or Serjaint at Mace to be appointed Chosen 
 and Sworne in manner hereinafter menconed. 
 
 AND I Doe by these presents for and on the behalfe of 
 his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his heires Successours 
 and Assignes declare Constitute grant and appoint That the 
 Mayor Recorder Aldermen and Assistants of the said Citty 
 of New Yorke for the time being And they which hereafter 
 shall be the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen and assistants 
 of the said Citty of New Yorke for the time being and their 
 Successours forever hereafter be and shall be by force of 
 these p r sents one body Corporate and pollitique in Deed 
 fact and name by the name of the Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comonalty of the Citty of New Yorke And them by the 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 223 
 
 name of, the Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the Citty 
 of New Yorke one body Corporate and pollitique in Deed 
 fact and name I Doe really and fully Create ordaine make 
 Constitute and Confirme by these presents And that by the 
 name of the Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the Citty 
 of New Yorke they may have perpetuall succession And 
 that they and their successors forever by the name of the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the Citty of New 
 Yorke be and shall be forever hereafter persons able and 
 in Law Capable To have gett receive and possesse lands 
 tenements Rents Libertyes Jurisdiccons ^franchises and 
 hereditaments to them and their Successours in ffee Simple 
 or for terme of life lives or yeares or otherwise and alsoe 
 goods and Chattells and alsoe other things of what nature 
 kind or quality soever And also to give grant Lett sett and 
 Assigne the same Lands tenements heriditaments goods and 
 chattels and to doe and execute all other things about the 
 same by the name aforesaid And also that they be and for- 
 ever shall be hereafter persons able in Law Capable to plead 
 and be impleaded answer and be answered unto defend and 
 be defended in all or any of the Courts of his said Majestye 
 and other places whatsoever and before any Judges Jusstices 
 and other person or persons whatsoever in all and all man- 
 ner of accons suitss complaints demands pleas Causes and 
 matters whatsoever of what nature kind or quality soever 
 in the same and in the like manner and forme as other 
 people of the said province being persons able and in Law 
 Capable may plead and be impleaded answer and be 
 answered unto defend and be defended by any Lawfull 
 wayes and meanes whatsoever AND That the Said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty of New Yorke 
 and their successours Shall and may forever hereafter have 
 one comon seale to serve for the sealing of all and singular 
 their affaires and businesses touching or Concerning the said 
 Corporacon AND it shall and may be Lawfull to and for 
 the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said 
 
224 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 Citty of New Yorke and their successours as they shall see 
 Cause to Breake Change alter and new make their said 
 Comon Seale when and as often as to them it shall seeme 
 convenient 
 
 AND FURTHER, KNOW YEE That I have assigned 
 named ordained and Constituted and by these presents doe 
 assigne name ordaine and Constitute Nicholas Bayard now 
 Mayor of the said Citty of New Yorke to be p r sent Mayor 
 of the said Citty And that the said Nicholas Bayard shall 
 remaine and Continue in the office of Mayor there untill 
 another fitt person shall be appointed and Sworne in the 
 said office according to the usage and Custome of the said 
 Citty and as in and by these p r sents is hereafter menconed 
 and directed AND I have assigned named ordeined and 
 Constituted, AND by the presents doe assigne name ordaine 
 and Constitute create and Declare James Graham Esq$ to 
 be the present Recorder of the said Citty to doe and Execute 
 all things which unto the Office of Recorder of the Said 
 Citty doth or may any ways appertaine or belong AND I 
 have assigned named ordained and Constituted and by these 
 p r sents doe assigne name ordaine Constitute Create and 
 declare John West Esq$ Towne Clerke of the said Citty to 
 doe and Execute all things which unto the office of Towne 
 Clerke may any wayes appertaine or belong AND I have 
 named assigned Constituted and made and by these p r sents 
 doe assigne name Constitute and make Andrew Bowne 
 John Robinson William Beakman John Delavall Abraham 
 De Peister and Johannes Kipp Cittizens and inhabitants of 
 the said Citty of New Yorke to be the present Aldermen 
 of the said Citty AND also I have made assigned named 
 and Constituted and by these p r sents Doe assigne name Con- 
 stitute and make Nicholas De Meyer Johannes Van Brugh 
 John De Bruijn Tunisse Decay Abraham Corbett and Wol- 
 fert Webber Cittizens and inhabitants of the said Citty to 
 be the present assistants of the said Citty And alsoe I have 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 225 
 
 assigned Chosen named and Constituted and by these p r sents 
 Doe assigne Choose name and Constitute Peter De LaNoy 
 Cittizen and inhabitant of the said Citty to be the present 
 Chamberlaine or Treasurer of the Citty aforesaid AND 
 I have assigned named Constituted and appointed and by 
 these p r sents Doe assigne name Constitute and appoint John 
 Knight Esqj one other of the said Cittizens there to be p r sent 
 Sherriffe of the said Citty AND I have assigned named 
 Constituted and appointed and by these presents doe assigne 
 name Constitute and appoint Jarvis Marshall one other of 
 the said Cittizens there to be the present Marshall of the 
 said Citty AND I Doe by these p r sents Grant to the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty of New 
 Yorke and their successours that the Mayor Recorder 
 Aldermen and Assistants of the said Citty for time being 
 or the Mayor Recorder and any three or more of the Alder- 
 men and any three or more of the assistants for the time 
 being be and shall be Called the Comon Councell of the said 
 Citty And that they or the Greater part of them shall or 
 may have full power and authority by Virtue of these 
 presents from time to time to call and hold comon councell 
 within the Comon Councell house or Citty Hall of the said 
 Citty and there as occacon shall be to make Laws Orders 
 Ordinances and Constitucons in writeing and to add auer 
 Diminish or reforme them from time to time as to them 
 shall seem necessary and Convenient (not repugnant to the 
 prerogative of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid his heirs 
 and successours or to any the laws of the Kingdome of 
 England or other the Laws of the Generall Assembly of the 
 province of New Yorke) for the good rule oversight cor- 
 reccon and Government of the said Citty and Libertyes of 
 the same and of all the officers thereof And for the Severall 
 tradesmen Victuallers artificers and of all other the people 
 and inhabitants of the said Citty Libertys and precincts 
 aforesaid And for the better preservacon of Government 
 and Disposall of all the Lands tenements and heriditaments 
 
226 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 goods and Chattells of the said Corporacon Which Laws 
 Orders Ordinances and Constitucons shall be binding to all 
 the inhabitants of the said Citty, Libertyes and precincts 
 aforesaid And which Laws orders ordinances and Con- 
 stitucons So by them made as aforesaid shall be and remaine 
 in force for the Space of three months and noe longer 
 unlesse they shall be allowed of and Confirmed by the 
 Governour and Councell for the time being AND I Doe 
 further on the behalfe of his sacred Majestye aforesaid his 
 heires and Successours appoint and Grant that the said 
 Cornon Councell of the said Citty for the time being As 
 often as they make ordaine and Establish such Laws orders 
 ordinances and Constitucons as aforesaid shall or may make 
 ordaine Limitt provide sett impose and tax reasonable fines 
 and Amerciaments AGAINST and upon all persons offend- 
 ing against such Laws Orders Ordinances and Constitucons 
 as aforesaid or any of them to be made ordeined and Estab- 
 lished as aforesaid and the said fines and amerciaments shall 
 and may require demand levy take and receive by warrants 
 under the Comon seale To and for the use and behoofe of 
 the Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty and 
 their successors either by distresse and sale of the goods and 
 Chattells of the offendour therein if such goods and Chat- 
 tells may be found within the said Citty Libertyes and 
 precincts thereof Rendering to such offendor and offendors 
 the Overplus or by any other Lawful wayes or means what- 
 soever 
 
 AND I doe by these presents appoint and ordaine the 
 assigning naming and appointment of the Mayor and 
 Sherriffe of the said Citty that it shall be as followeth (viz*) 
 upon the feast day of St Michael the Archangell yearly the 
 Leiutenant Governour or Commander in Cheife for the 
 time being by and with the Advice of his Councell Shall 
 nominate and appoint such person as he shall think fitt to 
 be Mayor of the said Citty for the year next ensueing And 
 
[No. xni] Grants 227 
 
 one other person of sufficient Ability in Estate and of good 
 Capacity in understanding to be Sherriffe of the said Citty 
 of New Yorke for the year next Ensueing AND That such 
 person as shall be named assigned and appointed Mayor and 
 such person as shall be named assigned and appointed 
 Sherriffe of the said Citty as aforesaid shall on the four- 
 teenth day of October then next following take their severall 
 and respective Corporall oaths before the Governour and 
 Councell for the time being for the due execucon of their 
 Respective offices as aforesaid And that the said Mayor and 
 Sherriffe soe to be nominated assigned and appointed as 
 aforesaid shall remaine and continue in their Said Respective 
 offices until another fitt person shall be nominated appointed 
 and sworne in the place of Mayor and one other person 
 shall be nominated and appointed in the place of Sherriffe 
 of the said Citty in manner aforesaid AND further That 
 according to the now usage and custome of the said Citty 
 the Recorder Towne Clerke and Clerke of the market of 
 the said Citty Shall be persons of good capacity and under- 
 standing And such persons as his most sacred Majesty afore- 
 said his heires and successours Shall, in the Said respective 
 offices of Recorder Town clerke and Clerke of the markett 
 appoint and Comissionate And for defect of such appoint- 
 ment and comissionateing, by his most sacred Majestye 
 aforesaid his heires and successors to be such persons as 
 the Leiutenent Governour or Comander in cheife of the 
 said province for the time being shall appoint and Comis- 
 sionate which persons soe Comissionated to the said offices 
 of Recorder Town clerke and clerke of the markett shall 
 have hold and Enjoy the said Offices according to the 
 Tenour and Effect of their said Comissions, and not other- 
 wise AND further That the Recorder Town clerke Clerke 
 of the Markett Aldermen Assistants Chamberlain high 
 Constable petty constables and all other Officers of the said 
 Citty before they or any of them shall be admitted to enter 
 upon and execute their respective Offices shall be sworn 
 
228 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 faithfully to execute the same before the Mayor or any 
 three or more of the Aldermen for the time being AND 
 I doe by these presents for and on the behalfe of his most 
 sacred Majestye his heirs and successors grant and give 
 power and authority to the Mayor and Recorder of the said 
 Citty, for the time being to administer the same respective 
 Oaths to them accordingly AND further I doe by these 
 p r sents grant, for and on the behalfe of his most sacred 
 Majesty aforesaid his heires and successors That the Mayor 
 and Recorder of the said Citty for the time being and three 
 or more of the Aldermen of the said Citty not exceeding 
 five shall be Justices and keepers of the peace of his most 
 sacred majesty his heires and successors, and Justices to hear 
 and Determine matters and causes within the said Citty and 
 libertyes and precincts thereof AND that they or any three 
 or more of them whereof the Mayor and Recorder, or one 
 of them, for the time being to be there shall and may for- 
 ever hereafter have power and authority by virtue of these 
 presents to hear and determine all and all manner of Petty 
 Larcenyes Riots routs oppressions extortions and other 
 tresspasses and offences whatsoever within the said Citty 
 of New Yorke and the Libertyes and precincts aforesaid 
 from time to time arriseing and happening and which arise 
 or happen and any wayes belong to the offices of justices of 
 the peace and the Correccon and punishment of the offences 
 aforesaid and every of them according to the Laws of 
 England and the Laws of the said Province and to doe and 
 execute all other things in the said Citty Libertyes and 
 precincts aforesaid soe fully and in ample manner as to the 
 Comisoners assigned and to be assigned for the keeping of 
 the peace in the said County of New Yorke doth or may 
 belong 
 
 AND MOREOVER I doe by these presents for and on 
 the behalfe of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid his heirs 
 and successors appoint That the Aldermen assistants High 
 Constable and Petty Constables within the said Citty be 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 229 
 
 yearly Chosen on the feast day of Saint Michael the Arch- 
 angell forever (viz 4 ) one Alderman one assistant and one 
 Constable, for each respective Ward and one Constable for 
 each Division in the Outward in such publique place in the 
 said Respective wards as the Aldermen for the time being 
 for each Ward shall direct and appoint And that the Alder- 
 men assistants and Petty Constables be chosen by Majority 
 of voices of the inhabitants of each ward And that the 
 High Constable be appointed by the Mayor of the said 
 Citty for the time being AND That the Chamberlain shall 
 be yearly Chosen on the said feast day in the Citty Hall of 
 the said Citty by the Mayor and Aldermen and assistants, 
 or by the Mayor or three or more of the Aldermen and 
 three or more of the Assistants of the said Citty for the 
 time being AND I doe by these presents Constitute and 
 appoint the said John West to be the present Town clerke 
 Clerke of the peace and Clerke of the Court of pleas to be 
 holden before the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen within 
 the said Citty and the Libertyes and precincts thereof AND 
 further I doe by these presents for and on the behalf of his 
 most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heires and successours 
 require and strictly Charge and Command That the Sherriffe 
 Town clerke Clerke of the peace High Constable p"*"ty 
 Constables and all other subordinate Officers in the said Citty 
 for the time being and every of them respectively jointly and 
 severally as cause shall require shall attend upon the said 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of the said Citty for the 
 time being and every or any of them according to the duty 
 of their Respective places in and about the executeing of 
 such the Comands precepts warrants and processe of them 
 and every of them as belongeth and appertaineth to be done 
 or executed And that the aforesaid Mayor Recorder and 
 Aldermen and every of them as Justices of the peace for 
 the time being by their or any of their warrants all and every 
 person and persons for High treason or Petty treason or 
 for suspicion thereof or for other felonies whatsoever and 
 
230 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 all malefactors and Disturbers of the peace and other 
 offendors for other misdemeanours who shall be appre- 
 hended within the said Citty or Libertyes thereof shall and 
 may send and Comitt or cause to be sent and Comitted to 
 the Comon goale of the said Citty there to remaine and be 
 kept in safe Custody by the keeper of the said Goale or his 
 Deputy for the time being until such offender and offenders 
 shall be lawfully delivered thence AND I doe by these 
 presents for and on the behalfe of his most sacred Majestye 
 aforesaid his heires and successors Charge and require the 
 keeper and keepers of the said Goale for the time being and 
 his and their Deputy and Deputyes to receive take and in 
 safe Custody to keep all and singular such person and per- 
 sons soe apprehended or to be apprehended sent and 
 Comitted to the said Goale by warrant of the said justices 
 or any of them as aforesaid until he and they soe sent and 
 Comitted to the said Goale shall from thence be delivered 
 by due course of law 
 
 AND further I doe grant and Confirme for and on the 
 behalfe of his most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heires 
 and successours that the said Mayor of the said Citty for 
 the time being and no other (according to the usage and 
 Custome practised in the said Citty of New Yorke in the 
 times of my predecessours the several Leiutenants Gover- 
 nours and Comanders in Cheife of this Province) shall have 
 power and authority to give and grant Lycences annually 
 under the publique seale of the said Citty to all Taverne 
 Keepers Innkeepers Ordinary Keepers Victuallers and all 
 publique sellers of wine strong waters sider beer or any 
 other sort of Liquors by retaile within the Citty aforesaid 
 Manhattans Island or their Libertyes and Precincts thereof 
 AND That it shall and may be Lawful to and for the said 
 Mayor of the said Citty for the time being to ask demand 
 and receive for such License by him to be given and granted 
 as aforesaid such surhe or sumes of money as he and the 
 person to whom such Lycence shall be given or granted shall 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 231 
 
 agree for not exceeding the sum of thirty Shillings for each 
 lycence All which mony as by the said Mayor shall be soe 
 received shall be used and applyed to the publique use of 
 the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty 
 of New Yorke and their successours without any account 
 thereof to be rendered made or done to any of the Leiu- 
 tenants or Governours of this Province for the time being 
 or any of their Deputyes 
 
 AND KNOW YE That FOR the better Government of 
 the said Citty and for the welfare of the said Cittizens 
 tradesmen and inhabitants thereof Doe by these p r sents for 
 and on the behalf of his most sacred Majesty his heires and 
 successors Give and Grant to the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comonalty of the said Citty and their successors that the 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen or the Mayor and any three 
 or more of the Aldermen for the time being shall from time 
 to time and all times hereafter have full power and authority 
 under the Comon seale to make ffree Cittizens of the said 
 Citty, and Libertyes thereof and no person or persons what- 
 soever other than such free Citizens shall hereafter use any 
 art trade mistery or manuall occupation within the said 
 Citty Libertyes and precincts thereof saving in the times 
 of fairs there to be kept and during the continuance of s nch 
 fairs only AND in case any person or persons whatsoever 
 not being free Cittizens of the said Citty as aforesaid shall 
 at any time hereafter use or exercise any art trade mistery 
 or manual occupacon or shall by himselfe themselves or 
 others sell or expose to sale any manner of merchandize or 
 wares whatsoever by retaile in any house shopp or place, 
 or standing within the said Citty or the Libertyes or 
 precincts thereof noe fair being then kept in the said Citty 
 and shall persist therein after warning to him or them given 
 or left by the appointment of the Mayor of the said Citty 
 for the time being at the place or places where such person 
 or persons shall soe use or exercise any art trade mistery 
 
232 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 or manual occupacon or shall sell or expose to sale any 
 wares or merchandizes as aforesaid by retaile then it shall 
 be lawful for the Mayor of the said Citty for the time being 
 to cause such shopp windows to be shutt up and also to 
 impose such reasonable fine for such offence not exceeding 
 five pounds for every respective offence and the same fine 
 and fines soe imposed to levy and take by warrant under the 
 comon seale of the said Citty for the time being by distresse 
 and sale of the goods and chattels of the person or persons 
 soe offending in the premises found within the libertyes or 
 precincts of the said Citty rendering to the party or partys 
 the overplus or by any other lawful ways or means what- 
 soever to the only use of the said Mayor Alderman and 
 Comonalty of the said Citty of New Yorke and their suc- 
 cessors without any account to be rendered made or done 
 to the Lieutenants Governors or Comanders in Cheife of 
 this province for the same PROVIDED That no person 
 or persons shall be made free as aforesaid but such as are 
 his Majestyes naturall borne subjects or such as shall first 
 be Naturalized by act of General Assembly or shall have 
 obtained Letters of Denizacon under the hand of the 
 Leiutenant Governour or Comander in Cheife for the time 
 being and seale of the province AND that all persons to be 
 made free as aforesaid shall and Doe pay for the publique 
 use of the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said 
 Citty such sume and sumes of mony as heretofore hath 
 beene used and accustomed to be paid and received on their 
 being admitted freemen as aforesaid provided it is not 
 exceeding the sume of five pounds 
 
 AND FURTHER, I Doe by these presents for and on 
 the behalfe of his most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heires 
 and successours grant to the Mayor Aldermen, and 
 Comonalty of the said Citty that they and their successours 
 be forever persons able and capable and shall have power 
 to purchase have take and possesse in ffee simple Lands 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 233 
 
 tenements rents and other possessions within or without the 
 same Citty to them and their successors forever soe as the 
 same exceed not the yearly value of one thousand pounds 
 P annum the statute of Mortmaine or any other Law to the 
 Contrary notwithstanding and the same lands tenements 
 hereditaments and premises or any part thereof to demise 
 grant lease set over assigne and dispose at their owne will 
 and pleasure and to make seale and accomplish any Deed 
 or Deeds Lease or Leases evidences or writings for or Con- 
 cerning the same or any part thereof which shall happen to 
 be made and granted by the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comonalty of the said Citty for the time being 
 
 AND FURTHER I Doe by these presents for and on 
 the behalf of his most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heirs 
 and successors Grant to the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comonalty e That they and their successors shall and may 
 forever hereafter hold and keep within the said Citty in 
 every week of the year three markett days the one upon 
 Tuesday the other upon Thursday and the other on Satur- 
 day weekly for ever 
 
 AND ALSO I Doe by these presents, for and on the 
 behalf of his most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heires and 
 successors grant to the Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of 
 the said Citty that they and their successours and Assignes 
 shall and may at any time or times hereafter when it to 
 them shall seeme fitt and Convenient take in fill and make 
 up and laye out all and singular the land and ground in and 
 about the said Citty and Island Manhattans and the same 
 to build upon or make use of in any other manner or way 
 as to them shall seem fitt as farr into the Rivers thereof, 
 and that encompasse the same at low water marke aforesaid 
 
 AND I doe by these presents for and on the behalfe of 
 his most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heires and successors 
 Give and grant unto the aforesaid Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comonalty of the said Citty of New Yorke and their sue- 
 
234 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 cessours That they and their successours shall and may have 
 hold and keep within the said Citty and Libertys and 
 precincts thereof in every week in every year forever upon 
 Tuesday one Court of Corhon Pleas for all accons of debt 
 trespasse trespasse upon the Case detinue ejectment and 
 other personal accons and the same to be held before the 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen or any three of them 
 whereof the Mayor or Recorder to be one who shall have 
 power to hear and Determine the same pleas and Accons 
 according to the Rules of the Corhon Law and acts of 
 Generall Assembly of the said province 
 
 AND I doe by these presents for and on behalfe of his 
 most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heires and successours 
 Grant to the said Mayor Alderman and Comonalty of the 
 said Citty of New Yorke and their successours That the 
 said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the said Citty and 
 their successours shall have and enjoy all the priviledges 
 franchises and powers that they have and use or that any 
 of their predecessours at any time within the space of 
 twenty years last past had took or enjoyed or ought to have 
 had by reason or under pretence of any former Charter 
 Grant prescripcon or any other Right Custome or usage 
 although the same have been forfeited lost or have been 
 ill used or not used or abused or discontinued albeit they 
 be not particularly menconed And that no Officer shall dis- 
 turbe them thy r in under any pretence whatsoever not only 
 for their future but their present enjoyment thereof PRO- 
 VIDED Alwayes that the said priviledges franchises and 
 powers be not inconsistent with or repugnant to the laws of 
 his Majestyes Kingdome of England or other the Laws of 
 the General Assembly of this province as aforesaid And 
 saving to his most sacred Majestye aforesaid his heirs suc- 
 cessours and Assignes and the Lieutenants Governors and 
 Comanders in Cheife and other officers under him and them 
 in FORT JAMES in or by the Citty of New Yorke and in 
 
[No. xiii] Grants 235 
 
 all the Libertyes boundaryes extents priviledges thereof for 
 the maintenance of the said ffort and Garrison there all the 
 right use title and Authority which they or any of them have 
 had used or exercised there And alsoe one messuage or 
 tenement next the Citty Hall and one Messuage by the ffort 
 now in the possession of Thomas Coker Gentleman The 
 peice of ground by the Gate called the Governours Garden 
 and the land without the Gate called the Kings ffarme with 
 the swamp next to the same land, by the ffresh water And 
 saving the severall rents and Quitt rents reserved due and 
 payable from severall persons inhabiting within the said 
 Citty and Island Manhattans by virtue of former grants to 
 them made and Given And saving to all other persons 
 bodyes politique and Corporate their heires successours and 
 Assignes all such Right title and claime possessions Rents 
 services Comons emoluments interest in and to any thing 
 which is theirs (save only the ffranchises aforesaid) in as 
 ample manner as if this Charter had not beene made 
 
 AND FURTHER I Doe appoint and declare that the 
 incorporacon to be founded by this Charter SHALL not 
 at any time hereafter doe or suffer to be done any thing 
 by means whereof the lands tenements of hereditaments 
 stock goods or Chattells thereof or in the hands Custody 
 possession of any of the cittizens of the said Citty such as 
 have been sett lett Given granted or collected to and for 
 pious and charitable uses shall be wasted or misemployed 
 Contrary to the Trust or intent of the founder or giver 
 thereof And that such and no other construccon shall be 
 made thereof Than that which may tend most to advantage 
 Religion Justice, and the publique good and to suppresse 
 all Acts and Contrivances to be invented or putt in use 
 Contrary thereunto IN WITNESS Whereof I have Caused 
 these presents to be entered in the Secretaryes Office and the 
 seale of the said Province to be hereunto affixed this seven 
 and twentieth day of Aprill in the Second year of the 
 
236 Colonial Charters [No. xni] 
 
 Reigne of his most Sacred Majestye aforesaid And in the 
 year of our Lord God One thousand Six hundred and 
 
 Ei g ht y sIx - THOMAS DONGAN. 
 
 [On the reverse side of the Charter appears the following indorsements.] 
 
 May it Please Yo r Honor 
 
 The Aturney Generall Hath perused This Pattent, 
 And Finds Nothing Contained therein prejudiciall To 
 his Majestyes Interest 
 
 Ja : Graham 
 Examined Aprile 27 th Seer. 
 
 1686 
 
 Recorded in the secretaryes office for the province of New 
 Yorke in the N° 1 : booke of pattents begun 1684 from 
 page 278 : to 309: 
 
 & J. Spragge Seer. 
 
 New York Nov 1 " y e 5 th 17 13 
 Rece d of M r Sam le Bayard the City Treasurer Twenty 
 Seven beavers Skins in full for Twenty Seven Years Quit 
 rent of y e within Charter to y 6 27 th of Aprile last as witt- 
 ness my hand 
 
 T Byerky Co H 
 
 I Archebald Kennedy Esq r his Majestyes Collector and 
 Receivor General of the Province of New York Do hereby 
 acknowledge to have Received of Cornelius Depeyster 
 Esq r Treasurer of the City of New York by Order of the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonality of the Corporation 
 within Mentioned Sixteen Beaver Skins in full for Sixteen 
 years quit Rent of the within Charter due and ending the 
 twenty seventh day of April last past 
 
 Wittness my hand this eleventh day of December Anno 
 Dom. 1729. I say sixteen Beaver Skins for sixteen years 
 quit Rent 
 
 Arch d Kennedy 
 
 Rec r Gen H 
 
[No. xiv] Grants 237 
 
 No. XIV. 
 
 ACT OF 1691. 1 
 
 An Act for the Setling, Quieting and Con- 
 firming unto the Cities, Towns, Mannors and 
 ffreeholders within this Province, their several 
 Grants, Pattents and Rights Respectively. 
 
 [Passed, May 6, 1691.] 
 
 FORASMUCH as the many changes, alterations and dis- 
 turbances that have been lately given unto their Majesties 
 Subjects Inhabiteing within this their Province, hath and 
 doth very much discourage the Setling, improveing and the 
 growth and strength thereof; AND that it is now abso- 
 lutely necessary for the Quieting and satisfieing their 
 Majesties good Subjects within the same; that the rights 
 and priviledges formerly held by and granted, to the 
 respective Cittys, Towns, Mannors and ffreeholders within 
 this Province &c. should be now ratified and confirmed. 
 
 BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Governour 
 Councill and Representatives convened in General Assem- 
 bly, And it is hereby enacted and declared by the Authority 
 of the Same; That all the Charters, Pattents, Grants, made, 
 given and granted, and well and truely executed under the 
 
 1 The present copy is reproduced from N. Y. Col. Laws, 1:224.. This act 
 is ascribed by the historian Smith (Smith, History of the Province of New 
 York, American Ed. 1829) to a desire to get rid of controversies then made 
 in reference to such patents and grants. The real design of the act was to 
 confirm and ratify the patents and grants made under the royal house of 
 Stuart. In this connection it should be observed that a similar enactment 
 in the first constitution of the State of New York saving all former crown 
 grants was much condemned because it was thought to be made exclusively 
 in the interest of the great patentees of the province. The Duke's Laws 
 and an Act passed 2 November, 1683, had already legislated on a like 
 subject prior to the year 1691." — Fowler, Bradford — Laws of N. Y. 1694, 
 Grolier Ed., p. cvii. The above law was printed in Fowler's Bradford, 
 p. 6; Baskett, p. 5; and Chapter 2 of Livingston & Smith and Van Schaack. 
 
238 Colonial Charters [No. xiv] 
 
 seale of this Province, Constituted and Authorized by their 
 late and present Majtys the Kings of England, and Regis- 
 tred in the Secretaryes office, unto the severall and respective 
 Corporations of bodys politick of the Cittys Towns and 
 Mannors, and alsoe to the severall and respective ffree- 
 holders within this Province, are and shall for ever be 
 deemed, esteemed and reputed good and effectual Charters 
 Patents and grants Authentick in the Law against their 
 Majesties their Heires and Successors for ever notwith- 
 standing of the want of formes in the Law or in the Non- 
 feazence of any right priviledge or Custome which ought 
 to have been done heretofore by the Constitutions and 
 Directions contained in the respective Charters, pattents 
 and grants aforesaid. 
 
 AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED by the Authority 
 aforesaid, That all the Chartters Pattents grants, made 
 given and granted as aforesaid, unto all and every the 
 severall and respective Corporations, or bodyes politick of 
 the Cittys Towns and mannors and their successors, and 
 alsoe unto all and every the respective ffreeholders, their 
 heires and assignes forever; within this Province, ARE to 
 all intents and purposes whatsoever hereby ratified and con- 
 firmed To have hold exercise Occupy, Possess and Enjoy all 
 their and every of their former rights Customes Preroga- 
 tives, priviledges preheminencies practices Immunityes 
 Libertys, ffranchisses, Royaltyes and usages whatsoever, 
 In as full and ample manner as if none of these Changes 
 Alteracons, disturbances want of other forms in the Law; 
 or the Nonfeazance of any rights, priviledges or Customs 
 of any of the Corporations aforesaid, had never happened 
 or been neglected any thing herein contained or in any other 
 Law to the Contrary in any wise Notwithstanding PRO- 
 VIDED that nothing herein contained shall be Construed 
 or taken to barr any person or persons of his or their former 
 and Just right or pretences to any house, tract or parcell of 
 
[No. xiv] Grants 239 
 
 Land within this Province. ALLWAYES PROVIDED, 
 that he or they that have any such Just right or pretence 
 doe make his or their Claime within the space of five yeares; 
 next after the Date hereof AND ALSOE PROVIDED 
 that noething herein Contained shall be intended or Con- 
 strued to the Prejudice or hindrance of the title or Claime 
 of any Person under age Feme Cover, Non Compos Mentis, 
 Imprisonment or beyond the seas. 
 
240 Colonial Charters [No. xv] 
 
 No. XV. 
 
 A. 
 
 ORDER FOR CORNBURY CHARTER FOR 
 NEW YORK CITY 1 
 
 [seal] By his Excellency Edward Viscount 
 
 Cornbury Cap* Gen H and Governour 
 in Cheif of the Provinces of New 
 Yorke New Jersey &c in Councill 
 this 15 th day of Aprill 1708 
 
 To May Bickley Esq } Attorney Generall of the 
 Province of New Yorke 
 
 You are hereby required to prepare a draft of Letters 
 Pattents to the Mayor Aldermen and Commanalty of the 
 Citty of New Yorke For all the Vacant and unappropriated 
 ground on Nassau Island from High Water to Low water 
 mark fronting unto the Citty of New Yorke, from the Place 
 called the Wallabought unto the Red hook against Nutten 
 Island for the better Improvement & accomodation of the 
 Ferry setled between the said Citty and Island; Wherein 
 you are to incert a Clause giving liberty to all persons dwell- 
 ing att the waterside with in the limitts of the aforesaid 
 ground to transport themselves or goods from their respec- 
 tive dwellings or Plantations to the said Citty but not to 
 transport any other person or persons or the goods of any 
 other person or persons whatsoever. You are likewise by 
 the same Letters Pattents to confirm to the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty and their Successors for Ever 
 the old fferry with it's appurtenances &c as it is now held 
 and Enjoyed with power to Establish one or more ferry's 
 
 1 This letter has been carefully compared with the original which is 
 owned by the New York Historical Society, and, as far as typography will 
 allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. On the back of the 
 letter appears the following, "A Warr. for a Patent to y e Mayor & Corpo- 
 ration of the Citty of New York of the fferry &c." 
 
[No. xv] Grants 241 
 
 within the limitts aforesaid, And to make Orders and By- 
 Laws for the due Regulation thereof To hold the aforesaid 
 Premises to the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and 
 their Successors for Ever att and under the yearly quitt 
 
 Rent of five Shillings and for 
 
 so doing this shall be your Sufficient consent dated as above 
 
 CORNBURY 
 By ord r of his Ex'y in 
 Councill 
 
 Geo Clarke Seer. 
 
 B. 
 
 CORNBURY CHARTER FOR NEW YORK CITY 2 
 
 ANNE by the grace of God of England Scotland ffrance 
 and Ireland Queen defend r of the ffaith &c TO ALL 
 WHOM these p r sents may in any wise concern sendeth 
 Greeting WHEREAS the Mayor Aldermen and Corhonalty 
 of the City of New York by their petition to our Right 
 Trusty and wellbeloved Couzin Edward Viscount Cornbury 
 our Captain Generall and Governor in Cheif in and over 
 our province of New York and Territories Depending 
 thereon in America And Vice Admirall of the same &c 
 p r ferred in Councill therein setting forth That they having 
 a Right and Interest under Diverse Ancient Charters and 
 Grants by Diverse former Governors and Commanders in 
 Cheif of our said Province of New York under our Noble 
 progenitors in a certain fferry from the said City of New 
 
 2 The original document is preserved in the archives of the New York 
 Historical Society. The common council, at its first meeting (April 13) 
 following the announcement, on April 8, of the governor's consent, resolved 
 to raise £300 by mortgaging the ferry, to pay the counsel fees and other 
 charges incident to procuring the grant — Min. Com. Coun., 11:351-52. This 
 grant, known as Queen Anne's Charter, was embodied, entire, in the Mont- 
 gomerie Charter of 1731. See Hoffman, Treatise on the Estate and Rights 
 of the Corporation, p. 273-82. The present copy has been carefully com- 
 pared with the original in the N. Y. Historical Society, and, as far as 
 typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
242 Colonial Charters [No. xv] 
 
 York over the East River to Nassau Island als Long Island 
 and from the said Island to the said City again And have 
 possessed the Same and Received all the proffitts benefitts 
 and Advantages thereof for the space of Fifty years and 
 upwards And perceiving the proffitts advantages and bene- 
 fitts usually Issueing out of the same to Diminish decreas 
 and fall short of what might be reasonably made of the 
 same for the want of the Bounds and Limitts to be 
 Extended and Enlarged on the said Island side whereby to 
 p r vent diverse persons transporting themselv's and Goods 
 to and from the said Island Nassau als Long Island over 
 the said River without comeing or Landing at the usuall 
 and accustomed places where the fferry boats are usually kept 
 and Appointed To the great Loss and Damage of the said 
 City of New York HAVE humbly pray'd our Grant and 
 Confirmation under the great Seal of our said Province of 
 New York of the said fferry called the Old fferry on both 
 sides of the said East River for the transporting of pas- 
 sengers Goods Horses and Cattell to and from the said City 
 as the same is now held and Enjoy'd by the said Mayor 
 Alderman and Comonalty of the said City of New York 
 or their Undertenant or undertenants, And also of all that 
 the Vacent and unappropriated Land from high water 
 Marke to low water Marke on the said Nassau Island als 
 Long Island lyeing contiguous and ffronting the said City 
 of New York from a certain place called the Wallabout 
 unto the Red hook over against Nutten Island for the better 
 Improvement and accomodation of the said fferry with full 
 power leave and lycense to sett up Establish maintein and 
 keep one or more fferry or fferryes for the Ease and Accom- 
 odation of all passengers and Travellers for the transporta- 
 tion of themselves Goods Horses and Cattell over the said 
 River within the Bounds aforesaid as they shall see meet 
 and Convenient and occasion require, And to Establish 
 ordain and make Bye Laws Orders and Ordinances for the 
 due and Orderly Regulation of the same The which peti- 
 
[No. xv] Grants 243 
 
 tion wee being minded to grant KNOW YEE That of our 
 Especiall Grace certain knowledge and meer motion wee 
 have Given Granted Ratified and Confirmed and in and by 
 these presents for us our Heirs and Successors wee doe Give 
 Grant Ratifie and confirm unto the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Comonalty of the City of New York and to their suc- 
 cessors and Assigns ALL that the said fferry called the Old 
 fferry on both sides of the said East River for the trans- 
 portation of Passengers Goods Horses and Cattell over the 
 said River to and from the said City and Island as the same 
 is now used held and Enjoyed by the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Comonalty of the City of New York or their Under- 
 tenant or Undertenants with all and singular the usuall and 
 accustomed fferridg ffees perquisites rents Issues proffitts 
 and other benefitts and advantages whatsoever to the said 
 old fferry belonging or therewith used or thereout ariseing 
 And also all that the aforesaid Vacant and unappropriated 
 Ground lying and being on the said Nassau Island als Long 
 Island from high Water Mark to Low water Mark afore- 
 said contiguous and ffronting the said City of New York 
 from the aforesaid place called y e Wallabout to Redd hook 
 aforesaid THAT IS TO SAY from the East side of the 
 Wallabout opposite the now Dwelling house of James 
 Bobine to the West side of the Redd hook comonly called 
 the fishing place with all and singular the Appurtenances 
 and Hereditaments to the same or any part or parcell 
 thereof belonging or in any wise of right apperteining, 
 Together with all and singular the Rents Issues proffitts 
 ways waters Easements And all other benefitts proffitts 
 advantages and appurtenances which heretofore have now 
 are and which hereafter shall belong to the said fferry 
 Vacant Land and premisses herein before granted and Con- 
 firmed or to any or either of them in any wise apperteining 
 or which heretofore have been now are and which hereafter 
 shall belong be used held received and Enjoyed and all our 
 Estate Right Title and Interest benefitt and Advantage 
 
244 Colonial Charters [No. xv] 
 
 Claim and Demand of in or to the said fferry Vacant Land 
 and premisses or any part or parcel thereof, and the 
 Revercon and Revercons, Remainder and Remainders 
 together with the yearly and other Rents Revenues and 
 proffitts of the p r misses and of every part and parcell thereof 
 (Except and allways Reserved out of this our present Grant 
 and Confirmation free Liberty Leave and Lycense to and 
 for all and every person or persons Inhabiting or having 
 plantations near the said River by the water side within the 
 Limitts and bounds above mentioned to Transport them- 
 selves Goods Horses and Cattell over the said River to and 
 from the said City of New York and Nassau Island als 
 Long Island to and from their respective Dwellings or 
 plantations without any ferridge or other account to the 
 said fferry hereby Granted and Confirmed to be paid or 
 given so allway's as the said person or persons doe Trans- 
 port themselves only and their own Goods and in their own 
 boats only and not any stranger or their Goods Horses or 
 Cattell or in any other boat.) TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD all and Singular the said fferry Vacant Land and 
 p r misses herein before Granted and Confirmed or meant 
 menconed or Intended to be hereby Granted and Confirmed 
 (Except as is herein before Excepted) And all and Singular 
 the Rents Issues proffitts rights Members and Appurte- 
 nances to the same belonging or in any wise of right apper- 
 teining unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of 
 the City of New York and their successors and Assign's 
 forever To the only proper use and behoof of the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the City of New York 
 and their successors and Assign's forever, To be holden of 
 us our heir's and Successors in ffree and Corhon soccage as 
 of our Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent 
 within our kingdome of England, YEILDING RENDER- 
 ING AND PAYING unto us our heirs and successors for 
 the same yearly At our custome house of New York to our 
 Collector and Receiver Generall there for the time being, 
 
[No. xv] Grants 245 
 
 at or upon the ffeast of the Nativity of S l John the Baptist 
 the yearly Rent or sume of ffive Shillings currant money of 
 New York AND Wee doe further of our Especiall grace 
 Certain knowledge and meer motion for us our heirs and 
 successors Give and Grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Comonalty and their successors full and free Leave and 
 License to sett up Establish Keep and maintein one or more 
 fferry or fferry's as they shall from time to time think fitt 
 and Convenient within the Limitts and bounds aforesaid for 
 the Ease and Accommodation of Transporting of passengers 
 Goods Horses and Cattell between the said City of New 
 York and the said Island (Except as is herein before 
 Excepted) UNDER such reasonable Rates and Payments 
 as have been usually paid and received for the Same or 
 which at any time hereafter shall be by them Established by 
 and with the Consent and Approbation of our Governor and 
 Councill of our said Province for the time being, And wee 
 doe further of our Especiall Grace certain Knowledge and 
 meer motion Give and Grant unto the said Mayor Alder- 
 men and Comonalty of the City of New York and their 
 successors full and absolute power and Authority to make 
 Ordain Establish Constitute and Confirm all manner of Bye 
 Laws ord r s Rules Ordinances and Direccons for the more 
 Orderly keeping and Regularly mainteining the aforesaid 
 fferry that now is kept or any fferry or fferry's which shall 
 at any time or times hereafter be sett up Established or kept 
 within the bounds aforesaid by Virtue hereof or of for 
 touching or concerning the same (soe allways as the same 
 be not contrary to our Laws of England and of our province 
 of New York) And the same at all times hereafter to put 
 in Execution or abrogate revoke or Change as they in their 
 good Discretions shall think fitt and most Convenient for 
 the due and orderly keeping regulateing and governing the 
 said fferry or fferry's hereinbefore mentioned. AND 
 LASTLY our Will and pleasure is and wee doe hereby 
 Declare and Grant that these our Letters Patente or the 
 
246 Colonial Charters [No. xv] 
 
 Record thereof in the secretary's office of our said Province 
 of New York shall be good and Effectuall in the Law to all 
 Intents and Purposes whatsoever Notwithstanding the not 
 true and well reciting or mentioning of the premisses or any 
 part thereof or the Limitts and bounds thereof or of any 
 former or other Letters Patents or Grants whatsoever made 
 or Granted or of any part thereof by us or any of our 
 progenitors unto any person or persons whatsoever Body's 
 Politick or Corporate or any Law or other restraint incer- 
 tainty or Imperfection whatsoever to the Contrary in any 
 wise Notwithstanding, And altho Express mention of the 
 True yearly Value or certainty of the premisses or of any 
 of them or of any other Guifts or Grants by us or by any 
 of our Progenitors heretofore made to the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Comonalty of the City of New York in these 
 presents is not made or any other matter Cause or thing 
 whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise Notwith- 
 standing. IN TESTIMONY whereof wee have Caused 
 these our Letters to be made Patents and the seal of our 
 said Province of New York to our said Letters Patents to 
 be affixed and the same to be Recorded in the secretary's 
 office of our said Province WITTNESS our Right Trusty 
 and Wellbeloved Couzin Edward Viscount Cornbury Cap- 
 tain Generall and Governor in Cheif in and over our 
 Province of New York aforesaid and Territories thereon 
 Depending in America and Vice Admirall of the same &c. 
 in Councill At our ffort in New York the Nineteenth day 
 of Aprill In the Seaventh year of our Reign Annoqj Dni 
 
 I 7° 8 - Geo. Clarke Secry. 
 
 (On the reverse side of the charter appears the following endorsements.) 
 
 New Yorke Aprill 1708 
 Recorded in the Secfys office of the Province of New Yorke 
 in the book of Record of Pattents Begunn Anno 1695 
 Folio 355 : 356: 357. Geq Clarke Secry 
 
[No. xv] Grants 247 
 
 New York Nov r y e 5 th 17 13 
 
 Rec d of M r Sam 11 Bayard City Treasurer Twenty five Shill- 
 ings Proclamation money in full for five Years Quit rent of 
 y 6 Ferry till Aprill last say till S l John's day 17 13 
 
 T Byerky Coll 
 
 I Archibald Kennedy Esq r his Majestys Collector and 
 Receiver General of the Province of New York do hereby 
 Acknowledge to have Received of Cornelius De Peyster 
 Esq r Treasurer of the City of New York by Order of the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonality of the City of New 
 York within Mentioned the Sum of four pounds of Lawfull 
 Money of the Plantations Commonly Called Proclamation 
 Money in full for Sixteen years quit Rent of the within 
 Grant or Patent due and Ending the Nineteenth day of 
 April last past Witness my hand this Eleventh day of 
 December Anno Dom 1729 in the third of his Majestys 
 Reign King George the Second — 
 
 Arch d Kennedy 
 
 Rec r Gen" 
 
 Pattent for the Land Between high and Low Water 
 between the Waleboght and the Red Hooke Nassau Island. 
 
248 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 No. XVI. 
 
 CHARTER 
 
 OF 
 
 THE CITY OF NEW YORK 
 
 GRANTED IN THE YEAR 1731 
 
 BY 
 
 GOVERNOR JOHN MONTGOMERIE. 1 
 
 GEORGE the Second, by the grace of God, of Great 
 Britain, France, and Ireland, King Defender of the ffairh, 
 &c. To all whom these present letters shall come, greeting 
 WHEREAS, on the twenty second day of April, in the 
 year of our Lord One Thousand Six hundred Eighty and 
 six, Thomas Dongan, then Lievtenant Governour and Vice 
 Admiral of New York and its Dependencies, under our 
 predecessor, James the Second then King of England, &o, 
 did make and Execute a certain Grant, or Instrument in 
 writing, under the Seal of the province of New York, in 
 these words ffollowing: 
 Gov. Don- ( 1 ) . 3 Thomas Dongan, Lievtenant Governour and 
 
 Kan's , 
 
 Charter Vice Admiral of New York and its Dependencies, under his 
 
 of 1 686. 2 
 
 1 The original document, consisting of 35 parchment leaves, with the 
 large provincial seal attached, is still owned by the city, having been 
 deposited for safe-keeping in the New York Public Library by Comptroller 
 Bird S. Coler in 1899, together with the Dongan Charter and several other 
 public documents belonging to the city. The seal is that of George II 
 received from England in 1730. (N. Y. Col. Docs., V:909.) The present 
 copy has been carefully conformed with the original document and, as far 
 as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et t>;inctuatim copy. 
 It is to be noted that the Dongan Charter of 1686 and the Cornburry 
 Charter of 1708 were embodied entire in the Montgomerie Charter. 
 
 2 The marginal notes herein follow generally those appearing in the first 
 printed edition of the charter, printed by John Peter Zenger in 1735. The 
 original marginal notes were probably prepared by Abraham Lodge who 
 was paid £5 "Entring fair in A Book the Charter of this City for the use 
 of the Corporation with Marginal Notes ..." (M.C.C., IV:i;o.) 
 
 3 The paragraph or section numbers do not appear in the original docu- 
 ment. They are inserted here for convenience in citing portions of the 
 charter. 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 249 
 
 Majesty James the second by the grace of God, of England, 
 Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith, 
 supreme lord and proprietor of the Colony and province of 
 New York, and its Dependencies in America, &c. To All 
 to whom this shall Come, Sendeth greeting WHEREAS, 
 the City of New York, is an Ancient City within the said 
 province, and the citizens of the said City have anciently 
 been a body politick and Corporate; and the Citizens of Recital of 
 the said City have held, used, and enjoyed, as well within r ights and 
 the same, as elsewhere, in the said province, diverse and P rivile £ es - 
 sundry rights, liberties, privileges, ffranchises, ffree Customs, 
 preheminences, Advantages, Jurisdictions, Emoluments, and 
 Immunities, as well by prescription as by Charter, Letters 
 patent, Grants, and Confirmations, not only of diverse 
 Governors and Comanders in Chief, in the said province, 
 but also of Several Governors, Directors, generals, and 
 Comanders in Chief, of the Nether Dutch Nation, whilst 
 the same was, or has been under their power and subjection. 
 AND WHEREAS diverse Lands, Tenements, and 
 Hereditaments, Jurisdictions, Liberties, Immunities, and 
 privileges, have heretofore been given and granted, or men- 
 tioned to be given and granted, to the Citizens and 
 Inhabitants of the said City, sometimes by the Name of 
 Schout, Burgo Masters, and Schepens of the City of New 
 Amsterdam and sometimes by the name of the Mayor, 
 Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York some- 
 times by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sherif, of 
 the City of New York sometimes by the name of the Mayor 
 and Aldermen of the City of New York and by diverse 
 other names as by their several letters patents, Charters, 
 grants, writings, Records and Minuments, amongst other 
 things, may more fully appear. AND WHEREAS the 
 Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City have Erected, built 
 and appropriated, at their own proper Costs and charges, 
 several publique Buildings, Accommodations, and Con- 
 veniences for the said City, that is to say, the City Hall, or 
 
250 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Stathouse, with the ground thereunto belonging, two market 
 houses, the Bridge into the Dock, the Wharves or Docks, 
 with their appurtenances and the new Burial place without 
 the gate of the City and have established and settled one 
 fferry from the said City of New York to Long Island, for 
 the Accommodation and Convenience of passengers, the 
 said Citizens and Travellers. 
 
 AND WHEREAS, several the Inhabitants of the said 
 City, and of Manhattans Island, do hold from and under 
 his Most Sacred Majesty respectively, as well by Several 
 and respective Letters patents, grants, Charters, and Con- 
 veyances, made and granted by the late Lievtenants, Gover- 
 nours, or Comanders in Chief, of the said province, as other- 
 wise, several and respective Messuages, Lands, Tenements, 
 and Hereditaments, upon Manhattans Island and in the 
 City of New York, aforesaid, and that as well the said 
 Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said City, and 
 their successors, as also, the Inhabitants of the said Man- 
 hattans Island, and City of New York, aforesaid, and their 
 Heirs, and Assigns respectively, may hold, exercise, and 
 enjoy, not only such and the same Liberties, privileges, and 
 ffranchises, rights, Royalties, ffree Custom, Jurisdictions, 
 and Immunities, as they have anciently had, used, held, and 
 enjoyed but also such publick Buildings, accommodations, 
 Conveniences, Messuages, Tenements, Lands, and Heredita- 
 ments, in the said City of New York, and upon Manhattans 
 Island aforesaid, which, as aforesaid, have been by the 
 r 2 -j Citizens and Inhabitants/ERECTED and built, or which 
 have, as aforesaid, been held, enjoyed, granted, and con- 
 veyed unto them, or any of them, respectively. 
 
 Gram to (2). KNOW YE THEREFORE, That I, the said 
 
 the corpo- Thomas Dongan, by virtue of the Commission and Author- 
 ration ot . 
 all their jty unto me given, and power in me residing, at the humble 
 
 rights and petition of the now Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of 
 
 p rivilesres. 
 
 /Oblique lines in text and numbers ia margin throughout this charter 
 
 refer to original manuscript pages of charter in New York Public Library. 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 251 
 
 the said City of New York, and for diverse other good 
 causes and Considerations, me thereunto moving, HAVE 
 given, granted, ratified, and confirmed, and by these 
 presents, for and on the behalf of his most sacred Majesty 
 aforesaid, his Heirs, Successors, and Assigns, DO give, 
 grant, ratify, and Confirm unto the said Mayor, Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the said City, all and every such and 
 the same Liberties, privileges, ^franchises, rights, Royalties, 
 ffree-customs, Jurisdictions, and immunities, which they by 
 the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, or 
 otherwise, have anciently had, held, used, or enjoyed, PRO- 
 VIDED always, that none of the said liberties, priviledges, 
 ffranchises, rights, free customs, Jurisdictions, or Immunities 
 be inconsistent with, or repugnant to the Laws of his 
 Majesties Kingdom of England, or any other the laws of 
 the general Assembly of this province and the aforesaid 
 publick Buildings, Accommodations, and Conveniences in 
 the said City, that is to say, the aforesaid City Hall, or 
 Stathouse, with the ground thereunto belonging, two 
 Market houses, the Bridge into the Dock, the wharves or 
 Dock, the said new burial place, and the aforementioned 
 fferry, with their and every of their rights, members and 
 appurtenances, together with all the profits, benefits and 
 advantages which shall or may accrue and arise at all times 
 hereafter for Dockage or Wharfage, within the said Dock, 
 with all and singular the rents, Issues, profits, gains, and 
 advantages which shall or may arise, grow, or accrue by the 
 said City Hall, or Stathouse, and ground thereunto belong- 
 ing, Market houses, Bridge, Dock, Burying place, fferry, 
 and other the above mentioned premises, or any of them 
 and also all and every the Streets, Lanes, Highways and 
 Alleys within the said City of New York, and Manhattans 
 Island aforesaid, for the publick use and service of the said 
 Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City, and 
 of the Inhabitants of Manhattans Island aforesaid, and 
 Travellers there; together with full power, license and 
 
252 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 Authority to the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, 
 and their successors forever, to Establish, appoint, Order, 
 and direct the Establishing, making, laying out, ordering, 
 amending and repairing of all Streets, Lanes, Alleys, High- 
 ways, water Courses, fferry and Bridges, in and throughout 
 the said City of New York and Manhattans Island afore- 
 said, necessary, needful and convenient for the Inhabitants 
 of the said City, and Manhattans Island aforesaid, and for 
 all Travellers and passengers there: PROVIDED always 
 that this said License so as above granted, for the Estab- 
 lishing, making, laying out of Streets, Lanes, Alleys, High- 
 ways, fferries and Bridges, be not extended or be Construed 
 to extend, to the taking away of any person or persons right 
 or property, without his, her, or their Consent, or by some 
 known law of the said province AND for the Considera- 
 tions aforesaid, I do likewise give, grant, ratify, and Con- 
 firm unto all and every the respective Inhabitants of the said 
 City of New York, and of Manhattans Island aforesaid, 
 and their several and respective heirs, and assigns, all and 
 every the several and respective Messuages, Tenements, 
 Lands and Hereditaments, situate, lying, and being in the 
 said City, and Manhattans Island aforesaid, to them sever- 
 ally and respectively granted, Conveyed and confirmed, by 
 any the late Governours, Lievtenants, or Comanders in 
 Chief, of the said province, or by any of the former Mayors 
 or Deputy Mayors and Aldermen of the said City of New 
 York, by Deed, grant, Conveyance, or otherwise howsoever; 
 To hold to their several and respective Heirs and Assigns 
 forever 
 Grants to (3). AND I do by these presents, give and grant unto 
 ration of the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said 
 all waste £| t y Q £ New York, all the waste, vacant, unpatented and 
 
 and vacant J r 
 
 lands on unappropriated lands, lying and being within the said City 
 
 hattan's of New York, and on Manhattans Island aforesaid, extend- 
 
 Island. j n g anc j reaching to the low water mark, in, by and through 
 
 all parts of the said City of New York, and Manhattans 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 253 
 
 Island aforesaid, together with all Rivers, Rivulets, Coves, 
 Creeks, ponds, waters, and watercourses in the said City 
 and Island, or either of them, not heretofore given or 
 granted, by any of the former Governours, Lievtenants, or 
 Comanders in Chief under their or some of their hands and 
 seales, or seal of the province, or by any of the former 
 Mayors or Deputy Mayors and Aldermen of the said City 
 of New York, to some respective person or persons, late 
 Inhabitants of the said City of New York, or Manhattans 
 Island, or of other parts of the said province 
 
 AND I do by these presents, give, grant, and confirm 
 unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, of the 
 said City of New York, and their successors forever, the 
 Royalties of fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, Minerals 
 and other Royalties and privileges, belonging or appertain- 
 ing to the City of New York, and Manhattans Island afore- 
 said (Gold and Silver mines only excepted) To have,/ [ 3 ] 
 HOLD, and enjoy all and singular the premises, to the said 
 Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New 
 York, and their successors forever, RENDERING and 
 paying therefor unto his Most Sacred Majesty, his Heirs, 
 Successors or Assigns, or to such Officer or Officers, as shall 
 be appointed to receive the same, yearly forever hereafter, 
 the annual Quit rent or Acknowledgment of one Beaver 
 Skin, or the value thereof, in Current money of this 
 province, in the said City of New York, on the five and 
 twentieth day of March, Yearly forever 
 
 (4). AND, Moreover, I will, and by these presents do 
 grant, appoint, and declare, that the said City of New York, 
 and the Compass, precincts, and limits thereof, and the Jurisdic- 
 Jurisdiction of the same, shall from henceforth extend and the city to 
 reach itself, and may and shall be able to reach forth and f xtend *° 
 
 1 t low water 
 
 extend it Self, as well in length and in breadth as in Circuit, mark all 
 to the farthest extent of, and in, and throughout all the said island 
 Island Manhattans, and in and upon all the Rivers, Rivu- ^ an " , 
 
 hattan s. 
 
 lets, Coves, Creeks, waters and watercourses, belonging to 
 
254 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 the same Island, as far as low water Mark. AND I do 
 also, for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty 
 aforesaid, his heirs and successors, firmly enjoin and Com- 
 mand, that the aforesaid Mayor, Aldermen, and Com- 
 monalty of the City aforesaid, and their successors, shall 
 and may freely and Quietly have, hold, use, and enjoy, the 
 aforesaid Liberties, Authorities, Jurisdictions, ffranchises, 
 rights, Royalties, priviledges, Exemptions, Lands, Tene- 
 ments, Hereditaments, and premisses aforesaid, in manner 
 and form aforesaid, according to the tenour and effect of 
 the aforesaid grants, patents, Customs, and Letters patents 
 of grant and Confirmation, without the Let, Hinderance or 
 Impediment of me, or any of my Successors, Governours, 
 Lieutenants, or other Officers whatsoever 
 
 city (5). AND ALSO, I do, for and on the behalf of his 
 
 most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his heirs and successors, 
 grant to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the 
 said City of New York, and their successors, by these 
 presents, that for the better government of the said City, 
 liberties and precincts thereof, there shall be forever here- 
 after within the said City, a Mayor and Recorder, Town 
 Clerk, and six Aldermen, and six Assistants, to be appointed, 
 nominated, elected, chosen and sworn, as herein after is 
 particularly and respectively mentioned, who shall be for- 
 ever hereafter called the Mayor, Aldermen and Common- 
 alty of the City of New York; and that there shall be for- 
 ever, one Chamberlain, or Treasurer, One Sherif, one 
 Coroner, One Clerk of the Market, one high Constable, 
 seven sub constables, and one Marshall or Serjeant at 
 Mace, to be appointed, chosen, and sworn, in manner herein 
 after mentioned. 
 
 (6). AND I do, by these presents, for and on the behalf 
 of his Most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his Heirs, successors 
 and assigns, Declare, Constitute, grant and appoint, that 
 the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Assistants, of the 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 255 
 
 said City of New York, for the time being, and they which 
 hereafter shall be the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, and 
 Assistants, of the said City of New York, for the time being, 
 and their successors, forever hereafter be, and shall be, by 
 force of these presents, one body Corporate and politick, in 
 Deed, fact and name, by the name of, the Mayor, Alder- Mayor, 
 men and Commonalty of the City of New York; and them Aldermen, 
 by the name of, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of a A nd . 
 
 J J ... Assistants 
 
 the city of New York, one Body Corporate and politick, in made a 
 Deed, fact, and name; I do really and fully Create, Ordaine, P orate C< and 
 make, Constitute, and Confirm by these presents; And that politic 
 by the Name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of 
 the City of New York, they may have perpetual succession; 
 and that they, and their successors, forever, by the Name 
 of, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of 
 New York, be, and shall be, forever hereafter, persons able, 
 and in Law capable, to have, get, receive, and possess Lands, 
 Tenements, Rents, Liberties, Jurisdictions, ffranchises, and 
 Hereditaments to them and their successors, in ffee simple, 
 or for Term of Life, Lives, or years, or otherwise; and also 
 goods and chatties; and also other things, of what nature, 
 kind or quality soever; and also to give, grant, let, set, and 
 assign, the same Lands, Tenements, hereditaments, goods 
 and chatties; and to do and Execute all other things about 
 the same by the name aforesaid. AND ALSO that they 
 be, and forever shall be hereafter, persons able in Law, 
 capable to plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered 
 unto, defend and be defended, in all or any of the Courts 
 of his said Majesty, and other places whatsoever, and before 
 any Judges, Justices, and other person or persons whatso- 
 ever, in all and all manner of actions, suits, Complaints, 
 Demands, pleas, Causes, and matters, whatsoever, of what 
 nature, kind, of Quality soever, in the same, and in the like 
 manner and form as other people of the said province, being 
 persons able, and in Law capable, may plead and be 
 impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be 
 
Officers 
 named 
 
 256 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 defended, by any lawfull ways and means whatsoever; and 
 that the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the 
 said City of New York, and their Successors, shall and may 
 forever hereafter, have one Common Seal to serve for the 
 sealing of all and singular their Affairs and Businesses touch- 
 ing or concerning the said Corporation, and it shall and 
 may be lawfull to and for the said Mayor, Aldermen, and 
 Commonalty of the said City of New York, and their Suc- 
 cessors, as they shall see cause to break, change, alter, and 
 new make, their said Common Seal, when, and as often as 
 to them it shall seem Convenient. 
 
 (7). AND further, know yee, that I have Assigned, 
 [4] named, ordained, and constituted, and, by/THESE presents, 
 
 City do assign, name, Ordain, and Constitute, Nicholas Bayard, 
 
 now Mayor, of the said City of New York, to be present 
 Mayor of the said City; and that the said Nicholas Bayard, 
 shall remaine and continue in the Office of Mayor there, 
 untill another fit person shall be appointed and sworn in the 
 said Office, according to the Usage and Custom of the said 
 City; and as in and by these presents is hereafter mentioned 
 and directed. AND I have assigned, named, Ordained, 
 and Constituted, and by these presents, do assign, name, 
 ordain, and Constitute, create and declare James Graham 
 Esq e to be the present Recorder of the said City; to do and 
 execute all things, which unto the said Office of Recorder 
 of the said City doth, or may in any wise appertain or belong 
 AND I have assigned, named, Ordained, and Constituted, 
 and by these presents, do assign, name, Ordain, Constitute, 
 create and declare John West Esq e Town Clerk of the said 
 City; to do and execute all things which unto the Office 
 of Town Clerk may any wise appertain or belong And I 
 have named, Assigned, Constituted, and made, and by these 
 presents, do Assign, name, Constitute, and make, Andrew 
 Bown, John Robinson, Wilham Beekman, John Delavall, 
 Abraham Depeyster and Johannes Kip, Citizens and 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 257 
 
 Inhabitants of the said City of New York, to be the present 
 Aldermen of the said City. And also I have made, 
 Assigned, named, and Constituted, and by these presents, do 
 assign, name, Constitute and make, Nicholas Demyer, 
 Johannes Van Brugh, John De Brown, Theunis Dekey, 
 Abraham Corbit, and Wolfert Webber, Citizens and 
 Inhabitants of the said City, to be the present Assistants of 
 the said City. And also, I have Assigned, chosen, named, 
 and constituted, and by these presents do assign, choose, 
 name, and constitute peter Delanoy, Citizen and Inhabitant 
 of the said City, to be the present Chamberlain or Treasurer 
 of the City aforesaid. And I have assigned, named, con- 
 stituted, and appointed, and by these presents, do assign, 
 name, Constitute, and appoint John Knight Esq e one other 
 of the said citizens there, to be present Sherif of the said 
 City, and have Assigned, named, Constituted, and appointed, 
 and by these presents do assign, name, Constitute, and 
 appoint Jarvis Marshall, one other of the said Citizens 
 there, to be the present Marshall of the said City AND I 
 do by these presents, grant to the said Mayor, Aldermen, 
 and Commonalty of the said City of New York, and their 
 successors, that the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Mayor, 
 Assistants of the said City for time being, or the Mayor, and™hree 
 Recorder, and any three or more of the Aldermen, and any or more 
 
 i r 1 a r i • i • i i Aldermen 
 
 three or more or the Assistants, for the time being, be and and 
 shall be called the Common Councill of the said City, and ^be*!!* 8 
 that they, or the greater part of them, shall or may have Common 
 full power and Authority, by virtue of these presents, from 
 time to time, to call and hold Common Councill within the 
 Common councill house, or City Hall of the said City: and 
 there, as occasion shall be, to make Laws, Orders, Ordi- with 
 nances and Constitutions, in writing; and to add, alter, make' Laws 
 Diminish or reform them, from time to time, as to them and ° rdi " 
 shall seem necessary and convenient (not repugnant to the 
 prerogative of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs 
 and successors or to any of the Laws of the Kingdom of 
 
258 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 England or other the laws of the general Assembly of the 
 province of New York) for the good rule, Oversight, Cor- 
 rection, and government of the said City and Liberties of 
 the same, and of all the Officers thereof and for the several 
 Tradesmen, Victuallers, Artificers, and of all other the 
 people and Inhabitants of the said City, Liberties, and 
 precincts, aforesaid, and for the better preservation of 
 Government, and Disposall of all the Lands, Tenements, 
 and Hereditaments, goods and Chatties of the said Corpo- 
 ration; which Laws, Orders, Ordinances, and Constitutions, 
 shall be binding to all the Inhabitants of the said City, 
 Liberties, and Precincts aforesaid; and which Laws, Orders, 
 Ordinances, and Constitutions, so by them made, as afore- 
 said, shall be and remain in force for the space of three 
 Months, and no longer, unless they shall be allowed of, 
 and confirmed by the Governour and Councill for the time 
 being AND I do further, on the behalf of his sacred 
 Majesty aforesaid, his Heirs and successors, appoint and 
 grant, that the said Common Councill of the said City, for 
 the time being, as often as they make, Ordain, and Estab- 
 lish such Laws, Orders, Ordinances, and Constitutions, as 
 aforesaid, shall or may make, Ordain, Limitt provide, set, 
 impose, and tax, reasonable fines and Amerciaments against 
 and Upon all persons Offending against such Laws, Orders, 
 Ordinances, and Constitutions, as aforesaid, or any of them 
 to be made, ordained, and Established as aforesaid, and the 
 said ffines, and Amerciaments shall and may require, 
 Demand, Levy, take, and receive by warrants under the 
 Common Seal, to and for the use and Behoof of the Mayor, 
 Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said City, and their 
 Successors, either by Distress and sale of the goods and 
 Chatties of the Offender therein, if such goods and Chatties 
 may be found within the said City, liberties and precincts 
 thereof, rendering to such Offender and offenders, the over- 
 plus, or by any other lawfull ways or meanes whatsoever. 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 259 
 
 (8). AND I do, by these presents, appoint and ordain 
 the assigning, naming, and appointment of the Mayor and 
 Sherif of the said City, that it shall be as followeth viz 1 
 upon the feast day of S* Michael the Arch Angell/YEARLY, [5] 
 the Lieutenant Governour or Commander in Chief, for 
 the time being, by and with the advice of his Councill shall 
 nominate and appoint such person as he shall think fit to 
 be Mayor of the said City, for the year next ensueing; and City 
 one other person of sufficient Ability and Estate, and of how and 
 good capacity in Understanding to be Sherif of the said ™ hea t0 
 City of New York, for the Year next ensueing; and that pointed, & 
 such person as shall be named, assigned, and appointed 
 Mayor and such person as shall be named assigned and 
 appointed sheriff of the said City, as aforesaid, shall, on 
 the fourteenth day of October then next following, take 
 their several and respective Corporal Oaths, before the 
 Governor and Councill for the time being, for the due 
 execution of their respective Offices, as aforesaid; and that 
 the said Mayor and Sherif, so to be nominated, assigned, 
 and appointed, as aforesaid, shall remain and continue in 
 their said respective Offices, untill another fit person shall 
 be nominated, appointed, and sworn, in the place of Mayor; 
 and one other person shall be nominated and appointed in 
 the place of Sherif of the said City, in manner aforesaid. 
 AND further, that According to the now Usage and Custom 
 of the said City, the Recorder Town Clerk and Clerk of the 
 Market of the said city, shall be persons of good Capacity 
 and Understanding, and such persons as his Most Sacred 
 Majesty aforesaid, his Heirs and Successors, shall, in the 
 said respective Offices of Recorder, Town Clerk, and Clerk 
 of the Market, appoint and Commissionate; and for defect 
 of such Appointments, and Commissionating, by his most 
 sacred Majesty aforesaid, his heirs and successors, to be 
 such persons as the Lievtenant Governour and Commander 
 in Chief of the said province for the time being, shall 
 appoint and Commissionate; which persons so commission- 
 
260 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Mayor & 
 Recorder, 
 with three 
 or more 
 Aldermen 
 to hold 
 sessions of 
 the peace. 
 
 ated to the said Offices of Recorder, Town Clerk, and Clerk 
 of the Market, shall have, hold, and enjoy, the said offices, 
 according to the Tenour and Effect of their said Commis- 
 sions, and not otherwise. AND ffurther, that the Recorder, 
 Town Clerk, Clerk of the Market, Aldermen, Assistants, 
 Chamberlain, High Constable, petty Constables, and all 
 other Officers of the said City, before they, or any of them, 
 shall be admitted to enter upon and execute their respective 
 Offices, shall be sworn faithfully to Execute the same, before 
 the Mayor, or any three or more of the Aldermen for the 
 time being AND I do, by these presents, for and on the 
 behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty, his Heirs and Suc- 
 cessors, grant and give Power and authority to the Mayor 
 and Recorder of the said City, for the time being, to 
 Administer the same respective Oaths to them accordingly. 
 AND further, I do by these presents, grant, for and on the 
 Behalf of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his Heirs and 
 Successors, that the Mayor and Recorder of the said City 
 for the time being, and three or more of the Aldermen of 
 the said City, not exceeding five, shall be Justices and 
 keepers of the peace of his Most Sacred Majesty, his Heirs 
 and Successors, and Justices to hear and determine matters 
 and causes within the said City and Liberties, and precincts 
 thereof; and that they or any three or more of them, 
 whereof the Mayor and Recorder, or one of them, for the 
 time being, to be there, shall and may forever hereafter, 
 have power and Authority, by virtue of these presents, to 
 hear and determine all and all manner of petty Larcenies, 
 Riots, Routs, Oppressions, Extortions, and other trespasses 
 and Offences whatsoever, within the said City of New-York, 
 and the Liberties and precincts aforesaid, from time to 
 time, ariseing and happening, and which arise or happen 
 and any ways belong to the Offices of Justices of the peace, 
 and the Correction and punishment of the Offences afore- 
 said, and every of them, according to the Laws of England, 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 261 
 
 and the Laws of the said province; and to do and execute 
 all other things in the said City, Liberties, and Precincts 
 aforesaid, so fully and in ample manner, as to the Commis- 
 sioners assigned, and to be assigned, for the keeping of the 
 peace in the said County of New-York, doth or may belong 
 
 (9). AND, Moreover, I do by these presents, for and 
 on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid, his 
 Heirs and Successors, appoint, that the Aldermen, Aldermen, 
 Assistants, High Constable, and petty Constables, within ^ n S d' stants * 
 the said City, be yearly chosen on the ffeast day of Saint Constables, 
 Michael the Arch Angell, forever, viz 1 : One Alderman, c hosen 
 One Assistant, and One Constable, for each respective ward, y earl y- 
 and One Constable for each Division in the Out ward, in 
 such publick place in the said respective wards, as the Alder- 
 men for the time being, for each ward, shall Direct and 
 appoint; and that the Aldermen, Assistants, and petty 
 Constables, be chosen by Majority of voices of the Inhabit- 
 ants of each ward ; and that the High Constable be appointed 
 by the Mayor of the said City for the time being; and that 
 the Chamberlain shall be yearly chosen, on the said ffeast 
 day, in the said City Hall of/THE said City, by the Mayor [6] 
 and Aldermen and Assistants, or by the Mayor, or three or 
 more of the Aldermen, and three or more of the Assistants 
 of the said City, for the time being. AND I do, by these 
 presents, Constitute and appoint the said John West, to be 
 the present Town Clerk, Clerk of the peace, and Clerk of 
 the Court of pleas, to be holden before the Mayor, 
 Recorder, and Alderman, within the said City, and the 
 Liberties and Precincts thereof. AND further, I do by 
 these presents, for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred 
 Majestie aforesaid, his Heirs and Successors, require and 
 strictly charge and command, that the Sherif, Town Clerk, 
 Clerk of the peace, high Constable, petty Constables, and 
 all other subordinate officers in the said City, for the time 
 being, and every of them respectively, jointly and severally, 
 
262 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Mayor, 
 
 recorder 
 
 and 
 
 Aldermen, 
 
 Justices 
 
 of the 
 
 Peace. 
 
 Mayor to 
 grant 
 
 Licenses to 
 Tavern 
 Keepers. 
 
 as cause shall require, shall attend upon the said Mayor, 
 Recorder, and Aldermen, of the said City, for the time 
 being, and every or any of them, according to the duty of 
 their respective places, in and about the Executing of such 
 the Commands, precepts, Warrants, and processes, of them 
 and every of them, as belongeth and appertaineth to be done 
 or executed; and that the aforesaid Mayor, Recorder, and 
 Aldermen, and every of them, as Justices of the peace for 
 the time being, by their or any of their Warrants, all and 
 every person and persons for high Treason or petty 
 Treason, or for suspition thereof, or for other ffelonies 
 whatsoever, and all Malefactors and Disturbers of the 
 peace, and other Offendors for other Misdemeanours, who 
 shall be apprehended within the said City, or Liberties 
 thereof, shall and may send and commit, or cause to be sent 
 and committed, to the Common goal of the said City, there 
 to remaine and be kept in safe custody, by the Keeper of 
 the said Goal, or his Deputy, for the time being, untill such 
 Offender and Offenders shall lawfully delivered thence. 
 AND I do, by these presents, for and on the behalf of his 
 Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid, his Heirs and successors, 
 charge and require the Keeper and Keepers of the said goal 
 for the time being, and his and their Deputy and Deputys, to 
 receive, take, and in safe custody to keep, all and singular 
 such person and persons so apprehended, or to be appre- 
 hended, sent, and Committed, to the said goal, by warrant 
 of the said Justices, or any of them as aforesaid, untill he 
 and they so sent and committed to the said goal, shall from 
 thence be delivered by due course of Law. 
 
 ( 10). AND further, I do grant and confirm for and on 
 the behalf of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid, his Heirs 
 and successors, that the said Mayor of the said City, for 
 the time being, and no other (according to the usage and 
 custom practised in the said City of New York, in the times 
 of my predecessors, the several Lievtenants, Governours, 
 and Commanders in Chief of this province) shall have 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 263 
 
 power and authority to give and grant Licenses annually, 
 under the publick seal of the said City, to all tavern keepers, 
 Innkeepers, Ordinary keepers, Victuallers, and all publick 
 sellers of wine, strong waters, syder, beer, or any other sort 
 of Liquors, by Retaile within the City aforesaid, Manhat- 
 tans Island, or their Liberties and precincts thereof; And 
 that it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Mayor 
 of the said City, for the time being, to ask, demand, and 
 receive, for such License, by him to be given and granted, 
 as aforesaid, such sum or sums of money, as he and the per- 
 son to whom such License shall be given or granted, shall 
 agree for, not exceeding the sum of thirty shillings for each 
 License. All which money, as by the said Mayor shall be 
 so received, shall be used and applyed to the publick Use 
 of the said Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, of the said 
 City of New York, and their successors, without any 
 Account thereof to be rendred, made or done, to any of the 
 Lievtenants or Governours of this province, for the time 
 being, or any of their Deputies. 
 
 ( 1 1 ) . AND Know Yee that for the better government 
 of the said City, and for the welfare of the said Citizens, 
 Tradesmen, and Inhabitants thereof, I do by these presents, 
 for and on the behalf of his most sacred Majesty, his heirs 
 and successors, give and grant to the said Mayor, Alder- 
 men, and Commonalty of the said City, and their successors Mayor, 
 that the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, or the Mayor ?nd°Alder- 
 and any three or more of the Aldermen for the time being, men > or 
 shall, from time to time, and all times hereafter, have full and any 
 power and Authority, under the Common Seal, to make free ^" or 
 Citizens, of the said City, and Liberties thereof; and no Aldermen 
 person or persons whatsoever, other than such free Citizens, Freemen, 
 shall hereafter use any art, trade, Mystery, or manual Occu- 
 pation, within the said City, Liberties, and precincts thereof, 
 saving in the times of ffaires there to be kept, and during 
 the Continuance of such ffaires only, and in case any person 
 
264 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 or persons whatsoever, not being free Citizens of the said 
 City, as aforesaid, shall at any time hereafter use or exer- 
 cise any Art, trade, Mystery, or manual Occupation, or 
 shall, by himself, themselves, or others, sell, or expose to 
 sale, any manner of Merchandize or wares whatsoever, by 
 Retaile in any house, shop, or place, or standing within the 
 said City, or the Liberties or precincts thereof: no fair being 
 then kept in the said City, and shall persist therein after 
 warning to him or them given, or left by the appointment 
 of the Mayor of the said City, for the time being, at the 
 place or places where such person or persons shall so use 
 or exercise any art, trade, Mystery, or manual Occupation; 
 or shall sell or expose to sale, any wares or merchandizes, 
 as aforesaid, by retail; then it shall be lawfull for the Mayor 
 of the said City for the time being, to cause such shop 
 windows to be shut up, and also to Impose such reasonable 
 fine for such Offence, not exceeding five pounds for every 
 respective Offence; and the same nine and Sines so Imposed, 
 [7] to/LEVY and take by Warrant under the Common Seal of 
 the said City for the time being by Distress and Sale of the 
 goods and Chatties of the person or persons so Offending 
 in the premisses found within the Libertys or precincts of 
 the said City rendering to the party or parties the Overplus 
 or by any other lawfull ways or means whatsoever to the 
 only use of the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of 
 the said City of New York and their Successors without any 
 account to be rendred made or done to the Lievtenants 
 Governours or Commanders in Chief of this province for 
 the same provided that no person or persons shall be made 
 free as aforesaid but such as are his Majestys natural born 
 Subjects or such as shall first be naturalized by act of general 
 Assembly or shall have Obtained Letters of Denization 
 under the hand of the Lievtenant Governor or Commander 
 in chief for the time being and seal of the province And that 
 all persons to be made free as aforesaid Shall and do pay 
 for the publick use of the said Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 265 
 
 monalty of the said City such sum and sums of money as 
 heretofore hath been used and accustomed to be paid and 
 received on their being admitted ffreemen as aforesaid 
 provided it is not exceeding the sum of five pounds 
 
 (12). AND further I do by these presents for and on 
 the behalf of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs Corpora- 
 and successors grant to the Mayor Aldermen and Com- hold i°ands 
 monalty of the said City that they and their successors be 
 forever persons able and capable and shall have power to 
 purchase have take and possess in ffee simple Lands Tene- 
 ments rents and other possessions within or without the 
 same City to them and their successors forever so as the 
 same exceed not the yearly vallue of One thousand pounds 
 ^ Annum the statute of Mortmain or any other Law to the 
 Contrary notwithstanding and the same Lands Tenements 
 Hereditaments and premisses or any part thereof to demise 
 grant Lease set over assign and dispose at their own will 
 and pleasure and to make seal and accomplish any Deed or 
 Deeds Lease or Leases Evidences or writings for or con- 
 cerning the same or any part thereof which shall happen to 
 be made and granted by the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the said City for the time being 
 
 (13). AND further I do by these presents for and on 
 the behalf of his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs 
 and Successors grant to the said Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty that they and their successors shall and may for- 
 ever hereafter hold and keep within the said city in every 
 week of the year three market days the one upon Tuesday 
 the other upon thursday and the other upon Saturday weekly 
 for ever 
 
 (14). AND also I do by these presents for and on the 
 
 behalf of his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and To lay 
 
 Successors grant to the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty ground^ 
 
 of the said City that they and their successors and Assigns , an !* , 
 
 • r 1 • 1 build. 
 
 shall and may at any time or times hereafter when it to them 
 
266 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 To hold 
 Courts of 
 Common 
 Pleas. 
 
 Grant to 
 the Cor- 
 poration 
 of all their 
 former 
 franchises. 
 
 shall seem fit and convenient take in fill and make up and 
 lay out all and singular the Lands and ground in and about 
 the said City and Island Manhattans and the same to build 
 upon or make use of in any other manner or way as to them 
 shall seem fit as far into the Rivers thereof and that encom- 
 pass the same as low water mark aforesaid 
 
 (15). AND I do by these presents for and on the Behalf 
 of his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Suc- 
 cessors give and grant unto the aforesaid Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the said City of New York and their 
 successors that they and their successors shall and may have 
 hold and keep within the said City and Liberties and pre- 
 cincts thereof in every week in every year forever upon tues- 
 day one Court of Common pleas for all actions of Debt 
 Trespass trespass upon the Case Detinue Ejectment and 
 other personal actions and the same to be held before the 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen or any three of them 
 whereof the Mayor or Recorder to be one who shall have 
 power to hear and determine the same pleas and actions 
 according to the rules of the Common Law acts of General 
 Assembly of the said province 
 
 (16). AND I do by these presents for and on behalf of 
 his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors 
 grant to the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the 
 said City of New York and their successors that the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City and 
 their successors shall have and enjoy all the priviledges 
 franchises and powers that they have and use or that any 
 of their predecessors at any time within the Space of Twenty 
 Years last past had took or enjoyed or ought to have had 
 by reason or under any pretence of any former Charter 
 grant prescription or any other right Custom or usage 
 although the same have been forfeited lost or have been ill 
 used or not used or abused or discontinued albeit they be 
 not particularly mentioned and that no Officer shall Disturb 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 267 
 
 them therein under any pretence whatsoever not/ONLY [8] 
 for their future but their present enjoyment thereof PRO- 
 VIDED always that the said priviledges ^franchises and 
 powers be not inconsistent with or repugnant to the Laws 
 of his Majesties Kingdom of England or other the Laws 
 of the general Assembly of this province as aforesaid AND 
 SAVING to his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs 
 Successors and Assigns and the Lievtenants Governours and 
 Commanders in Chief and other Officers under him and 
 them in ffort James in or by the City of New York and in 
 all the Liberties Boundarys extents priviledges thereof for 
 the maintenance of the said ffort and garrison there all the 
 right Use title and Authority which they or any of them 
 have had used or exercised there and also One Messuage 
 or Tenement next the City Hall and one Messuage by the 
 ffort now in the possession of Thomas Coker gent the 
 peece of ground by the gate called the Governours garden 
 and the Land without the gate called the Kings ffarm with 
 the swamp next to the same Land by the ffresh water and 
 saving the several rents and Quitrents reserved due and Quit rents 
 paiable from several persons Inhabiting within the said City reservecl - 
 and Island Manhattans by virtue of former grants to them 
 made and given and saving to all other persons bodies 
 politick and Corporate their Heirs Successors and Assigns 
 all such right title and claim possessions rents services com- 
 mons Emoluments Interest in and to any thing which is 
 theirs (save only the ^franchises aforesaid) in as ample 
 manner as if this Charter had not been made 
 
 (17). AND FURTHER I do appoint and Declare that 
 the Incorporation to be founded by this Charter shall not 
 at any time hereafter do or suffer to be done any thing by 
 means whereof the Lands Tenements or Hereditaments 
 stock goods or Chatties thereof or in the hands custody 
 possession of any the Citizens of the said City such as have 
 been set let given granted or collected to and for pious and 
 
268 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Grants to 
 charitable 
 uses 
 saved. 
 
 Recital of 
 several 
 other 
 buildings 
 made by 
 the City. 
 
 charitable uses shall be wasted or misemployed contrary to 
 the Trust or Intent of the flounder or giver thereof and 
 that such and no other Construction shall be made thereof 
 than that which may tend most to advantage religion Justice 
 and the publick good and to suppress all Acts and Con- 
 trivances to be invented or put in use contrary thereunto 
 IN WITNESS whereof I have caused these presents to be 
 entered in the secretarys Office and the seal of the said 
 province to be hereunto affixed this seven and twentieth day 
 of April in the second year of the reign of his most Sacred 
 Majesty aforesaid and in the Year of our Lord God One 
 thousand Six hundred and eighty six Thomas Dongan 
 
 BY VIRTUE or under pretext whereof the said Citizens 
 and Inhabitants from the date thereof hitherto have held 
 or claimed to hold and still do hold or claim to hold and 
 enjoy all and singular the rights priviledges ffranchises pre- 
 heminencies Advantages Jurisdictions Courts powers profits 
 Immunities Lands Tenements hereditaments and other the 
 premisses therein particularly mentioned and thereby 
 intended to be granted AND WHEREAS the Citizens and 
 Inhabitants of the said City of New York besides the Several 
 publick Buildings accomodations Conveniences and other 
 things in the before recited grant or writing mentioned to 
 have been by them erected built and appropriated have 
 since the making thereof built and appropriated at their 
 own proper costs and charges several publick buildings 
 accomodations and Conveniencies for the said city that is to 
 say the present City Hall and Gaols Rooms and places for 
 the sitting of Courts of Justice and Chambers adjoining with 
 the ground and appurtenances thereunto belonging ffive 
 Market Houses the present Crane and Bridge with the 
 Common Shore leading through the great Dock and a 
 Magazine or powder house near the ffresh water and several 
 other public Buildings and Conveniencies in the said City 
 and have built the new flerry houses on the Island of Nassau 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 269 
 
 for the Reception of Travellers with a Barn Stables and 
 penn or pound for Cattle AND WHEREAS Our late 
 Royal predecessor Queen Anne by her Letters patent under 
 the broad seal of the province of New York made bearing 
 date the nineteenth day of April in the Seventh year of her 
 Reign Did grant ratify and Confirm unto the then Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 to their Successors and Assigns in these words ffollowing to Queen 
 wit 1 ANNE by the grace of God of England Scotland f h n a n r J r 
 ffrance and Ireland Queen Defender of the ffaith &c To all J 7°8. 
 whom/THESE presents may in any wise Concern Sendeth [9] 
 
 greeting WHEREAS the Mayor Aldermen and Common- 
 alty of the City of New York by their petition to our right 
 Trusty and wellbeloved Cousin Edward Viscount Cornbury 
 our Captain General and Governour in Chief in and over 
 our province of New York and Territories depending 
 thereon in America and Vice Admiral of the same &c pre- 
 ferred in Council therein Setting forth that they having a 
 right and Interest under diverse ancient Charters and grants 
 by diverse former Governours and Commanders in chief of 
 our said province of New York under our Noble progenitors 
 in a certain fferry from the said City of New York over the 
 East River to Nassaw Island (alias Long Island) and from 
 the said Island to the said City again and have possessed 
 the same and received all the profits benefits and Advantages 
 thereof for the space of ffifty Years and upwards and per- 
 ceiveing the proffits Advantages and benefits usually issueing 
 out of the same to diminish decrease and ffall short of what 
 might be reasonably made of the same for the want of the 
 bounds and Limits to be extended and Enlarged on the said 
 Island side whereby to prevent diverse persons transporting 
 themselves and goods to and from the said Island Nassaw 
 (als Long Island) over the said River without coming or 
 landing at the usual and accustom'd places where the fferry 
 boats are usually kept and appointed to the great loss and 
 
270 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Grant to 
 the Cor- 
 poration 
 of Brook- 
 lyn Ferry. 
 
