The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 19

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I > Part 19

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Didger Joogron

Facsimile of Rutger Joosten's (Van Brunt) signature.

Arsdalen, Joost Rutjen (Van Brunt), Johannis Holsa, Jan Kilement a mason, Master Toon, the Doctor, here in 1687 ; also 1677-1685; Bruno Hendrickse, Rutgert Brunoos, Tjelletje Reimers (Wizzelpfinnig), Pieter Tull, Jan Poppe, William Stryker, Gerret Remmerts, Jan Kiersen, Dirckye Roelffsen, Pieter Hendricksen, Albert Steven (Voorhees), Steven Coerten (Voorhees), Martin Pieterse (Wyckoff), Luykas (Voorhees), Teunis Jansen, Swaen Jansen, Adam Michilse, Dierckie Williamse, Lourens Cornelise, William Hulett.

The taxable property in Flatlands in 1676 amounted to £3,966, 13s., and the taxes were about £20 yearly. The number of aeres of land under eultivation in 1683 was 1,661.

The following names appear in the Census of 1698. The first figure following a name is the number of whites in the family, and the second figure shows the number of negro slaves :

Gerret Elbert Stoothoff, 7, 4; Jan Teunis Dykhuys, 5, 5; Roelif Martense (Schenck), 6, 4; Coert Stevense, 5, 2; Gerret Wyckoff, 5, 2; Hendk Wykof, 2, 2; Dirk Jans Amerman, 9; Adriaen Kenne, 8 ; Dirck Langstraet, 5 ; Jan Kiersen, 2, 1; Alexander Simson, 10 ; Jan Hansen, 5; Pieter Nevins, 9, 1; Jacob Tysse Lane, 6; Helena Aertsen, 5; Simon Jantz Van Aersdaelen, 5, 1; Cornelis Simontz Aersdaelen, 8, 1; Wil- lem Gerrittz Van Couwenhoven, 8; Aernont Viele, 2, 2; Jan Albertz ter hennen, 8, 2; Jan Brouwer, 8, 1; Thunis Jantz Amack, 7; fferdinando Van Sigelen, 7, 4; Claes Wykof, 8; Jan Wykof, 4, 1; Willem Bruynen, 7, 4; Adriaen Langstraet, 1; Lucan Stevense, 12, 4; Pieter Pieterse Wyckoff, 1; Hendrick Brouwer, 1; Albert Amerman, 1; Pieter Van Cou- wenhoven, 4 ; Martin Schenck, 5, 2 ; Jan Stevense (Voorhees), 12, 1; Pieter Monfoor, 8, 1; Steven Caerten (Voorhees), 5 ; Rutgers Bruyn, 9.

EARLY INHABITANTS.

This eensus gives us 37 families, with 40 men, 39 women, 130 children, and 40 slaves-a total of 256 souls. The entire county then numbered 2,013 souls.

The Militia Company of the town in 1715 was as follows :

Roelif Terhunen, Captain ; John Ameerman, Lieutenant ; Court Van Voorhees, Ensign ; John Hansen (Van Nostrant); Martin Schenck ; Oka Van Voorhees ; William Kouwenho- ven ; Isaac Amerman ; John Van Sekellen ; Jacob Amur- man ; Daniel Nostrant ; Cornelis Manford ; Jacob Manford : Evers Van Gelder ; Roeluf Schenck ; Roeluf Van Voorhees ; Lucas Van Voorhees ; Albert Van Voorhees ; John Van Arsdalen ; Meanu Van Voorhees ; Johannis Boyes ; Marten Neves ; Cornelius Neves ; Peter Neves ; Hendrick Von Voor- hies ; Christofer Qubartus ; John Browyer ; Albartt Terhu- nan ; Peter Van Voirhies.

The following is a list of the inhabitants of Flatlands forty years later (1738). The spelling and absence of capitals indicate an illiterate offieer. The figures, as in the census above, show the membership of families, and the number of slaves :

Johannes Lotts, 5; Marten Schenck,5, 2; hendrick wickof, 5, 2 ; Jacobus Amerman, 5; yan Amerman, 6, 1 ; pieter nev- yus, 3 ; pieter Wickof, jur., 3, 1; yan Stevensen (Voorhees), 7, 2 ; wijllem koowenoven, 12, 3 ; Steven Schenck, 8, 1 ; Gerret hansen (Van Nostrant) 2, 1 ; pijeter monfoort ; wijllem van gelder, 8; Corneleis van voorhees, 6, 3 ; marten Schenck, 4, 2 ; koert van voorhees, 5 ; Luijcas Stevensen (Van Voorhees) 2, 3; cornlus van arsdalen, 8 ; ijan van voorhees, 12, 1; Auken van Voorhees, 6, 1; teunys rijennesen, 3; cornelys nefeus, 7 ; ijaack van voorhees, 6 ; ijan elbersen (Stoothoof ?) 9, 1 ; pijeter wycoff, 6, 1 ; pijter wycoff, 4 ; abraham wester- velt, 3 ; ijohannes van sijggelen, 3 ; ijan ouken, 7; ijan ter- hunen, 3, 5 ; wijlhelmus Stothof, 5, 4 ; cornelus Stevensen (Voorhees) 4 ; hermanus hoogelant, 11, 1 ; roelof van voor- hees, 5. This list, following the original analysis, here omit- ted in detail, gives us white males above 10 years of age, 81 ; under, 21 ; white females above 10, 70 ; under, 23. Blacks : males above 10, 24 ; under, 1; females above 10, 11 ; under, 6. Total-Whites, 195 ; Blacks, 42.