 Damage of the said City of New York HAVE humbly 
 pray'd our grant and Confirmation under the great Seal of 
 our said province of New York of the said fferry called the 
 Old fferry on both sides of the said East River for the trans- 
 porting of passengers goods Horses and Cattle to and from 
 the said City as the same is now held and enjoyed by the 
 said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of 
 New York or their Undertenant or Undertenants And also 
 of all that the vacant and unappropriated Land from 
 high water mark to low water mark on the said Nassaw 
 Island (als Long Island) lying contiguous and fronting the 
 said City of New York from a certain place called the Wall- 
 about unto the red hook over against Nutten Island for the 
 better Improvement and Accomodation of the said fferry 
 with full power leave and Lycense to set up Establish main- 
 tain and keep one or more fferry or fferrys for the Ease and 
 Accomodation of all passengers and Travellers for the 
 transportation of themselves goods Horses and Cattle over 
 the said River within the Bounds aforesaid as they shall see 
 meet and convenient and occasion require and to Establish 
 Ordain and make By Laws Orders and Ordinances for the 
 due and orderly regulation of the same the which petition 
 we being minded to grant KNOW YE that of our Especial 
 grace certain knowledge and meer motion we have given 
 granted ratified and confirmed and in and by these presents 
 for us our heirs and Successors we do give grant ratify and 
 confirm unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty 
 of the City of New York and to their successors and Assigns 
 All that the said fferry called the Old fferry on both sides of 
 the said East river for the transportation of passengers 
 goods horses and Cattle over the said River to and from 
 the said City and Island as the same is now used held and 
 Enjoyed by the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of 
 the City of New York or their Under tenant or Under 
 tenants with all and singular the usual and accustom'd 
 fferridge ffees perquisites rents Issues profits and other 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 271 
 
 benefits and advantages whatsoever to the said Old fferry 
 belonging or therewith used or thereout ariseing and also 
 all that the aforesaid vacant and unappropriated ground And of 
 lyeing and being on the said Nassaw Island (als Long fan/on*™ 
 Island) from high water mark to low water mark aforesaid Nassau 
 
 . Island 
 
 contiguous and fronting the said City of New York from between 
 the aforesaid place called the Wallabout to red Hook afore- Y lgh and 
 
 r t low water 
 
 said that is to say from the East side of the Wallabout mark from 
 opposite the now Dwelling house of James Bobine to the About to 
 west side of the red Hook comonly called the ffishing place Red Hoo! <- 
 with all and singular the appurtenances and Hereditaments 
 to the same or any part or parcell thereof belonging or in 
 any wise of right appertaining together with all and singular 
 the rents Issues profits ways waters Easements and all other 
 benefits profits Advantages and appurtenances which here- 
 tofore have now/ARE and which hereafter shall belong to [ IO ] 
 the said fferry Vacant Land and premisses herein before 
 granted and confirmed or to any or either of them in any 
 wise appertaineing or which heretofore have been now are 
 and which hereafter shall belong be used held received and 
 enjoyed and all our Estate right title and Interest benefit 
 and Advantage claim and Demand of in or to the said fferry 
 vacant Land and premisses or any part or parcell thereof 
 and the Reversion and Reversions remainder and remainders 
 together with the Yearly and other Rents Revenues and 
 profits of the premisses and of every part and parcell thereof 
 (Except and always reserved out of this our present grant 
 and Confirmation free liberty leave and License to and for 
 all and every person or persons Inhabiting or having planta- 
 tions near the said River by the water Side within the Limits 
 and Bounds above mentioned to transport themselves goods 
 Horses and Cattle over the said River to and from the said 
 City of New York and Nassaw Island (als Long Island) 
 to and from their respective Dwellings or plantations with- 
 out any fferridge or other Account to the said fferry hereby 
 granted and confirmed to be paid or given so always as the 
 
272 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 said person or persons do transport themselves only and 
 their own goods and in their own boats only and not any 
 stranger or their goods Horses or Cattle or in any other 
 boat TO HAVE AND TO HOLD All and singular the 
 said fferry vacant Land and premisses herein before granted 
 and confirmed or meant mentioned or Intended to be hereby 
 granted and confirmed (except as is herein before excepted) 
 and all and singular the rents Issues profits rights members 
 and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise of 
 right appertaining unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York and their successsors and 
 Assigns forever to the only proper use and behoof of the 
 said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of City of New 
 York and their successors and Assigns forever To be holden 
 of us our Heirs and Successors in ffree and Common soccage 
 as of our Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of 
 Kent within our kingdom of England YIELDING render- 
 ing and paying unto us our heirs and successors for the same 
 yearly at our Custom house of New York to our Collector 
 and Receiver general there for the time being at or upon 
 the ffeast of the Nativity of S 1 John the Baptist the yearly 
 rent or sum of ffive shillings Current money of New York 
 Grant of AND we do further of our especial grace certain knowledge 
 estabLh an( ^ meer motion for us our Heirs and Successors give and 
 as many grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and 
 they shall their successors full and free leave and Lycense to sett up 
 think fit. Establish keep and maintain one or more fferry or fferrys 
 as they shall from time to time think fit and convenient 
 within the Limitts and bounds aforesaid for the ease and 
 Accomodation of transporting of passengers goods Horses 
 and Cattle between the said City of New York and the said 
 Island (except as is herein before excepted) under such 
 reasonable rates and payments as have been usually paid 
 and received for the same or which at any time hereafter 
 shall be by them Established by and with the consent and 
 approbation of our Governour and Council of our said 
 

 [No. xvi] Grants 273 
 
 province for the time being AND we do further of our 
 Especial grace certain knowledge and meer motion give and 
 grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of 
 the City of New York and their successors full and absolute 
 power and authority to make Ordain Establish Constitute 
 and confirm all manner of By Laws Orders rules ordinances 
 and Directions for the more orderly keeping and regularly 
 maintaining the aforesaid fferry that now is kept or any 
 fferry or fferrys which shall at any time or times hereafter 
 be set up Established or kept within the bounds aforesaid 
 by virtue hereof or of for touching or concerning the same 
 (so always as the same be not contrary to our Laws of 
 England and of our Province of New York) and the same 
 at all times hereafter to put in Execution or abrogate revoke 
 /OR change as they in their good Discretion shall think fit ["] 
 and most convenient for the due and orderly keeping regu- 
 lating and governing the said fferry or fferrys herein before 
 mentioned AND LASTLY our will and pleasure is and we 
 do hereby declare and grant that these our Letters patent 
 or the Record thereof in the Secretarys Office of our said 
 province of New York shall be good and effectual in the 
 Law to all Intents and purposes whatsoever notwithstand- 
 ing the not true and well reciteing or mentioning of the 
 premisses or any part thereof or the Limitts and bounds 
 thereof or of any former or other Letters patents or grants 
 whatsoever made or granted or of any part thereof by us 
 or any of our progenitors unto any person or persons what- 
 soever bodies politick or Corporate or any Law or other 
 Restraint Incertainty or Imperfection whatsoever to the 
 contrary in any wise Notwithstanding and although express 
 mention of the true yearly value or certainty of the premisses 
 or of any of them or of any other gifts or grants by us or 
 by any of our progenitors heretofore made to the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York in these presents is not made or any other matter 
 
274 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 cause or thing whatsoever to the Contrary thereof in any 
 wise notwithstanding IN TESTIMONY whereof we have 
 caused these our Letters to be made patent and the seal of 
 our said province of New York to our said Letters patent 
 to be affixed and the same to be recorded in y e secretaries 
 office of our said province WITNESS our right trusty and 
 well beloved Cousin Edward Viscount Cornbury Captain 
 General and Governour in chief in and over our province 
 of New York aforesaid and territories thereon Depending 
 in America and Vice Admiral of the same &c In Council at 
 our ffort in New York the nineteenth day of April in the 
 seventh year of our reign Annoqj Domini One thousand 
 seven hundred and eight 
 
 BY VIRTUE, or under pretext whereof the said Inhabit- 
 ants and Citizens of the City of New York have held and 
 Enjoyed or have claimed to hold and enjoy and still do 
 hold or claim to hold the fferry vacant Land perquisites 
 profits priviledges powers and other the premisses in the 
 before recited Letters patent mentioned and intended to be 
 thereby granted AND WHEREAS besides all the afore- 
 said particulars in the said grant or instrument made in the 
 aforesaid year of our Lord One thousand six hundred eighty 
 and six and in the before recited Letters patent of Queen 
 Anne mentioned or intended to be thereby granted the 
 Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City of New York have 
 anciently held or claimed to hold use and enjoy diverse and 
 Sundry other rights priviledges ffranchises preheminencies 
 Advantages Jurisdictions Emoluments powers profits Im- 
 munities Lands Tenements and other Hereditaments as well 
 by prescription as by diverse grants and Confirmations of 
 and from diverse Governours Lievtenant Governours and 
 Commanders in Chief of the said province, by the name of 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York and by diverse other names Stiles and Titles and 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 275 
 
 otherwise AND WHEREAS diverse Questions Doubts Recitals 
 Opinions Ambiguities Controversies and Debates have present 
 arisen and been made as well upon and concerning the valid- ^ " ter o 
 ity and force of the said recited grant or writing dated in 
 the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred and eighty 
 six and the before recited Letters patent of Queen Anne 
 as upon all and every the other grants and Confirmations of 
 diverse Governours Lievtenant Governours and Com- 
 manders in chief made to our City of New York as afore- 
 said by reason of the variety of Names Stiles Titles and 
 Incorporations aforesaid and by reason that the before 
 recited grant or Instrument dated in the year of our Lord 
 One thousand six hundred and eighty six and the other 
 grants and Confirmations of diverse governours Lievtenant 
 Governours and Commanders in chief were made in the 
 Governours own names respectively when they should have 
 been made in the respective names stiles and titles of fformer 
 Kings and Queens our Royal predecessors under whom they 
 were Governours Lievtenant Governours or Commanders 
 in chief respectively and by reason as some suggest and say 
 that the said City or Inhabitants or Citizens thereof never 
 were well regularly or legally Incorporated and for want 
 thereof none of all the said grants Confirmations Instru- 
 ments or Letters patent herein before mentioned Could take 
 effect or Operate and for diverse other Defects in all some 
 or one of the aforesaid grants Confirmations and writings 
 and also upon the validity and force of the/PRESCRIP- [12] 
 TION aforesaid AND WHEREAS our well beloved sub- 
 jects the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of our said 
 City of New York by their humble petition presented to our 
 Trusty and wellbeloved John Montgomerie Esq r our Cap- 
 tain general and Governour in chief of our provinces of 
 New York and New Jersey and Territories depending 
 thereon in America and Vice Admirall of the same &c In 
 Councill Reciting among other things that the City of New 
 
276 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 York is an ancient City and the Citizens thereof have 
 anciently held and used and still do hold and use diverse and 
 sundry rights Libertys priviledges ^franchises ffree customs 
 preheminencies advantages jurisdiction Emoluments Immu- 
 nities Lands Tenements publick buildings and hereditaments 
 as well by the name of the Mayor Aldermen and Common- 
 alty of the City of New York as otherwise to the advance- 
 ment of the said City in its Number of Buildings and 
 Inhabitants whereby the said City is become a considerable 
 seaport and exceedingly necessary and usefull to our King- 
 dom of great Britain in supplying our governments in the 
 west Indies with bread flowr and other provisions where- 
 fore they pray'd among other things for our Confirmation 
 and grant to the said City and Corporation by the name 
 stile and title of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of 
 the City of New York of all their Lands Tenements publick 
 buildings and hereditaments wharfs Docks Bridges Slips 
 fferries Cranes Grants Charters rights Liberties priviledges 
 ^franchises ffree Customs preheminencies advantages Juris- 
 dictions Emoluments and Immunities now and heretofore 
 by them held and enjoyed and that they might have the soil 
 ffour hundred fifoot beyond low water marke on Hudsons 
 River from a certain Creek or Kill called Bestavers Killitie 
 southward to the ffort and from thence the same Number 
 of ffeet beyond low water mark round the ffort and along 
 the East river as ffarr as to the North side of a certain Hill 
 called Corlaers hook and also for a grant of such other 
 powers Liberties franchises rights ffree Customs Jurisdic- 
 tions priviledges Immunities and things as may be needful 
 for the good rule and government of the said City AND 
 WEE Considering that the strength and Encrease of our 
 good subjects in that our frontier province of New York 
 does in a great measure depend upon the wellfare and 
 prosperity of our said City wherein the Trade and Naviga- 
 tion thereof are chiefly and principally carried on promoted 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 277 
 
 and Encouraged And we affecting the good and happy 
 Estate of our said City and the steady Loyalty and Integrity 
 of the Inhabitants and Citizens thereof are very desireous 
 and willing to give Encouragement to the said City Inhabit- 
 ants and Citizens and to remove utterly abolish and wholly 
 take away all and all manner of Causes Occasions and 
 matters whereupon such Questions Doubts Opinions i\.m- 
 biguities Controversies or Debates as aforesaid or any other 
 Questions or Doubts may or can arise And in Order thereto 
 we have thought fit them the said Inhabitants and Citizens 
 of the said City of New York (by whatsoever Name or 
 Names they have been or were Incorporated or whether 
 they have been or were heretofore Incorporated or not) 
 into One body politic and Corporate by the name of the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York by our Letters to make Constitute Confirm renew 
 and of New to create AND we being also further willing 
 and fully Intending and desireing that the said Inhabitants 
 and Citizens of our said City by the name aforesaid should 
 have perpetual Succession and should hold possess and enjoy 
 all and singular the rights priviledges Liberties ffranchises 
 preheminencies advantages Jurisdictions Courts powers 
 Offices Authorities fferries ffees nines perquisites proffits 
 Immunities rents possessions Lands Tenements and other 
 hereditaments not only which in the before recited grants 
 confirmations writings and Letters patent are mentioned 
 or intended to be thereby granted but also which they have 
 held or claimed to hold by prescription or otherwise with 
 the alterations and Enlargements thereof and additions 
 thereto in such manner and fform as herein after is men- 
 tioned and contained notwithstanding the before mentioned 
 or any other Questions Doubts Opinions Ambiguities 
 Debates ffaults or Imperfections 
 
 (i) /WHEREFORE KNOW YE that we of our ^ 
 Especial grace certain knowledge and meer motion HAVE f 173" 
 
278 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Corpora- 
 tion 
 created 
 by the 
 name of, 
 The 
 Mayor, 
 Aldermen, 
 and 
 
 Common- 
 alty of 
 the city 
 of New 
 York. 
 
 willed Ordained Constituted confirmed given and granted 
 and by these presents for us our Heirs and successors DO 
 will Ordain Constitute Confirm give and grant that our said 
 City of New York be and from henceforth forever here- 
 after shall be and remaine a free City of itself AND that 
 the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City and 
 their successors from henceforth and forever hereafter 
 shall be and remain One body Corporate and politick in 
 RE FACTO ET NOMINE by the Name of the Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of City of New York AND them 
 and their successors by the name of the Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the City of New York one body Cor- 
 porate and politick in RE FACTO ET NOMINE really 
 and fully WE do for us our Heirs and successors Erect 
 make Ordain Constitute Confirm declare and create by 
 these presents and that by that Name they shall and may 
 have perpetual succession and also that they and their suc- 
 cessors by the said name of the Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York be and forever hereafter 
 shall be persons able in Law and capable to sue and be sued 
 Implead and be Impleaded answer and be answered unto De- 
 fend and be defended in all Courts and places before us Our 
 heirs and successors and before all and any the Judges Jus- 
 tices Officers and Ministers of us Our Heirs and successors 
 and elsewhere in all and all manner of Actions suits Com- 
 plaints pleas Causes matters and Demands whatsoever and of 
 what kind or nature soever in as full and ample manner and 
 form as any of our other Liege subjects of our said province 
 being parsons able and capable in Law can or may sue and 
 be sued Implead and be Impleaded answer and be answered 
 unto Defend and be Defended by any Lawfull ways and 
 means whatsoever AND ALSO that they and their succes- 
 sors by the same Name of the Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York be and shall be forever 
 hereafter persons capable and able in Law to purchase take 
 hold receive enjoy and have any Messuages houses buildings 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 279 
 
 Lands Tenements rents possessions and other hereditaments 
 and Real Estate within or without our said province in ffee 
 and forever or for term of Life or Lives or years or in any 
 other maner and also goods Chatties and all other things 
 of what kind or quality soever AND ALSO That they and 
 their successors by the same Name of the Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the City of New York shall and may 
 give grant Demise assign and sell or otherwise dispose 
 all or any the Messuages Houses Buildings Lands Tene- 
 ments Rents possessions and other Hereditaments and real 
 Estate and all their goods Chatties and other things afore- 
 said as to them shall seem meet at their own will and 
 pleasure AND ALSO that the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York for the time being 
 and their successors shall any may forever hereafter have 
 and use a Common Seal for sealing all and singular Deeds 
 grants Conveyances Contracts Bonds articles of agreements 
 assignments powers Authoritys and all and singular their 
 affairs and things touching or concerning the said Corpo- 
 ration AND by virtue of these our Letters it shall and may 
 be lawfull to and for the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon- 
 alty of the City of New York and their successors as they 
 shall see cause to break change and new make the same or 
 any other Common seal when and as often as to them it 
 shall seem Convenient 
 
 (2). AND WE do further of our Especial grace certain 
 knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and successors 
 give grant Order and appoint that the said City of New 
 York and the Compass precincts Circuit Bounds Liberties 
 and Jurisdictions of the same do reach extend and streatch Extent of 
 forth and shall and may reach extend and stretch forth as 
 well in Length as in breadth and Circuit in and through the 
 Limitts and Boundarys ffollowing to witt TO BEGIN at 
 the River Creek or Run of water called Spyt Den Duyvel 
 over which Kings Bridge is built where the said River or 
 
 the City. 
 
280 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 Creek Empties it self into the North River on Westchester 
 side thereof at Low water mark and so to run along the 
 [i+] said River/CREEK or Run on Westchester side at low 
 water mark unto the East River or Sound and from thence 
 to cross over to Nassaw Island to low water mark there 
 Includeing great Barn Island little Barn Island and Man- 
 nings Island and from thence all along Nassaw Island shore 
 at low water mark unto the south side of the red Hook and 
 from thence to run a Line across the North River so as to 
 include Nutten Island Bedlows Island Bucking Island and 
 the Oyster Island to low water mark on the west side of 
 the North river or so far as the Limitts of our said province 
 extend there and so to run up along the west side of the 
 said River at low water mark or along the Limitts of our 
 said province untill it comes directly opposite to the first 
 mentioned river or Creek and thence to the place where 
 City the said Boundarys ffirst began AND ALSO that the said 
 
 •^to e City within the Limits and Jurisdictions thereof as aforesaid 
 
 wards. De and forever hereafter shall be and remain divided into 
 Seven Wards to witt the West Ward the South Ward the 
 Dock ward the East ward the North ward Montgomerie 
 ward and the Out ward each and every of which wards shall 
 contain and Comprehend and Reach and Extend through 
 the several Limitts and Bounds following (to witt) The 
 West WEST WARD to begin at the Middle of the East End of 
 
 the street that goes from the parade to the North River 
 between the Lott of ground now in ffence belonging to 
 Charles Sleigh and the house and grounds late of Thomas 
 Elde and from thence to run a direct Line over the Middle 
 of the west End of Beaver street and so along the Middle 
 of Beaver street till it comes directly opposite to the middle 
 of the south End of New street and then to run all along 
 the Middle of New street to the North End thereof and 
 from thence to run to the Rear of the Dwelling house now 
 in the possession of Domine Dubois and from thence to run 
 
 Ward. 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 281 
 
 all along the rear of the Houses that front the Broadway 
 up to the North part of the rear of Spring garden house 
 and from thence to run up a Line as the Broadway runs to 
 the End thereof Including the said Broad Way and John 
 Harris his house and to Include all other Houses hereafter 
 to be built fronting the said Broad way and from the North 
 End of the Broadway to continue and run a Line as the 
 said Street runs untill it Comes directly opposite to Bestavers 
 Killitie or Rivulet and from thence to run to the said 
 Bestavers Killitie and so to continue the said Line to ffour 
 Hundred ffoot beyond low water mark into the North River 
 and so down the said North River always keeping ffour 
 hundred ffoot beyond low water mark untill it comes directly 
 opposite to the middle of the West End of the ffirst men- 
 tioned street and so to run to and through the middle of 
 the said street to the place where the said west ward ffirst 
 began The SOUTH WARD to Begin at the middle of South 
 Wall street where the Line of the west ward runs across 
 the same and from thence down the middle of Wall street 
 untill it comes directly opposite to the middle of the North 
 end of broad street and from thence down the middle of 
 broad street to the Long bridge and from thence to the 
 Eastward of and to include the said Long bridge and the 
 market House at the south End of the said street and from 
 thence to Continue and run a south East Line across the 
 East River to low water Mark on Nassaw Island Shore 
 and from thence to run along the said Shore at low water 
 mark to the south side of Red Hook and from thence to 
 run a Line across the North River so as to Include Nutten 
 Island Bedlows Island Bucking Island and the Oyster Island 
 to low water mark on the west side of the North River and 
 so to run up along the west side of the said River at low 
 water marke untill it comes directly Opposite to Bestavers 
 Killitie or Rivulet and from thence to run to the North 
 westerly Corner of the West ward at ffour hundred ffoot 
 
282 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 beyond low water mark and from thence along the Bounds 
 of the said West ward till it comes to the South westerly end 
 thereof and from thence still along the bounds of the West 
 ward through the street by the parade and through Beaver 
 Street and New Street to the place where the said South- 
 Dock ward began The DOCK WARD to begin at the middle of 
 Wall street directly opposite to the middle of the North 
 End of broad street and from thence down through the 
 middle of wall street untill it comes to the middle of Smith 
 Street thence down through the middle of Smith Street to a 
 place called Marten Clocks Corner Including the small 
 street between the House late of the said Marten Clock 
 and the Slip and so to continue and run a Line as the said 
 Small Street runs into the East River ffour hundred ffoot 
 below low water mark thence runing westerly keeping ffour 
 hundred ffoot below low water mark till it comes to the 
 Bounds of the South ward and ffrom thence along the 
 Bounds of the South ward up the middle of broad street to 
 Ward. tfte pl ace where the said Dock ward began the EAST 
 [15] WARD to begin at the North/EASTERLY Corner of the 
 Dockward in the middle of Smith Street and so run from 
 thence up through the Middle of the said street till it comes 
 directly opposite to the middle of the North Easterly end 
 of golden Hill street and from thence to run down through 
 the middle of the said street to the middle of the South 
 Easterly end thereof and from thence to run through the 
 middle of Rodmans Slip to the East River and from thence 
 to continue and run a Line as the said slip runs into the East 
 River ffour hundred foot below low water mark thence 
 runing westerly keeping ffour hundred foot below low water 
 mark till it comes to the south Easterly end of the Dock- 
 ward and so along the Bounds of the Dockward up through 
 the middle of Smith Street to the place where the East 
 North ward began The NORTH WARD to begin where the East 
 ward begins in the middle of Smith Street and so to run 
 from thence through the middle of the said street so far as 
 
 Ward. 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 283 
 
 it runs and so to continue a line from the end of the said 
 street as the street runs to the south side of the Creek that 
 runs from ffresh water into the East River and from thence 
 runing a North Course till it comes to the bounds of the 
 West ward and from thence runing along the bounds of the 
 said west ward towards Spring garden and all along the 
 rear of the Houses fronting the Broadway and so still along 
 the bounds of the said West ward to the middle of Wall 
 street where the West ward runs across the same and from 
 thence down the middle of Wall street along the Bounds 
 of the South ward and the Dockward to the place where 
 the said North Ward began Including in the same ward the 
 powder House the City Hall and the presbyterian Meeting 
 house MONTGOMERIE WARD to begin at the South Mont- 
 Easterly Corner of the East ward opposite to Rodmans slip ward, 
 four hundred foot below low water mark in the East River 
 and from thence to run along the bounds of the East ward 
 to and through the middle of Rodmans slip and all through 
 the middle of golden Hill street till it meets with the 
 Boundaries of the North ward and the middle of Smith 
 Street and so along the Bounds of the North ward through 
 the middle of Smith Street to the Rivulet that runs from 
 ffresh water into the East River from thence along the said 
 Rivulet so far as it goes till it Empties itself in the said East 
 River and from thence to run a south East Line four 
 hundred foot beyond low water mark into the said East 
 River and from thence runing westerly keeping ffour hun- 
 dred ffoot beyond low water mark to the place where the 
 said Montgomerie ward began The OUT WARD to begin Out Ward, 
 at the North westerly Corner of the South ward at low 
 water mark on the west side of the North River over against 
 Bestavers Killitie or Rivulet and from thence to run up 
 along the west side of the said River at low water mark 
 untill it comes directly opposite to the River Creek or run 
 of water called Spyt den Duyvel over which Kings bridge 
 is built and from thence to run to the said Creek or River 
 
284 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 to the Westchester side thereof at low water mark and so 
 to run along said River Creek or run on Westchester side 
 at low water mark into the East River or Sound and from 
 thence to cross over to Nassaw Island to low water mark 
 there Includeing great Barn Island little Barn Island and 
 Mannings Island and from thence along Nassaw Island 
 Shore at low water mark to the bounds of the South ward 
 and from thence along the bounds of the South ward the 
 Dock ward the East ward and Montgomerie Ward to the 
 place where the said Montgomerie ward and the North 
 ward meet at the Rivulet that runs from ffresh water and 
 so to run a North Course as the said North ward runs till 
 it comes to the bounds of the West ward and from thence 
 along the bounds of the west ward to the North westerly- 
 Corner thereof at ffour hundred ffoot beyond low water 
 mark near Bestavers Killitie or Rivulet and from thence 
 along the bounds of the south ward to the place where the 
 said Outward began 
 
 (3). AND WE do further of our special grace certain 
 knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and Successors 
 will Ordain give and grant that there be and forever here- 
 Corporate a ^er shall and may be One Mayor One Recorder Seven 
 Officers. Aldermen Seven Assistants One Sherif One Coroner One 
 Comon Clerk one Chemberlain one high Constable Sixteen 
 Assessors Seven Collectors Sixteen Constables and One 
 Marshall appointed Nominated Elected chosen and Sworn 
 in and for the said City of New York and the precincts and 
 Limits thereof out of the ffreeholders or ffreemen 
 [16] /INHABITANTS of the said City in manner and form as 
 herein after is particularly mentioned AND for the better 
 Execution of our will gift and grant in this Behalf WE 
 HAVE Assigned Named Constituted and made and by 
 these presents ffor us our Heirs and successors DO Assign 
 name Constitute and make our well Beloved ROBERT 
 LURTING ESQ r to be the present Mayor of the same 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 285 
 
 City to do and Execute all things which unto the Office of 
 Mayor of the said City Doth or May Belong or in any wise 
 Appertain AND we do moreover for us our Heirs and 
 Successors give grant Ratify and confirm unto the said 
 Mayor of our said City of New York and to his successors 
 and to the Mayor of the said City for the time being and 
 to each of them forever full power and Authority to depute 
 and appoint one of the Aldermen of the said City for the 
 time being to be approved of by the Governour or Com- 
 mander in Chief of the said province for the time being in 
 the place of the Mayor of the said City for the time being 
 and as his Deputy in all matters and respects to act and do 
 all things which to the Office of the Mayor of the said City 
 within the Limitts Libertys and precincts thereof do or 
 ought to belong during the sickness or in the absence of the 
 said Mayor for the time being 
 
 (4). AND we do hereby will and grant that every such Deputy 
 Deputy or person so to be appointed and approved of after Ma y° r - 
 having taken such Oath as herein after is directed for every 
 such Deputy to take shall have as full power and authority 
 to act and do in the sickness or absence of the Mayor of the 
 said City for the time being all and singular those things 
 which to the Office of Mayor of the said City belongs or 
 shall belong or appertaine to all Intents and purposes as 
 the Mayor of the said City for the time being by virtue of 
 these presents or otherwise hath shall or ought to have 
 AND we do farther for us our Heirs and successors will 
 Ordain and grant that in case it should happen that the 
 present Mayor of the said City or any of his successors or 
 any of the Mayors of the said City for the time being should 
 happen to dye before any other fit person shall be appointed 
 and sworn Mayor of the said City in their respective Rooms 
 and places then and in every such case upon the Death of 
 such Mayor such Alderman for the time being (who shall 
 have been so appointed and approved of as aforesaid to 
 
286 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 act in the place of or as Deputy to Such Mayor) shall be 
 and he is hereby appointed and Declared Mayor of the said 
 City and to continue and be continued in and to Execute the 
 same Office of Mayor of the said City from the death of 
 such Mayor so dyeing untill another fit person shall be 
 appointed and sworn Mayor of the said City in such manner 
 as in and by these presents is hereafter directed for the 
 respective Mayors of the said City to be appointed and 
 sworn and so as often as such case shall happen 
 
 Recorder. (5). AND ffurther we have Assigned Ordained named 
 
 and constituted and by these presents Do for us our heirs 
 and successors Assign ordain name and constitute our 
 Trusty and well beloved Francis Harison Esq r (One of our 
 Councill of our said province of New York) to be the 
 present Recorder of our said City to do and Execute all 
 things which unto the Office of Recorder of the said City 
 doth or may belong or in any manner appertain and to con- 
 tinue and be continued in and to Execute the said Office 
 untill another fit person shall be appointed and sworn in 
 the said Office AND WEE do hereby appoint that the 
 Governour or Commander in chief for the said province 
 for the time being at any time or times when and as often 
 as they or each of them think fit may displace and remove 
 the present Recorder or any other Recorder hereafter to 
 be appointed 
 
 Aldermen. (6). AND We do for us our Heirs and Successors 
 Assign name Constitute and appoint John Cruger Har- 
 manns Vangelder ffredrick Philipse Gerardus Stuyvesant 
 Anthony Rutgers John Roosevelt and Johannes Harden- 
 broeck Esq rs Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City of 
 New York to be the present Aldermen of the said City and 
 
 Assistants. Egbert Van Borssom Samuel Kip John Chambers John 
 Moore Isaac Depeyster Petrus Rutgers and Gerardus 
 Beekman gent to be the present Assistants of the said City 
 to witt the said John Cruger to be Alderman and John 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 287 
 
 Moore to be Assistant for the Dockward of the said city 
 Harmanus Vangelder to be Alderman and John Chambers 
 to be Assistant ffor the west ward of the said City Coll 
 ffredrick Philipse/TO be Alderman and Isaac Depeyster to [17] 
 be Assistant for the South ward of the said City Gerardus 
 Stuyvesant to be Alderman and Samuel Kip to be Assistant 
 for the Out ward of the said City Anthony Rutgers Esq r 
 to be Alderman and Egbert van Borssom to be Assistant 
 for the North ward of the said City John Roosevelt to be 
 Alderman and Petrus Rutgers to be Assistant for the East 
 ward of the said City Johannes Hardenbroeck to be Alder- 
 man and Gerardus Beekman to be Assistant for Mont- 
 gomery ward of the said City 
 
 (7). AND we do also hereby nominate and appoint Chamber- 
 Cornelius Depeyster to be the present Chamberlain and sheriff, 
 Treasurer of the City aforesaid Coll Henry Beekman to coroner, 
 
 high con- 
 
 be the present Sherif of the said City Richard Nicholls gent stable and 
 to be present Coroner of the said City Edmund Peers to be mars a * 
 present High Constable and Robert Crannell to be present 
 Marshall of the said City 
 
 (8). AND ALSO we do hereby Nominate and appoint Assessors, 
 John Lemontes David Abeel Assessors Nicholas van and'^on- 8 ' 
 Taerling Collector and John Scott Constable for the South stables. 
 Ward of the said City John Thurman and John Bogaert 
 Assessors and John Pearce Collector for the west ward of 
 the said City Gerardus Duyckinck and Simeon Soumaine 
 Assessors George Brinkerhoof Collector and Christopher 
 Nichollson Constable of the Dock ward of the said City 
 John Brown and Nathaniel Marston Assessors Peter Noxon 
 Collector and Timothy Bontecou Constable of the North 
 ward of the said City John Pintard and Peter Van Dyck 
 Assessors Ebenezer Grant Collector and John Abrahamsen 
 Constable of the East ward of the said City Jacobus Kip 
 Assessor and Cornelius Cosine Collector for the Bowry 
 Division of the Outward and Barent Waldron Assessor 
 
288 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Collectors, 
 assessors, 
 and con- 
 stables, 
 to be 
 chcsen. 
 
 Derick Bensing Collector and Arent Bussing Constable for 
 the Haerlem Division of the said Outward 
 
 (9). AND we do hereby appoint order and direct that 
 within fforty Days after the date hereof the fifreemen of the 
 said City being Inhabitants in and the {freeholders of each 
 respective Ward in the said City may and Shall assemble 
 themselves and meet together at such time and place in each 
 of the said wards as each respective Alderman for each 
 respective ward shall appoint and then and there by plurality 
 of their voices or votes to Elect and choose out of the 
 Inhabitants of each respective ward being freeholders there 
 or ffreemen of the said City the several Officers ffollowing 
 to witt One other Constable for the southward one other 
 Constable for the West ward one other Constable for the 
 Dockward one other Constable for the Eastward two Asses- 
 sors one Collector and two Constables for Montgomerie 
 ward and two other Assessors and three other Constables 
 for the Outward to witt One other Assessor and two 
 Constables for the Bowry Division and one other Assessor 
 and one other Constable for the Haerlem Division of the 
 said Out ward AND WEE Doe hereby will and Ordain 
 that each and every of the before named Mayor Aldermen 
 Assistants Chamberlain Coroner high Constable and Mar- 
 shall and all and every the before named Assessors Con- 
 stables and every other Assessor and Constable hereafter 
 to be chosen for any ward or Division of a Ward in the 
 said City before next Michaelmas day on their being 
 respectively sworn into their respective Offices as hereafter 
 is directed shall continue in their said respective Offices 
 untill the fourteenth day of October next Ensuing the date 
 hereof and from thence untill other fit persons be respec- 
 tively chosen and sworn in their respective rooms and places 
 in manner and form as is herein after directed AND We 
 do also further Ordain order and Declare for us our heirs 
 and successors that as well the before named Sherif as every 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 289 
 
 other person and persons hereafter to be appointed for or Sheriff 
 
 to the Office of Sherif of the said City before he or they into bond 
 
 be permitted to exercise the said Office shall each of them d ° u r e the 
 
 give and Enter into bond to us our Heirs and successors execution 
 
 • i n rr • • 1 . of his 
 
 with two or more Sufficient sureties in a penalty not less office, 
 than One thousand pounds Conditioned for the faithfull 
 and due Execution of his said Office in such manner as the 
 Governour or Commander in Chief of the said province of 
 New York for the time being shall think fit and appoint 
 and the before named Sherif on his giving such security and 
 having taken such an Oath as hereafter is directed shall 
 Continue in his said Office untill the fourteenth day of 
 October next ensuing and from thence untill another fit 
 person is appointed and/SWORN into the said Office and [18] 
 has given Such Security as aforesaid 
 
 (10). AND WEE do hereby further for us our heirs Mayor, 
 and successors appoint and Ordaine that the Governour or a nd 
 Commander in Chief of the said province of New York for coron . er , 
 
 . appointed 
 
 the time being by and with the Advice of the Councill of us yearly. 
 our Heirs and Successors for the said province for the time 
 being from time to time shall have full power and Authority 
 on the ffeast day of Saint Michael the Arch Angell in every 
 Year forever hereafter to name and appoint and can shall 
 and may name and appoint a discreet and fit person of the 
 ffreeholders ffreemen or Inhabitants of the said City to be 
 Mayor of the said City and one other fit and able person 
 One of the ffreeholders or ffreemen being an Inhabitant of 
 the sa'd City to be Sherif of the said city and one other 
 such person to be Coroner of the said City all for the Ensu- 
 ing year AND ALSO that on the said ffeast day of Saint 
 Michael the Arch Angell in every year forever hereafter Aldermen 
 the ffreemen of the said City being Inhabitants and the ffree- assessors,' 
 holders of each respective ward in the said Citv shall and co, ! ectors > 
 
 1 J and con- 
 
 may Assemble themselves and meet together at such time of stables 
 
 the day and such publick place in each of the said wards as yearly. 
 
290 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Chamber- 
 lain 
 
 appointed 
 yearly. 
 
 When to 
 be sworn. 
 
 each respective Alderman for each respective ward for the 
 time being shall appoint and then and there by plurality of 
 their Voices or Votes to elect and chuse out of the Inhabit- 
 ants of each respective ward being ^Freeholders there or 
 ffreemen of the said City (except the Out Ward) for the 
 Ensuing Year One Alderman and One Assistant two Asses- 
 sors One Collector and Two Constables and for the said 
 Out ward four Assessors two Collectors and four Constables 
 to witt two Assessors One Collector and two Constables for 
 each Division of the said ward AND ALSO that the Mayor 
 of the said City for the time being and four or more Alder- 
 men and for or more of the Assistants of the said City for 
 the time being on the ffeast day of Saint Michael the Arch 
 Angell in every Year forever hereafter shall and may in 
 Common Councill Name and appoint One fit person being 
 a ffreeholder or ffreeman and an Inhabitant of the said City 
 to be Treasurer or Chamberlain of the said City for the 
 year ensuing and also that on the same day in every Year 
 forever hereafter the Mayor of the said City for the time 
 being shall Name and appoint one other of the said Inhabit- 
 ants being a ffreeholder or ffreeman of the said city to be 
 high Constable of the said City for the Year Ensuing every 
 of which persons so to be named for Mayor Coroner High 
 Constable or Chamberlain or so to be Elected for Alder- 
 man Assistant Assessor or Constable on the ffeast day of 
 Saint Michael shall on the fourteenth day of October then 
 next ensuing their Nomination or Election respectively take 
 the respective Oaths herein after appointed for them 
 respectively to take in such manner and form as hereinafter 
 is directed and shall continue in their said respective Offices 
 from their being so respectively sworn untill other fit per- 
 sons be respectively named or Elected and sworn in their 
 respective rooms and places AND ALSO that every person 
 so to be named for Sherif on the said feast day of Saint 
 Michael shall on the fourteenth day of October then next 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 291 
 
 ensuing his Nomination take such Oath as is hereafter 
 appointed for each Sherif to take and shall give such 
 security as is herein before appointed for each Sherif to 
 give and shall remain in the said Office from the time of his 
 being so sworn and giving such security untill another fit 
 person shall be appointed and sworn into the said Office 
 and shall have given such security as aforesaid AND we 
 do further for us our Heirs and successors appoint and 
 Ordain that if it should happen that either the Mayor 
 Sherif or Coroner of the said City for the time being at 
 any time (before other fit persons be so as aforesaid respec- 
 tively named and sworn in their respective Rooms) should 
 happen to dye then and so often as it shall so happen it shall 
 and may be lawfull for the Governour and Comander in 
 Chief of the said province for the time being by and with Vacancies 
 the advice of the said Councill for the said province for the sheriff^' 
 time being in some convenient time thereafter to name and !L nd 
 
 it i • Tii- Coroner 
 
 appoint some fit and discreet person being an Inhabitant supplied. 
 {freeholder or ffreeman of the said City to be Mayor of the 
 said City in the Room of such Mayor so dyeing and one 
 other fit and able person/AS aforesaid to be Sherif of the [19] 
 said City in the room of such Sherif so dying and one other 
 fit person as aforesaid to be Coroner of the said City in the 
 room of such Coroner so Dying and that every such person 
 so to be named Mayor after having taken such oath as is 
 hereby appointed for each Mayor to take shall remain in 
 and Execute the said Office of Mayor of the said City 
 untill the fourteenth day of October then next Ensuing and 
 untill another fit person be named and sworn into the said 
 Office of Mayor of the said City and every such person so 
 to be named Sherif after having sworn and given such 
 security as is hereby appointed for each Sherif to do shall 
 have Exercise and remain in the said Office of Sherif of the 
 said City untill the fourteenth day of October then next and 
 untill another fit person be named and sworn in the said 
 
292 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Vacancies, 
 of Alder- 
 men, 
 
 Assistants, 
 or other 
 inferior 
 Offices 
 supplied. 
 
 Office of Sherif and shall have given such security as herein 
 before is appointed for each Sherif to give and every per- 
 son so to be named Coroner after having taken such Oath 
 as appointed hereby for each Coroner to take shall Exercise 
 and remain in the said Office of Coroner of the said City 
 untill the fourteenth day of October then next and untill 
 another fit person be named and sworn into the Office of 
 Coroner of the said City 
 
 (n). AND we do moreover for us our Heirs and suc- 
 cessors will and by these presents grant to the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 to their successors forever that if it should happen any of 
 the present named Aldermen or Assistants Assessors Col- 
 lectors or Constables or any one of the Aldermen Assistants 
 Assessors Collectors or Constables hereafter to be elected 
 and sworn or to be sworn in their respective Offices as afore- 
 said shall happen to dye or remove out of the said City 
 within the time they are or shall be respectively named or 
 elected for or before other fit persons be respectively named 
 or elected and sworn in their respective rooms It shall and 
 may be lawfull for the ffreemen being inhabitants in and 
 the ffreeholders of each respective ward for which such 
 Alderman Assistant Assessor Collector or Constable so 
 dying or removing had been named or chosen for to 
 Assemble and meet together at such time and place in the 
 said respective ward as shall be appointed by the Mayor of 
 the said City for the time being or his Deputy and then and 
 there by plurality of voices or votes of the ffreemen being 
 Inhabitants in and the ffreeholders of such ward to elect 
 one of the Inhabitants of and being a ffreeholder in such 
 ward or ffreeman of the said City to serve as Alderman 
 Assistant Assessor Collector or Constable for the said ward 
 in the room of such Alderman Assistant Assessor Collector 
 or Constable so dying or removing and so as often as such 
 cases shall happen and in case the present named or any 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 293 
 
 future Chamberlain or any High Constable of the said City 
 hereafter to be appointed so sworn or to be sworn in their 
 respective Offices aforesaid should happen to dye or remove 
 out of the said City within the time they were or shall be 
 respectively appointed for It shall be lawfull for the Mayor 
 of the said City for the time being or his Deputy and four 
 or more Aldermen and four or more Assistants for the said 
 City for the time being in Common Councill to appoint 
 another fit person to be Chamberlain in the room of such 
 Chamberlain so dying or removing and for the Mayor of 
 the said City for the time being to appoint another fit per- 
 son to be high Constable in the room of such high Constable 
 so dying or removing and so as often as such cases shall 
 happen and all and every such person and persons so to 
 be newly chosen or appointed Alderman Assistant Assessor 
 Collector Constable Chamberlain or high Constable shall 
 serve in their respective Offices untill other fit persons be 
 respectively chosen or appointed and sworn in their respec- 
 tive rooms each of them (except the Collector) first taking 
 such Oaths as hereafter is appointed for each of them 
 respectively to take 
 
 (12). AND we do further for us our heirs and succes- 
 sors Ordain grant and confirm unto the said Mayor Alder- 
 men and Commonalty of the City of New York and their 
 successors forever that if any One of the Inhabitants of the 
 said City of New York being a ffreeholder or ffreeman as 
 aforesaid shall hereafter be Elected or chosen to the Office 
 of/ ALDERMAN Assistant Assessor Collector or Con- [20] 
 stable for any ward in the said City or shall be appointed Fine on 
 to be high Constable of the said City and have notice of his officers 3 * 
 Election shall refuse denie delay or neglect to take upon him chose P and 
 
 . refusing 
 
 or them to Execute such Office to which he or they shall be to serve. 
 so chosen or elected for that then and so often as it shall 
 happen It shall and may be lawfull for the Mayor or his 
 Deputy or Recorder and any four or more of the Aldermen 
 
294 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 and any four or more of the Assistants of the said city for 
 the time being in Common Councill to tax Assess and Impose 
 upon every such person or persons (so refuseing denying 
 delaying or neglecting) such reasonable and moderate ffine 
 and ffines sum and sums of money as they the said Mayor 
 or his Deputy or Recorder and any four or more Aldermen 
 and any four or more Assistants in Common Councill shall 
 think ffit so as such ffine for each Refusal Denial delay or 
 Neglect shall not exceed the sum of ffifteen pounds currant 
 money of New York all which said ffines shall and may be 
 levied by distress and sale of the goods and Chatties of such 
 Delinquent and Delinquents by Warrant under the seal of 
 the said City signed by the Mayor thereof for the time 
 being rendring the surplusage to the Owner or Owners 
 thereof if any be the necessary charges of making and sell- 
 ing such Distress being first deducted or by action of Debt 
 in any Court of Record to be prosecuted or any other law- 
 full method to be obtained and shall be recovered and 
 received by and to the use of the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York and their Successors 
 forever without any Account thereof to be given to us our 
 Heirs or successors or to any of the Officers or ministers of 
 us our Heirs or successors and upon every such Refusall or 
 neglect other fit persons to be Elected and chosen in the 
 room and rooms of such person so neglecting or refusing 
 in such manner as is before directed or appointed for Elect- 
 ing and chusing of Aldermen Assistants Assessors Collectors 
 and Constables and for appointing a high Constable upon 
 the death or Removal of any of them respectively and so 
 as often as such cases shall happen 
 
 AND WEE do hereby for us our heirs and successors 
 grant appoint and ordaine that if it shall happen that the 
 day or days appointed for the naming appointing Electing 
 or chusing or for Administring any Oath or Oaths to any of 
 the Officers or Ministers of the said Corporation shall 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 295 
 
 happen to fall on a Sunday then and in such case such nam- 
 ing appointing Electing or chusing so to be made shall be 
 made and such Oath or Oaths so to be Administred shall 
 be administred on the next day and so as often as such case 
 shall happen 
 
 ( 14) . AND ffurther we do of our Especial grace certain 
 knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and successors 
 give grant ratify and confirm unto the said Mayor Alder- 
 men and Commonalty of the City of New York and their 
 successors fforever that the Mayor or Recorder with four Common 
 or more Aldermen and four or more Assistants of the said 
 City for the time being be and shall be forever hereafter 
 called the Common Councill of the City of New York and 
 that the said Common Councill of the said City for the time 
 being or the major part of them have and may and shall 
 have full power Authority and License to frame Constitute 
 Ordain make and Establish from time to time all such Laws Power to 
 Statutes rights Ordinances and Constitutions which to them bye-laws. 
 or the greater part of them shall seem to be good usefull 
 or necessary for the good rule and government of the body 
 Corporate aforesaid and of all Officers Ministers Artificers 
 Citizens Inhabitants and Residents of the said City within 
 the Limitts thereof and for declaring how and after what 
 Manner and order the Mayor Recorder Aldermen and 
 Assistants of the said City for the time being and all and 
 every of their Officers and Ministers and all Artificers 
 Inhabitants and Residents of the same City and their 
 ffactors servants and Apprentices in their offices ffunctions 
 and business within the said City and the Liberties thereof 
 for the time being and from time to time shall use carry and 
 behave themselves and for the farther public good common 
 profit trade and better government and rule of the said 
 City and for the better preserving governing disposing 
 letting and setting of the Lands Tenements possessions and 
 hereditaments goods and Chatties to the aforesaid Mayor 
 
296 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New York 
 belonging or to them and their Successors hereafter to 
 belong and all other things and causes whatsoever touching 
 or concerning the said City or the state right and Interest 
 of the same provided that such Laws be not contradictory 
 or repugnant to the Laws or Statutes of that part of our 
 [21] Kingdom of great Britain called/ENGLAND or of our 
 said province which Laws statutes Ordinances and Constitu- 
 tions so to be made as aforesaid may be and remain in force 
 for twelve Months from the day of the date thereof and no 
 longer unless they shall be allowed of and confirmed by the 
 Governour and Councill of the said province for the time 
 being AND that the said Common Councill of the said City 
 for the time being or the greater part of them as often as 
 they shall make Ordain and Establish such Laws Statutes 
 rights Orders and Constitutions in form aforesaid may make 
 Ordain Limitt and provide such and the like pains punish- 
 And to ments penaltys either by ffines and amerciaments or by dis- 
 ievy franchising and amoving from the Libertys priviledges 
 
 penalties. Imunities and freedom of the said City or by either of them 
 towards and against all and every person that shall Offend 
 against such Laws statutes rights Orders and Constitutions 
 or any or either of them as by the said Common Councill or 
 the major part of them shall be thought necessary and 
 requisite to make ordain Limitt and provide for the 
 Observation and preservation of the same Laws rights 
 statutes Ordinances and Constitutions and the same ffines 
 and Amerciaments shall and may from time to time Levy 
 receive have and recover either by distress and sale of the 
 goods and Chatties of such Delinquent and Delinquents by 
 warrant under the hand and seal of the Mayor or Recorder 
 or any one of the Aldermen for the time being rendring the 
 surplusage to the Owner or Owners thereof if any be the 
 necessary charges of making and selling such Distress being 
 first deducted or by action of Debt in any Court of Record 
 to be prosecuted or in any other lawfull method to be 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 297 
 
 obtained and to the use of the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York and their Successors 
 forever without any account thereof to be given to us our 
 Heirs and Successors or to any of the Officers or Ministers 
 of us or our heirs or successors all and singular which Laws 
 Statutes rights Ordinances and Constitutions so as aforesaid 
 to be made we do for us our Heirs and successors will to 
 be Observed under the pains penaltys and forfeitures in the 
 same contained AND we do further of our especial grace 
 certain knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and 
 successors give grant ratify and confirm unto the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 their Successors forever that the Common Councill of the 
 said City for the time being or the major part of them shall 
 have the sole power of Determining and Deciding all Elec- 
 tions of all and every their Officers and Ministers hereafter 
 to be chosen and elected in or for the said Corporation or 
 any part thereof 
 
 (15). AND WEE do hereby for us our Heirs and Suc- 
 cessors Ordain declare give and grant unto the said Mayor Common 
 Aldermen and Commonalty and their successors that the ^"h" 01 ' 
 Common Councill of the said City shall be summoned called called 
 and held from time to time so often and at such times and Mayor, or 
 places as the Mayor or in case of his sickness or absence ! n c * s ? of 
 
 .... . his sick- 
 
 the Recorder of the said city for the time being shall think ness or 
 fit to appoint or direct and that it shall and may be lawfull by^h"' 
 to and for the said Common Councill of the said City or Recorder, 
 the major part of them to assess and lay such reasonable 
 ffines and Amerciaments in and upon every Officer and Common 
 Member of the body Corporate aforesaid for the time being ^fine 
 who after having had due notice or being duely summoned ,nembers 
 
 1 s~, ~, . wn o shall 
 
 to appear or attend at any such Common Councill to be not attend. 
 held for the said City shall neglect so to do or make default 
 therein or shall not appear or attend according to such notice 
 or summons in that behalf or shew a reasonable Cause by 
 
298 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 the said Common Councill or the major part of them at 
 their Discretion to be allowed and so as often as such Case 
 shall happen so that no such ffine or Amerciament for any 
 one Default of appearance or Attendance of any such Officer 
 or Member of the body Corporate aforesaid shall exceed 
 the sum of twenty shillings in the manner and form afore- 
 said to be Levied and by to and for the use of the Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City and their suc- 
 cessors to be recovered and received without any account 
 thereof to be given to us our Heirs or successors or any of 
 our or their Officers or Ministers AND we do further for 
 us our Heirs and successors give grant and confirm unto the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New 
 York and their successors forever that the Common Councill 
 of the said City for the time being or the Major part of 
 them (but no other person or persons whomsoever without 
 the Consent grant or Lycense of the said Common Councill 
 of the said City for the time being or the major part of 
 them) from time to time and at all times hereafter shall and 
 may have the sole full and whole power and authority of 
 setling appointing Establishing Ordering and directing and 
 Power to shall and may settle appoint Establish Order and direct 
 establish ^^ anc j so manv fferrys round Manhattans Island alias 
 
 ferries. * J 
 
 New York Island for the carrying and transporting people 
 [22] Horses Cattle goods and/CHATTELLS from the said 
 Island of Manhattan to Nassau Island and from thence 
 back to Manhattans and also from the said Island Man- 
 hattans to any of the opposite shores all round the same 
 Island in such and so many places as the said Common 
 Councill or the major part of them shall think ffit who have 
 hereby likewise full power to Lett sett or otherwise dispose 
 of all or any of such fferrys to any person or persons whom- 
 soever and the rents Issues profits fferriages ffees and other 
 advantages arising and accrewing from all and every such 
 fferries we do hereby ffully and ffreely for us our Heirs and 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 299 
 
 successors give and grant unto the Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York aforesaid and to 
 their Successors fforever to have take hold and enjoy the 
 same to their own use without being accountable to us our 
 heirs or successors for the same or any part thereof. 
 
 (16). AND we do ffurther for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors give grant ratify and Confirm unto the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 their Successors forever that the Common Councill of the 
 said City for the time being or the major part of them have Power to 
 and from time to time and at all times hereafter forever ,"_;'_ 
 shall have full power Lycense and Authority not only to and la .y 
 Establish appoint Order and direct the making and laying lanes, 
 out of all other streets Lanes alleys high ways watercourses ^reets 3 ^' 
 and bridges not already made or laid out but also the alter- alleys. 
 ing amending and repairing all such streets Lanes Alleys 
 high ways watercourses and bridges heretofore made or laid 
 out or hereafter to be made or laid out in and throughout 
 the said City of New York and the Island of Manhattans 
 in such manner as the said Common Councill for the time 
 being or the major part of them shall think or Judge to be 
 necessary and convenient for all Inhabitants and Travellers 
 there 
 
 (17). AND ffurther we do hereby of our especial grace 
 certain knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and 
 successors give grant ratify and confirm unto the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 their successors that they and their successors shall and may 
 have hold and keep Markets at ffive several places (in the Power to 
 said City of New York on every day in the week throughout marke'ts. 
 the year except Sunday) as ffollow to witt One market at 
 Coenties Dock one other market at the Old Slip at Burgers 
 path One other Market at Countesses Slip One other 
 Market at the lower end of Wall Street and one other 
 market by the Long Bridge AND ALSO we do for us our 
 
300 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Heirs and successors grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the City of New York and their Succes- 
 sors fforever that they and their successors shall and may 
 have hold and keep such and so many other Markets at 
 such and so many other times and places in the said City 
 of New York as shall from time to time be Ordered Estab- 
 lished Erected and appointed by the Common Councill of 
 the City aforesaid for the time being or the greater Number 
 of them 
 
 ( 1 8 ) . AND We do ffurther for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors give and grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York and their successors 
 The assize that they and their successors may and shall have the Assize 
 win e r , e &c. an d Essay of bread Wine Beer Ale and all other Victuals 
 and things whatsoever sett to sale in the said City and the 
 Liberties and Limits thereof and the Amending and Cor- 
 recting of the same assize and all Amerciaments nines and 
 fforfeitures to be Laid and {forfeited concerning the same 
 or any part thereof without any account thereof to be given 
 . to us our Heirs or successors and to perform do and Act 
 by themselves or their Deputys all and every thing needfull 
 or necessary in about or concerning the same 
 
 (19). AND we do hereby farther for us our Heirs and 
 successors grant and give unto the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the City of New York and their Succes- 
 sors forever the Office of Gauger of and in the said City 
 to gauge all and singular the wine Rum brandy Molasses 
 beer Ale syder and other Merchandizes and Vessels gauge- 
 able or to be gauged within the said City (except such 
 Liquors as are to pay duty by vitrue of any act of Assembly 
 untill after they have been gauged by the publick Officer 
 appointed for that purpose) and the Office of measurer of 
 and in the said City to Measure Salt Wheat Oats and other 
 grain and all other Merchandizes measurable or to be 
 measured in the said City and also the Offices of surveyor 
 
 Office of 
 Gauger. 
 
 Of 
 
 measurer. 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 301 
 
 and packer of bread fflour Beef pork and other provisions 
 and all other Merchandizes and Commodities to be surveyed 
 or packed in the said City and also the Office of Cartage Surveyor 
 carriage and portage of all goods wares Merchandizes and an pa< 
 other things to be carted or carryed in or through the said Cartage, 
 City or any part thereof and also the Office of garbling of portage - 
 all manner of spices and other Merchandizes and things to Garbling, 
 be garbled in the City aforesaid To have and to hold the 
 several Offices aforesaid and every of them and the Dis- 
 position Ordinances and Corrections of the same and to 
 Exercise the same by themselves/OR their Deputys and [23] 
 to take and receive to themselves all ffees profits and per- 
 quisites to the said Offices and every of them due or to be 
 due and all the ffines Amerciaments and forfeitures to be 
 laid and forfeited concerning the same or any part thereof 
 to them the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and 
 their successors to their own proper use forever without any 
 Account or any other thing to us or our Heirs or successors 
 to be given or made 
 
 (20). AND FFURTHER that the Mayor of the said 
 City for the time being or his Deputy for the time being 
 and any four or more of the Aldermen for the time being 
 shall from time to time and at all times forever hereafter 
 have full power and Authority under the Common Seal of Power to 
 the said City to make free Citizens of the said Citv and "? ake free 
 
 _ . . ' citizens. 
 
 Liberties thereof and that every person so to be made a 
 ffree Citizen shall pay on his being made free for the use 
 of the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
 aforesaid and their successors forever a sum not Exceeding 
 five pounds New York money and we do for us our Heirs 
 and successors give and grant unto the said Mayor Alder- 
 men and Commonalty and their successors forever full 
 power to ask take Demand and receive the same to their 
 own use and behoof without any Account thereof to be given 
 
of free 
 citizens 
 
 302 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 to us our Heirs or successors or any other person or persons 
 whatsoever 
 
 (21). AND we do hereby for us our Heirs or successors 
 Constitute appoint and Ordaine that no person whatsoever 
 not being a ffree Citizen of the said City as aforesaid shall 
 at any time hereafter use any Art trade Mystery or Occupa- 
 tion within the said City Liberties and precincts thereof or 
 shall by himself themselves or others sell or expose to sale 
 any manner of goods Wares Merchandizes or Commodities 
 by retaile in any house shop place or standing within the 
 said City or the Liberties or precincts thereof save in the 
 times of publick ffairs and that every such person so using 
 any Art trade Mystery Occupation or so retailing contrary 
 to the Intent and meaning of these our present Letters and 
 Privileges shall persist therein (after warning to him or them thereof 
 given or Left by the appointment of the Mayor of the said 
 City for the time being or his Deputy at the place or places 
 where such person or persons shall so use any Art Mystery 
 or Occupation or expose to sale by Retaile as aforesaid any 
 goods wares Merchandizes or Commodities as aforesaid 
 shall forfeit the sum of ffive pounds New York money to 
 and for the use of the said Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty 
 of the City of New York and their Successors for every time 
 that he or she shall so use any trade Mystery or Occupation 
 or expose to sale by retaile as aforesaid any goods wares 
 Merchandizes or Commodities after such warning given or 
 left as aforesaid All and every of which same fforfeitures 
 shall and may be Levied by Distress and sale of the goods 
 and Chattels of such Delinquent and Delinquents by War- 
 rant under the seal of the said City signed by the Mayor 
 thereof for the time being or his Deputy rendring the sur- 
 plusage to the Owner or Owners thereof if any be (the 
 necessary charges of making and selling such Distress being 
 first deducted) or by any other lawfull method to be 
 obtained and shall be recovered and received by and to the 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 303 
 
 only use of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the 
 City of New York and their Successors for ever without 
 any Account thereof to be given to us our Heirs or succes- 
 sors or to any of the Officers or Ministers of us our Heirs 
 or successors PROVIDED always and we do hereby for 
 us our Heirs and successors direct appoint and order that 
 no person or persons shall be made free as aforesaid but 
 such as are or shall be natural born subjects of us our Heirs 
 or successors or shall be Naturalized or made denizens 
 AND we do further for us our Heirs and successors ordain 
 and appoint direct will and grant that all and every person 
 and persons now living who at any time heretofore have 
 been Admitted ffree citizens or into the ffreedom of the said 
 City of New York shall be and remain ffree thereof and 
 free Citizens and have and enjoy the said ffreedom and all 
 the rights and priviledges of ffreemen and free Citizens of 
 the said City of New York to all Intents and purposes 
 whatsoever 
 
 (22). AND for the better preservation of good rule and 
 Order in the said City we do for us our Heirs and successors 
 will Ordain grant unto the Mayor Aldermen and Common- 
 alty of the said City and their successors that the Common common 
 Councill of the said City for the time being or the major Council 
 
 J D J to appoint 
 
 part of them shall have full power and Authority to Lycense surveyors, 
 or appoint by warrant under the Common seal of the said gangers,"' 
 City or otherwise one or more surveyors of fflower bread P r j! ers ' 
 beer pork and other provisions Measurers of grain salt and &c. 
 all other Commodities Gaugers of/WINE beer Ale syder [24] 
 Rum Brandy and all other saleable or exciseable Liquors 
 Garblers Beadles Bellmen Watchmen Bridewell keepers or 
 keepers of a house or houses of Correction and of Alms 
 houses Cryers and Bellringers and to displace all or any of 
 them and put others in their room and to add or Diminish 
 the Number of them or any of them as often as the said 
 
304 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 To erect 
 Bridewell 
 or work- 
 houses. 
 
 Mayor 
 Recorder 
 and 
 
 Aldermen, 
 or any 
 of them, 
 to commit 
 vagabonds. 
 
 Corpora- 
 tion to 
 erect an 
 almshouse. 
 
 To have 
 one or 
 more gaols 
 to erect. 
 
 Common Councill of the said City or the major part of 
 them shall think fit 
 
 (23). AND ffurther we do for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty 
 and their successors forever full power and Authority to 
 erect and build or appropriate any of their buildings already 
 built for one or more Bridewell or Bridewells house or 
 houses of Correction and work house or workhouses 
 together with full power and authority to the said Mayor 
 Recorder and Aldermen or any one of them to take up and 
 Arrest or order to be taken up and Arrested all and any 
 Rogues Vagabonds straglers and idle and suspicious persons 
 and as they the said Mayor Recorder or Aldermen or any 
 one of them shall see cause to Order all or any such Rogues 
 Vagabonds straglers and idle and suspicious persons either 
 to the said Workhouse there to remain and work such work 
 and so long not exceeding ffourty Days or else to Bridewell 
 or the house of Correction there to receive such punishment 
 not extending to the Loss of Life or Limb as the said Mayor 
 Recorder and Aldermen or any one of them shall think fit 
 AND ALSO that they the said Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty and their successors forever may and shall have 
 power to build Erect or appropriate any of their buildings 
 already built for an Alms house for Relief of the poor 
 together also with as full and ample power to them and 
 their successors to Order direct and Act in and about the 
 said houses of Correction Work houses and Alms houses 
 and the persons to be put in and Ordered there as to any 
 City or Corporation in any place of that part of our Realm 
 of great Britain called England and the Officers or Ministers 
 thereof doth or may belong AND also that they the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and their Successors 
 fforever hereafter may have One or more Goal or Gaols in 
 such fit place or places within the said City and Limitts and 
 jurisdiction thereof as by the Common Councill of the said 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 305 
 
 City for the time being or the major part of them shall be 
 appointed to Imprison and safe keep all and every person 
 and persons for any Treasons Murders ffelonys Trespasses 
 Evil Doings and all other matters and Causes whatsoever 
 to be arrested or attached or to be Committed to the Goal 
 or Goals aforesaid in safe custody there to remain untill 
 they be Delivered by due Course of Law AND that the 
 Common Councill of the City aforesaid for the time being 
 or the major part of them shall and may have power from 
 time to time to chuse Constitute and place one or more fit 
 person or persons in the Office or Offices of Keeper or 
 Keepers of the Goal or goals aforesaid to hold the same 
 during the good pleasure of the Common Councill of the 
 said City for the time being or the major part of them as 
 aforesaid requiring and hereby for us our heirs and succes- 
 sors Impowering and comanding the Keeper and Keepers of 
 the goal or goals aforesaid for the time being that all and 
 singular Traitors Murderers ffelons Malefactors Disturbers 
 of the peace and other Delinquents and all others for any 
 Crime or Offence or other reasonable cause or matters to 
 the goal or goals aforesaid Ordered or Committed or to be 
 committed or Ordered from time to time shall receive take 
 keep and cause to be kept in the same Goal or Goals untill 
 they shall be thence Delivered by due Course of Law 
 
 (24). AND we do further for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors will ordain and grant that the Mayor of the said City 
 for the time being shall fforever hereafter be Clerk of the Mayor 
 Market of us our Heirs and successors within the City afore- ckT^ 
 said and the Limitts Libertys and precincts thereof And that the 
 the Mayor of the said City for the time being by himself or 
 his Deputy may and shall have power and authority to do 
 and execute and shall and may do and execute fforever within 
 the Limitts Libertys and precincts of the said City all and 
 whatsoever to the Office of Clerk of the Market there doth 
 shall or may belong without any hindrance or Impediment 
 of us our/HEIRS or successors or any the Officers of us [25] 
 
306 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 And water 
 bailiff. 
 
 Mayor to 
 license 
 marshals, 
 porters, 
 carriers, 
 cartmen, 
 carmen, 
 packers, 
 cullers, 
 cryers, 
 and scav- 
 engers. 
 
 And grant 
 licenses 
 to keep 
 tavern. 
 
 our Heirs or successors and that no other Clerk of the 
 Market shall intermeddle there AND ALSO that the 
 Mayor of the said City for the time being and his successors 
 during the time of his and their Mayoraltys and no other 
 be and shall be the Bailif and Conservator of the water of 
 the North and East Rivers and shall and may do Exercise 
 and Execute the said Office of Bailiff and Conservator of 
 the water of the North and East Rivers or water bailiff by 
 him or themselves or by his or their sufficient Deputy or 
 Deputys in upon or about the same water of the North and 
 East River (that is to say) in and through all the Limitts 
 bounds and Jurisdiction of the said City of New York upon 
 all and every the Banks Shores and Wharfs of the same 
 water of the North and East Rivers within the Limits and 
 Bounds aforesaid and to have receive collect and Enjoy all 
 and singular wages Rewards ffees and proffits to the same 
 Offices of Clerk of the Market and water bailiff or any of 
 them due or to be due or belonging to his or their own use 
 without any account thereof to us our Heirs or successors 
 to be made AND also that the Mayor of the said City for 
 the time being shall have full power and Authority to 
 Lycense or appoint by Warrant under his Hand and seal or 
 otherwise One or more Marshall or marshalls of the said 
 City porters Carryers Cartmen Carrmen packers Cullers 
 common Cryers scavingers and to Displace all or any of 
 them and to put others in their rooms and to add to or 
 Diminish the Number of them or any of them when and as 
 often as the Mayor of the said City for the time being shall 
 think flit 
 
 (25). AND we do further ffor us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors grant ratify and Confirm unto the said Mayor Alder- 
 men and Commonalty of the City of New York and their 
 successors forever that the Mayor of the said City for the 
 time being and no other whatsoever shall have power to 
 give and grant Lycenses Annually under the publick seal of 
 the said City to all such persons as he shall think ffit to 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 307 
 
 lycense them and every of them to keep a Tavern Inn 
 Ordinary or Victualling house and to sell wine Brandy Rum 
 strong waters syder Beer Ale or any other sort of Exciseable 
 or strong Liquors within the City of New York or the 
 Liberties and precincts thereof by Retaile or the small 
 Measure and that it shall be lawfull to and for the said 
 Mayor of the said City for the time being to ask Demand 
 receive for every such Lycense by him to be given and 
 granted as aforesaid such sum or sums of money as he and 
 the person to whom such lycense shall be given and granted 
 shall agree for not exceeding the sum of thirty shillings for 
 each Lycense all which moneys as by the said Mayor shall 
 be so received shall be used and applyed to the publick use 
 of the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said 
 City of New York and their successors forever without any 
 Account thereof to be rendred made or done to us our 
 Heirs or successors or any other person whatsoever Every 
 and each of which Lycenses shall continue and be in fforce 
 for any time not Exceeding One Year from the granting 
 thereof but no longer AND we do hereby for us our Heirs 
 and successors Constitute Direct Order and appoint that no 
 person or persons whatsoever without such License being in 
 force shall at any time hereafter keep any Tavern Inn 
 publick Ordinarys or Victualling House or sell Wine Brandy 
 Rum strong waters syder beer Ale or any other sorts of 
 Exciseable or Strong Liquors within the City of New York 
 or the Libertys or precincts thereof by retaile or small 
 measure under the penalty of ffive pounds current money of 
 New York for every time that any person shall act con- 
 trary hereto in any respect to be fforfeited and paid by every 
 person for every time he or she shall Offend or act contrary 
 hereto in any respect to and for the use of the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York for 
 the time being all and every of which penaltys shall and may 
 be Levied by Distress and sale of the goods and chatties of 
 such Delinquent and Delinquents by Warrant under the seal 
 
308 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Mayor, 
 
 Recorder, 
 
 and 
 
 Aldermen, 
 
 justices 
 
 of the 
 
 peace. 
 
 [26] 
 
 May hold 
 courts of 
 sessions 
 quarter 
 yearly. 
 
 of the said City signed by the Mayor thereof for the time 
 being or his Deputy rendring the Surplusage to the owner 
 or owners thereof if any be (the necessary Charges of 
 making and selling such distress being first Deducted) or by 
 any other lawfull method to be obtained and shall be 
 recovered and received by and to the only use of the Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 their successors forever without any Account thereof to be 
 given to us our Heirs or successors or to any of the Min- 
 isters or Officers of us our Heirs or successors 
 
 (26). AND ffurther we of our Especial grace certain 
 knowledge and meer motion have given granted ratifyd 
 and confirmed and by these presents Do for us our Heirs 
 and successors give grant ratify and confirm unto the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York and to their successors fforever that the Mayor Deputy 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen/OF the said City for the 
 time being be and shall be at all times fforever hereafter and 
 hereby are assigned to be Justices and each of them a 
 Justice of us our Heirs and successors the peace of us our 
 heirs and successors within the city aforesaid and the limitts 
 Jurisdiction and Extent thereof and within the County of 
 New York to keep and that they the said Mayor Deputy 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of the City for the 
 time being or any four or more of them (whereof we will 
 the Mayor or Deputy Mayor or Recorder of the said City 
 for the time being to be one) shall and may forever here- 
 after hold and keep four Courts of general sessions of the 
 peace in and for the said City and County of New York 
 to begin at certain times in the year to witt One of them 
 to begin on the ffirst Tuesday in November another on the 
 ffirst Tuesday in ffebruary another on the ffirst Tuesday in 
 May and the other on the ffirst tuesday in August in every 
 Year each of which sessions of the peace shall and may 
 last Continue and be held any time not Exceeding flour Days 
 AND also that they the said Mayor Deputy Mayor 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 309 
 
 Recorder and Aldermen of the said City for the time being 
 or any four or more of them (whereof we will the Mayor 
 or Deputy Mayor or Recorder of the said City for the 
 time being to be one) shall and may forever hereafter have 
 full power and authority to enquire of and hear and Deter- 
 mine within the City and County aforesaid all and all man- 
 ner of ffelonies Imprisonments Riots Routs Oppressions 
 Extortions fforestallings Regratings trespasses Offences and 
 all and singular other Evil Deeds and Offences whatsoever 
 within the City and County aforesaid from time to time 
 perpetrated done arising or happening which to the Office 
 of Justices of the peace are Incumbent or do in any manner 
 belong or which thereafter shall happen to belong or be 
 Incumbent on them or which in any manner before Justices 
 of the peace ought or may be Inquired into heard and Deter- 
 mined together with the Correction and punishment thereof 
 and to do and Execute all other things within the City and 
 County aforesaid and the Liberties and precincts thereof 
 as fully ffreely and intirely and in as ample manner and form 
 as Justices of the peace of us our Heirs and successors any 
 where within that part of our Kingdom of Great Britain 
 called England by the Laws statutes or Customs of England 
 or by any other Legall method whatsoever heretofore had 
 or Exercised or hereafter to be had or Exercised could 
 might or can do and in as ample manner and form as if 
 the same had been in these our Letters particularly and by To have 
 special words Expressed contained and mentioned And that tiorTirT 
 the said Justices of the peace of us our Heirs and successors all causes, 
 
 i /-• i /- <• -i i it-.. which to 
 
 in the Lity and County aforesaid may have and Exercise the office of 
 
 Jurisdiction in all causes matters and things whatsoever j"^^* 
 
 which to Justices of the peace of our said City and County ma y 
 
 in any manner do or ought to belong AND ffurther that the Mayo?', 
 
 Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of the said City for the re c° rder 
 
 time being and every of them from time to time and at all Aldermen 
 
 times forever hereafter shall be Justices assigned of Oyer ^oylTln°d 
 
 and Terminer and of the Goal Delivery of all and Every Terminer. 
 
310 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 the Goals now being and hereafter to be in the said City 
 and County and either of them and shall be named in every 
 Commission thereof to be made AND we Do hereby for us 
 our Heirs and successors grant order and appoint that the 
 Sherif and other Ministers and Officers of the said City 
 for the time being shall and may and they are and each of 
 them is hereby Commanded Authorised and fully Em- 
 powered to Execute and return all and every the precepts 
 and Commands of the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of 
 the said City for the time being and either or any of them 
 from time to time at all times as fully and effectually as any 
 Sheriff Minister or Officer of any County or City any where 
 in that part of our Kingdom of great Britain called England 
 the Mandates or Commands of any Justice of the peace 
 Justice of Oyer and Terminer of Goal Delivery of or in any 
 County there hath used to make return or Execute in any 
 manner whatsoever 
 
 (27). AND we do further of our Especial grace certain 
 knowledge and meer motion will and by these presents for 
 us our Heirs and successors give grant ratify and confirm 
 unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the 
 City of New York and their Successors forever that they 
 and their Successors forever hereafter shall can and may 
 have and hold in the Name of us our Heirs and successors 
 One Court of Record within the City of New York and the 
 Liberties and precincts thereof upon every Tuesday in every 
 year before the Mayor of the said city for the time being 
 Mayor's or his Deputy or the Recorder of the said City for the time 
 Court. being and any three or more of the Aldermen for the time 
 
 being or any four or more of them (whereof we will the 
 Mayor of the said City for the time being or his deputy or 
 the Recorder of the said City for the time being to be one) 
 AND that the Mayor of the said City for the time being 
 or his Deputy or the Recorder of the said City for the time 
 being and three or more of the Aldermen and any four or 
 more of them (whereof we will the said Mayor or his 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 311 
 
 deputy or the Recorder to be one) shall and may hold plea 
 and have Cognizance of all and all manner of plaints 
 Actions and pleas of any Lands and tenements within the 
 /SAID City of New York and the Limitts and precincts [ 27 ] 
 thereof and also of all actions of trespass with fforce and 
 arms and without Replevin Ejectment Trover and Conver- 
 sion Trespass upon the Case Debt Detinue Covenant Deceits 
 Contracts Contempts penalties ^forfeitures and all other 
 Actions and pleas as well real as personal and mixt arising 
 and accruing within the said City and Limitts thereof 
 together with full power and Authority to hear and Deter- 
 mine all and every the same and such Actions and pleas 
 aforesaid and Judgments thereon to render and Executions 
 thereof to award and make and to Act and do every thing 
 therein in such manner and form and by such and the like 
 Methods process and proceedings as fully and amply as in 
 our other Courts of Record in such or the like cases is used 
 or can or may be acted and Done according to the Laws of 
 that part of our Kingdom of great Britain called England 
 and of our said province of New York 
 
 (28). AND we do hereby for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors grant Order and appoint that the Sherif and the 
 Coroner and other Ministers and Officers of the said City 
 for the time being shall and may and they are and each of 
 them is hereby Commanded Authorised and fully Impowered 
 to Execute and return all and every the precepts and 
 processes of the said Court to them respectively directed or 
 to be directed from time to time and at all times as fully 
 and Effectually as any Sherif Coroner Minister or Officer of 
 or in any City or Place within that part of our Kingdom of 
 great Britain called England the precepts and processes of 
 any Court of Record there hath used or can or may Execute 
 and return in any manner howsoever PROVIDED Always 
 that the Mayor of the said City for the time being or his 
 Deputy or the Recorder of the said City for the time being 
 
312 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 and any three or more of the aldermen of the said City 
 or any four or more of them (whereof the Mayor or his 
 Deputy or the Recorder we will to be one) may and by these 
 presents have and shall have full power to Adjourn the said 
 Court for anytime not exceeding twenty eight days 
 
 Corpora- (29). AND we do further will and by these presents f or 
 
 have*?! us our Heirs an d successors give grant ratify and Confirm 
 common U nto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York and their successors that they and their succes- 
 sors from henceforth forever hereafter shall and may have 
 within the City aforesaid a fitt and Discreet Man to be and 
 who shall be and be called the Common Clerk of the City 
 aforesaid to act and do all those things within the City 
 aforesaid and the Limitts and Jurisdiction thereof which to 
 any Common Clerk of or in any City Burrough or Town 
 Incorporated any where in that part of our Kingdom of 
 great Britain called England by virtue of his Office can or 
 ought to do AND also that forever hereafter the Common 
 Clerk of the City aforesaid for the time being shall also be 
 Clerk of the Court of Record to be held before the Mayor 
 or his Deputy or the Recorder or any three or more of the 
 Aldermen of the said City as aforesaid AND also Clerk of 
 our peace and of the peace of our Heirs and successors and 
 of the sessions of the peace for and in the City and County 
 of New York from time to time to be held and all and 
 singular those things which to the Office and Offices of such 
 Clerk of the peace and of the sessions of the peace do and 
 shall appertain to do act and Execute and also shall and 
 may require Demand take accept hold keep and Enjoy all 
 ffees perquisites and proffits which to any such Common 
 Clerk Clerk of the peace and of the sessions of the peace do 
 or ought to belong AND we hereby give grant ratify and 
 Confirm ffor us our Heirs and successors unto our Beloved 
 William Sharpas gen (one of the Inhabitants of the City 
 aforesaid) to be the present Common Clerk of the City of 
 New York aforesaid and also Clerk of the peace and of the 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 313 
 
 sessions of the peace for and in the City and County of New 
 York to continue in the Offices aforesaid During his Life 
 and to act and execute the same Offices and places by him- 
 self or his Deputy AND we do further for us our Heirs 
 and successors appoint will and direct that the Governour 
 or Commander in Chief of the said province of New York 
 for the time being from time to time and at all times after Vacancy 
 
 of clerk 
 
 the death of the said William Sharpas when and so often supplied. 
 
 as the Office and place of Common Clerk of the said City 
 
 shall happen to be vacant shall and may appoint an honest 
 
 and Discreet Man being one of the Inhabitants and a ffree- 
 
 man or ffreeholder of the said City to be Common Clerk of 
 
 the said City during his good Behaviour and so as often as 
 
 such case shall happen AND we do ffurther for us our 
 
 Heirs and successors will and grant that so often as the said 
 
 Office shall be vacant the Common Councill of the said City 
 
 for the time being shall and may appoint one other honest 
 
 and Discreet Citizen being an Inhabitant and ffreeman or 
 
 ffreeholder of the said City to be Common Clerk of the said 
 
 City and Clerk of the said Court of Record in and for the 
 
 said City and Clerk of the peace and/OF the Sessions of [28] 
 
 the peace in and for the said City and County of New York 
 
 to act and Execute the said Offices and who shall and may 
 
 Execute do and receive all and whatsoever to the said Offices 
 
 and every of them belongs or shall belong or appertain till vacancy of 
 
 in his room another honest and discreet person being an c,erk 
 
 . . supplied. 
 
 Inhabitant and ffreeman or ffreeholder of the said City shall 
 be appointed into or for the said Offices by the Governour 
 or Commander in Chief of the said province for the time 
 being and shall have taken such an Oath as is hereby directed 
 for every such person so to be appointed to give and take 
 and so from time to time and so often as the case may or 
 shall so happen 
 
 (30). AND ffurther we do hereby Constitute Name and 
 appoint James Alexander Joseph Murray John Chambers 
 William Smith George Lurting William Jamison Richard 
 
314 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Attornies 
 for the 
 Mayor's 
 Court. 
 
 Nicholls and Abraham Lodge gentlemen to be the present 
 Attornies and each of them to be an Attorney of and in the 
 said Court of Record for and during the good behaviour 
 of each of them respectively And we do hereby for us our 
 Heirs and successors grant and Ordain that no other 
 Attorney or Attornies person or persons whomsoever 
 (besides the aforenamed Attornies during the time that 
 they shall all remain Attornies of the said Court) shall be 
 permitted or suffered to practice as an Attorney of or in the 
 said Court but all and every other Attorney and Attornies 
 person and persons (besides the before named Attornies 
 during the time aforesaid) from being an Attorney or 
 Attornies of or in the said Court and from all practice as 
 such shall be and are and each of them is Excluded and 
 Debarred AND we do hereby for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors give and grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York and their successors 
 for ever that the Mayor of the said City for the time being 
 or his Deputy or the Recorder and any three or more of 
 the Aldermen of the said City for the time being or any 
 four or more of them (whereof we will the Mayor or his 
 Deputy or the Recorder of the said City for the time being 
 to be one) shall and may (by and with the consent and 
 approbation of our Governour and Commander in Chief 
 for the time being) have full power and Authority all or 
 any of the before named Attornies of the said Court and 
 all or any other of the persons hereafter to be appointed or 
 admitted Attornies of or in the said Court for their or his 
 evil behaviour in their or his said Duty or Office of Attornies 
 or an Attorney of or in the same or his or their being thereof 
 Legally Convicted from being Attornies or an Attorney of 
 or in the said Court to amove displace and forever exclude 
 and after the Amoval or death of any two or more of the 
 before named Attornies upon the Amoval or death of any 
 other of the Attornies before named or hereafter to be 
 admitted to recorhend one other person to the Governour 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 315 
 
 or Commander in Chief of the said province of New York 
 for the time being for his approbation in the room of such 
 Attorney so dying or being removed each of which persons 
 so to be recomended and approved of as aforesaid shall and 
 may be admitted and sworn an Attorney of and in the said 
 Court and so often as the case shall happen AND we do 
 ffurther for us our Heirs and successors grant and appoint 
 that no other Attorney or person whatsoever shall after the 
 Death or Amoval of any of the before named Attornies be 
 admitted or suffered to practise as an Attorney of or in the 
 said Court but what shall be Recomended and approved of 
 as aforesaid AND further we do for us our Heirs and 
 successors grant will and Ordaine that the Number of 
 Attornies of the said Court shall not at any one time after 
 the death or Removal of any two or more of the before 
 named Attorneys forever hereafter exceed the number of 
 six PROVIDED that nothing herein shall be construed to 
 extend to hinder us our Heirs or successors from prosecuting 
 or Defending all or any suits Causes Actions or prosecutions 
 in the said Mayors Court by our Attorney or Sollicitor 
 General for our said province or the Attorney or Sollicitor 
 General of us our Heirs or successors for the said province 
 for the time being nor to hinder the Attorney or Sollicitor 
 General of us our Heirs or successors for the said province 
 for the time being to practice in the said Court as Council in 
 any Civil Cause 
 
 (31). AND we do farther of our especial grace certain Mayor, 
 
 knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and successors and' 
 
 grant appoint and direct that the Mayor Recorder and A, <j ermen 
 
 Aldermen of the said City for the time being and each of of them, to 
 
 them from time to time and at all times forever hereafter aiTcTuTe's 
 
 shall have by these presents full power and Authority to w ! th or 
 
 have and take Cognizance of and to hear try and finally jury, 
 
 determine with or without a Jury all pleas suits Controver- ^ here . the 
 
 1 . thing in 
 
 sies and Trespasses wherein the value does not exceed the demand 
 sum of ffourty shillings in such manner as they or either of excel d^os. 
 
316 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 [29] 
 
 Sheriff, 
 clerk and 
 all sub- 
 ordinate 
 officers to 
 attend 
 upon the 
 Mayor, 
 Recorder 
 and 
 
 Aldermen, 
 and to 
 execute 
 their 
 commands. 
 
 them shall think or Judge to be agreable and according to 
 Equity and good Conscience and for the/MORE due pro- 
 ceeding herein it shall and may be lawfull for them or either 
 of them to administer an Oath to the plaintiff or Defendant 
 and also to such witnesses as shall be produced by each party 
 if they the said Mayor Recorder and Aldermen or either of 
 them think fit and in case either of the parties plaintiff or 
 Defendant shall not perform such Order Judgment or 
 Decree as the said Mayor Recorder or Aldermen for the 
 time being or any of them shall make or set down then it 
 shall and may be lawfull for them or any of them to com- 
 mitt such party or parties to any prison of or in the said 
 City there to remain untill he she or they perform such 
 Order and every Marshall of the said City for the time 
 being is hereby Commanded and Authorized to Execute ail 
 and any the summonses precepts and Commands of them 
 the said Mayor Recorder and Aldermen or any one of them 
 made issued or given in about or concerning such suits pleas 
 Controversies and Trespasses or any of them as shall be to 
 him directed and every Keeper of the goal for the City of 
 New York for the time being is hereby commanded and 
 Authorised to receive and safe keep in his goal or custody 
 all such parties so committed or to be committed to the 
 prison he shall be then Keeper of untill he she or they shall 
 perform such Order accordingly 
 
 (32). AND we Do for ourselves our Heirs and succes- 
 sors by these our present Letters require and strictly charge 
 and command and fully impower the sheriff Common Clerk 
 Chamberlain Marshall Goal keepers High Constable petty 
 Constables and all other subordinate Officers of and in the 
 said City now chosen elected constituted or appointed or 
 that hereafter may be chosen elected constituted or 
 appointed and every of them respectively jointly and sever- 
 ally as cause shall require to be Obeisant and obedient to 
 and attend upon the said Mayor Recorder and Aldermen 
 of the said City and every or any of them at all times here- 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 317 
 
 after according to the Duty or Obligation of their respec- 
 tive offices and places and to execute all and every the Com- 
 mands precepts Warrants and processes to them respectively 
 directed and issued and given out and to be issued and given 
 out by them the said Mayor Recorder and Aldermen or 
 any one of them 
 
 (33). AND we do further hereby will Declare and Mayor, 
 Ordaine that before the Mayor Deputy Mayor Recorder ^ s ot ^ T uty ' 
 Aldermen Assistants Assessors sherif Coroner Common officers 
 Clerk Chamberlain High Constable and petty Constables sworn. 
 of the said City such of them as are hereby appointed and 
 named and all and every such as hereafter are to be 
 appointed elected or chosen shall before they be respectively 
 permitted to execute their respective Offices or places afore- 
 said respectively be sworn as ffollow to witt the hereby 
 named Mayor of the said City and every other person here- 
 after to be appointed to or for that Office to take the proper 
 Oath as such and well and truly to execute the Office of 
 Mayor and all other Offices and places hereby appointed 
 for each Mayor to execute and act in and the usual Oath 
 of a Justice of peace before the Governour or Commander 
 in chief of the said province of New York for the time being 
 in presence of three or more of the Aldermen of the said 
 City of New York for the time being or in case of the 
 absence of the Governour or Commander in Chief for the 
 time being then before the oldest Councellor of the said 
 province for the time being in the presence of three or 
 more of the Aldermen of the said City for the time being 
 AND we do hereby for us our Heirs and successors give 
 and grant full power and Authority to the Governour or 
 Commander in Chief of the said province for the time 
 being in the presence of three or more of the Aldermen of 
 the City aforesaid for the time being or in case of the 
 absence of the said Governour or Commander in Chief then 
 to the oldest Councellor of the said province for the time 
 being in the presence of any three or more of the Aldermen 
 
318 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Recorder 
 to be 
 sworn. 
 
 before the 
 Mayor or 
 his deputy. 
 
 Deputy 
 Mayor to 
 be sworn. 
 
 His oath. 
 [30] 
 
 Mayor or 
 recorder 
 and any 
 three or 
 more 
 Aldermen 
 to admin- 
 ister such 
 oath. 
 
 of the said City for the time being to administer such Oaths 
 accordingly without any other Warrant Commission or 
 power from us our Heirs or successors and so from time 
 to time as often as the case shall or may require or happen 
 And the above named Recorder of the said city of New 
 York and every other person hereafter to be appointed to 
 or for that Office to take the proper Oath as such Officer 
 ought to take and an Oath well and truly to execute the 
 Office of Recorder and the proper Oath of a Justice of peace 
 before the Mayor of the said City for the time being or his 
 Deputy to which same Mayor for the time being or his 
 Deputy we do for us our Heirs and successors give full 
 power and Authority by these presents to administer such 
 Oaths accordingly in manner aforesaid without any other 
 Warrant Commission or power from us our Heirs and suc- 
 cessors and every Deputy Mayor or every Alderman here- 
 after to be appointed to act as Deputy Mayor for the time 
 being to take the proper Oath as such and on Oath well and 
 /TRULY to execute the Office of a Deputy Mayor during 
 the time for which he shall be appointed Deputy if the same 
 Mayor his Constituant shall so long live and if the said 
 Mayor shall happen to dye within such time that thereupon 
 and from thenceforth such Deputy Mayor shall well and 
 truly execute the Office of Mayor of the said City untill 
 another fit person be appointed and sworn Mayor of the 
 said City in the manner in these present Letters mentioned 
 and shall also take the proper Oath of a Justice of the peace 
 before the Mayor or Recorder and any three or more of 
 the Aldermen of the said City for the time being AND 
 we do hereby for us our Heirs and Successors give full 
 power and Authority to the Mayor or Recorder of the said 
 City and to any three or more of the Aldermen of the said 
 City for the time being to administer such Oaths as afore- 
 said without any other Warrant Commission or power from 
 us our Heirs or successors And also every Alderman hereby 
 appointed and every person hereafter to be Elected to or 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 319 
 
 for the Office or place of Alderman of or in the said City Aldermen 
 to take an Oath well and truly to execute the Office or place assessors, 
 of Alderman and the proper Oath of a Justice of peace shenff » 
 
 , . . . . coroner, 
 
 before the Mayor of the said City for the time being or clerk, 
 his Deputy or the Recorder of the said City for the time fa^High 
 being and also every Assistant Assessor Sherif Coroner constable 
 Common Clerk Chamberlain high Constable and petty constables. 
 Constable hereby named and every person hereafter to be 
 elected or appointed to or for the Office or place of an 
 Assistant Assessor Coroner Common Clerk or Chamber- 
 lain or shall be appointed or elected to or for the Office or 
 place of High Constable or petty Constable of or in the 
 said City each of them respectively to take the proper Oath 
 for his respective Office or place and well and truly to £ e f swol £ 
 Execute the respective Offices or places he is or shall have Mayor or 
 been respectively elected or named for before the said ^ s de P ut y 
 Mayor of the said City for the time being or his Deputy or recorder, 
 the Recorder of the said City for the time being and we do 
 hereby give full power and Authority to the Mayor of the 
 said City for the time being or his Deputy or the Recorder 
 of the said City for the time being to administer such respec- 
 tive Oaths to each of the respective persons aforesaid 
 accordingly without any other Warrant power or Authority 
 from us our Heirs or successors 
 
 (34). AND ffurther of our Especial grace certain No free 
 knowledge and meer motion we have granted and by these the city 
 presents Do for our selves our Heirs and Successors grant t0 be ,, , 
 
 , r « T compelled 
 
 and confirm unto the aforesaid Mayor Aldermen and Com- against 
 monalty of the City of New York aforesaid and to their [^serve" 8 
 successors that neither they nor any of them nor any ffree ? n a °y 
 
 Ce 1 . , „. . . . ..... inquest or 
 
 ltizen or the said City during the time or their being juries, 
 
 Inhabitants there shall against their or anv of their wills or t0 
 
 . ° J t execute 
 
 out of the City aforesaid be put or Impannelled upon or in any office 
 
 any Assizes Juries or Inquisitions whatsoever (although it °u r i s di c - 
 
 toucheth or doth or shall touch us our Heirs or successors tion ? f 
 and although we or our successors be or should or shall be 
 
320 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 parties) out of the said City neither shall they or any one 
 of them be made Elected or chosen Assessor Taxer or Col- 
 lector of any taxes Duties Imposts or Subsidies whatsoever 
 or of any part or parcell of them or of any of them out 
 of the said City nor shall be Ordained Elected assigned or 
 appointed Constable Bailif or any other Officer or Minister 
 without or beyond the City aforesaid and the Liberties and 
 precincts thereof nor shall be called upon compelled or 
 fforced against their or any of their wills to doe receive 
 Occupy or Discharge any of the Duties or ffunctions above 
 mentioned or any other Office Duty or ffunction without the 
 City Liberties and precincts aforesaid AND although the 
 aforesaid Mayor Recorder and Aldermen ffreeman or ffree 
 Citizsns of the City aforesaid or any of them shall while 
 they are or remain Inhabitants of the said City against their 
 or any of their wills be put Impannelled or returned upon 
 any Assizes Juries or Inquisitions whatsoever out of the said 
 City and Limitts thereof or shall to any of the Offices above 
 mentioned or any other Office or ffunction whatsoever out 
 of the said City be elected or chosen and though they or any 
 of them being summoned Impanelled or returned Elected 
 or chosen as aforesaid shall refuse or neglect to come and 
 appear before our Justices or other Justices Commissioners 
 or Officers of us our Heirs or successors (before whom such 
 Assizes Juries or Inquests shall happen to be summoned or 
 returned) or in or upon the same Assizes Juries or Inquests 
 shall refuse or neglect to be sworn or tryed or any of the 
 Offices Duties or ffunctions aforesaid shall refuse to do 
 receive occupy or Discharge yet the person or persons so 
 refusing any Contempts ffines Amerciaments penalties 
 fforfeitures or loss whatsoever by reason of such refusall or 
 [31] Neglect to or towards us our Heirs or successors/SHALL 
 not nor either of them shall in any wise Incurr but therefrom 
 and thereof as well as before us our Heirs and successors 
 as all other the Justices Commissioners and other Officers 
 whatsoever of us our Heirs or Successors shall remain quiet 
 and forever Discharged 
 
[No. XVI] 
 
 Grants 
 
 321 
 
 (35). AND further we do for us our Heirs and succes- 
 sors by these present Letters give grant ratify and Confirm 
 unto all and every the respective Inhabitants and ffree- 
 holders of the said City of New York and their several 
 and respective heirs and Assigns forever all and every the 
 several and respective Messuages Tenements Lands and 
 Hereditaments situate lyeing and being in the said City and 
 Manhattans Island aforesaid to them severally and respec- 
 tively granted Conveyed or Confirmed or mentioned or 
 Intended to be granted Conveyed or Confirmed by any of 
 the late Governours Lievtenant Governours or Commanders 
 in Chief of the said province or by any of the fformer 
 Mayors or Deputy Mayors and Aldermen and Commonalty 
 of the said City of New York by that or any other Name 
 Stile or Title or by others claiming under any such Grant 
 or Conveyance To have and to hold to them respectively 
 and to their respective Heirs and Assigns forever saving 
 and reserving the several Rents and Quit Rents reserved 
 and due and to be due and payable from each of the several 
 persons to whom by virtue of any former Grants to them 
 (or those from or under whom they respectively hold the 
 same Messuages Tenements Lands or Hereditaments) were 
 made or given 
 
 (36). AND ffurther of our Especial grace certain 
 knowledge and meer motion we do for us our Heirs and 
 successors give grant ratify and Confirm to the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of our said City of New York 
 and to their successors forever full special and free Liberty 
 Lycense power and authority to take receive have hold 
 and Enjoy to them and their successors forever in ffee 
 simple any Mannors Messuages Lands Tenements Heredit- 
 aments Rents and other possessions and Real Estate within 
 or without the same City as well of and from us our Heirs 
 and successors as of and from all and every other person 
 and persons whomsoever so as the Mannors Messuages 
 Lands Tenements Hereditaments rents and other posses- 
 
 Confirma- 
 tion to all 
 the 
 
 inhabitants, 
 of their 
 houses, 
 lands, 
 tenements, 
 and 
 
 heredita- 
 ments. 
 
 Corpora- 
 tion to 
 purchase 
 and hold 
 lands so 
 as the 
 clear yearly 
 value 
 
 exceed not 
 £3000 
 sterling 
 per annum. 
 
322 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Grant and 
 confirma- 
 tion to the 
 Corpora- 
 tion of 
 their 
 
 buildings, 
 markets, 
 ferries, 
 vacant 
 lands, 
 docks, 
 
 wharfs, &c 
 and between 
 high and 
 low water 
 mark on 
 Manhat- 
 tan's 
 
 Island, and 
 at & ad- 
 joining the 
 ferry at 
 Brooklyn. 
 
 sions and Real Estate which the Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York shall and may have in 
 their possession and seizen at any one time exceed not in the 
 whole the clear yearly rent or vallue of Three Thousand 
 pounds per Annum money of our Realm of great Britain 
 beyond and above all Charges and Reprizes without 
 hindrance of us our Heirs or successors or the Justices 
 Escheators Sheriffs Coroners Bailiffs or other the Ministers 
 of us our Heirs or successors and this without any other 
 Letters patent Liberty Lycense or power from us our Heirs 
 or successors the Statute of Mortmain or any other Act 
 Law or statute or any other Cause thing or matter what- 
 soever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding 
 and the same Mannors Messuages Lands Tenements 
 Hereditaments rents and other possessions or any part 
 thereof to Demise grant Lease and set over assign and Dis- 
 pose at their own will and pleasure and to make seal and 
 Accomplish any Deed or Deeds Lease or Leases Evidences 
 or writings for or concerning the same or any part thereof 
 
 (37). AND we do by these presents of our Especial 
 grace certain knowledge and meer motion give grant 
 ratify and confirm unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York and their successors for- 
 ever All those the now City Hall and Goals Rooms or 
 places for the Courts of Justice and Chambers adjoining 
 with the ground and appurtenances thereto belonging the 
 ffive Market Houses the Great Dock the now crane and 
 Wharf with the Common shore leading through the great 
 Dock and Bridge and also the Magazine or powder House 
 near the ffresh water all in the City of New York and the 
 fferry and fferryes on both sides of the East River and all 
 other fferryes now and hereafter to be Erected and estab- 
 lished all round the Island Manhattans and the Manage- 
 ment and rule of and all ffees fferriages and perquisites to 
 the same or any part thereof belonging or to belong and 
 also the fferry houses on Nassau Island with the Barns 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 323 
 
 Stables penn or pounds and Lott of ground thereto belong- 
 ing and also all the ground soil or Land between high water 
 and low water mark, on the said Island of Nassau from the 
 East side of the place called Wall about to the west side of 
 red Hook and also to make Laws and rules for the govern- 
 ing and well ordering of all the fferries now Erected or 
 Established or hereafter to be Erected or Established round 
 the said Island Manhattans and all the wast vacant 
 unpatented and unappropriated Land lyeing and being 
 within the said City of New York and on Manhattans Island 
 aforesaid extending to low water marke together with the 
 right benefit and advantage of all Docks Wharfs Cranes 
 and slips or small Docks within this City with the Wharfage 
 Craneage and Dockage and all Issues Rents proffits and 
 advantages arising or to arise or Accrue by or from/ ALL [32] 
 or any of them and all Rivers Rivoletts Creeks Coves ponds 
 waters water Courses ffishing ffowling hunting and Hawking 
 Mines and Mineralls and other Royalties and priviledges 
 within the City of New York and Manhattans Island AND 
 also all and singular other the rights priviledges Liberties 
 ffranchises preheminencies advantages Jurisdictions Courts 
 powers Offices Authoritys Markets fferries {ferriages ffees 
 ffines Amerciaments perquisites proffits Immunities Lands 
 Tenements Rents possessions and Hereditaments and other 
 Real Estate not only which in the before recited Grant or 
 writing made or mentioned to be made in the Year of our 
 Lord One thousand six hundred and Eighty six and in the p rant b y 
 before recited Letters patent of Queen Anne mentioned or charters 
 Intended to be thereby or by either of them granted or Con- confirmed - 
 veyed but also which the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty 
 of the City of New York or their predecessors Inhabitants 
 or Citizens of the said City of New York or any part thereof 
 by whatsoever other Name stile or Title they or any of 
 them have been known or called have held or claimed to 
 hold by prescription or otherwise (silver and gold Mines 
 Excepted) and also except our ffort George in our City 
 
324 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XVI] 
 
 Grant of 
 the soil 
 under 
 water, 
 from 
 
 Bestaver's 
 Killitie to 
 the fort on 
 the North 
 river. 
 
 of New York and the ground ffull Boundaryes and Extent 
 thereof or thereto belonging and also that peece of ground 
 near the English Church called the Governours garden and 
 the land called the Kings ffarm with the swamp next to the 
 same and saving the several Rents reserved by virtue of 
 former Grants and saving to all other persons bodys politick 
 and Corporate their respective Titles to any of the said 
 Lands or Tenements and saving to the Inhabitants or those 
 that have plantations by the water side between Wallabout 
 and red hook the right of transporting themselves and their 
 own goods only in their own boats from and to their respec- 
 tive Dwellings or plantations without paying fferridge TO 
 HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular the premisses 
 aforesaid and every part and parcell thereof (except and 
 saving as is herein Excepted and saved) unto the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York and 
 their successors forever to their only proper use and Behoof 
 forever 
 
 (38). AND ALSO we doe ffurther of our especial grace 
 certain knowledge and meer motion give grant Ratify and 
 Confirm unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty 
 of the City of New York and to their Successors fforever 
 All that space of ground and soil of Hudsons River now 
 lyeing and being under the water of the same River to begin 
 at a certain place near high water Mark at the south End 
 of a piece of Upland which lyes between the said River and 
 a piece of Meadow ground or Marsh being the ffirst piece 
 of Meadow ground or Marsh near Hudsons River to the 
 southward of Greenwich and from whence the above named 
 Run of water called Bestavers Killitie or Rivulet runs into 
 Hudsons River from which place of Beginning to extend 
 or run to the south side of the street which runs from the 
 parade before our ffort in New York to Hudsons River 
 south Eighteen Degrees thirty minuitts West on a straight 
 line the Distance being One hundred and twenty five Chains 
 from which Line to run a perpendicular breadth of and to 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 325 
 
 Comprehend ffour Hundred ffeet from low water Mark 
 into Hudsons River the same Containing Eighty two acres 
 and one half Acre or thereabout AND ALSO All that 
 space of ground and soil of the East River from the North And of the 
 side of Corkers Hook to Whitehall beginning at two large ^alt ^ivw 
 stones sett on the south side of a small Creek in a Marsh from Cor- 
 on the North side of Corlaers Hook from whence to the to tne 
 eastermost point of Corlaers Hook the Distance on a Whitehall. 
 straight Line runing south ffifteen degrees thirty minuitts 
 East is ffourty Chaines and two rodd from thence to White- 
 hall on a straight Line runing South seventy eight Degrees 
 thirty minuitts West the Distance is One Hundred and ffifty 
 two chaines from which two Lines to run a perpendicular 
 breadth of and to comprehend ffour hundred ffeet from low 
 water marke into the East River the same Containing One 
 Hundred and twenty seven acres or thereabouts together 
 with all and singular the Benefits Liberties priviledges ways 
 water courses Easements wharfs Keys proffits Heredita- 
 ments and appurtenances to the same or any part thereof 
 belonging or appertaining or to belong or to appertain or 
 that can in any wise be had made used or enjoyed thereon 
 or therewith used with full power and authority at any time 
 or times hereafter to flill make up wharf and lay out all and 
 every part thereof and the same to build upon and make 
 use of in such manner as they the said Mayor Aldermen and Power to 
 Commonalty and their successors shall think fitt And also ^h e a s r am e ut 
 all our Estate right title Interest Benefit Claim and Demand 
 whatsoever of in or to the same and the Reversion and 
 Reversions Remainder and Remainders and the yearly and 
 other Rents Issues and proffits thereof To have and to hold 
 all and singular the premisses aforesaid unto them the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and/THEIR succes- [33] 
 sors to their own proper use and Behoof for ever and to no 
 other use Intent or purpose whatsoever PROVIDED 
 always that nothing in these presents shall be Construed to 
 Impower to intitle the said Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 
326 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 monalty of the City of New York or their successors to 
 wharf out before any persons who have prior grants from 
 us or some or one of our predecessors of Keys or Wharfs 
 beyond low water mark without the actual Agreement or 
 Consent of such persons their Heirs or Assigns Owners of 
 such Keys or Wharfs AND also that of the wharfs to be 
 built or run out there shall be left towards the said East and 
 North Rivers ffourty fleet broad as well for the greater 
 Conveniency of Trade as at any time or times hereafter for 
 us our Heirs and successors to plant Batteries thereon in 
 case of any Necessities to do which we do for us our Heirs 
 and successors hereby reserve power any thing herein con- 
 tained to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding they the 
 said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and their succes- 
 sors rendring Yielding and praying (for all and Every the 
 rights priviledges ffranchises preheminencies Advantages 
 Jurisdictions Courts powers Offices Authorities ffines Amer- 
 ciaments perquisites flees fferriages proffits Immunities 
 Lands Tenements Rents possessions Hereditaments and 
 other Real Estate and all other the premisses in and by 
 these Letters before and hereafter granted or meant men- 
 tioned or Intended to be hereby granted) unto us our Heirs 
 and successors or unto our or their Receiver generall for the 
 said province of New York for the time being at the 
 Custom House in the said City of New York yearly and 
 every Year on the ffeast day of Saint Michael the Arch 
 Angell the annual Rent of thirty shillings proclamation 
 money besides and over and above the Yearly Quitrent of 
 one Bever skin or the vallue thereof in current money of our 
 said province in and by the aforerecited Grant made in the 
 year One Thousand six Hundred and Eighty six reserved 
 to be paid on the twenty fifth day of March yearly forever 
 and also the yearly Quitrent of ffive shillings Current money 
 of New York in and by the before recited Letters patent of 
 Queen Anne reserved to be paid at or upon the ffeast Day 
 of Saint John the Baptist yearly fforever 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 327 
 
 (39). AND we do further of our especial grace certain Corpora- 
 knowledge and meer motion for us our Heirs and successors quietly to 
 by these presents give and grant unto the aforesaid Mayor ^" J ? y a . n 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New York and privi- 
 and their successors fforever that they and their successors eges ' 
 all and singular the rights priviledges ffranchises prehemi- 
 nences Advantages Authorities Jurisdictions Liberties 
 Offices Courts Powers Immunities fferryes fferriages proffits 
 and perquisites hereinbefore mentioned or Intended to be 
 hereby granted or Confirmed shall and may for ever here- 
 after have hold enjoy and use without the hindrance or 
 Impediment of us our Heirs or successors or of any of the 
 Justices Sheriffs Escheators Coroners Bailiffs or other 
 Officers or Ministers whatsoever of us our Heirs or succes- 
 sors albeit the same or some or any one of them have not 
 been used or may have been abused misused or Discontinued 
 fforfeited or Lost Being unwilling and hereby fforbidding 
 that the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty or their 
 successors or any of them by reason of the premisses afore- 
 said or any part thereof by us or our Heirs or by the Justices 
 Sheriffs Escheators Bailiffs or other Officers or Ministers of 
 us our Heirs or successors be hindred molested vexed or 
 aggrieved or in any wise Disturbed Being willing and by 
 these presents for ourselves our Heirs and successors Com- 
 manding as well all the Judges and Justices of us our Heirs 
 and successors as the Attorney and Sollicitor General of us 
 our Heirs and successors for the said province for the time 
 being and also all other Officers and Ministers whatsoever 
 of us our Heirs and successors for the time being that 
 neither they nor any of them do prosecute or Continue or 
 cause to be prosecuted or continued any Information or any 
 Writ or summons of Quo Warranto or any other Writt or 
 Writts prosecution suit or processes whatsoever against the 
 aforesaid Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York or their successors for the time being or 
 against any of them for any Causes things Offences Claims 
 
328 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 usurpations or Omissions or any of them by them the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty or any of them or by the 
 predecessors or any of them or by any other Mayor Alder- 
 men and Commonalty of the City of New York or any of 
 them Done Attempted claimed used had usurped or Com- 
 mitted or Omitted at any time before the making of these 
 Letters AND we being willing also that the said now 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York and their Successors shall not nor shall any or either 
 of them be Molested Impeached by or before any Judge or 
 Judges Justice or Justices Sheriffs Officers or other Ministers 
 aforesaid in or for any Use Claim Abuse Usurpation of any 
 [34] the aforesaid or of any other/LIBERTIES {franchises or 
 Jurisdictions within the City aforesaid and the Liberties 
 and precincts thereof before the day of making of these 
 Letters had used Claimed abused or Usurped nor to or for 
 them or any of them or for any other thing whatsoever 
 shall be Compelled to answer AND ALSO of our more 
 Abundant Especial grace certain knowledge and meer 
 motion we have given pardoned Remitted Released and 
 quit claimed and by these presents Do for ourselves our 
 Heirs and successors give pardon Remit Release and quit 
 claim to the aforesaid Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty 
 of the City of New York aforesaid and to their successors 
 fforever by whatsoever name the same Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty may be called Named or stiled or lately 
 heretofore were called stiled named or titled all and all 
 manner of actions whatsoever Informations and suits of 
 Quo Warranto and other Informations suits and prosecu- 
 tions and also all and singular usages nonusages Abuses 
 {forfeitures Usurpations Intrusions Omissions and also all 
 unjust Claims of any rights Priviledges Liberties {franchises 
 Jurisdictions Courts powers Offices ffees ffines Amerciaments 
 fferrys {ferriages Perquisites Rents Possessions Lands Tene- 
 ments or Hereditaments whatsoever by the aforesaid Mayor 
 Aldermen and Commonalty of the City aforesaid or by any 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 329 
 
 of their predecessors or by any other Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty of the City of New York by whatsoever Name 
 or Names or Incorporation or by pretext of any Incorpora- 
 tion before the day of the making of these presents per- 
 petrated made or Claimed And also all and all manner of 
 ffines Amerciaments penaltys sums of money and other 
 fforfeitures whatsoever by reason of such Usurpation 
 Intrusion Usage Nonusage Omission Abuse or unjust Claim 
 and that they the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty 
 of the City of New York and their successors and every of 
 them be and shall be and hereby are thereof fully acquitted 
 and Discharged towards us our Heirs and successors for- 
 ever being unwilling that they or any of them should by 
 reason of the premisses aforesaid or any part thereof by us 
 our Heirs and successors or by any of our Justices Sheriffs 
 Ministers or Officers whatsoever be troubled molested or in 
 any wise vexed. 
 
 (40). AND ffurther we do of our Especial grace certain Covenant 
 knowledge and meer motion Will Declare and signify and corponf- 
 by these presents for us our Heirs and successors Do grant tion shatl 
 unto and Covenant with the said Mayor Aldermen and e njoy all 
 Commonalty of the City of New York and their successors t ^! ir fran ." 
 
 J J . chises and 
 
 not only that they and their successors forever hereafter lands, 
 may and shall have hold use possess and Enjoy all the rights 
 priviledges Liberties {franchises Jurisdictions Courts powers 
 Offices Authorities Markets fferrys ffees ffines Amercia- 
 ments perquisites proffits Immunities and also all the Rents 
 possessions Lands Tenements and Hereditaments and all 
 other the premisses in these presents mentioned and intended 
 to be hereby granted and confirmed but also that these our 
 Letters being Entred upon Record as is herein after 
 appointed and the Record or Inrollment thereof and either 
 of them and all and every thing therein contained from 
 time to time and at all times hereafter be and shall be ffirm 
 valid good sufficient and Effectual in Law towards and 
 against us our Heirs and successors according to the true 
 
330 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 Intention thereof and in and through all things shall be 
 Construed taken and expounded most benignly and in favour 
 and for the most and greatest Advantage proffit and Benefit 
 of the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York and their successors as well in all Courts as 
 elsewhere without any Confirmation Lycenses Tolerations 
 procured or to be procured of us our Heirs or successors 
 Notwithstanding that any writt or writs of AD QUOD 
 DAMNUM hath or have not issued or is or are not 
 returned before the making of these presents and not- 
 withstanding the not reciting misreciting or not rightly 
 or certainly reciting or ill or wrong reciting the said rights 
 priviledges Liberties ^franchises Jurisdictions Courts powers 
 Offices Authorities Markets fferrys ffees Amerciaments 
 perquisites proffits Immunities Rents possessions Lands 
 Tenements Hereditaments and any other the premisses 
 in or by these presents granted or mentioned or Intended 
 to be hereby granted or any part or parcell thereof 
 and notwithstanding the not finding or ill or not right or 
 certain ffinding of any Office or Offices Inquisition 
 or Inquisitions of the premisses hereby granted or men- 
 tioned or Intended to be hereby granted or any part 
 or parcell thereof by which our Title in and to the said 
 premisses or any part thereof might Could should or 
 ought to have been found before the making of these 
 presents and notwithstanding any Defect in not reciting or 
 ill reciting of any Lease Grant or Grants of the premisses 
 or any part thereof being upon Record or not upon Record 
 or otherwise howsoever and notwithstanding the ill naming 
 misnaming or not right or certain naming any place or pre- 
 cinct wherein the premisses or any part thereof are or is 
 and notwithstanding any Defect in not mentioning or not 
 fully rightly or certainly mentioning the Name or Names 
 of all or any the Rights priviledges Liberties ffranchises 
 Jurisdictions Courts powers Offices Authorities Markets 
 fferrys ffees Amerciaments perquisites proffits Immunities 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 331 
 
 Rents possessions Lands Tenements Hereditaments or other 
 the premisses hereby granted or Intended to be granted or 
 any part or parcell thereof or of the Yearly or other Rent 
 of or/PRESERVED in and upon the [premjisses* or any [35] 
 part thereof and notwithstanding any Defect for the want 
 of a Computation or Declaration or for the Omission of the 
 True Vallue of the premisses in these presents mentioned 
 or Intended to be hereby granted or any part thereof and 
 notwithstanding any defect in not mentioning our true right 
 Estate or Title of or to the same premisses or any part or 
 parcell of them and notwithstanding the not mentioning or 
 not fully rightly or certainly mentioning the natures kinds 
 species or Quantities of the premisses or any of them or 
 any part or parcell of them and notwithstanding any act 
 Statute or Ordinance of parliament or any Act of Assembly 
 and notwithstanding any other Defects Defaults or Imper- 
 fections or any other Cause or thing whatsoever AND 
 FURTHER that if any ffault Mistake or Imperfection in 
 time to come shall be found in these presents or any 
 D[oub]t Scruple or question be or shall be made or shall 
 happen to arise concerning the premisses or any part thereof 
 that we our Heirs and successors shall and will vouchsafe 
 to make any other Grant or Assureance under the great seal 
 of us our Heirs or successors of the said province of New 
 York to the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York for the time being and their successors at their 
 own proper Charges for the better giving granting and con- 
 firming and for their safe and better enjoying the premisses 
 aforesaid and every part thereof when it shall be desired 
 by the same Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York or their successors ALSO We Will and by 
 these presents grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Commonalty that they shall and may have these presents 
 made and sealed under the great seal of our said province 
 of New York WITHOUT rendring paying or making any 
 
 * Matter in brackets is illegible in original. 
 
332 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 ffine or ffee great or little to us or to our use for the same 
 although no express Mention is made of the true Yearly or 
 other vallue or of the Certainty of the premisses or any 
 part thereof or of the gifts or grants heretofore by us or 
 our Ancestors or by any Governour Lievtenant Governour 
 or Commander in Chief of the said province of New York 
 to the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City 
 of New York or to the Citizens or Inhabitants of New 
 York aforesaid by that or any other Name Stile or title or 
 any other statute Act Ordinance proclamation provision or 
 Restriction made published Ordained or provided to the 
 contrary or any other Cause or matter whatsoever in any 
 wise notwithstanding 
 
 IN TESTIMONY whereof we have caused these our 
 Letters to be made patent and the great seal of our said 
 province to be hereunto affixed and the same to be Entred 
 of Record in our Secretarys Office of our said province in 
 one of the Books of patents there remaining WITTNESS 
 Our Trusty and Wellbeloved JOHN MONTGOMERIE 
 ESQ r our Captain General and Governour in Chief of our 
 said province of New York and the province of New Jersey 
 and Territories Depending thereon in America and Vice 
 Admirall of the same &c At our FFORT GEORGE In 
 Date of New York the ffifteenth Day of January in the ffourth 
 
 Charter. ,, . „ . J J J 
 
 Year or our Keign 
 
 May it please your Excellency 
 I have perused this Charter and find 
 nothing therein prejudiciall to the In- 
 terest of his Majesty 
 
 To his Excellency the Governour of the province of 
 New Yorke &c 
 
 R. BRADLEY 
 Attorney General 
 15 th Jan 1730 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 333 
 
 [The following Memorandum appears to the left of the Attorney General's 
 certificate.] 
 
 MEMORANDUM that before the Sealing of this Grant 
 or Charter consisting of thirty ffive sheets of parchment the 
 Several Interlineations were made and Inserted therein of 
 the Several words as ffollow viz 1 In the ffifth Sheet above 
 the first Line (of the Said City) above the ffifth line (Said) 
 in the Seventh Sheet above the ninth line (their) in the 
 Eleventh Sheet above the Ninth Line (and the Same to be 
 recorded in y e Secretarys Office of our said province) in the 
 twelfth Sheet above the ninth Line (^franchises) In the 
 Seventeenth Sheet above the ffourteenth Line (other) in the 
 Twenty third Sheet above the Sixth Line (for ever) and in 
 the twenty ninth Sheet above the third line (or So far as 
 the Limitts of our Said province extend there) above the 
 twenty ffourth Line (to which Same Mayor for the time 
 being or his Deputy) in the fourteenth Sheet above the third 
 line (or so far as the Limitts of our Said province extend 
 there) above the ffourth Line (or along the Limitts of our 
 Said province) and in the Twenty eighth Sheet above the 
 Thirteenth Line (on his or their being thereof legally con- 
 victed) EXAMINED BY ME 
 
 ffred k Morris D Secfy 
 
 /NEW YORKE SECRETARYES OFFICE [36 ] 
 
 FFEBRUARY 
 
 the 4 th 1730 
 
 I hereby certifye that I [carefujlly examined this Charter 
 with the record thereof and that the Same is recorded in a 
 cert[aine boo]k remaining in the Secretaryes office for the 
 province aforesaid titled Commis[sions] [sealed] under the 
 great Seal of the province Begun anno Domini 1702. from 
 page 3o[ to] page 352: both ffirst and last of those 
 
 pages being included AND I DO hereby certify [that the] 
 Severall interlineations and mistakes made in the recording 
 of the said Charter are [ ] in page 302 line 
 
334 Colonial Charters [No. xvi] 
 
 the last Save one between the words (the Mayor) the word 
 (now) inte[rli]ned. In page 310 from the word (Dongan) 
 in the ffourteenth line to the end of the twenty first line 
 blotted out by drawing lines across the writing, In page 
 322. line the ffirst between the words (fleet low) the word 
 (below) interlined after another word which had been 
 in the room thereof blotted out, In page 323 line the twenty 
 Sixth between the words (time and) the word (being) inter- 
 lined, In page 324 line the twenty first between the words 
 (Rosevelt Esq") the words (and Johannes Hardenbrook) 
 interlined and in the last line of same page the fiirst word 
 of that line blotted out, In page 325 line the twenty ffourth 
 between the words (assors Constables) a word blotted out 
 and in the next line between the words (Assessor and) 
 another word blotted out, In page 326 line the ffifteenth 
 between the words (the ensuing) a word blotted out and 
 the word (your) interlined and to come in after the said 
 word (ensuing) In the 27 th line of same page between the 
 words (assessor or) a word blotted out, In page 328 line 
 the Second the words (person to be) interlined & to remein 
 after the word (fitt) in the Same line. In page 329 & last 
 line Save five between the words (laws rights) a word 
 blotted out and the word (Statutes) interlined & to remein 
 at the end of the Same line, In page 330 line the 4 th the 
 word (or) interlined & to remein after the word (heire) in 
 the Same line, In page 340 line the last Save Seven the word 
 (Six) interlined & to remein after the word (of) in the 
 Same line and also after the Said word (Six) is to remein 
 the following Clause which is inserted in the margin viz 1 
 (provided that nothing herein shall be construed to extend 
 to hinder us our heir's or Successors from presenting or 
 defending all or any of the Suites causes actions or presemp- 
 tions in the Said Mayors Court by our Attorney or Sollicitor 
 Generall for our Said province or the Attorney Generall 
 of us our heirs or successors for the said province for the 
 time being to practice in the said Court as Councill in any 
 
[No. xvi] Grants 335 
 
 evill cause) In page 345 line the 18 th the word (or here- 
 after to be erected or established) interlined and to remein 
 after the word (Established) in the same line, In page 346 
 line the 7 th the word (Tenements) interlined in the room 
 of another word before blotted out and to remein after the 
 word (or) in the beginning of the same line and in page 348 
 the last word Save one of the tenth line blotted out 
 
 EXAMINED BY ME 
 
 ffred k Morris D Secry 
 
336 Colonial Charters [No. xvii] 
 
 No. XVII 
 
 ACT OF 1732 1 
 
 An Act for Confirming unto the City of 
 New York its Rights and Proviledges 
 
 [Passed, October 14, 1732.] 
 
 BE IT DECLARED AND ENACTED by the Gover- 
 nour the Council and the General Assembly of the Colony 
 of New York and It is hereby Enacted by the Authority of 
 the Same that the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the 
 City of New York Shall and may forever hereafter remain 
 continue and be a body Corporate and politick in Refacto 
 et Nomine by the Name of The Mayor Aldermen and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York and by that name to Sue 
 plead and be impleaded and to answer and to be answered 
 without any Seizure or forejudger for or upon any pretence 
 of any Forfeiture or Misdemeanour at any time heretofore 
 done Comitted or Suffered 
 
 AND be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that all 
 and Singular Letters patent Grants Charters and Gifts 
 Sealed under the great Seal of the Colany of New York 
 heretofore made and granted unto the Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the City of New York be and are 
 hereby DECLARED to be and shall be good Valid perfect 
 Authentick and Effectual in the Law and Shall Stand be 
 taken reputed deemed and adjudged good perfect Sure 
 available authentick and effectual in the Law against the 
 Kings Majesty his heirs and Successors and all and every 
 person and persons whomsoever according to the tenour and 
 effect of the said Letters patent Grants Charters and Gifts 
 
 1 The act was printed in full in Bradford, 1735 ed, second p. 354 and in 
 Livingston & Smith and Van Schaack as Chapter 584. It was published 
 in the N. Y. Col. Laws, II 752, with which the within copy was carefully 
 compared. 
 
[No. xvii] Grants 337 
 
 AND be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that all 
 and Singular Letters patent Grants Charters and Gifts 
 Sealed under the great Seal of the Colony of New York 
 heretofore made and granted unto the Mayor Aldermen 
 and Commonalty of the City of New York be and are to 
 all intents and purposes hereby ratifyed and Confirmed 
 
 AND be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York and their Successors Shall and may forever hereafter 
 peaceably have hold use and enjoy all and every the Rights 
 Gifts Charters Grants powers Liberties priviledges ffran- 
 chises Customs USAGES Constitutions Immunities markets 
 Duties Tolls Lands Tenements Estates and Hereditaments 
 which have heretofore been given or granted unto the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New 
 York by any Letters Patent Grant Charter or Gift Sealed 
 under the Seal of the Colony of New York. 
 
 AND be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that this 
 present Act Shall be accepted taken and reputed to be a 
 general and publick Act of Assembly of which all and every 
 the Judges and Justices of this Colony in all Courts and all 
 other persons Shall take notice on all Occasions whatsoever 
 as if it were a publick Act of Assembly relating to the whole 
 Colony any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof 
 in any wise notwithstanding. 
 
338 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 No. XVIII 
 
 HARLEM 
 
 A. 
 
 Ordinance 1 
 
 Of the Director General and Council of New Netherland 
 for establishing a New Village at the end of Man- 
 hattan Island. Passed 4 March, 1658. 
 
 The Director General and Council of New Netherland 
 hereby give notice, that for the further promotion of agri- 
 culture, for the security of this Island and the Cattle pastur- 
 ing thereon, as well as for the greater recreation and amuse- 
 ment of this City of Amsterdam 2 in New Netherland, they 
 have resolved to form a New Village or Settlement at the 
 end of the Island, and about the land of Jochem Pietersen, 
 deceased, and those which adjoin thereto. In order that the 
 lovers of Agriculture may be encouraged thereto, the afore- 
 said proposed new Village aforesaid is favored by the 
 Director General and Council with the following Privileges. 
 
 First, each of the inhabitants thereof shall receive by 
 lot, in full ownership 18, 20 @ 24 morgens of arable Land, 
 6 @ 8 morgens of Valley, and be exempt from Tenths for 
 fifteen years commencing next May, on condition that he 
 pay within the course of three years, in instalments, Eight 
 guilders for each morgen of Tillage land for the behoof of 
 the interested, or their creditors, who are now or formerly 
 were driven from the aforesaid Lands, and have suffered 
 great loss thereon. 
 
 1 The original record of this ordinance is in Dutch in N. Y. Col. MSS., 
 VIII 751; XVI:i35, in the N. Y. State Library. The present copy is 
 reproduced from a translation by E. B. O'Callaghan in his L. & Ord. 
 N. Neth., (1868), p. 298. 
 
 2 The words in the original are, "tot meerder recreatie en uytspanninge 
 van dese Steede Amsterdam," etc. 
 
[No. xviii] Grants 339 
 
 Secondly, in order to prevent similar damage from 
 calamities or expulsions, the Director General and Council 
 promise the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Village to protect 
 and maintain them with all their Power, and, when notified 
 and required, to assist them with 12 @ 15 Soldiers on the 
 monthly pay of the Company, the Village providing 
 quarters and rations; This whenever the Inhabitants may 
 petition therefor. 
 
 Thirdly, when the aforesaid Village has 20 @ 25 
 Families, the Director General and Council will favor it 
 with an Inferior Court of Justice; and, for that purpose, a 
 double number is to be nominated out of the most discreet 
 and proper persons, for the first time by the Inhabitants 
 and afterward by the Magistrates thereof, and presented 
 annually to the Director General and Council, to elect a 
 single number therefrom. 
 
 Fourthly, the Director General and Council promise to 
 employ all possible means that the Inhabitants of the afore- 
 said Village, when it has the abovementioned number of 
 Families, will be accommodated with a good, pious orthodox 
 Minister, toward whose maintenance the Director General 
 and Council promise to pay half the Salary; the other half 
 to be supplied by the Inhabitants in the best and easiest 
 manner, with the advice of the Magistrates of the aforesaid 
 Village, at the most convenient time. 
 
 Fifthly, the Director General and Council will assist the 
 Inhabitants of the aforesaid Village, whenever it will best 
 suit their convenience, to construct, with the Company's 
 Negroes, a good wagon road from this place to the Village 
 aforesaid, so that people can travel hither and thither on 
 horseback and with a wagon. 
 
 Sixthly, in order that the advancement of the aforesaid 
 Village may be the sooner and better promoted, the 
 Director General and Council have resolved and determined 
 not to establish, or allow to be established, any new Villages 
 
340 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 or settlements before and until the aforesaid Village be 
 brought into existence; certainly not until the aforesaid 
 number of Inhabitants is completed. 
 
 Seventhly, for the better and greater promotion of 
 neighborly correspondence with the English of the North, 
 the Director General and Council will at a more convenient 
 time, authorize a Ferry and a suitable Scow near the afore- 
 said Village, in order to convey over Cattle and Horses, 
 and favor the aforesaid Village with a Cattle and Horse 
 Market. 
 
 Eighthly, whoever are inclined to settle themselves, there 
 or to take up Bouweries by servants there, shall be bound 
 to enter their names at once or within a short time at the 
 office of the Secretary of the Director General and Council, 
 and to begin immediately with others to place on the land 
 one able-bodied person provided with proper arms, or in 
 default thereof to be deprived of his right. 
 
 Thus done at the Assembly of the Director General and 
 Council holden in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland 
 the 4 March, A 1658. 
 
 B. 
 
 Nicolls Patent For Harlem 3 
 
 A Pattent graunted unto the Free- 
 Holders and Inhabitants of Harlem, 
 alias Lancaster, upon the Island of 
 Manhatans. 4 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS Esq r Governo r under his Royall 
 Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke &c. of all his Territoryes 
 in quer America; To all to whom these presents shall come, 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, 1 157 at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, as 
 far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
 4 On the original this heading stands disconnected from and forms no 
 part of the instrument. 
 
[No. xvni] Grants 341 
 
 sendeth Greeting. WHEREAS there is a certaine Towne 
 or village commonly call'd and knowne by the name of New- 
 Harlem, Scituate and being on the East Part of this Island, 
 now in the Tenure or occupacon of severall ffree Holders 
 and Inhabitants, who have beene at considerable Charge in 
 Building as well as Manuring, Planting and ffencing the 
 said Towne and Lands there unto belonging; NOW for a 
 Confirmacon unto y e said ffree-Hold rs , and Inhabitants, in 
 theire Enjoyment and Possession of their particular Lotts 
 and Estates, in the said Towne, as also for an Encourage- 
 ment to them, in their farther Improvement of the said 
 Lands; Know yee that by virtue of the Commission and 
 Authority unto mee given by his Royall Highnesse the Duke 
 of Yorke, I have thought fitt to Ratify Confirme and 
 Graunt, And by these Presents do Ratify Confirme & Graunt 
 unto the said ffree Hold rs and Inhabitants their Heires 
 Successo" and Assignes and to each and every of them, 
 their particular Lotts and Estates, in the said Towne, or 
 any part thereof, And I do likewise confirme and Graunt 
 unto the ffreehold rs and Inhabitants in Gen a11 theire Heires, 
 Successo rs and Assignes, the Priviledges of a Towne, but 
 immediatly depending on this City, as being within the 
 Libertyes thereof; Moreover for the better ascertaining 
 of the Limitts of the Lands, to the said Towne belonging, 
 The Extent of their Bounds shall bee as followeth (vizt. ) 
 That from the west side of y e ffence of the said Towne 5 a 
 Line bee runne due west foure hundred English Poles" 
 w th out variacon of the Compasse, At the end whereof, 7 
 another Line being drawne to runne North and South with 
 the variacon, that is to say, North to the very end of a 
 certaine peice of Meadow Ground, commonly called the 
 Round Meadow 8 neare, or adjoyning to Hudsons River 
 
 6 i. e. from about 117th Street and Lexington Avenue. 
 
 6 6,600 feet. 
 
 7 At about the intersection of Seventh Avenue with 107th Street. 
 
 8 "Moertje David's Vly" the Dutch called it, meaning the Hollow behind 
 Grant's Tomb, where the Fort Lee Ferry is now situated. (See footnote 14. 
 on pg. 344 infra.) 
 
342 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 and South to the Saw Mills, 9 over against Hogg Island, 
 Commonly call'd fferkins Island 10 it shall bee the West 
 Bounds of their Lands. 
 
 And all the Lands lying and being within the said Line, 
 so drawne, North and South, as aforesaid, Eastward to the 
 Towne and Harlem River, as also to the North and East 
 Rivers, shall belong to the Towne; Together with all the 
 Soyles, Creekes, Quarryes, Woods, Meadowes, Pastures, 
 Marshes, waters, flashings, Hunting and ffowling, And all 
 other proffitts Commodities, Emoluments and Heredita- 
 ments, to the said Lands and p r misses, within the said Line 
 belonging, or in anywise appertaining, with their and every 
 of their appurtenances; TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all 
 and Singular the said Lands Hereditaments and premisses, 
 with their and every of their Appurtenances, and of every 
 Part and Parcell thereof, to the said ffree-holders and 
 Inhabitants, their Heires Successo rs and Assignes, to the 
 proper use and behoofe of the said ffree-holders and Inhabi- 
 tants their Heires Successo rs and Assignes forever. 
 
 It is likewise further Confirmed and Graunted That the 
 Inhabitants of the said Towne, shall have Liberty for the 
 conveniency of more Range for their Horses & Cattle, to 
 go farther west into the Woods beyond the aforesaid 
 Bounds, as they shall have occasion, The Lands lying within, 
 being intended for Plowing, home Pastures and Meadow 
 Grounds onely; And no Person shall bee permitted to Build 
 any manner of House or Houses within two Miles of the 
 aforesaid Limitts or Bounds of the said Towne, without the 
 Consent of the Inhabitants thereof. 
 
 And the ffree-hold rs and Inhabitants of the said Towne, 
 are to observe and keepe the Termes and Conditions here- 
 after exprest. That is to say. That from and after the 
 
 9 Located on the Saw Kill or Creek, which emptied into the East River at 
 about 74th Street. 
 
 10 From Verken, the Dutch word for Hog, and so called because the 
 neighboring settlers allowed their hogs to run there. Now called Welfare 
 Island, formerly Blackwell's Island. 
 
[No. xviii] Grants 343 
 
 date of these Presents, the said Towne shall no longer bee 
 called New-Harlem but shall bee knowne and Called by y e 
 Name of Lancaster; And in all Deedes, Bargaines and Sales, 
 Records or writings, shall bee so deemed, or observed and 
 written. 
 
 MOREOVER the said Towne lying very commodious 
 for a fferry to and from the Maine, which may redound to 
 their particular benefitt as well as to a Generall Good, The 
 ffreehold rs and Inhabitants shall bee oblieged at their 
 Charge to Build or provide one or more Boates for that 
 purpose, fitt for the Transportacon of Men, Horses and 
 Cattle, for which there will bee such a Certaine Allowance 
 given, as shall bee adjudged reasonable. 
 
 And the said ffreehold rs and Inhabitants, their heires, 
 Successo rs and Assignes are likewise to render and Pay all 
 such acknowledgments and Dutyes, as already are, or here- 
 after shall bee Constituted and Ordained by his Royall 
 Highnesse the Duke of Yorke, and his heires or such 
 Governo 1 " and Governo rs , as shall from time to time bee 
 appointed and Sett over them; GIVEN under my hand and 
 Seale at ffort James in New Yorke, on Manhatans Island, 
 the ( ) X1 day of May, in the Eighteenth yeare of the 
 
 Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, by the 
 Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, ffrance and 
 Ireland, Defender of the ffaith &c, And in the yeare of our 
 Lord God 1666. RICHARD NICOLLS. 
 
 C. 
 
 New Harlem Pattent 12 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS Esq r &c WHEREAS there is a 
 certaine Towne or Village upon this Island Manhatans 
 
 11 The day is left blank in the original record. 
 
 12 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, IV:6o, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim el literatim et tunctuatim 
 copy. 
 
344 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 comonly called & Knowne by the name of New Harlem 
 scituate lyeing & being on the East parte of the Island now 
 in the tenure or occupation of severall of the Freeholders 
 & Inhabitants 13 who being seated there by Authority have 
 improved a considerable proporcon of the Lands thereunto 
 belonging, & also setled a competent number of Familyes 
 thereupon, Capable to make a Towneship, Now for a Con- 
 firmation to the said Freehold" & Inhabitants in their pos- 
 session & injoyment of y e p r misses as also for an Encourage- 
 ment to them in their further Improvem* of the said Lands 
 KNOW YEE That by vertue of the Comission & Authority 
 unto me given by his Royall Highness I HAVE given 
 Ratifyed confirmed and graunted & by theise p r sents doe 
 give Ratifye confirme and graunt unto Thomas Delavall 
 Esq r John Vervelen Daniel Turner, Joost Oblene & 
 Resolved Waldron as Patentees for & on the behalfe of 
 themselves & their Associates the Freehold" & Inhabitants 
 of the said Towne their heires succeso rs & Assignes ALL 
 that Tract, Togeth r w th the severall parcells of land w ch 
 already have or hereafter shall be purchased or Procured 
 for & y e behalfe of the said Towne w th in the Bounds & 
 Lymitts hereafter sett forth & exprest (vizt) That is to 
 say, From the West syde of the ffence of the said Towne 
 a lyne being runne due west Fower hundred English Poles 
 w th out variation of the Compasse, & at the end thereof 
 another Lyne being drawne crosse the Island north & south 
 w th the variation that is to say North from the end of a 
 certaine piece of meadow Ground comonly called the Round 
 meadowe 14 neare or adjoyning into Hudson or the North 
 
 13 Notice that Nicolls affirms that this charter is but an affirmation of his 
 previous grant ("now in the tenure of freeholders"), with the Bronx lands 
 added. 
 
 14 Moertje David's Vly, or Mother David's Meadow, was the name by 
 which this meadow was known ten years later; the word vly (now usually 
 written fly, which gives its English sound) being a contraction of valley, 
 the Dutch term for meadow. It was the identical meadow named in 
 Kuyter's grant, and lay just within the bay or clove at Manhattanville; 
 and it was to distinguish it from another Round Meadow (that at Sherman's 
 
[No. xviii] Grants 345 
 
 Ryver & South to y e place where formerly stood the Saw 
 Mills over against Verchens or Hogg Island in the Sound 
 or East Ryver shall be the Westerne bounds of their Lands, 
 And all the Lands lyeing & being w th in the said Lyne to 
 draw North & South as aforesaid Eastward to the end of 
 the Towne & Harlem Ryver Or any parte of the said 
 Ryver on w ch this Island doth abutt, & likewise on y e North 
 & East Ryvers w th in the Lymitts aforementioned described 
 doth & shall belonge to the said Towne, as also Fower Lotts 
 of meadow ground upon the Maine Mar'kt w th Nomber I. 
 2. 3. 4. lyeing over against y e springe 15 where a passage 
 hath beene used to Ford over from this Island to y e Maine 
 & from thence hither w th a small Island comonly called 
 Stoney 16 Island lying to y e East of y e Towne & Harlem 
 Ryver goeing through Bronckx Kill by y e Little & greate 
 Barnes Islands, 17 upon w ch there are also Fower oth r Lotts 
 of meadow ground 18 mark't w th N° 1. 2. 3. 4. Togeth r w th all 
 y e Soyles Creeks Quarryes woods meadowes pastures 
 marshes waters Lakes Fishing, Hawking Hunting & Fowl- 
 Creek, called in the original allotments the Great Meadow) that it received 
 the name Moertje David's Meadow. This name was singularly derived 
 from the larger meadows so called lying upon the opposite side of the Hud- 
 son in Bergen County, and annexed to "Moertje David's Plantation." Often 
 referred to in the history of the town, our Moertje David's Fly has notoriety 
 as a landmark, not only in connection with the Harlem patent line, but with 
 the Battle of Harlem Plains. The perversion to Murdaines, Mordanis, etc., 
 (See N. Y. Cal. of Land Papers, i6, and Winfield's Land Titles, 129), has 
 obviously come by clipping the first word, and mistaking the v (often formed 
 as u, in old writings) for an n. 
 
 15 The Spring; that is Spuyten Duyvel, which is translated from the 
 Dutch, the flowing or spouting spring. 
 
 16 Stony Island was the name given by our early settlers to the point of 
 the Bronx opposite the village and Randall's Island. The modern name for 
 it is Port Morris. 
 
 17 i. e., Randall's and Ward's Islands, so named after the man of large 
 proportions named Barent who was engaged by Van Twiller in the early 
 days to look after Ward's Island. Where "Great Barent" lived thus came 
 to be known as Barent's Island, and the English governors, in framing this 
 charter, simply contracted the word a little in calling it Barne's Island. 
 
 18 To the uninitiated this word is somewhat obscure. It refers to Stony 
 Islands Meadow, located near the Bronx end of the Willis Avenue Viaduct. 
 
346 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 ing, & all oth r profitts comodityes Emolum ts & Hereditam ts 
 to y e said Lands & p r misses w th in y e said bounds & Lymitts 
 sett forth belonging or in any wise apperteyning, and also 
 freedome of Comonage for Range & feed of Cattle & horses 
 further west into y e woods upon this Island as well w th out as 
 w th in their bounds & Lymitts, TO HAVE & TO HOLD all 
 & singuler y e said Lands Island Comonage Hereditam ts & 
 p r misses w th their & every of their appurtenances & of every 
 parte or parcell thereof unto y e said Patentees & their 
 Associates their heires successo rs & Assignes, to y e proper 
 use & behoof of y e said Patentees & their Associates their 
 Heires Successo rs & Assignes for ever, And I doe hereby 
 likewise Ratifye Confirme & graunt unto the said Patentees 
 & their Associates their heires successo" & Assignes all y e 
 Rights & priviledges belonging to a Towne w th in this 
 Governm* w th this Provisoe or Exception, that in all matters 
 of debt or Tresspasse of or above y e value of Five pounds 
 they shall have relation to & dependance upon y e Courts of 
 this Citty as the other Townes have upon the severall 
 Courts of Sessions to w ch they do belonge, Moreover the 
 place of their present habitation shall continue & retaine 
 the name of New Harlem by w ch name and stile it shall be 
 distinguisht & knowne in all Bargaines & Sales Deeds 
 wrytings & Records, And no person whatsoever shall be 
 suffered or permitted to erect any manner of house or build- 
 ing upon this Island w th in Two myles of the lymitts & bounds 
 aforementioned w th out the Consent and approbation of y e 
 Major parte of the Inhabitants of the said Towne, And 
 whereas the said Towne lyes very comodious for a fferry 
 to passe to & from the Maine, w ch may redound to the 
 perticuler benefitt of the Inhabitants as well as to a Gen r " 
 good, the Freehold" & Inhabitants of the said Towne shall 
 in Consideration of the benefitts & priviledges herein 
 graunted as also for what advantage they may receive 
 thereby be injoynd and obliedged at their owne proper Costs 
 & Charge to build or provide one or more Boats, fitt for the 
 
[No. xviii] Grants 347 
 
 Transportation of Men Horses & Cattle, for w ch there 
 shall be a Certaine allowance given by each perticular per- 
 son as shall be ordered & adjudged fitt & reasonable, They 
 the said Patentees & their Associates their heires Successors 
 and Assignes Rendring & paying such Dutyes and 
 Acknowledgm ts as now are or hereafter shall be Constituted 
 & Establish't by the Lawes of this Governm* under the 
 Obedience of his Royall Highnesse his heires & Successors: 
 GIVEN under my hand & Seale at ffort James in New 
 Yorke on the Island Manhatans in America y e II th day of 
 October in y e 19 th Yeare of his Ma ties Raigne Annoqj Domini 
 1666. 19 
 
 D. 
 Dongan Patent For Harlem 20 
 
 Recorded for the Inhabitants of Harlem. 
 
 Thomas Dongan Cap* Gen 11 Governour in cheife & vice 
 Admirall in & over the Province of New Yorke & its 
 Dependencyes thereon in America under his Majesty 
 JAMES the second by the Grace of God of England 
 Scottland ffrance & Ireland King Defendor of the faith 
 &c. To all whom these p r sents shall come SENDETH 
 GREETING WHEREAS Richard Nicolls Esq 5 formerly 
 Governour of this Province hath by his Certaine 
 Writing or Pattent beareing Date the Eleventh Day of 
 October Anno Dom one thousand six hundred sixty 
 seven Did Give Rattifie Confirme & Grant unto Thomas 
 Dellavall esqj John Veroelin Daniell Turner Joost Oblene 
 
 19 The date is here given as 1666, but a palpable error; since October 11, 
 in the nineteenth year of Charles II, was 1667, and, moreover, the date is 
 correctly recited in several later documents including Dongan's Patent. 
 From a scrutiny of the record it would appear that the date was omitted 
 when the patent was recorded, and carelessly entered afterward. 
 
 20 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, VI 1192, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, as 
 far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctualim copy. 
 
348 Colonial Charters [No. xviii] 
 
 & Resolved Waldron As Pattentees for & on the behalfe 
 of themselves & their Associates the freeholders & Inhabit- 
 ants of New Harlem Their heirs successors & Assigns 
 all that tract together with the severall Parcells of land 
 which they then had or After should bee Purchased or Pro- 
 cured for & on the behalfe of the said towne within the 
 Bounds & Limitts hereafter sett forth & Exprest Viz 1 that 
 is to say from the West side of the ffence of the said Towne 
 a Line being Runn Due west fouer hundred English poles 
 without Varriacon of the Compasse & att the end thereof 
 Another line being drawne crosse the Island north & South 
 with the Variacon that is to Say north from the end of A 
 certaine piece of Meadow Ground Comonly Called the 
 meadow Ground the round meadow neare or Adjoyning 
 unto Hudsons or the north River & south to the place where 
 formerly Stood the Saw Mills over against Verckins or 
 hogg Island in the sound or East River shall bee the 
 westerne Bounds of their Lands and all the lands lyeing & 
 being within the said Line so Drawne north & south as 
 aforesaid Eastward to the end of the towne & Harlem 
 River or any parte of the said River on which this Island 
 Doth Abutt & likewise on the north & east Rivers within the 
 Limitts aforemenconed described Doth & shall belong to the 
 said Towne as Also fouer lotts of meadow Ground upon 
 the maine markt with Number i :2 :3 14 lyeing over Against 
 the spring where a Passage hath been used to fford over 
 from this Island to the maine & from thence heither with a 
 Small Island Comonly Called Stony Island lyeing to the 
 East of the towne & Harlem River Goeing through broncks 
 kill by the little & greate barns Islands upon which their are 
 also four Other Lotts of Meadow Ground marked with 
 Number 1:2:3:4: together with all the Soyles creeks 
 Quarryes woods Meadows Pastures Marshes Waters lakes 
 ffishing hawking hunting & fowleing And all other Proffitts 
 Commodityes Emoluments & hereditam ts to the said Land 
 & Premissess within the bounds & limitts Sett forth belong- 
 
[No. xviii] Grants 349 
 
 ing or in any wise Appertaineing & Also fredome of Comon- 
 age for Range & feed of cattle & horses further west into 
 the woods upon this Island as well without as within their 
 bounds & limitts Sett forth & exprest TO have & to hold 
 All & Singuler the said Lands Island comonage Heredita- 
 ments & Premissess with their & Every of their Appur- 
 tennces & of Every parte & Parcell thereof unto the said 
 Pattentees & their Associates their heirs Successors & 
 Assignes to the Proper use & behoofe of the said Pattentes 
 & their Associates their heirs Successors & Assignes for ever 
 And whereas Richard Nicolls Esq$ Did likewise Rattifie 
 Confirme & grant unto the said Pattentees & their Asso- 
 ciates their heirs successo rs & Assignes all the Rights & 
 Privilidges belonging to a towne within the this Govermn* 
 with this Proviso or Exception that in all matters of Debt 
 or tresspasse of or Above the Value of five Pounds they shall 
 have Relacon unto & Dependance upon the Courts of this 
 Citty as the other towns have upon the severall Courts of 
 Sessions to which they Doe belong & that the Place of their 
 Present habitacon shall Continue & Retaine the name of 
 New Harlem by which name & Stile it Shall be Distinguished 
 & knowne in all bargaines & Sales Deeds writeings & 
 Records & that no person Whatsoever Should be suffered 
 or Permitted to Erect any manner of house or Building 
 upon this said Island within two Miles of the Limitts & 
 bounds Aforemenconed without the Consent & Approbacon 
 of the Major parte of the Inhabitants of the said Towne 
 & whereas the said towne lyes Verry Commodious for A 
 fferry to & from the Maine which may redound to the 
 Perticuler beneffitt of the Inhabitants as well as to A 
 Generall good the ^freeholders & Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne Should in Consideracon of the beneffitts & Privilidges 
 therein Granted as Also for what Advantage they might 
 Receive thereby be Enjoyned & Oblidged at their owne 
 Proper Costs & Charge to build or provide one or more 
 boats fitt for the transportacon of Men horse or Cattle for 
 
350 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 which was to be A Certaine Allowance Given by each Par- 
 ticuler Person as should be then Ordered & Adjudged fitt & 
 Reasonable they the said Pattentees & their Associates their 
 heirs Successors & Assignes Rendering & Paying such 
 Dutyes & Accknowledgm ts as then were Or after Should 
 be Established by the Laws of this Governm* under the 
 Obedience of his Roy" High ss his heirs & Successors as in & 
 by the Said Pattent Remaineing Upon Record in the Secre- 
 taryes Office Refference being thereunto had Doth fully & 
 att Large Appeare And whereas the Present Inhabitants & 
 Freeholders of the towne of New Harlem Aforesaid have 
 made their Applycacon unto me for A more full & Ample 
 Confirmacon of their Premissess to them their heirs succes- 
 sors & Assignes for ever in their Quiett & peaceable Posses- 
 sion NOW KNOW YEE that by Virtue of the Commission 
 & Authority to me Derived & Power in me Resideing in 
 Consideracon of the Premisses & of the Quitt Rent herein 
 after Reserved I have Given Granted Rattified & Con- 
 firmed & by these Presents Doe Give Grant Rattifie & Con- 
 firme unto Jan Delavall Resolve Waldron Joost Van 
 Oblinus Daniell Turneir Adolph Meyer John Spragge Jan 
 Hendricks Brevort Jan Delamastre Isaac Dalamater Baren 
 Waldren Joannes Vermillier Lawrence Jansen Peter Van 
 Oblimus Jan Dyckman Jan Nagel Arent Harmense Cornelis 
 Jansen Jackelyne Turnier Hester Delamastre Johanes Ver- 
 million William Waldron Abraham Mounteneir Peter 
 Marmonder 21 as Pattentees for & on the behalfe of them- 
 
 21 These names are strangely distorted in the Patent, as "Recorded for 
 the Inhabitants of Harlem," in Albany; showing gross carelessness some- 
 where, either on the part of the recording clerk, the draftsman, or the 
 person who made out the list. The following are the names corrected from 
 indisputable data and relieved from the crudities of the old spelling: John 
 Delavall, Resolved Waldron, Joost van Oblinus, Daniel Tourneur, Adolph 
 Meyer, John Spragge, Jan Hendricks Brevoort, Jan Delamater, Isaac 
 Delamater, Barent Waldron, Johannes Vermelje, Lawrence Jansen, Peter 
 van Oblinus, Jan Dyckman, Jan Nagel, Arent Hermanse, Cornelius Jansen, 
 Jacqueline Tourneur, Hester Dalamater, Johannes Verveelen, William 
 Haldron, Abraham Montanie, Peter Parmentier. (Ricker, Annals of New- 
 town.) 
 
[No. xvni] Grants 351 
 
 selves the Presents freeholders & Inhabitants of the said 
 towne of New Harlem their heirs Successors & Assignes All 
 & singular the before recited tract parcell & parcells of land 
 & meadow butted & Bounded as in the said pattent is men- 
 coned & Exprest together w th all & Singuler the Messuages 
 Tennem ts houses buildings barnes Stables Orchards Gardens 
 Pastures Mills Mill Dams runs Streams Ponds woods under- 
 woods trees timber fenceing fishing hawking hunting & 
 fowleing Libertyes Privilidges hereditam ts & Improvem 15 
 whatsoever to the said tract of Land&Premissess belonging 
 or in any wise Appurtaineing or Accepted Reputed taken 
 or knowne or used occupied & Enjoyed as parte parcell or 
 member thereof with their & Every of their Appurtennces 
 Alwayes Provided that nothing Contained therein shall bee 
 Construed to Prejudice the Right of the Citty of New Yorke 
 or any other Particuler Right & Saveing to the said Citty 
 of New York & their Successors forever & also saveing to 
 every Particuler Person his Heirs & Assignes that have any 
 Right Interest or Estate within the Limitts of the Said 
 Towne of New Harlem as well as without the Limitts of 
 the said Towne of Harlem full Power Liberty & Priviledge 
 to build Cultivate & improve all such Tracts & Parcells of 
 Land as the said Citty of New Yorke now have or hereafter 
 shall have within or w th out & Adjacent to the Limitts of 
 the towne of Harlem Aforesaid & Also the Comonage of 
 the towne of Harlem Aforesaid is to be Confirmed within 
 the Limitts abovesaid & the Right of Comonage to Extend 
 no further any Grant or thing Contained herein to the Con- 
 trary in any wise notwithstanding TO have & to hold the 
 said Severall tracts & Parcells of Land & Premissess with 
 their & Every of their Appurtennces unto them the Said 
 John Delavall Resolve Waldron Joost Van Oblimus Daniell 
 Turneir Adolph Meyer John Spragge Jan Hendrick Pre- 
 vost Jan Delamastre Isaac Delamastre Barent Waldron 
 Joannes Vermillion Lawrence Jansen Jan Dyckman Jan 
 Nagel Arent Harmense Cornelis Jansen Peter Van Oblimus 
 
352 Colonial Charters [No. xvni] 
 
 Jackelyne Turneir Hester Delamastre Joannes Vermillion 
 William Waldron Abraham Mounteyner Peter Marmendor 
 as Pattentees for and on the behalfe of themselves their 
 heirs Successors & Assignes to the sole & Only proper use 
 beneffitt & Behoofe of the Said pattentes their heirs succes- 
 sors & Assignes for ever TO bee holden of his most sacred 
 Majesty his heirs & Successors in ffree & Comon Soccage 
 According to the tenure of East Grenwich in the County of 
 Kent in his Majestyes Kingdom of England YEILDING 
 Rendring & Paying therefore Yearly & Every yeare for ever 
 on or before the five & twentyth Day of March in Liew 
 of all Services & Demands whatsoever as A Quitt Rent to 
 his most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his heirs & Successors or 
 to such Officer or officers as shall be Appointed to receive 
 the Same sixteen bushells of Good Winter Marchantable 
 Wheat att the Citty of New Yorke, IN testimony whereof 
 I have Caused these p r sents to be entered upon Record in 
 the secretaryes office & the Seals of the Province to be here- 
 unto Affixed this Seventh day of March 1686 & in the third 
 yeare of his Ma tls Reigne. 
 
 Tho : Dongan 
 May it Please your Excellency 
 
 The Attourny Gen" hath Perused this Pattent & finds 
 nothing Contained therein Prejudicall to his Ma tIS Intrest 
 Examd 23 March Ja : Graham 
 
 1686 
 
 Att a Council held in New Yorke 
 
 7 th March 1686. 
 PRESENT his Excellency the Governo r 
 
 Major Brockolls 
 
 Major Fred: Phillips 
 
 Major Courtlandt 
 
 M r John Spragge 
 
 Major Garvis Baxter 
 
 This Pattent wass Approved off 
 
 Is Swinton Ck : Council 
 
II. IP 
 
 Ea st Chester 
 
 
 MM' OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EAST CHF.ST1 K. WESTCHESTER COUNTY 
 
[No. xix] Grants 353 
 
 No. XIX 
 TOWN OF EASTCHESTER 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent For Eastchester 1 
 
 [seal] RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R , Governour Generall, 
 under his Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and 
 Albany &c, of all his Territoryes in America, To all to 
 whom these Presents shall come sendeth Greeting; 
 WHEREAS there is a certaine Plantation upon the Maine, 
 lying within the Bounds and Limitts of Westchester, belong- 
 ing to the North Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island, 
 Scituate and being on the North part of the Limitts of the 
 said Towne; which said Plantation, is commonly called and 
 knowne by the name of the Ten ffarmes, or Eastchester, and 
 is now in the Tenure or occupation of severall ffreeholders 
 and Inhabitants, who having heretofore made Lawfull Pur- 
 chase thereof, have likewise manured and improved a con- 
 siderable part of the Lands there unto belonging, and settled 
 severall ffamilyes there upon : NOW for a Confirmation 
 unto the said ffreeholders and Inhabitants, in their Enjoy- 
 ment and Possession of the p r misses, KNOW YEE That 
 by vertue of the Commission and Authority, unto mee given 
 by his Royall Highnesse, I have Ratified, Confirmed and 
 Graunted, and by these p r sents do Ratifie, Confirme and 
 Graunt, unto Philip Pinckney, James Everts and William 
 Heyden, as Patentees, for and on the behalfe of themselves, 
 and their Associates, their Heires, Successo rs , and Assignes, 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original document 
 which is in N. Y. Col. MSS., endorsed Land Papers, I:i2, at present on 
 deposit in the Manuscript Division of the N. Y. State Library in Albany, 
 and, as far as typography will allow, is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. The original on three sheets is signed by Governor Nicolls and has 
 the seal intact in the left margin of the first sheet. The Calendar entry is: 
 1667, March 9. Deed from Gov. Nicolls to Philip Pinckney, James Everts 
 and others, for a tract known as the "Ten ffarmes," or Eastchester. 
 
354 Colonial Charters [No. xix] 
 
 All the said Plantation, with the Lands there unto belong- 
 ing, lying within the Bounds and Limitts hereafter exprest, 
 (vizt) That is to say, They are Bounded to the East, and 
 North East, by a certaine River, commonly called Hutchin- 
 sons River, w ch runs in at the head of the Meadowes, and 
 is the west Bounds of M R PELLS Patent, To the South by 
 a certaine Creeke, the Mouth whereof openeth to the South 
 East, Then including the Meadowes, heretofore called 
 Hutchinsons Meadowes, and the upland to the now knowne 
 and common Path, coming up from Westchester, to take in 
 also of the uplands betweene Hutchinsons and Rattle Snake 
 Brookes, from the said Path, to the extent of halfe a Mile, 
 Northwest, for them to Plant, or otherwise to manure, as 
 they shall see cause; The Remainder to lye in common, 
 betweene them, and the Inhabitants of Westchester; At the 
 end of which halfe Mile, to bee Bounded by Rattle Snake 
 Brooke, till you come to the head thereof, from thence 
 striking a North East Line, to Hutchinsons River afore 
 mentioned, The certaine Bounds of the Plantion afore said, 
 are described, and so hereafter are to bee reputed and 
 taken, any former Order, conclusion or Agreement to the 
 contrary, in any wise notwithstanding; Together with all 
 woodlands, Quarryes, Meadowes, Pastures, Marshes, 
 waters Creekes, Lakes, Brookes, ffishing, Hawking, Hunt- 
 ing and ffowling, And all other Proffitts, Commodityes, 
 Emoluments and hereditaments, to the said Land and 
 p r misses, within the Limitts and Bounds, afore mentioned 
 described, belonging, or in any wise appertaining; And the 
 said Patentees and their Associates, their heires, Successo" 
 and Assignes, shall likewise have free Commonage, and 
 Liberty for Range or ffeed of Cattle, from the head of 
 Hutchinsons Brooke aforesaid, for about Eight English 
 Miles, to run North west, into the woods, as farr as 
 Bronckx his River, or so farr, as they shall not encroach, or 
 entrench upon any former Patent, by mee given or Graunted. 
 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, all and singular the said 
 
[No. xix] Grants 355 
 
 Lands, Hereditaments and p r misses, with their and every 
 of their appurtenances, and of every part and Parcell 
 thereof, to the said Patentees and their Associates, their 
 heires, Successo rs and Assignes, to the proper use and 
 behoofe, of the said Patentees and their Associates, their 
 heires, Successo" and Assignes for ever: MOREOVER, I 
 do hereby Graunt and Confirme unto the said Patentees and 
 their Associates, their heires, Successo rs and Assignes, that 
 their Plantacon shall continue and retaine the name of East- 
 chester, by which name and Stile, it shall bee distinguisht 
 and knowne, in all Bargaines and Sales, Deedes, Records 
 and writings ; And that like* [wise, They shall have the Privi- 
 ledge of Electing out of their owne Number, some discreete 
 Person yearly to beare the office of a Deputy Constable to 
 keepe his Ma ties peace, and to Compose (if possible) all 
 private differences, by Arbitration amongst themselves, but 
 that in all other matters they have] Relation to the Towne 
 and Court at Westchester; They the said Patentees and 
 their Associates, their heires, Successo" and Assignes, 
 Rendring and Paying, such Dutyes and Acknowledgments, 
 as now are, or hereafter shall bee Constituted and Estab- 
 lis'ht, by the Lawes of this Governm 1 , under the obedience 
 of his Royall Highnesse, his heires and Successo rs ; Given 
 under my hand and Seale, at ffort James in New Yorke, on 
 the Isle of Manhatans, the ninth day of March, in the nine- 
 teenth yeare of the Raigne of Our Soveraigne Lord, Charles 
 the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, 
 ffrance and Ireland King, Defender of the ffaith &c And 
 in the yeare of our Lord God 1666. 
 
 Richard Nicolls 
 Recorded by Order of the Governo 1 ", 
 the day and yeare above written. 
 Matthias: Nicolls, Seer. 
 
 * The following matter in brackets is illegible in the original because of 
 mending. It has been filled in from a copy recorded in Records of West- 
 chester Co. (White Planes), Book 6, folios 44, 45, 46. 
 
356 Colonial Charters [No. xix] 
 
 B. 
 
 Indian Deed for Eastchester. 2 
 
 Be it known unto all to whom these presents may come, 
 or concern; whereas the inhabitants of Eastchester did 
 formerly purchase a certain tract of land of the natives in 
 the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred sixty and six, 
 and part of the same being not as yet satisfied, the said tract 
 of land being butted and bounded as is hereafter expressed, 
 viz. : east and south-east, by a certain meadow, on the west 
 bounds of Mr. Pell's patent, and southerly to Hutchinson's 
 brook, and from the head thereof, north-west to Brunckses 
 his river, and so all the land betwixt Hutchinson's and 
 Brunckses his river, and so from the head of Hutchinson's 
 river, northwest west to Brunckses river, and so all the land 
 betwixt Hutchinson's and Brunckses river, according as 
 aforementioned, now KNOW YE that we, Woariatapus 
 Annhook and Porrige, do owne, that we have received full 
 satisfaction of Richard Shute, John Drake, and Henry 
 Fowler, in the behalf of the rest of the inhabitants of East- 
 chester aforesaid for the said tract of land, and we the 
 abovesaid Woariatapus, Annhook and Porrige, do by these 
 presents confirm unto the said Richard Shute, John Drake 
 and Henry Fowler, in the behalf of the rest of the Inhabit- 
 ants of Eastchester aforesaid, their heirs and assigns 
 forever, and we the above said Woariatapus, Annhook 
 and Porrige, will warrant and defend the same from all 
 incumbrances whatsoever, of any person or persons laying 
 claime, right, title or demand, unto any part or parcel of 
 the abovesaid tract of land, above mentioned, in witness 
 whereof, we the said Woariatapus, Annhook and Porrige 
 
 2 A search for the original recorded copy of this deed has been unavailing. 
 This copy is reproduced from one which appears in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., 
 (1881). I:2io. 
 
MAP OF THE BOUNDARIES OF LONG REACH; WESTCHESTER CO! MY 
 
 x 18". 
 
[No. xix] Grants 357 
 
 have hereunto put to our hands and seals, this third day of 
 Dec, in the 12th year of his majestie's reign, A.D. 1700. 
 
 Signed, sealed and delivered in 
 presence of us, Robert Bloomer, 
 George Copping, David Whitlock. The mark of 
 
 Gramatan Sachem, Woariatabus. 
 
 The mark of AH Ann Hooke, 
 Porrige 
 
 Royal Patent for Eastchester. 3 
 [Long Reach Patent] 
 
 William Peartree & others. 
 
 ANNE by the Grace of God of Great Brittain France & 
 Ireland Queen Defend r of the faith &c To all to whom 
 these presents may in any wise Concerne Sendeth Greeting 
 WHEREAS o r Loving Subjects Coll William Peartree 
 Coll Jacobus van Cortland John van Home Cap 1 John 
 Drake Tho s Pinckney Joseph Drake Edmond Ward Henry 
 Fowler and Roger Barton by their humble petition pre- 
 sented to our Right Trusty and welbeloved Couzin Edward 
 Viscount Cornbury Cap 1 Gen 11 & Gov r in Chiefe in and over 
 our Province of New Yorke and Territorries Depending 
 thereon in America and vice admirall of the same &c In 
 Councill have prayed our grant & Confirmacon for all that 
 Tract or peice of Land in the County of West Chester 
 beginning att hutchinsis Brook att the End of the halfe mile 
 menconed in East Chester Pattent and soe up the said 
 Hutchinsis Brook as the Brook runns to the head thereof 
 and from thence northwest to Bruncksis River and soe up 
 the said Bruncksis river as the River runns till it comes to 
 Bear with the head of hutchinsis river due Southeast to a 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, VII:38o, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
358 Colonial Charters [No. xix] 
 
 Chesnutt Tree markt and soe down the said hutchinsis river 
 as the river runfis till it comes to the northeast and South- 
 west Line of East Chester Pattent and soe down Southwest 
 along the said Line to the head of Rattle Snake Brook and 
 from thence down the s d Brook as the Brook runhs to the 
 aforementioned halfe mile of East Chester Pattent and 
 from thence westerly to the abovesaid hutchinsis Brook 
 where it begun The which petition wee Being willing to 
 Grant KNOW YEE that of our especiall grace certain 
 knowledge & meer motion wee have given granted ratifyed 
 and Confirmed and in & by these p r sents for our Selves our 
 heirs and Successors Doe give grant ratifye and Confirme 
 unto the said Coll William Peartree Coll Jacobus van 
 Cortland John van Home Cap 1 John Drake Thomas Pinck- 
 ney Joseph Drake Edmond Ward Henry ffowler and Roger 
 Barton all & Singular that tract or peice of Land above- 
 menconed and all & singular the hereditaments & appurte- 
 nances thereunto belonging within the Bounds and Limitts 
 above in these presents menconed and exprest Together 
 with all woods underwood's Trees Timber Feedings 
 pastures meadows marshes Swamps ponds Pooles Waters 
 Watercourses Rivers Rivoletts runiis and Streams of water 
 ffishing fowling hawking hunting mines & minerall's Stand- 
 ing growing lying & being or to be used had or enjoyed 
 within the Bounds & Limitts aforesaid and all proffitts 
 Benefitts Priviledges Liberties advantages hereditam ts & 
 appurtenances whatsoever unto the sd Tract or peice of 
 Land & Premisses or any partor (sic) parcell thereof 
 Belonging or in any wise appurtaining in six equall parts to 
 be Divided (except and always reserved out of this our 
 present grant all Gold & Silver mines) TO HAVE AND 
 TO HOLD one sixth part of the Sd Tract or peice of Land 
 & p r misses with their appurtenances hereby granted or 
 meant menconed or Intended to be hereby granted as afore- 
 said (except before excepted) unto the Said William Pear- 
 tree his heirs & Assignes for ever To the only proper use 
 
[No. xix] Grants 359 
 
 and Behoofe of the Said William Peartree his heirs and 
 Assigns for ever one other Sixth part thereof to him the 
 Sd Jacobus van Cortland his heirs and assigns for Ever to 
 the only proper use and behoofe of the said Jacobus van 
 Cortland his heirs and assigns for ever one other Sixth part 
 thereof to the Said John van Home his heirs and assigns 
 for ever to the only proper use & behoofe of the Sd John 
 van Home his heires and Assigns for ever and the other 
 Three sixth parts thereof unto the Said John Drake Thomas 
 Pinckney Joseph Drake Edmond Ward Henry Fowler and 
 Roger Barton their heirs and assigns for ever In trust for 
 themselves and the rest of the freeholder's and Inhabitants 
 of East Chester their heirs and assigns for ever To be 
 holden of us our heirs and Successors in ffree and Common 
 Soccage as of our Mannour of East Greenwich in the 
 County of Kent within our Kingdome of England YEILD- 
 ING RENDRING AND PAYING therefor yearly and 
 every year for ever unto us our heires and Successors att 
 our Custome house in New Yorke aforesaid to our Col- 
 lector or Reseiv r Gen n there for the time being att or upon 
 the ffeast of S* Michaell the Archangell the Rent or Surhe 
 of ffifteen Shillings Curr* mony of New Yorke in Liew and 
 Stead of all other Rents Services Dues Duties & Demands 
 whatsoever PROVIDED nevertheless and wee doe hereby 
 Save out of this our p r sent grant all and all manner of 
 Lands Tenements and hereditaments which have been here- 
 tofore Legally granted by Pattent under the Seale of our 
 Said Province of New Yorke to the Freeholders & Inhabit 55 
 of the Town of West Chester their heires and assignes 
 AND Also provided & these presents are upon this Con- 
 dition that if noe Improvement be already had or made 
 upon the Sd Tract & peice of Land and premisses hereby 
 granted as aforesaid nor on any part or parcell thereof that 
 then and in Such case they the Said William Peartree 
 Jacobus van Cortland John van Home John Drake Thomas 
 Pinckney Joseph Drake Edmond Ward Henry ffowler & 
 
360 Colonial Charters [No. xix] 
 
 Roger Barton their heirs and assigns some or one of them 
 Shall within the time & Space of Three years now next fol- 
 lowing from and after the Date hereof settle clear & make 
 Improvement of or upon the said Land and p r misses hereby 
 granted or of or upon some part or parcell thereof IN 
 TESTIMONY whereof wee have Caused these our Letters 
 to be made Pattents & the seale of our Province of New 
 Yorke to our said Letters Pattents to be affixed and the same 
 to be Recorded in the Secfys office of our Said Province 
 WITTNESSE our right Trusty and welbeloved Couzin 
 Edward Viscount Cornbury our Cap* Gen 11 & Gov 1 " in Chiefe 
 in and over our Sd Province of New Yorke and Territories 
 Depending thereon in America and Vice Admirall of the 
 same &c In Councill Att our ffort att New Yorke this Twenty 
 Third day of Septem r in the Seaventh Year of our Reigne 
 Annoqj Domini 1708/ 
 Ex r Geo: Clarke 
 
[No. xx] Grants 361 
 
 No. XX. 
 
 TOWN OF MORRISANIA. 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Bronck's Land 1 
 
 A Patent Graunted to Samuel Edsall for a 
 Parcell of Land on y e Maine called Bronx 
 Land./ 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R &C WHEREAS there was 
 a Patent or Ground breife heretofore graunted by y e Dutch 
 Governnour William Keift unto Arent van Curler for a 
 certaine parcell or Tract of land formerly in y e tenure or 
 occupation of Jonas Bronckx comonly called by y e Indians 
 by y e name of Ranaque & by y e English Bronckx Land lying 
 & being on y e Maine to y e East & over against Harlem 
 Towne having a certaine small Creek or Kill w ch Runs 
 betweene y e South west parte of it & Little Barnes Island 
 neare Helgate & so goes into y e East Ryver & a greater 
 Creek or Ryver w ch divides it from Manhatans Island con- 
 teyning about five hundred Acres or Two hundred & fifty 
 Margen of Land & including all y e fresh meadowe there- 
 unto annext or adjacent, w ch said Pattent or Ground breife 
 so graunted as aforesaid bearing date y e 20 th day of October 
 1644 was by y e sa id Arent van Curler upon y e 10 th day of 
 July 1 65 1 transported & made over unto Jacob Jans Stoll, 
 & upon y e 19 th day of December 1662 conveyed by 
 Matthews de Vos as Attorney of Geertruyt Andries y e 
 widdow of y e said Jacob Jans Stoll formerly widdow of 
 Andries Hoppen unto Geertrien Hendricks & by her upon 
 
 1 This patent was carefully compared with the original engrossed record 
 in Books of Patents, V:40, at present on deposit in the Manuscript Division 
 of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
362 Colonial Charters [No. xx] 
 
 y e same day w th y e approbation & consent of Derrick Gerrits 
 van Tright then her husband made over unto Harmen 
 Sweeman who upon y e 22 th day of October 1664 sould & 
 conveyed y e same for a valuable consideration unto Samuel 
 Edsall Late Of this Citty Beaver maker Now for a Con- 
 firmation unto him y e said Samuell Edsall &c The Pattent 
 is dated May 1668./ 
 
 B. 
 
 Andros Patent for Bronck's Land 2 
 
 A Confirmation of an Addiconall Tract of Land, graunted 
 unto Cori Lewis Morris./ 
 
 EDMUND ANDROS, ESQ R . &c, WHEREAS Coil 
 Lewis Morris of the Island of Barbadoes, hath long 
 enjoyed, and by a Patent stands possest of a certaine 
 plantacon and Tract of Land, lying and being upon the 
 Maine, over against the Towne of Haerlem, commonly 
 called Bronckx Land, the same containing about five hundred 
 Acres, or two hundred and ffifty Margen of Land, besides 
 the Meadow there unto annext or adjoyning, Butted and 
 Bounded, as in the Originall Dutch Ground briefe and 
 Patent of Confirmation is sett forth: And the said Colonell 
 Morris having made good Improvement upon the said Land, 
 and there lying lands adjacent to him, not included in any 
 Patent or Graunt, which Land, the said Corl Morris doth 
 desire, for farther Improvement; His said Land and 
 addicon, being bounded from his House over against Haer- 
 lem, running up Haerlem River to Daniel Turners Land, 
 
 2 This patent was carefully compared with the original engrossed record 
 in Books of Patents, IV:io2, at present on deposit in the Manuscript Division 
 of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. There is an original rough 
 draft of this patent in N. Y. Col. MSS. Land Papers, 1:98, in the N. Y. 
 State Library. 
 
[No. xx] Grants 363 
 
 and so alongst his said Land Northward, to John Archers 
 Line; and from thence stretching east, to the land of John 
 Richardson and Thomas Hunt, and thence alongst their 
 Land Southward to the Sound, and so alongst the Sound, 
 about Southwest through Bronckx Kill, to the said Cott 
 Morris his house; the addiconall Land containing accord- 
 ing to the Survey thereof, the Quantity of fourteen hundred 
 and twenty Acres, and the whole, nineteene hundred and 
 twenty Acres, NOW KNOW YE, That by vertue of the 
 Commission and Authority unto mee given by his Royall 
 highnesse, I have Confirmed, given and graunted, And do 
 hereby Confirme, give and graunt, unto the said Cott 
 Morris, his Heires and Assignes, the aforerecited Land, 
 already Possest by him, and the addiconal Land herein 
 exprest, Butted and Bounded as aforesaid; Together with 
 the woods, and Meadowes, both Salt and fresh, waters and 
 Creekes, belonging to the said Land and p r misses, in his 
 royall highnesse Guift, with all and singular the premisses 
 and Appurtenances; TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said 
 Land and premisses, unto the said Cott Lewis Morris, his 
 Heires and Assignes, unto the proper use and behoofe, of 
 him the said Cott Morris, his Heires and Assignes for ever; 
 Hee continuing in obedience, and Conforming himselfe 
 according to the Lawes of this Government, And yeilding 
 & Paying therefore yearly and every yeare, as a Quitt Rent 
 to his Royall Highnesse, foure Bushells of good winter 
 Wheat. Given under my hand, and Sealed with the Seale 
 of the Province in New Yorke, this 25 th day of April, 3 in 
 the 28 th yeare of his Ma ties Reigne, Annoqj Domini, 1676. 
 
 E ANDROSS. 
 
 3 There is copy of this patent printed in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., II 462, 
 in which the date is given as the 25th day of March 1676. There is no 
 indication as to where Bolton procured his copy. 
 
364 Colonial Charters [No. xx] 
 
 C. 
 
 Indian Deed to Lewis Morris 4 
 
 "To all to whom this present writing shall come, doth 
 witness, that we Shahash, Panazarah, Wanacapeen, Kneed, 
 Taquamarke and Awarazawis, having formerly sold unto 
 Jonas Broncks, a large tract of land lying and being 
 between ye river commonly called Bronck's river and 
 Harlem kill, and more especially that tract of land that 
 Colonel Morris stands now possest of, as his draught and 
 ground brief bearing date in ye year 1675, excepting forty 
 morgen of land that we sold Daniel Turner ye elder, being 
 bounded on the west side with Harlem river, the aforesaid 
 Colonel Morris his land, being bounded on the north side 
 with the land of John Archer, beginning at Crabb Island, 
 and running east or thereabouts, until it comes to ye corner 
 tree of Richardson and Hunt, and so down to ye southward 
 according to ye marked line until it come to ye bound brook 
 between ye said Colonel Morris and ye said Richardson 
 and Hunt, and from thence along ye creek to ye Sound or 
 East river, until you come to Daniel Turner's land, that's 
 above mentioned, including the purchase of ye said Colonel 
 Morris, that point of land called Nauasin, where formerly 
 lived a Frenchman named Marcus Dossisway, all which 
 parcel or tract of land we do for ourselves, our heirs, 
 executors, administrators and assignes, fully and wholly 
 acquit and discharge for ever, ye said Colonel Mirris, his 
 heyres, executors, and administrators of all and every part 
 and parcel of ye residue of ye money that should have been 
 paid by ye aforesaid Bronck's for the purchase of said land, 
 declaring to the world that we acknowledge for ourselves, 
 our heyres, executors, and assignees, to be fully paid, satis- 
 
 4 A search for the original recorded copy of this deed has been unavailing. 
 This copy is reproduced from one which appears in Bolton, Hist. West Co., 
 (1S81), 11:463. 
 
[No. xx] Grants 365 
 
 fied and contented. In witness whereof we have hereunto 
 sett our hands and affixed our seals this seventh day of 
 February, 1684-5, m presence of us: 
 
 SAMUEL EDSALL, Ye mark X TAQUAMARKE. 
 JOHN BASSETT, Ye mark O WANACAPEEN. 
 
 JOHN MANTON. 
 
 Signed and sealed by AWANAWIS, 
 
 Witnessed by LONGE CLASSE, 
 SHAHASH, and KNEED. 
 
 a lady WASTOWANCETT, 
 
 In presence of us, Ye marke of X AWANAWIS, 
 
 JOHN IBENNY, Ye marke of -h SHAHASH, 
 EDWARD HARRALL, 
 
 Ye marke of a KNEED. 
 JOHN EDSALL. 
 
 D. 
 
 Royal Charter for Morrisania 5 
 
 RECORDED for Lewis Morris Gentleman 
 Guilielmus Tertius Dei gratia Anglie Scotie ffraune et 
 Hibernie Rex fidei Defensor &c To all to whom these 
 presents shall come sendeth greeting WHEREAS the 
 Hnorable Edmund Andros Esqr Seigneur of Sausmarez 
 late Governour of Our Province of Newyorke &c by a cer- 
 taine deed or Patent sealed with the seale of Our said 
 Province of Newyorke bearing date the twenty fifth day of 
 March in the year of our Lord 1676 pursueant to the Com- 
 mission and authority then in him resideing Did confirme 
 unto Coll Lewis Morris of the Island of Barbados a cer- 
 taine Plantacon and tract of land lyeing and being upon the 
 
 5 This charter was carefully compared with the original engrossed record 
 in Books of Patents, VII 164., at present on deposit in the Manuscript Division 
 of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
366 Colonial Charters [No. xx] 
 
 Maine over against the towne of Harlem commonly called 
 Broncks land conteining two hundred and fifty morgan or 
 five hundred acres of land besides the meadow thereunto 
 annexed or adjoyning butted and bounded as in the originall 
 Dutch groundbrief and Patent of confirmacon is sett forth 
 which said tract of land and meadow having been by the 
 said Coll Lewis Morris long possessed and Enjoyed and 
 having likewise thereon made good improvement he the said 
 Edmund Andros late Governour of our said Province did 
 further by the said deed or Patent sealed with the seale of 
 our said Province and bearing date as aforesaid give grant 
 and confirme unto the said Coll Lewis Morris for his fur- 
 ther improvement a certaine Quantity of land adjacent unto 
 the said tract of land which land with the addicon being 
 bounded from his own house over against Harlem runing 
 up Harlem river to Daniell Turners land and so alongst 
 his said land northward to John Archers line and from 
 thence stretching east to the land of John Richardson and 
 Thomas Hunt and thence alongst their land southward to 
 the sound and so alongst the sound about southwest through 
 Bronckx kill to the said Coll Lewis Morris house the 
 addiconall land conteining (according to the survey thereof) 
 the quantity of fourteen hundred acres and the whole One 
 thousand nine hundred and twenty acres TO HAVE AND 
 TO HOLD the aforerecited tract of land before possest 
 by him and the addiconall Land within the limites and 
 bounds aforesaid together with the woods and meadows 
 both salt and fresh waters and Creeks belonging to the said 
 land unto the said Coll Lewis Morris his heirs and assignes 
 forever under the yearly rent of four bushells of good 
 winter wheate as by the said deed or Patent registred in 
 our Secretaryes office of our said Province of Newyorke &c 
 relacon being thereunto had may more fully and at large 
 appeare AND WHEREAS our loving subject Lewis 
 Morris (Nephew unto the said Coll Lewis Morris lately 
 deceased and his sole and only heir) who is now by right 
 
[No. xx] Grants 367 
 
 of descent and inheritance peaceably and quietly seized and 
 possessed of all the aforerecited tracts of land and premisses 
 within the limites and bounds aforesaid hath by his Peticon 
 presented unto Our Trusty and welbeloved Benjamin Flet- 
 cher Our Captaine Generall and Governour in Cheife of 
 our said Province of Newyorke and Territoryes Depending 
 thereon in America &c prayed our grant and Confirmacon 
 of all the aforerecited tracts and parcells of land and 
 premisses within the limites and bounds aforesaid and like- 
 wise that we would be graciously pleased to erect The said 
 Tracts and parcells of Land within the limites and bounds 
 aforesaid into a Lordship or Mannour by the name or title 
 of the Mannour or Lordship of Morrisania in the County 
 of Westchester And whereas it is publickly manifest that 
 the said Collonell Lewis Morris deceased in his life time 
 and our said loving subject his Nephew and sole and only 
 heir since his decease have been at great charge and expence 
 in the purchaseing setling and improving of the said tracts 
 and parcells ofland (sic) whereon considerable buildings 
 have likewise been made and our said loving subject being 
 willing still to make further improvement thereon which 
 reasonable request for his future encouragement we being 
 willing to grant KNOW YEE That Wee of our Especiall 
 grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon Wee have given 
 granted ratifyed and confirmed and by these presents do 
 fur us Our heirs and Successours give grant ratifye and 
 confirme unto the said Lewis Morris his heirs and assignes 
 all the aforerecited tracts and parcells of land within the 
 limites and bounds aforesaid conteining the quantity of One 
 thousand nine hundred and twenty acres of land more or 
 lesse together with all and every the messuages tenements 
 buildings houses out houses barns barracks stables mills 
 milldambs mill houses orchards gardens fences pastures 
 feilds feedings woods underwoods trees timber meadows 
 fresh and salt marshes swamps pools ponds waters water- 
 courses brooks rivoletts runns streams creeks coves harbours 
 
368 Colonial Charters [No. xx] 
 
 bridges beaches inletts outletts Islands necks of land and 
 meadow Peninsulas of land and meadow ferrys passages 
 fishing fouling hunting and hawking quarrys mines mineralls 
 (silver and gold mines excepted) and all the rights members 
 libertyes priviledges jurisdictions royaltyes hereditaments 
 tolls benefitts profitts advantages and appurtenances what- 
 soever to the aforerecited tracts parcells And necks of land 
 and mill within the limites and bounds aforesaid belonging 
 adjoyning or in any wayes appertaining or accepted reputed 
 taken known or occupyed as part parcell or member thereof 
 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all the aforerecited tracts 
 and parcells of land within the limites and bounds aforesaid 
 conteining the quantity of One thousand nine hundred and 
 twenty acres of land more or lesse together with all and 
 every the messuages tenements buildings houses outhouses 
 barns barracks stables mills milldambs mill houses orchards 
 gardens fences pastures feilds feedings woods underwoods 
 trees timber meadows fresh and salt marshes swamps pools 
 ponds waters watercourses brooks rivers rivoletts runns 
 streams creeks coves harbours bridges beaches strands 
 inletts outletts islands necks of land and meadow Peninsula's 
 of land and meadow ferrys passages fishing fouling hunting 
 and hawking quarries mines and mineralls (silver and gold 
 mines excepted) and all the rights members libertyes privi- 
 ledges jurisdiccons royaltyes hereditaments tolls benefites 
 profites advantages and appurtenances whatsoever to the 
 aforerecited tracts parcells and necks and necks of land and 
 mill within the limites and bounds aforesaid belonging 
 adjoyning or in any ways appertaining or accepted reputed 
 taken known or occupyed as part parcell or member thereof 
 unto him the said Lewis Morris his heirs and assignes to 
 the Sole and only propper use benefite and behoofe of him 
 the said Lewis Morris his heirs and assignes forever AND 
 MOREOVER KNOW YEE that of Our further speciall 
 grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon we have thought 
 fitt according to the reasonable request of Our said loving 
 
[No. xx] Grants 369 
 
 subject to erect all the aforerecited tracts parcells of land 
 and premisses within the limites and bounds aforesaid into 
 a Lordship and mannour And therefore by these presents 
 We do for us Our heirs and Successours erect make and 
 constitute all the aforerecited Tracts and parcells of land 
 and premisses within the limites and bounds aforemenconed 
 together with all and every the above granted premisses 
 with all and every of their appurtenances into One Lord- 
 ship or Mannour to all intents and purposes AND it is Our 
 Royall Will and pleasure that the said Lordship and Man- 
 nour shall from henceforth be called the Lordship or 
 Mannour of MORRISANIA AND KNOW YEE That 
 We reposing especiall trust and confidence in the Loyalty 
 wisdome justice prudence and circumspeccon of Our said 
 loving subject do for us Our heirs and Successours give and 
 grant unto the said Lewis Morris and to the heirs and 
 assignes of him the said Lewis Morris full power and 
 authority at all times forever hereafter in the said Lord- 
 ship or Mannour One Court Leet and one Court Barron to 
 hold and keep at such time and times and so often yearly 
 as he or they shall see meet and all fines issues and amercia- 
 ments at the said Court Leet and Court Barron to be holden 
 within the said Lordship or Mannour to be sett forfeited 
 or imployed or payable or happening at any time to be pay- 
 able by any of the Inhabitants of or within the said Lord- 
 ship or Mannour of Morrisania or the limites and bounds 
 thereof and also all and every of the power and authority 
 herein before mentioned for the holding and keeping the 
 said Court Leet and Court Barron from time to time and 
 to award and issue out the said accustomary writts to be 
 issued and awarded out of the said Court Leet and Court 
 Barron to be kept by the heirs and assignes of the said 
 Lewis Morris forever or their or any of their stewards 
 deputed and appointed with full and ample power and 
 authority to destreine for the rents services and other 
 surnes of money payable by virtue of the premisses and all 
 
370 Colonial Charters [No. xx] 
 
 other lawfull remedyes and means for the having possessing 
 receiving levying and enjoying the premisses and every part 
 and parcell of the same and all waifs Estrays wrecks 
 deodands goods of felons happening and being forfeited 
 within the said Lordship or Mannour of Morrisania and 
 all and every sume and sumes of money to be paid as a post 
 fine upon any fine or fines to be levyed of any lands tene- 
 ments or hereditaments within the said Lordship or Man- 
 nour of Morrisania together with the advowson and right 
 of patronage and all and every the Church and Churches 
 Erected or Established or hereafter to be Erected or Estab- 
 lished within the said Mannour of Morrisania AND WEE 
 DO ALSOE give and grant unto the said Lewis Morris his 
 heirs and Assignes that all and singular the tennants of him 
 the said Lewis Morris within the said Mannour shall and 
 may at all times hereafter meet together and choose asses- 
 sors within the Mannour aforesaid according to such rules 
 wayes and methods as are prescribed for Cityes Towns and 
 Countyes within our Province aforesaid by the acts of 
 Generall Assembly for the defraying the publick charge of 
 each respective City Town and County aforesaid and all 
 such sums of money so assessed or levyed to collect and 
 dispose of for such uses as the acts of Generall Assembly 
 shall Establish and appoint TO HAVE AND TO HOLD 
 possesse and enjoy all and singular the said Lordship or 
 mannour of Morrisania and premisses with all their and 
 every of their appurtenances unto the said Lewis Morris 
 his heirs and Assignes to the only propper use benefite and 
 behoofe of him the said Lewis Morris his heirs and assignes 
 forever TO BE HOLDEN of us Our heirs and Successours 
 in ffree and Comon soccage according to the tenure of Our 
 Mannour of East Greenwich in our County of Kent within 
 our realme of England YEILDING RENDRING AND 
 PAYING therefore yearly and every year on the feast day 
 of the annunciation of Our blessed Virgin Mary unto us 
 Our heirs and Successours at our City of Newyorke the 
 
[No. xxj Grants 371 
 
 annuall rent of six shillings in liew and steade of all former 
 rents dues dutys services and demands whatsoever for the 
 said Lordship and Mannour of Morrisania and premisses 
 IN TESTIMONY whereof Wee have caused the great 
 seale of Our said Province of Newyorke &c to be here- 
 unto affixed WITNESSE our Trusty and welbeloved Ben- 
 jamin Fletcher Our Captain Gen 11 and Govern 1 " in Cheife 
 of Our Province of Newyorke and the Territoryes and 
 Tracts of land depending thereon in America and Vice 
 Admirall of the same our Leiv 1 and Commander in Cheife 
 of the militia and of all the forces by sea and land within 
 Our Colony of Connecticutt and of all the fforts and places 
 of strength within the same in Councill at Our ffort in 
 Newyorke the sixth day of May in the ninth year of Our 
 reigne Annoq$ Dm 1697./ — Ben ffletcher by Command of 
 his Excellency David Jamison D : Secry — 
 
372 Colonial Charters [No. xxi] 
 
 No. XXI. 
 
 TOWN OF PELHAM 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Pelham Manor 1 
 
 A Patent graunted unto M r Thomas 
 Pell of Onckway alias Fairfield. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS Esq r Governo r under his Royall 
 Highnesse the Duke of Yorke, of all his Territoryes in 
 America; To all to whome these presents shall come 
 Sendeth Greeting: WHEREAS there is a Certaine Tract 
 of Land within this Government, upon the Maine, Scituate 
 lying and being to the Eastward of the Bounds of the Towne 
 of Westchester, Bounded to the Westward with the River 
 called by the Indyans Aqueonuncke, comonly knowne to the 
 English by the Name of Hutchinsons River, which runeth 
 into the Bay lying betweene Throckmortons Neck, and Ann 
 Hookes Neck, commonly called Hutchinsons Bay, Bounded 
 on the East by a Brooke called Cedar Tree Brooke, or the 
 Gravelly Brooke, on the South by the Sound, which lyeth 
 betweene Long Island, and the Maine Land, with all the 
 Islands in the Sound (not already Graunted or otherwise 
 disposed of) lying before that Tract of Land, so Bounded, 
 as is before expres't, And Northwards to run into the woods 
 about Eight English Miles, in Breadth as the Bounds to the 
 Sound; which said Tract of Land, hath heretofore beene 
 Purchased of the Indyan Proprieto rs and due Satisfaction 
 given for the same; NOW KNOW YEE, That by vertue 
 of the Corhission and Authority unto mee given by his 
 Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke &c, upon whom by 
 Lawfull Graunt and patent from his Ma ty the Propriety and 
 
 1 This patent was carefully compared with the original engrossed record 
 in Books of Patents, 1 74, at present on deposit in the Manuscript Division 
 of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a verbatim et literatim et punetuatim copy. 
 
W '\< 
 
 
 
 
 A. - . 
 
 f 
 
 MAP OF THI TOWN OF PI LHAM, WESTCHESTER COUNTY 
 ►r. DjicJ Fcbruar)' *:. 
 
 Origin.il iizc i 7" x jg". 
 
[No. xxi] Grants 373 
 
 Government of that part of the Maine Land, as well as of 
 Long Island, and all the Islands adjacent, amongst other 
 things is Settled; I have thought fitt to give Graunt, Con- 
 firme and Ratify, And by these Present do Give Graunt 
 Confirme and Ratify unto Thomas Pell of Onckway alias 
 ffairfeild, in his Ma ties Colony of Conecticott Gent, his 
 Heires and Assignes, all the said Tract of Land Bounded 
 as aforesaid, Together with all the Lands, Islands, Soyles, 
 woods, Meadowes, Pastures, Marshes, Lakes, waters, 
 Creekes, ffishing, Hawking, Hunting and ffowling, and all 
 other Proffitts, Commodities, Emoluments and Heredita- 
 ments to the said Tract of Land and Islands belonging, with 
 their and every of their Appurtenances and of every part 
 and Parcell thereof; And that the said Tract of Land and 
 p r misses, shall bee forever hereafter, held, deemed, reputed, 
 taken and bee, an Intire Infranchized Towneship, Mannour 
 and place of it selfe, and shall alwayes from time to time, 
 and at all times hereafter, have, hold and Enjoy, like and 
 equall Priviledges and Immunityes, with any Towne, 
 Infranchized place or Mannour within this Government, 
 and shall in no manner of way bee Subordinate or belonging 
 unto, have any dependancy upon, or in any wise bee under 
 the Rule, Order or direccon of any Riding, Towneship, or 
 Towneshipps, place or Jurisdiction, either upon the Maine, 
 or upon Long Island, but shall in all Cases, things and 
 Matters, bee deemed, reputed, taken and held, as an abso- 
 lute Intire, Infranchized Township, Manno r and place of 
 it selfe, in this Government, And shall bee Ruled, Ordered 
 and directed, in all matters as to government, accordingly 
 by the Governo r and his Councell, and the Gen* 11 Court of 
 Assizes onely. Alwayes Provided, That the Inhabitants on 
 the said Tract of Land, graunted as aforesaid shall bee 
 obliged to send forwards to the next Towne, all Publicke 
 Packetts and Letters, or Hue and Cryes, coming to this 
 place, or going from it to any other of his Ma ties Colonyes. 
 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract of Land and 
 
374 Colonial Charters [No. xxi] 
 
 Islands, with all and Singular y e Appurtenances and 
 Premisses, together with the Priviledges Immunities, ffran- 
 chizes and advantages, herein given and Graunted unto the 
 said Thomas Pell, to the proper use and behoofe of the said 
 Thomas Pell his Heires & Assignes for ever, fully, freely 
 and Clearly, in as large and Ample Manner and forme, 
 and with such full and absolute Immunityes and Priviledges, 
 as before is expres't, as if hee held the same jmmediatly 
 from his Ma ty the King of England &c, and his Successo rs , 
 as of y e Mannor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, 
 in free and Common Soccage, and by fealty onely; Yeilding 
 Rendring and Paying, yearly and every yeare, unto his 
 Royall Highnesse, the Duke of Yorke, and his Heires or to 
 such Governo r and Governo rs , as from time to time, shall 
 bee by him constituted and appointed, as an acknowledg- 
 ment, one Lambe upon the first day of May, if the same 
 shall bee demanded; Given under my hand and Seale at ffort 
 James in New Yorke, on the Island of Manhatans, the 6 th 
 Day of October, in the Eighteenth Yeare of the Raigne of 
 Our Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, by the Grace of 
 God, of England, Scotland, ffrance and Ireland King 
 Defender of the ffaith &c, And in the yeare of our Lord 
 God 1666. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS. 
 
 B. 
 
 The Dongan Patent to Pelham Manor. 2 
 
 Recorded for John Pell Gentl : 
 the 26 October 1697. 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Cap 1 Gen 11 & Governour in Cheife 
 in & over the Province of New Yorke and the Territoryes 
 
 2 This patent was carefully compared with the original engrossed record 
 in Books of Patents, VI:3o6, at present on deposit in the Manuscript Division 
 of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. Bolton in his Hist. West Co., 
 (1905), 11:59, states that the original document was in the possession of 
 Mrs. Maria Fay of Eastchester. 
 
[No. xxi] Grants 375 
 
 Depending thereon in America und r his most Sacred Ma tie 
 JAMES the second by the Grace of God King of England 
 Scottland ffrance and Ireland Defend r of the faith &c to all 
 to whom these Presents Shall Come SENDETH GREET- 
 ING, Whereas Richard Nicolls Esq r late Governour of this 
 Province by his Certaine Deed on writeing under his hand 
 & seale bearing date the Sixth Day of October in the 
 eightenth Yeare of the Reigne of our Late Soverigne Lord 
 Charles the Second by the Grace of God of England Scott- 
 land ffrance & Ireland King Defend 1 " of the faith &c. And 
 in the Yeare of our Lord God 1666 Did Give Grant Con- 
 firme & Ratifle by Virtue of the Comicon & Authority Unto 
 him Given by his (then) Royall highnesse JAMES Duke of 
 Yorke &c (his now Majesty) upon whom by Lawfull Grant 
 and Pattent from his then (Ma tie ) the Propriety and 
 Governm* of that Part of the main ILand as well as of Long 
 Island Island and all the Islands Adjacent Amongst other 
 things was Settled unto Thomas Pell of Onckway (alis) 
 ffairfeild in his Ma tis Colony of Connecticutt Gentlman, all 
 that Certaine Tract of Land upon the main lyeing and being 
 to the Eastward of Westchester bounds Bounded to the 
 Westward with the River Called by the Indians Aqueo- 
 nounck Commonly knowne to the English by the Name of 
 Hutchinsons River which runeth into the Bay lyeing between 
 Throgmortons neck & Anne Hoocks neck Commonly called 
 Hutchinsons Bay bouned on the East by a brook Called 
 Ceder tree brook or Gravilly Brook on the south by the 
 sound which lyeth between Long Island and the main land 
 with all the Islands in the Sound (not before that time 
 Granted or Otherwise Disposed off) lyeing before that tract 
 of Land so bounded as is before Exprest And northwards to 
 runn into the woods about eight English miles the breadth 
 to be the Same as it is Along by the Sound together with 
 all the Lands Islands Soyles woods meadows pastures 
 marshes Lakes Waters Creekes fishing hawking hunting and 
 fowleing & all other Proffitts Commodities Emolum ts & 
 Hereditam ts to the said tract of Land & Islands belonging 
 
376 Colonial Charters [No. xxi] 
 
 with their and Every of their Appurtences & every p r te & 
 p r cell thereof and that the said tract of Land & Premissess 
 Should be for ever Thereafter held Deemed reputed taken 
 & bee an intire Infranchised Township mannor and place of 
 itt Selfe & Should Alwayes from time to time & att all times 
 thereafter have hold & Enjoy like and equall Privilidges & 
 Imunityes with Any towne Infranchised Place or Mannor 
 within this Goverment and should in no manner of way be 
 subordinate or belonging unto have any Dependenceey upon 
 or in any wise be und r the Rule order or Direction of any 
 Rideing Towne shipp or Townshipps Place or Jurisdicon 
 Either upon the maine or upon Long Island butt Should in 
 all Cases things and Matters bee deemed Reputed taken & 
 held as an Absolute intire infranchized Townshipp Mannor 
 and Place of it Selfe in this Governm* and should bee ruled 
 Ordered & Directed in all matters as to Governm* Accord- 
 ingly by the Governo 1- & Councill & Gen 11 Court of Assizes 
 only (PROVIDED) alwayes that the Inhabitants on the 
 Said Tract of Land Granted as Aforesaid Should be obliged 
 to send forwards to the next Townes all Publique Packetts 
 And Letters or Hue & Cryes Comeing to New Yorke or 
 goeing from thence to any other of his Majestys Collonyes 
 TO HAVE & TO HOLD the said tract of Land & Islands 
 with all & Singular the Appurtences & Premissess together 
 with the Privilidges imunityes franchizes & Advantages 
 therein Given & Granted unto the Said Thomas Pell to the 
 Proper use & behoof e of the said Thomas Pell his heires 
 & Assignes for ever fully freely & Clearly in as large & 
 Ample Mannor & forme & with such full & absolute Immu- 
 nityes & Privilidges as before is Exprest as if he had held 
 the Same Imeadiatly from his Ma tie the King of England 
 &c. and his Successors as of the Mannor of East Grenwich 
 in the County of Kent in free and Common Soccage & by 
 fealty Only YEILDING Rendring & Paying Yearly & 
 Every Yeare unto his (then) Royall High ss the Duke of 
 Yorke & his heirs or to such Governour or Governours as 
 from time to time Should by him be Constituted and 
 
[No. xxi] Grants 377 
 
 Appointed as an Acknowledgment one Lamb on the first 
 Day of May if the Same Should bee Demanded as by the 
 said Deed in Writeing and the Entry thereof in the books 
 of Records in the Secretarys Office for the Province Afore- 
 said May more fully and att Large appeare, And whereas 
 John Pell Gentl : Nephew of the said Thomas Pell to whom 
 the Lands Islands & Premissess with the appurtences were 
 by the Last Will & Testam' of him the said Thomas Pell 
 Given & Bequeathed now is in The Actuall Peaceable and 
 Quiett Seizen & Possession of all and Singuler the 
 Premissess and hath made his humble Request unto me the 
 said Thomas Dongan that I would on the behalfe of his 
 most Sacred Majestye his Heires and Successors Give and 
 Grant unto him the said John Pell A more full ample & 
 firme Grant & Confirmacon of the above Lands & Premissess 
 with the Appurtennces under the Seale of this his Ma"' 
 Province, NOW know Yee that I the said Thomas Dongan 
 by virtue of the Commicon and Authority unto me Given by 
 his said Ma tie and Power in me being & Residing in Con- 
 sideracon of the Quitt Rent herein After reserved and for 
 Divers other good & lawfull Consideracons me thereunto 
 moveing, I have Given Granted rattified & Confirmed and 
 by these Presents Doe hereby give grant Rattifie & Con- 
 firme unto the said John Pell his heires and Assignes for 
 ever All the before mentioned & Recited Lands Islands & 
 Premissess w th the hereditam ts & Appurtences Privilidges 
 Imunityes franchizes & Advantages to the same belonging 
 and Appurteineing or in the s d before mentioned deed in 
 Writeing Exprest imployed or intended to be Given and 
 Granted & every Parte & Parcell thereof together with all 
 and Singuler Messuages tenements Barns Stables Orchards 
 Gardens Lands Islands Meadows Inclosures Arrable Lands 
 Pastures ffeedings Commons woods underwoods Soyles 
 Quarryes Mines Mineralls (Royall mines only Excepted) 
 waters Rivers Ponds lakes hunting hawking fishing & fowle- 
 ing as Also all rents Services wasts Strayes Royalties 
 Libertyes Privilidges Jurisdicons Rights members and 
 
378 Colonial Charters [No. xxi] 
 
 Appurtennces and all other Immunityes, Royalties Power 
 of ffranchizes p r offotts Commodityes and Hereditam ts what- 
 soever to the Premissess or any P r te or Parcell thereof 
 belonging or Appurtaineing AND further by Virtue of the 
 Power & Authority in me being & Resideing I Doe hereby 
 Grant Rattifie and Confirme and the tract of Land Islands 
 & Premissess A foresaid are by these Presents Erected and 
 Constituted to be one Lordship and Mannor and the same 
 Shall from henceforth be Called the Lordship & Mannor 
 of PELHAM And I Doe hereby Give and Grant unto the 
 said John Pell his heirs and Assigns full Power & Authority 
 att all times hereafter in the said Lordshipp and Mannor 
 one Court Leete and one Court Barron to hold and keep att 
 such times & so often Yearly as he and they shall see meett 
 and all fines issues And Amerciam ts at the Said Court Leete 
 and Court Barron to be holden and kept in the Lordship 
 and Mannor aforesaid that are Payable or from time to 
 time Shall happen to be Due and Payable by and from any 
 the Inhabitants of or within the said Lordshipp and Mannor 
 of Pelham Abovesaid And also all & every the Powers & 
 Authorityes herein before Menconed for the holding and 
 keeping of the said Court Leet and Court barron from time 
 to time & to award & issue forth the customary writts to be 
 issued & Awarded out of the said Court leete & Court 
 barron and the same to beare test & be issued out in the 
 name of the Said John Pell his heires & assignes & the same 
 Court leett & Court barron to be kept by the said John Pell 
 his heirs and Assignes or his or their Steward Deputed or 
 Appointed And I do further hereby give and grant unto the 
 said John Pell his heires & Assigns full power to Distraine 
 for all Rents and other Sumes of money payable by reason 
 of the Premissess & all other law full remedys & means for 
 the haveing receiveing Levying & Enjoying the said 
 Premissess & every p r te thereof & all waists Strayes Wrecks 
 of the seas Deodands & goods of fellons happening & being 
 within the said Mannor of Pelham together with the 
 Advowsen or Right of Patronage of all & every the Church 
 
[No. xxi] Grants 379 
 
 & Churches in the said Mannor erected & to be erected, TO 
 HAVE & TO HOLD all & Singuler the said tract of Land 
 Islands and Meadow of Pelham and all and singuler the 
 Above granted or mentioned to be Granted Premissess with 
 their Rights Members Jurisdicons privilidges hereditaments 
 & Appurtences to the said John Pell his heires and Assignes 
 to the Only Proper use Benefitt and behoofe of the said 
 John Pell his heires and Assigns forever, TO BEE 
 HOLDEN of his most Sacred Ma tie his heirs and Succes- 
 sors in free and Comon Soccage According to the Tenure of 
 East Grenwich in the County of Kent in his Maj tls Kingdom 
 of England YEILDING Rendring and Paying therefore 
 Yearly & Every yeare for ever unto his said Ma t,e his heirs 
 & Sussecc r s or to such Officer or officers as shall from time 
 to time be Appointed to Receive the same twenty Shillings 
 good and Lawfull mony of this Province att the Citty of 
 New Yorke on the five & twentith Day of the Month of 
 March in Liew and Stead of all Rents Services & Demands 
 whatsoever IN TESTIMONY whereof I have Signed these 
 Presents with my hand writing Caused the Seale of the 
 Province to be thereunto Affixed and have Ordained that 
 the Same bee Entred upon Record in the Secretarys Office 
 the five & twentyth Day of Octob r in the third yeare of the 
 Kings Ma tls Reigne And in the yeare of our Lord 1687 
 
 THO: DONGAN 
 
 May it please yo r Excelly 
 
 The Attourny Gen 11 has Perused this Grant and finds 
 nothing therein Conteined Prejudiciall to his Maj tis Intrest. 
 Examd Octob r 19 th 1687. W Nicolls 
 
 Att a Councill held att frortt James in New Yorke the five 
 & twentyth Day of October 1687 
 
 PRESENT His Excelly Mayor Antho:Brockholls Major 
 Stephanns V Courtlandt-Major ffred; Phillips Coll. Nich 
 Bayard M r James Graham. 
 
 This Pattent was Approved off And Passed 
 
 John Knight Dep Secry. 
 
380 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 XXII. 
 
 TOWN OF WESTCHESTER 
 
 A. 
 
 Grond Brief for Throckmorton's Neck. 1 
 
 We Willem Kieft Director General and the Council in 
 behalf of the High and Mighty Lords the States General 
 of the United Netherlands His Highness (Prince) of 
 Orange and the Noble Lords the Managers of the General 
 Incorporated West India Company in New Netherland 
 residing by these presents do publish and declare that we 
 on this day the date underwritten have given and granted 
 unto Jan Throckmorten a piece of land (being a portion 
 of Vreland) containing (as follows) along the East River 
 of New Netherland (extending from the point) half a mile 
 which piece of land aforesaid is surrounded on one side by 
 a little river and on the other side by a great Kil which river 
 and Kil in high water running into each other surround the 
 said land as will more clearly appear by a map of the same 
 which has been made and marked off by the Surveyor; with 
 the express conditions and terms that the said Jan Throck- 
 morton or they who by virtue of these presents shall suc- 
 ceed to his action, the Noble Lords the Managers aforesaid 
 shall acknowledge as their Lords and Patroons under the 
 sovereignty of the High and Mighty Lords the States 
 General; and unto their Director and Council here shall in 
 all things be conformed as all good citizens are in duty 
 bound: Provided also that the said Jan Throckmorton and 
 his Company (associates) shall furthermore be subject to 
 all such burdens and imposts as already have been enacted 
 by the Noble Lords and hereafter may yet be enacted. It 
 furthermore made and express condition that the aforesaid 
 Jan Throckmorten according to promise shall settle on the 
 
 1 This copy has been carefully compared with the recorded translation of 
 the original Dutch deed, in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany, 
 Patents, Book GG:i72, and is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
K<»// 
 
 I 
 
 >• 
 
 DRAUGHT OF THE BOUNDS CLAIMED BY THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER 
 RELATIVE TO PELL'S PURCHASE AND O'NEALL'S PATENT 
 
 (Westchester County). Original size 9 x "', 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 381 
 
 aforesaid lands as many families as may offer in the same 
 manner: Constituting over the said Throckmorten and his 
 Company in our Stead in the real and actual possession of 
 the aforesaid piece of land lying on the East River aforesaid 
 giving them by these Presents the full and irrevocable might 
 authority authority and special permission the aforesaid 
 parcel of land to enter cultivate inhabit and occupy in like 
 manner as he may lawfully do with other his patrimonial 
 lands and effects. Without our the Grantors in quality 
 aforesaid thereunto any longer having reserving or saving 
 any part action or controul whatever: but to the behoof as 
 aforesaid. From all desisting from this time forth and for 
 ever, Promising moreover this Transport firmly inviolably 
 and irrevocably to maintain fulfil and execute and to do all 
 that in equity we are bound to do. 
 
 Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland this 6th 
 day of July 1643 
 
 was signed 
 
 William Kieft 
 
 General 
 lower down 
 
 By order of the Noble Lords the Directors General and 
 Council of New Netherlands 
 
 Cornelis Van Tienhoven 
 
 Secy. 
 B. 
 
 Grove Farm Patent. 2 
 
 Recorded for Thomas Hunt Senior of the County of 
 
 Westchester 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Cap 1 Gen" Governour in Cheife 
 & vice Admirall in and over the Province of New Yorke and 
 
 2 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, VI 1123, at present on deposit 
 in the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. 
 
382 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 territoryes Depending thereon in America under his Ma tie 
 James the second by the Grace of God of England Scottland 
 ffrance & Ireland King Defender of the faith &c. TO all 
 to whom these presents shall come SENDETH GREET- 
 ING WHEREAS Thomas Hunt of the Westchester of 
 the county of Westchester stands seized of an Estate in fee 
 simple or one messuage or tennem* & a certaine tract or 
 parcell of land & meadow ground lyeing scituate & being 
 within the Limitts & bounds of the towne of Westchester 
 aforesaid on two certaine necks of land called by the name 
 & names of Spicers neck & Brochetts neck which said Mes- 
 suage or tennem' & parcell of land & premissess is now Called 
 & Distinguished & knowne by name of the Grove Farme of 
 Westchester being bounded on the East by a certaine cove 
 or bay which runs up to the north parte of Spicers neck on 
 the south by the sound on the west by the harbour & River 
 that runs up to the s d towne of Westchester & on the north 
 by A swamp & a certaine creeke which Runs into the said 
 River & Divides the Land Called Throckmortons Neck 
 from spicers neck Aforesaid KNOW YEE that by virtue 
 of the Commission & Authority from his most sacred 
 Majesty & power in me being & resideing in Consideracon 
 of the Quitt Rent herein after reserved & other good & 
 Lawfull Consideracons me thereunto moveing I HAVE 
 Given Granted Ratified & Confirmed & by these p r sents Doe 
 give Grant Ratifie & Confirme unto the said Thomas Hunt 
 his heires and Assigns for ever ALL the before Recited 
 Messuages or tennem ts or tract or parcell of land & premissess 
 with their & every of their Appurtennces together with all 
 & singuler houses out houses barns Stables orchards Gardens 
 Yards Lands Meadow Meadow ground Marshes pastures 
 feilds woods wood land under woods waters lakes Creeks 
 Coves hunting hawking fishing & fowleing & all Other 
 proffitts Commodityes Easements emolu ts hereditam* 3 & 
 appurtences to the Above Granted Messuages Lands & 
 Premissess belonging or in any wise Appurtaineing as Also 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 383 
 
 Liberty & freedom of Comonage for all sorts of Cattle 
 Cutting of timber & firewood in the comons & Comon wood 
 lands of Westchester abovesaid as other the Inhabitants of 
 the said towne of Westchester doe or may Injoy, TO 
 HAVE & TO HOLD the said Messuage or Tennem 1 
 Tract or parcell of Land & Premissess with all & singuler 
 the hereditam ts & appurtences thereunto belonging or apper- 
 taining & herein before Granted & Confirmed unto the said 
 Thomas Hunt his heires & assignes for ever unto the sole 
 & only proper use benefitt & behoofe of him the said Thomas 
 Hunt his heires & Assignes for Ever AND I the said 
 Thomas Dongan doe further will Declare & Grant to the 
 said Hunt his heires and Assignes that the messuages 
 Lands and tennements herein above Granted & Confirmed 
 Shall & may att all time & times here after for ever hold use 
 Retaine & keep the name of the Grove Farme of Westchester 
 & that by name & stile to be knowne Called & Distingueshed 
 in all bargains Sales escripts deeds Records & writeings the 
 said Messuage tenements Lands & premissess to BEE 
 HOLDEN of his most Sacred Majesty his heires & Succes- 
 sors in free & Comon soccage According to the tenure of 
 East Grenwich in the county of Kent in his Ma tis Kingdome 
 of England YEILDING Rendring & paying therefore 
 Yearly & Every yeare unto his most Sacred Ma tIe his heires 
 & Successors or to such officer or officers as from time to time 
 shall be Empowred to receive the same one bushell of good 
 winter wheate as A quitt Rent on or before the five & 
 twentyth Day of March att the Citty of New Yorke in liew 
 & stead of all Services dutyes & Demands Whatsoever IN 
 TESTIMONY of the premissess I have Caused these 
 presents to be Recorded in the secretaryes office & the seale 
 of the Province to be hereunto Affixed the 12 th day of 
 January In the second Yeare of his Ma tis Reigne And in the 
 yeare of our Lord 1686 
 
 THO: DONGAN 
 By Comand of his Excelly 
 Jsswinton 
 
384 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 May it please your Excelly the Attorney Generall hath 
 perused this pattent & finds nothing therein Contained 
 Prejudiciall to his Maj tis Intrest 
 
 Ja. Graham 
 Exam 23 Decemb r 1686 
 
 Att a Councill held att ffortt James in New Yorke the 
 12 th January 1686 
 
 PRESENT his Excellency Major Anthony Brockholls 
 Major ffred: Phillips Major Steph V. Courtlandt M r John 
 Spragge Major Gervis Baxter, This Pattent was Approved 
 off 
 
 Jsswinton Ct Council 
 
 C. 
 
 Grond Brief for Cornell's Neck. 3 
 
 We Willem Kieft Director General and the Council in 
 the behalf of the High and Mighty Lords the States 
 General of the United Netherlands (the Prince) of orange 
 and the Noble Lords the Managers of the Incorporated 
 West India Company in New Netherland residing by these 
 presents do publish and declare, that We on this day the 
 date underwritten, have given and granted unto Tomas 
 Coornel a certain piece of land lying on the East River 
 beginning from the Kil of Bronck land, East South East 
 along the river extending about a half Dutch Mile from 
 the river till to a little Creek over the Valey (Marsh) which 
 runs back around this land; with the express condition and 
 terms that the said Tomas Coornel or they who to his action 
 hereafter may succeed; the Noble Lords the Managers 
 aforesaid shall acknowledge as their Lords and patroons, 
 
 3 This copy has been carefully compared with the recorded translation 
 of the original Dutch deed, in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany, 
 Patents, Book GG:35i. 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 385 
 
 under the Sovereignty of the High and and Mighty Lords 
 the States General, and unto their director and Council here 
 Shall in all things be Conformed as all good Citizens are in 
 duty bound, Provided also that he Shall be furthermore 
 subject to all such burdens and imposts as by their Noble 
 Lords already have been enacted, or such as hereafter may 
 yet be enacted, Constituting over the Same the aforesaid 
 Tomas Cornel in our stead in the real and actual possession 
 of the aforesaid piece of land giving him by these presents 
 the full might, authority and special license the aforesaid 
 piece to enter, cultivate, inhabit, and occupy in like manner 
 as he may lawfully do with other his patrimonial lands and 
 effects without our the Grantors in the quality as aforesaid 
 thereunto any longer having reserving or saving any part 
 action or control whatever, But to the behoof as aforesaid 
 from all vesting from this time and for ever more promising 
 furthermore this their Transport, firmly inviolably and 
 irrevocably to maintain fulfil and execute, and furthermore 
 to do all that in equity we are bound to do, Without fraud 
 or deceit these presents are by us undersigned and confirmed 
 with our seal of red wax here underneath suspend, 
 
 Done in the Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland this 
 26 th July A.D. 1646 was undersigned 
 
 Willem Kieft 
 lower down stood 
 
 By order of the noble Lords the Director General and 
 the Council of New Netherland 
 
 Cornelius Van Tienhoven., 
 
 Secy r 
 
386 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 D. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Cornells Neck 4 
 
 A Confirmacon graunted to Wittm Willett for 
 a tract of Land called Cornells neck. 
 
 East River RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R &c WHEREAS there was 
 W m Willet a p a ttent or ground breife heretofore graunted by y e Dutch 
 Governo r Wittm Kieft unto Thomas Cornell for a certaine 
 tract or parcell of land since comonly called Cornells neck 
 scituate lying & being on y e Maine towards y e East Ryver, 
 or y e Sound, begining from y e Creeke or Kill of Broncks 
 land, upon an East South East lyne, so stretching along the 
 Ryver, about halfe a dutch myle. It conteins in breadth 
 from the said River to y e small Creek or Kill, w ch is beyond 
 y* meadow ground or valley that goes about y e said tract 
 or parcell of land, the said Patent or Ground breif bearing 
 date y e 26 th day of June 1646 And whereas y e said Thomas 
 Cornhill was at considerable expense charge as well in build- 
 ing upon as in manuring some part of/land & susteyned great 
 Losse in being forcibly driven of y e same by the Indians, & 
 y e Right, title & interest in y e p r misses being since devolved 
 upon Sarah Bridges one of the daughters of the said 
 Thomas Corhill deceased who having made proof of her 
 title at Law hath by deed of guift made over y e same w th 
 all her interest therein unto William Willett her oldest 
 sonne, ffor a confirmacon therefore unto him the said 
 William Willett in his possession & enjoym* of y e p r misses 
 KNOW yea that by vertue of y e Comission & authority unto 
 me given by his Royall Highnes I have given Ratified & 
 confirmed & graunted & by theise p r sents doe give Ratify 
 
 4 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, 11:47, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. Bolton says in his Hist. West. Co., (i88r Ed.), IL273, that the original 
 document is in the possession of Robert Ludlow, Esq. 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 387 
 
 confirme & graunt unto the said William Willett his heires 
 & assignes all y e foremenconed Tract & neck or necks or 
 parcell of land bounded as aforesaid Togeth r w th all soyles 
 woodlands, marshes, meadow ground, or valley pastures, 
 waters, lakes, Creeks, or Kills, Rivoletts, fishing hawking 
 hunting; & fowling & all oth r profitts, corhodityes, & 
 emolum ts to y* said tract parcell or necks of land belonging 
 or in any wise apperteyning, with their & every of their 
 appurtenances & of every parte & parcell thereof To have 
 & to hould &c The Patent is dated y e 15 th day of Aprili 
 1667/ 
 
 E. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Westchester 5 
 
 A Pattent Graunted to John Quimbe & oth rs 
 for a certaine Tract of Land w th in y e bounds of 
 Westchest r . 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R &c 6 WHEREAS There is 
 a certaine Towne w th in this Governm' Scituate lying & being 
 upon y e Maine to y e East of Harlem Ryver Comonly called 
 & knowne by y e name of Westchester, w ch said Towne 
 belon'gs to y e north Ryding of Yorkshire upon Long Island 
 & is now in y e Tenure or Occupation of severall Freeholders 
 
 5 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, IV 14.8, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. There is an original draft of this charter in N. Y. Col. MSS. Land 
 Papers, II:2o6, in New York State Library. A copy of the charter is printed 
 in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., (1881 Ed.). 
 
 6 In the copy printed in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., the following words 
 appear at this point: "Governor General under his Royal Highness James, 
 Duke of York and Albany, &c, of all his territories in America, to all to 
 whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting:" Apparently the copy in 
 Bolton was reproduced from the original, or a copy of the original, although 
 there is no indication as to its whereabouts. A search for it has been 
 unavailing. It is not unusual for the record copies in Albany to omit such 
 words as quoted above. 
 
388 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 & Inhabitants who haveing heretofore beene seated there 
 by Authority, have beene at considerable charge in manur- 
 ing & planting part of y e Lands belonging thereunto & have 
 likewise setled a competent number of Familyes thereupon 
 for a Towneship; Now for a Confirmation unto y e said 
 Freehold" & Inhabitants in their possession & Enjoym* of 
 y e p r misses, as also for an Encouragem 1 to them in their 
 further Improvem 4 of their lands & p r misses KNOW YEE 
 That by vertue of y e Comission & Authority unto me given 
 by his Royall Highness I have given Ratifyed confirmed & 
 graunted & by theise p r sents doe give Ratifye confirme & 
 graunt unto John Quinbe John Terris Nicholas Bayly 
 William Betts & Edward Waters as Patentees for & on y e 
 behalfe of themselves & their Associates y e ffreehold rs & 
 Inhabitants of y e said Towne their heires successo rs & 
 Assignes, All That Tract of Land togeth r w th y e severall 
 parcells not otherwise by Pattent disposed of w ch already 
 have or hereaff shall be purchased or procured for & on 
 y e behalfe of y e said Towne wheth r from y e native Indian 
 Proprieto" or others, w th in y e bounds & lymitts hereaft 1 " sett 
 forth & Exprest (vizt) That is to say y e westerne bounds 
 of y e Lands lyeing w th in y e lymitts of y e said Towne to begin 
 at y e west parte of y e Land corhonly called Bronckx Land 
 neare or adjoyning unto Harlem Ryver from whence they 
 extend Eastward to y e west parte of a certaine Neck of 
 Land corhonly called Anne Hooks neck or M r Pells pur- 
 chase Southward they are bounded by y e Sound or East 
 Ryver & so runne upon a paralell lyne from y e East & west 
 lymitts, North into y e woods w th out lymitation for Range 
 of Cattle or other Improvem* Togeth r w th all y e Lands 
 soyles Necks of Lands, Ryvers Creeks Harbours Quarryes 
 woods meadowes pastures marshes waters lakes fishing 
 Hawking Hunting & fowling, & all oth r profitts Comodityes 
 Emolum ts & hereditam ts to y e said Land & p r misses w th in y e 
 said bounds & lymitts described & sett forth belonging or 
 in any wise apperteyning TO HAVE & TO HOLD all and 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 389 
 
 singular y e said Tract & parcells of Land hereditam 18 & 
 p r misses w th their & every of their appurtenances & of every 
 parte & parcell thereof to y e said Pattentees & their Asso- 
 ciates their heires successo rs & assignes, to y e proper use & 
 behoofe of y e said Pattentees & their Associates their heires 
 successo" & Assignes for ever, MOREOVER I doe hereby 
 give ratifye Confirme & graunt unto y e said Pattentees & 
 their Associates their heires successo rs & Assignes All y e 
 Rights & priviledges belonging to a Towne w th in this 
 Governm*, And That y e place of their p r sent habitation shall 
 continue & retaine y e name of Westchesf by w ch name & stile 
 it shall be distinguish't & knowne in all bargaines & sales 
 Deeds wrytings & Records, they y e said Patentees & their 
 Associates their heires successors & Assignes Rendring & 
 Paying &c The Patent beares date y e Fifteenth day of 
 February in y e 19 th yeare of his Ma ties Raigne Annoq3 
 Domini 1667/ 
 
 F. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Westchester 7 
 
 Recorded for the Inhabitants of 
 the County of Westchester. 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Cap* Generall Governo r in Cheife 
 & vice Admirall in & over the province of New Yorke & 
 territoryes Depending thereon in America under his Ma tie 
 JAMES the second by the Grace of God King Engl d Scott- 
 land France & Ireland Defendor of the faith &c. TO all 
 to whom these presents shall come SENDETH GREET- 
 ING WHEREAS Richard Nicolls esq r Governour Gen" 
 under his then Roy 11 High ss James Duke of Yorke & Albany 
 &c now his present Majesty of all his territoryes in america 
 
 7 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, VI 1107, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, as 
 far as typography will allow, this is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. A copy is printed in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., 11:289. 
 
390 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 did by a certaine Writeing or Pattent under his hand & Seale 
 beareing Date the fivetenth Day of ffebruary in the nine- 
 teenth yeare of the Reigne of our late soverigne Lord King 
 Charles the second of Blessed Memory & in the yeare of 
 our Lord God one thousand Six hundred sixty Seven by 
 virtue of the power & Authority unto him given by his then 
 said Roy 11 High ss now his present Majesty as Aforesaid Give 
 Rattifie Confirme & Grant unto John Quimby John ffossis 
 Nicholas Baly William Betts & Edward Waters as pattentess 
 for & on the behalfe of themselves & their Associates the 
 freeholders & Inhabitants of the towne of Westchester 
 within this Governm* Scituate lyeing & being upon the 
 Maine to the east of harlem River which s d towne belongs 
 to the north rideing of Yorkshire upon Long Island then in 
 the tenure & Occupacon of severall ffreeholders & Inhabit- 
 ants who had theretofore been seated there by Authority 
 & at Considerable Charge in manuring & planting part of 
 the lands belonging thereunto and likewise had setled A 
 competent number of ffamjlyes thereupon for a township 
 ALL that tract of land together with the Severall parcells 
 not otherwise by pattent Disposed of which Already had 
 or thereafter should be purchased or procured for & on the 
 behalfe of the said towne whether from the native Indians 
 proprietors or others Within the boundes And limitts there- 
 after sett forth & exprest (viz*) the westerne bounds of the 
 lands lyeing within the limitts of the said towne begining att 
 the west parte of the land Comonly called broncks land 
 neare or adjoyneing unto Harlem River from whence they 
 extend Eastward to the west parte of A certaine neck of 
 Land Comonly called Ann hooks neck or M r Pells purchase 
 Southward they are bounded by the sound or east River & 
 so run upon a parallell line from the east & west limitts 
 north into the woods without limitacon for Range of Cattle 
 or other Improvements together with all the Lands sojles 
 necks of Land Rivers Creeks harbors Quarries woods 
 meadows pastures marshes waters lakes, ffishing hawking 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 391 
 
 hunting & fowleing & all other proffitts Commodityes 
 Emoluments & hereditaments to the said Land & premissess 
 within the said bounds & Limitts described & sett forth 
 belonging or in any wise Appurteineing TO HAVE & TO 
 HOLD All & singuler the said tract & Parcells of Land 
 hereditam ts & premissess with their & every of their 
 Appurtennces And of every parte & parcell thereof to the 
 said pattentes & their Associates their heires Successors & 
 Assignes forever, MOREOVER the said Richard Nicolls 
 Esq r Governo r Gen 11 as Aforesaid Did thereby ratifie con- 
 firme & grant unto the said pattentees & their Associates 
 their heires Successors & Assignes all the Rights & Privi- 
 lidges belonging to a towne within this Governm* & that the 
 place of their present habitacon Should Continue & retaine 
 the name of Westchester by which name & stile it shall be 
 Distingusht & knowne in all bargaines Sales Deeds writeings 
 & records they the said pattentees & their Associates their 
 heires Successors & Assignes rendring AND Paying such 
 Dutyes & Acknowledgm ts as then were or thereafter should 
 be constituted & established by the Laws of this Governm* 
 under the obedience of his then Roy 11 High ss now his present 
 Majesty his heires & Successors as by the said Writeing or 
 pattent Recorded in the Secretaryes Office for this Province 
 Relacon being thereunto had may more fully & att Large 
 Appeare AND whereas W m Richardson John Tuder & W ra 
 Barnes some of the freeholders of the said Towne of West- 
 chester at the request of the rest of the Freeholders of 
 said towne have made Applycacon unto me that I would 
 Confirme the premissess by pattent under the Seale of the 
 Province NOW KNOW YEE that I the said Thomas 
 Dongan by virtue of the power & Authority to me derived 
 from his most sacred Ma tie Aforesaid & in pursuance of the 
 same for & in Consideracon of the Quitt Rent herein After 
 reserved & other good & Lawfull Consideracons me there- 
 unto moveing have Given Granted Rattified Released & 
 Confirmed & by these Presents Doe Give Grant Ratifie 
 
392 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 Release & Confirme unto William Richardson John Hunt 
 Edward Waters Robert Hustis Richard ponten W m Barnes 
 John Bugbie John Bayly John Tuder John fferris Joseph 
 Palmer & Thomas Baxter ffree holders & inhabitants of 
 Westchester herein After Erected & made one body Corpo- 
 rate & politique & willed And Determined to be Called by 
 the name of the trustees of the freeholders & Commonalty 
 of the towne of Westchester & their Successors all the afore- 
 recited tracts within the limitts & bounds aforesaid together 
 with all & Singuler the houses messuages tennements build- 
 ings milnes milne Dams fencis Inclosures Gardens orchards 
 feilds pastures woods underwoods trees timber ffeedings 
 Comon of pasture meadows marshes Swamps Plaines Rivers 
 Rivoletts waters lakes ponds Brooks Streames beaches 
 Quarryes Mines Mineralls (Silver & gold mines Excepted) 
 Creeks harbors high wayes & Easements ffishing hawking 
 hunting & fowling & all other ffranchises proffitts Com- 
 modityes & hereditaments whatsoever to the said tracts 
 of Land & premissess belonging or in any wise Appurtaine- 
 ing or therewith all used Accepted reputed or taken to 
 belong or in any wise To Appertaine to all intents purposes 
 & construccons whatsoever as also all & singuler the rents 
 Arrearages of rents issues & profitts of the said tract of 
 land & premissess with their & every of their Appurtennces 
 unto the said W m Richardson John Hunt Edward Waters 
 Robert Hustis Richard ponton W m Barnes John Bugbie 
 John Bayly John Tuder John fferris Joseph Palmer & 
 Thomas Baxter trustees of the ffreeholders & Comonalty 
 of the towne of Westchester & their Successors for ever to 
 & for the severall & respective uses following & to no other 
 uses intents & purposes whatsoever that is to say as for & 
 concerning all & singuler the severall & Respective parcells 
 of land & meadow parte of the Granted premissess in any 
 wayes taken up & Appropriated either by pattent under the 
 hand of any of his Ma ties Governours in this Province & 
 Sealed with the Seale thereof or by perticuler Divisions 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 393 
 
 Settlem' 3 Alottments & grants by towne orders Either for 
 the planting of land or erecting of Saw Mills with all & 
 every the Privilidges of cutting of timber & pasture for 
 Cattle before the day of the Date hereof unto the Severall 
 & respective present {freeholders or Inhabitants Respectively 
 of the towne of Westchester by virtue of the before recited 
 Deed or pattent to the use benefitt & behoofe of the said 
 freeholders or Inhabitants Respectively & their severall & 
 Respective heires and Assignes forever AND as for & Con- 
 cerning all & every such parcell & parcells tract or tracts of 
 land Remainder of the Granted Premissess not taken up or 
 Appropriated to any perticuler Person or persons by virtue 
 of the before Recited Deed or pattent to the use & behoofe 
 of the present freeholders & Inhabitants their heires Suc- 
 cessors & Assignes for ever in proporcon to their Severall & 
 respective settlem ts Divisions & Allottm 13 as tenants in 
 comon without any lett hindrance or molestacon to be had 
 or reserved upon pretence of joynt tenancy or Survivorship 
 Any thing herein contained to the contrary in any wise Not- 
 withstanding, ALWAYES saveing to his most sacred Ma tie 
 Aforesaid his heires & Successors the severall rents & Quitt 
 rents reserved due & payable from Severall persons Inhabit- 
 ing within the limitts & bounds Aforesaid by virtue of 
 former Grants to them made & Given ALWAYES PRO- 
 VIDED that all & every Such person & persons That hold 
 any Land within the Limitts & bounds aforesaid by virtue 
 of perticuler Grants & pattents whatsoever to be Excluded 
 from haveing any Right of Comonage or perticuler division 
 of the Lands within the limitt & bound afores d that 
 remaines unpropropriated (sic) anything Contained herein 
 to the Contrary in any wayes notwithstanding TO BEE 
 HOLDEN of his said Majesty his heires & successers in 
 free & Comon soccage According to the manner of East 
 Grenwich in the County of Kent in his Majestyes realme of 
 England YEILDING Rendring & Paying therefore Yearly 
 & every Yeare from henceforth forever to our soverigne 
 
394 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 Lord the King his heires & successors or to such officer or 
 officers as shall be Appointed to receive the Same the Sume 
 of one Lamb or two shillings Curr" mony of this province 
 upon the five & twentyth day of March att New Yorke in 
 full of all Rents or former Reserved Rents Services 
 Acknowledgm ts & Demands whatsoever, AND whereas the 
 northerly bounds of said pattent Extends into the woods 
 without limitacon I Doe further declare & determine that 
 the northerly North east & North west bounds of said 
 towne of Westchester shall forever hereafter be Concluded 
 & Ascertained by the southerly line of the pattent of Oneal 
 & the south & west line of Thomas Pell, ALWAYES pro- 
 vided that it is the true intent & meaning hereof that nothing 
 Inserted here is to be Construed to prejudice the perticuler 
 Agreem* the said towne of Westchester Did make with W m 
 Richardson Concerning the saw & Grist Mill that he hath 
 Erected at his owne Proper Cost & Charge for the beneffitt 
 of s d towne Any thing herein Contained to the Contrary in 
 Any wayes notwithstanding, AND further by virtue of the 
 power & Authority to me the said Thomas Dongan Given 
 as Aforesaid & in pursuance of the same & for the Reasons 
 & Consideracons before recited I have Willed Determined 
 Declared & Granted & by these presents Doe Will Deter- 
 mine Declare & Grant that the said Inhabitants & ffree- 
 holders the ffreemen of Westchester aforesaid Comonly 
 called by the name of the freeholders & Inhabitants of the 
 towne of Westchester or by what ever name or names they 
 are called or named & their heires & Successors forever 
 henceforward are & shall bee one body corporate & politique 
 in deed & name by the name of the trustees of the ffree 
 holders & Comonalty of the towne of Westchester & them 
 by the name of the trustees of the ffreeholders & comonalty 
 of the towne of Westchester one body Corporate & politique 
 in deed & name I HAVE really & fully for his said Majesty 
 his heires & Successors erect d made ordained Constituted & 
 Declared by these p r sents & that by the same name they 
 
[No. xxm Grants 395 
 
 have Succession for ever & that they & their Successors by 
 the name of the trustees of the ffreeholders & comonalty of 
 the towne of westchester be & shall bee in future times per- 
 sons Able & Capable in law to have perceive receive & 
 possesse not only all & singuler the premissess butt other 
 Messuages Lands tennem ts Privilidges jurisdiccons fran- 
 chizes & hereditam ts of whatsoever kind or specie they 
 shall be to them & their Successors in ffee for ever, or for 
 the terme of A Yeare or Yeares or otherwise whatsoever 
 manner it be, AND also goods Chatties & all other things 
 of whatsoever name nature Quality or species they shall 
 bee And also to Give Grant Release Aliene Assigne & Dis- 
 pose of Lands tennem ts hereditam ts & all & every other 
 thing & things act & Acts to doe & Execute by the name 
 aforesaid AND that by the same name of the trustees of 
 the ffreeholders & comonalty of the towne of Westchester 
 to plead & be impleaded answer & be answered unto Defend 
 & be Defended they are & may be Capable in whatsoever 
 place & places & before whatsoever Judges & justices or 
 other persons or officialls of his said Maj tie his heires & 
 Successors in all & all manner of Accons plaints Suites Com- 
 plaints Causes matters & Demands whatsoever of what 
 kind Quality & species the same bee & shall bee in manner 
 & forme as any other of his Ma tls Leige people within this 
 province can or are Able to doe Have require receive pos- 
 sesse enjoye retaine Give Grant Release Aliene Assigne & 
 dispose plead & be impleaded answer & bee answered unto 
 Defend or be defended do permitt or execute, AND for the 
 better enabling the trustees of the ffreeholders & Common- 
 ality of the towne Westchester Aforesaid in doeing & 
 executing all & singuler the premissess I HAVE willed 
 Granted & determined & by these p r sents doe will Grant & 
 determine that from hence forward & for ever hereafter the 
 said trustees of the ffreeholders & Commonality of the 
 towne of Westchester Do & may have & use A comon Seale 
 which shall serve to Execute the causes & Affaires whatso- 
 
396 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 ever of them & their successors AND further I Will & 
 by these Presents on behalfe of his s d Majesty his heires & 
 Successors that henceforward for ever more there be & 
 shall bee trustees of the ffreeholders & Commonality of the 
 towne of Westchester Aforesaid to be Chosen & elected as 
 in these presents hereafter is menconed who shall bee & 
 shall bee Called the trustees of the ffreeholders & comon- 
 ality of the towne of Westchester And they & their Suc- 
 cessors shall & may be att all Convenient times hereafter 
 upon a publique sumons from any three of the trustees 
 Aforesaid for the time being Assemble & meet together in 
 the towne house of the said towne or in such other publique 
 place as shall be from time to time Appointed to make such 
 Acts & orders in writeing for the more Orderly Doeing of 
 the Premissess as they the said trustees of the ffreeholders 
 & Comonality of the towne of Westchester Aforesaid & 
 their Successors from time to time Shall & may think Con- 
 venient so Allwayes as the said Acts & Orders be in noe 
 wayes Repugnant to the Laws of England & of this province 
 which now are or hereafter may be established And that 
 they be not any wise Against the true intent & meaning of 
 these presents AND Also I will ordaine & Determine that 
 all & Singuler the Aforesaid Acts & Orders from time to 
 time shall be made & ordered by the vote of the Major 
 parte of the said trustees of the ffreeholders & Comonality 
 of the towne of Westchester Aforesaid or att least by the 
 Major parte of such of them as shall from time to time 
 Assemble & meet together in manner as afores d so Alwayes 
 as their be not fewer in Number then seven of the The 
 said Trustees present at such meetings so to be holden as 
 Aforesaid AND for the better Execucon of this Grant in 
 this behalfe I have Assigned nominated created Constituted 
 & made & by these presents Doe Assigne nominate Create 
 constitute & make W ra Richardson John Hunt Edward 
 Waters Robert Hustis Richard Ponton W m Barnes John 
 Bugbie John Bayly John Tuder John fferris Joseph Palmer 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 397 
 
 & Thomas Baxter to stand & be the first moderne trustees 
 of the freeholders & Commonalty of the towne of West- 
 chester to continue in the Aforesaid Office from & After 
 the Date of these Presents Untill the time that others be 
 Elected & Chosen in their Stead According to the manner 
 & forme herein After expresed AND moreover I Doe by 
 these Presents for & on the behalfe of his most sacred 
 Majesty Aforesaid his heires & Successors Appoint that 
 the trustees of the ffreeholders & Comonality of the towne 
 of Westchester & Clerk within the towne of Westchester 
 Aforesaid be Yearly Chosen on the first tuesday of May for 
 ever (Viz*) twelve trustees of the ffreeholders & Comon- 
 ality of the towne of Westchester one Clerke one Constable 
 & two Assessors in Such place as the trustees for the time 
 being shall appoint & Direct & that the trustees Constables 
 & Assessors be chosen by the Majority of vojces of the ffree- 
 holders & freemen of the towne of Westchester Aforesaid, 
 AND whereas there is an act of the Generall Assembly of 
 this province entituled an act for Defraying of the publick 
 & neccessary charge of each respective Citty towne & county 
 throughout this province wherein Amongst other things it 
 was Enacted & provided that Annually & once every Yeare 
 their should be Elected A certaine number out of which 
 Respective Citty towne & county throughout this province 
 to be Elected & chosen By the Major Parte of all the ffree- 
 holders & freemen which Certaine number so Duely elected 
 should have full power & Authority to make an Assessment 
 or Certaine rate w th in their Respective Cittyes townes & 
 Countyes Annually & once every Yeare which Assessm* & 
 certaine Rate so established as Aforesaid Shall be paid unto 
 A Certaine treasurer who shall be Chosen by the Major 
 parte of the ffreeholders & freemen of each Respective 
 Citty towne & County as Aforesaid, AND whereas the 
 said towne of Westchester is to be Regulated in the 
 premissess According to the tenor & Effect of the Afore 
 recited Act of Assembly entituled an act for Defraying of 
 
398 Colonial Charters TNo. xxii] 
 
 the Publick & neccessary Charge of each Respective Citty 
 towne & County throughout the Province NOW KNOW 
 YEE likewise that I have Given & Granted & by these 
 Presents Doe Give & Grant for & on behalfe of his said 
 Majesty his heires & Successors unto the said trustees of 
 the ffreeholders & Commonalty of the towne of Westchester 
 & their successors forever that the said trustees for the time 
 being forever shall bee the Commissioners of the said towne 
 & Execute & officiate in the said Offices to all intents Con- 
 struccons & purposess whatsoever, AND further that the 
 said trustees or commissioners of the said towne Shall have 
 power from time to time & att all times hereafter & by such 
 wayes & meanes to levy & impose Such Sume & Sumes of 
 mony as they shall think fitt for Defraying the necessary & 
 publick Charges of the said towne & that for the more 
 orderly doeing thereof they shall & may from time to time 
 Give such Directions unto the Assessors Yearly to be Chosen 
 for the Said towne how & After what manner to proceed in 
 their Assessm ts of Such Sume & Sumes of mony as aforesaid 
 on the Estates of Each of the Respective Inhabitants And 
 freeholders of the said towne And the said Sumes of mony 
 when so Raised & paid into the hands of the treasurer of the 
 said towne as Aforesaid to order the paym* Disbursing Dis- 
 posall thereof to such persons & to & for the uses Aforesaid 
 in such manner as to them shall seem meet & Convenient & 
 further that all & singuler the Acts & orders of the said 
 trustees for the time being in the premissess shall be Cer- 
 tified under the said Comon Seale & signed by the President 
 of the said trustees for the time being, who is Alwayes to be 
 first Chosen of the said trustees or in his Absence by any 
 other three of the said Trustees of which the treasurer & 
 Assessors of the said towne for the time being & all others 
 Persons are to take due notice AND Lastly T Give & Grant 
 for & on behalfe of his said Majesty his heires & Successors 
 by these Presents to all & every person & persons & to what- 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 399 
 
 soever Person subject to his said Ma tie his heires & Suc- 
 cessors free & Lawfull power Abillity & Authority that they 
 or any of them any messuages tennements Lands Meadows 
 feedings Pastures woods underwoods Rents revercons 
 Services & other hereditam ts whatsoever within the said 
 towne of Westchester which they hold of his said Majesty 
 his heires & Successors unto the Aforesaid trustees of the 
 ffreehold r s & Commonality of the towne of Westchester & 
 their successors shall & may give Grant Bargaine Sell & 
 Alienate TO HAVE HOLD & enjoy unto the said trustees 
 of the ffree holders & Commonality of the towne of West- 
 chester & their successors for ever, YEILDING & paying 
 therefore unto his said Majesty his heires & successors on 
 the said five & twentyth Day of March Yearly & every 
 Yeare for ever the full & just Sume of five & thirty shillings 
 Currant mony of this province att New Yorke Wherefore 
 by virtue of the power & Authority Aforesaid I Doe Will 
 & Command for & on behalfe Of his said Majesty his heires 
 & Successors that the Aforesaid trustees of the {freeholders 
 & Commonality of the towne of Westchester & their Suc- 
 cessors have hold use & enjoye & that they Shall & may for 
 ever have hold use & enjoye all the libertys Authorityes 
 Customes orders ordinances ffranchizes Accquittainses 
 Lands tennements & hereditam ts Goods & Chatties Afore- 
 said According to the tenure & Effect of these Presents 
 without the lett or hindrance of any person or Persons what- 
 soever IN TESTIMONY whereof I have Caused the Seale 
 of the province to be hereunto Affixed & these Presents to 
 be hereunto Affixed in the Secretarys Office WITTNESSE 
 my hand Att ffortt JAMES the sixth Day of January 1686. 
 And in the Second Yeare of his s d Majestyes Reigne 
 
 Tho Dongan 
 By his excellys Command 
 Jsswinton 
 
 '&* 
 
400 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 May it Please your Excellency. 
 
 The Attourny Gen 11 hath perused this Pattent & finds 
 nothing Contained therein Prejudiciall to his Ma tls Int r est 
 Exam 5 th January 1686/7 J a « Graham 
 
 Att A Council held att ffortt James in New Yorke 
 the 6 th January 1686/7 
 
 PRESENT His Excellency the Governo r 
 Major Antho Brockholls 
 Major ffred Phillips 
 Major S: V: Courtlandt 
 M r John Spragge 
 Major Gervis Baxter 
 
 This Pattent was Approved off. 
 
 Jsswinton Ct Counil 
 
 G. 
 
 Royal Charter for Westchester 8 
 
 RECORDED for the Mayor Aldermen & 
 Comon Council of the town of — Westchester. 
 
 WILLIAM the third by the Grace of God of England 
 Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the faith 
 &c To all to whome these presents shall come sendeth 
 greeting WHEREAS Richard Nicolls Esqr sometime Gov- 
 ernour Generall of Our Province of Newyorke in America 
 by a certaine writeing or Patent under his hand & seale 
 bearing date on or about the fifteenth day of ffebruary in 
 the year of Our Lord God One thousand six hundred sixty 
 seven by virtue of the power and authority unto him given 
 
 8 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, VII :i2, at present on deposit 
 in the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. There is a slightly different copy printed in Bolton, Hist. West. Co., 
 (1881), 11:301, which is said to be, "from a certified copy of the original in 
 the possession of the late Ogden Hammond, Esq." 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 401 
 
 did give ratify confirme & grant unto John Quinby John 
 Ferris Nicholas Baily William Betts and Edmund Waters 
 as Patentees for and On behalfe of themselves and their 
 associates the freeholders and Inhabitants of the Towne 
 of Westchester (within our said Province of Newyorke All 
 that tract of land scituate lyeing and being upon the Maine 
 to the East of Harlem River then in the tenure and 
 occupacon of the abovesaid patentees and severall other 
 ffreeholders and Inhabitants of the said Town who before 
 that time by authority had been setled there and had been 
 at considerable charge in manureing and planting part of 
 the Lands belonging thereunto And likewise had setled a 
 competent number of familyes thereupon for a Township 
 the boundaryes and limites whereof were therein sett forth 
 and exprest as follows (viz*) the Westerne bounds of the 
 said Land then lying within the limites of the said Towne 
 did beginn at the west part of the Land commonly called 
 Broncks land neere or adjoyning to Harlem river aforesaid 
 from whence they extend Eastward to the west part of a 
 certaine neck of Land commonly called Ann Hooks neck or 
 M r Pells purchase southward they are bounded by the 
 sound or east river and so to run up a paralell line from 
 the east and west limites north into the woods without 
 limitacon for range of Cattle and other improvements 
 together with all the land soyles necks of land rivers creeks 
 harbours quarrys woods meadows pastures marshes Lakes 
 waters fishing hawkings huntings and fowlings and all other 
 profites commodityes Emoluments And hereditaments to the 
 said land and premisses within the said bounds and limites 
 described and set forth belonging or in any manner of wayes 
 appertaining TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular 
 the said Tracts & parcells of land hereditaments and 
 premisses with their and every of their appurtenances and 
 every part and parcell thereof to the said patentees and 
 their associates their heirs successours and assignes for ever 
 AND MOREOVER the said Richard Nicolls Esqr as 
 
402 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 Governour Generall as aforesaid did thereby ratify con- 
 firme and grant unto the said Patentees and their associates 
 their heirs successours and assignes all the rights and 
 priviledges belonging to a Town within this Government 
 and that the place of their then present habitacon should 
 continue and retaine the name of Westchester by which 
 name and stile it was to be distinguished and knowne in all 
 bargains sales deeds writeings and records they the said 
 patentees and their Associates heirs successours and assignes 
 rendring and paying such dutyes and acknowledgments as 
 then were or thereafter should be constituted or established 
 by the Laws of the said Province as by the said writeing or 
 Patent now remaining upon the records of the Secretarys 
 office relacon being thereunto had may more at large appear 
 AND WHEREAS afterwards on or about the sixth day 
 of January in the year of Our Lord God One thousand six 
 hundred and eighty six upon the peticon of severall of the 
 ffreeholders of the said Town of Westchester in behalfe of 
 themselves and the rest of the ffreeholders and Inhabitants 
 of the said Towne directed to Coll Thomas Dongan then 
 Captain Generall and Governour in Cheife of Our said 
 Province The said Coll Thomas Dongan by virtue of the 
 power and authority to him derived in and by a certaine 
 instrument in writeing under his hand and seal of Our said 
 Province of New yorke whose date is the day and year last 
 abovesaid for the consideracon therein menconed did give 
 grant ratifye release and confirme unto twelve of the ffree- 
 holders and Inhabitants of the said Town of Westchester 
 and therein and thereby made them one body corporate and 
 politick and willed and determined them to be called and 
 known by the name of the Trustees of the ffreeholders and 
 Comonalty of the Town of Westchester and their Succes- 
 sours all the aforesaid tracts and parcells of land within the 
 limites and bounds aforesaid together with all and singular 
 the houses messuages Tenements buildings mills milldamms 
 fences inclosures gardens orchards feilds pastures woods 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 403 
 
 underwoods Common of pastures meadows marshes swamps 
 creeks harbours and all other profites comodityes & heredit- 
 aments whatsoever to the said Tracts of Land and premisses 
 belonging or in any manner of wayes appertaining TO 
 HAVE AND TO HOLD unto them the said Trustees of 
 the ffreeholders and Comonalty of the said Towne of 
 Westchester and their Successours forever to and for the 
 severall and respective uses therein menconed (that is to 
 say) as for and concerning All and singular the severall and 
 respective parcells of land & meadow part of the abovesaid 
 granted premisses then in any wayes taken up and appro- 
 priated either by Patent under the hand of any of his 
 Majestyes Governours in this Province and sealed with the 
 seal thereof or by particular divisions settlements allot- 
 ments and grants by Town orders either for the planting 
 of land or erecting of Sawmills with all and every the 
 priviledges of cutting of timber and pasture for Cattle 
 before the day of the date thereof unto the severall and 
 respective then present ffreeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 said Town of Westchester by virtue of the beforerecited 
 deed or Patent to the use benefite and behoof of the s d ffree- 
 holders and Inhabitants respectively and their severall and 
 respective heirs and assignes forever And as for and con- 
 cerning all and every such Tracts and parcells of Land 
 Remainder of the granted premisses not then taken up and 
 appropriated to any particular person or persons by virtue 
 of the before recited deed or Patent to the use benefite and 
 behoofe of the then present ffreeholders & Inhabitants their 
 heirs successours and assignes forever in proporcon to their 
 severall and respective settlements divisions and allotments 
 as Tennants in Common without any lett hindrance or 
 molestacon to be had upon pretence of Joynttennancy or 
 survivourship therein saving to his then Majesty his heirs 
 and Successours the severall rents and quitt rents reserved 
 due and payable from severall persons inhabiteing within 
 the Limites and bounds aforesaid by virtue of former grants 
 
404 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 to them made and given Alwayes provided that all and 
 every such person and persons that hold any lands within 
 the limites and bounds aforesaid by virtue of the particular 
 grants or Patents are forever to be excluded from having 
 any right or corhonage or particular division of any of the 
 lands within the limites and bounds aforesaid that then 
 remaind unappropriated to be holden of us Our heirs and 
 Successours in ffree and Comon Soccage according to the 
 Mannour of East Greenwich in the County of Kent within 
 Our Realme of England under a certaine yearly quitrent 
 therein reserved due and payable unto Us Our Heirs and 
 Successours AND WHEREAS the northerly bounds of the 
 first recited Patent extends into the woods without Limita- 
 con The said Coll Thomas Dongan did in and by the last 
 abovemenconed Patent and Confirmacon declare and deter- 
 mine that the northerly northeast and Northwest bounds of 
 the said Town of Westchester should forever hereafter be 
 concluded and ascertained by the southerly Line of the 
 Patent of Oneale and the south and west line of Thomas 
 Pell as By the last aboverecited Patent relacon being there- 
 unto had may more at large appear AND FORASMUCH 
 as the present Trustees and other the ffreeholders and 
 Inhabitants of the said Town of Westchester have lately by 
 their humble peticon to our trusty and welbeloved Benjamin 
 Fletcher Our Captaine Generall and Governour in Cheife 
 of Our said Province of Newyorke in America prayed Our 
 Charter or Patent of Confirmacon of all those severall 
 tracts and parcells of land and other the premisses to them 
 granted as aforesaid And that the said Town of West- 
 chester and all and singular the Lands and tenements there- 
 unto belonging and appertaining may forever hereafter be 
 a ffree Borrough and Town corporate NOW KNOW YEE 
 That We do by this Our Royall Patent or Charter of Con- 
 firmacon for us our Heirs and Successours Grant Ratify 
 Approve and Confirme unto the said Trustees of the ffree- 
 holders and Inhabitants of Our said Town of Westchester 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 405 
 
 and to their successours and assignes forever all the severall 
 Tracts and Parcells of Land herein before recited whose 
 limeets and bounds are forever hereafter to be taken and 
 esteemed and to be and remaine as follows (Viz 1 ) the 
 westerne bounds thereof are to beginn at the west part of 
 the Land commonly called broncks land neere or adjoyning 
 to Harlem River from whence they are to extend eastward 
 to the west part of a neck of Land commonly called Ann 
 Hooks neck or the westermost bounds of M r Pells Patent 
 Southward by the sound and East river and so to runn up a 
 parallell line from the East and West limites north into the 
 woods untill it meet the Southerly line of the Patent of 
 Oneale and the south and west line of Thomas Pells Patent 
 TOGETHER with all and singular the houses messuages 
 Tenements Ereccons and buildings mills milldamms fences 
 inclosures gardens Orchards feilds pastures Corhon of 
 pasture meadows marshes swamps plains woods underwoods 
 timber trees river, rivoletts runns streams waters lakes 
 ponds pools pitts beaches quarrys mines mineralls (halfe of 
 gold and silver mines excepted) Creeks harbours highwayes 
 easements fishing hunting and fowleing and all other fran- 
 chises profites Comodityes hereditaments and appurtenances 
 whatsoever to the same belonging or in any manner of 
 wayes appertaining or therewithall used and enjoyed as 
 part parcell or member thereof or accepted reputed or taken 
 to be long or in anywise to appertain thereunto TO HAVE 
 AND TO HOLD and Enjoy all and singular the aboves d 
 tracts and parcells of land hereditaments and premisses 
 with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said 
 Trustees of the ^freeholders and Inhabitants of the said 
 Borrough and Town of Westchester and their Successours 
 forever to and for the severall and respective uses following 
 and to no other use intent or purpose whatsoever (that is 
 to say) as for and concerning all and singular the severall 
 and respective parcells of upland and meadow ground part 
 of the abovegranted premisses in any wise taken up and 
 
406 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 appropriated either by Patent under the hand of any of 
 Our former Governours of this Our Province and sealed 
 with the seale thereof or by grant from the abovemenconed 
 Trustees or by particular divisions settlements allotments 
 and grants by Towne Orders either for planting of Land 
 or erecting of sawmills with all and every the priviledges of 
 cutting of timber & pastures for Cattle before the date of 
 these presents and that by virtue of any the herein before- 
 recited grants or patents or any of them shall be and 
 remaine to the use and behoofe of such of the severall and 
 respective ffreeholders and Inhabitants respectively and 
 their severall and respective heirs and assignes forever and 
 particularly one agreement made by the Trustees of the said 
 Towne bearing date the second day of December One 
 thousand six hundred ninety and four with one Richard 
 Ward relateing to the streame of the great Creeke within 
 the said Town on which Coll Caleb Heathcote and the said 
 Richard Ward who are now equally concerned therein are 
 erecting of sundry mills And as for and concerning all & 
 every other the Tracts and parcells of upland and meadow 
 ground remainder of the above granted premisses and yet 
 taken up or appropriated by any particular person or per- 
 sons as aforesaid to be and remaine to the only propper use 
 and behoofe of the said Trustees of the ffreeholders and 
 Inhabitants of the said Borrough and Towne of West- 
 chester and to their Successours and assignes forever and to 
 no other use intent or purpose whatsoever TO BE 
 HOLDEN of Us Our Heirs and Successours according to 
 the Mannour of East Greenwich in the County of Kent 
 within Our Realme of England in ffree and Common soccage 
 Rendring & paying unto Us Our heirs and Successours or to 
 the hands of Our Receiver Generall of Our said Province 
 of Newyorke for the time being or to such other officer or 
 officers as shall be appointed to receive the same for and 
 out of the said Tracts and parcells of land and other the 
 p r misses the sume of thirty shillings Currant money of 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 407 
 
 Newyorke upon every five and twentyeth day of March for- 
 ever hereafter AND WEE DOE further give and grant 
 unto the freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne of 
 Westchester and to their Heirs and Assignes forever full 
 power and authority annually and once every year and that 
 upon the first munday in the month of May That they the 
 said ffreeholders and Inhabitants shall and may as formerly 
 hath been accustomed in the said Towne elect and choose 
 twelve ffreeholders for their Trustees who shall have full 
 power and authority or the Maj r part of them to order and 
 dispose of all or any part of the undivided Land within the 
 s d Town limites & precincts Thereof as fully and amply to 
 all intents construccons and purposes as formerly they have 
 used and been accustomed to doe AND FURTHER of our 
 Especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon Wee 
 do for us our heirs and Successours grant constitute ordaine 
 and appoint by this Our present Charter That all and 
 singular the Lands tenements and hereditaments herein 
 before in this our said Royall Charter and Grant granted 
 and confirmed or menconed or intended to be granted and 
 confirmed shall from henceforth forever be a ffree Borrough 
 or corporacon excepting and alwayes reserving out of the 
 said Burrough or Corporacon all that Tract of Land 
 scituate and being upon the East side of Harlem River 
 aforesaid and which did formerly belong to Coll Lewis 
 Morris Deceased and which now is in the tenure and 
 cccupacon of James Graham Esqr and to be and remaine 
 out of the jurisdiccon of the said Corporacon AND FUR- 
 THER of our Especiall Grace certaine knowledge and 
 meere mocon do for us Our Heirs and Successours grant 
 constitute ordaine and appoint by this our p r sent Charter 
 that the said Town of Westchester and all and singular the 
 Lands and Tenements thereunto belonging and appertain- 
 ing may forever hereafter be a ffree borrough and Town 
 Corporate and shall be called the Burrough & Towne of 
 Westchester And that in the said Town corporate there 
 
408 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 shall be a body politick consisting of a May r six Aldermen 
 and six Assistants or Corhon Council of the said Borrough 
 & Town of Westchester to continue in succession forever 
 And for the more full and perfect ereccon of the said Cor- 
 porator* and body politick to consist continue and be of A 
 Mayor six Aldermen & six Assistants or Comon Council of 
 the said Borrough or Towne to be called and knowne by the 
 name of the Mayor Aldermen & Comonalty of the Bur- 
 rough and Towne of Westchester WEE of Our Especiall 
 Grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon do by these 
 presents for us Our Heirs and Successours Create make 
 ordain constitute nominate and appoint Our Trusty and 
 welbeloved Coll Caleb Heathcote Esqr One of Our Counsel- 
 lours of Our said Province of Newyorke to be the first and 
 Now Mayor of the said Town and Borrough of West- 
 chester and to continue in the said office untill the first 
 munday in the month of May which shall be in the ninth 
 year of Our reigne AND WEE do likewise Create make 
 ordaine constitute nominate and appoint William Barnes 
 John Hunt William Willet Thomas Baxter Josiah Hunt and 
 John Baily Gent, to be first Aldermen of the said Borrough 
 and Towne of Westchester And Israeli Honnewell Robert 
 Huestis Samuel Heustis Samuell Ferris Daniel Turner and 
 Miles Ockley Gent, the first assistants & Common Council 
 of the said Borrough & Towne And that the said Mayor 
 Aldermen & Common Council and there successours shall 
 forever hereafter be in name & in deed a body corporate 
 and politick and shall forever hereafter be called and 
 knowne in all courts whatsoever plead and be impleaded by 
 the name of the Mayor Aldermen and Comonalty of the 
 Borrough and Town of Westchester AND of our further 
 grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon and to the intent 
 that the said corporacon and body politick by these presents 
 created and begunn as aforesaid may have perpetuall succes- 
 sion and continue forever WEE DO by these presents for 
 us our Heirs and Successours grant unto the said Mayor 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 409 
 
 Aldermen and Common Council and their Successours for- 
 ever that the said Mayor and Aldermen of the said Bor- 
 rough & Towne of Westchester for the time being shall 
 and may from time to time whensoever and as often as they 
 shall think meet admitt and receive under the Cornon seale 
 of the said corporacon to be of the Comonalty of the said 
 Borrough and Towne such and so many persons as the said 
 Mayor and Aldermen or the May r for the time being and 
 the greater part of the said Aldermen shall think meet and 
 that every such person and persons by them the said Mayor 
 and Aldermen or the greater part of them as aforesaid to 
 be admitted and received as aforesaid shall immediatly after 
 such admission be ffreemen of the said Borough and Towne 
 & members of the said body politick and have and enjoy all 
 such the same and so many priviledges franchises and immu- 
 nityes as if the said persons so to be admitted had been 
 specially and particularly named in this our said Royall 
 Charter to be of the said Comonalty AND FURTHER 
 WEE of Our Especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere 
 mocon do by these presents for us Our heirs and Successours 
 give and grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Common 
 Council of the said Borrough and Towne of Westchester 
 that they and their Successours shall from henceforth for 
 ever be a politick and incorporate in deed and in name and 
 by these presents fully and absolutely make create constitute 
 establish and unite the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon 
 Council into one body politick and incorporate to indure 
 and continue forever and them and their Successours do 
 declare accept and allow for a perfect corporation and body 
 politick forever and that the said body politick and corpo- 
 rate shall be called and knowne forever by the name of the 
 Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the Borrough and 
 Towne of Westchester and that by that name they and their 
 Successours shall be able persons in Law to make all manner 
 of contracts and grants and to make receive and take all 
 manner of gifts grants and purchases as any other naturall 
 
410 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 person or body politick is able to make receive and take by 
 the Laws of Our Realme of England and this Our Province 
 and that they and their Successours shall and may by that 
 name implead any other Person or persons or be impleaded 
 in any Court or Courts in all and all manner of causes and 
 accons reall & personall or mixt of what kinde or nature 
 soever and claime and demand their libertyes and franchises 
 before any Judge or Judges Ecclesiasticall or secular and 
 otherwise do and Execute all and every act and acts thing 
 and things what so ever which any other leidge men which 
 are Enabled and made capable of the benefite of Our Laws 
 within Our Realme of England or this Our Province of 
 Newyorke can or may lawfully do or execute AND FUR- 
 THER of Our Especiall grace certaine knowledge and 
 meere mocon we do by these presents for us Our Heirs and 
 Successours give and grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Comon Council that the said Coll Caleb Heathcote and 
 his Successours Mayors of the said Town and Borrough of 
 Westchester aforesaid for the time being shall have the 
 charge of ffree Government of the said Borrough and 
 Towne of Westchester during the time of his and their 
 bearing the said Office in as absolute and ample manner as 
 is usuall and customary with other Mayors in the like cor- 
 poracons in our Realme of England. AND FURTHER 
 Because the said Mayor for the time being may many times 
 have just occasion to be absent from the said Towne either 
 of the publick affairs thereof or for his own private respects 
 Wee doe therefore for us Our Heirs and Successours by 
 these presents give and grant unto the said Mayor Alder- 
 men and Comon Council and their Successours That the said 
 Coll Caleb Heathcote and his Successours Mayors of the 
 said Borrough and Towne of Westchester and every of 
 them shall have full power and authority from time to time 
 during his year of Government with the consent of the said 
 Aldermen of the said towne for the time being or the greater 
 part of them to substitute in his absence some discreet and 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 41 1 
 
 substantiall person being One of the members of the said 
 Aldermen Inhabiting in the said Towne or Borrough to be 
 his Deputy Mayor of the said Towne during the absence 
 of the said Mayor And such Deputy Mayor for the time 
 being Wee do by these presents fully and absolutely author- 
 ize to do and execute all things whatsoever belonging to the 
 said office or place of Mayor in as large and ample manner 
 as if the said Mayor himselfe was personally present AND 
 WEE DO further by these presents give & grant unto the 
 s d Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council of the said Bor- 
 rough and Town of Westchester and their Successours for- 
 ever that the said Mayor for the time being or his lawfull 
 Deputy & any two or more of the said Aldermen of the said 
 Town shall and may lawfully hold and keep upon the first 
 tuesday in every month throughout the year a Court within 
 the said Towne of Westchester and therein shall have full 
 power and Authority to hold plea of all manner of debts 
 covenants trespasses accompts detinues demands and all 
 other accons personall of what kinde or nature soever the 
 same be ariseing and growing only within the said Borrough 
 or Towne of Westchester and the limites thereof so as the 
 same do not exceed in debt or damages the sume of twenty 
 pounds Currant money of this Our Province who shall have 
 power to hear and determine the same pleas and accompts 
 according to the rules of the Common Law of our realm 
 of England and the Acts of Generall Assembly of this Our 
 Province of Newyorke AND FURTHER of Our like 
 Especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon We 
 do by these presents for us Our heirs and Successours give 
 and grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon 
 Council of the said Borrough and Town of Westchester 
 and their Successours forever that they and their Successours 
 forever shall have a Common seal under which they shall 
 passe all grants warrants deeds and specialtyes and other 
 the affairs and businesse of or concerning the s d corporacon 
 which shall be engraven with such forme and inscription as 
 
412 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 shall be devised by the Mayor Aldermen & Comon Council 
 of the said borrough and Towne that the said Mayor Alder- 
 men & Comon Councill shall and may build or cause to be 
 built in some convenient place of the said Town a Comon 
 hall or Town house to be called by the name of the Town 
 hall of the burrough and Town of Westchester where the 
 said Mayor and Aldermen and Comon Councill shall and 
 may from henceforth forever lawfully assemble themselves 
 to deliberate and consult touching the publick welfare of 
 the said borrough and Towne of Westchester and that they 
 and their Successours shall and may from henceforth be a 
 ffree guild mercaturie and that they or the greater part of 
 them and their Successours of which the Mayor to be one 
 shall and may from time to time in their publick Council 
 freely and lawfully make and Establish all such ordinances 
 Statutes orders or by Laws as may tend to the good and 
 wholsome government of the said Borrough and Town and 
 to the publick benefite of the Inhabitants of the same not 
 being repugnant to the Comon Laws and Statutes of Our 
 Realme of England and this Our Province of Newyorke and 
 such ordinances by laws statutes orders and decrees as shall 
 be made by them as aforesaid Wee do by these presents for 
 Us Our heires and Successours ratify confirme and allow as 
 good and effectuall to binde all the Inhabitants of the said 
 borrough and Towne and do expressly will and Command 
 by these presents that the same be duely put in Execucon 
 And that the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council 
 shall at any time or times hereafter have full power to 
 Establish a ferry over the sound betwixt the said corpora- 
 tion and the Island of Nassaw in such convenient place or 
 places as to the said Mayor and the greatest part of the 
 said Aldermen shall seem meet and convenient and to take 
 such ffees & perquisites for the same for the use of the said 
 Corporacon as is now paid for the Ferryage between New 
 yorke and the said Island AND FURTHER for the more 
 orderly Government of the said Borrough and Towne 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 413 
 
 according to the forme of the best governed Towns and 
 Corporacons of Our Realm of England Wee do by these 
 presents for us Our Heirs and Successours give and grant 
 unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council of the 
 said borrough and Towne of Westchester full power to 
 Elect and nominate one discreet and sufficient person learned 
 in the Law to be Recorder and Towne Clerke of the same 
 borrough and Towne of Westchester during the pleasure of 
 the said Mayor and Aldermen & Comon Councill and such 
 person or persons as they the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comon Council shall choose to be Recorder and Towne 
 Clerke of the said Borrough and Towne We do for us Our 
 heirs and Successours make ordaine and constitute Recorder 
 and Towne Clerke of the said Borrough and Town and that 
 the said person or persons may execute their said Offices by 
 themselves or lawfull Deputy or Deputys so that the same 
 be first approved off by the said Mayor and the Major part 
 of the said Aldermen And wee do hereby authorize the said 
 Recorder and Town Clerke or his or their lawfull Deputy 
 or Deputys to use and exercise all such jurisdiccons and 
 authorityes as the Recorder and Town Clerke doth or ought 
 to do in the like corporacons in Our Realme of England. 
 AND FURTHER Wee do by these Presents for us Our 
 Heirs and Successours make ordaine and constitute the said 
 Mayor and Aldermen of the said Borrough and Towne of 
 Westchester to be Justices of the peace within the said 
 bounds and limites of the said Towne and do hereby give 
 them full power and authority to do and execute all and 
 every act and acts thing and things whatsoever within the 
 said bounds and Limites of the said borrough and Towne 
 in as absolute and ample manner as any Justices of the peace 
 within the said County of Westchester may or ought to do 
 by the Laws and statutes of our Realme of England and 
 this our Province of New yorke AND WEE do further for 
 Us our Heirs and Successours give and grant unto the said 
 Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council of the said borrough 
 
414 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 for the time being and to their Successours forever full 
 power and autho[rity]* to nominate and appoint from time 
 to time one serjeant of th[e] Mace and all other inferiour 
 Officers and Ministers which they shall think to be con- 
 venient and necessary and which are accustomary in any of 
 Our Corporacons in Our Realme of England for the service 
 of the said borrough and Towne all which Officers being 
 from time to time appointed by the said Mayor and Alder- 
 men as aforesaid Wee do for us our Heirs and Successours 
 by these Presents Constitute and establish in their severall 
 Offices and do Give them an[d] Every of them full power 
 and authority to use and exercise the same within the said 
 borrough and Town and within the limites and franchises 
 thereof during the will and pleasure of the said Mayor 
 and Aldermen as fully and freely as any other the like 
 Officers in or of any of the like Corporacons in Our Realme 
 of England lawfully may or ought to doe and the said Office 
 of Mayor shall from thenceforth forever be Annuall. And 
 that the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council shall 
 from henceforth forever have franck and ffree Eleccon of 
 the said Mayor to be chosen yearly out of the number of 
 the said Aldermen and that by the vote of the greatest 
 number of the said ffreeholders and Inhabitants of the said 
 Corporacon And all other the s d Officers and Ministers out 
 of the rest of the number of the said ffreeholders and 
 inhabitants by the greater number of the Mayor Aldermen 
 and Comon Council And when and so often as any of the 
 aforesaid Aldermen and Comon Council who are hereby 
 nominated and created for their life time or untill they or 
 any of them shall be lawfully removed or voluntarily remove 
 themselves from the said corporacon the said Aldermen to 
 be elected and chosen out of the number of the said Common 
 Councill, and the number of the Comon Councill to be 
 chosen & made up out of the ffreemen of the said corporacon 
 
 *A11 matter in brackets is illegible in the original and has been filled in 
 from other sources where possible. 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 415 
 
 by the greater vote of the s d freeholders and Inhabitants 
 thereof and that alwayes within fourteen dayes after death 
 or removeall of any of them as aforesaid AND FURTHER 
 Our will and pleasure is that the first munday in the month 
 of May yearly shall be forever the day of eleccon of the 
 said mayor and all other the said Officers and Ministers 
 which shall yearly succeed in the said borrough unlesse the 
 said Mayor for the time being happen to dy or be lawfully 
 removed within the year in which case Our pleasure is that 
 the aforesaid freeholders and Inhabitants shall within four- 
 teen days after the death or removall of any such Mayor 
 for the time being as aforesaid proceed to eleccon to some 
 other of the said Aldermen to supply the place of the said 
 Mayor being void as aforesaid AND that Coll Caleb 
 Heathcote the present Mayor shall immediately before he 
 take upon him the said office and place take the Oaths lately 
 appointed by Act of Parliament insteade of the Oaths of 
 Allegiance, and supremacy and that the same be administred 
 to him in the Presence of Our said Captain Gen 11 and Gover- 
 nour in Cheife of our said Province of Newyorke And the 
 said Coll Caleb Heathcote having taken the said oaths shall 
 cause the same to be given in his presence as well to such 
 person as the said Coll Caleb Heathcote shall at any time 
 during his Mayoralty leave to be his Deputy in his absence 
 as aforesaid as to the Aldermen and Comon Council created 
 as aforesaid and to the Recorder and all such other Officers 
 and Ministers as shall be chosen in the said borrough for 
 the better Government of the same and that before they or 
 any of them shall take upon them to execute any office or 
 place by virtue of this Our Royall Charter and Patent And 
 after the end of the Mayoralty of the said Coll. Caleb 
 Heathcote Our will and pleasure is that every Mayor of the 
 said Town that shall be hereafter elected in manner as 
 aforesaid shall immediately take the abovesaid oaths before 
 three at the least of the said Aldermen of the said borrough 
 and that upon eleccon of any other Aldermen or Comon 
 
416 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 Councill in case of death or removeall as aforesaid or such 
 other Officers as shall be annually chosen to take the above- 
 said oaths before the Mayor for the time being and any 
 two of the said Aldermen whom wee do by these presents 
 fully authorize to minister and give the said severall oaths 
 AND FURTHER of our Especiall grace certaine knowl- 
 edge and meere mocon do by these presents for us Our 
 Heirs and Successours give and grant unto the said Mayor 
 Aldermen and Common Council of the borrough and Towne 
 of Westchester and their Successours forever That they 
 the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council and their 
 Successours shall and may from henceforth forever have 
 hold and keep one ffree markett within the said borrough 
 and Towne upon every Wednesday in every week and two 
 fairs within the said borrough and Towne at two severall 
 times in the year (Viz*) the one to beginn and to be holden 
 within the said borrough and Towne upon the second tues- 
 day in May yearly forever and to continue for three dayes 
 and no longer And the other of the said ffairs to beginn 
 upon the last tuesday in October yearly forever and to con- 
 tinue alsoe for three dayes and [no] Longer with power to 
 erect severall Courts of Pypowder and the Office of Clerke 
 of Entryes and all other things thereunto belonging with all 
 and singular the perquisites profites issues customes tolls 
 ffees amerciaments commodityes Jurisdiccons and emolu- 
 ments to the said Courts ffairs and marketts in any wayes 
 belon[ging and] appertaining And that the Mayor of the 
 said Borroug[h and Towne] of Westchester for the time 
 being and no other have power [and Authojrity to give 
 and grant lycence annually under the Pub [lick Seal of] the 
 said Corporacon to all Taverne keepers Innkeepers 
 Ordin[ary keepers] Victuallers and all publick sellers of 
 wine strong waters rum [Syder] bear or any other sort of 
 strong liquors by retaile within t[he said] Corporacon or 
 the libertys and precincts thereof And it shall [and may] 
 be lawfull to and for the said Mayor of the said borrough 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 417 
 
 [for the] time being or his law full Deputy to ask demand 
 and rec[eive for such] lycence by him to be given and 
 granted as aforesaid such su[me or Sumes] Of money as 
 he and the person to whome such lycence shall be given and 
 granted shall agree for not exceeding the sume of twenty 
 shillings for such lycence all which money as by the said 
 Mayor shall be soe received shall be used and applyed to 
 the publick use of the Mayor Aldermen and Common 
 Council of the said borrough and their Successours AND 
 ALSOE Wee do of Our like especiall grace certaine knowl- 
 edge and meere mocon by these presents for us Our Heirs 
 and Successours grant unto the said May r Aldermen and 
 Comon Councill of the said borrough and Town of West- 
 chester and their Successours forever that the Mayor with 
 two or more of the Aldermen for the time being shall have 
 full power to inquire hear and determine of all ffrays and 
 bloodsheds whatsoever happening within the said borrough 
 and Towne of Westchester and the offenders therein to cor- 
 rect and punish according to the Laws of our Realme of 
 England and this our Province of Newyorke AND WEE 
 do further by these presents for Us Our Heirs and Succes- 
 sours give and grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and 
 Comon Council of the said borrough and Towne of West- 
 chester and to their Successours forever that the Mayor or 
 in his absence his Deputy Mayor of the said Borrough and 
 Towne for the time being shall be Coroner and Clarke of 
 the markett within the said borrough and Towne and the 
 libertyes thereof giving and hearby Granting unto the said 
 Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the time being full power 
 and authority to exercise and execute the said office and 
 offices of Coroner and Clerke of the Markett in the said 
 borrough and Towne and the libertyes thereof in as large 
 and ample manner as any other Coroner or Clerke of the 
 markett doth or may lawfully execute the like office or 
 offices in any other Towne or Libertyes within this Our 
 Province of Newyorke AND FURTHER of Our Especiall 
 
418 Colonial Charters [No. xxii] 
 
 grace certaine knowledge and meere mocon Wee do by these 
 presents for Us Our Heirs and Successours give and grant 
 unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council of the 
 said borrough and Towne of Westchester aforesaid and 
 their Successours forever that they and their Successours 
 shall and may from time to time returne and send One 
 discreete burgesse of the said Towne and borrough into 
 every Generall Assembly hereafter to be summoned and 
 holden within this Our Province of Newyork which burgesse 
 so returned and sent shall be received into the house of 
 Deputyes or members of the said house to have and enjoy 
 such priviledges as any other of the said members have or 
 ought to have AND LASTLY Our expresse will and 
 pleasure is And Wee do by these presents for Us our Heirs 
 and Successours give and grant to the said Mayor Aldermen 
 and Comon Council of the said borrough and their Succes- 
 sours forever that these Our Letters Patents or the Enroll- 
 ment thereof in Our Secretaryes Office of Our said Province 
 shall be good available and effectuall in the Law to all 
 intents construccons and purposes against Us Our Heirs 
 and Successours without any other lycence grant or con- 
 firmacon from us Our Heirs and Successours hereafter by 
 the said Mayor Aldermen and Comon Council or their Suc- 
 cessours or any of them to be had and obteind notwith- 
 standing the not recitall or misrecitall not nameing or mis- 
 nameing of the said offices {franchises Lands tenements or 
 hereditaments and other the premisses or any of them and 
 notwithstanding that no write of ad quod damnum hath 
 issued forth to inquire of the premisses or any of them 
 before then sealing of these presents any statute act ordi- 
 nance or provision or any other matter or thing whatsoever 
 to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding IN WITNESSE 
 whereof Wee have caused these Our Letters to be made 
 Pattents WITNESSE Our Trusty and welbeloved Ben- 
 jamin Fletcher Our Captaine Generall and Governour in 
 Cheife of Our said Province of Newyorke and the Terri- 
 
[No. xxii] Grants 419 
 
 toryes and Tracts of Land Depending thereon in America 
 and Vice Admirall of the same Our Leiv 1 and Commander 
 in Cheife of the militia and of all the forces by Sea and 
 Land within our Collony of Connecticutt and of all the 
 fforts and places of strength within the same, At Our ffort 
 at Newyorke this sixteenth day of Aprill in the eighth year 
 of Our Reigne./ Ben ffletcher by his Excell Command" 
 David Jamison D Secry. 
 
420 Colonial Charters [No. xxm] 
 
 No. XXIII. 
 
 TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 
 
 A. 
 
 Indian Deed to Jessop and Richardson, 1663 1 
 
 West Chester March 12 th 1663. 
 
 THESE may Certifie those whom it may concerne, That 
 wee Shonearokite, wapomoe, Tuckorre, whawhapehucke, 
 Capahase, quanusco, Shaquiske Passachahenne, Harra- 
 wooke, have Alienated and sold, unto Edward Jessop, and 
 John Richardson both of the place abovesaid, a Certaine 
 Tract of Land, Bounded on the East by the River Ahque- 
 hunger Bronckses, to the middest of the River, on the 
 Northward by the Trees marked, and by a peece of Hassuck 
 Meadow, westward by a little Brooke called Sackwrahung 
 Southward by the Sea, with the Neck of Land called 
 quinuahuing, with all the Meadowes, Uplands Trees, and 
 whatever else besides, be upon the said Parcell of Lands 
 with all other Commodities belonging to the same, quietly 
 to possesse and Enjoy the same, from Us, Our heires or 
 Successo rs , to them, their heires and Successo rs for ever, 
 and for their Cattle to range in the woods so farr as they 
 please with out any molestation or infringement; and that 
 this is Our true intent and meaning, Wee have sett to Our 
 hands the day and yeare above written./ 
 
 1 This deed has been carefully compared with the original recorded deed, 
 in the office of the Sec. of State, Albany, in Deeds, II 79, and, as far as 
 typography will allow, is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
VLJLP 
 
 M « * 
 
 
 = § 
 
 
 MAP Ol III] TOWN Ol WES1 FARMS. SHOWING THE DIVISION LIN] IS CONSTITUTING 
 TH1 NEW TOWN Ol WES1 I \kM» \ND MORRISSAN1A 
 
[No. XXIII] 
 
 Grants 
 
 421 
 
 Signed in ye p r sence of 
 
 Shonerokite 
 
 y 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 Edward Waters 
 
 Wapomoe 
 
 7 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 his 
 
 
 
 
 
 Richard ££f Penton 
 
 Wahwhapehi 
 
 jcke 
 
 7 
 
 his Marke 
 
 marke 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nathan Bayly./ 
 
 Capahase 
 
 /zs 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 
 Tuckerre 
 
 O 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 
 Passacahene 
 
 c 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 
 Shaquiske 
 
 c 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 
 Quanusco 
 
 <9 
 
 
 his Marke 
 
 
 Harrowooke 
 
 y 
 
 
 her Marke. 
 
 March the 12 th 1664. 
 I Shawnarockett, in y e name and behalfe of the rest 
 do Acknowledge to have rec d of Edward Jessop and 
 M r Richardson, full Satisfaction for the Tract of 
 Land, in this Bill Specified 
 
 Shawnarockett [blank] his Marke 
 Wittnesse, Edward Waters. 
 Richard Ponton. 
 Natha: Bayly./ 
 
 Entred at Hempsteed at y e time of the Generall 
 Meeting there, the 9 th day of March 1664. 
 
 B. 
 
 Indian Deed to Jessop and Richardson, 
 1664 2 
 
 Recorded for M r Richardson 
 Apr. the 5 th 1667. 
 
 Westchesf March the 12 th 1664. 
 
 These may Certify whom it may concerne, That wee 
 Shawnerockett, Wappamoe, Tuckore, Wawapehock, Cap- 
 
 2 This deed has been carefully compared with the original recorded deed 
 in the office of the Secretary of State, Deeds, 11:58, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
422 Colonial Charters [No. xxm] 
 
 pahas, Quanuseoe, Shaquiske, Passacahem, & Harrawocke 
 haue aliened & sold unto Edward Jessup and John Richard- 
 son both of the place abovesaid, a certain Tract of Land 
 bounded on the East by the River Aquehung or Bronckx to 
 the midst of the River, on the Northward by the Trees 
 mark't & by a piece of Hassock Meadow, Westward by a 
 litle Brooke called Sackwrahung, Southward by the Sea, 
 with a Neck of land called Quinnahung, with all the 
 Meadowes, Uplands, Trees & whatever else besides bee 
 upon y e said parcell of lands, with all other Comodities 
 belonging to the same, quietly to possesse & enjoy the same, 
 from us, our heires or successo rs , to them their heires, & 
 successo rs forever, & for their Cattle to range in the wood 
 so farre as they please, without any Molestacon or 
 Infringement, & that this is our true Intent and Meaning, 
 Wee have sett to our hands the day and yeare aboue 
 written. 
 
 Signed in presence Shawnerockett, Wappamoe 
 
 of, Edward Waters Tuckore , Wawapehock 
 
 Richard Ponton. Cappahas , Quanuseoe 
 
 Nathan :Baily. Shaquiske , Passacahem. 
 
 Harrawocke. 
 Their markes were sett to./ 
 
 March the 12 th 1664. 
 I Shawnerockett in the name & behalfe of the rest doe 
 acknowledge to have receiued of Edward Jessop, & John 
 Richardson full Satisfaction for this Tract of Land in this 
 Bill specified. 
 
 Shawnerocket his 
 
 Marke./ 
 
 Wittnesse 
 
 Edward Waters. 
 Richard Ponton. 
 Nathan. Baily. 
 
[No. xxiii] Grants 423 
 
 C. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for West Farms 3 
 
 M r Richardsons Patent. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R &C WHEREAS there is a 
 Certaine Parcell of Land w th in this Governm* scituate lyeing 
 & being neare unto & within the Lymitts of the Towne of 
 Westchesf upon the Maine being bounded to y e East by the 
 Ryver Comonly called by the Indians Aquehung otherwise 
 Bronckx Ryver extending to the midst of the Ryver to the 
 North by the mark't Trees & by a peice of Hassock 
 meadowe westward by a little Brook called by the Natives 
 Sackwrahung, & Southward by the Sound or East Ryver 
 including w th in it a Certaine Neck of Land called Quinna- 
 hung w ch said parcell or Tract & Neck of Land with the 
 appurtenances Together w th Comonage & liberty for Range 
 of Horses & Cattle as farre as they please into the woods 
 hath heretofore beene Jointly purchased of the Indian 
 Proprieto" by Edward Jessop & John Richardson of West- 
 chester aforesaid and due satisfaction hath by them beene 
 Given for the same As by the Deed remayning upon Record 
 more at large doth & may appeare, Now it being mutually 
 agreed upon by both the aforesaid Joynt purchasers that an 
 Equall division shall be made of the said parcell or Tract 
 of Land and Appurtenances betweene them the said Edward 
 Jessop & John Richardson their heires & Assignes, & to the 
 end the said Lands may be the better manured & Planted, 
 ffor a further Confirmation unto each & either of them in 
 their possession & injoyment of the p r emisses KNOW YEE 
 That by vertue of the Comission & Authority unto me given 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, IV:63, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the New York State Library at Albany, and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. Another copy, slightly different, is published in Bolton, Hist. West. 
 Co., (1881), 11:434. 
 
424 Colonial Charters [No. xxni] 
 
 by theise Royall Highnesse I HAVE Ratifyed Confirmed 
 & graunted & by theise p r sents doe Ratifye Confirme and 
 graunt unto John Richardson aforesaid his heires and 
 Assignes the moyety or one halfe of tha'forementioned par- 
 cell or Tract of Land & p r misses, Together w th the moyety 
 or one halfe of all the woods meadowes pastures Comonage 
 Marshes waters Ryvers or Lakes thereunto belonging w th 
 their & every of their appurtenances & of every parte & 
 parcell thereof, TO HAVE & TO HOULD the said 
 Moyety or one halfe of the said parcell or Tract of Land 
 Comonage & p r misses w th all & singuler their appurtenances 
 to the said John Richardson his heires & Assignes, To the 
 proper use & behoofe of The said John Richardson his 
 heires & Assignes forever Hee or they RENDRING & 
 PAYING such Dutyes and Acknowledgm ts as now are or 
 hereafter shall be Constituted & Establish't by the Lawes 
 of this Governm 1 und r the Obedience of his Royall High- 
 nesse his heires and Successo rs GIVEN under my hand & 
 Seale at ffort James in New Yorke the 25 th Day of Aprill 
 in the 19 th yeare of his Ma ties Raigne Annoq } Domini 1666. 
 
? 
 
 I 
 
 . f C^y^ y L<J^^ 
 
 
 ./&&*£' 
 
 ■c 
 
 •'- 
 
 i ■ 
 
 \ 
 
 w 
 
 
 1 . 
 
 A SMALL DRAUGHT OF FORDHAM AND YE MEADOWS 
 Original size 10" x 8". 
 
[No. xxiv] Grants 425 
 
 No. XXIV. 
 
 MANOR OF FORDHAM 
 
 A. 
 
 Deed from Elias Doughty to John Archer 1 
 
 Recorded for M r John Arch r this 
 24 th day of September. Anno Drii 
 1671. 
 
 KNOW all Men by these p r sents that I Elyas Doughty of 
 Flushing doe Sell unto M r John Archer of West-Chest r his 
 Heyres & Assignes ffoure Score Acres of upLand, and 
 Thirty Acres of Meadow lyeing & being betwixt Brothers 
 River and the Watring Place at y e End of the Island of 
 Manhatans, and if y e Land be not fitt to Cleare for y e Plow 
 or How, this Land is to lye together; And if there be not 
 all such Land together as there should, or if there should 
 happen to be eight or ten Acres of Land that is not fitt for 
 such Use, Then y e said Archer is to have it with y e rest, 
 and hee shall have equall Right and Priveledge in y e Com- 
 mons as any otheir Men shall have within that Patent, that 
 hath noe more Arable Land, and y e Meadow is to be 
 mowed a11 AS WITTNESS my Hand this first of March 
 1666. As Wittness if there should lye any more Land, 
 that is to say between ffourty or Thirty Acres, It is all in 
 Common; And I am to give y e said Archer a firme Bill of 
 Sale under my Hand and Seale.// 
 
 Elias Doughty 
 Thomas Okeley. 
 
 I Eilas Doughty doe own to have received full Satisfaction 
 of y e said Archer for y e said Land & Meadow, y e House 
 
 1 This deed has been carefully compared with the original engrossed record 
 in the office of the Sec. of State at Albany, Deeds, III :i 38, and, as far as 
 typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. It is 
 printed in Paltsits, Lovelace Min., (1910), 1:195. 
 
426 Colonial Charters [No. xxiv] 
 
 is yett to be [blank]. And y e said Arch r is to have his 
 [blank] within the abovesaid Tract of Land. 
 
 Septemb r y e 10 th 1667. 
 
 It is to be understood that M r John Archer is to have the 
 ffreshest Boggy Meadow that lyeth on y e South side of 
 Westchester Path, within y e Patent of M r Oneale within 
 his second of Purchase w ch is upon Consideracon that y e 
 said John Archer shall pay to y e said Doughty; As Wittness 
 
 m y Hand Elyas Doughty. 
 
 B. 
 
 Indian Deed to John Archer 2 
 
 Entred for John Archer March 4 th 1669. 
 
 BE it knowne unto all men my theise p r sents that upon y e 
 28 th day of September in y e 21 th yeare of y e Raigne of our 
 Soveraigne Lord Charles the Second by y e Grace of God 
 of England Scotland France & Ireland Kinge Defend r of 
 the faith &c Annoq, Domini 1 669. WEE TACHARETHT, 
 NISMETARHATINN, WACKHA, PUNCKEKCH, for 
 & on y e behalfe of Ahwaroch, Achipor, Minquaes Sache- 
 mache, for & on y e behalfe of Annetie Pownock, for & on 
 y e behalfe of Lyssie, & we on y e behalfe of y e rest of y e 
 Owners for the consideration hereaft r exprest Have 
 Graunted bargained & sould & by theise p r sents doe hereby 
 Graunt bargaine & sell unto John Archer of Fordham his 
 heires & Assignes a certaine Tract of Upland & meadow 
 ground upon y e maine, begining Westward from a certaine 
 place by y e Indians comonly called Mascota so it goes to 
 anoth r place called by them Yowahamasing & from thence 
 Round about y e Kill called Papiriniman & so to run into 
 Harlem Ryver at y e Hook called Saperewack, from thence 
 it reacheth South East to y e Place called Achquechgenom & 
 
 2 This deed has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in the office of the Sec. of State at Albany, Deeds, 111:137, and, as far 
 as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. It 
 was previously printed in Paltsits, Lov. Min., 1:212. 
 
[No. xxiv] Grants 427 
 
 from thence it reacheth alongst Bronckx Ryver to Cowan- 
 gongh, so on to Sachkorah & so to the First place Mascota, 
 so that from Mascota To Sackerath It runs upon a straight 
 East Lyne to Bronckx 'Ryver, & from Saperewack to 
 Acqueckgenom South East to y e said Ryver, ALL w ch said 
 Tract of Land as it is before described Wee the aforesaid 
 Indians on the behalfe of our selves those that have 
 intrusted us & our Associates, Have sould unto y e said John 
 Archer his heires & Assignes for & in consideration of 
 Thirteene Coates of Duffells, One halfe Anchor of Rume, 
 Two Cans of Brandywyne w th severall other small matters 
 to y e value of sixty Guilders Wampom, All w ch we 
 acknowledg to have Received of him the said John Archer 
 before the 'nsealing & delivery of theise p r sents in full satis- 
 faction for y e Lands aforemenconed, The w ch we doe hereby 
 resigne & make over unto y e said John Archer his heires & 
 Assignes w th all o r Right Title & interest thereunto as also 
 theirs that have intrusted any of us & o r Associates TO 
 HAVE & TO HOULD the said Tract of Land & p r misses 
 unto y e said John Archer his heires & assignes unto y e proper 
 use & behoof of him y e said John Archer his heires & 
 assignes for ever, free quitt & cleare from all or any former 
 bargaine & sale, or any oth r Incumbrances by us or by any 
 from or und r us, & to y e utmost of o r powers shall keep & 
 save him the said John Archer his heires & assignes harm- 
 lesse in his or their quiett possession & Enjoyment of y e 
 p r misses against any oth r Indian p r tenders whatsoever In 
 witness whereof we have hereunto put o r hands & seales y e 
 day & yeare first w th in wrytten. 
 
 This bargaine & sale was made by y e Approbation 
 & Lycence of his Hono r y e Governour betweene y e 
 Partyes menconed : w th this Provisoe That his 
 Royall Highness his Rights & Priviledges as Lord 
 Proprietor of theise his Territoryes be hereby 
 noe way infringed 
 
 Matthias Nicolls Secf. 
 
428 Colonial Charters [No. xxiv] 
 
 The Royal Patent for Fordham 3 
 
 A PATTENT or Confirmation of the Manno r 
 of FORDHAM Graunted unto John Archer the 
 13 th day of November, Anno Domini 1671. 
 
 FRANCIS LOVELACE Esq r : One of the Gentlemen 
 of his Ma ties Hon ble Privy Chamber; and Governo r Gen r11 
 under his Royall Highness JAMES Duke of Yorke and 
 Albany &c: of all his Territoryes in America; To all to 
 whom these Presents shall come sendeth Greeting. 
 WHEREAS there is a certaine parcell or Tract of Land 
 within this Governm* upon the Main Continent scituate, 
 lyeing and being to the Eastward of Harlem River neare 
 unto y e Passage commonly called Spiteing Devill, upon w ch 
 Land y e New Dorp or Village is Erected knowne by the 
 Name of ffordham; y e utmost Lymitts of the whole Tract 
 or parcel of Land beginning at the High- Wood-Land that 
 lyes due North-West over against the first point of the Main 
 Land, to the East of the Island Papiriniman, there where 
 the Kill Moskota is, & soe goes alongst the said Kill, the 
 said Land stretching from the High Wood Land afore- 
 menconed East South East till it comes to Broncks his Kill, 
 soe Westward up alongst y e Main-Land to y e Place where 
 Harlem Kill and Hudsons River meet, and then forth 
 alongst Harlem Kill to the first Spring or Fountaine lyeing 
 to y e South of Crabb-Island, soe Eastward alongst Daniel 
 Turneirs Land, the High Wood-Land, and y e Land belong- 
 ing to Thomas Hunt, and then to Bronckx Kill afore- 
 menconed according to a Survey lately made thereof by the 
 Surveyo 1 " Gen r11 the which remains upon Record; All which 
 said Parcell or Tract of Land aforedescribed being part of 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 copy which is recorded in Books of Patents, IV 183, at present on deposit in 
 the Manuscript Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far 
 as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxiv] Grants 429 
 
 the Land Graunted in the Grand Patent to Hugh O'Neale 
 and Mary his Wife, Purchase was made thereof by John 
 Archer from Elyas Doughty, who was invested in their 
 Interest, as also of the Indyan Proprietor by my Approba- 
 tion., who all acknowledge to have receiv'd Satisfaction for 
 the same. And the said John Archer haveing at his own 
 Charge, and with good Success begunn a Towneship in a 
 convenient Place for Relief of Strangers, It being the Road 
 for Passeng rs to goe to and fro from the Maine, as well as 
 for Mutuall Intercourse with the neighbour Colonyes; For 
 an Encouragement unto him the said JOHN ARCHER in 
 prosecucon of the said Designes, As also for diverse other 
 good Causes and Considerations, KNOW YEE That by 
 Vertue of y e Commission and Authority unto mee given 
 by his Royall Highness upon who by Lawfull Grant & 
 Patent from his Ma d the Propriety and Governm 1 of that 
 part of the Maine land, as well as Long Island & all y e 
 Islands adjacent, amongst other Things is settled, I HAVE 
 Given, Granted, Ratifyed & Confirmed, & by these Presents 
 doe Give, Graunt, Ratify and Confirme to y e aforemen- 
 tioned JOHN ARCHER his Heyres and Assignes all the 
 said Parcell or Tract of Land Butted and Bounded as afore- 
 said, Together with all the Lands, Soyles, Woods, 
 Meadows, Pastures, Marshes, Lakes, Waters, Creeks, ffish- 
 ing, Hawking, Hunting & ffowling, and all y e Proffits Com- 
 modityes, Emmouluments, & Hereditaments to y e said 
 Parcell or Tract of Land & Premisses belonging, or in any- 
 wise appertaining; & of every part and parcell thereof; And 
 I doe likewise graunt unto y e said JOHN ARCHER, his 
 Heyres and Assignes, That y e Towne which hee shall Erect, 
 Together w th y e said Parcell or Tract of Land and Premisses, 
 shall bee forever hereafter held, deaimed, reputed, & bee an 
 entire & Enfranchized Towneship, Manno r and Place of 
 itselfe, & shall allways from time to time and at all times 
 hereafter have, hold, and Enjoy like and equall Priviledges 
 and Immunityes with any Towne Enfranchized Place or 
 
430 Colonial Charters [No. xxiv] 
 
 Manno r within this governm 1 , and shall in noe manner of 
 Way bee subordinate or belonging unto, have any depend- 
 ency upon, or in anywise bee under the Rule, Order, or 
 Direction of any Rideing, Town-ship, Place or Jurisdiction, 
 either upon the Maine or Long-Island; but shall in all 
 Cases, Things, and Matt rs bee deemed, reputed, taken, and 
 held as an absolute Intire, Infranchized, Towneship, 
 Manno r & Place of itselfe in this Governm* as aforesaid; 
 And shall bee Ruled Ordered & Directed in all Matt rs as to 
 Governm* by y e governo 1 " & his Councell & y e Gen 1 " 11 Court 
 of Assizes only. ALWAYES Provided That the Inhabit- 
 ants of the said Towne or any part of the Land granted as 
 aforesaid shall bee obliged to send forward to y e next 
 Towne or Plantacon all publick Pacquetts & lett rs or Hue 
 & Cryes comeing to this Place or goeing from it towards or 
 to any of his Ma ties Colonyes. And I doe further graunt 
 unto y e said John Archer, his Heyres & Assignes That when 
 there shall bee a sufficient Number of Inhabitants in y e 
 Towne of ffordham aforemenconed, & the other Parts of 
 y e Manno r capable to maintaine a Minister, & to carry on 
 other Publique Affayres, That then neighbouring Inhabitants 
 between the two Kills of Harlem & Bronkx bee obliged to 
 Contribute towards the Maintenance of their said Minisf 
 & other necessary Publick Charges that may happen to 
 arise; and likewise THAT They belong to the said Towne 
 according to the Direction of the Law, although their said 
 Farmes & Habitacons bee not included within this Patent. 
 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Parcell and Tract 
 of Land w th all & singular the Appertenances & Premisses, 
 Together with the Priveledges, Immunityes, ffranchizes & 
 Advantages herein given and Graunted unto the said John 
 Archer his Heyres, & Assignes, unto y e proper use and 
 Behoofe of him y e said John Archer and his Heyres and 
 Assignes forever, fully, freely and clearly, in as large and 
 ample Manner and frome, and with such full & absolute 
 Immunityes and priveledges as is before exprest, as if hee 
 
[No. xxiv] Grants 431 
 
 held the same immediately from his Ma tie y e King of Eng- 
 land &c: & his successo" as of the Manno r of East-Green- 
 wich in the County of Kent, in free & common Soccage & 
 by ffealty only. YIELDING rendring, & paying yearly and 
 every yeare unto his Royall Highness the Duke of Yorke 
 & his Heyres, or to such Governour & Governours as from 
 time to time shall bee by him constituted and appointed as 
 an Acknowledgm* and Quitt Rent Twenty Bushells of Good 
 Pease upon the first day of March when it shall be 
 Demunded. GIVEN under my Hand and Sealed with y e 
 Seale of the Province of Forte James in New Yorke on the 
 Island of Manhattans, this thirteenth day of November in 
 ye 2 ^th y eare f the Reigne of our Sovereaigne Lord 
 CHARLES the second by the Grace of God of England, 
 Scotland, ffrance & Ireland King Defender of the ffaith &c: 
 Annoq$ Domini 1671. 
 
432 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 fNo. XXV] 
 
 Granted to 
 
 Fred: 
 
 Phillips 
 
 by the 
 
 name 
 
 Younkers 
 
 Land. 2 
 
 No. XXV. 
 TOWNS OF KINGSBRIDGE & YONKERS 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Nepperhaem 1 
 
 A Patent graunted unto M r Hugh Onele, 
 and Mary his wife. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R Governour under his 
 Royall Highnesse, The Duke of Yorke, of all his Terri- 
 toryes in America, To all to whom these presents shall 
 come, sendeth Greeting; WHEREAS there is a certaine 
 Tract of Land within this Governm*, upon the Maine, 
 Bounded to the Northwards by a Rivolett called by the 
 Indyans Maccakassin, so runing Southward to Nepper- 
 hane, from thence to the Kell Shorahapock, and then to 
 Papiriniman, which is the Southermost Bounds, then to 
 go Crosse the Country to the Eastward, by that which is 
 commonly knowne by the name of Bronckx his River, and 
 Land, which said Tract of Land, hath heretofore been Pur- 
 chased of the Indyan Proprieto rs by Adriaen Van der 
 Duncke deceased, whose Relict Mary the wife of Hugh 
 Oneale, one of the patentees is, And due Satisfaccon was 
 also given for the Same, as hath by some of the said Indyans 
 beene Acknowledged before mee; NOW for a further Con- 
 firmacon unot them the said Hugh Oneale, and Mary his 
 wife, Relict of the aforesaid Adriaen Van der Duncke in 
 their Possession and Enjoyment of the premisses, KNOW 
 YEE that by vertue of the Commission and Authority given 
 unto mee by his Royall Highnesse, the Duke of Yorke, I 
 have thought fitt to Give, Ratify, Confirme and Graunt, and 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, 1:78, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow is a 'verbatim et literatim et puttctuatim copy. 
 
 2 This side note appears in the margin of the original record and refers 
 to the Dongan confirmatory patent of Feb. 19, 16S4/5. See p. 50 supra. 
 
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 MAP OF THE TOWN OF YONKERS I rER COUNTY 
 
 Dated 179". Original size \\Yi X 17". 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 433 
 
 by these presents do Give, Ratify, Confirme and Graunt 
 unto the said Hugh Oneale and Mary his wife, their heyrs 
 & Assignes, all the afore mentioned Parcel or Tract of Land 
 called Nepperhane, Together with all woods, Marshes, 
 Meadowes, Pastures, waters, Lakes, Creekes, Rivoletts, 
 ffishing, Hunting and ffowling, And all other Proffitts, Com- 
 modities and Emoluments, to the said Tract of Land belong- 
 ing, with their and every of their Appurtenances, and of 
 every part and Parcell thereof; TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD the said Tract of Land and p r mises, with all and 
 Singular their Appurtenances, unto the said Hugh Oneale 
 and Mary his wife, their Heires and Assignes, to the proper 
 use and behoofe of the said Hugh Oneale, and Mary his 
 wife, their Heires and Assignes for ever, Hee, Shee or they 
 or any of them, Rendring and Paying such Acknowledg- 
 ments Dutyes, as are or shall bee Constituted and Ordained, 
 by his Royall Highnesse y e Duke of Yorke and his heires, 
 or such Governour and Governo rs , as shall from time to 
 time bee appointed and sett over them; with this Proviso, 
 That if at any time hereafter, his Royall Highnesse, his 
 Heires, Successo" or Assignes, shall thinke fitt to make use 
 of any Timber for Shipping, or for Erecting or repairing of 
 fforts within this Government, a Liberty is reserved for such 
 uses and purposes, to Cutt any sorts of Timber, upon any 
 Inplanted Grounds, on the said Tract of Land, to make 
 Docks, Harbou rs wharfes, Houses or any other conveni- 
 encies relating there unto, And also to make use of any 
 Rivers, Rivoletts and Inletts of water, to the purposes 
 aforesd, as fully and freely as if no such Patent had beene 
 graunted; Given under my hand and Seale at ffort James in 
 New Yorke, on the Island of Manhatans, the Eighth day of 
 October, in the Eighteenth yeare of the Raigne of Our 
 Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God, 
 of England, Scotland, ffrance, and Ireland, King, Defender 
 of the ffaith &c, And in the yeare of Our Lord God 1666. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS. 
 
434 Colonial Charters TNo. xxv] 
 
 B. 
 Dongan Patent for Nepperhaem 3 
 
 THIS following Pattent Recorded 
 for John Delavall &c the 19 th Day 
 of ffebruary 1684/5 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Liev* and Governour and Vice 
 Admirall under his Roy 11 High ss JAMES Duke of Yorke 
 &c of New Yorke and Dependencyes in America To all to 
 whom these Presents shall come GREETING WHEREAS 
 the Right Hono ble Richard Nicolls Esq r Leiv* and Govern 1 " 
 under his said Roy 11 High ss Did by Certaine writeing or 
 Pattent under his Hand and Scale of this Province Bearing 
 Date the eighth Day of October 1666 Give and Grant 
 unto Hugh Oneale and Mary his Wife the widdow and 
 Relict of Adrian Vanderdonck A certaine Tract or Parcell 
 of Land within this Province lyeing and being upon the 
 Maine heretofore Purchased by the said Adrian Vander- 
 donck of the Indians Scituated lyeing and being on the East 
 side of Hudsons River Bounded to the Northward by A 
 Rivolett Called by the Indians Maccackasin soe runing 
 Southward to Nippirham from thence to the kill Shorah- 
 kahpock and then to Pappiniman which is the Southermost 
 Bounds then to Goe Crosse the Country to the Eastward 
 by that w ch is Commonly knowne by the name of Bronckhis 
 River and Land To have and to hold the same unto the 
 said Hugh Oneale and Mary his Wife their Heires and 
 Assignes forever As by the said Pattent or Writeing refer- 
 ence being thereunto had may more att Large Appeare 
 which said Tract or Parcell of Land was afterward by 
 meane Assurance Conveyed and transported by the said 
 
 3 This charter has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, V-B:38, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 435 
 
 Hugh Oneale and Mary his Wife unto Elyas Doughty of 
 Long Island and afterward by meane Assurance Conveyed 
 and transferred by the said Elias Doughty unto Thomas 
 Delavall of New Yorke Esq 1 " ffred: Phillips of the same 
 Place Merchant and Thomas Lewis of the same Marriner 
 by Virtue whereof the said Thomas Delavall, ffred: Phillips 
 and Thomas Lewis became possest and now are in Pos- 
 session of all the afore recited Tract or Parcell of Land 
 and have made Greate Improvem ts thereon by Building of 
 Houses Barnes Mills and Mill Dams NOW KNOW YEE 
 that I the said Tho: Dongan by Virtue of the Power and 
 Authority by his said Roy 11 High ss Lord Proprietor of this 
 Province unto me Given and in Consideracon of the 
 Premissess and Likewise of the Quitt Rent herein after 
 Reserved and Expressed have Given Granted Ratified and 
 Confirmed and by these Presents Doe Give Grant Ratifie 
 and Confirme unto John Delavall Sonne and Heire of the 
 said Thomas Delavall, ffred: Phillips and Geesie the 
 widdow and Relict of the said Thomas Lewis their Heires 
 and Assignes all the aforesaid Tract or Parcell of Land 
 Begining att A small Rivolett knowne and Called by the 
 Indians Mackacasin from thence into the woods Dew 
 Easte by a Greate Rock Stone And a Line of marked Trees 
 to Bronckhis River and y n by s d River fouer Mile and 
 Somthing more to a marked White Oake tree upon the 
 Midle of A Greate ledge of Rocks which is the North east 
 Corner of the Land of Francis ffrench and Company or the 
 Mile Square formerly Sould out of the foresaid Pattent 
 then by the said Land West thirty five Degrees Northerly 
 one Mile or Eighty Chaine then South thirty two Degrees 
 Westerly by a Line of marked Trees one Mile or Eighty 
 Chaines from thence East thirty five Degrees Southerly to 
 Bronckhis River to a marked Tree which is the South East 
 Corner of the Mile Square (Excepted out of the aforesaid 
 Pattent) from thence by Bronckhis River Eighty nine 
 Chaines to a marked Tree w ch is the North East Corner 
 
436 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 of the Purchase of W m Betts & Geo: Tippitts & y n by a 
 Line of Marked Trees due West forty Chaines to the 
 marked Tree on South East Corner of the Purchase of 
 John Heddy then dew North thirty fouer Chaines from 
 thence dew West by their Purchase ninety Chaines to the 
 North West Corner of the three hundred Acres then dew 
 South sixteen Chaines to the North East Corner of the 
 twenty Acres Purchase of John Heddy then by the said 
 Land West twelve Chaines to the North west Corner 
 then by the Side of the Hill South Eighteen Chaines to the 
 Land of W m Betts and George Tippitts from thence by a 
 Line of Marked Trees Dew West Seventy nine Chaines 
 to a White Oake Tree Standing on the Banck of Hudsons 
 River to the South of dogg wood brooke Sixteen Chaines 
 and a halfe and then Northerly by Hudsons River to 
 Nappeckamah which is now the Younkers Mill and soe 
 Continew by Hudsons River to the first small Rivolett 
 Maccak-asin the whole being Bounded to the North with 
 a Line of Marked Trees and a Great Rock Stone to the 
 East by Bronckhis River and the Land of ffrancis ffrench 
 & Company to the South by the Land of ffrancis ffrench to 
 the South by the Land of W m Betts, George Tippitts and 
 John Heddy to the West by Hudsons River Containeing in 
 all Seven thousand seaven hund d and Eighty Acres, togather 
 with all and Singuler the Messuages, Tennem ts Buildings 
 Barnes, Stables, Orchards, Gardens, Pastures, Meadows, 
 Mills Milldams Runns, Streams, Ponds, Rivers, Brooks, 
 Woods, underwoods, Trees Timber ffencing Fishing, Fowl- 
 ing, Hunting, Hawking, Libertyes, Privilidges, Hereditam ts 
 and Improvem ts whatsoever belonging or in any wise 
 Appurteineing or Accepted Reputed taken or knowne or 
 used Occupied or Enjoyed as Parte Parcell or Member 
 thereof with their and every of their Appurtennces TO 
 HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcell of 
 Land Messuages, Tennem ts Buildings, Orchards, Gardens 
 and all and Singuler other the Premissess herein before 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 437 
 
 mentioned and by these Presents meant menconed or 
 Intended to be Given Granted Ratified and Confirmed with 
 their and every of their Rights members and Appurtennces 
 unto the said John Delavall fired: Phillips and Gessie 
 Lewis their Heires and Assignes forever to be holden of 
 his said Roy" High ss his Heires and Successors in free and 
 Common Soccage according to the tenure of East Gren- 
 wich in the County of Kent in his Ma ties Kingdome of Eng- 
 land YEILDING therefore and paying Yearly and every 
 Yeare in liew and Stead of all Services and Demands what- 
 soever as a Quitt Rent to his said Roy 11 Highn ss his said 
 Heires & Successors (if Demanded) Six Bushells of Good 
 Winter Wheate, And for the better Preserving the Title of 
 the recited Track and Parcell of Land and Premissess and 
 every of them I have Caused these Presents to be Entred 
 in the Secretaryes Office of this Province, GIVEN under 
 my Hand and Sealed with the Seale of the Province in N: 
 Yorke this 19 th Day of February in the thirty Seventh Yeare 
 of his Maj tis Reigne An Don 1684/5 
 
 THO: DONGAN 
 C. 
 
 Royal Charter for the Manor of Philipseborough 4 
 
 Recorded for ffredrick Phillips Esq r 
 
 WILLIAM & MARY by the grace of God King & 
 queen of England Scotland ffrance & Ireland defenders 
 of the ffaith &c r To all to whome these presents Shall 
 come Greeting WHEREAS, the Hon ble Rich d Nicolls 
 Esq 1 " Late Governo 1 " of o r Evince of New Yorke &c r by a 
 certain deed or Pattent Sealed with o r Seale bear- 
 ing date the Eight day of Octob r in the Year of o r Lord 
 
 4 This charter has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, VI 1409, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
438 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 1666, ^suant to the authority in him then resideing', did 
 give and grant unto Hugh Oneall & Mary his wife 
 their heires & assignes, all that Tract of Land upon 
 the main' bounded to the north by a Rivolett called by 
 the Indian's Macakassin Soe runing Southward Nipporhan 
 from thence to the kill Shorack, Happock, & to Paparin- 
 nomo, which is the Southermost bound's than to goe Cross 
 the Country to the Eastward by that which is commonly 
 known' by the Name Bronk'ss River togeather with all the 
 woods Marshes meadow's Pastures water Lakes Creek's 
 Rivolett's ffishings, hunting & fowlings, & all other <j$fitts 
 Commodityes & Emolument's to the Savd Tract of Land 
 belonging with their & Every of their Appurtenances To 
 have & to hold unto the Sayd Hugh Oneall & Mary his 
 wife their heires and Assignes for Ever, as by the Sayd deed 
 or pattent relation being thereunto had may more fully & 
 at Large appear, And whereas the Sayd Hugh Oneall & 
 Mary his wife by their certain deed or writeing dated the 
 30 th day of Octob r in the Sayd Year' of o r Lord 1666, did 
 Sell alien assign' & Sett over all & Singular their right title 
 & Interest, of in & to the aforemenconed tract of Land and 
 ^misses unto Elias doughty of flushing in the County of 
 York' on Long Island to hold unto the Sayd Elias doughty 
 his heires and assignes for Ever as by the S d deed or writeing 
 relation being thereunto had may more fully & at Larg' 
 Appeare And whereas the Sayd Elias doughty by his certain 
 deed or writeing beareing date the 29 th day of Novemb r in 
 the Year' of o r Lord 1672, for the Consideration therein 
 Expressed & mentioned did assign' & Sett over all & Singu- 
 lar his right title & Interest of in & to the aforementioned 
 tract of Land & ^misses unto Thomas delavall Esq r 
 ffredrick Phillips & Thomas Lewis Marriner to hold to 
 them their heires and assignes for Ever as by the S d deed 
 or writeing relation being thereunto had may more fully & 
 at Larg' appeare And whereeas the Sayd Thomas delawall 
 in & by a certain Codicill annexed unto his Last Will & 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 439 
 
 Testament in Writeing bearing date the 10 th day of June 
 in the Year of o r Lord 1682 amongst other things did devise 
 unto John delavall his only Sone all that his Interest in the 
 aforemenconed Land & ^misses being one full Equall & 
 Entire third part, thereof as by the Sayd Codicill in writeing 
 relation being thereunto had may more fully & at Larg' 
 Appear AND WHEREAS the Hon ble Co H Thomas dungan 
 Late Governo r of o r Sayd Evince &c r by a certain' deed or 
 Pattent Sealed with the Seale of o r Sayd Evince &c r bearing 
 date the 19 th day of ffebruary in the Year of o r Lord 1684/5 
 ^suant to the authority, in him then resideing for the Con- 
 sideracon therein Expressed did further grant Ratify & 
 confirm' unto the Sayd John delavall, ffredrick Phillip's and 
 Geese Lewis relict of the Sayd Tho: Lewis decsd their 
 heires & assignes all the aforesd tract and ^cell of Land 
 beginning at a Small Rivolett known and called by the 
 Indians Makakassin from thence into the wood's due East 
 by a Great Rock Stone and a Lyne of marked trees to 
 Bronz River & then by Sayd River four' mile & Something 
 more to amarked white Oake tree' upon the middle of a 
 great Ledge of Rock's which is the north East Corner of 
 the Land of ffrancis ffrench & Comp y or the mile Square 
 formerly Sold out of the aforesd Pattent Then by the Sayd 
 Land west thirty five degrees northerly one mile or Eighty 
 chaines from thence East thirty five degrees Southerly to 
 Brox his River to a marked tree which is the South East 
 Corner of the mile Square Excepted out of the Seyd Pattent 
 from thence by Bronx his River Eighty nine Chaines, to a 
 marked tree' which is the northeast Corner of W m Bett's 
 & George Tippetts & then by a certain' L y ne of marked 
 tree's due west forty Chaines to the marked tree' or South 
 East Corner of the ^chase of John Heddy, then due north 
 thirty four Chaines from thence due west by their purchase, 
 ninty Chaines to the Northwest Corner of the three hundred 
 acres, then due South Sixteen Chaines to the North west 
 Corner of the twenty acres purchase of John Heddy then 
 
440 Colonial Charters FNo. xxv] 
 
 & by the Sayd Land West twelve Chaines to the North west 
 Corner then by the Syde of the hill South Eighteen Chaines 
 to the Land of W m Bett's & George Tippett from thence 
 by a Lyne of marked tree's due west Seaventy nine Chaines 
 to a white Oake Tree Standing on the bank of Hudsons 
 River to the South or dogwood brook' Sixteen Chains & a 
 half & then northerly by Hudsons River to Nepperha' which 
 is now the Yonckers Mills & Soe continue by Hudsons River, 
 to the first mentioned Small Rivolett Maccakassin the whole 
 being bounded to the north with a Lyne of marked trees, & 
 a great Rock Stone to the East by Bronx River & the Land 
 of ffrancis ffrench & Company to the South by the Lands of 
 William Bett's George Tippett & John Heddy to the west 
 by the Hudsons River containing in all Seven thousand 
 Seaven thousand and Seaven hundred & Eight Acres, 
 togeather with all & Singular the messuages tenement's, 
 buildings, barnes, Stables, Orchards gardens, Pastures, mea- 
 dows, mills, milldams, runs, Streams, Pond's, Rivers, Brooks, 
 woods, underwood's, trees, timb, fenceing, fishing, fowling, 
 hunting, hawking, Libertyes, Priviledges, hereditaments & 
 improvements whatsoever belonging or in any way's apper- 
 taining TO HAVE & TO HOLD all the aforementioned 
 tract & ^cel of Land with all & Singular the aforementioned 
 ^misses unto the Sayd John Delavall ffredrick Phillip's & 
 Geeise Lewis their heires & assignes for Ever, as by the 
 Sayd deed or pattent registred in o r Secretary's Office of our 
 Evince of New Yorke aforesayd relation being thereunto 
 had may more fully & at Larg' appear', AND whereas the 
 Sayd John delavall by certain' deed of Indenture Sealed 
 with his Seale & bearing date the 27 day of august in the 
 Year' of o r Lord 1685 did for the Consideration therein 
 mentioned grant bargaine & Sell all that one full third ^t, 
 of all and Singular the sayd tract of Land aforerecited 
 discribed & bounded within the Limits aforesayd unto him 
 the S d ffredrick Phillips one of the ^Rtyes afores d togeather 
 with all that one full & Equall third ^ of all & Singular the 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 441 
 
 houses outhouses, barnes, Stables, Mills, Milldam's build- 
 ings fences & Edifices thereon Erected & built, & likewise 
 one full third ^ Tt of all & singular the waters, water 
 Courses, Streames wood's underwood's fishing fowlings 
 hawking's huntings hereditament's and appurtenances to the 
 same belonging or in any way's appertaining' To have & to 
 hold unto the S d ffredrick Phillipp's his heires and assignes 
 for Ever, as by the sayd deed or Indenture relation being 
 thereunto had may more fully & at Large appear', And 
 whereas the sayd Gesetje Lewis E x of the Last Will & Testa- 
 ment of Thomas Lewis Late of this Citty of New York' 
 Marriner her Late husband deed & Lodewick Lewis, Barent 
 Lewis Leonard Lewis, Katharin Lewis & Thomas Lewis 
 the Children & Coheires of the sayd Thomas Lewis and 
 Geesie his wife by a certain' deed of Indenture sealed with 
 their seales bearing date the 12 day of June in the Year' of 
 o r Lord 1686 did for the Consideration therein menconed 
 grant bargain' & sell all that the full one third ffl of all & 
 singular the sayd Tract of Land aforereceited described & 
 bounded w th in the Limit's aforesayd unto him the sayd 
 ffred k Phillips one of the ^tyes aforesayd, togeather w th 
 all that one full & Equall third ffl of all & Singular the 
 houses, out houses, barnes, stables, Mills, Mill dams, build- 
 ings fences & Edifices thereon Erected & built & likewise 
 one full third ^* of all & singular the water's water Courses 
 Streames wood's underwood's fishing, fowlings, huntings 
 hawkings hereditaments & appurtenances to the same 
 belonging or in any wayes appertaining To have & to hold 
 unto the sayd ffredrick Phillips his heires & assignes for 
 Ever as by the sayd deed or Indenture relation being there- 
 unto had may more fully & at Large appear' AND 
 WHEREAS the Hon ble S r Edmund Andross Late Governour 
 of o r sayd Evince of New York' &c r by a certain' writing or 
 Pattent sealed with the seale of o r Sayd Evince, bearing 
 date the first day of ap H in the year' of o r Lord 1680, 
 ^suant to the authority in him then resideing did give and 
 
442 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 grant unto the sayd ffredrick Phillips a certain' Tract or 
 3#cell of Land, begining at a Creeke or River called by the 
 Indians Potanteco' or wackandeco with Power thereon to 
 sett a Mill or Mills with a due ^portion of land on each 
 syde adjoyning unto the sayd River Lying within the bounds 
 of the Indians Land at wickeers Creeke on the East Syde 
 of Hudson's River w ch sayd Indian Land was by the sayd 
 ffredrick Phillips purchased from the sayd Native Indians 
 Proprietors thereof by the Lycense and aprobacon of the 
 sayd S r Edmond Andross, and the sayd Indian ^prietors 
 did in the presence of S r Edmund Andross aforesayd 
 acknowledg' to have received full satisfaction of him the 
 sayd ffredrick Phillips for the sayd Land adjoyning to Each 
 Syde of the Creek or River aforesayd which Sayd Land is 
 Scituate Lying & being on Each Syde of the sayd Creeke or 
 River north, & South Sixteen hundred treed's or Steep's 
 which at twelve foot to the rod makes four' hundred rod, 
 & run's up into the Country as farr as the sayd Creek or 
 River goeth with this sPvisio or restriccon that if the Creek 
 or River called by the Indians Nippiorha & by the Christance 
 the Yonkers Creeke or kill Shall come within that space of 
 Land of four hundred rod, on the South Syde of the afore- 
 named Creeke or River that shall Extend no' farther then 
 the sayd Creek or River of Nippirha but the rest to bee Soe 
 farr up into the Country on Each Syde of the s d Creek or 
 River called Pocantiko as it runri's being about North East, 
 TO HAVE & TO HOLD all the aforerecited tract or 
 ^cell of Land unto him the sayd ffredrick Phillip's his 
 heires & assignes for Ever, as by the sayd grant' or Pattent 
 registred in o r Secretary's Office of o r Evince of New York 
 &c r aforesayd relation being thereunto had may more fully 
 & at Larg' appear' AND whereas the Hon b,e Thomas Dun- 
 gan Late governo r of o r Evince of New York' &c r afores d 
 by vertue of the Power in him then resideing hath by an 
 other grant' or pattent, sealed with the seale of o r sayd 
 Evince & registred in o r Secretary's office of o r Evince 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 443 
 
 aforesaid beareing date the 23 day of Xfe in the Year of o r 
 Lord 1684, Given granted ratifyed & Confirmed unto the 
 sayd ffredrick Phillips his heires & assignes severall tracts 
 & ^cells of Lands w th in the Limitts & bounds hereafter 
 mentioned that were according to the usage Custom' & 
 Law of o r Sayd Evince ^chased by the sayd ffredrick 
 Phillip's from the Native Indian's & ^^etor's in manner 
 & form' following (that is to say) all those certain ^cells 
 & peeces of Land Lying about thee Wigquaskek that was 
 on the 24 day of Octoft in y e Year' of o r Lord 1680, pur- 
 chased by the sayd ffredrick Phillips of the Indian ohareins 
 brother of Weskona, Sachem of Wigquaskeek for himselfe 
 & by the full ord r of Goharins w° h certain' peeces or ^cells 
 of Land are Lying about Wigquaskeek to the North Syde 
 & tending from the Land of the afores d ffredrick Phillip's 
 runing a Long the North River to the North of the Small 
 Creek called by the Indian's Sepackem Creek' as far as it 
 goeth into y e wood's & comeing to the end of the afores d 
 Creeke then Shall the aforesayd pieces or <Pcells of Land 
 have their Lyne North East or if the Creeke Pecanteco or 
 Weekkanteco' upon which at ^sent Stand's the Mill's of the 
 sayd ffredrick Phillip's Shall runn upon a North East Lyne, 
 then the sayd Land Shall runn along the sayd Creeke 
 Pocanteco' or wegekanteco' into the wood's as the sayd 
 Creeke or Kill Shall goe & there Shall bee the end or utmost 
 bound's of the sayd certain' pieces of Land as by the sayd 
 writeing or Indian deed relation being thereunto had may 
 more fully & at Larg' appear' as likewise another tract or 
 Piece of Land on the East syde of Hudson's River that was 
 by the sayd ffredrick Phillip's purchased of the Indians 
 Goharins, Cobus, & Togquanduck on the 23 day of aprill 
 in the year' of o r Lord 1681, which Tract or sPcell of Land 
 being Scituate on the East syde of the North or Hudsons 
 River begining at the South Syde of a Creek, called 
 Bissightick & So ranging along the sayd River northerly 
 to the aforesayd Land of the sayd ffredrick Phillips & then 
 
444 Colonial Charters TNo. xxv] 
 
 alongst the sayd Land North East & by east untill it comes 
 to & meet's with the Creek called Nippierha if the sayd 
 Creeke Shall fall w th in that Lyne otherwise to Extend no 
 farther then the head of the Creek or kill called Potanteko' 
 or Puegkanteko & then Southerly alongst the Sayd River 
 Nippiorha if the same shall fall within the sayd Line as 
 aforesayd or else in a direct Lyne from the head of the sayd 
 Creek or kill called Pocanteco' or Puegkandeco untill it 
 comes opposite to the sayd first menconed Creek, called 
 Bissightick & from thence westerly to the head of the sayd 
 Creek' & alongst the same to the North or Hudsons River 
 being the first Station as by the sayd writeing or deed 
 relation being thereunto had may more fully & at Larg' 
 appear', as also another certain' Tract or ^cell of Land on 
 the East Syde of the sayd Hudsons River that was by the 
 s d ffredrick Phillips ^chased of the Native Indians 
 Armaghqweer Seapham alias Thapham on the 8 day of 
 aprill in the Year' of o r Lord 1682. which certain' Tract 
 or ^cell of Land is scituate Lying & being on the East syde 
 of the North or Hudsons River to the South of the Land 
 formerly bo 1 by the sayd ffredrick Phillip's of the sayd 
 Indians begining at the south syde of a Creeke called 
 issightick & soe ranging along the sayd River southerly to 
 a Creek or fall called by the Indians Weghquiegsik & by the 
 Xians Lawrences Plantation & from the mouth of the s d 
 Creek or fall upon a due East Course to a Creek called by 
 the Indians Nippiorha & by the Christians the Yonkers kill 
 & from thence alongst the west Syde of the sayd Creek or 
 Kill as the same runns to the before mentioned Land 
 formerly bo* by the sayd ffred k Phillip's of the sayd Indian's 
 & soe along that Land to the first station as by the sayd 
 writeing or Indian deed relation being thereunto had may 
 more fully & at Larg' Appear', As ALSO another certain 
 tract or ^cell of Land on the East syde of the sayd Hud- 
 sons River that was by the sayd ffred k Phillip's ^chased of 
 the Native Indians Warramanhack Esparamogh Anhock 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 445 
 
 &c r on y e 6 day of Septemo in the Year' of o r Lord 1682 
 which certain' tract or ^cell of Land is scituate Lying & 
 being on the East syde of the North or Hudson's River 
 begining at the North Syde of the Land belonging to the 
 Yonkers kill or Nipperha at a great rock called by the 
 Indian's Meghkeckassin or the great stone (as called by the 
 Christian's from thence ranging into the wood's Easterly to 
 a Creeke called by the Indian's Nippurha aforesayd & from 
 thence along the sayd Creek northerly till you come to the 
 Eastward of the head of a Creek' called by the Indians 
 Wegquiskeck being the Utmost bound's of the sayd Fredrick 
 Phillip's Land formerly bo 1 of the Indian's & from thence 
 Westerly along the Sayd Creek Wigqueskeek, to Hudsons 
 River afores d as by the sayd Indian Deed relation being 
 thereunto had may more fully & at Larg' appear', AND 
 ALSO another Tract or Parcell of Land that was by the 
 sayd Fredrick Phillip's ^chased of the Native Indians 
 Sapham Ghoharins Kakingsigh on the Seaventh day of May 
 in the Year' of o r Lord 1684, which Tract or ^cell of Land, 
 is Scituate Lying & being to the Eastward of the Land of 
 the sayd ffredrick Phillip's between the Creek called Nip- 
 piorha or the Yonkers kill & Bronxes River begining on the 
 south syde at the Northerly bound's of the Yonkers Land 
 & from thence along the afores d Creeke Nippiorha however 
 it runs till you come to the most northerly bound's of the 
 Sayd ffredrick Phillip's Land's, & from thence North East 
 into the wood's unto Bronxes River & from thence along 
 Bronxes River as it run's Southerly to the Eastward of the 
 Yonkers Land aforesaid & from thence w th a westerly Lyne 
 to the afore named Yunkers kill or Nippiorha, as by the 
 sayd Indian deed relation being there unto had may more 
 fully & at Larg' appear' all which severall tracts and ^cells 
 of Lands within the Severall & respective Limitts & bound's 
 aforementioned & ^chased by the sayd ffredrick Phillips of 
 all & Every the respective Native Indians aforesayd in 
 manner aforesayd were by the sayd Tho: dungan Late 
 
446 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 Governo r of o r sayd Evince under the seale of o r Sayd 
 Evince bearing date as afores d given granted ratifyed & 
 Confirmed unto him the sayd ffredrick Phillips his heires & 
 assignes togeather with all & Singular the houses buildings 
 massuages Tenement's and hereditam ts Mills Mill dams, 
 Rivers, runiis, Streams, Pond's, with Liberty to Erect other 
 Mills or dams, in places convenient, woods, and under- 
 wood's, Quafys fishing hawking hunting & fowling, with all 
 Libertyes, Priviledges, & Improvement's w'Soever to the 
 sayd Land and ^misses belonging or in any wise apper- 
 taining To have & to hold all the afore recited Tract & 
 Tract's ^cell & ^cells of Land and ^misses with their & 
 Every of their Appurtenances, unto the sayd ffredrick 
 Phillips his heires and assignes for Ever, as by the sayd 
 grant or Pattent sealed with the seale of o r Sayd Evince & 
 Registered in o r Secretarys Office of o r sayd Evince bear- 
 ing date the 23 day of Decemb in the Year of o r Lord 1684 
 relation being thereunto had may more fully & at Larg' 
 appear And whereas the aforesayd Thomas Dungan Late 
 Governo r of o r Sayd Evince by virtue of the sayd Power' 
 & Authority in him then residing hath moreover by another 
 grant or pattent Sealed with the seale of o r Sayd Province 
 & registred in o r Secretarys Office aforesayd bearing date 
 the Eleaventh day of Novemb in the Year' of o r Lord 1686, 
 given granted, Ratifyed & Confirmed unto Phillip Phillip's 
 Eldest son of him the sayd ffredrick Phillip's all that Tract 
 or ^cell of Land commonly called by the Indians Sinck 
 Sinck & Scituate Lying & being on the East syde of Hud- 
 son's River by the Northermost ^ rt of the Land purchased 
 by the sayd ffredrick Phillips & soe runing alongst Hudsons 
 River to a certain Creek or River called Kichtawan & from 
 thence runing alongst the sayd Creek two English Miles & 
 from thence runing up the Country upon a due East Lyne 
 untill it comes unto a Creeke, called Nippiorha by the 
 Christian's the Yonkers Creek' & Soe runing alongst the 
 Sayd Creek, untill it come unto the northerly bound's of the 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 447 
 
 sayd Land of ffredrick Phillips aforesayd, & from thence 
 alongst the sayd Land untill it comes to Hudsons River 
 togeather with all manner of Rivers Riverletts, runns, 
 Stream's, ffeeding's Pastures wood's und r wood's Trees, timfo 
 waters water Courses, Ponds, Pool's, Pitts, Swamp's, 
 Moores, Marshes, meadow's Eastment's Proffits & Comodi- 
 tyes, fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking mines Minerall's 
 Quarries (Royall mines only Excepted) and all Royalties 
 Proffitts, Comodities hereditaments and appurtenances 
 whatsoever to the sayd Tract or ^cell of Land within the 
 bounds & Limitts aforesayd belonging or in any wayes 
 appertaining To have & to hold the sayd tract or <$cell of 
 Land & all & singular other the premisses with their & 
 Every of their appurtenances, unto the sayd Phillip Phillip's 
 his heires & assignes for Ever, as by the sayd grant' or 
 Pattent relation being thereunto had may more fully & at 
 Larg' appear' AND WHEREAS the sayd Phillip Phillips 
 did by mean' assurance in the Law Sell alienate enfeoffe & 
 Confirm unto his sayd father ffredrick Phillips all the afore- 
 recited tract or parcell of Land within the Limits & bounds 
 above mentioned & Exprest togeather with all & Singular 
 the ^misses with their & Every of their appurtenances To 
 have & to hold unto him the sayd ffredrick Phillips his heires 
 & assignes for Ever as by his Deed of Conveyance under 
 his hand & Seale bearing date the [ ] day of 
 
 ] in the year' of o r Lord 168 relation 
 being thereunto had may more fully & at Larg' appear', 
 And whereas the aforesayd Thomas Dungan Late Governo r 
 of o r Sayd Evince by virtue of the sayd Power & authority 
 in him then resydeing hath an other grant or Pattent sealed 
 with the seale of o r sayd Province registred in o r Secretarys 
 office aforesayd bearing date the 27 th day of June in the 
 Year' of o r Lord 1687. Given granted ratifyed released 
 and Confirmed unto the sayd ffredrick Phillips all that the 
 moytie or an Equall half Part of a certain' Entire ^cell of 
 meadow ground scituate Lying and being at a certain' place 
 
448 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 called Tappan near' Hudson's River bounded to the North 
 by a certain' Creeke called or known' by the Name of Tap- 
 pan Creeke to the East by Hudson's River aforesayd to the 
 West by a certain ^cell of upland now in the possession of 
 Georg' Lockhart & to the South by the Hudsons River 
 aforesayd, The sayd moytie or Equall half part of the sayd 
 meadow to bee Layd out Along the sydes of Hudsons River 
 aforesaid, throughout the whole Length of it's bound's upon 
 sayd River from Tappan Creeke aforesayd and to be 
 bounded to the North by Tappan Creeke, to the East by 
 Hudsons River to the west by the other moytie or half 
 Part of the Sayd meadow, still remaining to the Sayd 
 George Lockhart & soe to runn Southerly to the End of 
 the sayd meadow, nothing Excepted or Reserved thereof 
 unto the sayd Geo : Lockhart his heires or assignes but one 
 Cart or waine way through the Sayd moytie or half ffi of 
 the meadow, afores d which moytie or Equall halfe ffl of the 
 meadow aforesayd was by mean' assurance in the Law Con- 
 veyed by the sayd George Lockart & Janett his wife unto 
 the sayd ffredrick Phillip's his heires & assignes To have 
 & to hold the sayd Moytie or Equall half ^ rt of the sayd 
 meadow & ^misses with the appurtenances, unto the sayd 
 ffredrick Phillips his heires and assignes for Ever as by the 
 sayd grant or Pattent, Sealed with the Seale of o r sayd 
 Province & registred in o r Secfys Office aforesayd bearing 
 date the sayd 27 th day of June in the Year of o r Lord 
 1687-f- & as by the Sayd deed of Conveyance und r the 
 hand's & Seales of the sayd Georg' Lockheart & Jeanett his 
 wife bearing date the 20 th day of ffebruary in the Year' of 
 our Lord 1685-J- relation being thereunto had respectively 
 may more fully & at Larg' appear' And whereas Ausgustine 
 Grayham o r Surveyor Generall for o r sayd Province of New 
 York' &c r hath by warrant bearing date the 11 th day of 
 ffebruary in the fourth Year' of o r reigne Surveyed & Layd 
 out for the sayd ffredrick Phillip's a certain Small Parcell of 
 Salt meadow Scituate Lying & being on the North syde of 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 449 
 
 Tappan Creeke in the County of Orrange begining at a 
 certain' stake set on the East Syde of the sayd Creeke, & 
 from thence runns' East 37.40™ northerly to Hudsons River 
 Six Chains & ninty Links thence along the sayd River twelve 
 Chaines & ninty Link's South one degree' westerly to the 
 mouth of the afores d Creeke & from thence along the sayd 
 Creeke west 5 degrees 35 minuits northerly Eleaven Chaines 
 thence north twelve degrees Easterly two Chaines forty five 
 Link's thence East forty degrees Southerly 3 Chaines forty 
 five Link's along the sayd Creeke thence East Eleaven 
 degrees thirty minuits Southerly two Chaines twenty Link's 
 Thence North Six degrees Twenty five Minuits 
 
 seaven Chains & Seaventy Link's to the Stake 
 were the Lyne First began, being bounded on the North 
 West by a certain' ^cell of meadow Sayd to belong to 
 Cornelis Claater on the East by Hudsons River on the 
 south & west by the sayd Creeke containing in all six acres 
 three rod & eight perches as by the return' of the survey 
 bearing date the 19 th day of Aprill in the sayd fourth Year' 
 of o r reign' & in the Year' of o r Lord 1692, relation being 
 thereunto had may more fully & at Large appear' all which 
 Severall Tracts, or <Pcells of Land Lying togeather are 
 bounded & Limitted in manner hereafter Expressed & 
 mentioned (that is to say) all the sayd Tract's & ^cell's of 
 Land, that are on the East syde of Hudsons River are 
 bounded to the northward by a Creek' or River commonly 
 called by the Indians Kightowank & by the English Knotens 
 River & now belonging to Stevanus Van Courtlandt Esq r & 
 soe Eastward into the wood's, along the sayd Creek or 
 River two English Miles & from thence upon a direct East 
 Lyne to Bronxes River & soe runing southward along the 
 sayd Bronxes River as it runns untill a direct west Lyne 
 Cutteth the South side of a neck or Island of Land at a 
 Creek or Kill called Papparinemo which divides York Island 
 from the main' & soe along the sayd Creeke or kill as it 
 runn's to Hudsons River w ch part of the sayd Creek is called 
 
450 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 by the Indians Shorachhapak & continues dividing the sayd 
 York Isl from the maine & soe from thence to the North- 
 ward, alongst Sayd Hudsons River untill it comes into the 
 aforesayd Creek or River called by the Indians Kightawank 
 & by the English Knotens River & the salt meadow ground 
 on the west syde of Hudsons River are bounded and 
 Limitted as herebefore is plainly mentioned and Expressed, 
 AND whereas o r Loveing Subject the sayd ffredrick 
 Phillip's one of the members of o r Counsill of o r sayd 
 Province of New York' & the terrytoryes depending thereon 
 in America, hath by his Petition presented to Benjamin 
 ffletcher o r Captain' Generall and Governo r in Chiefe of o r 
 sayd Province of New York, &c r Prayed o r grant & Con- 
 firmation of all & Every the Tracts, and ^cell's of Land 
 within the Limitt's & bound's aforesayd, & that wee would 
 likewise Erect all thee sayd tract's & ^cells of Land within 
 the Limitt's aforesayd into a Lord Ship or Mannor, of 
 Phillips borrough, & that Wee would further grant' unto 
 o r sayd Loveing Subject, a certain' Neck or Island of Land 
 called Paparinemo adjoyning to the Land aforesayd w* 
 the salt meadow there unto belonging togeather with power 
 and authority to Erect a Bridg' over the water or River 
 comonly called Spitendivill ferry or Papparinemo & soe 
 recieive toll from all Passingers & droves of Cattle that 
 Shall pass thereon, according to the rates hereafter men- 
 tioned And whereas it is manifest that o r Sayd Loveing 
 Subject hath been at great' charg' and Expence in the 
 ^chaseing & Setling of the aforerecited Tract's of Land 
 where upon Considerab 1 Improvement's have been made 
 and that he is likewise willing at his own' propper Costs & 
 Charg' to build a bridg' at the ferry abovesayd for the 
 benefit & accomodation of Traveler's w ch reasionab 1 request 
 for his future Encouragement Wee being willing to grant' 
 KNOW YEE that of o r speciall Grace certain' Knowledg' 
 & meer motion Wee have given granted Ratifyed & Con- 
 firmed & by these psents doe for us o r heires & Successor's 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 451 
 
 give grant' Ratifye and Confirm' unto the s d ffredrick 
 Phillip's his heires and assignes all & Every the afore recited 
 Tract's & ^cells of Land & meadow ground within the 
 Limitts & bound's before mentioned and Expressed & Like- 
 wise the aforesayd Neck or Is! of Land called Pappari- 
 nemo & the meadow thereunto belonging, with Power 
 authority and Priviledg' to Erect & build a draw bridg' 
 upon the aforesayd ferry of Spitendivell at Papparinemo, 
 & to recieve the rates or toll of all Passinger's & for droves 
 of Cattle according to the rates hereafter mentioned (that 
 is to say) three pence Currant mon'y of New York' for 
 Each man & horse that shall passe the sayd bridg' in the 
 daytime & three pence, Currant mony afores d for each head 
 of meat cattle, that Shall pass the same, & twelve pence, 
 Currant mony aforesayd for Each score of hogg's Calfes 
 and sheep that shall passe the same & nine Pence Currant 
 mony aforesayd for Every boat vessell or Cannoe, that 
 shall pass the sayd bridg' & Cause the same to be drawn' 
 up, & for Each Coach Cart or Sledg' or waggon that shall 
 pass the same, the Summe of nine pence' Currant mony 
 aforesayd, and after sunn sett Each Passinger that shall 
 pass the sayd bridge Shall pay two pence Currant mony 
 aforesayd Each man & horse six pence Each head of nett 
 Cattle sixpence' each score of hoggs Calves and sheep two 
 Shillings for each boat' Vessell Canooe one Shilling & six 
 pence, for each Coach, cart waggan or sledg one shilling 
 and six pence, Currant mony aforesayd togeather with all 
 the messuages tenem ts buildings barnes houses outhouses 
 Mills Mill damms, fences, Orchard's, guardens, pastures 
 meadow's, marshes, Swamp's, Moores, Pooles, wood's, 
 underwood's, Trees, timbers, Quarries, River's, runns 
 Rivolett's, brook's, Pond's, Lakes, Streem's Creek's har- 
 bours, beeches, ferry's, fishing, fowling, hunting, hawking, 
 mines mineralls (silver & gold mines only Excepted) & all 
 the right's member Libertyes, Priviledges, Jurisdiction's 
 Royaltyes hereditaments Proffitts Tolls benefitts advantages 
 
452 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 & appurtenances whatsoev.er to the aforesayd Tract's & 
 neck or Island of Land & meadow Ferry bridg' & Mills 
 belonging or in any wayes appertaining or accepted repeated 
 taken known' or occupyed as ffi ^cell or memb, thereof, 
 And moreover KNOW YEE that of o r further speciall 
 grace certain' Knowledge & meer motion, wee have thought 
 fit according to the request of o r sayd Loveing Subject to 
 erect all the aforerecited Tract's & ^cells of Land's and 
 meadow's within the Limitts & bounds aforesayd into a 
 Lord Ship or mannor, and therefore by these psent's wee 
 doe Erect make and Constitute all the afore recited tracts 
 and pcells of Land & meadow within the Limitts & bound's 
 aforemenconed togeather with all & Every the afore 
 granted ^misses with all & Every of their appurtenances 
 into a Lordship or manner to all intent's and Purposes, And 
 it is o r Royall will and pleasure that the sayd Lordship and 
 mannor shall from henceforth be called the Lordship or 
 manner of Phillips-berrough, and the aforesayd bridg' to 
 bee from henceforth called Kings bridg' in the mann r of 
 Phillips berrough aforesayd And Know yee that wee repose- 
 ing speciall trust & Confidence in the Loyalty wisdom' 
 Justice Prudence & circumspection of o r sayd Loveing sub- 
 ject doe for us o r heires and successors give & grant unto 
 the sayd ffredrick Phillips & to be the heires and assignes 
 of him the sayd ffredrick Phillip's full power & authority at 
 all Times for Ever hereafter in the sayd Lordship or Man- 
 nor one Court Leet & one Court barron to hold and keep at 
 Such time & times & soe often Yearly & Every year's as he 
 or they shall See meet & all fines Issues & amercements as 
 the sayd Court Lett or Court Barron to bee holden within 
 the sayd Lordship or Mannor to be sett forfeited or 
 imployed or payab 1 or happening at any time to bee payab 1 , 
 by any of the Inhabitant's of or w th in The sayd Lordship 
 or Mannor of Phillips borrough or the Limit's & bound's 
 thereof As also all & Every of the Powers, & authority 
 herein before mentioned for the holding and keeping the 
 
[No. xxv] Grants 453 
 
 sayd Court, Leet and Court Barron, from time to time & 
 to award and Issue out the accustomary writs to be Issued 
 and awarded out of the sayd Court Leet & Court Barron 
 to be kep't by the heires & assignes of the sayd ffredrick 
 Phillip's for Ever or their or Any of their Stewarts deputed 
 & appointed w th full & ample Power and authority to 
 destrayne for the rents Levies or other Summes of mony 
 payab 1 by Virtue of the ^misses & all & other Lawfull 
 remedyes & mean's for the haveing Possessing recieving 
 Levying and Enjoying the Premisses and Every Part & 
 spcell of the same and all waifes, Estray's, wreck's, deo- 
 dant's goods of the fellon's happening and being forfeited 
 within the sayd Lordship and manner of Philips borrough 
 & all & Every Sum & Sumes of mon'y to be payd as a poste 
 fyne upon any fyne or fynes to be Levy'd of any Land's 
 Tenement's or hereditam ts within the sayd Lordship or 
 mannor of Philips borrough, togeather within the advowson 
 & right of Pattronage and all & Every the Church or 
 Churches Erected or Established or hereafter to be erected 
 or Established within the sayd mann r of Phillips borrough, 
 AND wee doe also further give and grant unto the sayd 
 ffredrick Phillips his heires and assignes that all & Singular 
 the Tennant's of him the sayd ffredrick Phillips within the 
 sayd manner Shall & may at all times hereafter meet 
 togeather & chose assessors within the manner aforesayd 
 according to Such Rules way's & method's as are ^scribed 
 for the Citty's Townes & Countys within o r Evince afore- 
 sayd by the acts of generall Assembly for the defraying the 
 Publick charge of Each respective Citty' Town' & County 
 aforesayd & all Such Summes of mony Soe assessed or 
 Levyed to Collect and dispose of for Such uses as the act's 
 of generall assembly Shall Establish & appoint, To have & 
 to hold possess collect and injoy all & Singular the sayd 
 Lordship or mannor of Philips borrough togeather with the 
 aforesayd Tolls & ^misses w ch all their and Every of their 
 appurtenances unto the said ffredrick Phillip's his heires 
 
454 Colonial Charters [No. xxv] 
 
 and assignes to the only propper use benefit & behoof of 
 him the sayd ffredrick Phillips his heires and assignes for 
 Ever, reserveing unto us o r heires and Successo rs ffree 
 egresse and regresse of all o r & their forces horse or foot 
 of o r and their Coaches waggans Stores of Warr ammuni- 
 tion and Expresses that Shall from time to time passe the 
 Sayd bridg' for o r or their Service anything contained to 
 the Contrary hereof in any ways notwithstanding To be 
 holden of us o r heires and Successors in free & common 
 Saccage according to the tennor of o r Mannour of East 
 Greenwich within o r County of Kent in o r Realm' of Eng- 
 land, Yeilding rendring and paying therefore Yearly & 
 Every Year' on the feast day of the Anunciation of o r 
 blessed virgin Mary at o r ffort at New York unto us o r 
 heires and successors the annuell rent of four Pounds twelve 
 Shillings Currant mony of o r sayd Province in Liew and 
 stead of all former rents Services dues duty's & demand's 
 for the sayd Lordship or mannour of Philips borrough and 
 ^misses In Testimony whereof wee have Caused the Seale 
 of o r Evince of New York' to be hereunto affixed, Witnesse 
 Benjamin ffletcher o r Captain' Generall and Governo 1 " in 
 Chief of o r Province of New York' aforesayd Province of 
 Pensilvania & Country of New Castle and the Territoryes 
 and Tract's of Land depending thereon in America at ffort 
 William Henry the twelveth day of June in the fifth Year' 
 of o r reign' & in the Year' of o r Lord one thousand six 
 hundred ninty & three 
 
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 #3*r 
 
 /""■ ■*""*.'/ ,,.r4*Mltr /X-r*,,,',, iyj$ /A /vy/,,^**.*./. "Sor/ty 
 
 
 Jum 4>*MY~.j m .s /,,/,/,„ Mt.^. g-'Sf)./^, y t/ * //,;*„/ /'i /77 rii'r '. . , 
 
 Jsr/// r/ /rti/// /////, 
 
 MAP OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLAND 
 
 Prepared by Henry Bcddell. Surveyor. D.iled 1-97. (Original in color). 
 
 Original size 19" \ 1 5". 
 
[No. xxvi] Grants 455 
 
 No. XXVI. 
 
 TOWN OF BROOKLYN. 
 
 A. 
 
 Ordinance 1 
 
 Of the Director and Council at New Netherland establish- 
 ing a Court of Justice in Breuckelen. 
 
 Passed June 12, 1646. 
 
 We, William Kieft, Director General, and the Council 
 residing in New Netherland, on behalf of the High and 
 Mighty Lords States General of the united Netherlands, 
 His Highness of Orange, and the Hon b,e Directors of the 
 General Incorporated West India Company. 
 
 To all those who shall see these presents or hear them 
 read, Greeting. 
 
 Whereas Jan Eversen Bout and Huyck Aertsen from 
 Rossum were on the 21 May last unanimously chosen by 
 the proprietors (geintresseerde) of Breuckelen, situate on 
 Long Island, as Schepens to decide all questions which may 
 rise, as they shall deem proper, according to the Exemptions 
 of New Netherland granted to particular Colonies, which 
 election is subscribed by them, with express stipulation that, 
 if any one refuses to submit in the premises aforesaid to the 
 above mentioned Jan Eversen and Huyck Aertsen, he shall 
 forfeit the right which he claims to land in the allotment of 
 Breukelen, And in order that every thing may be done with 
 more authority, We, the Director and Council aforesaid 
 have, therefore, authorized and appointed, and do hereby 
 authorize the said Jan Eversen and Huyck Aertsen to be 
 Schepens of Breuckelen, and in case Jan Eversen and Huyck 
 
 1 The original record of this ordinance in Dutch is in N. Y. Col. MSS., 
 IV:259, in the N. Y. State Library. The copy set forth herein is reproduced 
 from a translation by E. B. O'Callaghan printed in his L. & Ord. N Neth., 
 p. 58. 
 
456 Colonial Charters [No. xxvi] 
 
 Aertsen do hereafter find the labor too onerous, they shall 
 be at liberty to select two more from among the Inhabitants 
 of Breuckelen to adjoin them to themselves. We charge 
 and command every inhabitant of Breuckelen to acknowl- 
 edge and respect the abovementioned Jan Eversen and 
 Huyck Aertsen as their Schepens, and if any one shall be 
 found to exhibit contumaciousness towards them, he shall 
 forfeit his share as above stated. 
 
 Thus done in Council in Fort Amsterdam in New Nether- 
 land. 
 
 B. 
 
 Nicolls Charter for Brooklyn 2 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ. Governour Generall, 
 [SEAL] under his Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and 
 Albany &c of all his Territoryes in America ; To all to whom 
 these presents shall come, sendeth Greeting: WHEREAS 
 there is a certaine Towne within this Government, Scituate, 
 lying and being, in the west Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long 
 Island, Commonly called and knowne by the name of 
 Brueckelen; Which said Towne, is now in the Tenure or 
 occupation, of severall Freeholders and Inhabitants, who 
 having heretofore beene Seated there by Authority, have 
 beene at very considerable Charge, in manuring and Plant- 
 ing a considerable part of the Lands belonging there unto, 
 and settled a competent Number of ffamilyes there upon: 
 NOW for a Confirmation unto the said ffreeholders and 
 Inhabitants, in their Possession and Enjoyment of the 
 premisses, KNOW YEE, That by vertue of the Commission 
 and Authority unto mee given by his Royall Highnesse, I 
 have, given, Ratifyed, Confirmed and graunted, And by 
 these presents, do give, Ratify, Confirme and graunt, unto 
 Jan Everts, Jan Damen, Albert Cornelissen, Paulus Ver- 
 
 2 This charter has been carefully compared with a photostat of the original 
 which is in the Huntington Library at San Marino, California, and, as far 
 as typography will allow, is a 'verbatim et literatim ct punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxvi] Grants 457 
 
 beeck, Michell Eneyle, Thomas Lamberts, Teunis Gysberts 
 Bogart, and Joris Jacobsen, as Patentees, for and on the 
 behalfe of themselves and theire Associates, the Freeholders 
 and Inhabitants of the said Towne, their Heires, Succes- 
 sours and Assignes, All that Tract, together with the 
 severall Parcells of Land, which already have, or hereafter 
 shall be Purchased or procured, for and on the behalfe of 
 the said Towne, whether from the Native Indyan Proprieto rs 
 or others, within the Bounds and Limitts hereafter sett 
 forth and expres't, (vizt) That is to say, The said Towne 
 is Bounded westward on the farther side of the Land of 
 M r Paulus Verbeeck, from whence stretching South East, 
 they go over the Hills, and so Eastward along by the said 
 Hills, to a South East Point, which takes in all the Lotts 
 behinde the Swamp, from which said Lotts they run North- 
 west to the River, 3 and extend to the ffarme on t'other side 
 of the Hill, heretofore belonging to Hans Hansen, over 
 against the Kecke or Looke out, Including within the said 
 Bounds and Limitts, all the Lotts and Plantations, lying and 
 being at the Gouwanes, Bedford, Wallebocht and the fferry. 
 All which said Parcells and Tract of Land, and premisses, 
 w th in the Bounds and Limitts aforementioned described, 
 and all or any Plantation or Plantations thereupon, from 
 hence forth are to bee, appertaine and belong, to the said 
 Towne of Breucklen, Together with all Havens, Harbo rs , 
 Creekes, Quarryes, woodland, Meadow Ground, Reed 
 Land or valley of all sorts Pastures, Marshes, Runs, Rivers, 
 Lakes, ffishing Hawking, Hunting and ffowling, And all 
 other proffitts, Commodities, Emoluments and heredita- 
 ments, to the said Lands and premisses, within the Bounds 
 and Limitts sett forth, belonging or in any wise appertain- 
 
 3 "According to the New York doctrine, this boundary of the town can 
 only be correct when the tide is flood, for when the water is low, the town 
 is bounded by property belonging to the Corporation of the City of New 
 York, and not by the River." (Furman's, Notes on Brooklyn.) The reason 
 for this is because New York City claimed to "high water marke" on the 
 Brooklyn shore by virtue of the Cornbury Charter (pg. 243 supra.) 
 
458 Colonial Charters TNo. xxvi] 
 
 ing, And with all, to have freedome of Commonage, for 
 Range and feed of Cattle and Hores, into the woods, as 
 well without as within their Bounds and Limitts, with the 
 rest of their Neighbo rs , 4 As also, one third part of a cer- 
 taine Neck of Meadow Ground or valley, called Sellers 
 Neck lying and being within the Limitts of the Towne of 
 Jamaica, Porchased by the said Towne of Jamaica, from 
 the Indyans, and sold by them, unto the Inhabitants of 
 Breucklen aforesaid as it hath been lately laid out, and 
 divided by their mutuall consent, and my order, where unto, 
 and from which, they are likewise to have free Egresse and 
 Regresse, as their occasions shall require. TO HAVE 
 AND TO HOLD, all and singular the said Tract and 
 Parcells of Land, Meadow Ground or valley, Commonage, 
 Hereditaments and premisses, with their and every of their 
 Appurtenances, and of every part and parcell thereof to 
 the said Patentees and their Associates, their Heires, Suc- 
 cessor and Assignes, to the proper use and behoofe of the 
 said Patentees and their Associates, their heires, Successo" 
 and Assignes for ever. MOREOVER, I do hereby, give, 
 Ratify, Confirme and grant to unto the said Patentees and 
 their Associates, their Heires, Successo rs and Assignes, All 
 y e Rights and Priviledges, belonging to a Towne within this 
 Government, and that the place of their present Habitation, 
 shall continue and retaine the name of Breuckelen, by which 
 name and Stile it shall bee distinguished and knowne, in all 
 Bargaines said Patentees shall make for and on behalfe of 
 themselves and their Associates, their Heires, Successo rs 
 and Assignes, Rendering and Paying such Dutyes and 
 Acknowledgments, as now are, or hereafter shall bee, Con- 
 stituted and Establish't, by the Lawes of this Government, 
 under the obedience of his Royall Highnesse, his Heires and 
 Successo rs GIVEN under my hand and Seale at ffort James 
 
 4 This town enjoyed this privilege in common with other towns on Long 
 Island, and their cattle which ran at large were marked with the letter "N." 
 (Furman's, Notes on Brooklyn.) 
 
[No. xxvi] Grants 459 
 
 in New Yorke, on the Island of Manhattan the 18 th day of 
 October, in the nineteenth yeare of the Reign of our Sover- 
 aigne Lord CHARLES y e SECOND, by the Grace of God 
 of England, Scotland, ffrance and Ireland, King, Defender 
 of the ffaith &c, Annoqj Domini 1667. 
 
 Richard: Nicolls. 
 Recorded by order of the Governo r 
 the day and yeare above written 
 Matthias: Nicolls, Seer. 
 
 B/ 
 Breueklen Pattent./ 5 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R . GOVERN* &c 
 
 WHEREAS there is a certaine Towne w th in this Governm 1 
 scituate lyeing & being in y e west Ryding of Yorkshire 
 upon Long Island, comonly called or knowne by y e name of 
 Breueklen, w ch said Towne is now in y e tenure or occupation 
 of severall Freeholders & Inhabitants who haveing hereto- 
 fore beeme seated there by authority & likewise made Pur- 
 chase of parte of y e Lands thereunto belonging have also 
 improved a Considerable proportion thereof & setled a 
 Comptent number of Familyes thereupon, Now for a Con- 
 firmation unto y e said Freehold" & Inhabitants in their pos- 
 sesion & enjoym* of y e p r misses KNOW YEE That by 
 vertue of y e Comission & Authority unto me given &c I 
 HAVE given Ratifyed confirmed & graunted, & by theise 
 p r sents Doe give Ratifye Confirme & graunt unto [ 
 
 Blank ] 6 as Patentees for & on y e behalf e of 
 
 themselves & their Associates y e Freeholders & Inhabitants 
 
 6 This patent has been inserted to show the diference between the original 
 and recorded copy in Albany. The within has been carefully compared 
 with the copy on record in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany in 
 Books of Patents, IV -.51. 
 
 6 The names are left blank in this copy but are shown in the original copy 
 in the Huntington Library. It is probably due to carelessness on the part 
 of the recording clerk at the time he was preparing the engrossed record. 
 
460 Colonial Charters TNo. xxvi] 
 
 of y e said Towne their heires Successo rs & Assignes, ALL 
 that Tract togeth r w th y e severall parcells of Land w ch 
 already have or hereaff shall be purchased or procured for 
 & on y e behalfe of y e said Towne wheth r from y e native 
 Indian Proprietors of oth rs w th in y e bounds & Lymitts here- 
 aft r sett forth & Exprest (vizt) That is to say their said 
 bounds beginning westward on y e further syde of y e Land 
 of M r Paulus Verbeeck from whence stretching South East 
 they goe over y e Hills & so Eastward along by y e said Hills 
 a South East point w ch takes in all y e Lotts behynde y e 
 Swamp, from w ch said Lotts they run North west to y e 
 Ryver & Extend to y e Farme on t'oth r syde of y e Kill here- 
 tofore belonging to Llans Hansen over against y e Keck or 
 Look out, including w th in y e said Bounds & Lymitts all y e 
 Lotts & Plantations lyeing & being at y e Gouwanes, Bedford, 
 Wallebocht & y e Ferry All w ch said Tract & parcell of Land 
 & p r misses w th in y e bounds & lymitts aforemenconed de- 
 scribed & all or any Plantation or Plantations thereupon 
 from henceforth are to be appertaine & belonge to y e said 
 Towne of Breucklen, Togeth r w th all Havens Harbours, 
 Creekes Quarryes, Woodlands, meadow ground, Reed land, 
 or valley of all sortes, pastures, marshes, waters, Ryvers, 
 Lak[es],* Fishing, Hawking, hunting & Fowling, & all oth r 
 poffitts Commodityes Emolum ts & Hereditam ts to y e said 
 Lands & p r misses w th in y e said bounds & lymitts sett forth 
 belonging or in any wise apperteyning, w th all to have free- 
 dom of Cofhonage for Range & feed of Cattle & horses into 
 y e woods as well w th out as w th in their bounds & lymitts w th 
 y e rest of their Neighbours As also one Third parte of a 
 certaine Neck of meadow ground or valley called Sellers 
 Neck lyeing & being w th in y e lymitts of y e Towne of Jamaica 
 purchased by y e said Towne of Jamaica from y e Indians & 
 sold by them Unto y e Inhabitants of y e Towne of Breucklen 
 aforesaid as it hath beene lately layd out & divided by their 
 
 * The letters in brackets are obliterated in the original and have been filled 
 in by the editor. 
 

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 i . ., .' ..■ i . "'. iKn.-KUt, 
 ti(t,if*u£tu£i 
 
 
 
 
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 DRAUG1 i RATING HOW Till TOWNS OF NEW TOWN, BROOKLAND AND BOSWICK INT] RFERE 
 
 |anuai? .), 1694. (Origiiul on parchment in color). Original 
 
[No. xxvi] Grants 461 
 
 mutuall consent & my Ord r whereunto & from w ch they are 
 likewise to have free Egress & Regresse as their Occasions 
 shall require TO HAVE & TO HOULD all & singueler y e 
 said Tract & parcells of Land meadow ground or valley 
 Comonage Hereditm ts & p r misses w th their & every of their 
 appurtenances & of every parte & parcell thereof &c. The 
 Pattent is dated y e 18 th of October 1667./ 
 
 C. 
 
 Dongan Charter for Brooklyn. 7 
 
 Recorded for the Inhabitants of 
 Brewkleen 
 
 THOMAS : DONGAN Leiu 4 Governor and Vice Admirall 
 of New Yorke and its Dependencies under his Majesty 
 James the Second by the Grace of God of England, Scott- 
 land, ffrance and Ireland, King Defender of the faith &c 
 Supreame Lord and Proprietor of the Colony and Province 
 of New Yorke and its Dependencies in America &c To all 
 to whome this shall Come SENDETH GREETING 
 Whereas the Honorable Richard Nicolls Esq r formerly 
 Governor of this Province Did by his Certaine Writeing 
 or Pattent from under his hand and Seale bearing Date the 
 Eighteenth Day of October Annoq : Domini One Thousand 
 Six Hundred Sixty Seven Rattifie, Confirme and grant unto 
 John Everts Jan Daman, Albert Cornelisen, Paulus Ver- 
 beeck, Michiell Eneyle, Thomas Lamberts, Teuins Gisberts' 
 Bogart, and Joris Jacobson, as Pattentees for and on the 
 Behalfe of themselves and theire Associates the ffree- 
 holders, and Inhabitants of the Towne of Breucklen theire 
 heires Successors, and Assignes for Ever, a Certaine Tract 
 of Land, together with the Severall Parcells of Land which 
 
 7 This charter has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, VB436, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a 'verbatim et literatim ct punctuatim copy. 
 
462 Colonial Charters [No. xxvi] 
 
 then were or hereafter should be Purchased or Procured 
 for and on the behalfe of the said Towne whether from the 
 Native Indian Proprietors or Others within the bounds and 
 Limitts therein Sett forth and Exprest, that is to Say the 
 said Towne is Bounded Westward on the further side of 
 the Land of M r Paulus Verbeeck, from Whence Stretching 
 South East they goe over the hills and soe Eastward along 
 by the said Hills to a South East Pointe which Takes in all 
 the Lotts behinde the Swamp from which said Lotts, they 
 Run North West to the River and Extend to the farme on 
 the other side of the Kill heretofore belonging to Hanse 
 Hansen over against the Kecke or Looke out Includeing 
 within the said bounds and Limitts, all the Lotts and 
 Plantacons Lyeing and being at the Gauwanes, Bedford, 
 Wallebocht, and the ferry ALL which said Parcells, and 
 Tract of Land, and Premisses within the bounds and 
 Limitts, aforemenconed, Discribed and all or any Plantacon 
 or Plantacons thereupon from henceforth are to be apper- 
 taine and belong to the said Towne of Breuckleen together 
 with all Harbours havens, Creekes, Quaryes, wood Land 
 Meadow, ground, Reed Land, or Vally of all Sorts Pas- 
 tures, marshes, waters, Rivers, Lakes, fishing, Hawking, 
 Hunting, and fowling, and all other ProfKtss Corhodityes 
 Emoluments, and Heriditaments, to the said Lands and 
 Premisses, within the bounds and Limitts sett forth belong- 
 ing or in any wise Appurtaineing AND withall to have 
 freedome of Comonage for Range and feede of Cattle and 
 Horses into the woods with the Rest of theire Neighbours, 
 As alsoe one third Parte of A Certaine Neck of Meadow 
 ground or Vally Called Sellars Neck Lyeing and being 
 within the Limitts of the Towne of Jamaica Purchased by 
 the said Towne of Jamaica from the Indians and Sold by 
 them unto the Inhabitants of Breuckleen, aforesaid as it was 
 Laid out aforesaid, and Divided by their mutuall Consent 
 and order of the Governor TO HAVE AND TO HOLD 
 
[No. xxvi] Grants 463 
 
 unto them the said pattentees and theire Associates theire 
 heires Successors and Assignes for Ever AS by the said 
 Pattent Refference being thereunto had Doth fully and att 
 Large appeare AND further in and by the said Pattent the 
 said Governor Richard Nicolls Esq r did Erect the said 
 Tract of Land into a Towneshipp by the name of Breuck- 
 leen aforesaid by that name and Stile to be Distinguished 
 and knowne in all bargaines, sales, Deeds, Records and 
 writeings whatsoever, AND whereas the Present Inhabit- 
 ants and ffreeholders of the towne of Breuckleen aforesaid 
 have made their Applycacon to mee for a Confirmacon of 
 the aforecited Tract of Land and Premissess in theire 
 Quiett and Peaceable Possession and Enjoyment of the 
 aforesaid Land and Premissess KNOW KNOW YEE that 
 I the said Thomas Dongan by Virtue of the Commission 
 and Authority Derived unto mee and Power in mee Reside- 
 ing have granted Rattified and Confirmed and by these 
 Presents doe grant Rattifie and Confirme, unto Theunis 
 Gisberts, Thomas Lamberts Peter Jansen Jacobus Vande- 
 water, Jan Dame, Jooris Jacobs Jeronnins Rappalle Daniell 
 Rappalle, Jan Johnson Adrian Bennett and Michaell Hanse, 
 for and on the behalfe of themselves and the Rest of the 
 Present ffreeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne of 
 Breuckleen theire heires and assignes for Ever, all and 
 Singular the aforerecited tract and Parcells of Land Sett 
 forth Limitted and bounded as aforesaid togather with all 
 and Singular the houses, messuages, Tennements, ffencings 
 buildings Gardens, Orchards, Trees, Woods, Underwoods, 
 Pastures, ffeedings, Cornon of Pasture, Meadows, Marshes, 
 Lakes, Ponds, Creeks, harbours, Rivers, Rivoletts, brookes, 
 streams, highwayes and Easements, Whatsoever belonging 
 or in Any wise Appurtaineing to any of the aforerecited 
 Tract or Parcells of Land, and Divissions, Allottments, 
 Settlements made and Appropriated before the Day and the 
 Date hereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and Singular 
 
464 Colonial Charters [No. xxvi] 
 
 the said Tract or Parcells of Land and Premissess with 
 theire and Every of theire Appurtenrices unto the said 
 Teunis Gysberts, Thomas Lamberts, Peter Jansen Jacobus 
 Vandewater, Jooris Jacobs Jeronnimus Rappalle, Daniell 
 Rappalle Jan Jansen Adrian Bennitt, and Michaell Hanse 
 for and on the behalfe of themselves and the Present, ffree- 
 holders and Inhabitants of the Towne of Breuckleen, theire 
 and Every of theire heires and assignes for Ever, as 
 Tennants in Corhon without any Lett Hindrance Molestacon 
 Right of Survivorshipp or Otherwise TO BEE HOLDEN 
 in free and Comon Soccage According to the Tenure of 
 East Grenwich in the County of Kent in his Majesties King- 
 dome of England YEILDING Rendring and Payeing there- 
 fore yearely and Every yeare on the five and twentyth Day 
 of March for Ever in Liew of all Services and Demands 
 whatsoever as a quitt Rent to his most Sacred Majesty 
 aforesaid his heires and successors, att the Citty of New 
 Yorke twenty bushells of good winter merchantable wheate, 
 IN TESTIMONY whereof I have Caused these Presents 
 to be entered and recorded in the Secretaryes office and the 
 seale of the Province to bee hereunto Affixed this 13th Day 
 of May Anno: Dom 1686 and in the Second yeare of his 
 Majesties Reigne 
 
 THOMAS: DONGAN 
 May it Please your Honor 
 
 The Attorney Generall hath Perused this Pattent and finds 
 nothing Contained therein Prejudiciall to his Majesties 
 Interest 
 
 Exam. May 10th: 1686 
 
 Ja : Graham 
 
_ fc£g^ <£+a£!SfUfi& *y"*£ 
 
 1 ^% 
 
 
 ^•'■'-'^'"r "•*"'■'■' " * * "' "-*> •'-—< c-~*r -. 
 
 J 
 
 MAP SHOWING Ml! LINES WD BOUNDS 01 nil TOWN OF BL'SHWICK, KIN< 
 Prepared b) Pictcr Corlclyou. Dated December 2. 1706. (Original in color). O 
 
 IL'NT' 
 
 1 1 1°. 
 
[No. xxvii] Grants 465 
 
 No. XXVII. 
 
 TOWN OF BUSHWICK. 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Bushwick. 1 
 
 Boswyck Pattent./ 
 
 To Runne as y e Pattent for Flatt bush doth both at y e 
 beginning and y e end & Their bounds (vizt) That is to say, 
 The said Towne is bounded w th y e Mouth of a certaine 
 Creek or Kill comonly called Mespath Kills right over 
 against the Domines Hook, so their bounds goe to David 
 Jochems Hook then striking upon a South East Lyne alongst 
 y e said Kill they come to Smiths Island including y e same 
 Togeth r w th all y e meadow ground or valley thereunto 
 belonging & continueing y e same Course they Passe alonge 
 by y e fence at y e woods syde so to Thomas Wandalls 
 meadowe from whence stretching upon a South East & by 
 South lyne alongst y e wood lands to y e Kill takeing in y e 
 Meadow or valley lyeing there they passe on to y e Land 
 heretofore belonging to Ryck Leedecker deceased & so 
 stretch againe neare upon a South East & by South Lyne 
 six hundred Rod into y e woods then Running behynde y e 
 Lotts as y e Wood land lyes South west & by South & out of 
 y e said woods they goe againe northwest to a certaine small 
 swamp from thence they run behynde y e new Lotts to Jan 
 y e Swedes meadow soe along by a small Kill or Creek to a 
 Corner or Hook of Jan Cornelissens meadow Then over y e 
 Normans, Kill to y e west end of his old house, from whence 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, IV 153, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. The document 
 seems to be only an abstract of the original, giving the boundaries and 
 stating that the patent is to be similar to that issued to Flatbush. A search 
 has been made for the original patent but it cannot be located and is either 
 lost or in private hands. 
 
466 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 they goe alongst y e Ryver till you come to y e mouth of Mis- 
 path Kills & David Jochems Hook aforementioned where 
 they first began & The Patent is dated October y e 25 th 
 1667./ 
 
 B. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Bushwick. 2 
 
 Recorded for the Inhabitants of the Towne of Boswick. 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Cap 4 Generall Governour in 
 Cheife & vice Admirall in & over the Province of New 
 Yorke & territoryes Depending thereon in America under 
 his Ma tie James the Second by the Grace of God of England 
 Scottland ffrance & Ireland King Defendor of the faith 
 &c. To all all whom these Presents Shall Come SENDETH 
 GREETING WHEREAS Richard Nicolls Esq r Governour 
 Gen 11 under his Roy H High ss James Duke of Yorke & Albany 
 now his Present Majesty of all his territoryes in America 
 hath by pattent under his hand & Seale bearing date the 
 twenty fifth Day of October 1667 Given Granted Ratified 
 & Confirmed unto Peter Johnson Dirick Norman paulus 
 Richards David Yeokins & Long Gisbert as pattentees for 
 & on behalfe of themselves & their Associates the ffree- 
 holders & Inhabitants of A certaine towne scituate lyeing 
 & being in the west Rideing of York shire now kings county 
 upon Long Island commonly Called & knowne by the name 
 of BOSWICK which said Towne was & now is in the tenure 
 & Occupacon of severall ffreeholders & Inhabitants who 
 were seated by Authority & have been att considerable 
 Charge in manureing & Planting A considerable parte of 
 the lands belonging thereunto & settled a competent Num- 
 ber of familyes thereupon which said Towne Contains All 
 that tract together with the Severall parcells of Land which 
 
 2 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, VI 1146, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxvii] Grants 467 
 
 Already have or hereafter Shall bee purchased or procured 
 for & on the behalfe of the said Towne whether from the 
 native indian proprietors or others within the limitts & 
 bounds hereafter sett forth & Exprest viz 1 that is to say 
 the said Towne is bounded with the mouth of A certaine 
 creek or kill Comonly called Maspeth kills right over 
 against the Dominees Hook so y r bounds go to David 
 Yeokims hook then stretching upon A South east line alongst 
 the said kill they Come to smiths Island includeing the same 
 together with all the meadow ground or Valley thereunto 
 belonging & Continueing the same course they passe along 
 by the fence att the wood side so to Thomas Wondalls 
 meadows from whence Stretching upon a south east & by 
 south line Alongst the wood & to the kill takeing in the 
 meadow or Valley lyeing there they pass into the land 
 heretofore belonging to Ryck Locdecker Deceased & soe 
 stretch againe neare upon a south east & by south line six 
 hundred Rodd into the woods then runing behind the lotts 
 as the woodland lyes south west & by south & out of the said 
 woods they goe Againe north west to a certaine small 
 swamp from thence they runn behind the new lotts to Jeane 
 the sweeds meadow so Along by A small kill or creek to a 
 corner or hook of Jan Cornelissens meadow then over the 
 norman kill to the west end of his old house from whence 
 they go Alongst the River till You come to the mouth of 
 Maspeth kills & David Yeoakins hook Aforemenconed 
 where they first begunn ALL which said tract & parcells of 
 land Meadow Ground & Premissess within the bounds & 
 limitts before menconed Discribed & all or any plantacon 
 or Plantacons thereupon from henceforth to be appurtaine 
 & belong to the said towne of Boswick together with all 
 Havens harbors Creeks Quarries wood land and meadow 
 ground Reed land or Valley of all sorts Pastures Marshes 
 waters Rivers Lakes fishing hawking hunting & fowleing & 
 all other profBtts Commodityes Emoluments & hereditam ts 
 to the said Lands & Premissess within the Bounds & limitts 
 
468 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 Sett forth belonging or in any wise Appurtaineing & Also 
 freedom of Comonage for Range & feed of cattle & horses 
 into the woods as well without as within their Bounds & 
 limitts with the Rest of their Neighbours TO have & to 
 hold All & Singular the said tract Parcells of Land Comon- 
 age Hereditaments & premissess with their & every of their 
 Appurtennces & of every parte & parcell thereof to the 
 said Pattentees & their Associates their heires Successors 
 & Assignes for ever AND moreover the said Richard Nicolls 
 Governo 1 " Generall as Aforesaid Did further give grant 
 ratifie & confirme unto the said Pattentees & their Associates 
 their heires Successors & Assignes All the rights & Privi- 
 lidges belonging to A towne within this Governm* & that 
 the place of their present habitacon Shall continue & Retaine 
 the Name of Bosswick by which name or title it shall be 
 Distingueshed & knowne in all bargaines & Sailes deeds 
 writeings & Records they the said Pattentees & Associates 
 their heires successors & Assignes Rendring & paying Such 
 Dutyes & Acknowledgm ts as now are or hereafter shall bee 
 Constituted & established by the laws of this Governm* 
 under the obedience of his Royll High ss now his Present 
 Majesty his heires & successors as Doth more Perticulerly 
 Appeare by said pattent Recorded in the Secretaryes Office 
 Relacon being thereunto had AND whereas upon A Differ- 
 ence Arriseing between the Inhabitants of new towne & the 
 inhabitants of the said towne of Boswick Aforesaid concern- 
 ing the limits & bounds of their Respective townes upon 
 Applycacon made to Francis Lovelace late Governour of 
 this Province under his Royall High ss now his Present 
 Majesty Did order Appoint and Commissionate Thomas 
 Delavall Matthias Nicolls James Hubbard Jacques Cour- 
 tilian Elbert Elbertsen Elias Doughty to view & inspect the 
 limitts of their Respective townes & to indeavor a Com- 
 posure & putt a period to their Controversy which said 
 Commissioners haveing been upon the place & heard & 
 Examined the matter on each side Did further request & 
 
[No. xxvii] Grants 469 
 
 desire & Consent of Persons Deputed by the Inhabitants of 
 each towne Did upon due consideracon of the premissess & 
 to the end no further Dispute or difference may bee between 
 the two townes & for the future that they may live in 
 neighbourly ffriend shipp did conclude & Determine that 
 there should be A finall end of said Difference & adjudge 
 that all the valley or meadow ground on the westermost 
 side of the creek of maspeth kills shall be & belong to the 
 Inhabitants of Boswick that is to say from the mouth of 
 the said creek to run through & parte the meadow ground 
 or valley About the Middle so to go on in the westerne 
 branch of the said Creek to A certaine pond into which the 
 Creek runs Called Seadders pond neare whereunto the fence 
 of Hendrick Barent Smith now stands & that smiths Island 
 comonly so Called & all the valley or meadow ground on 
 the east side of the creek Adjoyning or Contigous to the 
 said Island shall bee & Remaine to the inhabitants of Mas- 
 peth kills or Newtowne All though expressly mentcned in 
 the pattent of Bosswick for that it seems more properly to 
 be within the limitts of Newtowne in Consideracon whereof 
 & in Lieu of Six hundred Rodd menconed in their pattent 
 to Runn into the woods upon a south east & by south line 
 as Also for an enlargement of their bounds as to the upland 
 of which they have Occasion the Inhabitants of Boswick 
 Shall have & Enjoye all the Land whether upland or Other 
 begining from the ffence aforemenconed neare Scudders 
 pond to run upon a South South east line till it comes to 
 the hills that is to say all the Land in the Westerne side 
 thereof including the plantacon both upland & meadow 
 Ground belonging to the said Hendrick Barent Smith within 
 the Limitts of their said towne or soe much thereof as Shall 
 be within the line afores d & that the said Hendrick be A 
 member of said towne as by Returne of said Commissioners 
 under their Hands bearing date the twenty eighth day of 
 June 1672 & the Confirmacon of the same under the hand 
 of the then Governo r Francis Lovelace Recorded in the 
 
470 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 Secretaryes office relacon being thereto had may more fully 
 & att Large Appeare AND whereas att a Councill held att 
 New Yorke before me upon the twenty eighth Aprill 1684 
 severalls deputed from the townes of Boswjck & New towne 
 Produced their Pattents & Papers relateing to what was 
 Done by Governour Lovelace & Governour Niccolls & like- 
 wise the Arbitracon made by the Commissioners Aforesaid 
 which with the Advice of my Councill I thought fitt to 
 approve as by order of Councill Recorded in the Secretaryes 
 office relacon being thereunto had may more ffully & att 
 large Appeare the whole as now possessed beginning from 
 Scudders pond next to the fence of Hendrick Barent Smith 
 & stretching with a south South east line to the mountaine 
 or hills & so Along the said hills About three hundred rodd 
 aboutting to the Limitts of Brookland begining againe from 
 the hills with A north west line to a nutt tree markt & 
 standing in the small bushes & from said tree with A right 
 line between Teunis Gisberts & Jacob Kipp to the east River 
 & along the said River to the normans Creek & further the 
 normans Corner & David Yoakams Corner Stretching by 
 the east River Along to the Corner of Maespeth kills & so 
 Along to the Depth of s d kill att Humphry Clayes & from 
 thence to the Depth of said kill to Scudders pond over the 
 creek to Hendrick Barent Smith Aforesaid, AND whereas 
 Peter Janselert Charles Fountaine Volcker Dirckson Peter 
 Bratt Jacob Direkson Joost Cockuyt Jacob Jansen John 
 Serole John Serole Senior Jacob Kipp Senior Veuter Ver- 
 scurson John Lequire Cornelis Johnson Peter Johnson Loy 
 Charles Deniso Claes Cornelis Catts Jurian Hages Albert 
 Hendricks Michal Palmenter Joost David Lawrence Cooke 
 Henry Barent Smith Humphry Clay Peter Scam Simon 
 Hakes Adrian Lafoce Alex Cockever Jan Janselere Volkert 
 Dewitt the p r sent freeholders & Inhabitants of the said 
 towne of Boswick hath made Applycacon to me for a Con- 
 firmacon of the Premissess by Pattent under the Seale of 
 the Province NOW KNOW YEE that for Divers good 
 
[No. .xxvii] Grants 471 
 
 Consideracons me there unto moveing & more Especially 
 for the Greate Improvem 1 the Said Respective Inhabitants 
 have made of the Land within the Limitts of the said 
 Towne of Boswjck Aforesaid & also for the Quitt Rent 
 hereafter Reserved I the said Thomas Dongan by virtue 
 of the power & Authority to me Derived from his most 
 Sacred Majesty Aforesaid & in pursuance of the same I 
 have Given Granted Ratified Released & Confirmed & by 
 these Presents Doe Give Grant Rattifie Release & Confirme 
 unto Peter Janselert Charles Fountaine Volker Dirkson 
 Peter Bratt Jacob Dirksen Joost Cockitt Jacob Jansen John 
 Serole John Serole junior Jacob Kipp Senior Voulter Ver- 
 scuersen John Lequire Cornelis Johnson Peter Johnson Loy 
 Charles Deniso Claus Cornelius Cattis Jurian Hagell Albert 
 Hendricks Michaell Pelmenter Jost Darie Lawrence Cook 
 Henry Barent Smith Humphrey Clay Peter Scamp Simon 
 Hakes Adrian Laforce Alexer Cockever Jan Canslier 
 Volker Dewitt the present {freeholders & Inhabitants of the 
 said towne of Boswick & their heirs Successors & Assignes 
 All the before Recited tracts & parcells of land within the 
 limitts & bounds Aforesaid butt more perticulerly Within 
 the Limitts & bounds that was Adjudged and Determined 
 by the Commissioners Appointed by Governo 1 " Lovelace 
 which hereafter Shall for Ever bee deemed & esteemed the 
 bounds & Limitts between the towne of New towne & Bos- 
 wick any pattent Grant or Conveyance to the contrary 
 hereof in any wise notwithstanding & also all & singuler the 
 houses Messuages tennements fencings buildings Gardens 
 Orchards trees woods underwoods pastures feedings Corhon 
 of Pasture meadows Marshes Lakes ponds Creeks harbours 
 Rivers Rivoletts Runns Brooks Streams highwayes ease- 
 ments mines Mineralls Quaryes ffishing hunting hawking & 
 fowleing (Royall mines only Excepted) and like wise all & 
 Singuler the Allotments Divisions & Settlem ts Land & 
 Plantacons that have been Settled & Improved by the 
 Respective Inhabitants of the said Towne within the Limitts 
 
472 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 aforesaid together with all & Singuler the Rights Libertyes 
 Privilidges hereditam ts proffitts Advantages & Appurtennces 
 whatsoever to the said tract of land & respective Settle- 
 ments Allottments & Divissions belonging or in any wise 
 appurtaineing or Accepted Reputed taken knowne or Occu- 
 pied as parte parcell or member thereof, TO HAVE & TO 
 HOLD all & singuler the Aforerecited tract & parcell of 
 land & premissess with y r & Every of their Appurtennces 
 into the said Peter Janselert Charles ffountaine, Volhert 
 Dirkson Peter Bratt Jacob Dirkson Joost Cockwitt Jacob 
 Johnson John Serole John Serole Senior Jacob Kipp Senior 
 Vouter Verscursen John Lequire Cornelis Johnson Peter 
 Johnson Loy Charles Denisso Claus Cornelis Catts Jurian 
 Hagell Albert Hendrix Michael Palmenter Joost Darie 
 Lawrence Cooke Henry Barent Smith Humphry Clay Peter 
 Scamp Simon Hakes Adrian Laforce Allex r Cockever Jan 
 Canselier Volkert Dewitt {freeholders & Inhabitants of the 
 said Towne of Bosswick their & their Respective heires & 
 Assignes & to the only use benefitt & behoofe of them the 
 said peter Jansenlert Charles ffountaine Volkert Diricksen 
 Peter Bratt Jacob Diricksen Joost Cockwitt Jacob Johnson 
 John Serole John Serole junior Jacob Kipp Senior Vowter 
 Vurscursen John Lequire Cornelis Johnson Peter Johnson 
 Loy Charles Dennisso Claus Cornelis Catts Jurian Hagell 
 Albert Hendrix Michael palmenter Joost Darie Lawrence 
 Cooke Henry Barent Smith Humphry Clay Peter Scamp 
 Simon Hakes Adrian Leforce Alex r Cockever Jan Canselier 
 Vokert Dewitt ffreeholders & Inhabitants of the said Towne 
 of Boswick their & their Respective heires & Assignes for 
 Ever, TO BEE HOLDEN of his said Majesty his heires 
 & Successors in free & Comon soccage According to the 
 tenure of East Grenwich in the County of Kent in his Ma tls 
 Realme of England, YEILDING Rendring & Paying there 
 Yearly & Every Yeare for ever on the five & twentyth Day 
 of March at New York [ ] of good mar- 
 
 chantable winter wheate in liew & in stead of all Services & 
 
/f/z/'///~ y yfayrff/vrA ^//'M///// 
 
 1 ~ 
 
 ////•v f<*t/frf 
 
 ,/,.„,.'/, »,*/„„>/., „r.„s,„f /<■ //,. „*i*~'/;. »;>;&** »■/""< /" 4,. .<.;»"&/ 
 
 /////// sJ""'' / ' ; 
 
 M W OF THE BUSHWICK TOWNSHIP 
 
 I 
 
 X ! 5". 
 
[No. jxxvii] Grants 473 
 
 Demands whatsoever unto Such Officer or officers as shall 
 be Appointed to Receive the Same IN testimony whereof I 
 have Caused these presents to be Entered upon Record in 
 the Secretaryes office & the Seale of the Province to be here- 
 unto Affixed this [Blank] Day of February 1687 & in the 
 Second Yeare of his Ma tis Reigne. 
 By E Tho : Dongan 
 
 May it Please your Excellency 
 
 The Attourny Gen H hath Perused this Pattent & finds 
 nothing Contained therein Prejudiciall to his Maj tis Intrest 
 Exam 1686 Ja Graham 
 
 Att a Councell held in New Yorke the [Blank] Day of 
 [Blank] 1686 Present his Execellency Major Brockholls 
 Major ffredrick Phillips Major Courtlandt M r John 
 Spragge Major Gervis Baxter, this Pattent was Approved 
 off 
 
 JS : Swinton Ck. Councill 
 
 Royal Patent for Bushwick. 3 
 
 Boswick Pattent 
 
 ANNE by the Grace of God of Great Brittain France & 
 Ireland Queen Defend 1 " of the ffaith &c To all to whom 
 these psents Shall come or may concerne Greeting 
 WHEREAS Richard Nicolls Esq r Gov or Gen aH und r his 
 Late Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke and Albany 
 of all his Territorries in America HATH by Patent und r 
 his hand and Seale Bearing date the Twenty fifth day of 
 Octo r one Thousand Six hundred Sixty Seaven given 
 granted ratified & confirmed unto Peter Jansen Derick Nor- 
 man Paulus Richards David Yoakims & Long Gysbert as 
 
 8 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, VII 1370, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
474 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 Pattentees for and on Behalfe of themselves & their asso- 
 ciates the freeholders and Inhabitants of a certain Town 
 Scituate Lyeing & Being in the west Rideing of York Shire 
 now Kings County on Long Island commonly called or 
 knowne by the name of Boswick ALL that the Township of 
 Boswjck afores d & all the Lands thereunto adjoining & 
 Belonging within the Bounds and Limites herein after 
 particularly exprest (that is to Say) Bounded with the 
 mouth of a certain creek or kill commonly called Mespath 
 Kills right over against Dominies Hook soe their Bounds 
 goe to David Jochem Hook then Strikeing upon a South 
 east Line along the said Kill they Come to Smiths Island 
 Including the same together with all y e meadow ground or 
 valley thereunto belonging & continueing the same course 
 they pass along by the Fence att the wood Side so to Thomas 
 Wandall's meadow from whence Stretching on a South east 
 & By South Line along the wood lands to the kill takeing in 
 the meadow or valley lyeing there they pass on to the Land 
 heretofore Belonging to Ryck Ledecker Deced & so Stretch 
 again neare upon a South, East and By South Line Six 
 hundred Rodds into the woods thence running Behind the 
 Lotts as the wood land lyes Southwest & South & out of 
 the Said woods they goe againe Northwest to a Certain 
 Small Swamp from whence they run Behind the new Lotts 
 to Jan DeSweede's meadow so along by a Small kill or 
 Creek to a Corner or Hook of Jan Cornelissens meadow 
 then over the norman's kill to the west End of his old house 
 from whence they goe along the River till they come to the 
 mouth of mespath Kills & David Jochem's Hook afore- 
 menconed where it first Begann all which Said Tract & 
 Parcell of Land meadow ground & premisses within the 
 Bounds and Limits beforemenconed & Described [and all]* 
 or any plantation or plantations thereon from thenceforth 
 to Appertain & [belong] to the Said Town of Boswick 
 together with all havens harbour's Creeks Quary's [Wood- 
 
 * Matter in brackets is illegible in original. 
 
[No. xxvii] Grants 475 
 
 land] meadow ground Reed land or valley of all sorts 
 pastures marshes waters Rivers L[akes] Fishing hawkeing 
 hunting & fouling and all other profitts Corhodities Emolu- 
 me[nts and] hereditaments to the said Lands & pmisses 
 within the Bounds & Limitts before Se[tt forth or] Belong- 
 ing or in any wise apperteining and also freedom of Comon- 
 age for Rang[e and] Feed of Cattle & Horses into the 
 woods as well without as within their Bounds a[nd] Limitts 
 with the rest of their neighbour's TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD all & Singula [r] the Said Tract parcells of land 
 Comonage hereditaments & premisses with their & every of 
 their appurtenances and every part and parcell thereof unto 
 the Said Pattentees and their associates their heirs Succes- 
 sors and Assigns to y e proper use & Behoof of the Said 
 Pattentees & their associates their heirs Successors & Assigns 
 for ever and moreover the Said Richard NicoHs Gov r Gen 11 
 as afores d Did further give grant Ratifye & Confirm unto 
 the Said Pattentees and their associates their heirs Succes- 
 sors and assigns all the Rights & Priveledges Belonging to 
 a Town within this Governm 1 and that the place of their 
 then psent Habitation Should Continue and retain the name 
 of Boswick by which name or Stile it Should be Distinguished 
 and known in all Bargaines and Sales Deeds Writeings and 
 Records they the Said Pattentees and Associates their heirs 
 Successors and assigns Rendring & Paying Such Duties & 
 acknowledgm ts as then were or then after Should Be Con- 
 stituted & Established by the Laws of this Governm 1 under 
 the obedience of his then Royall Highnesse his heirs and 
 Successo" as by the said Pattent Relacon being thereunto 
 had may more fully & att Large appear ALL which Town- 
 ship Lands & pmisses with their appurtenances together 
 with the Rig[hts] Liberties & Priveledges were afterwards 
 (to witt) in the month of February [in the] year of our 
 Lord one Thousand Six hundred Eighty and Six ratifyed 
 a[nd] confirmed to the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 said Town of Boswick and their heirs By Thomas Dongan 
 
476 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 Cap* Gen H & Gov r in Cheife & vice admira[ll] in and over 
 the Province of New Yorke and Territories Depending 
 thereon [in] America und r our Royall Predecessor James 
 the Second then King of Eng[land] Scotland France & 
 Ireland as by the Said Pattent under the hand of the sa[id] 
 Thomas Dongan and Seal of the Said Province relation 
 Being thereunto h[ad] may more fully and att Large appear 
 AND WHEREAS the psent Freeholders] and Inhabitants 
 of the Said Town of Boswick by their Petition humb[ly] 
 presented to our right trusty & welbeloved Couzin Edward 
 Viscount Cornb[ury] our Cap 1 Gen 11 & Gov r in Chief e in 
 and over our Province of New Yorke & Territories] 
 Depending thereon in America & vice admirall of the Same 
 in Councill ha[ve] Prayd our grant & confirmation of all 
 that the Said Townshipp of Boswick a[nd] the Lands & 
 pmisses with the appurtenances thereunto Belonging 
 with [in] the Bounds and Limitts above Recited with all and 
 Singular the Rig[hts] & priviledges as the Same are herein 
 before recited to be granted by the sa[id] Gov r Nicolls 
 unto Charles Fountaine urian Nagle Peter Praa ffrancis 
 [Titus] John Liquiss Jochem ver Chuyer Philip volckers 
 John miserall & auke Rey[nierse] in Trust for themselves 
 and the rest of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of t[he] 
 Said Town of Boswick, The which Petition wee being 
 minded to grant KNOW [YE] that of our especiall grace 
 certain knowledge and meer motion wee ha[ve Given] 
 Granted Ratifyed & confirmed & in & by these psents for 
 our Selves our heirs & Successors Doe give grant ratifye 
 and Confirm unto the Sd Charles ffountain urian nagle Peter 
 Praa Francis Titus John Liquiss Jochem ver Chuyer Phillip 
 volikers John miserall & auke Reynierse all & Singular the 
 before recited Township of Boswick & all and Singular the 
 Tracts and parcells of Land & pmisses with their appurte- 
 nances within the Bounds and Limitts afores d & also all & 
 Singular the houses messuages Tenements and Plantations 
 ffences Buildings Gardens orchards Trees woods under- 
 
[No. xxvii] Grants 477 
 
 woods pastures ffeedings comon of Pasture meadows 
 marshes Lakes Ponds Creeks Harbours Rivers Rivoletts 
 Runns Brooks Streams Easements mines Mineralls Quarries 
 ffishing hunting hawking & fouling and Likewise all and 
 singular the allottments devissions & Settlements Land and 
 Plantations y l have been Settled & Improved by therespec- 
 tive Inhabitants of y e Sd Town within y e Limitts afores d 
 together with all & Singular the rights Liberties priveledges 
 hereditaments proffitts advantages & appurts whatsoever 
 to the Sd Tract of Land & respective Settlem ts allottm ts & 
 Divissions Belonging or in any wise appertaining or accepted 
 reputed taken Known or Occupyed as p 1 parcell or member 
 thereof (Except and always reserved out of this our psent 
 grant all Gold & Silver mines) TO HAVE & TO HOLD 
 the Sd Townshipp & all & Singular the tract & parcells of 
 Lands & pmisses with their & every of their appurtenances 
 & all and Singular the Libertyes & privildges herein before 
 recited to be granted by the Sd Gov r Nicolls unto the Said 
 Charles ffountain Urian nagle Peter Praa ffrancis Titus 
 John Liquiss Jocham ver Chuyer Phillip Volkers John 
 miserall & auke Reynierse their heirs and assigns for Ever 
 In Trust nevertheless and for the use of themselvs and the 
 rest of the ^freeholders & Inhabitants of the Sd Town of 
 Boswick respectively and of their Severall and respective 
 heirs and assignes for ever according to their Severall and 
 respective possessions rights & Interests in the Sd pmisses 
 or any part or parcell thereof with their appurtenances 
 (Except before Excepted) TO BE HOLDEN of us our 
 heirs and Successors in free and Comon Soccage as of our 
 mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent within 
 our Kingdom of England YEILDING RENDRING AND 
 PAYING therefore yearly & every year from henceforth 
 unto us our heirs & Successors att our Custome house in the 
 Citty of New Yorke to our Coll r or Receiv r Gen H there for 
 the time being all or upon the ffeast-day of the Annunciation 
 of our blessed virgin mary (Comonly called Lady Day) 
 
478 Colonial Charters [No. xxvii] 
 
 the Rent of Six Bushells of good merchantable winter wheat 
 in Lieu & Stead of all other Rents Services Dues Duties & 
 Demands whatsoever IN TESTIMONY whereof wee have 
 Caused these our Letters to be made Pattents and the Seal 
 of our Said Province of New Yorke to our Said Letters 
 Pattents to be affixed and the Same to be Recorded in the 
 Secretarys office of our Said Province WITTNESS our 
 right Trusty & welbeloved Couzin Edward Visco* Cornbury 
 Captain Generall & Governor in Chiefe in and over our 
 Province of New Yorke afores d and Territorries Depend- 
 ing thereon in America & vice admirall of the Same &c In 
 Councill att our Fort att New Yorke afores d the Twelfth 
 day of august in the Seaventh year of our Reigne Annoqj 
 Dm 1708/ 
 Ex r Geo:Clar[ke] 
 
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 9 H 
 
 MAP OF THI TOWN (IF FLATBUSH, KINGS COUNTY 
 
 P [crcmiah Loll. Dated Novcmbn lo, [797 
 
 (Original in color). Original size 14" x 21". 
 
[No. xxvni] Grants 479 
 
 No. XXVIII. 
 
 TOWN OF FLATBUSH. 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Flatbush. 1 
 
 [seal] RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R Governour Generall, under 
 his Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c, 
 of all his Territoryes in America; To all to whom these 
 presents shall come, sendeth Greeting: WHEREAS there 
 is a certaine Towne within this Government, Scituate, lying 
 and being, in the west Riding of Yorkshire upon Long 
 Island, commonly called and knowne by the name of Mid- 
 dewout, Alias Flatt-Bush; Which said Towne, is now in the 
 Tenure or occupation of the severall ffreeholders and 
 Inhabitants, who having heretofore beene Seated there by 
 Authority, have beene at very considerable Charge, in 
 manuring and Planting a considerable part of the Lands 
 belonging there unto, and settled a competent Number of 
 ffamilyes there upon; Now for a Confirmation, unto the said 
 ffreeholders and Inhabitants, in their possession and Enjoy- 
 ment of y e p r misses, KNOW YEE, That by vertue of the 
 Commission and Authority, unto mee given by his Royall 
 Highnesse, I have given, Ratifyed, Confirmed and graunted, 
 And by these presents, do give, Ratify, Confirme and graunt, 
 unto M r Johannes Megapolensis, M r Cornelius van Ruyven, 
 one of the Justices of the Peace, Adriaen Hegeman, Jan 
 Snediger, Jan Strycker, Frans Barents Pastor, Jacob 
 Strycker and Cornelys Jansen Bongaert, as Patentees for 
 and on the behalfe of themselves and their Associates, the 
 ffreehold rs and Inhabitants of the said towne, their Heires, 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 document, which is on three sheets of paper signed by Gov. Nicolls and 
 bears the seal intact in the left margin of the first sheet. The original is 
 in the custody of the Commissioner of Records for Kings Co. and this is, as 
 far as typography will allow, a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
480 Colonial Charters [No. xxvui] 
 
 Successo rs and Assignes, All that Tract, together with the 
 severall Parcells of Land, which already have, or here after 
 shall bee Purchased, or procured, for and on the behalfe of 
 the said Towne, whether from the Native Indyan 
 Proprieto rs , or others, within the Bounds and Limitts here- 
 after sett forth and expres't, (VIZT) That is to say, The 
 said Towne is Bounded on the South, by the Hills, to the 
 North by the Bounds or ffence, lately sett betweene them, 
 & TOWNE of Amesfort, alias FLATT-LANDS, begining 
 at a certaine Tree, standing upon the little fflatts, mark't by 
 the order and determination of severall Arbitrato rs , 
 appointed by mee, to view and issue the difference betweene 
 the two Townes, concerning the same, which accordingly 
 they did, upon the 17 th day of October 1666. And to the 
 East and west, by the Common wood Lands, including two 
 fflatts, heretofore called by the names of Curlers and 
 Twillers fflatts, which lye to the East of the Towne; As also 
 a Parcell of Meadow Ground or valley, on the East North 
 East side of Canarisee Planting Land, and having to the 
 South the Meadow Ground belonging to Amesford alias 
 fflat-Bush, 2 according to the division made by an East Line, 
 runing halfe a Point Northerly, between them, without 
 variation of the Compasse, and so to go to the Mouth of 
 the Creeke or Kill; which said Meadowes, were upon the 
 20 th day of Aprill Last, by common consent, staked out, 
 and by my approbation Allowed of; All which said Tract 
 and Parcells of Land, Meadow Ground and premisses, 
 within the Bounds and Limitts before mentioned described, 
 and all or any Plantation or Plantations thereupon, from 
 hence forth are to bee, appertaine and belong, to the said 
 Towne of Middewout, alias Flatt-Bush; Together with all 
 Havens, Harbours, Creekes, Quarryes, wood-Lands, 
 Meadow Ground, Reed-Land or valley, of all sorts, Pastures, 
 Marshes, waters, Rivers, Lakes, ffishing, Hawking, Hunt- 
 ing and ffowling, and all other proffitts, Commodities, Emol- 
 
 2 So in the original, obviously an error. Should be "Amesford alias 
 Flat-Lands." 
 
[No. xxvni] Grants 481 
 
 uments and Heriditaments, to the said Lands and premisses, 
 within the said Bounds and Limitts sett forth, belonging or 
 in any wise appertaining: And also freedome of Com- 
 monage, for Range and feed of Cattle and Horses, into the 
 woods as well without as within their Bounds and Limitts, 
 with the rest of their Neighbours: TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD, all and singular the said Tract and Parcells of 
 Land, Commonage, Hereditaments and premisses, w th their, 
 & every of their APPURTENANCES, and of every part 
 and Parcell thereof, to the said Patentees and their Asso- 
 ciates, their Heires, Successo rs and Assignes, to the proper 
 use and behoofe, of the said Patentees and their Associates 
 their Heires Successo rs and Assignes for ever. MORE- 
 OVER, I do hereby, give, Ratify, Confirme and graunt, 
 unto the said Patentees and their Associates, their heirs 
 Successo rs and Assignes, all the Rights and Priviledges, 
 belonging to a Towne within this Government, And that the 
 place of their present Habitation, shall continue and retain 
 the name of Middewout, alias Flatt-Bush, by which name 
 or names, and Stile, It shall bee distinguished and knowne, 
 in all Bargaines and Sales, Deedes, writings and Records; 
 They the said Patentees and their Associates, their Heires 
 Successo" and Assignes, Rendring and Paying, such Dutyes 
 and Acknowledgments, as now are, or hereafter shall bee, 
 Constituted [an]d Establish't, by the Lawes of this Govern- 
 ment, under the obedience of his Royall Highnesse, his 
 Heires and Successo" : GIVEN under my hand and Seale, at 
 ffort James in New Yorke, on the Island of Manhattans 
 the Eleventh day of October, in the nineteenth yeare of the 
 Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord, CHARLES THE 
 SECOND, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, 
 ffrance and Ireland King, Defender of the ffaith, &c, Annoqj 
 Domini 1667. Richard Nicolls 
 
 RECORDED by Order of the Governo r 
 the day and yeare above written./ 
 
 Matthias : Nicolls/. Seer. 
 
482 Colonial Charters [No. xxvm] 
 
 B. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Flatbush. 3 
 
 Thomas Dongan Leiv 1 Governour and vice Admirall of 
 New Yorke &c. under his Majesty JAMES the Second by 
 the Grace of God King of England scottl d Scottland ffrance 
 and Ireland Defender of the faith &c supream Lord and 
 Proprietor of the collony and PROVINC of New Yorke 
 and its Dependencyes in AMERICA To all to whom these 
 p r sents shall come, SENDETH GREETINGS WHEREAS 
 there is A certaine towne in Kings county upon Long Island 
 Called and knowne by the name of Middewout alias fflatt- 
 bush the bounds whereof begin att the Mouth of the ffresh 
 kill and soe Along by A certaine ditch which lyes betwixt 
 Armsford, and fflattbush Meadows, and soe runing alongst 
 the ditch and Fence, to a certaine white oake markt tree, 
 And from thence with a streight line to the Westermost 
 pointe of A small Island of wood land lyeing before John 
 Strikers bridge And from thence with a streight line to the 
 north west hooke or corner of the ditch of John Okies 
 Meadow And from thence Alongst the said Ditch and ffence 
 to the swamp of the Fresh kill and soe Alongst the swamp 
 and hollow of the Aforesaid kill to the lane of Kiewters 
 hooke then alongst the lane to a marked white oake tree 
 and from thence with a streight line to a black oake markt 
 tree standing upon the north east side of Twilders fflatts, 
 haveing a small snip of fflatts upon the south east side of 
 the line, And soe from thence to A white oake tree standing 
 to the west side of Musketahole upon a small Island leave- 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original charter now 
 in the custody of the Commissioner of Records of Kings Co., and, as far as 
 typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. The 
 original is on one large sheet of parchment with a pendant seal, intact, at 
 the bottom. It is signed by Thomas Dongan. On the reverse side appears 
 the following: "Recorded in the Secretarys office for the Province of New 
 Yorke in Lib: N° i book of pattents began 1684 pages (119:120:121 & 122) 
 this i2 l h day of Novemb 1 " 1695 cH} J. Spragge. Seer." 
 
[No. xxvni] Grants 483 
 
 ing A snip of fflatts in the fflattlands bounds And from thence 
 to A certaine markt tree or stump standing by the high way 
 which goes to fflattlands upon the little fflatts about twenty 
 rod from fflattbush lotts, and soe alongst the ffence six hun- 
 dred dutch rodd to the corner of fflattbush ffence, and soe 
 Alongst, by the reere of the lotts to A sassafrass stump 
 standing in Cornelis Jansen Berrians Lott of Land And 
 from thence with A streight line to a certaine old marked 
 tree or stump, standing by the Rush Pond under the hills 
 and soe Along upon the south side of the hill till it comes 
 to the west end of the long hill and soe Along upon the 
 south side of the said hill till it comes to the east end of the 
 long hill and then with A streight line from the east end of 
 said long hill, to A markt white oake tree, standing, to the 
 west side of the roade neare the place called the Gate or 
 Portt of the hills, and soe from the east side of the Portt 
 or Gate Along upon the south side of the maine hills as farr 
 as brewklin Pattent doth extend and soe Along the said hills 
 to the bounds of Jameca Pattentt And from thence with A 
 southerly Line to the kill or creeke by the east of the 
 Plunders Neck and soe Alongst the said kill to the Sea As 
 According to the severall Deeds or purchasess from the 
 Indians owners the Pattent from Governour Nicolls, and 
 the award between breukline and the towne of fflattbush 
 Relacon thereto being had doth more fully and att large 
 Appeare; AND WHEREAS Applycacon to me hath been 
 made for A confirmacon of the Aforesaid tract and parcells 
 of land and premissess NOW KNOW YEE that by Virtue 
 of the Commission and Authority unto me given by his 
 Majesty JAMES the second by the Grace of God of Eng- 
 land, Scottland, ffrance, and Ireland King Defender of the 
 faith supream Lord and Proprietor of the PROVINCE of 
 New Yorke in Consideracon of the premissess and the quitt 
 rents herein After reserved I have Given Granted rattified 
 and Confirmed, and by these presents Doe give grant, 
 rattifie, and Confirme unto Cornelis Vandewick John Okie 
 
484 Colonial Charters [No. xxvni] 
 
 Joseph Hageman Ars Jansen Vanderbild Lafford Pieterson 
 William Guiliamson Hendrick Williames, Peter Guiliams 
 Arien Ryers Peter Striker John Striker, John Ramsden 
 Jacob Hendricks Derick Vander ffleete, Hendrick, Rick, 
 Okie Johnson Daniell Polhemus Peter Lo[tt] Cornelis 
 Vandervere Dirick Jansen Hoglandt Denise Teunise John 
 Johnson Ditimus, Lewis Jansen William Jacobs Hendrick 
 Hageman and Garrett Lubberts for and on the behalfe of 
 themselves and their Associates all the ffreholders, and 
 Inhabitants of the said towne of fflatbush their heires and 
 Assignes for ever all the before recited tract and tracts 
 parcells and parcells of Land and Islands within the said 
 bounds, and limitts, togather with all the singular the 
 woods, Underwoods plaines hills meadows pastures 
 Quarryes, Marshes, Waters, lakes, Casewayes, Rivers, 
 beaches, Howses, buildings, ffishing hawking hunting and 
 fowling with all libertyes privilidges hereaditaments and 
 Appurtennces to the said tract of land and premissess belong- 
 ing or in Any wise Appurteineing TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD the said tract of land and premissess with all and 
 Singular the Appurtennces before menconed and Intended 
 to be given granted and Confirmed unto the said Cornelis 
 Vanderwick John Okie, Jo[se]ph Hageman Aris Jansen 
 Vanderbild Lafford Pie[terson] William Guiliamsen Hend- 
 rick Williams Peter Guilliams Arien Ryers Peter striker 
 John Striker, John Ramsden Jacob Hendricks Derick Van- 
 derffleete Hendrick Rick Okie Johns [on] Daniell Polhemus 
 Peter Lott Cornelis Vandervere Dirick Johnson Hoglandt 
 Denise Teunise John Johnson Ditimus Lewis Jansen W m 
 Jacobs Hendrick Hageman & Garrett Lubbarts the said 
 Pattentees and their Associates their heires and Assignes 
 for ever: TO BE HOLDEN of his Majesty in free and 
 comon Soccage According to the tenure of East Grenwich 
 in the County of kent in his Majestyes Kingdome of Eng- 
 land, YEILDING rendring and paying therefore Yearly 
 and every yeare att the Citty of New Yorke unto his 
 
[No. xxviii] Grants 485 
 
 Majesty his heires or successors or to such officer or officers 
 as by him or them shall be Appointed to receive the same 
 eighteene bushells of good winter merchantable Wheate on 
 or before the five and twentyth day of March, IN WIT- 
 NESSE whereof I have caused these presents to be entred 
 upon record in the secretarys office of the said PROVINCE 
 And the seale thereof have hereunto Affixed & signed with 
 my hand this twelfth day of November in the first Yeare of 
 his Ma tis reigne Anno Dom 1685: — 
 
 Thomas Dongan 
 [Seal] 
 
486 Colonial Charters [No. xxix] 
 
 No. XXIX. 
 
 TOWN OF FLATLANDS. 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Flattlands. 1 
 
 [seal] RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R Governour Generall, under 
 his Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and Albany 
 &c, of all his Territoryes in America; To all to whom these 
 presents shall come, sendeth Greeting. WHEREAS there 
 is a certaine Towne within this Government, Scituate, lying 
 and being in the west Riding of Yorkshire upon Long 
 Island; commonly called and knowne by the name of Ames- 
 fort, alias Flatt-Lands; Which said Towne, is now in the 
 Tenure or occupation of severall ffreeholders and Inhabit- 
 ants, who having heretofore beene Seated there by 
 Authority, and Likewise made Lawfull Purchase of the 
 greatest part of the Lands there unto belonging, have also 
 Improved a considerable Proporcon thereof, and settled a 
 competent Number of ffamilyes there upon : NOW for a 
 Confirmation unto the said ffreeholders and Inhabitants, in 
 their Possession and Enjoyment of the p r misses, KNOW 
 YEE, That by vertue of the Commission and Authority, 
 unto mee given by his Royall Highnesse, I have given, 
 Ratifyed, Confirmed and graunted, And by these presents, 
 do give, Ratify, Confirme and graunt, unto Elbert Elberts 
 Govert Loockermans, Roeloffe Martens Pieter Claes, 
 Willem Gerrits, Thomas Hillebrants, Steven Coerten & 
 Coert Stevens, as Patentees, for and on the behalfe of them- 
 selves and their Associates, the ffreehold rs and Inhabitants 
 of the said Towne, their Heires, Successo rs and Assignes, 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original patent which 
 is owned by the L. I. Historical Society, and, as far as typography will 
 allow, is a 'verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. The original is on 
 four sheets of paper and has a seal intact in the upper left margin of the 
 first sheet and bears the signature of Richard Nicolls. 
 
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 K 
 
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 Barben 'i 
 
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 Eyi.AND 
 
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 v£-.-yi../.,/.u.. 
 
 
 
 -4. T L A IV T I C 
 
 MAP OF THE TOWN OF FLATLANDS. KINGS COUNTY 
 
 Prepared by Jeremiah Lott. Dated November zo, 1797. 
 
 (Original in color). Original size 14" x 21". 
 
[No. xxix] Grants 487 
 
 All that Tract, together with the severall Parcells of Land, 
 which already have, or hereafter shall bee, Purchased or 
 procured, for and on the behalfe of the said Towne, whether 
 from the native Indyan Proprieto rs or others, within the 
 Bounds and Limitts hereafter sett forth and exprest, 
 (VIZT.) That is to say, from their westerne Bounds, which 
 begin at a certaine Creeke or Kill, commonly called the 
 Stromme Kill, They stretch to ffirkins or Varckens Hooke, 
 which is also included within their Limitts, neare where 
 unto, comes a certaine Point of Land, out of the woods, 
 which divides the Meadowes of the Towne of New Utrecht, 
 and those belonging to this Towne, with this distinction, 
 That fflatt-Land Meadow or valley, runs about the end of 
 the said Point, as well as on the one side of it, and New 
 Utrecht Meadowes, lye on the North East side onely : Then 
 from y e Limitts of Middwout, als fflattbush, which lye about 
 Northwest from the said Towne of fflatt-Lands, beginning 
 at a certaine Tree standing upon the Little fflatts, mark't by 
 the Order and determination of severall Arbitrato", 
 appointed by mee to view and jssue the difference betweene 
 the two Townes, concerning the same, which accordingly 
 they did, upon the 17 th day of October 1666. A Line 
 Stretching South East to Canarisee, It includes within i'ts 
 Bounds and Limitts, severall other Parcells of Land, In 
 particular, That Parcell or Tract of Land graunted by 
 Patent or Groundbriefe, from the Dutch Governour, Petrus 
 Stuyvesant, unto Jacob Steendam and Wolcker Jans, bear- 
 ing date the 12 th day of No[vember]* 1652. and upon the 
 30 th day of Nove[mber] 1662, transported and made over 
 to the Towne afore mentioned, As also, all those Lands at 
 Canarisee, part of which, the native Indyan Proprieto rs 
 did heretofore permitt and give their Consent that the 
 Inhabitants of the said Towne of fflatt-Lands, should 
 manure and Plant, and since have for a valuable Considera- 
 
 * The matter in brackets is illegible in the original. 
 
488 Colonial Charters [No. xxix] 
 
 tion, sold the same unto them, with its Appurtenances, as 
 by their Deed bearing date the 16 th day of Aprill 1665, 
 Acknowledged by some of them before mee, doth and may 
 appeare: Together with all that Meadow Ground or 
 valley, lying and being at Canarisee, divided betweene the 
 said Towne, and the Towne of fflattbush, aforemenco'ned, 
 by an East Line, to runne halfe a Point Northerly, without 
 variacon of the Compasse, and so to go to the mouth of the 
 Creeke or Kill; Which said Meadowes were upon the 20 th 
 day of Aprill last, by common consent, staked o[ut], and 
 by my approbation Allowed of. All which said Tract and 
 Parcells of Land, Meadow Ground and PREMISSES, 
 within the Bounds and Limitts afore mentioned described, 
 and all or any Plantation or Plantions, there upon, from 
 hence forth, are to bee, [ajppertaine and belong, to the said 
 Towne of Amesfort, alias Flatt-Lands, Together with all 
 Havens, Harbours, Creekes, Quarryes, wood-Lands, 
 Meadow Ground Reed Land or valley of [all] sorts, Pas- 
 tures, M[arsh]es, waters, Rivers, Lakes, ffishing, Hawk- 
 ing, Hunting and ffowlin[g] and all other Proffitts, Com- 
 modities, Emoluments and Hereditaments, to the said Lands 
 and premisses, w th in the Bounds and Limitts sett forth, 
 belonging, or in any wise appertaining; And also ffreedome 
 of Commonage, for Range and ffeed of Cattle and Horses, 
 into the woods, as well without, as within their Bounds and 
 Limitts, with the rest of their Neighbo rs TO HAVE AND 
 TO HOLD, all and singular the said Tract and Parcells of 
 Land, Commonage, Hereditaments and premisses, with 
 their and every of their Appertena[nces] and of every part 
 a[nd] P[arcell tjhereof [and] the said Patentees a[nd] 
 their Associates, their heires, Successo rs and Assignes, to 
 the proper use and behoofe, of the said Patentees and their 
 Associates, their Heires, Successo" and Assignes for ever, 
 Moreover, I do hereby give, Ratify, Confirme and graunt, 
 unto the said Patentees and their Associates, their heires, 
 Successo rs and Assignes, all the Rig[ht]s and Priviledges, 
 
[No. xxix] Grants 489 
 
 belonging to a Towne within this Government, and that the 
 place of their p r sent Habitacon shall continue and [rema]ine 
 the name of Amesfort, alias fflatt-Lands, by which name or 
 [name]s and Stile, it shall bee distinguis'ht and knowne, in 
 all Bar[gaines] and Sales, Deedes, writings & Records. 
 They the said Patente[es an]d their Associates, their heires, 
 Successo" & Assignes, Rendring [and] Paying, such Dutyes 
 and Acknowledgm ts , as now are, or hereafte[r sh]all bee, 
 Constituted and Establis'ht, by the Lawes of this Governm 1 
 [u]nder the obedience of his Royall Highnesse, his heires 
 and Succes[so rs ] GIVEN under my hand and Seale, at ffort 
 JAMES in New Yorke, on the Island of Manhatans, the 
 4 th day of October, in the nineteenth yeare of the Reigne of 
 o r Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, by the Grace of 
 God, of England, Scotland, ffrance and Ireland King, 
 Defender of the ffaith &c, Annoq$ Domini 1667. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS 
 
 Recorded by Order of the Governo r 
 
 the day and yeare above written. 
 
 MATTHIAS NICOLLS S[ecr.] 
 
 B. 
 
 Lovelace Charter for Flatlands. 2 
 
 A Confirmation Graunted unto Elbert Elberts &c, 
 Inhabitants of fflatt lands for a parcell of Land 
 neare Canarite./ 
 
 FRANCIS LOVELACE ESQ R &c WHEREAS the 
 
 Inhabitants of the Towne of Amesford als Flattlands did 
 
 2 This charter has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, IV :i (2nd Pt.), at present on deposit in the Manu- 
 script Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as 
 typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
490 Colonial Charters [No. xxix] 
 
 w th ye conS ent & approbation of y e late Governo 1 " Co H 
 Richard Nicolls make purchase of a certaine parcell of land 
 from y e Indian Native Proprietors as by y e Deed of Pur- 
 chase bearing date y e 23 th day of Aprill 1665 doth & may 
 appeare, lying & being in y e West Ryding of Yorkshire upon 
 Long Island at Canarite w ch in Gen rl termes is confirmed 
 unto them in the grant Pattent of their Towne by y e said 
 Governo rs but y e Inhabitants of the said Towne having 
 requested me that y e bounds of y e said purchase may be 
 Expresly confirmed as sett forth in the Deed of purchase, 
 for an Encouragem* to y e Inhabitants of the said Towne in 
 their further manuring & Improving the said Land, I have 
 thought fitt to ratifye confirme & graunt & by theise p r sents 
 doe hereby Ratifye confirme & Graunt unto Elbert Elberts 
 Govert Lockermans Roeloff Martens Pieter Claes William 
 Gerrits Thomas Hillebrants Steven Coerten, Coert Stevens, 
 as Pattentees for & on y e behalfe of themselves & other 
 Associates y e freehold" & Inhabitants of y e said Towne, 
 their heires successo rs & assignes, all that parcell of Land 
 lying & being at Canarite as aforesaid neare unto y e said 
 Towne of Amesford begining from y e west syde of y e 
 Muskytehole from certaine marked trees & stretching from 
 thence over y e end of y e fflatt Land by y e Two Trees on y e 
 north syde of y e said fflatt Land, to certaine other marked 
 trees, & from thence to y e vale of y e Fresh Creek stopping 
 at y e Path w ch goes to y e great Plaines & y e vale of y e fresh 
 Creek & then stretching along y e fflatt ground by y e Creek 
 by w ch it is there Lock't up & bounded, Togth r w th all y e 
 meadow Ground or Valley Land, Kills or Creeks therein 
 comprehended w th all oth r profitts Comodityes Emolum ts 
 Hereditam ts to y e said parcell of Land P r misses belonging 
 or in any wise apperteyning TO HAVE &c Feb ry 5 th 1668./ 
 
[No. xxix] Grants 491 
 
 Dongan Charter for Flatlands. 3 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Lieutenant Governour and Vice 
 Admirall of New Yorke and its Dependencyes Under his 
 Majesty James the Second By the Grace of God of England 
 Scottland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the faith 
 &c Supreame Lord and Proprietor of the Collony and 
 Province of New Yorke &c To all to whom this shall come 
 sendeth Greeting WHEREAS there is a certaine Towne in 
 Kings County upon Long Island Called and knowne by the 
 name of Amesfort or fflatt Lands haveing a Certaine Tract 
 of Land thereunto belonging whose bounds beginn ffrom the 
 Beach Called the Strom kill to the Head of the said Creeke 
 or Kill and from thence along the Valley to Gravesend Path 
 To a white oake Brush And Soe from thence along the ffence 
 to Utrecht path to a white oake tree and from thence with 
 a streight Line to the ffence of fflat bush by the mark'd trees 
 and then along the fflat bush ffence up to a Certaine marked 
 tree which was marked by Arbitrators appointed by the 
 Honourable Collonell Richard Nicolls formerly Governour 
 of this Province on the seaventeenth Day of October Anno 
 Dm One thousand six hundred Sixty and six and from the 
 said marked tree Eastward by the North sid[e] of a ffresh 
 swamp to a certaine Marked tree called Musketa-hole And 
 from thence with a streight Line Over the End of the Little 
 fflatts by two Certaine marked t[ree]s and soe from thence 
 with a streight Line to a certaine marked tree standing upon 
 Hempstead Path and soe along the Lane untill it comes to 
 the hollow And [soe] along the Hollow on the ffresh Creeke 
 up to the Beach And soe along the ffence or ditch according 
 to the pattent granted to the inhabitants of fflat bush in this 
 presen[t y]eare of our Lord One thousand six hundred and 
 
 3 This charter has been carefully compared with the original charter 
 which is owned by the Long Island Historical Society, and, as far as 
 typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et putictuatim copy. 
 
492 Colonial Charters [No. xxix] 
 
 Eighty five as by Severall Writeings or pattents from the 
 former Governours Richard Nicolls and ffrancis Lovelace 
 Es[q]s and the agreements made by the inhabitants of fflat- 
 Lands with the Townes of fflatt bush and Gravesend 
 Rela[c]on to them being had doth fully and at Large 
 appeare And the said Towne being now in the tenure or 
 Occupacon of Severall [freeholders] and inhabitants seated 
 there by authority and haveing by M r Roeloffe Ma[rte]nsen 
 and Coert Stevensen persons Deputed by them desired a 
 Confirmacon from me of the aforesaid Land NOW ffor a 
 Confirmacon unto the said ffreeholders and inhabitants in 
 their Quiett possession and Enjoyment of the Premisses 
 KNOW YEE that by Virtue of the Commission and 
 authority to me given for and in Consideracon of the Quitt 
 rent herein after menconed and reserved I have granted 
 rattifyed and Confirmed and by these p r sents doe Grant 
 rattifye and Confirme unto Elbert Elberts Roeloff Martens 
 Pieter Claessen William Gerretsen Coert Stevenson Leucas 
 Stevensen and Jan Teunessen as Pattentees for and on the 
 behalfe of themselves and their Associates the present 
 ffreeholders and inhabitants of the said Towne their heires 
 successours and Assignes All the aforerecited Tract and 
 parcells of Land and premisses butted and bounded as afore- 
 said with their and Every of their Appurtenances Together 
 with all and all manner of Edifices buildings Havens Har- 
 bours, Rivers Rivoletts Runnes Streames feedings pastures 
 Woods Underwoods trees waters watercourses ponds 
 pooles, Pitts swamps Moores Marshes Meadows Reed 
 Land Valleys Easements proffitts Emoluments Comodityes 
 and Heriditaments fishing fowleing hawkeing hunting and 
 other appurtenances Whatsoever To the said Tract and 
 parcell of Land within the bounds and Limitts aforesaid 
 belonging or in any wise appertaining TO HAVE AND 
 TO HOLD the said Tract and parcells of land and all and 
 singuler other the premisses with their and Every of their 
 Appurtenances unto the said Elbert Elberts Roeloffe Mar- 
 
[No. xxix] Grants 493 
 
 tenson Pi[eter] Claessen William Gerretsen Coert Steven- 
 sen Lucas Stevensen and Jan Teunissen as pattentees and 
 their Associates the present freeholders and inhabitants of 
 the said Towne their heires Successours and Assignes To 
 the sole and only propper use benifitt and behoofe of them 
 the said Pattentees and their Associates their heires suc- 
 cessours and Assignees forever to be holden in ffree and 
 Corhon soccage according to the Tenure of East Greenwich 
 in his Majestyes Kingdome of England YEILDING 
 Rendring and paying therefore yearly and every Yeare for 
 the use of our Soveraigne Lord James the second by the 
 Grace of God Over England Scottland ffrance and Ireland 
 King Defender of the faith &c [S]upreame Lord and 
 proprietor of the Collony and Province of New Yorke &c 
 his heires successours and Assignes or to such officer or 
 officers as by him or them shall be appointed to receive the 
 same fourteene bushells of good winter Merchantable wheat 
 yearly on the twenty fifth day of March at the Citty of New 
 Yorke And for the better preserveing the title of the before- 
 recited Land and premisses I have Caused these presents to 
 be Entred in the Secretaryes Office of this province Given 
 under my hand and sealed with the seale of the province at 
 ffortt James in New Yorke this eleventh day of March 
 Anno Dm One thousand six hundred Eighty and five And 
 in the [Second] yeare of his Said Majestyes Reaigne Over 
 England &c 
 
 THOMAS : DONGAN 
 May it please you r Honor 
 
 The Atturney Generall Hath perused This pattent, And 
 finds Nothing contained therin prejudiciall to his Majestys 
 Interest: 
 
 Examined March i I th 1685 JA: GRAHAM 
 
 Recorded in the Secretaryes office for the Province of New 
 Yorke in lib N° 1 booke of pattents pages (184:185: 186 
 & 187) this 11 th Day of March 1685 
 
 <P J. Spragge Seer. 
 
494 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 No. XXX. 
 
 TOWN OF GRAVESEND. 
 
 A. 
 
 Kieft Patent for Gravesend. 1 
 
 WHEREAS it hath pleased the High and Mighty Lords 
 the Estates Generall of the united Belgicke Provinces, his 
 Highnes ffredericke Hendricke (by the grace of God) 
 Prince of Orange etc: & the Right Honourable the lords 
 Bewinthebbers of the West India Company, by theyre 
 seuerall Corhissions under theyre hands and seales, to giue 
 and graunt unto me William Kieft sufficient power & 
 authoritie; for the generall rule and gouerment of this 
 prouince Called the New-Netherlands, & likewise for the 
 setling of townes Collonies, plantations & disposing of the 
 land within this Prouince, as by the said Commissions more 
 att large doth and may appeare, Now know yee whomso- 
 ever these presents may any way[es]* Concerne: that I 
 Will: Kieft Gouern r Gener 11 of this Prouince by vertue of 
 the authoritie aboues d & with the aduice & Consent of the 
 Councill of state hee[re] established haue giuen and 
 grunted, and by vertue of these presents doe giue, graunt, 
 and Confirme unto the Honoured Lady Deborah Moody: 
 Sir Henery Moody Barronett, Ensigne George Baxter: & 
 Serieant James Hubbard theyre associates, heyres, execu- 
 tours, administratours, successours, assignes, or any they 
 shall ioyne in association with them, a Certaine quantitie or 
 parcell of land, togeather with all the hauens, harbours, 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original patent at 
 present in the custody of the Commissioner of Records of Kings Co., and, as 
 far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 The original is in English on one large sheet of parchment and is signed 
 by Willem Kieft. On the reverse side appears the following: "This Patent 
 was Recorded in the office at New Yorke the I st day of March 1666. 
 Matthias Nicolls Seer." 
 
 * Matter in brackets is illegible in the original grant. 
 

 
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 MAPOl Till' TOWN OF GRAVESEUD 
 
 I lin Terhime. (Original in color.) Original size i\"xiz" 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 495 
 
 riuers, Creekes, woodland, marshes, and all other appurte- 
 nances thereunto belongeing, lyeing & being uppon [and] 
 aboute the Weastermost part of Long Island, and beginning 
 att the mouth of a Creeke adiacent to Coneyne Island, & 
 being bounded on the weastward parte thereof with the land 
 appertaining to Anthony Johnson & Robert Pennoyre, and 
 soe to runne as farre as the westermost part of a Certaine 
 pond in an ould Indian field on the North side of the planta- 
 tion of the s d Ro : Pennoyre, & from thence to runne direct 
 East as farre as a valley beginning att the head of a fflye or 
 marsh somtimes belonging to the land of Hugh Garretson, 
 & being bounded on the south side with the Maine Ocean, 
 for them the said pattentees, theyre associates, firs, execut rs 
 administ" succes rs & assignes, actuallie reallie, & perpetuallie 
 to inioy and possesse as theyre owne ffree land of inherit- 
 ance, and it to improue & manure according to theire owne 
 discreations, with libertie likewise for them the said pat" 
 theyre assoc ts firs & success" & asignes to put what Cattle 
 they shall thinke fitting to feed or grase upon the afores d 
 Conyne Island, ffarther giueing & graunting, & by vertue of 
 these presents wee doe giue and graunt unto the s d pattent es 
 theyre assoc ts firs, & success" full power and authoritie 
 vppon the said land to build a towne, or townes, with such 
 necessar[ie] fortifications as to them shall seem expedient, 
 & to haue and inioye the ffree libertie of Conscience accord- 
 ing to the Custom & manner of Holland, without molesta- 
 tio[n] or disturbance from any magistrate or magistrates, 
 or any other ecclesiasticall minister that may pretend 
 iurisdictio ouer them, with libertie likewise for them the s d 
 pattentees, theyres assoc ts hrs, &c; to erect a boddy pollitique 
 & Ciuill Combination amongst themselues as ffree men of 
 this prouince & of the towne of GRAUESAND & to make 
 such Ciuill ordinances as the maior part of the inhabit ts 
 ffree of the s d towne shall thinke fitting for theyre quiet and 
 peaceable subsisting] & to [n]omi[nate] [e]l[ec]t & 
 choose thre of the ablest, approved, honest [me]n, & them 
 
496 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 to present annuallie to the Gouerno r g[e]ner: of this 
 prouince f [or the] tyme being [for] him the s d Gouern 1 " to 
 establish & Confirme to the which s d thre men soe chosen & 
 Confirmed wee doe hereby giue & grant full powre and 
 authoritie absolutelie and definitiuelie to determine (with- 
 out appeale to any superior Court) for debt or trespasse 
 not exceeding nifty hollands gilld rs , for all such actions as 
 shall happen within the iurisdiction of the aboues d limit; 
 with power likewise for any one of the s d thre to examine 
 vppon oathe all wittnesses, in Cases depending before them, 
 and in Case any shall refuse to stand to the award of what 
 the maior part of the s d thre shall agree unto, in such Cases 
 we[e] doe hereby giue and graunt full power and authoritie 
 to any two, of the s d thre, to attach, and ceise, vppon the 
 lands, goods, Catties, & Chatties, of the parties Condemned 
 by theyre s d sentence, & Fowrtene dayes after the said 
 Ceisure (if the partie soe Condemned agrees not in the 
 interim & submitts himselfe to the sentence of the said thre 
 men) the s d two or thre appointed men as afores d to take 
 or ioyne to them selves two more of theyre neighbours 
 Discrete honest men, & with the advice of them to apprise 
 the lands, goods, Catties, or Chatties, within the above s d 
 iurisdiction & belonging to the partie Condemned as an c ores d 
 to the full vallew: and then to sell them to any that will 
 buye, that sattisfaction & paiement may be made, according 
 to the sentence of the s d appointed men, Likewise giueing & 
 graunting and by vertue hereof wee doe giue & graunt unto 
 the s d patt es theyre assoc ts ftrs, success" &c : full power and 
 authoritie to elect & nominate a Certaine officer amongst 
 themselues, to execute the place of a scoute, & him likewise 
 annuallie to present to the Goue r gener: of this prouince to 
 bee established & Confirmed, to which s d officer soe chosen & 
 Confirmed, we doe hereby giue and graunt as large and ample 
 power as is vsuallie giuen to the scoutes of any village in 
 Holland, for the suppression or preuention of any disorders 
 that may there arise, or to arrest & apprehend the boddy 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 497 
 
 of any Criminal!, malifactour, or of any that shall by word 
 or act disturb the publicqu[e] tranquillitie of this prouince, 
 or Ciuill peace of the inhabitants with in the aboues d Juris- 
 diction, & him, them, or her, soe arrested or apprehended, 
 to bring or Cause to bee brought before the Gouer r gener: 
 of this prouince, & theyre by way of processe declare against 
 the partie soe offending ffarther wee doe giue & graunt unto 
 the s d patt es theyre assoc ts hrs etc : free libertie of hawking, 
 hunting, fishing, fowling, within the aboues d limitts, & to 
 vse & exercise all manner of trade & Comerce, according as 
 the inhabittants of this prouince may or Can, by vertue of 
 any priuiledge, or graunt made unto them, induing all & 
 singular the s d patt es theyre assoc ts hrs etc with all & singular 
 the immunities & priuilidges, allready graunted to the 
 inhabit ts of this prouince, or hereafter to be graunted, as if 
 they were natives of the united Belgicke prouinces, Allwayes 
 prouided the s d patt es theyre assoc ts hrs &c : shall f aithfullie 
 acknowledge & reuenerentlie respect the abouenamed High 
 & Mightie lords etc: for theyre superiour lord[s] & patrons, 
 & in all loyaltie and fidelitie demeane themselues towards 
 them & theyre success" according as the inhabit ts of this 
 prouince in duty are bound, soe long as they shall within 
 this iurisdiction, and att the expiratio: of ten yeare, to 
 beginne from the day of the date hereof, to pay or cause 
 to be paid to an officer thereunto deputed by the Gouernour 
 gener: of this prouince for the tyme being, the tenth part 
 of the reuennew that shall arise by the ground manured by 
 the plough or how, in case it be demanded, to be p d to the 
 s d officer in the field before it be howsed, gardens or orchards 
 not exceeding one hollands acre being excepted; & in case 
 any of the s d patt ts theyre assoc ts ftrs etc : shall only improue 
 theyre st[oc]ks in graseing or breeding of Cattle, then the 
 partie soe doeing shall att the end of the ten yeares affores d 
 pay, or Cause to be paid t[o] an officer deputed as affores d 
 such r[eas]onable satisfaction in butter and cheese, as other 
 inhabit ts of other townes shall doe in like Cases. Likewise 
 
498 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 inioyning the said patt es theyre assoc[ ts ] frrs etc: in the 
 da[t]ing of all publique instruments to use the new stile, 
 with the weights & measures of this pla[c]e: given under 
 my hand and seale of this prouince this [i9J th of December 
 in the ffort Amsterdam in New Netherlands 1645 
 
 Willem Kieft 
 
 B. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Gravesend. 2 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R &C WHEREAS there is 
 a Certaine Towne in y e west Ryding of Yorkshore upon 
 Long Island comonly called & knowne by y e name of Grave- 
 send scituate lyeing & being on or about y e westermost parte 
 of y e said Island, Conteyning a certaine quantity or parcell 
 of Land beginning at y e mouth of a Creek adjacent to 
 Couney Island & being bounded on y e westward parte 
 thereof w th y e Land heretofore appertaining to Anthony 
 Johnson & Robert Pennoyer & so to Runne as farre as y e 
 westermost parte of a certaine Pond in an Old Indian feild 
 on y e North syde of y e Plantation of y e said Robert Pen- 
 noyer & from thence to runne direct East as farre as a 
 Valley beginning at y e head of a Flye or Marsh sometymes 
 belonging to y e Land of Hugh Gerretsen, & being bounded 
 on y e South syde with y e maine Ocean, ffor w ch said quantitye 
 or parcell of Land there was heretofore a Pattent or Ground 
 breife graunted from y e Dutch Governo r William Kieft 
 unto severall Patentees their Associates heires Executo rs 
 Administrato rs Successo rs Assignes, Togeth 1 " w th all y e 
 Havens Harbours Rivers Creeks woodland Marshes & all 
 oth r appurtenances w th many oth r perticulers as in y e said 
 Pattent or Ground breife bearing date y e 19 th Day of 
 Decernb 1 " 1645 i s se ^t forth, Now for a Confirmation unto 
 
 2 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, IV 156, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 499 
 
 y e present Freeholders & Inhabitants of y e said Towne in 
 their possession & enjoym* of y e p r misses; KNOW YEE 
 That by vertue of y e Comission & Authority unto me given 
 by his Royall Highness I HAVE Ratifyed Confirmed & 
 graunted & by theise p r sents Doe Ratifye Confirme & graunt 
 unto Thomas Delavall Esq r M r James Hubbard William 
 Bound Senio r William Goulding John Tilton as patentees 
 for & on y e behalfe of themselves & their Associates y e Free- 
 hold" & Inhabitants of y e said Towne their heires Suc- 
 cessors & Assignes ALL tha'forementioned quantity & par- 
 cell of Land sett forth & bounded as aforesaid, Togeth r 
 w th all Havens Harbours Creeks Quarryes woodland Plaines 
 meadow ground Pastures Marshes waters Lakes Ryvers 
 Fishing Hawking Hunting & fowling & all oth r profitts 
 Comodityes Emolum ts & Hereditam ts to y e said Towne & 
 Tract of Land & P r misses w th y e Lymitts & bounds afore- 
 mentioned described belonging or in any wise apperteyning 
 As also to have freedome of Comonage for Range & feed of 
 Cattle & Horses into y e woods as well w th out as w th in their 
 bounds & lymitts w th y e rest of their Neigbours, TO HAVE 
 & TO HOULD all & singuler y e said Land Hereditam 15 & 
 p r misses w th their & every of their appurtenances & of every 
 parte & parcell thereof to y e said Pattentees & their Asso- 
 ciates their heires successo rs & Assignes, to y e proper use & 
 behoof of y e said Patentees & their Associates their heires 
 Successo rs & Assignes. To y e proper use & behoof of y e said 
 Pattentees & their Associates their heires Successors & 
 Assignes for ever MOREOVER I Doe likewise hereby 
 Confirme & graunt unto y e said Patentees & their Associates 
 their heires successors & Assignes, All y e Priviledges belong- 
 ing to a Towne w th in this Governm 1 & that y e p r sent habita- 
 tion shall continue & retaine y e name of Gravescend by w ch 
 name & stile it shall bee distinguish't & knowne in all bar- 
 gaines & sales Deeds Records & wrytings They y e said Pat- 
 tentees & their Associates their heires Successo rs & Assignes 
 Rendring & paying &c The Patent is Dated August y e 13 th 
 1668./ 
 
500 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 Lovelace Patent For Gravesend 3 
 
 [seal] FRANCIS LOVELACE ESQ R One of the Gentlemen of 
 his Ma ties Hon ble Privy Chamber and Governour Generall 
 under his Royall Highnesse JAMES Duke of Yorke and 
 Albany &c of all his Territoryes in America. To all to 
 whome theise presents shall come sendeth greeting 
 WHEREAS There is a certaine Towne in the west Ryding 
 of Yorkshire upon Long Island comonly called and knowne 
 by the name of GRAVESEND scituate lyeing and being 
 on or about the Westermost parte of the said Island con- 
 teyning a certaine quantitye or parcell of land beginning at 
 the mouth of a Creek adjacent to Coney Island and being 
 bounded on the westermost parte thereof w th the Land here- 
 tofore apperteyning to Anthony Johnson and Robert Pen- 
 noyer and so to runne as farr as the westermost parte of a 
 certaine Pond in an old Indian feild on the North syde of 
 the Plantation of the said Robert Pennoyer and from thence 
 to runne direct East as farre as a Valley beginning at the 
 head of a Flye or Marsh sometymes belonging to the land 
 of Hugh Garretsen and being bounded on the Southside 
 with the Maine Ocean ffor which said quantitye or parcell 
 of land there was heretofore a Patent or Groundbreife 
 graunted from the Dutch Governour William Keift unto 
 severall Pattentees their Associates heires Executors Admin- 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original patent at 
 present in the custody of the Commissioner of Records of Kings Co., and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim ct literatim et punctuatim 
 copy. The original is on one sheet of parchment. It bears the signature of 
 Francis Lovelace and the seal intact in the upper left margin. On the 
 reverse side appears the following: 
 
 "Memorandum, That though it be not particularly menconed in the w tll in 
 wrytten Patent, yet it was intended & meant, & tis to be understood That 
 y e utmost Lymitts & Extent of y e Bounds of y e Land belonging to y e Towne 
 of Gravesend is to reach to ye Lynes of y e Patents of y e Townes of Flatt 
 lands, Flatt bush, & New Utrecht. GIVEN under my hand at Fort James 
 in New Yorke this First day of February Anno Domini 1670. 
 
 Fran. Louelace." 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 501 
 
 istrators Successors or Assignes. Together with all the 
 Havens Harbours Ryvers Creeks woodlands Marshes and 
 all other appurtenances as also to putt what Cattle they 
 thought fitting to feed and graze upon the aforesaid Coney 
 Island w th libertye to them the said Patentees to build one 
 or more Townes upon the said land with many other 
 perticulers and priviledges as in the said Pattent or Ground- 
 breife bearing date the nyneteenth day of December 1645 
 relation being thereunto had is at large sett forth Now for 
 a Confirmation unto the present freeholders and Inhabitants 
 of the said Towne in their possession and injoyment of the 
 premisses KNOW YEE that by vertue of the Comission 
 and authoritye unto me given by his Royall Highnesse I 
 HAVE Ratified confirmed and graunted and by theise 
 presents doe Ratifye confirme and graunt unto Thomas 
 Delavall Esq r M r James Hubbard Ralph Cardall William 
 Bowne John Tilton William Goulding and Samuell Spicer 
 as Patentees for and on the behalfe of themselves and their 
 Associates the freeholders and Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne their heires Successors and Assignes ALL th'afore- 
 mentioned quantitye tract and parcell of Land sett forth 
 and bounded as aforesaid together w th the Inheritance of 
 all Couney Island (reserving onely the priviledg 3 of erect- 
 ing Hutts for fishing and dryeing of netts there upon occa- 
 sion for all persons who shall undertake that designe for y e 
 publique good) including all the land within a lyne stretching 
 from the westermost parte of the said Island unto the 
 Southermost parte of Anthony Jansens old Bowerye, their 
 East bounds being the Strome Kill which comes to the 
 Marsh or fflye of Mathew Gerretsons land aforementioned, 
 As also the meadowe ground and Upland not specified in 
 their former Pattent concerning w ch there have beene severall 
 disputes and differences betweene the Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne and their Neighbour Francis Browne the which in 
 parte were issued both by my Predecessor and my selfe but 
 since fully concluded and determyned betweene them by 
 Articles of Agreement, the which Articles I doe hereby 
 
502 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 confirme and allowe. With all havens harbours Creeks 
 Quarryes Woodland Plaines meadow ground pastures 
 Marshes waters Lakes Ryvers fishing hawking hunting and 
 fowling and all other profitts comodityes Emoluments and 
 Hereditaments to the said Towne Tract of Land Island and 
 premisses within the lymitts & bounds aforementioned 
 described belonging or in any wise apperteyning, And also 
 to have freedome of comonage for Range and feed of 
 Cattle and Horses into y e woods as well without as within 
 their bounds and lymitts with the rest of the neighbours 
 with libertye to cutt timber thereupon for their publique on 
 private occasions TO HAVE & TO HOLD all and Singuler 
 the said Lands Island Hereditaments and premisses with 
 their and everye of their appurtenances & of everye parte 
 and parcell thereof to the said Patentees and their Asso- 
 ciates their heires Successors and Assignes TO the proper 
 use and behoofe of the said Patentees and their Associates 
 their heires Successors and Assignes for ever, MORE- 
 OVER I doe likewise hereby confirme and graunt unto the 
 said Patentees & their Associates their heires Successors 
 & Assignes all the Priviledges belonging to a Towne within 
 this Government and that the place of their present habita- 
 tion shall continue & retaine the name of GRAVESEND 
 by w ch name & stile it shall be distinguisht & knowne in all 
 bargains & Sales Deeds Records & Wrytings They the said 
 Patentees and their Associates their heires Successors & 
 Assignes RENDRING & PAYING all dues & dutyes 
 according to the good & wholesome Lawes already made or 
 that hereafter shall be establisht in these his Royall High- 
 nesse his Territoryes GIVEN under my hand & sealed with 
 the Seale of the Province at ffort JAMES in New Yorke 
 this ffirst Day of Julye in y e 22 th yeare of his Ma ties Raigne 
 Annoq 5 Domini 1670. FRANCIS LOUELACE 
 
 Recorded by Order of the 
 Governour./ 
 
 MATTHIAS NICOLLS Seer. 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 503 
 
 Gravesend Patent. 4 
 
 FRANCIS LOVELACE Esq r &c WHEREAS There is a 
 Certaine Towne in the West Ryding of Yorkshire upon 
 Long Island comonly called & knowne by the name of 
 GRAVESEND Scituate lying & being on or about y e 
 Westermost parte of the said Island Conteyning a certaine 
 quantity or parcell of Land begining at y e mouth of a Creeke 
 adjacent to Coney Island & being bounded on the wester- 
 most parte thereof w th y e Land heretofore apperteyning to 
 Anthony Jansen & Robert Penoyer & so to run as farre as 
 y e westermost parte of a certaine Pond in an old Indian feild 
 on the north syde of y e Plantacon of the said Robert Pen- 
 oyer, & from thence to run direct East as far as a Valley 
 beginning at y e head of a Flye or Marsh sometymes belong- 
 ing to y e Land of Hugh Garretsen & being bounded on the 
 South syde w th the Main Ocean for w ch said Quantity or 
 parcell of land there was heretofore a Patent or Ground- 
 breife graunted from y e Dutch Governo 1 " William Keift unto 
 severall Patentees their Associates heires Executo rs Admin- 
 istrator Successors or Assignes, Together w th all y e Havens 
 Harbours Ryvers Creeks woodlands marshes & all oth r 
 appurtenances as also to put what Cattle they thought fitting 
 to feed & graze upon tha'foresaid Coney Island w th liberty 
 to them the said Patentees to build one or more Townes 
 upon y e said Island w th in any other perticulers & priviledges 
 as in the said Patent or Groundbreife bearing date y e 19 th 
 Day of December 1645 relation being thereunto had is at 
 Large sett forth, Now for a Confirmation unto y e present 
 Freeholders & Inhabitants of the said Towne in their pos- 
 
 4 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, IV .71, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. "The record in 
 Albany is on its face incomplete. It is merely an abstract of the original 
 document." — (Harway Improvement Co. v. Partridge, 203 App. Div. 174 
 at 185.) It is inserted here for comparison. 
 
504 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 session & Enjoyment of the p r misses KNOW yee That by 
 vertue of the Comission & Authority unto me given by his 
 Royall Highnesse, I HAVE Ratified Confirmed & graunted 
 & by theise p r sents Doe Ratifye Confirme & graunt unto 
 Thomas Delavall Esq r M r James Hubbard Ralph Cardall 
 William Bowne John Tilson William Goulding & Samuell 
 Spicer as Patentees for & on the behalfe of themselves & 
 their Associates the Freeholders & Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne their Heires Successo" & Assignes ALL tha'fore- 
 mentioned Quantity Tract & parcell of Land sett forth & 
 bounded as aforesaid, Togeth 1 " w th all Couney Island 
 (reserving onely the priviledge of Erecting hutts for fishing 
 & dryeing of Netts there upon Occasion for all persons who 
 shall undertake that Designe for the Publique good) 5 w th all 
 Havens Harbours Creeks Quarryes woodland Plaines 
 meadowe ground, Pastures Marshes waters, Lakes Ryvers 
 Fishing, hawking hunting & Fowling & all other profitts 
 Comodityes Emoluments & Hereditaments to y e said Tract 
 of Land, Towne, Island & p r misses w th in y e lymitts & bounds 
 aforementioned described belonging or in any wise apper- 
 teyning: As also to have Freedome of Comonage for Range 
 & feed of Cattle & Horses into y e Woods as well w th out as 
 w th in their bounds & Lymitts w th y e rest of their Neighbours, 
 TO HAVE & TO hold all & Singuler y e said lands Island 
 Hereditaments & p r misses w th their & every of their appur- 
 tenances, & of every parte and parcell thereof to the said 
 Patentees & their Associates their heires Successo" & 
 Assignes, TO the proper use & behoofe of the said Patentees 
 & their Associates, their heires Successors and Assignes for 
 ever MOREOVER I doe likewise hereby Confirme & 
 Graunt unto the said Patentees & their Associates their 
 heires Successors & Assignes all y e Priviledges belonging to 
 a Towne w th in this Government, & that the place of their 
 p r sent habitation shall continue & retaine y e name of 
 
 5 At this point a large part of the description is omitted from this copy. 
 For omitted matter see pg. 501 line 26 et sec. 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 505 
 
 GRAVESEND by w ch name & stile it shall be distingui'sht 
 & knowne in all bargaines & sales, Deeds Records & 
 wrytings, they the said Patentees & their Associates 
 RENDRING & PAYING such Dutyes & Acknowledgments 
 
 D. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Gravesend. 6 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN, Liev 1 Governor and Vice 
 Admirall of New Yorke and its Dependencies under his 
 Majesty JAMES the Second by the grace of god of Eng- 
 land, Scottland, ffrance and Ireland, King Defender of the 
 faith &c Supreame Lord and Proprietor of the Colony and 
 Province of New Yorke and its Dependencies in America 
 &c to all to whom these Presents shall come SENDETH 
 GREETING Whereas there is A Certaine Towne in 
 KINGS County upon Long Island Comonly Called and 
 Known by the name of Gravesend Scituate, Lyeing, and 
 being on or About the Westermost Part of the Said Island 
 Containing a Certaine quantity or Parcell of Land begining 
 att the Westermost Part of a Certaine Place Called Cunie 
 Island and from thence bounded to the Westermost Part 
 of Anthony Johnsen and Robert Pennoyer and soe from 
 thence bounded by New Utricht ffence According to Agree- 
 ment, and soe aLonge New Utricke ffence According to 
 Agreement to the bounds of fflatt bush, and from thence, 
 aLong John Dittmus his Land, unto the bounds of Flatt 
 Lands, and from thence Uppon a Line agreed Upon betwixt 
 Flatt Lands and Gravesend, which from John Dittmus his 
 
 6 This patent has been carefully compared with the original patent now 
 in the custody of the Commissioner of Records for Kings Co., and, as far 
 as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 The original is on one and one half sheets of parchment signed by Thomas 
 Dongan and has a seal intact at the bottom. On the back appears the fol- 
 lowing, "Recorded in the Secretarys Office for the Province of New Yorke 
 in the book for entring of Pattents N° i, Pages 532, 533, 534 & 535. p r 
 J. Spragge Seer." 
 
506 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 Land Runns to a certaine bounds Stake and from thence to 
 a White Oake tree Marked and Standing by New Utrick 
 Waggon Pathe and Soe to the North west Corner of Allbert 
 the Weavers, feilde, and soe goeing to a Certaine marked 
 White Oake tree, that stands by the high way Side, in the 
 hollow and from thence Runing A Long the hollow to the 
 head of A Certaine Creeke, Comonly Called and knowne 
 by the name of the Strom Kill, or Hugh Garresttsen Creeke, 
 and A Long the said Creeke to the Maine Ocean and soe 
 A Long by the sea side to the westermost Part of Cunie 
 Island, As According to severall Indians Deeds Agreements, 
 Writeings and the Pattent from Governor ffrancis Lovelace, 
 Dated in the yeare of Our Lord One thousand Six hundred 
 and Seventy may more fully and Att Large Appeare NOW 
 KNOW YEE that by Virtue of the Commission and 
 Authority to mee given and Power in mee Resideing under 
 his Majesty JAMES the Second by the grace of god King 
 of England, Scottland ffrance and Ireland, Defender of the 
 faith &c Supreame Lord and Proprietor of the Colony and 
 Province of New Yorke in Consideracon of the Premisses 
 and of the quitt Rents herein After Researved I have given, 
 granted, Rattified and Confirmed and by these Presents Doe 
 give grant, Rattifie and Confirme Unto James Hubard, 
 John Tilton, Junior, William, Golder, Nicholas, Stilwell, 
 and Jocham Guylocke As Pattentees for and on the behalfe 
 of themselves and theire Associates the freeholders and 
 Inhabitants of the Said Towne of Gravesend their heires, 
 successors and Assignes all and Singular the before recited, 
 Tract and Tracts, Parcel, and Parcells of Land and 
 Meadows butted and bounded, as in the Said Pattent and 
 severall, Writings is menconed and Expressed, with all and 
 Singular the Messuages Tenements, houses, buildings, 
 bar'ns, Stables, Orchards, Gardens Pastures, Mills, Mill 
 Dams, Runns, Streams, Ponds, Woods, Underwoods, Trees, 
 Timber, fencing, fishing, hawking, hunting, and fowling, 
 
[No. xxx] Grants 507 
 
 Liberties, Priviledges, Heareditaments, and Improvements, 
 Whatsoever to the Said Land and Premises belonging or in 
 any waves Appurteineing or Accepted, Reputed, Taken or 
 Knowne or Used, Occupied and Enjoyed as Parte, Parcell 
 [o]r member, thereof with theire and Every of theire 
 Appurtenances TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said 
 Severall Tracts, and Parcells of Land and Meadow, houses, 
 buildings, messauges, Tenements, barns, stables, Orchards, 
 Gardens, Pastures, mills, mill, Dams, Runs, Ponds, woods, 
 Underwoods, trees, Timber ffencis ffishing ffowling, hunting, 
 hawking, Liberties, Priviledges, hereditaments, and Im- 
 provements by these Presents granted, Rattified, and Con- 
 firmed with theire and Every of theire Appurtenances to 
 them the Said James Hubard, John Telton Junior, William, 
 Golder, Nicholas, Stilwel and Jocham Guylock, As Pat- 
 tentees for and on the behalfe of themselves and theire 
 Associates theire, heires, successors and Assignes to the Sole 
 and only Proper Use and behooffe of the Said Pattentees 
 and theire Associates theire heires Successors and Assignes 
 for Ever TO BEE HOLDEN of his said Majesty his 
 heires, and, Successors, in FREE and Comon Soccage 
 According to the Tenure of East Grenwich in the County 
 of Kent in his Majestyes Kingdome of England YEILD- 
 ING Rendring and Paying therefore yearly and Every 
 yeare on Every five and twentyth Day of March for Ever 
 in Liew and stead of All services, Dues and Demands, 
 Whatsoever As A Quitt Rent to his Said Majestyes Use 
 Six bushells of good winter merchantable wheate, Unto such 
 Officer or Officers as shall bee Appointed to Receive the 
 Same Att the Citty of New Yorke and for the Better Pre- 
 serving the title of the above recited tracts, and Parcells 
 of Land and Premisses and Every of them, I have Caused 
 these Presents to bee Entred in the Secretaryes Office of this 
 Province. GIVEN under my hand and sealed with the Seale 
 of the Province Att Fortt JAMES in New Yorke the tenth 
 
508 Colonial Charters [No. xxx] 
 
 Day of Septem r in the SECOND yeare of his Majestyes 
 REIGNE Anno Dom 1686 
 
 Thomas Dongan 
 
 May it Please you r Honor 
 
 The Atturney Generall Hath perused This Pattent And 
 Finds Nothing Contained therin prejudicial! to his 
 Majestyes Interest 
 
 Exam May 6 th 1686 Ja : Graham 
 
r 
 
 • 
 
 * 
 
 i 
 v 
 
 
 ,<f..../.v „ 
 
 . ' 
 
 
 / 
 
 ! 7" 
 
 New Fthecht 
 
 I of fl.e rewire I? 
 
 jsa <*£ /^ V,/w.. /■• . 
 
 J^W^ CM**..* /* a„ t,.r/. 
 
 /,..,.. 
 
 MAP OF THE TOWN OF NEW UTRECHT, KINGS COUNTY 
 
 Prepared by Jeremiah Lott. Dated October 1 4, I-,-. (Original in color). 
 Original size 14" « 20". 
 
[No. xxxi] Grants 509 
 
 No. XXXI. 
 
 TOWN OF NEW UTRECHT. 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for New Utrecht. 1 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R Governour Generall, under 
 his Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and Albany, 
 &c, of all his Territoryes in America; To all to whom these 
 presents shall come, sendeth Greeting: WHEREAS there is 
 a certaine Towne within this Government, Scituate lying and 
 being, in the west Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island 
 commonly called and knowne by the name of New Utrecht; 
 which said Towne is now in the Tenure or occupation of 
 severall Freeholders and Inhabitants, who having hereto- 
 fore beene Seated there by Authority, have beene at very 
 considerable Charge in manuring and Planting a considerable 
 part of the Lands belonging there unto, and settled a compe- 
 tent Number of ffamilyes there upon : NOW for a Confirma- 
 tion unto the said ffreeholders and Inhabitants, in theire 
 Posession and Enjoyment of the premisses KNOW YEE, 
 That by virtue of the Commission and Authority unto mee 
 given by his Royall Highnesse, i have given, Ratifyed Con- 
 firmed and graunted, and by these presents do give Ratifye 
 Confirme and graunt, unto Nicasius De Sille, Jacques 
 Coutilleau, Francis Browne, Robert Jacobsen, and Jacob 
 Swaart as Patentees for and on the behalfe of themselves 
 and their Associates, the ffreeholde" and Inhabitants of the 
 said Towne theire Heires, Successo" and Assignes, All that 
 Tract, Together with the severall Parcells of Land, which 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original patent now 
 in the custody of the Commissioner of Records of Kings County, and, as far 
 as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctutim copy. 
 The original is on three sheets of paper and bears the signature of Richard 
 Nicolls and the seal intact in the upper left margin of the first sheet. 
 
510 Colonial Charters [No. xxxi] 
 
 already have, or hereafter shall bee, Purchased or pro- 
 cured, for and on the behalfe of the said Towne, whether 
 from the Native Indyan Proprietors, or others in the 
 Bounds and Lymitts hereafter sett forth and ecpres't, That 
 is to say (vizt.) The Bounds of the said Towne, begin from 
 NAJACK Point, Stretching alongst the Bay, to the Land 
 belonging to ffrancis Bruyn, and from thence run into the 
 woods along by the said ffrancis Bruynes, to the Land here- 
 tofore belonging to Robert PENNOYER neare upon a 
 North East Line twelve hundred Dutch Rod, from which 
 they go againe in a direct Line, to the North River, runing 
 three hundred Rod, to the North of the whole Hooke or 
 Neck of Land, and then againe alongst the said North 
 River, to Najack Point, Comprehending within the said 
 Bounds or Limitts, twenty Lotts, as they are now laid out, 
 As also a Parcell of valley or Meadow Ground, to the west 
 of CANARISEE Planting Land, and to the East of 
 VARCKENS Hooke, or Hogg Neck, including both fresh 
 and Salt Meadow, and the Reede Land there unto belong- 
 ing, and Conteining about two hundred and Sixty Acres, or 
 one hundred and Thirty Margen All which said Tract and 
 Parcells of Land and prmisses, within the Bounds and 
 Limitts afore mentioned described, and all or any Plantation 
 or Plantations there upon, are to bee appertaine and belong 
 to the said Towne of NEW UTRECHT: Together with 
 all Havens, H[ar]bo rs , Creekes, Quarryes, Woodland, 
 Meadow Ground, Reed Land or Valley of all sorts, Pas- 
 tures, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Lakes, ffishing, Hawking, 
 Hunting & ffowling, and all other Proffitts Comodities, 
 Emoluments and Hereditaments, to the said Land and 
 premisses, within the Bounds and Limitts sett forth, belong- 
 ing, or in any wise appertaining, And with all, to have free- 
 dome of Commonage, for Range and feede of Cattle and 
 Horses into the woods, as well without as within their 
 Bounds and Limitts with the rest of their Neighbours, TO 
 
[No. xxxi] Grants 511 
 
 HAVE AND TO HOLD, all and singular the said Tract 
 & Parcells of Land, Meadow Ground or Valley, Com- 
 monage, Hereditaments and premisses, with their and every 
 of their Appurtenances, and of every Part and Parcell 
 thereof, to the said Patentees and their Associates, their 
 Heires, Successo rs and Assignes, to the proper use and 
 behoofe of the said Patentees and their Associates, their 
 heires Successors and Assignes forever: MOREOVER, I 
 do hereby give, Ratify, Confirme and graunt, unto the said 
 Patentees AND their Associates, their heires, Successo" and 
 Assignes, All the Rights and Priviledges, belonging to a 
 Towne w th in this Government, and that the place of their 
 present Habitacon, shall continue and reteine the name of 
 NEW UTRECHT, by w ch name and Stile, it shall bee dis- 
 tinguished and knowne, in all Bargaines and Sales, Deedes, 
 writings and Record: They the said Patentees and their 
 Associates, their Heires, Successo rs and Assignes, Rendring 
 and Paying, such Dutyes & Acknowledgments, as now are, 
 or hereafter shall bee, Constituted and Establish't, by the 
 Lawes of this Government, under the Obedience of his 
 Royall Highnesse, his Heires and Successo": GIVEN under 
 my hand and Seale, at ffort James in New Yorke, on Man- 
 hatans Island, the 15 th day of August, in the twentieth yeare 
 of y e Reign of our Soveraigne Lord, CHARLES THE 
 SECOND, by the grace of God, of England, [Sc]otland, 
 ffrance and Ireland, King, Defender of the ffaith &c, Annoq$ 
 Domini 1668. 
 
 Richard Nicolls 
 RECORDED by Ord r of the 
 Govern 1 " the day and yeare above written./ 
 
 MATTHIAS NICOLLS. Seer. 
 
512 Colonial Charters [No. xxxi] 
 
 B. 
 
 Dongan Patent for New Utrecht. 2 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Leiv 1 Governour and vice Admirall 
 of New Yorke and its Dependencyes under his Ma tie 
 JAMES the second by the grace of God of England, Scott- 
 land, fifrance and Ireland, King Defender of the faith &c. 
 Supream Lord and Proprietor of the Colony and Province 
 of New Yorke and its Dependencyes in America &c. To 
 all whome this shall come, SENDETH GREETING 
 WHEREAS there is a Certaine Towne in Kings County on 
 Long Island Corhonly called and Knowne by the Name of 
 New Utrecht begining at the north east Corner of the land 
 Appurtaineing to M r Paulus Vanderbeeck called Goanus 
 to the bounds of fflattbush pattent and soe along the said 
 bounds of the said pattent and Stretching from thence south 
 east and by south till they meete the limitts of fflattlands 
 Gravesend and the said Utrecht and from thence Along 
 Gravesend bounds to the bay of the north River and soe 
 along the said Bay and River [t]ill [it meets] the La[nd] 
 o[f th]e said Paulus Vanderbeek as According to severall 
 Agreem ts and Writeinges and the pattent from Governour 
 Richard Nicolls dated [in] the Yeare of our Lord one 
 thousand six hundred sixty eight refference being thereto 
 had may more fully and att large appeare, AND whereas 
 Applycacon hath to mee been made by persons Deputed 
 from the Aforesaid Towne of New Utrecht for A Con- 
 firmacon of the Aforerecited tract of land and premisses, 
 NOW for a Confirmacon unto the Present ffreeholders and 
 
 2 This patent has been carefully compared with the original patent which 
 is now in the custody of the Commissioner of Records of Kings Co., and, 
 as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et piinctuatim 
 copy. The original is on one sheet of parchment and is signed at the 
 bottom by Thomas Dongan and bears the seal intact. On the reverse side 
 appears the following: "Recorded in the Secretaryes Office for the Province 
 of New Yorke in Lib TN ] i: booke of Patterns begun 1684 Pages 400: 
 401: 402: 403: the 14 th Day of May 1686. <p J. Spragge Seer." 
 
[No. xxxi] Grants 513 
 
 Inhabitants of the said towne their heires Successor and 
 Assignes for ever in the quiett and peaceable possession and 
 enjoyment of the Aforesaid tract of land and premissess 
 KNOW YEE that by virtue of the commission and 
 Authority unto me given and power in me resideing I Have 
 Given Gran[te]d Ratified and Confirmed and by these 
 Presents Doe Give, Grant, Ratifie, and Confirme, unto 
 Jackues Corteljaue Ruth Joosten John Verkerke, Hendrick 
 Mathyse, John Kiersen John Vandyck Gisbert Thyson, 
 Carel van dyck Jan van Cleef Cryn Jansen Meyndert 
 Coerten John Hansen Barent Joosten Teunis van pelt 
 Hendrick van Pelt Lourense Janse Gerrit Cornelisson Dirk 
 Van Sutphen Thomas Tierkson Gerret Stoffelson Peter Thy- 
 son Anthony van Pelt Anthony Duchaine Jan Vandeventer 
 & Cornelis Wynhart on the behalfe of themselves and their 
 Associates the Present ffreeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 said Towne of New Utrecht their heires, Successors, and 
 Assignes, all and singular the before Recited tract and par- 
 cells of land Meadow ground and premissess butted and 
 bounded as in the pattent and Agreem ts Aforesaid with all 
 and Singular the messuages, tenements, houses, buildings, 
 barnes, Stables, 0[r]c[hards, G]ardens, pastures, Mills, 
 Mill, Dams, Runs, streams, Ponds, woods, underwoods, 
 trees timber fencing fishing hawking hunting and [fowleinjg 
 libertyes Privilidges hareditaments, and Improvem ts , What- 
 soever, to the said land and premissess belonging or in Any 
 wise [Appurjtaineing or Accepted Reputed taken or 
 knowne or used occupyed and Enjoyed as parte parcell or 
 member thereof with [theire a]nd every of their Appur- 
 tennces TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract and 
 parcell of land with their And Every Of [theire] Appur- 
 tennces to them the said Jacques Cortiliau Ruth Joosten 
 John Verkerke Hendrick Mathyse John Keirsen John 
 Vandyk [Gisberjt Thyson Caerl van Dyck Jan van Cleef 
 Cryn Jansen Myndert Coerten John Hansen Barent Joosten 
 Teunis van Pelt Hendrick [van] Pelt Lourense Jansen Ger- 
 
514 Colonial Charters [No. xxxi] 
 
 ritt Cornelisen Dirk van Sutphen Thomas Tierksen Gerritt 
 Stoffelson Peter Thyson Anthony van [Pelt] Anthony 
 Duchaine Jan van deventer & Cornells Wynhart as pat- 
 tentees for and on the behalfe of themselves and their 
 present [Associates their heires Successors and Assignes 
 for ever to the sole and only proper use & behoofe of the 
 said pattentes And their prese[nt] Associates their heires 
 Successors and Assignes for ever AND I doe hereby Like- 
 wise Confirme and grant unto the said pa[tte]ntees and 
 their Associates their heires Successors and Assignes all the 
 privilidges and Immunityes belonging to A Towne within 
 this Governm 1 TO BEE HOLDEN of his said Majesty 
 his heires and Successors in free and Comon Soccage Accord- 
 ing to the tenure of East Grenwich in the County of kent in 
 his Ma ties Kingdome of England YEILDING rendring and 
 paying therefore Yearely and every Yeare on every five and 
 twentyth Day of March for ever in liew and stead of all 
 services and demands whatsoever as a quitt Rent or 
 Acknowledgm* to his said Majesty his heires and successors 
 or to such officer or officers as shall be Appointed to receive 
 the same six bushells of good winter Marchantable Wheate 
 at the Citty of New Yorke AND for the better preserving 
 the title of the above recited tract & parcells of land and 
 Premissess and every of them I have Caused these p r sents 
 to be entred in the Secretaryes office of this province, GIVEN 
 under my hand and Sealed with the seale of the province 
 att ffortt JAMES in New Yorke the thirteenth Day of May 
 1686 And in the second Yeare of his Ma ties Reigne 
 
 Thomas Dongan 
 May it Please you r [Honor] 
 
 The Atturney Generall Hath perused this Pattent And 
 Finds Nothing Contained therein Prejudiciall to his Majtys 
 Interest. Jas : Graham 
 
 Exam May 13th 1686. 
 
[No. xxxii] Grants 515 
 
 No. XXXII. 
 
 TOWN OF NEW LOTS 
 
 Andros Patent to Arian Lamberts. 1 
 
 [Seal] 
 
 Recorded by order of his Excellency the 24 th 
 of March 1724/5. having been omitted till now. — 
 
 EDMUND ANDROS ESQ R Seigneur of Sausmazez Lieut 1 
 and Governour General under his Royal Highness James 
 Duke of Yorke and Albany &c r of all his Territorys in 
 America. WHEREAS there is a certain parcel of Land 
 lying within the Limits of the Town of Flattbush in the 
 West Rideing of Yorkshire upon Long Island, which by 
 Vertue of my Warrant hath been laid out for Several 
 Inhabitants there, that is to Say for Arien Lamberts, Floor 
 Willemse, Minne Johannis and his Son Alberte, Hendrick 
 Strycker, Jan Snediker, Dirke De Snyder, Peter Lott, Ger- 
 ritt Lubbertse, Jan Roeloffe Swebering, Theodorus Polhe- 
 mius, William Jacobse and his Son Hendrick, Jan Strycker 
 and his Son Gerritt, Jacob Hendricks, Cornelius Barentse, 
 Jan Dittmarse, Cornelius Bogart, Rem Remse, (The 
 Schoolmaster for the time being, of the said Town) Peter 
 Duilliamse, Willem Duilliamse, Symon Hans, Cornelius de 
 Zeewe, Katherine Hegeman Auke Janse, Arian Reyerse, 
 Gerritt Snediker, Titus Syrix, Dirck Janse, Aert Janse, 
 Leffert Peiters, Jan Janse ffyn Stoffell Probasci, and Cor- 
 nelius Bevrid, The said Land Lying to the East of Flatt- 
 bush aforesaid and to the South of the Hills and to the 
 West of Jamaica Limitts Stretching alongst the Road or 
 Highway that goes to Jamaica, Seven hundred twenty four 
 Rod and three Quarters, from thence with a South Line 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, IV 1164, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library in Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
516 Colonial Charters [No. xxxii] 
 
 into the Woods three hundred and fifteen Rod containing 
 in all one thousand four hundred twenty Six Acres, and one 
 hundred thirty Six Rod, as by the Return of the Survey 
 doth and May appear KNOW YEE that by Vertue of his 
 Majestys Letters Patents and the Commission and Authority 
 unto me Given by his Royal Highness, I have given and 
 Granted and by these presents doe hereby give and Grant 
 unto the said Arian Lamberts, &c r . THEIR heirs and 
 Assigns the afore recited parcel of Land and premisses, 
 with their and every of their Appurtences, TO HAVE 
 AND TO HOLD the said parcel of Land and premisses 
 unto the said Arian Lamberts &c r their heirs and assigns 
 unto the proper use and behoof of them the said Arien 
 Lamberts &c r their heirs and Assigns for Ever, They mak- 
 ing Improvement thereon according to Law, AND YEILD- 
 ING and paying therefore yearly and every Yeare unto 
 his Royal Highness' use as a Quit-Rent one Bushell of 
 Good Winter Wheate in New York for each Lott unto 
 Such Officer or Officers as Shall be Empowered to receive 
 the same GIVEN under my hand and Sealed with the Seal 
 of the Province in New York this twenty first day of March 
 in the Nineth year of his Majestys Reign Annoqj Domini 
 1677.— 
 
 E. ANDROS— 
 Examined by me — 
 
 MATTHIAS NICOLLS SECR. 
 
- . 
 
 MAP OF THE TOWN OF FLUSHING, QUEENS COUNTY 
 1 by Wm. M. Stewart, Surveyor. Dated October iq, 1797. 
 (Original in color). Original size 13" X 19". 
 
[No. xxxiii] Grants 517 
 
 No. XXXIII. 
 
 TOWN OF FLUSHING. 
 
 A. 
 
 Kieft Patent for Flushing. 1 
 
 A Dutch Patent, Entred for y e Towne of 
 Flushing, the 4 th day of March 1666/7. 2 
 
 KNOW ALL MEN, whom these pnts may any wayes 
 concerne, That wee William Kieft, Esq r Governo 1 " Gen a11 of 
 the Province called the New Netherlands, w th y e Councell 
 of State there Established, by vertue of a Commission under 
 the hand and Seale of the High and Mighty Lords, the 
 Estates Gen a " of y e United Belgick Provinces, his High- 
 nesse, Frederick Hendrick, Prince of Orange, and the Right 
 Hono ble Lords, the Lords Bewint Hebbers, of the west 
 India Company, Have given and graunted, And by vertue 
 of these pnts, do give graunt and Confirme unto Thomas 
 ffarrington, John Townesend, Thomas Stiles, Thomas Saull, 
 John Marston, Robert ffield, Thomas Applegate, Thomas 
 Beddard, Laurence Dutch, John Laurence, William 
 Laurence, William Thorne, Henry Sautell, William Pigeon, 
 Michaell Milleard, Robert ffirman, John Hicks, Edward 
 Hart, their heires Exto rs Admto rs Assignes, Successo rs or 
 Associates, or any they shall joyne in Associacon with them, 
 a certaine quantity or parcell of Land, with all the Havens, 
 Harbo rs Rivers, Creekes, woodland, Marshes, there unto 
 belonging, and being upon the North side of Long Island, 
 to begin at y e westward part thereof, at the Mouth of a 
 Creeke upon y e East River, now comonly called and knowne 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Deeds, 11:178, in the office of the Sec. of State, Albany, and, as 
 far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 The patent has been printed before in O'Callaghan, L. & Ord. N. Neth., 
 p. 48-51. 
 
 2 Note that this date is the date that the patent was recorded. The patent 
 is dated Oct. 10, 1645. 
 
518 Colonial Charters rNo. xxxni] 
 
 by the name of Slushing Creeke, and so to runne Eastward, 
 as farr as Mathew Garretsons Bay; Together w th a Neck 
 of LAND, commonly called TUES NECK, being bounded 
 on the westward part thereof, with the Land graunted to 
 M r Francis Doughty and Associates, and on the Eastward 
 part thereof, with the Land graunted to y e Plantacon and 
 Towne of Hempsteed, and so to rune in two direct Lines, 
 unto the South side of y e said Island, that there may bee the 
 same Latitude in breadth, on the South side, as on the 
 Northside, for them the said Patentees, Actually, really, 
 and perpetually to enjoy, and Possesse, as their owne free 
 Land of Inheritance, for them the said Patentees, their 
 Associates, heires, Successo rs , and Assignes to Improve and 
 Manure at their owne best advantage, according to their 
 discretions; ALWAYES PROVIDED y e said Patentees or 
 Associates, shall Settle such a competent Number of 
 ffamilyes, w th in the space of two yeare, after the date hereof, 
 as the Governo r Gen aU of this Province, for the time being, 
 or any hee shall appoint, shall thinke convenient, may bee 
 accommodated, within the said Limitts; ALWAYES PRO- 
 VIDED the first Settlers, to bee Sufficiently accommodated, 
 excepting for and to the use of the above said Right Hono ble , 
 the Lords Bewint Hebbers, a certaine Parcell of Land, 
 within the Towne of flushing, for theire owne use; ffurther 
 giving and Graunting, And by vertue of these pnts, wee do 
 give and Graunt, unto the said Patentees, their Associates 
 heires, Executo rs Admto rs , Successo rs , and Assignes, upon the 
 said Land to BUILD a Towne, or Townes, w th such neces- 
 sary ffortifications, as to them shall seeme expedient; And 
 to have and Enjoy the Liberty of Conscience, according to 
 the Custome and manner of Holland, without molestacon or 
 disturbance, from any Magistrate or Magistrates, or any 
 other Ecclesiasticall Minister, that may p r tend Jurisdiccon 
 over them, with Power likewise, for them the said Patentees, 
 their Associates and Successo rs , to Nominate, Elect & 
 Choose, a certaine Officer over them, who may beare the 
 
[No. xxxiii] Grants 519 
 
 name or Title of Scout, or Constable of flushing, to w ch 
 said Officer, of Scout or Constable, wee do hereby, give 
 graunt and Confirme, as large and Ample Power and 
 Authority, as is usually given to the Scout of any Village in 
 Holland, or Constable in England, for the apprehencon of 
 any Malefactor, or any that shall go about to disturbe the 
 Publique Peace and tranquility, of the said Towne of flush- 
 ing, And him, or them to bring before the Governo r Gen a11 
 of this Province, for the time being, and there to make 
 proces ag st such delinquents; ffurther giving and Graunting, 
 And by vertue of these pnts, wee do give and Graunt, unto 
 the said Patentees, their Associates, heires, Successo rs , &c, 
 to have and Enjoy the free Liberty, of Hawking, Hunting, 
 ffishing ffowling, within their aboves d Limitts, And to use 
 and Exercise all manner of Trade and Commerce, accord- 
 ing as y e Inhabit ts of this Province, may or can by vertue 
 of any Priviledge or Graunt made unto them, inducing all 
 and singular the said Patentees, their Associates, heires, 
 Successo rs &c, w th all and singular the iifiunityes of this 
 Province, as if they were Natives of the United Belgick 
 Provinces; Alwayes Provided, the said Patentees, their 
 Associates, heires and Successo", shall reverendly respect 
 the above named High and Mighty Lords &c, for their 
 Superior Lords and Patrons; so long as they shall continue 
 within the Jurisdiction of this Province, and at y e expiracon 
 of ten yeares, to begin from the day of the date hereof, to 
 pay, or cause to bee paid to an Officer, there unto deputed 
 by the Governo 1 " Gen a " of this Province, for the time being, 
 the tenth part of the Revenue, that shall arise by the Ground 
 manured, by the Plough Howe, in case it bee demanded, to 
 be paid to y e s d Officer, in the ffield, before it bee Housed, 
 Gardens, or Orchards, not exceeding one Hollands Acre, 
 being excepted; And in Case any of y e s d Patentees, their 
 Associates, Heires, Successo rs or Assignes, shall onely 
 improve their Stocks, in Grasing or Breeding of Cattle, 
 Then the Party so doing, shall at the expiracon of the ten 
 
520 Colonial Charters [No. xxxni] 
 
 yeares a for said, Pay, or cause to bee paid to an Officer, 
 deputed as abovesaid, such reasonable Satisfaction in Butter 
 or Cheese, as other Townes shall do, in like Cases; Like- 
 wise Enjoyning the said Patentees, and Associates, their 
 Heires, Successo rs and so forth, in the dating of all Publick 
 Instrum ts , to use the New Stile, together with the weights 
 and Measures of this place; In wittnesse whereof, wee have 
 here unto sett our hand and Seale of this Province, dated 
 this tenth day of October, 1645. Stilo novo, in the ffort 
 Amsterdam; Memorandum, before the Ensealing hereof, It 
 was Agreed, and Ordered by the Governo r , the Land should 
 rune North and South, but as farr as the Hills. 
 
 WILLEM KIEFT. 
 
 Ter Ordinnantie &c 
 
 Cornells van Tienhoven Secrets 
 
 B. 
 
 NICOLLS PATENT FOR FLUSHING. 3 
 
 A Patent and Confirmation, graunted unto 
 the Freehold rs & Inhabit ts of flushing. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R Governo 1 " Generall under his 
 Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c, 
 of all his Territoryes in America, To all to whome these 
 phts shall come, sendeth Greeting, Whereas there is a cer- 
 taine Towne in the North Riding of Yorkshire upon Long 
 Island, commonly called and knowne by the Name of flush- 
 ing Scituate lying and being on the North side of the sd 
 Island, now in the Tenure or occupacon, of Certaine {free- 
 holders and Inhabitants, there residing; which said Towne 
 hath a Certaine Tract of Land belonging there unto, whose 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, 1:88, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxxni] Grants 521 
 
 Bounds westward, begin at the Mouth of a Creeke, upon 
 the East River, knowne by y e Name of flushing Creeke, and 
 from thence (including a certaine Neck of Land, called 
 Tues Neck) to runne Eastward as farr as Mathew Garret- 
 sons Bay, from the head or Middle whereof a Line is to 
 bee runne South East, in length about three Miles, and 
 about two Miles in breadth, as the Land hath been Sur- 
 veyed and laid out, by vertue of an Order made at the 
 Gen a11 Meeting held at y e Towne of Hempsteed, in the 
 Moneth of March 1664. Then (that there may bee the 
 same Latitude in breadth on the South side, as on the 
 North) to runne in two direct Lines Southward to the 
 Middle of y e Hills, as is directed by another Order, made 
 at the generall Meeting aforesaid, w ch passing East and 
 west, as the Trees are now Mark't, is the Bounds betweene 
 y e said Towne of Flushing and Jamaica ; ffor the greatest 
 part of which said Tract of Land and p r misses, there was 
 heretofore a Patent Graunted from the Dutch Governo 1 " 
 William Keift, bearing date the 10 th day of October 1645, 
 Stilo Novo, unto Thomas Farrington, John Lawrence, John 
 Hicks and divers others, Patentees, their Heires, Successo rs 
 Associates and Assignes, for them to Improve, manure and 
 settle a Competent Number of ffamilyes there upon. 
 
 Now for a Confirmacon unto the P r sent Freehold" & 
 Inhabitants of the said Towne, in the possession and Enjoy- 
 ment of the P r misses, KNOW YEE that by vertue of the 
 Commission and Authority, unto mee given by his Royall 
 Highnesse, I have Ratified Confirmed and Graunted, And 
 by these pnts Do Ratify Confirme and Graunt unto John 
 Laurence Alderman of the City of New Yorke, M r Richard 
 Cornhill, Justice of the Peace, Charles Bridges, William 
 Laurence, Robert Terry, William Noble, John fforbush, 
 Elias Doughty, Robert ffield, Edw d ffarrington, John Mars- 
 ton, Anthony ffield, Philip Udall, Thomas Stiles, Benjamin 
 ffield, William Pigeon, John Adams, John Hincksman, 
 Nicholas Passal, Tobias ffeakes and John Bound, as 
 
522 Colonial Charters [No. xxxni] 
 
 Patentees, for and on the behalfe of themselves and their 
 Associates, the ^freeholders and Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne, their heires Successo rs and Assigness, all the afore 
 mentioned Tract and Neck of Land, set forth and Bounded 
 as aforesaid; Together with all Havens, Harbo rs , Creekes, 
 Quarryes, Wood Land, Meadowes, Pastures, Marshes, 
 Rivers, Waters, Lakes, ffishing, Hawking, Hunting, and 
 {fowling; And all other Proffitts, Commodities, Emolum ts 
 and Hereditaments, to the said Land & p r misses, within the 
 Limitts and Bounds afore mentioned described, belonging, 
 or in any wise Appertaining. TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD, all and singular the said Lands, hereditary and 
 p r misses, with their, and every of ther Appurtenances, and 
 of every part & Parcell thereof, to the said Patentees and 
 their Associates, their heires, Successo rs and Assignes, to the 
 proper use and behoofe of the said Patentees & their Asso- 
 ciates, their heires, Successo rs , and Assignes for ever. And 
 I do likewise hereby Confirme & Graunt, unto the said 
 Patentees and their Associates, their heires, Successo rs and 
 Assignes, All the Priviledges belonging to a Towne within 
 this Governm 1 , And that the place of their present Habita- 
 con, shall continue and retaine y e name of Flushing by w ch 
 Name and Stile it shall bee distinguish't and knowne, in all 
 Bargaines and Sales, Deedes Records and Writings; 
 
 They the said Patentees and their Associates, their, 
 heires, Successo rs and Assignes, Rendring & Paying such 
 Dutyes and Acknowledgm ts , as now are or hereafter shall 
 be Constituted and Establish't, by the Lawes of this Gov- 
 ernm 1 , under y e Obedience of his Royall Highnesse, his 
 heires and Successo rs , Given under my hand and Seale at 
 ffort James in New Yorke, the 15 th day of ffebruary in the 
 19 th yeare of his Ma ties Raigne, and in the yeare of Our 
 Lord God 1666. 
 
 Rich Nicolls. 
 
[No. xxxiii] Grants 523 
 
 C. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Flushing. 4 
 
 Recorded for the Inhabitants of flushing 
 
 March the 24 th 1685 
 
 THOMAS rDONGAN Lieu' Governor and Vice Admirall 
 of New Yorke etc under his Majesty James the Second 
 by the Grace of god of England Scottland, ffrance and Ire- 
 land King Defender of the Faith &c Supreame Lord and 
 Proprietor of the Colony and Province of New Yorke and 
 its Dependencies In America &c To all to whom this shall 
 Come SENDETH GREETING Whereas Richard Nicolls 
 Esq r formerly Governor Generall of this Province under his 
 Royall High ss James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c of all 
 his Territoryes in America &c hath by his Certaine Write- 
 ing or Pattent beareing Date the fivetenth Day of ffebruary 
 in the Nineteenth yeare of his Majestyes Reigne Anno Dom 
 one thousand six hundred sixty six Given and granted unto 
 John Lawrence Alderman of the Citty of New Yorke 
 Richard Cornwell, Charles Bridges William Lawrence, 
 Robert Terry, William Noble, John Forbush, Elias 
 Doughty, Robert field Edward Farington, John Marston, 
 Anthony Field, Phillip Udall, Thomas Stiles Benjamin 
 Field, William Pidgeon, John Adams, John Hinchman 
 Nicholas, Parcell, Tobias Feakes, and John Bowne as Pat- 
 tentees for and in the behalfe of themselves and their 
 associates the ffreeholders and Inhabitants of the Towne of 
 Flushing their heires, successors and Assignes for Ever, all 
 that A Certaine Towne in the North Rideing of Yorkshire 
 upon Long Island Called by the Name of Flushing, Scituate 
 Lyeing and being on the North side of the Said Island 
 
 * This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, V-B:2i5, now on deposit in the Manuscript Divi- 
 sion of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will 
 allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
524 Colonial Charters [No. xxxni] 
 
 Which said Towne hath a Certaine Tract of Land belong- 
 ing thereunto whose Bounds westward beginn att the Mouth 
 of a Creeke upon the East River knowne by the name of 
 Flushing Creeke and from thence Includeing a Certaine 
 Neck of Land Called Tuesneck to runn Eastward as farr as 
 Matthew Garrettsons bay from the head or middle whereof 
 a Line is to be runn south East in Length about three miles 
 and about two miles in breadth as the Land hath been 
 surveyed and Laid out by virtue of an Order made at the 
 Generall meeting held at the Towne of Hempstead in the 
 month of March one thousand six hundred Sixty fouer then 
 that theire may bee the same Lattitude in breadth on the 
 South side as on the North to run in two Direct Lines south- 
 ward to the midle of the hills as is Directed by another 
 Order made at the Generall meeting aforesaid which Pass- 
 ing East and west as the Trees are now markt is the bounds 
 between the said Towne of Flushing and Jamaica for the 
 greatest Parte of which said Tract of Land and Premissess 
 there was heretofore A Pattent Granted from the Dutch 
 Governor William Kieft beareing Date the Tenth Day of 
 October one thousand six hundred forty five Stilo : Novo : 
 unto Thomas Farington John Lawrence, John Hicks, and 
 Divers Others Pattentees their successors Associates and 
 Assignes for them to Improve manure, and settle a Compe- 
 tent number of ffamilyes thereupon as by the said Pattent 
 Remaineing upon Record in the Secretaryes office Relacon 
 being thereto had may fully and att Large Appeare AND 
 whereas for a further strengthinng of the Aforesaid title 
 and peaceable Enjoyment of the Premisses and to take away 
 utterly and Distroy all Cause, matters, and Pretences of 
 Controversie, or Variences that might at any time arise 
 from Tackapowsha Sachem Qussaw, Wafcoe Suscanenian 
 Ats Rumsuck, and Werah, Cetharum Nimham, Shunthe- 
 weham, Nimhams Sonne and Oposon Indians or Any other 
 Person or Persons Whether Christian or Indian Clajmeing 
 by from or under them these following Persons Deputed by 
 
[No. xxxni] Grants 525 
 
 Order and on the behalfe of the Towne of flushing Elias 
 Doughty, Thomas Willett, John Bowne, Matthias Harvey, 
 Thomas Hicks, Richard Cornell, John Hinchman, Jonathan 
 Wright & Samuell Hoyt Agents of the ^freeholders of the 
 Towne of flushing did for and on the behalfe of the said 
 Towne in Generall their heires and associates by A Certaine 
 writeing or Indenture made Concluded and Confirmed on 
 the fouertenth Day of Aprill and in the yeare of our Lord 
 one thousand six hundred Eighty fouer buy and Purchase 
 by my Permission and Approbation from the before- 
 menconed Indians Tackapowsha Sachem, Qussaw, Wafcoe, 
 Suscanenian Ats Ramsuck and Werah, Cetharum, Nimham, 
 Shumsheweham, Nimhams Sonne and Oposon all the Lands 
 scituate Lyeing and being on the north side of Long Island 
 Called and knowne by the name of Flushing within Queens 
 County, the first bounds whereof begin to the West with 
 Flushing Creeke to the South by Jamaica Line, to the East 
 by Hempstead Line, and to the North with the Sound for 
 and in Consideration of a Valuable Sume then Received 
 before the Signing and Sealeing of the aforesaid Writeing 
 to the full Sattisfacon of the Indians as by the aforesaid 
 writeing or Indenture Relacon thereto being had Doth more 
 fully and Att Large Appeare AND Whereas by Articles 
 of Agreement Dated the sixth Day of March 1679/80 
 made between the said Towne of Flushing and Jamaica the 
 Inhabitants thereof have fully Concluded upon a Perpetuall 
 bounds as follows that from the foott or bottome of the 
 hills upon the south side the Towne of Jamaica shall have 
 sevenscore Rodd upon A Direct or streight Pointe unto the 
 hills in all Places from the Eastermost bounds of Jamaica 
 being at a marked walnutt Tree upon Rockie hill standing 
 upon the west side of the Roade between Flushing and 
 Hempstead to the Westermost bounds of Jamaica and 
 Flushing in the hills as by the said Agreement Refference 
 being thereunto had may fully Appeare AND Whereas by 
 another Certaine writeing or agreement Dated the Last 
 
526 Colonial Charters [No. xxxni] 
 
 Day of June one thousand six hundred Eighty fouer made 
 by Elias Doughty, John Seaman, Thomas Willett and John 
 Jackson that the bounds between the Towne of Flushing and 
 Hempstead are to begin at the midle of the bay where Cap* 
 Jacques Runn the Line and to hold the same untill it Comes 
 to the Land Called by the name of the Governors Land 5 and 
 then from the south side of the Governors Land towards 
 the End of the Plaine to the former markt Tree that stands 
 in the Hollow and to Runn from thence upon a Direct Line 
 unto the Rocky hill westerly where Carts usually goe to 
 Flushing as by the said Agreement Relacon being thereto 
 had may Likewise Appeare AND Whereas the said Pat- 
 tentees and theire Associates the freeholders and Inhabi- 
 tants of the said Towne of Flushing hereafter named have 
 According to the Custome and Practice of this Province 
 made Severall Divisions Allottments Distinct Settlement 
 and Improvements of Severall Peeces and Parcells of the 
 above recited Tract of Land within the Limitts abovesaid 
 at their owne Proper Cost and Charge AND whereas 
 Applyacon hath been made to mee by Jasper Smith and 
 Jonathan Wright Persons Deputed from the said Towne 
 of Flushing for a Confirmacon of the aforesaid Tract or 
 Parcell of Land and Premissess Contained in the aforesaid 
 Pattent as it hath since been Limitted butted and bounded 
 by before menconed Agreements of the Towne of Flushing 
 with the Townes of Jamaica and Hempstead NOW for a 
 Confirmation unto the Present ffreeholders and Inhabitants 
 of the said Towne theire heires and Assignes in the quiett 
 and Peaceable Possession and Enjoyement of the aforesaid 
 Tract of Land and Premissess KNOW YEE that by Virtue 
 of the Corhission and Authority unto mee Given and Power 
 
 5 "The 'Governors Land' was Governor Dongan's farm on Long Island, 
 which lay partly in the town of Flushing and partly in the town of Hemp- 
 stead, and according to Waller's History of the Toivn of Flushing, and to 
 the Hempstead records, included four hundred acres given to Governor 
 Dongan by Flushing and two hundred acres given to him by Hempstead." — 
 Frederick Van Wyck, Select Patents of Neiv York Toivns, A. A. Beauchamp, 
 Boston, (1938), p. 28. 
 
[No. xxxiii] Grants 527 
 
 in mee Resideing I have Rattified Confirmed and granted 
 and by these Presents Doe Rattifie Confirme and grant unto 
 Thomas Willett John Lawrence Senjor, Elias Doughty, 
 Richard Cornwell, Morris Smith, Charles Morgan Mary 
 ffeake Wouter Gisbertson, John Mastin, John Cornells, 
 John Harrisson, Denius Holdron, John Hinchman William 
 Yeates, Joseph Thorne, John Lawrence Junjor Matthias 
 Harvye, Harmanus King, John ffarington, Thomas Wil- 
 liams, Elizabeth Osborne, Joseph Hevyland, John Wash- 
 borne, Aron Cornelis, John Bowne, William Noble, Samuell 
 Hoyt, Madaline Francis Burto John Hoper, Thomas Ford, 
 John Jenning, John Embree, Jonathan Wright, Nicholas 
 Parcell; William Lawrence, Richard Townly, Edward 
 Griffen, Senjor, David Roe, Richard Tindall, Edward 
 Griffen Junjor. John Lawrence at the White stone, Henry 
 Taylor Jasper Smith, Richard Wilday, Thomas Townsend 
 John Thorne, Anthony ffield ; John Adams, Richard Stock- 
 ton, James Wittaker, Hugh Coppertwaite Richard Chew, 
 James Clement, Margarett Stiles, Samuell Thorne Thomas, 
 Hedger, William Heaviland, Thomas Hicks, John Terry, 
 Daniell Patrick, James ffeake, Thomas Kimoey, Phillip 
 Udall, Thomas Davis, Edward ffarington, Thomas ffaring- 
 ton, Mattheu ffarington, John ffield, Joseph Hedger, John 
 Talman, William Creed, William White, Elizabeth Smith, 
 Thomas Partridge, William Hedger, Benjamine ffield, the 
 Present freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne of 
 Flushing their Heires and Assignes for Ever all the before 
 Recited Tracts and Parcell or Neck of Land sett forth 
 Limitted and bounded as aforesaid, by the aforemenconed 
 Pattent, Indian Deed of sale and Agreements togather with 
 all and singular the howses, Messuages, Tenements, ffence- 
 ings, buildings, Gardens orchards, Trees, woods, Under- 
 woods, Pastures ffeedings, Corhon of Pasture, Meadows, 
 Marshes, Lakes Ponds, Creeks, harbours, Rivers, Rivoletts, 
 Brookes, Streames, Highwayes, and Easements, Whatso- 
 ever belonging or in Any wayes Appurtaineing to any of 
 
528 Colonial Charters [No. xxxni] 
 
 the aforerecited Tract, Parcell, or Neck of Land, Divis- 
 sions, Allottments and settlements made and Appropriated 
 before the Day and the Date hereof TO HAVE AND TO 
 HOLD all the said Tracts of Land and Premissess with 
 theire and Every of Theire Appurtenances to the severall 
 and Respective uses following and to and for no other use 
 Intent and Purpose Whatsoever that is to say as for and 
 Concerning all and Singular the severall and Respective 
 Parcells of Land and Meadow, Parte of the granted 
 Premissess in Any wise taken up Devided, Allotted, settled 
 and Appropriated before the Day of the Date hereof unto 
 the severall and Respective Present Inhabitants and ffree- 
 holders, Thomas Willett, John Lawrence Senjor Elias 
 Doughty, Richard Cornwell, Morris Smith, Charles Mor- 
 gan, Mary ffeake, Wouter Gisbertsen John Mastin, John 
 Cornelis, John Harrison, Dennis Holdron, John Hinchman, 
 William Yates, Joseph Thorne, John Lawrence Junjor 
 Matthias Harvye, Harmanus King John Farrington, 
 Thomas Williams, Elizabeth Osborne Joseph Heaviland, 
 John Washburne, Aron Cornelis John Bowne, William 
 Noble, Samuell Hoyt, Mada Lyne, Francis Burto, John 
 Hoper, Thomas fford John Jennings John Embree, Jona- 
 than Wright, Nicholas Parcell, William Lawrence, Richard 
 Townely, Edward Griffin, Senjor, David Roe, Richard 
 Tindall, Edward Griffin, Junjor, John Lawrence at the 
 White Stone Henry Taylor, Gasper Smith, Richard Wilday, 
 Thomas Townsend, John Thorne, Anthony ffield; John 
 Adams, Richard Stockton, James Wittaker, Hugh Cop- 
 pertwaite, Richard Chew, James Clement, Margarett Styles, 
 Samuell Thorne, Thomas Hedger, William Heaviland, 
 Thomas Hicks, John Terry, Daniell Patrick, James ffeake, 
 Thomas Kimoey, Phillip Udall, Thomas Davis, Edward 
 ffarington, Matthew Farrington, Thomas Farrington, John 
 Field, Joseph Hedger, John Talman William Creed, Wil- 
 liam White, Elizabeth Smyth, Thomas Partrdige William 
 Hedger, Benjamine Field, to the use and behooffe of the 
 
[No. xxxni] Grants 529 
 
 said Inhabitants or Freeholders, Respectively and theire 
 severall and Respective heires and Assignes for Ever AND 
 as for and Concerning all and every such Parcell or Parcells, 
 Tract or Tracts of Land and meadow Remainder of the 
 Granted Premissess, not yett Taken up or Appropriated to 
 Any Perticular Person or Persons before the Day of the 
 Date hereof to the use and behooffe of the Purchasers, 
 above recited and to their heires and Assignes for Ever, to 
 be Equally Devided in Proportions to the above recited, 
 Inhabitants and ffreeholders afforesaid, and to their Respec- 
 tive heires and Assignes for Ever without any Lett Hind- 
 rance or Molestacon to be had or Reserved upon Pretence 
 of Joynt Tennancy or survivorship, Any thing herein Con- 
 tained to the Contrary in any wise Nott withstanding TO 
 BEE HOLDEN of his most sacred majesty his heires and 
 successors in free and Comon soccage According to the 
 Tenure of East Grenwich in the Kingdome of England 
 YEILDING therefore and Paying yearely and Every yeare 
 as an Acknowledgement or quitt Rent to his Majesty his 
 heires and successors as aforesaid or to such officer or 
 officers as shall by him or them be Appointed to Receive 
 the same at New Yorke in Liew of all services and Demands 
 whatsoever sixteene bushells of Good Marchatable Winter 
 Wheate on Every five and Twentyth Day of March. IN 
 TESTIMONY whereof I have Caused these Presents to be 
 Entred upon Record in the secretaryes office of this Province 
 AND the seale of the said Province to be hereunto Affixed 
 the 23 d Day of March in the yeare of our Lord one thou- 
 sand six hundred Eighty five AND in the second yeare of 
 his Majestyes Reigne &c Thomas :Dongan 
 
 May it Please your Honor 
 
 The Atturny Generall hath Perused this Pattent and finds 
 nothing Contained therein Prejudiciall to his Majestys 
 Interest. 
 
 Examined March 23. Ja : Graham 
 
 1685. 
 
530 Colonial Charters [No. xxxiv] 
 
 No. XXXIV. 
 
 TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD. 
 
 A. 
 
 Kieft Patent for Hempstead. 1 
 
 A Dutch Patent Recorded for the Towne of 
 Hempsteed, the th 6 day of March 1666. 2 
 
 KNOW ALL MEN, whom these p r sents may any wayes 
 concerne, That wee William Kieft Esq r Governo 1 " Gen a11 
 of the Province called the New Netherlands; with the 
 Councell of State there Established, by vertue of a Com- 
 mission under the hand and Seale, of the High and Mighty 
 Lords, the Estates Generall; of the united Belgick Prov- 
 inces, and from his Hignessse, Fredrick Hendrick, Prince of 
 Orange, and the Right Hono ble Lords, the Lords Bewint 
 Hebbers, of the west India Company, Have given and 
 graunted, And by vertue of these p r sents, Wee do give and 
 graunt, unto Robert Fordham, John Stickland, John Ogden, 
 John Carman, John Laurence and Jonas Wood, with their 
 Heires, Executo rs Administrato rs Successo rs or Associates, 
 or any they shall joyne in associacon with them, a certaine 
 quantity of Land, with all the Havens, Harbo rs Rivers, 
 Creekes, woodland, Marshes, and all other Appurtenances 
 there unto belonging, lying and being upon, and about a 
 certaine place, called the great Plaines on Long Island, from 
 the East River, to the South Sea, and from a certaine 
 Harbo r now comonly called and knowne by y e name of 
 Hempsteed Bay, and so westward as farr as Mathew Gar- 
 ritsons Bay, to begin at the head of the said two Bayes, and 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Deeds, III:ioo, in the office of the Sec. of State, Albany, and, as 
 far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 The patent has been printed before in O'Callaghan, L. & Ord. N. Neth., 
 p. 42-46. 
 
 2 Note that this date is the date that the patent was recorded. The patent 
 is dated Nov. i6, 1644. 
 
e 
 
 " 
 
 i_ 
 
 Li ■ : 
 
 m 
 
MAP 01 1 HI lows OF HEMPSTEAD, QUEENS COUNTS 
 
 Surveyed bj Wm. M. Stewart. Dated September 25, 1797 
 
 (Origin.il in color). Original size 2;" X 28". 
 
[No. xxxiv] Grants 531 
 
 so to run in direct Lines, that there may bee the same Lati- 
 tude in breath on the Southside, as on the North, for them 
 the said Patentees, Actually, really and perpetually to 
 Enjoy, in as large and ample manner as their owne free 
 Land of Inheritance, and as farre Eastward, in Case the 
 said Patentees and their Associates, shall procure one 
 hundred ffamilyes, to settle downe w th in the said Limitts, 
 five yea rs after the date hereof; GIVING AND GRAUNT- 
 ING, And by vertue of these p r sents, wee do give and 
 Graunt, unto the said Patentees and their Associates, with 
 their heires and Successo rs , full Power and Authority, upon 
 the said Land to Build a Towne or Townes, with such 
 necessary ffortifications, as to them shall seeme expedient, 
 with a Temple or Temples, and to use & Exercize the 
 reformed Religion, which they professe, with the Eccle- 
 siasticall Discipline, there unto belonging; Likewise giving 
 and graunting, And by vertue of these p r sents, wee do give 
 and graunt, to the said Patentees, their Associates, heires 
 and Successo" full Power and Authority, to Erect a Body 
 Pollitique, or Civill Combinacon amongst themselves, and 
 to nominate certaine Magistrates, one or more, under the 
 number of Eight, of the Ablest, discreetest, approved honest 
 men, and him or them, annually to present to y e Governo r , 
 of this Province, for the time being, for him the said, the 
 Governo r Gen a " for the time being, to Elect and Establish 
 them, for the Execucon of Governm 1 amongst them, as well 
 Civill, Politicall, as Juridicall, with full Power and 
 Authority, for them the said Magistrate or Magistrates, 
 to call a Court or Courts, so often as they shall thinke 
 expedient, and to hold Pleas in all Cases, as well Criminall 
 as Civill, and to make an Officer under them, to keepe a 
 Record of their proceedings, with Power likewise, for them 
 the said Magistrate or Magistrates, with the consent of 
 their Associates or ffree Inhabitants, to make and Establish 
 Civill Ordinances amongst themselves, Likewise to make an 
 Officer of Justice under them, for y e Execucon of their War- 
 
532 Colonial Charters TNo. xxxiv] 
 
 rants, precepts and injunctions; Likewise to Examine upon 
 Oath, or by way of interrogatories all wittnesses, concern- 
 ing matters depending before them, and to give the first 
 Sentence for the deprivacon of Life, Limbe, Stigmatizing 
 or Burne marking of any Malefacto rs if they in their Con- 
 sciences, shall adjudge them worthy, and to cause the Execu- 
 tion of the said Sentence, if the party so condemned, maketh 
 not their Appeale to the Cheife Court, most commonly 
 holden weekly in the ffort Amsterdam; In which Cases of 
 deprivation of life, Limbe, Member, Stigmatizing, or Burne 
 marking, the party so Condemned, shall have free Liberty, 
 of his or her Appeale, to our Court as afore said, And bee 
 thether conveyed, by Order of the Megistrate or Magis- 
 trates, for the time being, of the Towne of Hempsteed; 
 And their Magistrate or Magistrates, shall have Power to 
 sitt in our said Court, and to Vote in such Causes; Likewise 
 giving and graunting, And by vertue of these presents, wee 
 do give and graunt, to the above said Patentees, their Asso- 
 ciates, heires and Successo rs , full Power and Authority 
 abasolutely to determine without appeale, all Actions as 
 well for Debt, Trespasse or ffine, not exceeding ffifty Hol- 
 lands Guild"; And to Arrest the Body or Goods of any, 
 that shall (in the Penalty of the said Summe) refuse to 
 stand to their Award, But in Causes exceeding the said 
 Sume, the s^ties have likewise Liberty of Appeale, to our 
 Court as aforesaid Wee do likewise give and Graunt, unto 
 the abovesaid Patentees, their Associates, heires and Suc- 
 cessor to use and Exercize the free Liberty of Hunting, 
 Hawking, flashing, ffowling, within the abovesaid Limits, 
 And to use and exercize, all manner of Commerce, accord- 
 ing as the Inhabitants of this Province may, or can do, by 
 vertue of the Priviledges graunted to them, induing all and 
 singular the said Patentees, their Associates, heires and 
 Successo rs w th all and singular the immunityes and Privi- 
 ledges, graunted to the Inhabitants of this Province, or here- 
 after to bee graunted, as if they were natives of the united 
 
[No. xxxiv] Grants 533 
 
 Provinces; ffurther giving and graunting to the said 
 Patentees, their Associates, heires and Successo rs That in 
 Case they cannot procure one hundred ffamilyes to settle 
 downe within the above said Limitts, within the above said 
 time of five yeares, to have and Enjoy in as ample manner, 
 sufficient Land, RATUM PRO RATO, the like quantity of 
 Land, according to the number of ffamilyes they shall pro- 
 cure, with all the Priviledges above written : Likewise bind- 
 ing my selfe and Successo rs for and in the behalfe of the 
 High and mighty Lords, the Estates Generall of the united 
 Belgick Povinces his Highnesse, ffredrick Hendrick, Prince 
 of Orange, and the Right Hono ble Lords, the Lords Bewint 
 Hebbers of the west India Company, and their Successo rs 
 that in case the Title of propriety, to the said Land, shall 
 bee controverted, by any other Prince or State, to make all 
 damages, that may thereby accrew unto them, Alwayes Pro- 
 vided the said Patentees, their heires, Successo rs and Asso- 
 ciates, shall reverendly respect the above named High and 
 mighty Lords, the Estates Generall, of the united Belgick 
 Provinces, his Highnesse, ffredricke Hendrick, Prince of 
 Orange, and the Right Hono ble the Lords Bewint Hebbers, 
 of the west India Company, and their Successo rs , for their 
 Superior Lords and Patrons, so long as they shall Inhabit 
 in the Jurisdiction of the said Province, And at the expira- 
 tion of ten yeares, to begin from the day the first generall 
 Peace with the Indyans, shall bee concluded on, to pay or 
 cause to bee paid to an Officer, there unto deputed by the 
 Governo 1 " of this Province, for the time being, the tenth 
 part of all the Revenue that shall arise by the Ground 
 manured w th the Plough, or Howe, in case it bee demanded, 
 to bee paid to the said Officer, in the ffield, before it bee 
 Lloused, Gardens or Orchards, not exceeding one Hollands 
 Acre, being excepted; And in case any of the said Patentees 
 their Associates, heires and Successo rs , shall onely improve 
 their Stocks in Grasing or breeding of Cattle, then the Party 
 so doing, shall at the end of the aforesaid ten yea rs Pay or 
 
534 Colonial Charters [No. xxxiv] 
 
 cause to bee paid, to an Officer there unto deputed as afore- 
 said, such reasonable satisfaction in Butter, or Cheese, as 
 hee and the said Officer shall Agree unto, with the advice 
 of the Magistrate or Magistrates, of y e said place for the 
 time being; injoyning likewise the Patentees, their Asso- 
 ciates, heires and Successo rs , in the dating of all Publique 
 Instruments, to use the New Stile, with the weights and 
 Measures of this place; GIVEN under my hand, and Seale 
 of this Province, this 16 th of November 1644 Stilo nova. 
 
 WILLIAM KIEFT 
 
 By Order of the Governo r and Councell, 
 Cornelys van Tienhoven, Secret. Geo Baxter. 
 
 B. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Hempstead, 1666. 3 
 
 A Patent Graunted unto the 
 Inhabitants of Hempsteed./. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS Esq r Governo r Gen a11 under his 
 Royall Highnesse James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c 
 of all his territoryes in America To all to whome these 
 pnts shall come sendeth Greeting WHEREAS there is a 
 Certaine Towne in the North Riding of Yorkshire upon 
 Long Island commonly called and knowne by the Name 
 of Hempsteed Scituate lying and being on the South side 
 of the Greate Plaines having a Certaine Trace of Land 
 there unto belonging the Bounds whereof on the North 
 East side begin at the North west Part of the Lands com- 
 monly called Robert Williams Purchase so runing on a 
 
 3 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, I:io2, on deposit in the Manuscript Division of 
 the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxxiv] Grants 535 
 
 direct South Line to the Southermost Part of the said 
 Lands (which by computacon is to the Middle of the Great 
 Plaines) it extends thence East to the utmost Limitts of 
 the said Plaines and so Stretcheth againe South to the Sea 
 ffrom the North East Bounds aforementioned a west Line 
 being rune to the head or middle of Mathew Garretsons 
 Bay it makes theire North Bounds from whence runing 
 Southward to the Sea They are bounded to the West by 
 the East Limitts of the Townes of flushing and Jamaica 
 and South by the Sea or Maine Oean ffor a great Part of 
 which said Tract of Land w th the appurtenances There 
 was heretofore a Patent Graunted from the Dutch Gov- 
 erno r William Kieft bearing Date the 16 th Day of Novem- 
 ber 1644 Stilo Novo unto Robert ffordham, John Stick- 
 land, John Ogden John Carman, John Laurence, and Jonas 
 Wood, their Heires Executo" Admto rs Successo rs or Asso- 
 ciates for them to improve manure and Settle a Certaine 
 Number of familyes there upon Now for a Confirmacon 
 unto the p r sent ffreehold rs and Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne in their Possession and Enjoym* of the p r misses 
 KNOW YEE That by vertue of the Commission and 
 Authority unto mee given by his Royal Highnesse I have 
 Ratified Confirmed and Graunted And by these pnts Do 
 Ratify Confirme and Graunt unto M r John Hicks Justice 
 of the Peace Cap 1 Jn° Seaman, Richard Gildersleeve, 
 Robert Jackson, John Carman, John Smith Senior and 
 John Smith Junior as Patentees for and on the behalfe of 
 themselves and their Associates the ffreehold rs and In- 
 habitants of the said Towne their Heires Successo rs and 
 Assignes All the aforemenconed Tract and Neck of Land 
 set forth and Bounded as aforesaid Together with all 
 Havens Harbours Creekes Quarryes Woodlands, Playnes 
 Meadowes Pastures Marshes Waters Lakes Rivers ffishing 
 Hawking Hunting and ffowling And all other Proffitts 
 Commodities Emolum ts and Hereditam ts to the said Towne, 
 
536 Colonial Charters [No. xxxiv] 
 
 Tract of Land and p r misses within the Limitts and Bounds 
 aforementioned described belonging or in any wise apper- 
 taining TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all & Singular the 
 said Lands hereditam ts and p r misses w th their and every 
 of their Appurtenances and of every Part and Parcell 
 thereof to the said Patentees and their Associates their 
 Heires Successo rs and Assignes to the proper use and 
 behoofe of the said Patentees and their Associates their 
 Heires Successo rs and Assignes forever Provided alwayes 
 Notw th standing that the extent of the Bounds before recited 
 do no way p r judice or infringe the Particular Propriety of 
 any Person or Persons who have Right by Patent or other 
 Lawfull Clayme to any Part or Parcell of Land or Tenem. 
 within the Limitts aforesaid but onely that all the Lands 
 and Plantacons within the said Limitts shall have relacon 
 to the Towne in Generall MOREOVER I do likewise 
 hereby Confirme and Graunt unto the said Patentees and 
 theire Associates their Heires Successo rs & Assignes All 
 the Priviledges belonging to a Towne w th in this Governm 1 
 And that the Place of their p r sent Habitacon shall continue 
 & retaine y e Name of Hempsteed by w ch name and Stile 
 it shall bee distinguish and knowne in all Bargaines and 
 Sales Deedes Records and Writings they the said Patentees 
 and their Associates their Heires Successo" and Assignes 
 Rendring and Paying such Dutyes and acknowledgm' as 
 now are or hereafter shall bee Constituted & Establisht by 
 the Lawes of this Governm 1 under y e obedience of his Royall 
 Highnesse his Heires and Successo" GIVEN under my 
 hand and Seale at ffort James in New Yorke this Sixth 
 Day of March in the 19 th Yeare of the Raigne of Our 
 Soveraigne Lord Charles the Second by the Grace of God 
 of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King Defender of 
 the ffaith &c And in the Yeare of our Lord God 1666./. 
 
 Rich d Nicolls./. 
 
u 
 
 
 

 MAP OF THF TOWN OF NORTH HI Ml i ! El f COUNTY 
 
 Prepared bv \V,„. M. Stewart, Surveyor. (Origin.-,! in color). Original , 1M 20 " , „• 
 
[No. xxxiv] Grants 537 
 
 C. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Hempstead, 1667. 4 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS Esq r &c WHEREAS There is a 
 certaine Town in y e North Ryding of Yorkshire upon Long 
 Island Corhonly called and knowne by y e name of Hemp- 
 steed, Scituate lyeing & being on y e South syde of y e Great 
 Plaines having a certaine Tract of Land thereunto belong- 
 ing, The Bounds whereof on y e North East syde begin at 
 that parte of the Sound or East Ryver w ch lyes North, & 
 opposite to y e Northwest bounds of y e Land comonly called 
 Robert Williams his Purchase so runnes in a direct South 
 Lyne to y e South west parte of the said Land (which by 
 Computation is y e middle of y e greate Plaines) and then 
 Extends East to the uttermost Lymitts of the said Plaines, 
 and so againe South to y e Sea, ffrom y e North East bounds 
 aforementioned a Lyne being runn west to y e head or middle 
 of Matthew Gerretsons Bay, it makes their North Bounds 
 & includes w th in it a parte of Matimicock Lands, yet w th this 
 Reservation, that y e said Towne shall p r tend no Propiety 
 therein untill such tyme as they shall make lawfull purchase 
 of the same from the Indian Natives, which they have 
 liberty to doe, ffrom y e Northwest bounds aforespecifyed a 
 Lyne is to Run crosse y e Land by the East Lymitts of the 
 Towne of Flushing & Jamaica, & so to goe South to the Sea 
 
 4 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 .-ecord in Books of Patents, IV 158, now in the Manuscript Division of the 
 N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, is a 
 verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. There is an original draft of 
 this patent in New York Colonial Manuscripts endorsed Land Papers, T29, 
 in the N. Y. State Library. It is on three sheets of paper and is signed by 
 Richard Nicolls and has a seal intact in the left margin of the first sheet. 
 The calendar entry for it is, "[1668] March 6. Confirmation Patent for the 
 town of Hempstead ..." The present copy has been compared with it 
 and they are similar except that the copy in N. Y. Col. MSS., bears no nota- 
 tion that the patent was recalled. 
 
538 Colonial Charters [No. xxxiv] 
 
 or Maine Ocean, ffor a great part of which said Tract of 
 Land w th th'appurtenances there was heretofore a Patent 
 graunted from the Dutch Governo r William Kieft bearing 
 date y e 16 th day of November 1644 Stilo Novo, unto 
 severall Patentees, their heires Executors Adm rs Successo rs 
 or Associates for them to Improve manure & settle a cer- 
 taine number of ffamilyes thereupon Now for a Confirma- 
 tion unto y e p r sent Freeholders & Inhabitants of the said 
 Towne in their Possession and Enjoym* of the p r mises 
 KNOW YEE That by Vertue of the Comission and 
 authority unto me given by his Royall Highness I HAVE 
 Ratified Confirmed & graunted, And by theise p r sents do 
 Ratifye, Confirme and graunt unto M r John Hicks Justice 
 of the Peace, Capt n John Seaman, Richard Gildersleeve, 
 Robert Jackson James Pyne, John Carrman, John Smith. 
 R. & John Smith. B. as pateentees for and on the behalfe 
 of themselves and their Associates the {freeholders and 
 Inhabitants of the said Towne their Heires, Successor and 
 Assignes, all th'aforementioned Tract & neck of Land sett 
 forth & bounded as aforesaid Togeth 1 " w th all Havens, Har- 
 bors, Creeks Quarryes woodlands Plaines meadowes pas- 
 tures marshes waters Lakes Ryvers Fishing Hawking Hunt- 
 ing and ffowling And all oth r profitts Comodityes Emolum ts 
 & hereditam ts to y e said Towne Tract of Land and p r mises 
 w th in y e Lymitts and bounds aforementioned described 
 belonging or in any wise apperteyning TO HAVE & TO 
 HOULD all & singular y e said Lands hereditaments & 
 p r mises with their & every of their Appurtenances and of 
 every parte & parcell thereof to the said Patentees and their 
 Associates their heires Successo" & Assignes, to the Proper 
 use & behoof of the said Patentees & their Associates their 
 heires successo rs & Assignes for ever, PROVIDED alwayes 
 notwithstanding That the Extent of the bounds before 
 recited doe no wayes p r judice or infringe the perticular 
 propriety of any person or persons who have Right by 
 Patent or other Lawfull clavme to any parte or parcell of 
 
[No. xxxiv] Grants 539 
 
 Land or Tenements within y e Lymitts aforesaid, but onely 
 that all the Lands & plantations within the said Lymitts 
 shall have relation to the Towne in gen r11 MOREOVER 
 I Doe hereby likewise Confirme and graunt unto y e said 
 Patentees & their Associates their heires Successo rs and 
 Assignes, All the priviledges belonging to a Towne w th in 
 this Governm* And that the place of their p r sent habitation 
 shall continue & retaine y e name of HEMPSTEED by w ch 
 name & stile it shall be distinguish't & knowne in all bar- 
 gaines & sales Deeds Records & wrytings, They the said 
 Patentees & their Associates their heires Successo rs & 
 Assignes RENDRING & PAYING &c. The Patent is 
 Dated the 6th day of March 1667. 
 
 The above patent for Hempsteed recalled. 
 
 D. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Hempstead. 5 
 
 This following Pattent Record d for the 
 towne of Hempstead the 17 th Day of 
 Aprill 1685: 
 
 Thomas Dongan Leiv 4 Governour and vice Admirall 
 under his Roy 11 High ss James Duke of Yorke ec of New 
 Yorke and its dependencyes in America, To all to whom 
 these presents shall come Sendeth Greeting, WHEREAS 
 there is A Certaine towne in Queens County, Called and 
 knowne by the name of Hempstead upon Long Island, 
 scituate lyeing, and being, on the South side, of the Greate 
 plaines, haveing a certaine tract of land thereunto belong- 
 ing, the bounds whereof begin att a marked tree, standing 
 att the head of Mattegarretts bay, and soe running from 
 
 5 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, V-B:52, on deposit in the Manuscript Division 
 of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
540 Colonial Charters [No. xxxiv] 
 
 thence upon A Direct south line due south, to the maine 
 sea, and from the said tree, A direct north line, to the sound 
 or east River, and soe round the points, of the necks till it 
 comes to Hempstead Harbour; and soe up the harbour to 
 a certaine barr or sandy beach, And from thence up a direct 
 line till it comes to a marked tree on the east side of 
 Cantiagge point, and from thence A southerly line, to the 
 middle of the plaines, and from thence, a due east line to 
 the utmost extent of the greate plaines, and from thence 
 upon a streight line, to a certaine tree marked in a neck 
 Called Maskachoung, and soe from thence upon a due south 
 line to the south Sea, and the said south sea, is to be the 
 south bounds from the east line, to the west line and the 
 sound or east River to be the northerly bounds as Accord- 
 ing to severall Deeds, or purchasess, from the Indian 
 Owners, And the pattent from the Dutch Governour 
 William Kieft, relacon Thereto being had doth more fully 
 and att large Appear, NOW KNOW YEE that by virtue 
 of the Commission and Authority unto me Given by his 
 Roy 11 High ss James Duke of Yorke and Albany ec. Lord 
 proprietor of this province in consideracon of the premissess 
 and the Quitt Rents, herein after Reserved, I have given 
 Granted Rattified and Confirmed and by These p r sents Doe 
 Give Grant Rattifie and Confirme unto Cap' John Seaman, 
 Symon Sareing, John Jackson, James Pine, senior, Richard 
 Gildersleeve, senior, and Nathaniel Pearsall, as pattentees, 
 For and on the behalfe of themselves and their Associates, 
 the ^freeholders and Inhabitants of the said towne of Hemp- 
 stead, Their heires Successors, and Assignes, For ever, all 
 the before Recited, tract, and tracts, parcell, and parcells, 
 of Land and Islands, within the said bounds and Limitts 
 togather with all and singular the woods, underwoods, 
 plaines, Meadows, pastures Quarryes Marshes, Waters, 
 Lakes, Causewayes, Rivers, beaches, ffishing, hawking, hunt- 
 ing, And fowleing, with all libertyes, privilidges, heredita- 
 
[No. xxxiv] Grants 541 
 
 ments and Appurtennces to the said tract of land and 
 premissess belonging or in any wise Appurteineing, TO 
 HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of land and 
 premissess with all and Singular the Appurtennces before- 
 menconed, and Intended to be Given Granted Rattified and 
 Confirmed unto the said Cap 1 John Seaman, Symon Sareing, 
 John Jackson, James Pine, Senior, Richard Gildersleeve 
 senior And Nathaniell Pearsall, the said pattentees, and 
 their Associates their heires, Successors, and Assignes, to 
 the proper use, beneffitt, and behoofe of them the said 
 pattentees and their Associates their heires Successors and 
 Assignes for ever; TO BE HOLDEN of his Said Roy" 
 High ss his heires and Assigns, in free and Comon Socage, 
 According to the tenure of East Grenwich in the County of 
 Kent in his Ma ties Kingdome of England, PROVIDED 
 Alwayes that neither this pattent nor any thing herein 
 Contained Shall be Construed or Intended to the prejudice, 
 or Infringment of any right Clayme, or pretence, which his 
 Roy 11 High ss James Duke of Yorke ec. his heires and Suc- 
 cessors now hath or hereafter may have to A Certaine tract 
 of Land lyeing within the bounds of the said pattent Com- 
 monly Called or knowne by the Hempstead little plaines and 
 all the wood Land and Mead Meadows between the said 
 little plaines and the bay w ch lyes betwext Rockaway 
 Meadows and the said meadows bounded on the East with 
 ffosters Meadow River, on the west with Hempstead west 
 line, and Likewise one intire peice of land, Containeing 
 seaven hundred acres lyeing and being on cow neck, And I 
 Doe hereby likewise Confirme and Grant unto the said 
 pattentees and their Associates, their heires Successors and 
 Assignes all the privilidges and Immunityes belonging to a 
 towne within this government, YEILDING Rendering and 
 paying yearly and every yeare att the Citty of New Yorke 
 unto his Roy 11 high ss or to such officer or officers as by him 
 shall be Appointed to receive the same twenty bushells of 
 
542 Colonial Charters [No. xxxiv] 
 
 good Winter Wheate or Fouer pounds In good currant 
 mony of New Yorke on or before the twenty Fifth day of 
 March, IN TESTIMONY whereof I have Caused these 
 presents to be entred upon Record in the Secretaryes office 
 of the said province and the publick seale thereof have here- 
 unto Affixed and signed with my hand this seavententh Day 
 of Aprill in the 37 th yeare of his Maj ties Raigne And in the 
 year of our Lord 1685. 
 
 Ths. Dongan. 
 
m 
 
 
 & 
 
 't 
 
 , ,..,„„.,.^' 1 -■■ ■■■- 
 
 MAP OF THF TOWN OF JAMAICA, QUEENS COUNTY 
 Surveyed by Wm. M. Stewart. Dated October 
 
 (Original in color). Original size I8J4" x 23". 
 
[No. xxxv] Grants 543 
 
 No. XXXV. 
 
 TOWN OF JAMAICA. 
 
 A. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Jamaica. 1 
 
 A Patent Graunted unto the Freehold™ 
 and Inhabitants of Jamaica. 
 
 RICHARD NICOLLS ESQ R Governo r Gen a11 under his 
 Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c, 
 of all his Territoryes in America. To all to whom these 
 p r sents shall come, sendeth Greeting; WHEREAS there is 
 a certaine Towne, Scituate lying and being, in the North 
 Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island, commonly called 
 and knowne by the name of Jamaica, now in y e Tenure or 
 occupacon of severall Freeholders and Inhabitants, who 
 having heretofore made Lawfull Purchase of the Lands 
 there unto belonging, have likewise Manured and Improved 
 a considerable part thereof, and Settled a considerable 
 Number of ffamilyes there upon; Now for a Confirmacon 
 unto y e said Freeholders and Inhabitans, in their Possession 
 and Enjoyment of the P r misses, KNOW YEE that by 
 virtue of the Commission and Authority, unto mee given 
 by his Royall Highnesse, I have Ratified, Confirmed and 
 Graunted, And by these P r sents do hereby Ratify Confirme 
 and Graunt, unto M r Daniell Denton, Justice of the Peace, 
 M r Robert Coe, Cap* Bryan Newton, William Hallett, 
 Andrew Messenger and Nathaniell Denton, as Patentees, 
 for and on y e behalfe of themselves and their Associates 
 the ffreeholders & Inhabitants of the said Towne, their 
 Heires, Successo rs and Assignes All that Tract of Land w ch 
 already hath beene, or hereafter shall bee Purchased, for 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, 1:91, on deposit in the Manuscript Division of 
 the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, 
 is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
544 Colonial Charters [No. xxxv] 
 
 and on the behalfe of the said Towne of Jamaica whether 
 from the Natives Proprietors or others, w th in y e Lmitts 
 and Bounds hereafter expres't (vizt.) That is to say) The 
 Easterne Bounds begining on the East side of the little 
 Plaines, to extend South East to Rockway Swamp, Then 
 North East from Hempsteed Bounds, to runne west, as the 
 Trees are Mrk't, on or about the middle of the Hills, untill 
 it reach to flushing Creeke, which are their North Bounds 
 and divides them from the Towne of Flushing, (according 
 to an Order made at the Gen a11 Meeting at y e Towne of 
 Hempsteed, in the Moneth of March 1664.) Then to 
 Meete New Towne Bounds, at y e Southward Edge of the 
 Hills, The Northwest Corner, Begining at certaine Mark't 
 Trees, at the edge of the said Hills, from wence to runne 
 in a South Line to a certaine River that is to the East of 
 Pleuders Neck, and bounded South with the Sea; All w ch 
 said Tract of Land, together with the Necks there unto 
 belonging w th in the bounds and Lmitts aforesaid, And all 
 or any Plantacon there upon, are from hence forth to belong 
 to the said Towne of Jamaica; Together with all Havens, 
 Harbo rs , Creekes, Quarryes, WoodLand, Meadowes, Pas- 
 tures, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Lakes, ffishing, Hawking, 
 Hunting and ffowling, And all other Proffitts, Commodites, 
 Emolum ts and Hereditam ts , to the said Land and p r misses, 
 w th in the Limitts and Bounds afore mentioned described, 
 belonging, or in any wise appertaining; To have and to 
 hold, all and Singular the said Lands, and Necks of Land, 
 Hereditam ts , and p r misses, with their and every of their 
 appurtefices and of every part and Parcell thereof, to the 
 said Patentees and their Associates, their heires, Successo rs 
 and Assignes, To the proper use and behoofe of the said 
 Patentees and their Associates, their Heires, Successo rs , 
 and Assignes for ever; Provided Nevertheless, That this 
 Patent shall now way Infringe the Right of the Inhabitants 
 to New Towne and Bruyklyn, nor hinder them in their 
 quiett Enjoym* of their Proporcons of Meadow in a certaine 
 
[No. xxxv] Grants 545 
 
 Neck of Meadow Ground, lying w th in the Bounds afor 
 mentioned, commonly called Sellers Neck, laid out unto each 
 of the said Townes, upon good Consideracon and by 
 Mutuall consent, but they are quietly to Enjoy the same and 
 to have free Egresse and Regresse; And the Inhabitants of 
 New Towne, are Likewise to have Liberty of Cutting and 
 felling Timber, or Trees for ffencing; As also, to make one, 
 or more Highwayes, through the upland belonging to 
 Jamaica, to Passe to their said Meadowes at Sellars Neck, 
 or any other Meadowes, belonging to them at the South. 
 Moreover, I do hereby Ratify, Confirme and Graunt 
 unto the said Patentees and their Associates, their heires 
 Successo rs and Assignes, all the Priviledges belonging to a 
 Towne w th in this Governm 4 and that the place of their 
 p r sent Habitacon, shall continue and retaine the name of 
 Jamaica by w ch name and Stile, it shall bee distingui'sht, and 
 knowne, in all Bargaines & Sales, Deedes, Records and 
 writings; They tKe sd Patentees and their Associates, their 
 heires, Successo rs & Assignes, Rendring and Paying such 
 Dutyes and acknowledgm ts as now are, or hereafter shall 
 bee constituted & Establis'ht, by y e Lawes of this Governm 4 , 
 und r y ee obedience of his Royall Highnesse, his heires and 
 Successo"; Given und r my hand & Seale. y e 15 th day of 
 ffebfy. in y e 19 th yeare of his Ma ties Raigne, and in y* yeare 
 of our Lord God 1666. 
 
 Rich Nicolls 2 
 
 B. 
 
 DONGAN PATENT FOR JAMAICA. 3 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN : Leiu' Governour and vice Admirall 
 of New Yorke and its dependencyes under his Majesty 
 
 2 Part of the name is torn off the original. 
 
 3 The original charter had been missing for some time. Its whereabouts 
 was recently called to the attention of the Queens Borough Public Library 
 by Victor Hugo Paltsits, who saw that the charter had been sold at auction. 
 Mr. Harry Gertz, of Jamaica, purchased the charter and at an elaborate 
 
546 Colonial Charters [No. xxxv] 
 
 james the second by the grace of God of England, Scott- 
 land, France and Ireland, King Defender of the faith &c 
 supream Lord and proprietor of the Colony and province 
 of New York and its Dependencyes in America &c. To all 
 whome these presents shall Come SENDETH GREET- 
 ING, whereas Richard Nicolls Esq r formerly Governour 
 Generall of this province under his Royall high ss JAMES 
 Duke of Yorke and Albany &c of all his territoryes in 
 America, hath by his Certaine writting or pattent bearing 
 date the fivetenth Day of February in the ninetenth Yeare 
 of his Ma ties reigne Anno Dom one thousand six hundred 
 sixty six given and Granted unto M r Daniell Denton Justice 
 of the peace M r Robert Coe, Cap 1 Bryan Newton William 
 Hallett, Andrew Messenger and Nathaniell Denton, as 
 pattentees for and on the behalfe of themselves and their 
 Associates, the ffreeholders, and Inhabitants of the said 
 towne theire heires Successors and Assignes All that tract 
 of land Scituate lyeing and being in the north Rydeing of 
 Yorkshire upon Long Island Called by the name of 
 Jamaica now in Queens County which Already hath been or 
 hereafter shall be purchased for and on the behalfe of the 
 said towne of Jamaica Whether from the natives Pro- 
 prietors or others within the limitts and bounds hereafter 
 Exprest (viz 1 ) that is to say the Easterne bounds begining 
 on the east side of the little plaines to extend south East to 
 Rockway swamp then north east from hempstead bounds 
 to runn west as the trees are markt on or About the midle 
 of the hills untill it reach to flushing Creeke which are 
 their north bounds and divides them from the towne of 
 
 ceremony, on November 26th., 1939, he presented it to the Rufus King 
 Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The charter has 
 been placed in the Queens Borough Public Library for safekeeping. The 
 original is on two sheets of parchment with a pendent seal intact hanging 
 from the signature of Thomas Dongan at the bottom. The present copy 
 has been carefully compared with the original charter by both Mr. Paltsits 
 and the Author and, as far as typography will allow, it is a verbatim et 
 literatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
[No. xxxv] Grants 547 
 
 flushing According to an order made at the Generall meet- 
 ing at the towne of hempstead in the month of March one 
 thousand six hundred sixty fouer, then to meet New towne 
 bounds at 1 the southward edge of the hills the north west 
 corner begining att certaine markt trees att the edge of 
 the said hills from whence to run in a south line to a 
 Certaine River that is to the east of plunders neck and 
 bounded south with the sea all which said tract of land 
 togather with the necks thereunto belonging within the 
 bounds and limitts aforesaid and all or any plantacon 
 thereupon are from henceforth to belong to the said towne 
 of Jamaica togather with severall other privilidges, Men- 
 coned, and Expresed, AS by the said pattent remaineing 
 upon record in the secretaryes office may more fully and 
 att large Appeare AND whereas by a mutuall Consent and 
 Agrement bearing Date the second day of December one 
 thousand six hundred eighty fouer from under the hands 
 of Nathaniell Denton, John Seaman Senior, Simon Sareing 
 Daniel Whitehead John Everett, John Smith, Joseph Smith, 
 and John Jackson, for and in the behalfe of the townes of 
 Jamaica and Hempstead persons Deputed by the said 
 townes it was Agreed and concluded as followeth (Viz 1 ) 
 that Jamaica bounds eastward betwixt hempstead and 
 them shall bee and remaine and Continue where their 
 Indian purchase line runs begining att the hills and soe 
 runing to the mouth of Rockaway swamp which line is 
 made by trees marked and run by the Indians the former 
 owners of the land excepting only that if A Parte of the 
 Allotments of Jonathan Smith Junio r and of the burlings 
 And that which was William Schikstones and William 
 Jacocks, being fouer in Number Doe happen to be within 
 the said line the Aforesaid persons shall peaceably pos- 
 sesse, and enjoye, the said land without Molestacon, butt 
 for any other lands laid out for Any p r sons by hemp- 
 stead Men within the said line it shall be thrown up to 
 Jamaica And it is to be understood that the said Agree- 
 
548 Colonial Charters [No. xxxv] 
 
 m* shall not hinder hempstead Men for Runing their 
 Antient line from the head of Mattagarrisons bay south 
 to the sea they not molesting Jamaica in the peaceable pos- 
 session of the lands in the aboue written Agreement with 
 this Memorandum that Jamaica hath no pattent to Rock- 
 away neck and this postscript, that whereas it is menconed 
 in the within written Agreement that Jamaica bounds shall 
 run to Rockaway Swamps mouth it is to be understood 
 that Rockaway River y* runs out of Rockaway swamp, 
 shall be Jamaicas east bounds and that all the meadow 
 lyeing on the west side of the said River shall belong to 
 Jamaica AS by the said writing remaineing upon record 
 in the Secretarys office relaton being Thereto likewise had 
 doth fully Appeare, AND whereas the said pattentes and 
 their Associates the freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 said towne of Jamaica at severall towne mettings [sic] haue 
 According to the custome And practice of this province 
 made severall divisions Allotments distinct Settlements 
 and Improvem ts . of Severall peices and parcells of the 
 aboue Recited tract of land within the limitts Abouesaid 
 att their owne proper Cost and charge and whereas Daniel 
 Whitehead and Joseph Smith persons deputed from the 
 said towne of Jamaica have made Applycacon to me for A 
 confirmacon of the Aforesaid tract, or parcell, of land and 
 premissess Contained in the Aforesaid pattent as it hath 
 since been limitted, butted, and bounded, by the Aforemen- 
 coned Agreem* with the towne of hempstead, NOW for 
 a Confirmacon unto the present ffreeholders and Inhabit- 
 ants of the said towne theire heires, Successors, and Assignes 
 for ever in the quiett and peaceable possession and enjoy- 
 ment of the Aforesaid tract of land and premissess, 
 Divissions Alottments and Settlements made at severall 
 towne meetings of the said towne, KNOW YEE that by 
 virtue of the commission and Authority unto me given and 
 power in me residing, I have Ratified Confirmed and 
 graunted and by these presents Doe Ratine confirme and 
 
[No. xxxv] Grants 549 
 
 grant Vnto Nicholas Everett Nathaniel Denton Bryant [sic] 
 Newton Benjamine Coe Daniell Whitehead John Carpenter 
 Joseph Smith George Woollsey Nehemiah Smith Jonas 
 Wood John ffreeman John Bayles Daniell Denton senio r 
 William ffoster Samuell Smith Thomas Smith senio r John 
 Oldfield John Everet John Carpenter Junior Richard 
 Rodes Wait Smith William Creed & Edw d Higbee the 
 p r sent ^freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne of 
 Jamaica and theire present Associates their heires Suc- 
 cessors and Assignes forever all the before recited tract 
 and parcells of land Divissions Alotments and Setlements 
 made at severall towne metings of the said towne and 
 premisses sett forth limited and bounded as Aforesaid 
 by the Aforemenconed pattent and Agreem* Togather with 
 all and Singular the buildings ffencings, gardens, orchards 
 trees, woods, underwoods, pastures, comons, marshes 
 lakes ponds rivers brooks streams ffishing hawking hunting 
 and ffowling And Whatsoever else belonging or in any 
 wise Appurtaineing to any the Aforerecited tract patents 
 of land and premissess with their and every of their 
 Appropriated before the day and the date hereof with all 
 other proffitts, Comodityes and hereditaments to the said 
 tract or parcells of land belonging or in any wise Appur- 
 taineing, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all the said tract 
 of land and premissess with their and every of their 
 Appurtences to the severall and Respective uses folowing 
 and to and for noe other use Intent and purpose What- 
 soever that is to say as for and Concerning all and Singular 
 the Severall and Respectiue parcells of land and Meadow 
 parte of the granted premisses in any wise taken up 
 Divided Allotted, settled, and Appropriated before the 
 daye of the date hereof unto the severall and respective 
 present Inhabitants and ffreholders to the use and behoofe 
 of the said Inhabitants or ffreeholders Respectively and 
 their severall and Respective heires Successors and Assignes 
 for ever, AND as for and concerning all and every such 
 
550 Colonial Charters [No. xxxv] 
 
 parcell or parcells tract or tracts of land and meadow 
 Remainder of the premissess not yett taken up or Appro- 
 priated to any perticular person or persons before the 
 day of the date hereof to the use and behoofe of the said 
 ffreholders of the said towne their heires Successors and 
 Assignes for ever to bee divided in proportions to the 
 aboue recited Inhabitants and freeholders Aforesaid and 
 their respective heires Successors and Assignes for ever 
 According to the Concessions Acts orders and Agreements 
 of the said towne att their Severall towne meetings 
 formerly made Concluded, ordered and Agreed And that it 
 shall & may bee lawfull at any time hereafter to sett a 
 part order and Agree upon such A tract quantity or 
 parcell of comonage for the publick benefitt and Advan- 
 tage as well by Grazing of Sheep or otherwise as shall 
 to the Major parte of the freeholders and Comonalty of 
 the towne Aforesaid, their heires and Successors seem most 
 meet Advantagious and convenient without any maner 
 of lett hinderance, or Molestacon to be had or reserved 
 upon pretence of joynt tenancy or Survivorship Any thing 
 herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, TO BEE 
 HOLDEN of his most Sacred Majesty his heires and 
 Successors in free & comon Soccage According to the 
 tenure of east Grenwich in the kingdome of England, 
 YEILDING Rendring and paying therefore Yearely and 
 every year as an Acknowledgment or quitt rent for ever, 
 to his Majesty his heires and Successors or to such officer 
 or officers as shall by him or them be Appointed to receive 
 the same at the citty of New Yorke in liew and Stead of 
 all Services and demands whatsoever the sume of forty 
 shillings Currant mony of this province on or before every 
 fiue and twentyth Day of March for ever IN TESTI- 
 MONY whereof I have caused These p r sents to be entred 
 upon Record in the secretaryes office of this PROVINCE 
 and the seale of the said province to be hereunto affixed the 
 
[No. xxxv] Grants 551 
 
 17th Day of May Anno Dom 1686 And in the Second 
 Yeare of his Ma tis Reigne — 
 
 Thomas : Dongan — 
 
 [seal] 
 [Endorsed on back, thus:] 
 
 May it Please yo r Honor 
 
 The Atturney Generall [sic] Hath perused this Pattent 
 And Finds Nothing Contained therein prejudjciall to his 
 Maj tys Interest — 
 
 Ja : Graham 
 Exam May 12th 1686— 
 
 Recorded in the Secretarys office for the province of 
 New Yorke in life N°. 1 began 1684 in pages 425.426.427. 
 428.429.430.431. 
 
 ^ I. Spragge Seer. 
 
552 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 TOWN OF NEWTOWN. 
 
 A. 
 
 Kieft Patent for Newtown. 1 
 
 WEE WILLEAM KIEFT GOUERNOR GENERALL 
 
 and the Counsil of the New Netherlands for the Mighty 
 Lords the States Generall of the United Bellgic Prouinces 
 and his Highness the Princ of Oringe and allso y e moste 
 Noble Lords the Bewinthebbers of y e West inde Company, 
 unto all that may behoulde thes, wee doe make knowen to 
 haue giuen and granted to Euen as wee doe by thes presents 
 give and grante unto Francis Doughty & his Asscociates and 
 assigns and & thairs Heirs, for A Reall actuall & perpetuall 
 possession A certaine parte of Lande with its pastures & 
 other things included in it, situated on Longe Ilande of this 
 provinc in its plott containing Six thousand six hundred and 
 sixty six Holies Acers bee it more or be it less included 
 within four direct lines (or streight lines) Each line being 
 two thousand Holons perches or Roodes longe or there- 
 abouts y e first line being drawne from y e East corner of 
 Hans hanson y e Boores Lands along by a litle Rivers Side 
 cutting y e Marsh in two unequall partes unto y e plantation 
 of Richard Britnell & thenc it runneths towarde y e North 
 East, through y e midle of a fresh mars[h] * passing to a litle 
 River y* compasseth y e South parte of Henery y e Boors' 
 Lande houlding its Course along y e saide River unto its 
 
 1 This patent has been carefully compared with the original which is in 
 English and is in New York Colonial Manuscripts indorsed Land Papers, 
 I:i, at present on deposit in the Manuscript Division of the N. Y. State 
 Library at Albany. The calender entry is, "1642, March 28. Deed from 
 Gov. Kieft to the Rev. Francis Doughty and his associates, for a township 
 at Mespath, L. I. The present copy is, as far as typography will allow, a 
 verbatim et liberatim et punctuatim copy. 
 
 * The matter in brackets is illegible in the original and has been filled 
 in whenever possible with what is thought to be the correct letters. 
 

 1 
 
 jV 
 
 
 MAP OK Nl WTOW N, Ql i ENS COUNTY 
 Prepared Dated November lo, 1797. 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 553 
 
 mouth, The other Line taking its begining thenc bendeth 
 towards y e South East alongst by y e River Side (or bay side) 
 passing thenc to another River, which according to it[s] 
 course y e saide line continueth its course from y e mouth of 
 y e saide River untill it comes to come to farthest parte East- 
 ward of y e Saide marsh from which y e saide River commeth 
 whenc it bendeth South East untill it extendeth its selfe in 
 lengh two thousand Hollans perches or Roode. The thirde 
 line taking its beginning from this lines utmost bounds or 
 pointe strecheth it selfe southwest it being of equall length 
 with the former lines, and soe the fourth begining at y e 
 utmost point of y e last saide line and runneth thenc north- 
 west untill it comes to y e above-saide Han hanson Lande 
 shutting it up in a four square (in every corner afterwards 
 a stone shall be erected for better certenty of y e Limitts) 
 with pour of erecting of Tounes building of Churches, with 
 pour of excersing y e reformed christian Religion which 
 they profess and also Ecclesastic disscipling. with pour of 
 administring y e highest midle and lowest justices as alsoe 
 for civell controversies not exceding fifty Gilders to deter- 
 mine & in Criminals to Condemne or mulct or fine not 
 exceding fifty gillders definitively to determine without any 
 Appeal to y e high Courte of y e New Netherland and of 
 puting y e saide sentenc in execution, as also of using all 
 rites deu unto y e saide Jurisdiction, as allso with pour to 
 nominate certaine of themselves a sufficient number and 
 prsent them to the Governor of the New Netherlands that 
 from amongst them may be chosen to government [ ]oth 
 boath politicque as also Ciuill as with pour both to hunt to 
 foule and fish, and also to exercise comerc and trade accord- 
 ing to the immunities granted or shall be granted to the 
 collonies of this provinc without any exception for y e which 
 saide priveledges y e saide doughty his Asscotiates and 
 assignes and thaire Heires are bound and shall be bound 
 so long as they shall be posessors of the saide Lande to 
 accknowledg & saide Lordes for thaire High Lordes and 
 
554 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 patrons and y e Tenth parte of the [in] crease of the lande 
 tilled with the plow or mattack or any other tools (only 
 orchards gardens not exceding a Hollans Acre exceped) to 
 paid after Tenn years, and alsoe thay shall only set up y e 
 hollans standard and no oather and only thay shall use y e 
 hollens waights and the Ell and oather measur's to avoide 
 confusion in bying and selling to avoide confusion, all which 
 we doe faithfully under y e saide conditions inviolabily to 
 keepe and to the keeping of them wee do bynde our succes- 
 sors by vertu of our Charter from his Excellency y e Princ 
 of Oring Governor and Chief Admirall of the united Bel- 
 gick Provinces granted to us. in trust whareof wee have 
 subscribed thes with our oune handes and taken care to be 
 subscribed by y e New Nether Lands and y* seal of y e said 
 place NB to be set to it given in our Forte Amsterdam in 
 y e Islande Manhattans in y e year of our Redemption 1642 
 March 28 th . Guillielmus Kiefte 
 
 Justu D. Directoris Senatusque 
 Cornelius Teenhoven Secretaris 
 
 B. 
 
 Indian Deed for Newtown. 2 
 
 An Indyan Purchase, Entred for the Inhab- 
 itants of New Towne, the 13 th day of July 
 1666. Acknowledgd before the Governo r the 
 9 th of July 1666. 
 
 Aprill the 12 th , 1656.* 
 
 Know all men by these pnts, That wee Rowero westco, 
 and Pomwaukon, do acknowledge and Confesse; That wee 
 
 2 This deed has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Deeds, 11:135, now in the office of the Sec. of State at Albany, 
 and, as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctu- 
 atim copy. 
 
 3 Note that this is the date when the land was sold although the deed was 
 not delivered until 10 years later July 9, 1666. 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 555 
 
 have firmly and joyntly, Sold, Alienated & made over, all 
 Our Lands from us, Our heires, Executo", Administrato rs 
 or Assignes, to the Inhabitants of New Towne, alias 
 Middleborrow, to them and their Heires for ever, as their 
 owne and free proper Land or Lands, Immunityes, appurte- 
 nances, priviledges, and all whatsoever did unto the afore- 
 said Sachems, or Indyans belong, from a small Creeke 
 called by the Indyans Canapaukah, where Burgors Mill 
 Stands, from thence going upon a Straight Line North 
 East ward, to a certaine Creeke called Sackhickneyah, 
 where Wessells Mill Stood, so Bounded by the Bay side, 
 whilst it comes to the Mouth of flushing Creeke, so com- 
 monly call'd, so coming toward the South East, Bounded 
 by the Creeke side till it extends it selfe to the South side 
 of the Hills upon the Line from thence runing upon the 
 Line westward by the South side of the Hills, till it meet 
 with the South Line, w ch is extended from the west Branch 
 of Marshpath kills, called quandus quaricus, by a Dutch- 
 mans Land, called Hance the Boore, from thence to the 
 Mouth of Marshpath kills, by the Indyans so Called; 
 These aforesaid Bounds or Tract of Land, w th all the 
 appurtences there unto belonging, which the aforesd 
 Indyans have sold in the yeare 1656, unto the aforesaid 
 Inhabitants, onely wee reserved the Priviledge of a certaine 
 part of upland lying on the Southside of the aforesaid New 
 Towne, for our use for Hunting, and sold them onely the 
 Grasse for mowing, feeding and Timber, and had really 
 and fully sold them and theirs for ever, the feeding, mow- 
 ing and Timber of the aforesaid Land, and were firmly 
 bound and Engaged, in our Bill of Sale, never to Sell or 
 dispose of the said Priviledges which wee had then 
 reserved, to any other but to the Inhabitants of New 
 Towne, Therefore wee the said Indyans, according to our 
 word and obligacon, do hereby these p r sents manifest our 
 selves to have reed full Satisfaccon of the aforesaid 
 Inhabit ts for the Priviledges wee then reserved, in y e afore- 
 said Tract of Land, and do really & absolutely, give them 
 
556 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 and their Heires for ever, as full Right and Title to all 
 the Priviledges of the said Tract of Land, as wee can or 
 may for any of Our Lands, that wee have, or shall Sell, 
 denying ourselves of any Interest therein, or any Claimes 
 of any other whatsoever, of all y e Lands, appurtenances or 
 Priviledges, within the said Bounds, wee say wee have really 
 sold as aforesaid, unto the Inhabitants of New Towne, as 
 their owne proper free Land, wee say, from us, our heires, 
 to them and their heires for ever, where unto wee have sett 
 our hands, this 9 th day of July 1666. and in the 18 th yeare 
 of his Ma ties Raigne Pumwakons X Marke. 
 
 Signed & Sealed in y e pnts of us. 
 
 John Pounds X Marke. 
 
 Armorcharne X his Marke. 
 
 Chawescome X his Marke. 
 
 John Napper X his Marke 
 
 Rec d of y e Inhabitants of New Towne, full Satisfaction 
 for all the aforesaid Land w ch herein is specified, wee say 
 received by us the 9 th of July 1666. the Sume of ffifty five 
 pounds, for y e first Payment, the 2 d & last paym* now paid, 
 2i H . 09 s . oo d . Pumwakon X his Marke 
 
 C. 
 
 Nicolls Patent for Newtown. 4 
 
 A Patent Graunted unto the Inhabitants of New Towne. 
 
 Richard Nicolls Esq r Governo 1 " Gen* 11 under his Royall 
 Highness e , James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c, of all 
 
 4 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, 1:105, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. The whereabouts 
 of the original is unknown. It is of interest to note that there is a copy 
 of this charter printed in Riker's Annals of Newtown (1852), p. 74, which 
 slightly differs from the copy on file in the N. Y. State Library. The part 
 which was omitted from the copy in Albany is pointed out in Note 2, page 
 552 infra. 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 557 
 
 his Territoryes in America, To all to whom these prits shall 
 come sendeth Greeting; Whereas there is a certaine Towne, 
 in the west Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island, scituate 
 lying & being, on the Northwest Part of the said Island, 
 commonly called and knowne by the name of New Towne, 
 Now in the Tenure or occupacon of severall ffreehold rs and 
 Inhabitants, who having heretofore made Lawfull Purchase 
 of the Lands thereunto belonging, have likewise Manured 
 and improved a considerable part thereof, and settled a 
 competent Number of ffamilyes thereupon; Now for a Con- 
 firmacon, unto the said ffreehold IS and Inhabitants in their 
 Enjoym* and Possession of the premisses KNOW YEE, 
 That by vertue of the Commission and Authority, unto mee 
 given by his Royall Highnesse, I have Ratified Confirmed 
 and Graunted, and by these pnts do Ratify Confirme and 
 Graunt, unto Cap 4 Richard Betts, Justice of the Peace Cap 1 
 Thomas Laurence, Cap* John Coe, John Borroughes, Ralph 
 Hunt, Daniell Whitehead, and Burger Jost as Patentees 
 for and on the behalfe of themselves and their Associates 
 the {freehold" and Inhabitants of the said Towne, their 
 heires, Successo rs and Assignes, All that Tract of Land 
 which already hath beene or that hereafter shall bee Pur- 
 chased, for and on the behalfe of the said Towne, whether 
 from the Natives, Indyan Proprieto rs , or others, within the 
 Bound & Limitts here after set forth, and expres't (viz.) 
 That is to say, To bee Bounded East, by flushing Creeke 
 North by the Sound, South by Jamaica Line, which runs 
 on the South side of the Hills, and West by Mashpeth 
 Creeke, 5 from whence, a Line is to Strike over Southerly, to 
 the Mark't Trees at the edge of the Hills, which is the 
 North west Corner of Jamaica Bounds; All which said 
 Tract of Land, within the Bounds and Limitts aforesd And 
 
 5 In the copy printed in Riker's Annals of Neivtoivn, the following words 
 appear at this point: "or Kills from the Westermost branch thereof to 
 extend upon a South line to the South side of the Hills; from whence to 
 run Eastward along the said South side of the Hills till it meet with the 
 South Line which comes from the head of Flushing Creeke aforementioned;" 
 
558 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 all, or any Plantacon there upon, from hence forth, are to 
 belong and appertaine, to the said Towne; Together with 
 all Havens, Harbo rs Creekes, Quarryes, woodlands, Mead- 
 owes, Pastures, Marshes, waters, Rivers, Lakes, ffishing, 
 Hawking, Hunting and ffowling, And all other Proffitts, 
 Corholdityes, Emoluments and hereditam ts to the said Land 
 and p r misses, w th in the Limitts and Bounds, aforemenconed 
 described, belonging, or in any wise appertaining; As also, 
 one third part, of a certaine Neck of Meadow Ground, 
 called Sellers Neck, as it is now laid out and divided, lying 
 within the Limitts of Jamaica, And to have free Egresse 
 and Regresse, with Liberty of Cutting and felling Timber, 
 or Trees for ffencing; And as occasion serves, to make one 
 or more Highwayes, through the uplands belonging to 
 Jamaica aforesaid, to passe to their said Meadow at Sellers 
 Neck, or any other Meadow, to them appertaining at the 
 South. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, all and singular the 
 said Lands hereditam ts and p r misses, w th their, and every 
 of their Appurtenances, and of every part and Parcell 
 thereof, to the said Patentees and their Associates, their 
 heires Successo" and Assignes, to the proper use and 
 behoofe, of the said Patentees and their Associates, their 
 heires, Successo rs and Assinones for ever; Moreover I, do 
 hereby Ratify, confirme & Graunt unto the said Patentees 
 and their Associates, their Heires, Successo" and Assignes, 
 All the Priviledges belonging to a Towne within this Gov- 
 ernm 1 , And that the place of their p r sent Habitation, shall 
 continue and retaine the name of New Towne, by w ch name 
 and Stile, it shall bee distinguish't and knowne, in all Bar- 
 gaines and Sales, Deedes, writings and Records, They the 
 said Patentees and their Associates their heires Successo rs 
 and Assignes, Rendring and Paying such Dutyes and 
 Acknowledgem ts , as now are, or hereafter shall bee, Con- 
 stituted and Establish, by the Lawes of this Governm f , 
 under the obedience of his Royall Highnesse, his heires and 
 Successo"; Given under my hand and Seale, at ffort James 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 559 
 
 in New Yorke, the sixth day of March in the 19 th yeare, of 
 the Raigne of Our Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, 
 by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, ffrance and 
 Ireland King, And in the yeare of Our Lord God 1666. 
 
 Rich Nicolls. 
 D. 
 
 Dongan Patent for Newtown. 6 
 
 Recorded for the Inhabitants of New: Towne 
 
 THOMAS DONGAN Cap 1 Generall Governor and Vice 
 Admirall of New Yorke and its Dependencies Under his 
 Majesty James the second by the grace of god of England 
 scottland, ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the faith 
 &c supreame Lord and Proprietor of the Colony and 
 Province of New:Yorke and its Dependencies in America 
 &c To all to whome these Presents shall Come SENDETH 
 GREETING Whereas the Hono b,e Richard Nicols Esq r 
 formerly Governor of this Province Upon Applycacon to 
 him made by the Inhabitants of New Towne on Long Island 
 in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred sixty six 
 did Grant unto them A Liberty or Lycence Under his hand 
 bearing Date the two and Twentieth Day of June in the 
 same yeare therein Authorizeing and Empowering them to 
 make what Purchase they should think fitt of the Lands 
 scituate betweene Maspeth Kills and the head of Flushing 
 Creek on Long Island aforesaid and which Tract of Land 
 the said Inhabitants Long before had been and then were 
 setling and Improveing AND WHEREAS the said Inhabit- 
 ants of New:Towne in Pursuance of the said Lycence in the 
 same yeare Did in Due forme of Law Purchase of and from 
 
 6 This patent has been carefully compared with the original engrossed 
 record in Books of Patents, VI:io, at present on deposit in the Manuscript 
 Division of the N. Y. State Library at Albany, and, as far as typography 
 will allow, is a verbatim et literatim et punctuatim copy. There is also 
 another version of this patent printed in Riker's, Annals of Newtown, (1852), 
 p. no. 
 
560 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 the Indian Natives all the said Tract of Land scituate 
 between Maspeth Kills and Flushing Creeke aforesaid 
 Together with all and singular the appurtenances to the 
 same belonging or in Any wise Appurtaineing TO HOLD 
 Unto the said Inhabitants of New:Towne their heires and 
 assignes for Ever as in and by the said Recited Lycence and 
 A Certaine Deed or Writeing under the hand and seale of 
 Pannoaken the Indian Owner of the said Tract of Land and 
 Premisses beareing Date the Ninth Day of July in the said 
 yeare of Our Lord one thousand six hundred sixty six AND 
 Whereas the said Richard Nicols upon further Applycacon 
 made to him by the said Inhabitants of New Towne in Con- 
 sideracon of the Premisses and for Divers Other good 
 Causes and Considercacons by Virtue of the Power and 
 Authority in him then being by Force of his Commission 
 from and Under his said Majesty then his Royall High ss 
 James Duke of Yorke and Albany &c did in and by a Cer- 
 taine Pattent Under his hand and seale beareing Date the 
 sixteene Day of March one thousand six hundred, sixty six 
 grant and assure unto Cap* Richard Betts Cap 4 Thomas 
 Lawrence Cap 1 John Coe John Burroughs Ralph, Hunt 
 Daniell Whitehead, and Burger Joost as Pattentees for and 
 on the behalfe of themselves and their Associates the Free- 
 holders and Inhabitants of New:Towne aforesaid their 
 heires successors and assignes all that the said Tract of 
 Land herein menconed to have been Purchased from the 
 Indian, Natives, as aforesaid, bounded on the East by 
 Flushing Creeke and A Line to be Drawne from the head 
 thereof Due south Extending to the south side of the Hills 
 on the North by the sound on the West by the said Maspeth 
 Creeke 7 or Kill and A Line to be Drawne from the head 
 thereof Due south Extending to the south side of the hill 
 on the North by the sound on the West by the said Mas- 
 peth Creeke or Kills and A Line to be Drawne from the 
 
 7 See Note 5, page 552 supra; similar language is inserted at this point in 
 the copy printed in Riker's Annals of Newtown. 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 561 
 
 most Westernly branch thereof Due south Extending unto 
 the south side of the said hills and on the south by a straight 
 Line to be Drawne from the south Point of the said West 
 Line aLongst the south side of the said hills untill it meets 
 With the said East Line soe menconed to Extend from the 
 head of Flushing Creeke as Aforesaid as alsoe all that one 
 third Parte of a Certaine Neck of Meadow Called Cellars 
 Neck scituate Lyeing and being within the bounds of 
 Jamaica upon the south side of Long Island as also Liberty 
 to Cutt what Timber Within the bounds of Jamaica afore- 
 said they should have occassion of for the Fencing of the 
 said Neck and to make and Lay out to themselves what 
 high way or high wayes they should think fitt for theire free 
 and Convenient Egresse and Regresse to and from the 
 aforesaid Neck or Parcell of Meadow togather with all, 
 and singular the havens, Harbours, Creeks quarryes woods 
 meadows, Pastures, Marshes, Watters, Rivers, Lakes, ffish- 
 ing Hawking Hunting and Fowling, Proffitts, Commodities 
 Emoluments Heriditements and Appurtennces to the Said 
 Tract of Land and Premisses Belonging or in any wise 
 Appurtaining TO HOLD unto the said Patentees and theire 
 Associates theire heires successors and Assignes for Ever 
 att and under such Dutyes and Acknowledgments as then 
 were or thereafter should bee Established by the Lawes of 
 this Government Under the Obedience of his Royall High ss 
 his heires and successors and Further in and by the said 
 Pattent the said Richard Nicolls Did Rattifie Confirme and 
 grant unto the said Pattentees their Associates their heires 
 successors and assignes all the Previledges belonging to any 
 Towne within this Government and that the Place of their 
 habitacon Continue and Retaine the Name of NewrTowne 
 by which name and stile to be Distingushed and knowne in 
 all bargaines sailes, Deeds, Records and Writeings whatso- 
 ever as in and by the said Pattent Remaineing upon Record 
 Relacon being thereunto had may more fully and at Large 
 Appeare AND Whereas the said Pattentees and the Present 
 
562 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 Freholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne of New: 
 Towne hereafter named have According to the Custome 
 and Practice of this Province made severall Divissions 
 Allottments Distinct settlements and Improvements of 
 severall Peeces and Parcells of the above recited tract of 
 Land within the Limitts above recited att our owne Proper 
 cost and Charge AND whereas the Present Inhabitants and 
 Freeholders have made applycacon unto me by William 
 Lawrence, Joseph Sackett, John Way and Content titus 
 Persons Deputed by them for a more full and Ample Con- 
 firmation of the aforesaid Tract and Parcell of Land and 
 Premissess Contained in the aforesaid Pattent NOW for a 
 Confirmation unto the Present Freholers and Inhabitants 
 of the said Towne of New :Towne theire heires and Assigns 
 in the quiett and Peaceable Possession and Enjoyment of 
 the aforesaid Tract of Land and Premissesse KNOW YEE 
 that I the said Thomas Dongan in Consideracons of the 
 Premisses and for divers other good and Lawfull Con- 
 sideracons by Virtue of the Commission and Authority in 
 me now being from and Under his said Majesty and Power 
 in mee Resideing I have Rattified Confirmed and granted 
 and by these Presents Doe Rattifie Confirme and grant unto 
 Cap* Richard Betts, Thomas Steveson, Gersham Moore, 
 Jonathan Hazard, Samuel :Moore, Daniel Bloomefeild, 
 Caleb Leverich; Edward Steveson; Joseph Sacket; Samuel 
 Scuder; Robert Feild senj r ; Thomas rWandall, John Cat- 
 cham; Thomas Petet; John Way; Robert Field; Junj r ; 
 Jonathan Sticklin; John Smyth; Josias Foreman senj ; 
 George Wood; Nathan Fish; Edward Hunt; Jeremiah 
 Bourroughs Richard Betts Thomas Bets; John Scudder; 
 Junj; Jonathan Steveson; Thomas Case; John Alburtise; 
 James Way; Cornelis Johnson; Abram Joris; John Coe; 
 Samuel Fish; Joseph; Bouroughs; William Osban; John 
 Bourroughs; Thomas Robenson; Jane Hays; Jacob Reder; 
 John Reder Richard Owen, Woulter Gisbertson; John Pet- 
 tet; Thomas, Morel; John Roberts, Isacke Swinton; Elias, 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 563 
 
 Doughty; Thomas, Lawrence; William Laurence; John 
 Laurence; William Hallett; senj, William Hallett Junj, 
 Samuel Hallett; Hendrick Martenson; Robert Blackwell 
 John Parcell; William, Parcell; George Stevenson; Thomas 
 Parcell; Stephen Georgson, John Bockhout; Anellchi 
 Bourer Thomas Cillman; John Woulston Crafts; John 
 Johnson; find; Jane Rider; Peter Bockhout; Johanes 
 Lowresse; Richard Allsop John Allene; John Denman; 
 John Rosell; Hendrick Barne Smyth; Henry Mayll Senj 
 Henry Mayll; Junj. Joseph Reed, John Reed; Joseph 
 Phillips; Theophilus Phillips; Roulife Peterson Benjamin 
 Sufferns; Garsham Hazard; Anthony Gleen; Jacob Lever- 
 son Vanthegrift, Luke Depaw; Francis Way; John Will- 
 son; Nathaniell Pettet; Moses Pettet; John Foreman; Sto- 
 fell, Van law; Samuell Katcham; John Ramsden Reniere 
 Williamson; Abraham Ricke; John Harickson. Phillip; 
 Katcham; Benjamin Cornish; Francis Comes; Isacke Gray; 
 Josias; Foreman Junj Henry Safly; Thomas Etherinton 
 Content titus; Lambert Woodward; Joseph Reder; Jere- 
 miah Reder John Boull; John Fish; John Moore Thomas; 
 Morrell; Junj the Present Freeholders, and Inhabitants of 
 the said Towne of New:Towne theire heires successrs and 
 Assignes for Ever all and singular the before recited Tracts, 
 Neck and Parcells, of Land and Meadow Menconed sett 
 forth Limitted and bounded; as aforesaid by the afore- 
 recited Pattent together With all and singular a Certaine 
 Neck or Parcell of Land Called Plunders Neck Scituate 
 Likewise on the South side of Long Island Haveing on the 
 East Jamaica Limitts on the West asmall Brooke As also 
 all and singular the houses; Messuages; Tenements Fenc- 
 ings; buildings, Gardens Orchards, Trees, Woods, Under- 
 woods, Pastures, Feedings, Comon of Pastures, Meadows 
 Marshes, Lakes, Ponds, Creekes, Harbours; Rivers Rivo- 
 letts Brookes, Streames, Easements, and high way or high- 
 ways as also all and singular; the Islands, Mines, Mineralls 
 Royall Mines only Excepted; Fishing; Hawking; Hunting 
 
564 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 and Fowling; and all Other Franchises; Proffitts; Comodi- 
 tise Emoluments, Hereditaments; and Previledges Whatso- 
 ever to the said Tracts of Land meadows and Premisses 
 belonging or in Any wise Appurtaining TO HAVE AND 
 TO HOLD all and singular the said Tracts of Land and 
 Premisses With theire and Every of theire Appurtenances 
 to the Severall and Respective Uses Following and to and 
 for no other Use Intent and Purposes, whatsoever; that is 
 to say as for and Concerning, all and singular the severall 
 and Respective Parcells, of Land and Meadow Parte of the 
 granted Premisses in Any wise Taken up and Appropriated 
 by virtue of the said before recited Deed or Pattent before 
 the Day of the Date hereof unto the said Cap 1 Richard 
 Betts; Thomas Stevenson, Gersham Moore Jonathan 
 Hazard; Samuel Moore; Daniel Bloomefeild Caleb 
 Leverich; Edward Steveson; Joseph Sacket; Samuell 
 Scuder; Robert feild Senj ; Thomas Wandall; John Cat- 
 cham Thomas Petet; John Way; Robert; Feild Junj ; Jona- 
 then Sticklin; John Smyth; Josias Foreman senj, George 
 Wood Nathan Fish; Edward Hunt; Jeremiah Bourroughs 
 Richard Betts; Thomas Betts; John Scudder Junj ; Jonathan 
 Steveson Thomas Case; John Alburtise; James Way; 
 Cornelis Johnson Abram Yoris; John Coe; Samuel Fish; 
 Joseph Bourroughs William Osban; John Bourroughs; 
 Thomas Robenson Jane Hays, Jacon Reder; John Reder; 
 Richard Owen Woulter Gisbertson; John Petet; Thomas 
 Morrell; John Roberts; Isack Swinton Elias Doughty; 
 Thomas, Lawrence William Lawrence; John Lawrence; 
 William Hallett Senj; William Hallett Junj Samuel Hal- 
 lett; Hendrick Martenson Robert Blackwell; John Parcell; 
 William Parcell; George Stevenson; Thomas Parcell; 
 Stephen Gorgson; John; Bockhout Anellchi Bourer; 
 Thomas Cillman; John Woulston Crofts John Johnson; 
 find; Jane Rider; Peter Bockhout; Johanes Lowresse; 
 Richard Allsop; John Allene; John Denman; John Rosell; 
 Hendrick Barns; Smith Henry Mayle senj; Henry Mayle 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 565 
 
 Junj; Joseph Reed John Reed, Joseph Phillips; Theophilus 
 Phillips; Roeliffe Peterson; Benjamin; Sufferns; Gasham 
 Hazard; Anthony Glene; Jacob Leverson Van the Graft 
 Luke Depaw; Francis Way; John Willson; Nathaniell 
 Pettet, Moses Pettet; John Foreman; Stoffell Van Law; 
 Samuel Katcham; John Ramsden; Renier Williamson; 
 Abram Ricke; John Harickson; Phillip, Katcham; Benjamin 
 Cornish; Francis Comes; Isack Graye; Josias Foreman 
 Junj; Henry Safly; Thomas Etherinton; Content Titus; 
 Lambert Woodward; Nathaniell Woodward; Joseph 
 Reder Jeremiah Reder; John Boull; John Fish; John 
 Moore; Thomas :Morrell Junj the said severall and 
 Respective Present Inhabitants and Freeholders of the said 
 Towne of New:Towne; theire severall Respective Uses; 
 and behoofes and to the Use and behoofe of theire severall, 
 and Respective heires and Assignes for Ever and as for and 
 Concerning all and Every such Parcell or Parcells; Tract 
 or Tracts; of Land and Meadow; Remainder of the granted 
 Premisses not yett Taken up or Appropriated to any 
 Perticular Person or Persons, by Virtue of the before 
 Recited Deed or Pattent before the Day of the Date hereof 
 to the use and behoofe of the said Cap 1 Richard Betts; 
 Thomas Stevenson; Gersham Moore; Jonathan Hazard; 
 Samuel Moore; Daniel Bloomefeild; Caleb Leverich; 
 Edward Steveson; Joseph Sackett Samuel Scudder Robert 
 feild senj Thomas Wandall John Catcham; Thomas Petet; 
 John Way; Robert Feild Junj Jonathan Sticklin; John 
 Smyth; Josias Foreman senj George Wood senj Nathan 
 Fish, Edward Hunt Jeremiah Bourroughs; Richard Betts, 
 Thomas Betts, John Scudder; Junj Jonathan Steveson; 
 Thomas Case; John Alburtise James Way; Cornelius John- 
 son; Abram Yoris; John Coe; Samuel Fish; Joseph Bour- 
 roughs; William Osban; John Bourroughs; Thomas Robin- 
 son; Jane Hays; Jacob Reder; John Reder; Richard Owen; 
 Woulter Gisbartson; John Pettet; Thomas, Morrell; John 
 Robertts, their heires and Assignes, for Ever in Proportion 
 
566 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvi] 
 
 to theire severall and Respective Purchasses thereof made as 
 Tenants; in Comon; Without Any Lett Hindrance or 
 Molestacon to be had or Researved upon Pretence of Joynt 
 Tenancy or Survivorship Any thing herein Contained to the 
 Contrary in Any wise Notwithstanding and I Doe hereby 
 Rattifie Confirme and grant unto the Inhabitants and Free- 
 holders, of the said Towne all the Previledges, belonging to 
 Any Towne within this Government &c I Doe allsoe give 
 and grant for and in behalfe of his said Majesty his heires 
 and successors free and Lawfull Power Ability and 
 Authority that they or any of them any Messuages, Tenne- 
 ments, Lands, Meadows, Feedings Pastures, Woods, Under- 
 woods, Rents; Revercons; services and Other Heredita- 
 ments; Whatsoever within the said Queens County, Which 
 they hold of his said Majesty his heires and successors; unto 
 the aforesaid Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Towne of 
 New:Towne; shall and may Give grant, Sell; Bargaine 
 Allien Enffeooffe and Confirme TO BEE HOLDEN of 
 his Most Sacred Majesty his heires and successors in free 
 and Comon soccage According to the Tenure of East Green- 
 wich in the County of Kent in his Majestyes, Kingdome of 
 England YEILDING Rendring and Paying therefore 
 yearly and Every yeare from henceforth unto our sovereigne 
 Lord the King his heires successors, and Assignes, or his or 
 theire Receiver Commissionated or Impowred to Receive 
 the same on the five and twentyth Day of March yearely for 
 Ever the Cheife or quitt rent of three Pounds four shillings 
 Currant Mony of this Province at New:Yorke in full of 
 all Rents or former Reserved Rents, services Acknowledge- 
 ments, and Demands Whatsoever IN TESTIMONY 
 whereof I have Caused these Presents to be Entred upon 
 Record in the Secretaryes office of this Province and the 
 seale of the Said Province to be hereunto affixed this 25 th 
 Day of November Anno: Dom one thousand six hundred 
 Eighty six and in the second yeare of his Majestyes Reigne. 
 
 THOMAS rDONGAN 
 
[No. xxxvi] Grants 567 
 
 May it Please your Excellency 
 
 The Atturney Generall hath Perused this Pattent and finds 
 
 Nothing Contained therein Prejudicial! to his Majestyes 
 
 Interest 
 
 Examd. Oc to ber 1686 Ja :Graham 
 
 Att a Council held at Fort James in New:Yorke the 25 th 
 day of November Anno: Dom 1686 
 
 PRESENT His Excellency the GOVERNOR. 
 Major Antho: Brockholls. 
 M r Frederick Phillips. 
 M r Steph: V. Courtlandt. 
 M r John :Spragge. 
 Major Garvis Baxter. 
 
 This Pattent was Approved — off: Iss: Winton Ck:Concil 
 
568 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvii] 
 
 No. XXXVII 
 
 STATEN ISLAND 
 
 A 
 
 Indian Deed for Staten Island 1 
 
 -1630- 
 
 WE the Director and Council of New Netherland residing 
 on the Island of Manahatas under the jurisdiction of their 
 High Mightinesses the Lords States-General of the United 
 Netherlands and the General Incorporated West India 
 Company at their chambers at Amsterdam witness and 
 declare by these presents that on this day, the date under- 
 written, came and appeared before us in their own proper 
 persons Krahorat, Tamekap, Tolemakwemama, Wiero- 
 mies, Sicrarewach, Sachwenoen, Wissepoach, Saheirsios 
 (or boy) [minor]* Inhabitants, owners and heirs of the 
 land by us called the Staten Island on the west shore of 
 Hamels Hooftden 2 (hills) and declared [that] for and in 
 consideration of certain parcels of goods which they respec- 
 tively before the passing of these presents acknowledge to 
 have received into their hands and power, according to 
 articles of sale [they] have transported, ceded, delivered 
 and granted and by virtue of the right of selling and con- 
 veying, do by these presents, transport, cede deliver and 
 convey to and for the behoof of Michiel Pauw (absent) 
 and for whom we ex officio accept the same with suitable 
 stipulations the aforesaid land with the trees appurtenances 
 
 1 This deed has been carefully compared with the original manuscript 
 translation from the Dutch, in Deeds, GG:i7, in the office of the Sec. of State 
 at Albany, and, as far as typography will allow, is a verbatim ei literatim 
 et punctuatim copy. A translation by B. Fernow is printed in N. Y. Col. 
 Docs., XUI-.z. 
 
 * The matter in brackets seems to have been written in the original at a 
 later date. 
 
 2 Hamel's Neck, (The Narrows) after Hendrick Hamel, one of the Patroons 
 of N. Neth. 
 
A MAP 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COUNTY of RICHMOND 
 
 IN THE 
 
 5 TATE of ME mo 
 
 MAP OF THE COUNTY OF RICHMOND 
 (Origiii.il in color). Original size io" X z-'/i' '■ 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 569 
 
 and dependencies thereof and all the right title and interest 
 thereto belonging or which they may be entitled to, by 
 succession or inheritance; constituting and substituting the 
 said Mr. Pauw in their stead and place: putting him in 
 [the] real and actual possession thereof and also giving 
 full and irrevocable authority and special license to the said 
 Mr. Pauw or those who may hereafter obtain his action, 
 the said land with the dependencies of the same, to enter 
 upon and possess in peace; to inhabit, to farm, to hold, to 
 use and to do therewith as an attorney in his own cause; 
 to trade and dispose thereof as he may do with other his 
 own lands and domaine without their, the grantors having 
 or, claiming any part, right, estate or title thereto in the 
 least either as to property, authority, or jurisdiction; but 
 the same to the behoof aforseaid from henceforth forever 
 wholly quitclaiming, surrendering and renouncing; promis- 
 ing moreover not only to maintain and keep the same lands 
 against all persons free from all claim, action pretence, 
 challenge or incumbrance as well against the aforesaid 
 Wissipock before mentioned when arrived to years of man- 
 hood as others claiming the same; as in equity they are 
 bound to do; bonafide without fraud or deceit, these 
 presents confirmed with our signature and (by) [with] our 
 seal thereto affixed. Done at Fort Amsterdam [in the] 
 aforesaid Island of Manahatas on this 10 th day of August 
 1630. 
 
 B 
 
 Indian Deed of Sale of Staten Island to Baron 
 Van der Capellen. 3 
 
 -1657- 
 
 We undersigned Natives of North America, heredi- 
 tary Proprietors of Staten Island, Sacheme of Tasp. 
 Taghkospemo of Tappaan, Temris of Gweghongh, Mat- 
 
 3 This deed is recorded in Albany, Books of Patents, IV:63; the present 
 copy was taken from O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Netft. 
 
570 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvii] 
 
 tenon of Hespatingh, Waertsen of Hackingsack, Nechtan 
 of Hackingsack, Minqualakyn of Hooghkong, Conincks of 
 Hooghknonck, Nigkanis of Gweghongh, Mintamesseme of 
 Gwegkongh, Acchipoor of Hoogkong, declare and certify 
 for ourselves and our posterity, in the presence of the 
 undersigned witnesses, that we transport, first all our Right 
 and property, without any reserve for ourselves or our 
 posterity, forever, to Lubbertus van Dincklage, as agent of 
 the Baron Hendrick van der Capellen, Lord of Ryssel, the 
 whole [of] Staten Island, called by us Eghquaous, for the 
 following specified goods, to be imported here from Eng- 
 land, and to be delivered to us, the original proprietors:— 
 Ten cargoes of shirts; thirty pairs of Ferouse stockings; 
 ten guns; ten staves of lead; thirty lbs. of powder; thirty 
 ells red Dozyn's cloth; two pieces of frieze; thirty kettles, 
 large and small; fifty axes, small and large; twenty-five 
 chisels; a few awls; a few knives. 
 
 We engage ourselves to ally with and assist our Friends, 
 if any other savages might insult, molest or assail the 
 inhabitants of Staten Island. In truth whereof, we, the 
 original proprietors, signed this Acte, with the witnesses, 
 with submission to the Courts of Justice at Hospating near 
 Hackingsack on Waerkimins Connie in New Netherland, 
 on the ioth of July, 1657. 
 
 Sale and Surrender of Staten Island by Cornelis 
 Melyn, as Patroon, to the Directors of Amsterdam. 4 
 
 [Albany Records, VIII. ] 
 
 THIS DAY, the 14th of June, in the year 1659, 
 acknowledge Mr. Cornelis Melyn, thus far Patroon, and 
 enjoying the Jus Patronatus of the Colonie on Staten 
 Island, situated at the mouth of the North River in New 
 
 4 This deed is taken from O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth. 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 571 
 
 Netherland, for himself, his heirs and posterity, and agreed 
 with the Lords Directors of the Priviledged West India 
 Company, and the Department of Amsterdam, voluntarily, 
 in the following manner :— 
 
 He shall and will make a cession and transfer of all his 
 authority, pre-eminences, jurisdictions, prerogatives, advan- 
 tages, emoluments, privileges and exemptions, which he as 
 Patroon enjoyed, in the lands and over the inhabitants of 
 the Colonie of Staten Island, with all its consequences, 
 appendices and dependencies, without any exception, which 
 he obtained, as well by resolutions, acts and articles of 
 privileges and exemptions, as by open letters, which were 
 granted him by the Director Willem Kieft, deceased, in 
 New Netherland; and by other letters confirming his 
 claims, which might yet have been produced, without excep- 
 tion, all which he shall deliver to the aforesaid Department, 
 both here and in New Netherland, as far as these can be 
 discovered. Provided, that by the aforesaid Company and 
 Department, shall in New Netherland to him be reim- 
 bursed all such money as have been obtained from the sale 
 of a dwelling house, situated on the Manhattans in New 
 Amsterdam, near the Fort, which was sold by the Director- 
 general Stuyvesant, by execution in behalf of Daniel 
 Michaelsen, skipper of the ship the New Netherland 
 Fortune, in so far this money is yet in the possession of the 
 Company; and besides that, shall be paid to him here in 
 ready cash, the sum of fifteen hundred guilders; and further 
 that he shall enjoy the freedom and exemptions, as well 
 here as in New Netherland, from recognitions, to the 
 amount of about one thousand guilders in wares and mer- 
 chandises, necessary articles for husbandry, or similar per- 
 mitted goods, which he might conclude to transport with 
 him to New Netherland; and further, that he with his 
 family and attendants shall be transported thither either in 
 a hired vessel, or in one belonging to the Company, at the 
 
572 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvii] 
 
 Company's expense, in conformity to present usage. 
 Further, that he too shall as a free Colonist and Inhabitant, 
 possess for himself and his posterity, as free and allodial 
 property, all the lands, houses and lots which he thus far 
 possessed, or might in future possess, (and of which no 
 other persons had taken possession,) or to the inheritance 
 of which he may be entitled either by a last will, codificl, 
 donation or legacy, or by contract, or in any other manner, 
 to dispose of these, agreeably to the articles of freedom 
 and exemptions which were granted to the Patroons and 
 colonists; that whenever his oldest son shall be of age, and 
 be competent to execute the office, and a Sheriff in aforesaid 
 Colonie shall be wanted or shall be appointed over said 
 Colonie, he shall be preferred by the Company and Depart- 
 ment of Amsterdam, above all others; and finally, that the 
 Company shall procure him by the Director-general Stuy- 
 vesant, a full amnesty, with regard to all disputes and con- 
 tentions between them, whether these regard the Company, 
 or their Province, or whatever subject these may relate to, 
 which existed before, and shall now be entirely obliterated, 
 so that henceforward they shall treat one another as good 
 friends and with respect, and assist one another whenever 
 it shall be in their power. 
 
 For all which the aforesaid Cornelis Melyn submits his 
 person and property, real and personal, present and future, 
 without any exception, to the control of the Court of Justice 
 in Holland, and to that of all other courts and judges, as 
 well in New Netherland as here. In good faith and truth 
 whereof, have subscribed the Directors and Commissaries, 
 appointed and authorized by their Brethren for this special 
 purpose, on the ioth of April last, and signed by the afore- 
 said Cornelis Melyn, in Amsterdam, on the day and year 
 mentioned above. Was signed — EDOUARD MAN, as 
 Director: ABRAHAM WILMERDONCK, as Director; 
 H. BONTEMANTEL, as Director; CORNELIS 
 MELYN, former Patroon of Staten Island. In my 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 573 
 
 presence as Notary, H. Schaaf, Not. Pub. Lower stood — 
 Agrees with my Protocol, in trust whereof was signed, H. 
 Schaaf, Not. Publ. 
 
 Agrees with the authentic copy, 
 
 H. DECKER. 
 
 D 
 
 Surrender by Baron Van der Capellen to the Com- 
 pany, of His Interest in Staten Island. 5 
 
 [Albany Records, VIIL] 
 
 This day, the 20th November, 1660, appeared before 
 me, Nicolaes Listing, Not. Pub., at Amsterdam, and 
 admitted by the Supreme Court of Holland as such, upon 
 a nomination of the Resp. Magistrates of that city, in the 
 presence of the undersigned witnesses, Baron Frederick 
 van der Capellen ter Budelholf, as Executor and Co-heir 
 of the late Hendrick van der Capellen tot Ryssel, on the 
 one side, and their Honors Hans Bontemantel, Edouard 
 Man, Abraham Wilmerdonck, and Coenradt Burgh, 
 Directors of the Privileged West India Company, Depart- 
 ment Amsterdam, as a Committee from the other Directors, 
 on the other side; who declared that in their respective 
 qualities they consented and agreed together, viz;— 
 
 That the aforesaid Baron Van der Capellen ter Budel- 
 hoff surrenders to the other gentlemen who appeared 
 before us, in behalf of the aforesaid Company, such a por- 
 tion as the aforesaid Baron Van der Capellen pretended 
 to be his property, in Staten Island, situated in New Nether- 
 land, with the Patronage, the Mansion, Outhouses, Tools 
 of husbandry, Stock, wither other Appendencies, and 
 Dependencies, as it was possessed by Baron Van der 
 Capellen tot Ryssel, of which, now the Baron Van der 
 Capellen ter Budelhoff shall deliver to the other con- 
 
 5 This deed is taken from O'Callaghan, Hist. N. Neth, 
 
574 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvii] 
 
 tractants, appearing before me, all proofs, letters, docu- 
 ments, and informations, which may be yet among the 
 papers of the deceased, or in his own possession; and made, 
 besides this, a transfer of the whole to the aforesaid Com- 
 pany, as it ought to be when the full property is under- 
 stood to have been transferred to another with its actual 
 possession. Wherefore, the aforesaid Baron Van der 
 Capellen ter Budelhoff shall remain holden, in his aforesaid 
 quality as executor, and in his individual capacity, to defend, 
 in their behalf, this part of Staten Island, against any claims 
 whatever, and indemnify the aforesaid Company against 
 any pretensions upon this property, under what color and 
 by whom these might be instituted, particularly that of 
 Cornelis Melyn. Wherefore, the aforesaid Directors of 
 the Company, shall pay to the aforesaid Baron Van der 
 Capellen ter Budelhoff, the sum of three thousand guilders 
 in yet unpaid discharges to the Company, for which the 
 Province of Guilderland then remained responsible; so too 
 the assignment of the cargo of the vessel, named the New 
 Netherland Fortune, upon all which the aforesaid High 
 contracting Parties declared, in their quality above men- 
 tioned, with respect to the damages which the deceased 
 Baron Van der Capellen tot Ryssel suffered by the con- 
 fiscation of said cargo, that the above Directors shall com- 
 pensate it to the Baron Van der Capellen ter Budelhoff, at 
 the sum in which the deceased Baron Van der Capellen tot 
 Ryssel was interested in said lading; which sum too shall 
 be considered to be paid, in discharge of the Province of 
 Guilderland's debt as remaining yet unpaid; and this with 
 the express stipulation that the aforesaid Baron Van der 
 Capellen ter Budelhoff shall accept absolutely all the above 
 mentioned discharges in payment, and endeavor to convert 
 these at his own risk to his best advantage, as he may deem 
 proper, without any interference of the Company. Declar- 
 ing finally, the said parties concerned in this transaction, 
 that they promise and bind themselves to a faithful execu- 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 575 
 
 tion of the above mentioned articles, submitting, the afore- 
 said Baron Van der Capellen ter Budelhoff, all the property 
 of the deceased, with his own person and property; while 
 the other party, the aforesaid Directors, submitted, in the 
 same manner, all the goods and effects of the Company to 
 the jurisdiction of any Court of Justice, all in good faith: 
 And requested that an Acte of this transaction should be 
 made and delivered, which was performed in the city of 
 Amsterdam, in the presence of Baron Gerlach van Essen 
 tot Eldenhoven, and Mr. Abraham Decker as witnesses, 
 who signed the minutes with the contracting parties. 
 
 Lower stood : — 
 
 Quod attestor manu et sigillo, and was signed, N. 
 Listingh, Not. Pub. In the margin stood the signature of 
 the Notary in red wax, and covered with a white paper. 
 
 Ordinance 6 
 
 Of the Director General and Council of New Netherland 
 erecting a Court of Justice on Staten Island. 
 
 Passed 28 January, 1664. 
 
 The Director General and Council of New Netherland, 
 To all those who shall see these Present or hear them 
 read, Greeting, make known. 
 
 That they, for the public good, for the greater advance- 
 ment and increase of the recently begun Village on Staten 
 Island, and for the more convenient administration of 
 Justice, have considered it necessary to establish in the 
 aforesaid Village an Inferior Court of Justice, which shall 
 provisionally consist of the three undernamed Commis- 
 
 6 The original record of this Ordinance in Dutch is in N. Y. Col. Mss., 
 X:Pt. iii, 25. The copy set forth herein is reproduced from a translation 
 by E. B. O'Callaghan printed in his L. & Ord. N. Neth., p. 458. 
 
576 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvii] 
 
 saries, to wit: David d'Amarex, Piere Billiou, and JVal- 
 raven Lutten. 
 
 Before whom, in the first instance, shall be brought all 
 Questions, Actions and Differences arising in said Village 
 between Lord and Vassal, Master and Servant man, 
 Mistress and Maid, Neighbor and Neighbor, Buyer and 
 Seller, Lessor and Lessee, Master and Workman, and 
 other such like; Item, all Criminal Actions, consisting of 
 Deeds, Threats, Fighting or Wounding, whether moved 
 and instituted by party or by the Senior Commissary who, 
 until further order, shall represent the Sheriff in that place. 
 
 And said Commissaries shall do justice to the best of 
 their knowledge between parties appearing before them, 
 and may decree provision of Deposit, Dismissal or Defini- 
 tive condemnation, as the circumstances of the case shall 
 authorize. 
 
 But any party feeling himself aggrieved may appeal to 
 the Director General and Council of New Netherland, 
 according to the custom here, from all judgments exceed- 
 ing Fifty guilders, pronounced by said Commissaries. 
 
 And said Commissaries are hereby specially commis- 
 sioned and authorized to enact proper Ordinances that the 
 Cornfields and Gardens be carefully fenced, kept inclosed, 
 and the broken fences properly repaired. They hereby 
 command all Inhabitants of the aforesaid Village who 
 already are there, or who will hereafter come thither, to 
 respect and acknowledge the aforesaid Commissaries for 
 such as they are hereby qualified, and all that, until it be 
 otherwise ordained by the Director General and Council 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Thus done in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland. 7 
 Dated as above. 
 
 7 The above Court was composed of Two Magistrates until 14 February, 
 1674, when two others were added, making the number of Magistrates four. 
 Tr. 
 
.fir„, 
 
 tan 
 
 ton 
 
 f 
 
 XW-fll^^ 
 
 fom Joux 
 
 
 
 -^ i ?' , /^ > 
 
 ,■? r ! 
 
 ^3 
 
 .| L» g™d Kit - ~ f^ 
 
 L -■■■■■ ■■•;•. X,iy»4- ~ '* — *# 
 
 '"'S? P 
 * 
 
 .-••:fiJ:S 
 
 
 
 1 ''/. y ! i>* . 
 
 BO <WC»**- 
 
 FRENCH DRAUGHT OI PART OF STATEN ISLAND 
 
 , ■•.,,..„ r,, c ,t Kills, found among Ls ■ !'■ ■ ■ ' two villages, 
 
 "' ' ,,» S ,onv Brook "-N. I' lav ///.;. -1 ,. -, . . I \ II. No. J, p. I7>- 
 
 v | J, ;. Nc« Dorp, and the other » apparent!) Stonj Brook. 
 
 Original - i 5 - * lo ' 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 577 
 
 Indian Deed of Staten Island, 1670. 8 
 
 This Indenture made the Thirteenth Day of Aprill in 
 the 22 th yeare of the Raigne of o r Soveraigne Lord Charles 
 the Second by the Grace of God of England Scotland, 
 ffrance & Ireland Kinge Defend 1- of the Faith &c & in th[e] 
 yeare of our Lord God 1670, Between y e R* Hon bIe Francis 
 Lovelace Esq r Governo r Gen r11 und r his Royall Highness 
 James Duke of York & Albany &c Of all his Territoryes 
 in America for & on y e behalfe of his said Royall Highness 
 on y e one parte and Aquepo, Warrines, Minqua-Sachemack, 
 Pemantowes Quewequeen, Wewanecameck, and Mataris, 
 on y e behalfe of themsel[ves] as the True Sachems Owners 
 & lawfull Indian Proprietors of Staten Island & of all oth 1 ' 
 Indians any way concerned therei[n] on y e other parte Wit- 
 nesseth, That for & in consideration of a certaine sume of 
 Wampon & divers other goods, w ch in th[e] Schedule here- 
 unto annext are Exprest, unto y e said Sachems in hand paid 
 by the said Governo r ffrancis Lovelace or his Order, The 
 receipt whereof they y e said Sachems Doe hereby Acknowl- 
 edge, & to be fully satisfyed, & thereof & every parte 
 thereof Doe for themselues & all others concerned their 
 
 8 This deed is reproduced from Executive Council Minutes, Administra- 
 tion of Francis Lovelace, edited by Victor Hugo Paltsits, (1910) and the 
 following footnote appears therein by Mr. Paltsits: "The text is taken 
 from the original indenture deed owned by the State, formerly in Land 
 Papers, vol. I, p. 34, but transferred, in 1908, to the archives of the New 
 York State Library. Five Indians, on April 13th, signed by marks for them- 
 selves and two of them signed again by marks on behalf of two absentees. 
 On April 15th, the marks of six Indian children and youths were added, 
 acknowledged and witnessed. An engrossed copy of the deed, made in 1786, 
 is in Patents, vol. I, pp. 62-66, in the office of Secretary of State. The dupli- 
 cate of the original indenture deed, bearing also signatures of Governor 
 Lovelace, is owned by the New York Historical Society, which acquired it 
 by gift from Samuel Hazard, of Philadelphia, on December 1, 1846. It 
 was printed in Historical Magazine, vol. 10 (1866), pp. 375-377, and varies 
 from the State's complementary deed in several particulars." 
 
578 Colonial Charters [No. xxxvii] 
 
 heires and Successors & every of them clearly acquitt and 
 discharge the said Governour & his Successors Have given 
 graunted bargained & sould, & by theise p r sents Doe fully 
 & absolutely give graunt bargaine & sell unto y e said ffrancis 
 Lovelace Governour for & on y e behalfe of his Royall 
 High[ s ] aforementioned All that Island lyeing & being in 
 Hudsons Ryver, corhonly called Staten Island & by y e 
 Indian [s] Aquehonga Manacknong — having on y e South 
 y e Bay & Sendy point, on y e North y e Ryver & y e Citty of 
 New Yorke on Manh[a]tans Island, on y e East Long 
 Island, & on y e west y e maine Lands of After Coll, or New- 
 Jersey, Togeth 1 " w th all y e Lands soy[les] meadowes fresh 
 & salt pastures Corhons wood land Marches Ryvers Ryvo- 
 letts streames Creeks waters Lakes & whatsoever to y e 
 said Island is belonging or any way apperteyning, & all & 
 singuler oth r y e prmisses w th th'appurtenance[s] & everye 
 parte & parcell thereof, w th out any reservation of y e her- 
 bage or Trees or any other thinge growing or being there- 
 upon] And the said Sachems for themselues & all others 
 concerned their heires & successo rs Doe Covenant to & w th 
 y e said Governo 1 " & his successo rs for & on y e behalfe afore- 
 said in manner & forme following, That is to say That they 
 y e said Sachems now are y 6 very True sole & Lawfull Indian 
 Owners of the said Island & all & singular of y e p r misses, 
 as being derived [to] them by their Auncestors, & that now 
 at th'ensealing & delivery of theise p r sents they are lawfully 
 seized thereof [to] y e use of themselues their heires & 
 Assignes for ever according to y e use & Custome of y e 
 rest of y e Native Indians of the Country, And further That 
 y e said Island now is & at y e tyme of Executing of ye said 
 Estate to be made as aforesaid shall be & from tyme to 
 tyme & at all tymes hereafter shall & may stand remaine 
 and continue unto y e said Governo r & his successors to y e 
 use of his Royall Highness as aforesaid, free & [c]learly 
 discharged & Acquitted from all & every former bargaines 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 579 
 
 sales guifts Graunts & Incumbrances whatsoever And 
 furthermore the said Sachems for themselues and all others 
 concerned their heires & Successo rs Doe Covenant That y e 
 said Governor his successo rs & Assignes for & on y e behalfe 
 of his Royall Highness as aforesaid shall & may from 
 henceforth forever Lawfully peaceably & quietly haue 
 hould possesse & Enjoy all the said Island w th th'appurte- 
 nances & all & every oth r y e p r misses w th their appurtenances 
 w th out any Lett resistance Disturbance or interuption of 
 the said Sachems or any others concerned their heires & 
 successo rs & w th out any manner of Lawfull Lett resistance 
 molestation or interuption of any other person or persons 
 whatsoever Clayming by from or under them or any of 
 them And It is likewise Lastly Covenanted & agreed 
 That y e said Sachems & y e rest of the Indians concerned 
 w th them now Inhabiting or residing upon y e said Island 
 shall haue Free leaue & Liberty to be & remaine thereupon 
 untill y e First Day of May next, when they are to surrend r 
 the possession thereof unto such person or persons as y e 
 Governo r shall please to appoint to see y e same put in 
 Execution upon w ch day They are all to Transporte them- 
 selues to some other place & to resigne any Interest or 
 Clayme thereunto or to any parte thereof forever To haue 
 & to hould y e said Island so bargained & sould as afore- 
 mentioned unto y e said Francis Lovelace Governo r & his 
 successors for & on y e behalfe of his Royall Highness his 
 heires & Assignes unto y e proper use & behoof of his said 
 Royall Highness his heires & Assignes for ever. In witness 
 whereof ye Partyes to theise p r sent Indentures haue Inter- 
 changably sett to their hands & seales the day and yeare 
 first herein wrytten 
 
580 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XXXVII] 
 
 Sealed & Deliuered in y e p r sence of 
 
 Corn us Steenwijck, Maijor 
 Tho. Louelace 
 Matthias Nicolls 
 C V Ruijven 
 
 Oloff Stevens V n Cortlant 
 
 Allard Anthonij 
 
 Johannes vanbrugh 
 
 Gerret van Tricht 
 
 I Bedloo 
 
 Warn. Wessels Ccnstab 
 
 William Nicolls 
 Humphrey dauenport 
 Cornelis Bedloo 
 nicholaes Anthonij 
 
 The marke of 
 
 X [Seal] 
 
 Aquepo 
 The marke of Aquepo 
 
 X [Seal] 
 
 on the behalfe of 
 
 Warrenes 
 
 The marke of 
 
 Wawanecameck 
 
 X 
 
 on the behalfe of [Seal] 
 
 Minqua Sachemack 
 
 The marke of Aquepo 
 
 X 
 on the behalfe of [Seal] 
 Pemantowes 
 
 The marke of 
 
 X [Seal] 
 
 Quewequeen 
 The marke of 
 
 X [Seal] 
 
 Wawanecameck 
 The marke of 
 
 X [Seal] 
 
 Mataris 
 
 4 Youths. 
 
[No. XXXVII] 
 
 Grants 
 
 581 
 
 Memorand. That the young Indyans not being present 
 at the Ensealing & delive[ry] of the within written deed, 
 it was again delivered & acknowledged before them 
 w[hose] names are here under written as witnes[ses.] 
 
 Aprill the 15 th 1670. 
 
 Signed in presence 
 The Governo r 
 Capt n Manning 
 The Secretary. 
 
 of The marke of X 
 about 5 yeares old 
 The marke of X 
 about 6 yeares old 
 The marke of X 
 about 12 yeares old 
 The marke of X 
 about 12 yeares old 
 The marke of X 
 about 15 yeares old 
 The marke of X 
 about 20 yeares old 
 
 Pewowahone. 
 a boy 
 
 Rok[o]que[s] 
 a Girle. 
 Shinginnemo. 
 a Girle. 
 Kanarehanse 
 a Girle. 
 Maquadus 
 a young man. 
 Asheharewas 
 a young man. 
 
 The Payment Agreed upon for y e Purchase of Staten- 
 Island Conveyed this Day by y e Indian Sachems 
 Proprieto" (vizt) 
 
 1 Fower hundred Fathom 
 
 of Wampom 
 
 2 Thirty Match Coates 
 
 3 Eight Coats of Dozens 
 
 made up 
 
 4 Thirty Shirts 
 
 5 Thirty Kettles 
 
 6 Twenty Gunnes 
 
 A ffirkin of Powder 7 
 
 Sixty Barres of Lead 8 
 
 • J Thirty Axes 9 
 
 Thirty Howes & 10 
 
 Fifty Knives 1 1 
 
 Memorandum It is Covenanted & Agr[eed upon by & 
 betweene y e ] within mentioned Francis Lovelace Esq 1 " 
 Gover[no r ] &c for & in y e behalf e of his Royall Highn ss 
 & y e w th in wrytten Sache[m]s on y e behalf e of themselues 
 & all oth rs concerned before th'ensealing & delivery hereof 
 
582 
 
 Colonial Charters 
 
 [No. XXXVII] 
 
 That Two or Three of y e said Sachems their heires or 
 successo rs or so many Persons Imployed by them shall once 
 every yeare (vizt) upon y e First day of May yearely after 
 their surrend r repair to this ffort to acknowledge their Sale 
 of the said Staten Island to y e Governour or his Successors 
 to continue a mutuall freindship betweene them As witness 
 their hands. 
 
 The mark of X Aquepo 
 
 The mark of 
 
 X 
 
 Wewanacamec [k] 
 
 on y e behalfe of 
 
 Minqua Sachemack 
 
 The marke of X Aquepo 
 
 on behalfe of 
 
 Pemantowes 
 
 [The] marke of X Aquepo 
 
 on the behalfe of 
 
 Warrines 
 
 The marke of 
 
 X 
 
 Quewequeen 
 
 The marke of 
 
 X 
 
 Wewanecameck 
 
 The marke of X Mataris. 
 
 Endorsed. 
 
 Staten Island Deed of Purchase 
 from the Indians 9 
 
 Apr i [3] 1670 
 Recorded y e Day & yeare w th in 
 wrytten by me [Two seals] 
 Matthias Nicolls Secf 
 
 A warrant for M r Thomas Lovelace 
 & M r Matthias Nicolls to take 
 possion of Staten Island. 
 
 These are to appoint yo u M r Thomas Lovelace & M r 
 Matthias [Nicolls] to repayre this day to Staten Island 
 
 9 It will be noticed that the signature of Governor Francis Lovelace is 
 not there. This was an indenture deed and the governor put his signature 
 on that one of the two deeds which went to the custody of the Indians, and 
 which is now in the New York Historical Society. 
 
[No. xxxvii] Grants 583 
 
 there to take possession by Turfe & Twigge & y e surrend r 
 of y e said Island by y e Indian Sachems & Proprietors in y e 
 name of his Royall Highness according to y e Teno r of y e 
 bill of Sale & Purchase, & for so doeing this shall be yo r 
 warrant, Given und r my hand at ffort James in New Yorke 
 this 2 d day of May 1670. 
 
 [Francis Lovelace.] 
 
LIST OF SOURCES OF MATERIAL 
 
 Bibliography 
 
 Asher, Georg Michael 
 
 A bibliographical and historical essay on the Dutch books and 
 pamphlets relating to New-Netherland and to the Dutch West- 
 India Company. Amsterdam, 1854-67. 
 
 Still an indispensable guide to every student of the history of New York 
 under the Dutch.* 
 
 Flagg, Charles Allcott, and Judson T. Jennings 
 
 Bibliography of New York colonial history. Albany, 1901. 
 
 A useful and practical reference guide to the printed materials relating 
 to the Dutch and English periods to 1776, though not particularly accurate 
 in spots. 
 
 Published by the New York State Library as Bulletin — Bibliography 24. 
 
 The New York Public Library 
 
 Check list of works relating to the history (general, political, etc.) 
 of the City of New York in The New York Public Library. 
 
 In: Bulletin, v. 5 (1901), p. 97-127. 
 
 Shows what the Library had in 1901. Considerably augmented since that 
 date. 
 
 Check list of maps and atlases relating to the City of New York, 
 1610-1900, in The New York Public Library. 
 In: Bulletin, v. 5 (1901), p. 60-73. 
 
 Shows what the Library had in 1901. Considerably augmented since that 
 date. 
 
 Manhattan maps, a co-operative list. Edited by Daniel C. Haskell, 
 New York, 1931. 
 Arranged chronologically from 1600 to 1930. 
 
 NlJHOFF, MARTINUS 
 
 The Hollanders in America. A choice collection of books, maps 
 and pamphlets. The Hague, 1925. 
 Issued as his Catalogue 518. 
 
 * This and other notes on evaluations have been by permission adopted or adapted 
 from. The New York Tercentenary, a descriptive list by Victor Hugo Paltsits of an 
 exhibition held in the New York Public Library in 1926. 
 
 [585] 
 
586 Colonial Charters 
 
 Paltsits, Victor Hugo 
 
 The New York Tercentenary. An exhibition of the history of 
 New Netherland. 1524-1674. N. Y. Public Library, 1926. 
 A description of the books, maps, and manuscripts exhibited. 
 
 Records Guides 
 
 Fernow, Berthold, and A. J. F. van Laer 
 
 Calendar of Council minutes, 1668-1783. Albany, 1902. 
 
 This is a calendar of the English Executive Council minutes of the prov- 
 ince of New York, issued as History bulletin 6 by the New York State 
 Library. 
 
 Holland Society of New York 
 
 Dutch records in the City Clerk's Office, New York. 
 In: Year book for 1900, p. 110-182, and for 1901, p. 121-176. 
 Important for the location of real estate in New Amsterdam. 
 
 Holland Society of New York 
 
 Dutch West India Company manuscripts. 
 In: Year book for 1892, p. 150-152. 
 
 New York State Library 
 
 Annotated list of the principal manuscripts in the State Library. 
 In: State Library Bulletin History No. 3, June, 1899. 
 
 New York State Library 
 
 Catalogue of historical papers and parchments received by the 
 State Library from the Secretary of State. (1849) 
 
 New York State Library 
 
 Report of the Director of the State Library — 1911. 
 In: University of the State of New York Bulletin No. 545. 
 Report on the damage caused by the Capitol fire. 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, editoi 
 
 Calendar of N. Y. colonial manuscripts, indorsed land papers; in 
 the office of the Secretary of State of New York. 1643-1803. 
 Albany, 1864. 
 
 It is an inventory to an important series of 63 large volumes of original 
 manuscripts, consisting of documents, maps, surveys, etc., upon which grants 
 of land were made, preserved in the Manuscript Division of the New York 
 State Library, Albany, N. Y. 
 
Sources 587 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, editor 
 
 Calendar of historical manuscripts in the office of the Secretary 
 of State, Albany, N. Y. Albany, 1865-66. 2 v. 
 
 Part I — Dutch manuscripts, 1630-1664. 
 
 Part II — English manuscripts, 1664-1776. 
 
 These calendars have brief entries, more in the nature of an inventory. 
 Since many of the original records to which they relate were burned in 
 the Albany Capitol fire of March, 1911, the calendars have now peculiar 
 interest, though they are not nearly accurate. 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, editor 
 
 Index to volumes one, two and three of translations of Dutch 
 manuscripts. Albany, 1870. 
 
 This printed index relates to translations that O'Callaghan made of Dutch 
 manuscripts in the archives of the State of New York. Some of these trans- 
 lations as well as the original records were destroyed in the Albany Capitol 
 fire of March, 1911. 
 
 Secretary of State, New York 
 
 Catalogue of Records of the Office of the Secretary of State 
 with information pertaining to that office. Compiled by F. G. 
 Jewett under John Palmer, Secretary of State, Albany. Brandow 
 Print. Co., 1898. 
 
 Printed Documentary Collections 
 
 Artykelen, Van't overgaen van Nieuw-Nederlandt. Op den 
 27 Augustij, Oude Stijl, Anno 1664. 
 
 Original Dutch broadside of the Articles of the surrender of New Nether- 
 land to the English, evidently used as a poster in Holland. 
 
 Also in Dutch in the Hollandsche Mercurius, Deel 15, p. 153-154. 
 
 Colonial Laws of New York 
 
 From the Year 1654 to the Revolution. 1894. 5 Vols. 
 Published by the Statutory Revision Commission pursuant to L. 1891, 
 ch. 125. 
 
 Dutch West India Company 
 
 Placcaet By de Hooghmo: Heeren Staten Generael der Vere- 
 enighde Nederlanden, ghemaeckt op'tbesluyt vande West-Indissche 
 Compagnie. 's Graven-Haghe, 1621. 
 
 This is the edict issued by the States General paving the way for a 
 charter. 
 
588 Colonial Charters 
 
 Dutch West India Company 
 
 Octroy, By de Hooghe Mogende Heeren Staten Generael, verleent 
 aende West-Indische Compagnie, in date den derden Junii 1621. 
 's Graven-Haghe, 1621. 
 
 This is the first and official printed Dutch edition of the charter granted 
 to the West India Company by the States General. 
 
 An English edition appeared in the same year. What is perhaps the 
 only known copy is in the Henry E. Huntington Library at San Marino, Cal. 
 
 A French edition appeared at Paris in 1623, a copy of which is in the 
 Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. 
 
 The Dutch text, with additions, was printed again three times in 1623, 
 once in 1624, twice in 1629, and once in 1642. The official text is printed 
 in the Groot Placaet Boeck, v. 1 (1658), columns 565-578. 
 
 Fernow, Berthold, editor 
 
 The records of New Amsterdam from 1653 to 1674 . . . New 
 York, 1897. 7 v. 
 
 Published under the authority of the City of New York. 
 
 These volumes contain English translations by Berthold Fernow and E. 
 B. O'Callaghan of the early Dutch court records and transcripts of the 
 earliest Mayor's court minutes written in English. The originals are in 
 possession of the City Clerk, Municipal Building. There are some gaps in 
 the original records. 
 
 Analyzed they are: Minutes of Court of Burgomasters and Schepens of 
 New Amsterdam, 1653-1665; Court of Mayor and Aldermen of New York 
 City, 1665-1673; Restored Court of Burgomasters and Schepens of New 
 Orange, 1673-1674; Administrative minutes of the Burgomasters, March 8, 
 1657-January 28, 1661. Some ordinances are in v. 1. 
 
 For continuation of Administrative minutes of the Burgomasters after 
 1661, see Minutes of the Orphanmasters Court, v. 2 (New York, 1907). 
 
 Fernow, Berthold, editor 
 
 Executive or administrative minutes of the Burgomasters of 
 New Amsterdam. March 8, 1657, to January 28, 1661. 
 
 In: Records of New Amsterdam, v. 7, p. 140-267. 
 Printed here in English translation. 
 
 Fernow, Berthold, editor 
 
 The minutes of the Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam, 1655 to 
 1663. New York, 1902. [v. 1.] 
 
 Covers only October 18, 1655, to November 22, 1663, though the entire 
 manuscript minutes run to April 2, 1668. They have all been translated by 
 E. B. O'Callaghan, but that translation was never printed. The O'Cal- 
 laghan manuscript and the original minutes are in the custody of the City 
 Clerk, Municipal Building, New York City. 
 
 Fernow, Berthold, editor 
 
 Minutes of the Orphanmasters Court, v. 2. New York, 1907. 
 
 This composite volume is misnamed. It contains only English translations 
 of Executive or administrative minutes of the burgomasters of New Amster- 
 dam, February 11, 1661, to Mav 20, 1664, and Register of Walewyn vander 
 Veen, notary public of New Amsterdam, May 20, 1662, to June ; 1664. 
 
Sources 589 
 
 Harlem (Town) 
 
 Original manuscript records of the town of New Haerlem, 1662- 
 1788. 9 vols. 
 
 In New York Public Library. 
 
 Hempstead (Town) 
 
 Records of the towns of North and South Hempstead. Printed 
 by order of the Town Board of North Hempstead, Jamaica, N. Y. 
 1896-1904. 8 vols. 
 
 New Netherland Papers 
 
 Foundation of New Amsterdam as a municipality, February 2, 
 1653. 
 
 The official promulgation by Director General Stuyvesant and the mem- 
 bers of his provincial council — La Montagne, Brian Newton, and Cornells 
 Van Tienhoven, of the grant of municipal government to the people of New 
 Amsterdam, together with the rights and privileges thereof, and the manner 
 of executing justice in the inferior court granted to the city. Also the formal 
 oath of office taken by the city officials. 
 
 The New York Public Library has two contemporary manuscript copies 
 of this remarkable document, which had long been sought after and was 
 recognized only a few years ago by Victor H. Paltsits whilst making 
 researches for Stokes's Iconography of Manhattan Island, where it is now 
 available in facsimile with an English translation. 
 
 New Netherland Papers 
 
 Extract from a general letter of Director-General Stuyvesant 
 and council to the Directors at Amsterdam, October 30, 1655. 
 
 Reveals that when Kieft left New Netherland in 1647, he took with him 
 many of the older records. 
 
 New York (City) 
 
 Minutes of the Common Council of the City of New York. 1675- 
 1776. 
 
 Published in 8 vols, under authority of the City of New York in 1905. 
 
 New York — Province 
 
 Bradford's Laws and Acts of the General Assembly of New 
 York. William Bradford 1694. 
 
 There is a facsimile with an introduction by Robert Ludlow Fowler. 
 Published by the Grolier Club of New York. New York, 1894. 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, editor 
 
 Laws and ordinances of New Netherland, 1638-1674. Com- 
 piled and translated from the original Dutch records in the office 
 of the Secretary of State, Albany, New York. Albany, Weed, Par- 
 sons and Co., 1868. 
 
590 Colonial Charters 
 
 An indispensable volume for the administrative, legal, economic, and 
 social history of the Dutch province. 
 
 Some of these ordinances in a different English version are in v. 1 of 
 Records of Neiv Amsterdam. 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, editor 
 
 The documentary history of the State of New- York. Albany, 
 1849-51. 4 v. 8°. 
 
 There is also an edition in 4 v. in 4°, published in 1850-51. Of the two 
 editions the quarto is to be preferred. 
 
 Among the papers printed here are texts relating to the Indians, to early 
 settlements, and to New York City or parts thereof. 
 
 Documents relative to the colonial history of the State of New 
 York, procured in Holland, England and France by John Romeyn 
 Brodhead. Albany, 1856—61. 10 v. and index. 
 
 Continued or supplemented by v. 12-15, edited by Berthold Fernow, from 
 archives in possession of the State of New York. Albany, 1877-83. 
 
 The Holland documents in v. 1 and 2 of the O'Callaghan series have 
 peculiar value for the history of New Netherland. There are some early 
 items in the English documents that bear upon the Dutch occupation. The 
 three volumes collected and edited by Fernow relate principally to settle- 
 ments on the Hudson, on Long Island, and on the Delaware, though some 
 documents bear also upon Manhattan Island history. A volume devoted 
 to Manhattan Island was planned but never prepared for publication. 
 
 Paltsits, Victor Hugo, editor 
 
 Minutes of the Executive Council of the Province of New York. 
 Administration of Francis Lovelace, 1668-1673. Albany, 1910. 2 v. 
 
 These English documents are a bridge between the first surrender of 
 New Netherland in 1664 and the return of the Dutch in 1673. There is a 
 good deal in them that bears upon the Dutch in New York City. 
 
 Publication of the State Historian of New York. 
 
 Rasiere, Isaack de, secretary of New Netherland 
 
 Letter to the directors of the Dutch West India Company, Cham- 
 ber at Amsterdam. Dated at Fort Amsterdam on the island of 
 Manhattes, September 23, 1626. 
 
 It is the earliest letter written on Manhattan Island, the text of which 
 has been preserved. 
 
 This text is a contemporary copy now in the Henry E. Huntington 
 Library and was printed for the first time in facsimile, with transliteration 
 and an English translation in Documents relating to New Netherland, edited 
 by A. J. F. van Laer, issued by that Library in 1924. The Dutch text has 
 been reprinted (1925) in F. C. Wieder's De stichting van New York, 
 p. 161-179, with critical and explanatory notes. 
 
 Remonstrantie, vande bewinthebberen der Nederlantsche West- 
 Indische Compagnie, aende d'Heeren Staten Generael over 
 verscheyde specien van Tyrannye, ende gewelt, door de Engelsche 
 in Nieuw-Nederlant. Schidam, 1663. Broadside. 
 
Sources 591 
 
 Only two copies are known, one at the University of Leyden and the 
 other at the John Carter Brown Library, Providence. Photostat from the 
 latter copy. 
 
 The Remonstrance was made by the Directors of the Dutch West India 
 Company to the Lords of the States General, charging acts of tyranny and 
 violence committed by the English in New Netherland against the people 
 in the Dutch province, and therefore they asked reparation and justice. 
 Specifically, the complaints related to the New England invasion of the 
 Dutch settlements on Long Island and the unsettled boundary disputes with 
 Connecticut. 
 
 There is an English translation in Asher's Bibliographical essay, p. 208 ff. 
 
 There exists also an eight-page pamphlet, Naerder Klagh-Vertoogh (A 
 futher complaint) printed in 1664, which is even more interesting. This, too, 
 is translated in Asher, p. 210 ff. 
 
 Riker, James, Jr. 
 
 Extracts principally from town records of Newtown, L. I., con- 
 sisting of one volume of Court minutes and five volumes of other 
 records. Copied by James Riker, jr., in 1846. 
 
 Manuscript volume. 
 SCHAGHEN, PlETER 
 
 Letter written at Amsterdam November 5, 1626. Announcing 
 that the day before the ship "Wapen van Amsterdam" (Arms of 
 Amsterdam) had arrived loaded with furs and bringing news, espe- 
 cially that the Island Manhattes had been bought from the Indians 
 for the value of sixty guilders or about twenty-four dollars. 
 
 Photograph in N. Y. Public Library from the original record in the 
 Rijksarchief at The Hague. 
 
 English translations have appeared in Documents relating to colonial his- 
 tory of the State of New York, v. 1, p. 37—38, and often since elsewhere ; 
 and the Dutch text with an English translation in Year book of the Holland 
 Society of New York for 1890, p. 152-153. 
 
 There are three independent proofs of the purchase, first the Schaghen 
 letter, second in Wassenaer's Historisch Verhael, both contemporary, and the 
 minutes of the hearing before Governor Lovelace and his council, April 9, 
 1670, when the old records were produced as proof, printed in Neiv York 
 Executive Council minutes, v. 1 (1910), d. 47. 
 
 United New Netherland Company 
 
 Charter granted by the States General October 11, 1614, bestow- 
 ing a limited monopoly of trade in New Netherland for four voyages 
 to be undertaken within three years. 
 
 Facsimile of the original manuscript in the Rijksarchief at The Hague. 
 
 An English translation was printed in Documents relating to the colonial 
 history of the State of New York, v. 1 (1856), p. 11 ff. This translation 
 needs revision. 
 
 Van Laer, Arnold Johan Ferdinand, editor 
 
 Van Rensselaer Bowier manuscripts, being the letters of Kilaen 
 van Rensselaer, 1630-1643, and other documents relating to the 
 colony of Rensselaerswyck. Translated and edited by A. J. F. van 
 Laer. Albany, 1908. 
 
592 Colonial Charters 
 
 Most of the papers relate to the colony of Rensselaerswyck; but there is 
 very valuable information touching upon the early history of New Amster- 
 dam and other parts of New Netherland, and relative to the personal his- 
 tory of early settlers. It is an indispensable body of primary materials, 
 presented in a creditable manner by an editor who holds high rank in 
 this field of Dutch documentation. 
 
 [The so-called Van Rappard documents, 1624—1626.] 
 In: F. C. Wieder, De stichting van New York, p. 97-179. 
 
 The Dutch texts of five documents relating to New Netherland reprinted 
 with useful notes and a pertinent introduction. 
 
 These documents were first printed in the volume, published by The 
 Henry E. Huntington Library, in 1924, as Documents relating to Neiv 
 Netherland. 
 
 Verrazzano, Giovanni da. 
 
 Letter to Francis I., of France. July 8, 1524. The original 
 Cellere Codex. 
 
 Besides giving a pure text of the letter this Codex is notable because it 
 presents for the first time the names Verrazzano gave to places in the region 
 of New York with explanatory marginalia. 
 
 When discovered and first printed in 1909 by Professor Bacchiani it was 
 owned by Count Giulio Macchi di Cellere of Rome. It was purchased by 
 the late J. Pierpont Morgan and is at present in The J. Pierpont Morgan 
 Library. An excellent facsimile of the entire document is in Stokes's 
 Iconography of Manhattan Island, v. 2 (1916). 
 
 Letter to Francis I., of France, July 8, 1524. 
 
 In: G. B. Ramusio, Navigationi et viaggi, v. 3 (Venezia, 1556). 
 
 A second edition appeared in 1559. 
 First publication, in a corrupted text. 
 
 Letter to Francis I., of France. July 8, 1524. 
 
 In: Richard Hakluyt, Divers voyages. London, 1582. 
 
 First translation into English, from Ramusio's corrupted text. 
 Reprinted in Collections of the New York Historical Society (1841) ; in 
 Asher's Henry Hudson (1860), and elsewhere. 
 
 Letter to Francis I., of France. July 8, 1524. 
 
 In: Richard Hakluyt, Voyages. London, 1600. v. 3. 
 
 Letter to Francis I., of France. July 8, 1524. 
 In: Bollettino of the Societa geografica italiana, fasc. 11 (1909), 
 p. 1274-1323. 
 
 First printing of the text of the Cellere Codex, with critical comments 
 by Professor Alessandro Bacchiani. 
 
 Letter to Francis I., of France. July 8, 1524. 
 
 In: Fifteenth annual report (1909) of the American Scenic and 
 
 Historic Preservation Society, p. 135-226. 
 
 The description of New York Harbor is on p. 188 ff. 
 
 The text of the Cellere Codex as edited by Professor Bacchiani, accom- 
 panied by the first English translation thereof and additional notes by Dr. 
 Edward Hagaman Hall. 
 
Sources 593 
 
 Vryheden By de Vergaderinghe van de Negenthiene vande 
 Geoctroyeerde West-Indische Compagnie vergunt aen alien den 
 ghenen die eenighe Colonien in Nieu-Nederlandt sullen planten. 
 Amstelredam, 1630. 
 
 Freedoms and exemptions of the Dutch West India Company. 
 
 This is the original edition of these orders by which the Directors of the 
 Dutch West India Company, on June 7, 1629, granted encouragement for 
 the planting of colonies and settlers in New Netherland, under which 
 patroonships were begun. 
 
 The first separate publication relating to New Netherland. 
 
 A facsimile reprint was made in 1875 for George Henry Moore. 
 
 The Dutch text is also in Wassenaer's Historisch Verhael, deel 18 (1630), 
 and is an appendix to the Dutch Articulen relating to Brazil, printed at 
 Amsterdam in 1631. 
 
 An English translation made by Abraham Lott, Jr., in 1762, was used by 
 Moulton in his History of New York, part 2 (1826). This translation 
 slightly modified has been reprinted in Collections of New York Historical 
 Society, series 2, v. 1 (1841), p. 370-377, and elsewhere. 
 
 A revised translation from the text as it appeared in Wassenaer's His- 
 torisch Verhael is in Jameson's Narratives of New Netherland (1909), and 
 another revised translation from the text as it appeared in 1631 is in 
 Van Rensselaer Bowier Manuscripts (1908), accompanied by the Dutch text. 
 
 Secondary Sources 
 Abbott, Wilbur Cortez 
 
 Colonel John Scott of Long Island, 1634 (?)-1696. New 
 Haven, 1918. 
 
 Armbruster, Eugene L. 
 
 The Indians of New England and New Netherland. [New 
 York,] 1918. 
 
 Issued in an edition of 200 copies. 
 
 Armbruster, Eugene L. 
 
 Bruijkleen Colonie, 1638. [New York,] 1918. 
 
 Edition of 200 copies. 
 
 Arnoux, William Henry 
 
 The Dutch in America. New York, 1890. 
 
 This historical argument was presented to the Court of Appeals of the 
 State of New York in the Third Avenue Elevated R. R. case with respect 
 to the ownership of the streets and the rights or easements therein. 
 
 Asher, Georg Michael, editor 
 
 Henry Hudson the navigator. The original documents in which 
 his career is recorded. London, 1860. 
 
 Includes Juet's journal from Purchas; extracts from the 1614 edition of 
 Van Meteren, from the 1625 and 1630 editions of De Laet, and from the 
 so-called Hudson tract of Hessel Gerritsz, etc. 
 
 Published by the Hakluyt Society. 
 
594 Colonial Charters 
 
 Barber, John & Henry Howe 
 
 Historical Collections of the State of New York. New York: 
 S. Tuttle, 1844. 
 
 Contains interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc., 
 relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical descriptions of 
 every township in the state. 
 
 Beauchamp, William Martin 
 
 Aboriginal place names of New York. Albany, 1907. 
 
 Forms Bulletin 108 (Archeology 12) of the New York State Museum. 
 A handy and useful work. 
 
 Bellamy, Blanche Wilder 
 
 Governor's Island. [New York, 1897.] 
 
 Issued as v. 1, no. 4 of the Half Moon series. Appeared later as series 
 1, no. 12 of the reissue called Historic New York. 
 
 Benson, Egbert 
 
 Memoir, read before the Historical Society of the State of New- 
 York, 31st December, 1816. New York, 1817. 
 
 Memoir on Dutch and Indian names in New Netherland. 
 
 Benson, Egbert 
 
 Memoir read before the Historical Society of the State of New 
 York, December 31, 1816. Second edition, with notes. Jamaica, 
 1825. 
 
 Also reprinted from a copy with the author's last corrections, in Collec- 
 tions of New York Historical Society, series 2, v. 1, part 1 (1848), p. 77-148. 
 
 Bergen, Tunis Garret 
 
 A history of the town of New Utrecht, N. Y. Brooklyn, N. Y., 
 1884. 
 A separate edition from Stiles's Illustrated history of the county of Kings. 
 
 Black, George Ashton 
 
 The history of municipal ownership of land on Manhattan 
 Island. New York, 1891. 
 
 A scientific monograph which traces the municipal ownership of land 
 from the grants to the city in 1658 to the ordinance of 1844. 
 
 Issued as v. 1, no. 3 of the Columbia University studies in history, 
 economics and public laiv. 
 
 Bolton, Robert 
 
 History of the County of Westchester, New York: J. J. Cass, 
 1905. 2 vols. 
 
Sources 595 
 
 Booth, Mary L. 
 
 History of the City of New York. New York, E. P. Dutton 
 & Co., 1880. 
 
 Brevoort, James Carson 
 
 Verrazano the navigator. New York, 1874. 
 
 A critical examination of the letter written by Verrazzano to Francis I 
 in 1524, and of the world map by his brother dated 1529. The critical 
 notes fill nearly a hundred pages. In 1882, in Magazine of American 
 history, Brevoort added to the subject. 
 
 Brodhead, John Romeyn 
 
 History of the State of New York. New York, 1853-71. 2 v. 
 
 A constructive work of great value and accurately written from primary 
 sources, many of which had never been used before by historians. In 
 the early period it is now subject to revision. A second edition of v. 1 
 appeared in 1859. Manuscript for a third volume was prepared, but never 
 printed, and is now lost. 
 
 Clute, John J. 
 
 Annals of Staten Island. New York, 1877. 
 
 Useful, but poor in the period of the seventeenth century. 
 
 Danckaerts, Jasper 
 
 Journal of a voyage to New York . . . 1679-80. Translated 
 from the original manuscript in Dutch . . . and edited by Henry 
 C. Murphy. Brooklyn, 1867. 
 
 The original Dutch manuscript, now owned by the Long Island Historical 
 Society, turned up in Amsterdam and was bought in 1864 by Henry Cruse 
 Murphy. It is a journal of the travels of two Labadists, followers of the 
 theological doctrines of Jean de Labadie, who came over to America to 
 find a suitable locality in which to establish a community, settling finally 
 on a tract in Bohemia Manor, Maryland. 
 
 They landed in New York City on September 23, 1679, and visited places 
 in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The 
 journal records what they saw, heard, or thought. It is no doubt valuable 
 in some parts, yet needs to be discounted in other parts. 
 
 The Dutch text has not been, but should be, published. 
 
 This is the first publication of this journal, issued as Memoirs of Long 
 Island Historical Society, v. 1 (Brooklyn, 1867). 
 
 100 copies were also issued separately in royal octavo and on thick paper. 
 
 Journal . . . 1679-1680. Edited by B. B. James and J. F. 
 Jameson. New York, 1913. 
 
 Murphy's translation slightly revised, with some omissions. Has a valu- 
 able introduction and more numerous annotations than Murphy's edition. 
 
 Davis, William T. 
 
 Staten Island Names. Ye olde names and nicknames. With map 
 by C. W. Leng. New Brighton, N. Y. 1896. 
 
 Proceedings of Nat. Science Assn. of Staten Island. Vol. VII, no. 15. 
 March 10, 1900. 
 
596 Colonial Charters 
 
 Davis, William T. 
 
 Supplement to Staten Island names. New Brighton, N. Y. 1903. 
 
 Delavan, Edward C, Jr. 
 
 Colonel Francis Lovelace and his plantation on Staten Island. 
 
 Proceedings of Nat. Science Assn. of Staten Island. Vol. VII, no. 15. 
 March 10, 1900. 
 
 Denton, Daniel 
 
 A Brief Description of New- York: Formerly Called New-Neth- 
 erlands. London, 1670. 
 
 Two copies are owned by The New York Public Library. Of about 
 twenty-one extant copies only five have the title-page unmutilated at the 
 bottom. 
 
 The name "New Netherlands" used by the English is incorrect. The 
 Dutch always used the singular, because they considered "New Netherland" 
 a single province. 
 
 The first separate account of New York in English. 
 
 A Brief Description of New York . . . Edited by John Pen- 
 nington. Philadelphia, 1845. 
 
 In: Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, v. 1, 
 no. 1 (March, 1845). 
 
 This is the first reprint. Also issued separately. 
 
 A Brief Description of New York. New York, 1845. 
 
 This is a new edition by Gabriel Furman, forming no. 1 of Gowans's 
 Bibliotheca Americana, with Penington's introduction. 
 
 A Brief Description of New York. Cleveland, 1902. 
 
 With a bibliographical introduction by Felix Neumann. Issued as no. 1 
 of the Burrows Brothers Reprints. 
 
 A Brief Description of New York. New York, 1937. 
 
 Reproduced from the original 1670 edition, with a bibliographical note, 
 by Victor Hugo Paltsits. Published for the Facsimile text society by 
 Columbia University Press. It is a reproduction of the original in the 
 Columbia University Library. 
 
 Donck, Adriaen VAN DER 
 
 Beschryvinge van Nieuw-Nederlant. Aemsteldam, 1655. 
 
 The Amsterdam Chamber of the Dutch West India Company consented 
 to its publication on February 25, 1655, and as the author died that year in 
 New Netherland, he may never have seen the published work, and certainly 
 could not have been concerned with the second edition of 1656. 
 
 The first edition has on p. 9 a restrike of the so-called view of "t'Fort 
 nieuw Amsterdam op de Manhatans", repeated from the plate used in the 
 Hartgers tract of 1651. Two variant issues exist of this edition. 
 
 Donck, Adriaen van der 
 
 Beschryvinge van Nieuw-Nederlant. Aemsteldam, Evert Nieu- 
 wenhof, 1656. 
 
 The so-called Hartgers view is omitted from this edition and in place 
 
Sources 597 
 
 thereof is a sectional map with another view derived from the N. J. Viss- 
 cher map that came out after the publication of the first edition of Van der 
 Donck. This new folded plate is often, though erroneously, called "Vander 
 Donck's Map". He had nothing to do with it. 
 
 This second edition is entirelv reset and has some changes of matter and 
 also the addition of the "Conditien," or regulations for immigration to New 
 Netherland. 
 
 An English translation was made by Jeremiah Johnson, a former mayor 
 of Brooklyn, and published in Collections of the New York Historical Society, 
 series 2, v. 1 (1841), p. 125-242. 
 
 Donck, Adriaen van der, and Others 
 
 Vertoogh van Nieu-Neder-Land. 's-Graven-Hage, 1650. 
 
 This work is the first in point of time that records the early history of 
 New Netherland. Besides summarizing the events from the beginning to 
 1649, and giving an account of the Indians and of the physical features of 
 the country, it is notable for the Remonstrance of the Board of Nine Men 
 to the States General. It was prepared with the object of obtaining redresses 
 of grievances — a protest against the arbitrary acts of Kieft and Stuyvesant. 
 
 From this printed text an English translation was made by Henry C. 
 Murphy, for Collections of New York Historical Society, series 2, v. 2 (1849), 
 p. 251-338, which was also issued separately. This translation appeared 
 again, entitled: The Representation of New Netherland (New York, 1854) ; 
 and revised bv A. Clinton Crowell it is a part of Jameson's Narratives of 
 New Netherland (1909). 
 
 Vertoogh van Nieu Nederland (Notarial copy). 
 
 Besides the text as printed at The Hague in 1650, there exists the orig- 
 inal manuscript of the notarial copy, preserved in the Rijksarchief at The 
 Hague; but this does not differ very materially from the printed text. 
 
 This manuscript text was translated into English by E. B. O'Callaghan as 
 Remonstrance of New Netherland and first appeared in Documents relating 
 to the colonial history of the State of New York, v. 1 and also separately 
 (Albany, 1856) ; and again in Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, v. 5. 
 
 Durand, Edward Dana 
 
 The finances of New York City. New York, 1898. 
 
 An excellent treatise. The section on the early city begins with the 
 founding of the municipality under the Dutch in 1653. 
 
 Ehrlich, Morris William 
 
 Historic traces on upper Manhattan. [New York,] 1910. A map. 
 
 Only a few copies were struck off of this compiled historical map, showing 
 the lines and landmarks of New Haerlem, as well as the present lines of 
 city streets. 
 
 Fernow, Berthold 
 
 New Netherland, or the Dutch in North America. 
 
 In: Justin Winsor's Narrative and critical history of America, 
 v. 4, p. 395-442, with a critical essay on the sources of information. 
 
 Fitzpatrick, Benedict, editor and others 
 
 The Bronx and its People; a history, 1609-1927. 4 vols. New 
 York, 1927. 
 
598 Colonial Charters 
 
 Fisher, Edmund D. 
 
 Flatbush, past & present. Brooklyn, 1901. 
 Published by the Flatbush Trust Company. 
 
 Fiske, John 
 
 The Dutch and Quaker colonies in America. Boston and New 
 York, 1903. 2 v. 
 
 This is the illustrated "de luxe" edition. 
 
 It was originally published without illustrations in 1899. 
 
 Always readable, but not always sound. 
 
 French, J. H. 
 
 Historical and Statistical Gazetteer of the State of New York. 
 R. P. Smith, Syracuse, N. Y., 1860. 
 
 Frost, Josephine C, editor 
 
 Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656— 
 1751. Brooklyn, N. Y., L. I. Hist. Soc, 1914. 3 vols. 
 
 Furman, Gabriel 
 
 Notes, geographical and historical relating to the town of Brook- 
 lyn, on Long Island, with notes, and a memoir of the author. Brook- 
 lyn. Repr. for the Faust Club, 1865 
 
 Furman, Gabriel 
 
 Antiquities of Long Island. New York, J. W. Bouton, 1875. 
 
 Gerard, James Watson, Jr. 
 
 A treatise on the title of the corporation and others to the streets, 
 wharves, piers, parks, ferries, and other lands and franchises in the 
 City of New York. New York, 1872. 
 
 An important guide to the evolution of title in the city of New York. 
 Includes ancient streets and roads. 
 
 Gerard, James Watson, Jr. 
 
 The old streets of New York under the Dutch. New York, 
 1874. 
 
 A paper read before the New York Historical Society. 
 
 Gerard, James Watson 
 
 Anneke Jans Bogardus and her farm. 
 
 In: Harper's magazine, v. 70 (May, 1885), p. 836-849. 
 
 Gerritsz, Hessel 
 
 Detectio Freti Hudsoni. 
 
 The four original editions, 1612-1613, of the publication of Hessel Ger- 
 ritsz, sometimes called the Hudson tract. 
 
Sources 599 
 
 Include a brief account of the third and fourth voyages of Hudson to 
 discover a northeast or northwest passage to China and Japan. 
 
 Gerritsz, Hessel 
 
 Detectio Freti Hudsoni. Amsterdam, 1878. 
 
 A reproduction with a new English translation of the original Dutch and 
 Latin editions of 1612 and 1613, of the so-called Hudson tract. 
 
 Goodwin, Maud Wilder 
 
 Fort Amsterdam in the days of the Dutch. [New York, 1897.] 
 
 Issued as v. 1, no. 8 of the Half Moon series. Also published as series 1, 
 no. 1 in the reissue known as Historic Neiv York. 
 
 Greene, Evarts B. & Richard B. Morris 
 
 A guide to the principal sources for early American history 
 (1600-1800) in the City of New York. New York, Columbia 
 University Press, 1929. 
 
 Half Moon Series. New York, 1897-98. 
 
 There are 24 monographs in 24 parts, by different authors, forming two 
 volumes, edited by Maud Wilder Goodwin and others. 
 
 Interesting but must be used with caution on account of incompleteness, 
 faulty deductions, and numerous errors of fact. 
 
 Half Moon Series. Historic New York; being the . . . 
 series of the Half Moon papers. New York, 1898-99. 2 v. 
 This is the republication, extended with notes, maps, and illustrations. 
 
 Hall, Edward Hagaman 
 
 Henry Hudson and the discovery of the Hudson River. 
 
 In: Fifteenth annual report, 1910, of the American Scenic and 
 Historic Preservation Society, p. 227-346. 
 
 Hall, Edward Hagaman 
 
 History of the seal and flag. 
 
 In : John B. Pine, editor, Seal and flag of the City of New York 
 (New York, 1915), p. 22-67. 
 
 Harrisse, Henry 
 
 The discovery of North America; a critical, documentary, and 
 historic investigation, with an essay on the early cartography of the 
 new world, including descriptions of two hundred and fifty maps 
 or globes existing or lost, constructed before the year 1536; to which 
 are added a chronology of one hundred voyages westward, projected, 
 attempted or accomplished between 1431 and 1504, biographical 
 
600 Colonial Charters 
 
 accounts of the three hundred pilots who first crossed the Atlantic; 
 and a copious list of the original names of American regions caci- 
 queships, mountains, islands, capes, gulfs, rivers, towns, and har- 
 bours. London, H. Stevens and son. 1892. 
 
 Hazard, Ebenezer 
 
 Historical collections. Philadelphia, 1792-94. 2 v. 
 
 There are statistics on the fur trade of New Netherland and the cost 
 of government in v. 1, p. 397. Official correspondence of Kieft and Stuy- 
 vesant with New England, principally respecting boundaries, is in v. 2. 
 
 Hewitt, Edward Ringwood, and Mary Ashley Hewitt 
 The Bowery. [New York, 1897.] 
 
 Issued as v. 1, no. 12 of the Half Moon series. Later appeared as series 1, 
 no. 11 in the reissue called Historic New York. 
 
 Hoffman, Murray 
 
 A treatise upon the estate and rights of the corporation of the 
 City of New York, as proprietors. New York, 1853. 
 
 This is the first edition. Here appeared a fictitious view of Hudson's 
 ship at anchor, September 13, 1609. At p. 320 there is a folded plan of 
 grants as far north as the Fresh Water. 
 
 Superseded by the second edition in 1862. 
 
 Hoffman, Murray 
 
 Treatise upon the estate and rights of the corporation of the City 
 of New York, as proprietor. New York, 1862. 2 v. 
 
 Second edition. Materially revised in its historical and legal data. The 
 second volume is an "Appendix" of notes and diagrams. 
 
 Valuable for tracing the development of the waterfront and for studying 
 the city's jurisdiction over streets, ferries, and markets. 
 
 Holland Society of New York 
 
 Early immigrants to New Netherland. List of owners of lots in 
 New Amsterdam. 
 
 In: Year book for 1896, p. 124-129, 167-177. 
 
 Passengers to New Netherland. 
 In: Year book for 1902, p. 1-37. 
 
 Howell, George Rogers 
 
 The date of the settlement of the colony of New York. Albany, 
 1897. 
 
 Publication no. 1 of the New York Society, Founders and Patriots of 
 America. 
 
 The first substantial argument in favor of placing the first settlement 
 under the Dutch West India Company at Fort Orange (Albany) in the 
 year 1624. 
 
Sources 601 
 
 Jameson, John Franklin, editor 
 
 Narratives of New Netherland, 1609-1664. New York, 1909. 
 (Original narratives of early American history.) 
 
 The most important single volume of early source material for the history 
 of New York during the Dutch regime. The documents have illuminating 
 introductions, are annotated, and the English translations are better than 
 those that were printed hitherto. 
 
 Jameson, John Franklin 
 
 The origin and development of the municipal government of 
 New York City. 
 
 In: Magazine of American history, v. 8 (1882). 
 
 Janvier, Thomas Allibone 
 
 The founding of New York. A series of articles written for the 
 New York Times, May 25-31, 1903. 
 
 In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of municipal 
 government in the City of New York. 
 Mounted clippings. 
 
 Jenkins, Stephen 
 
 The story of the Bronx. New York and London, 1912. 
 
 A useful compilation. The author was a school teacher in the region of 
 which the book treats. 
 
 Jogues, Father Isaac 
 
 Novum Belgium. [Dated :] Des 3 Rivieres en la Nouvelle 
 France 3 Augusti, 1646. 
 
 In this document the Jesuit missionary narrates his experiences and observa- 
 tions in New Amsterdam in 1643. The original manuscript is in St. Mary's 
 College, Montreal. 
 
 First printed in any form in Documentary history of New York, v. 4 
 (Albany, 1851). The French text was first printed in 1852 in an appendix 
 to a reprint of Bressani's Relatione. 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 
 In: Documentary history of New York, v. 4 (Albany, 1851). 
 
 The first English translation by Rev. Felix Martin, and first printing 
 thereof in any form. 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 
 In: F. G. Bressani, Relation abregee . . . Traduit . . . et 
 augmente . . . par le R. P. F. Martin (Montreal, 1852). 
 The first printing of the French text. 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 
 In: Collections of New York Historical Society, series 2, v. 3, 
 part 1 (1857), in the "Jogues Papers". 
 
 A new English translation by T- G. Shea. 
 
 A preprint of these papers was issued in 1856. 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 
 In: J. G. Shea, Relations (New York, 1862). 
 The French text. 
 
602 Colonial Charters 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 New York, 1862. 
 
 A privately-printed volume. With a totally different translation by J. G. 
 Shea and for the first time a facsimile of the original manuscript. 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 
 In: R. G. Thwaites, Jesuit relations, v. 28 (1898), p. 104-115. 
 
 The best modern printing of text and parallel English translation, with a 
 bibliography by V. H. Paltsits of its various issues. 
 
 Novum Belgium. 
 
 In: Felix Martin, Le P. Isaac J agues, de la Compagnie de Jesus, 
 premier apotre des Iroquois (Paris, 1873). 
 Another edition was issued in Quebec, 1874. 
 
 Juet, Robert 
 
 The third Voyage of Master Henry Hudson. 1609. 
 
 In: Purchas his pilgrimes, v. 3 (London, 1625), p. 581—595. 
 
 Also in the reprint of Purchas, v. 13, London, 1906; and wholly or in part 
 in Collections of New York Historical Society, series 1, v. 1 and series 2, 
 v. 1 ; in Asher's Henry Hudson (1860) ; Old South leaflets, no. 94; Eleventh 
 annual report of American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, and 
 again in its Fifteenth annual report; Hart's Contemporaries, v. 1 ; an3 
 Jameson's Narratives of New Netherland, which is perhaps the latest and 
 best available form. 
 
 Laet, Joannes de 
 
 Historie ofte Jaerlijck Verhael. Leyden, 1644. 
 
 This work covers the activities of the Dutch West India Company from 
 its beginning to 1630. There is virtually nothing in it about New Nether- 
 land. The author intended to continue the work, but that was not done. 
 
 Gives the Charter of 1621 and other documents, as well as a list of the 
 Directors of the Company. 
 
 Laet, Joannes de 
 
 Nieuwe Wereldt ofte Beschrijvinghe van West-Indien. Leyden, 
 1625. 
 
 This is the first edition of this notable work by a Director of the Dutch 
 West India Company, who was one of the inner circle or executive body 
 known as the College of the Nineteen. 
 
 Book III, chapters 7 to 11, is a description of New Netherland. Moreover, 
 chapter 7 on Hudson's discovery is perhaps based on a now lost journal of 
 Hudson and other papers of Hudson. 
 
 Translations of the New Netherland matter are in Collections of New 
 York Historical Society, series 2, v. 1 (1841), p. 281-316 and v. 2 (1849), 
 p. 371-373, and the best translation, embodying the longer additions of the 
 Dutch edition of 1630 and the variants of the Latin and French versions, 
 is in Jameson's Narratives of New Netherland, p. 36-60. 
 
 Lambrechtsen, Nicolaas Cornelis 
 
 Korte beschrijving van de ontdekking en der verdere lotgevallen 
 van Nieuw-Nederland. Middelburg, 1818. 
 
 An excellent treatise for so early a date, as it was mainly written in 1813- 
 1815. The author made good use of Dutch sources then almost unknown to 
 American writers. 
 
Sources 603 
 
 In 1819 an English translation was made by Frangois Adriaan van der 
 Kemp, which, with notes added, was printed in Collections of the New York 
 Historical Society, series 2, v. 1 (1841), p. 75-123. 
 
 Leng, Charles William and Edward C. Delavan, Jr. 
 
 A condensed history of Staten Island. [New York,] 1924. 
 
 Issued by The Staten Island Edison Corporation. 
 
 New and accurate data are presented here for the first time. 
 
 Megapolensis, Joannes, Jr. 
 
 A short sketch of the Mohawk Indians in New Netherland. 
 
 Translated into English for Hazard's Historical collections, v. 1 (1792), 
 and revised for New York Historical Society's Collections, series 2, v. 3, 
 part 1 (1857). 
 
 The original Dutch tract was printed in 1644 and only two copies are 
 known. The English version follows a reprint of the Dutch text in 
 Beschrijvinghe van Virginia, 1651. 
 
 Mershon, Stephon Lyon 
 
 English crown grants. New York, 1918. 
 
 Mershon, Stephon Lyon 
 
 The Symes Foundation on Staten Island. Montclair, N. J., 1923. 
 
 Mershon, Stephon Lyon 
 
 The Major and the Queen. New York, 1915. 
 
 Meteren, Emanuel van 
 
 Commentarien ofte Memorien van den Nederlantsen Staet . . . 
 ende Gheschiedenissen van onsen tyden. Deel 2. Preface dated 
 February, 1610. 
 
 Earliest printed account of Hudson's voyage of 1609. 
 
 The only known copy of this second volume of Van Meteren's last 
 revision and genuine edition is in the Library of Congress. 
 
 Until the discovery of the above volume, a rare edition of 1611, now 
 known to be a pirated edition, was considered to be the earliest printed 
 account, and it was more common to refer to the 1614 edition for Van 
 Meteren's text, because in that form it was more easily available. 
 
 The 1611 pirated edition reads: Belgische ofte nederlantsche oorlogen ende 
 gheschiedenissen. 
 
 Moulton, Joseph White 
 
 History of the State of New-York including its aboriginal and 
 colonial annals. New- York, 1824—26. 2 v. 
 
 Part 2 is entitled: Novum Belgium. 
 
 These volumes have been responsible for numerous errors in New York 
 history. They can be used onlv by specialists with great caution. Yates, 
 whose name is al»o given on the title of v. 1, wrote none of them. 
 
 Mott, Hopper Striker 
 
 The New York of yesterday. A descriptive narrative of old 
 Bloomingdale. New York, 1908. Illustrated. 
 
 A good regional history. 
 
604 Colonial Charters 
 
 Murphy, Henry Cruse 
 
 Henry Hudson in Holland. An inquiry into the origin and 
 objects of the voyage which led to the discovery of the Hudson 
 River. The Hague, 1859. 
 This is the first edition. 
 
 Murphy, Henry Cruse 
 
 Henry Hudson in Holland . . . Reprinted, with notes, docu- 
 ments and a bibliography, by Wouter Nijhoff. The Hague, 1909. 
 
 Issued by the Linschoten-Vereeniging. 
 
 This fine edition gives for the first time in one block the known Dutch 
 texts of "all the original documents relating to the third voyage" of Hudson 
 in 1609. 
 
 Murphy, Henry Cruse 
 
 The voyage of Verrazzano: a chapter in the early history of 
 maritime discovery in America. New York, 1875. 
 
 The author's object was "to show the claim of discovery in America by 
 Verrazzano to be without anv real foundation." The book has much val- 
 uable information; but his main contention has been upset by later discoveries. 
 
 Nash, Stephen Payne 
 
 Anneke Jans Bogardus ; her farm, and how it became the prop- 
 erty of Trinity Church, New York. New York, 1896. 
 
 New York Historical Society 
 
 Proceedings for 1843-1849. New York, 1844-49. 7 v. 
 
 The principal articles relating to New Netherland and Manhattan Island 
 are: De Witt's New Netherland (1844) ; Brodhead's observations respecting 
 two ancient maps of New Netherland (1845) ; De Rasiere's letter and por- 
 tions of Wassenaer (1847) ; George H. Moore's Peter Minuit (1849). 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey 
 
 History of New Netherland ; or, New York under the Dutch. 
 New York, 1846-48. 2 v. 
 
 Dr. O'Callaghan was the first historian to write a history of New Nether- 
 land derived from a mass oi original sources in the archives of the State 
 of New York, in England, and in Holland. He was the first to explore 
 and use the Rensselaerswyck papers. 
 
 The publication of these volumes, the "abor of years, netted no pay to 
 the author. 
 
 v. 1 takes the history through 1646; v. 2 covers 1647-1664. 
 
 The appendices of both volumes contain documents. 
 
 There is an issue in which both volumes are dated 1848; also a second 
 edition of 1855. 
 
 The author's set with numerous revisions, etc., intended for a new edition, 
 revealing new sources of information, is in the N. Y. Public Library. 
 
 O'Callaghan, Edmund Bailey, translator 
 
 A brief and true narrative of the hostile conduct of the barbarous 
 natives towards the Dutch nation. Albany, 1863. 
 
 A petition from New Netherland, dated October 31, 1655. On p. 21-48 
 there are illustrative documents, as the treaty with the Indians of August, 
 1645, and pieces of 1655-1656. 
 
Sources 605 
 
 Osgood, Herbert L. 
 
 Report on the archives and public records of the State of New- 
 York and New York City. 
 
 Govt. Printing Office, 1901. Printed as Report of Amr. Hist. Assn. 
 
 Paltsits, Victor Hugo 
 
 The transition from Dutch to English government in the City 
 of New York. 
 
 In: John B. Pine, editor, Seal and flag of the City of New York. 
 New York, 1915. 
 
 Prepared for the City's official celebration of the 250th anniversary of 
 the event, June 24, 1915. 
 
 Paltsits, Victor Hugo 
 
 Daniel Denton's Description of New York in 1670. 
 
 In: The New York Public Library. Two important gifts . . . 
 by Mr. George F. Baker, Jr. New York, 1924. p. 9-14. 
 
 An account of Denton's Description of New York with a sketch of the 
 author and an analysis of his book, together with a complete census of 
 the known copies thereof. 
 
 Also in Bulletin of New York Public Library, v. 28 (1924), p. 599-604. 
 
 See also bibliographical note by Victor Hugo Paltsits in facsimile edition 
 of Daniel Denton's Description published by the Columbia University Press, 
 1937. 
 
 Paltsits, Victor Hugo 
 
 The founding of New Amsterdam in 1626. Worcester, Mass., 
 1925. 
 
 A limited separate issue from Proceedings of the American Antiquarian 
 Society for April, 1924. 
 
 The author's conclusions are given on p. 17, "that, so far as the present 
 confines of the State of New York are concerned, the first settlement was 
 made in 1624 at Fort Orange (now Albany) ; that this settlement was aug- 
 mented by other settlers in 1625; that the first permanent settlement on 
 Manattan Island was begun in 1626 by the founding of New Amsterdam." 
 
 Pierce, Carl Horton 
 
 New Harlem, past and present. New York, 1903. 
 
 Issued in support of the claimants for Harlem lands. Documents are 
 given in appendices. 
 
 Pierrepont, Henry Evelyn 
 
 Historical sketch of the Fulton Ferry and its associated ferries. 
 Brooklyn, 1879. 
 
 The first ferry from Manhattan Island to Long Island. 
 Documentary appendices fill 156 pages. Printed for the private use of 
 the Company. 
 
 Pirsson, John W. 
 
 The Dutch grants, Harlem patents and tidal creeks. New York, 
 1889. 
 
 Relates to titles to meadows in the bay of Hell Gate, the Harlem Mill 
 Creek, the Harlem Mill Pond, Montagne's Point, Montagne's Flat, and 
 Van Keulen's Hook. 
 
 Dutch records and patents are in an appendix. 
 
606 Colonial Charters 
 
 Post, John J. 
 
 Old streets, roads, lanes, piers and wharves of New York, show- 
 ing the former and present names. New York, 1882. 
 A useful street catalogue. 
 
 Post, John J. 
 
 Abstract of title of Kip's Bay Farm in the City of New 
 York . . . also, The early history of the Kip family. New 
 York, 1894. 3 v. 
 
 Under its primitive Dutch grant, before it was the property of the Kip 
 family, this farm was a tobacco plantation of Hall and Holmes. 
 
 Putnam, Harrington 
 
 Origin of Breuckelen. New York, 1898. 
 Issued as v. 2, no. 11 of the Half Moon series. 
 
 Putnam, Ruth 
 
 Annetje Jan's farm, with some tidings of its first possessors and 
 the later fruits it bore. New York, 1897. 
 
 In: Historic New York, series 1, p. 119—158. 
 
 Riker, James 
 
 Revised history of Harlem (City of New York.) Its origin and 
 early annals. New York, 1904. 
 
 Edition "revised from the author's notes and enlarged by Henry Pen- 
 nington Toler, and edited by Sterling Potter." There are considerable 
 additions to the genealogies. 
 
 Riker, James 
 
 Harlem (City of New York) ; its origin and early annals. New 
 York, 1881. 
 
 The original edition of this useful local history, the result of patient 
 
 research covering a quarter of a century. It portrays the land system, 
 
 social and economic conditions, and government of this town during the 
 seventeenth century. 
 
 Riker, James 
 
 Mr. Riker's manuscript Harlem notes; a chronological record. 
 Under date of January 16, 1673, is a "List of Town Papers." 
 
 Riker, James, Jr. 
 
 The annals of Newton, in Queens county, New-York. New- 
 York, 1852. 
 
 The most valuable regional history in the territory of the present 
 borough of Queens. 
 
 Ross, Peter 
 
 History of Long Island. 1902. 2 vols. 
 
Sources 607 
 
 RUTTENBER, EDWARD MANNING 
 
 Footprints of the Red Men. Indian geographical names in the 
 valley of Hudson's River. Newburgh, 1906. 
 
 In: Proceedings of New York State Historical Association, v. 6 
 (1906). There was also a separate issue. 
 
 Manhattan and its local names on p. 13ff. 
 
 Scharf, J. Thomas 
 
 History of Westchester County. 
 
 Skinner, Alanson 
 
 The Indians of Manhattan Island and vicinity. New York, 1909. 
 
 Issued by the American Museum of Natural History as an exhibtion 
 Guide Leaflet, no. 29, in connection with the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, 
 September, 1909. 
 
 Skinner, Alanson 
 
 The Indians of Greater New York. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1915. 
 
 A readable as well as interesting portrayal of the subject; treats also 
 of the archaeology of the Indians in the greater city. 
 
 Forms no. 3 of a series called Little histories of North American Indians. 
 
 Smith, William 
 
 The history of the province of New- York. London, 1757. 
 First general history of New York. 
 
 The history of the late province of New- York, from its discovery, 
 to the appointment of Governor Colden, in 1762. New-York, Pub. 
 under the direction of The New York Hist. Soc, 1829. 
 
 Also printed as vol. IV (1829) and vol. V (1830) Collections of the N. Y. 
 Hist. Soc. 
 
 Stiles, Henry Reed 
 
 A history of the city of Brooklyn. Brooklyn, 1867-70. 3 v. 
 
 The history of Manhattan Island is involved, especially in the first volume. 
 Stiles also edited an Illustrated history of the county of Kings and the 
 city of Brooklyn, 1884, in two volumes. 
 
 Stokes, Isaac Newton Phelps 
 
 The iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498-1909. 
 
 This monumental work consists of six volumes. 
 
 The contents are as follows: 
 
 v. 1 (1915): Chapter I: The period of discovery, 1524-1609; the Dutch 
 period, 1609-1664. Chapter II: The first years of the English period. 
 
 v. 2 (1916): The early cartography of the vicinity of Manhattan Island; 
 First Dutch surveys, 1614—1616: First maps and globes published in Holland 
 showing Manhattan Island, 1617-1635; English maps of the region after 
 Hudson, 1610-1646; Second Dutch surveys, 1630-1650, including the Minuit 
 maps, Manatus maps, and Janssonnius-Visscher map and successors; Maps 
 
608 Colonial Charters 
 
 of Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Indian sources, etc.; the 
 Castello plan, 1660; Dutch grants map and key thereto. 
 
 v. 3 (1918) : The Landmark map with reference key thereto. 
 
 v. 4 (1922): Historical chronology to 1674, covering more than 300 pages, 
 double columns, in very small (7-point) type; notable reproductions of 
 sources. 
 
 v. 5 (1926): Contains the rest of the Historical chronology (1776-1909), 
 with additions, etc., to the earlier period. 
 
 v. 6 (1928): Contains an elaborate index, etc. 
 
 The thousands of pages of text and hundreds of views, maps, plans, fac- 
 similes of documents, and other illustrative matter, all done in the best 
 fashion of the typographic and graphic arts, together with its mass of solid 
 information drawn from original sources, render this work an enduring 
 monument. For no other city is there a work at all comparable to it. 
 
 Strong, Thomas Morris 
 
 The history of the town of Flatbush. New- York, 1842. 
 
 Tienhoven, Cornelis van, Secretary of New Netherland. 
 
 Answer to the representation of New Netherland [otherwise 
 known as Vertoogk\. Translated by Henry Cruse Murphy. 
 
 In: Collections of New York Historical Society, series 2, v. 2 
 (1849), p. 329-338. 
 
 Another translation by Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan is in Documents 
 relating to the colonial historv of the State of Neiv York, v. 1 (1856), 
 p. 422 ff. This translation also appeared the same year in the separate 
 issue of his edition of the Remonstrance, Albany, 1856. 
 
 Murphy's translation revised from the original manuscript in the Rijksar- 
 chief at The Hague by William I. Hull is in Jameson's Narratives of Neiv 
 Netherland, p. 359-377. This is the preferred form in an English dress. 
 
 Thompson, Benjamin Franklin 
 
 History of Long Island. 1918. 3 vols. 
 
 Tooker, William Wallace 
 
 The origin of the name Manhattan, with historical and ethnologi- 
 cal notes. New York, 1901. (Algonquian series, no. 1.) 
 
 It is here revised and enlarged. 
 
 The author concludes that the name was derived from Manahatin, the 
 oldest form, and is descriptive, signifying "the island of hills." 
 
 Trask, Spencer 
 
 Bowling Green. New York, 1898. 
 
 A separate issue. 
 
 Also in Half Moon series, v. 2, no. 5 (May, 1898), and in the reissue 
 known as Historic Neiv York, v. 2, p. 163-208. 
 
 Tuttle, Henry Croswell 
 
 Abstracts of farm titles in the City of New York, East Side, 
 between 75th and 120th Streets. New York, 1878. 
 
 Yorkville and Harlem. 
 
Sources 609 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Mariana Griswold (Mrs. Schuyler Van 
 Rensselaer) 
 New York and its historians. 
 In: North American review, v. 171 (1900), p. 724-733, 872-883. 
 
 Two fine chapters, in the first of which the author points out the preju- 
 diced, erroneous, and careless writing of the history of the City of New 
 York by earlier historians, and the bad effect which Washington Irving's 
 lampoon History by Diedrich Knickerbocker has had. The second part gives 
 an excellent sketch of the rise of scholarly historical research in New York 
 and its fruition in the pioneer works of O'Callaghan and Brodhead. 
 
 Van Rensselaer, Mariana Griswold (Mrs. Schuyler Van 
 Rensselaer) 
 History of the City of New York in the seventeenth century. 
 New York, 1909. 2 v. 
 
 v. 1: New Amsterdam to 1664. 
 
 v. 2: New Orange and New York, 1664-1691. 
 
 This is a capital work — the first really serious endeavor to write a history 
 of the city under the Dutch and early English administrations, in which 
 the affairs of the city have been emphasized and in which the provincial 
 history has been made a background in perspective. 
 
 The "reference notes" at the end of each chapter and the catalogue of 
 550 titles at the end of the second volume show how extensively her reseaches 
 have been carried on. 
 
 Van Wyck, Frederick 
 
 Keskachauge ; or, The first white settlement on Long Island. 
 New York & London, 1924. 
 
 A sumptuous work dealing with the lands of the Canarise Indians in the 
 region of the present borough of Brooklyn, its settlement and early settlers. 
 Illustrated with maps and views. 
 
 Van Wyck, Frederick 
 
 Long Island Colonial Patents. A. A. Beauchamp, Boston, (1935). 
 
 Prints copies of 17th century English land grant and fisheries patents, 
 beginning with Charles II's grant of New Netherland to the Duke of York, 
 and including the Easthampton, Flatlands, Hempstead, Smithtown, and 
 Southold patents, with bibliographical and historical notes. 
 
 Van Wyck, Frederick 
 
 Select Patents of New York Towns. A. A. Beauchamp, Boston, 
 (1938). 
 
 Valentine, David Thomas 
 
 History of the City of New York. New York, 1853. 
 
 The appendix contains a descriptive list from early grants and deeds 
 (1637-1680) of places on Manhattan Island, and endeavors to identify them 
 with respect to their modern locations. There are also lists of inhabitants 
 in 1653, 1655, 1674; the Selyns list of members of the Dutch Church, 
 1686, etc. 
 
 It has been alleged that Tohn Paulding is the virtual author of this his- 
 tory. Valentine makes acknowledgment to Paulding for particular aid, but 
 in the copyright as in the book, Valentine's claim to authorship is very 
 definite. 
 
610 Colonial Charters 
 
 Valentine, David Thomas, and others, editors. 
 
 Manual of the corporation of the City of New York, commonly 
 known as Valentine's Manual, 1841-2 to 1870. 28 v. 
 
 The volumes to 1866, inclusive, were edited by David T. Valentine, Clerk 
 of the Common Council; those of 1868 and 1869 were issued by J. Shannon, 
 and 1870 by John Hardy. No Manuals were published for the calendar 
 years 1846 and 1867. 
 
 Each volume contains a record of the year's administration of the city. 
 This once despised material has become the soundest evidence for the 
 historian and economist. 
 
 The supplementary materials, embracing contributed historical articles, 
 extracts, translations from or copies of records, etc., are less sound ; because 
 the texts are often not copied correctly, and deductions of contributors are 
 too often untrustworthy. This mass of unsystematic material, in the hitherto 
 uncritical use of it, has done much to discredit the written history of 
 Manhattan Island during the Dutch and English periods. 
 
 An index to the historical additions was published by Otto Hufeland in 
 1900, and lists of the illustrations appeared in the Manuals of 1857 and 
 1863, in Pasko's Old New York, v. 1, and more particularly in a separate 
 volume published by the Society of Iconophiles in 1906. 
 
 Venn, Florence 
 
 The Visscher Map. Soc. Indiana Pioneers Yr. Bk. (1928) pp. 
 27-31. 
 
 Historical and descriptive account of the map of New Netherland made 
 by N. J. Visscher of Amsterdam (1655) here reproduced from a copy in 
 the British museum. 
 
 Versteeg, Dingman 
 
 New Netherland's founding. [New York,] 1924. 
 
 Published by the Holland Society of New York. 
 
 The writer suggested 1625 as the first settlement of Manhattan Island. 
 
 Versteeg, Dingman 
 
 The City of New Amsterdam. 
 
 In: Year book of the Holland Society of New York for 1903, 
 p. 172-204. 
 
 Viele, Egbert Ludovickus 
 
 The topography and hydrology of New York. New York, 1865. 
 
 Contains a large topographical map showing the original watercourses 
 and made land of Manhattan Island. 
 Reissued on five sheets in 1874. 
 
 Vries, David Pietersz. de 
 
 Korte Historiael ende Journaels. Alkmaar, 1655. 
 
 Records his various voyages in the four parts of the world. His interest 
 in New Netherland was first brought about by a conversation with Samuel 
 Godijn in 1630, leading to the founding of the patroonship of Zwanendael 
 (now in the state of Delaware). He also had later interests on Staten 
 Island. 
 
Sources 611 
 
 An English translation by Henry Cruse Murphy of the parts relating to 
 America appeared in Collections of New York Historical Society, series 2, 
 v. 3, p. 9-136, and was privately reprinted in 1853 for James Lenox. 
 
 Vries, David Pietersz. de 
 
 Voyages from Holland to America, a.d. 1632 to 1644. Trans- 
 lated from the Dutch, by Henry C. Murphy. New York, 1853. 
 
 Wassenaer, Nicolaes van and Barnet Lampe 
 
 Historisch verhael alder ghedenck-weerdichste geschiedenissen 
 ... in Europa . . . voorgevallen syn. Amstelredam, 1622—35. 
 21 parts 
 
 Parts 1 to 17 by Wassenaer and 18-21 by Lampe. 
 
 Accounts of the first settlement, with history and descriptions of New 
 Netherland, are in part 6 (folio 144) ; part 7 (folios 10 and 11) ; part 8 
 (folios 84 and 85); part 9 (folios 37, 40, 44, and 123); part 10 (folios 82 
 and 83, misnumbered 81 and 84) ; part 2 (folios 37 and 38) ; part 16 (folio 
 13) ; part 18 (folios 94 to 98). 
 
 Issued as semi-annual annals contemporary with the events narrated. 
 
 One of the few really important sources of information respecting the 
 early history of New Netherland. 
 
 First made use of by American historians by J. R. Brodhead in Collections 
 of New York Historical Society, series 2, v. 2 (1849), p. 355-366. The first 
 English translation of parts relating to New Netherland appeared in Docu- 
 mentary history of New York, v. 3 (1850). 
 
 The best English translation of all that has relation to New Netherland 
 is in Jameson's Narratives of Ne<w Netherland, p. 67-96. 
 
 Wassenaer, Nicolaes van 
 
 Earliest printed account of the settlement of Manhattan Island 
 in 1626 
 
 In his: Historisch Verhael, deel 12, folios 37-38. 
 
 WlEDER, FREDERIK CaSPER 
 
 De stichting van New York in Juli 1625. Reconstructies en 
 nieuwe gegevens ontleend aan de Van Rappard documenten. 
 's-Gravenhage, 1925. 
 
 no. 26 of the publications of the Linschoten-Vereeniging. 
 
 The author's hypothesis is that the so-called Van Rappard documents lend 
 themselves to the interpretation that Manhattan Island was first settled by 
 workmen in the employ of the Dutch West India Company in July, 1625. 
 His theory rests principally in assuming that tentative instructions were 
 carried out literally and that Fort Amsterdam was then begun as a large 
 five-angled fort with buildings, shops, etc., within. He admits that con- 
 temporary writings are silent in respect of supporting his findings. His 
 demonstrations are ingenious, his reasoning is speculative, but his deductions 
 are unconvincing. 
 
 The soundest part of the volume is the section in which the author dis- 
 cusses the primitive form of srovernment in New Netherland, and the notes 
 and other data which accompanv the reprinted Dutch texts of the documents. 
 Reviewed in American historical review, v. 31 (1926) p. 529-531. 
 
612 Colonial Charters 
 
 Wilson, James Grant, editor 
 
 The Memorial history of the City of New- York. New York, 
 1892-93. 4 v. 
 
 The first volume includes the period of New Amsterdam and the Dutch 
 in New Netherland. The chapters are by various contributors and have a 
 varying quality. Some important manuscripts were given in facsimile here 
 for the first time. 
 
 Wissler, Clark, editor 
 
 The Indians of Greater New York and the lower Hudson. New 
 York, 1909. 
 
 Forms Anthropological papers, v. 3, of the American Museum of Natural 
 History. 
 
 Includes The Lenape Indians of Staten Island, by Alanson Skinner; 
 Aboriginal remains on Manhattan Island, by James K. Finch; The Indians 
 of Washington Heights, by R. P. Bolton. 
 
 Wood, Silas 
 
 A sketch of the first settlement of the several towns on Long 
 Island with their political condition to the end of the American 
 revolution. 
 
 1st Edition, 1884; 2nd Edition, 1828. 
 
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