Slaves .- In 1755 there were in the town twenty families in which slaves were held, viz .: those of Jolin Schenek, John V. Der Bilt, Wilhelmus Stoothoff, Jr., Hermanus hooglant, Roelif Van Voorhees, Esq., Wil- helmus Stoothof, Abraham Voorhees, Steve Sehenck ; John Ditmars, William Kouwenhoven, Esq., Gerret Kouwenhoven, John Amerman, Gerret Wykoff, Marten M. Sehenek, Johannis Lott, Derrick Remsen, Johannis W. Wykof, Pieter Wykof, and Joosh Vannuis. Of these families that of Johannis Lott alone had four slaves ; two families had three eael ; all the rest one or two.

A LIST OF INHABITANTS, OCT. 1, 1796, with dwellings, barns, farms, &c., exceeding in value $100. Explanation : H, size of house; C, condition of houses; V, value of dwelling with 2 acres ; B, size of barn; A, number of acres in farm ; V B, value of barns and farm ; R, remarks.

Barant Johnson, H 42x32, C new and good, V $900, B 39x48, A 49, V B $2,225 ; Ulpianus Van Sinderin, H 37x33, C very bad, V $200, B 36x24, 2 barns, A 68, B $1,600 ; Hendrick Okey, H14x18, C good, V $110, A 4, V B $100; Jane Okey, H 12x20, C very old, V $110; Folkert Sproug, H 35x21, Cold

but in middling repair, V $300, B 46x36, A, 43, V B $1,075 ; Abraham Voorhees, H 37x32, C good, V $600, B 46x48, A 51, V B $1,275 ; Johannes Remsen, H 32x28, C new and good, V $700, B 48x46, A 134, V B $2,680 ; Rem Hageman, H 44x35, C good, V $900, B 36x52, A 123, V B $3,321 ; Abraham Stoot- hoof, H 40x30, Cold and bad, V $101, B 48x50 old, R owned by Johannes Ditmars; Samuel Harris, H36x32, C new, V $800, B 46x33, A 20}, V B $540 ; Jacob Voorhees, H 28x32, C new, V $650, B 40x36 new, A 51, V B $1,275 ; Simon Voorhees, H 28x32, C uew and good, V $1,000, R 1} acres; Johannes Stoot- hoof, H 33x30, C good, V $500, B 46x36, A 47. V B $1,175 ; Johannes P. Lott, H 30x28, C middling, V $600, B 40x50, A 133, V B $3,600, R ad joining the Bay and H. Lott; Hendrick J. Lott, H 50x34, C old, V $600, B 48x52. A 124, V B $3,600, R adjoining the bay ; Isaac Selover, H 29x 34, C old, V $250, B 33x20 old, A 12, V B $240 ; John Baxter, H 18x28, C middling, V $400, B 44x36, A 91, V B $2,400, Ron road to mill of Martensen; Wilhelmus Stoothoof, H 36x31, Cold, V $500, B 39x50, A 81, V B $2,187; John Schenck, H 41x22, C good, V $650, B 44x42 mill 28x28, A 121, V B $5,600, R owned by Jane Martinsen. Flatbush ; Johannis Bergen, H 34x34, C good, V $350, B 36x48, A 83, V B $2,460, R owner Tunis Bergen, Brooklyn ; Garret G. Wyckoff. H 19x30, C good, V 350, A 30, V B $600. R on road to mill; Barent Wyckoff, H 19x30, C now, V $250, A 29, V B $580, R on road to mill ; Peter G. Wyckoff, H 33x23, C very old, V $400, B40x50 old, A 63, V B $1,575, R on road to mill ; Wm. & Potter Skidmore, H 34x34, Cold, V $550, B 48x52 new shingles, A 102, V B $2,550, R owner Sarah Wyckoff ; Aaron Van Pelt, H 30x23, C new; V $500, A 4, V B$350; Peter Vauderbilt, H 21x28, C middling. V $300, B 36x42, A 32, V B $640, R on road to Gravesend ; Williampte Amerman, H 36x32, C good, V $550, B 44x44, A 165, VB $3,520, R on road to Gravesend; Abrah am Terhune, H 28x32, C new, V $900, R owner Albert Terhune ; Deborah Wyckoff, H 35x33, Cold, V $300, R on road to Gravesend ; Lemmetye Lott, H 45x31, C good, V $800, B 48x52, A 114, V B $3,078, R on road to Lott's landing, owner Jores Lott, minor ; John H. Lott, H 19x27, C good, V $450, B 48x50, A 124, V B $2,480, R in Flatlands Neck ; Derick Remsen, H 46x33, C new and good, V $800, B46x44, A 156, V B$3,120, R in Flatlands Neck ; Wm. Kouwenhoven, H 42x34, C good, V $650, B 55x50, A 110, V B $3,300 ; Johannes Ditmars, H 42x35, C new and good, V $900, B shingle two 48x50, A 328, V B $8,200 ; Garret Kouwenhoven, H 31x50, C new and good, V $600, B 48x50, A 118, V B $2,900, R Flatlands Neck; Johannes Lott, H 36x33, C new and good, V $750, B 36x44, A 57, V B $1,254, R Flatlands Neck; Hayltje Wyckoff, H 29x37, C mid- ling, V $480, B 44x30, A 100, V B $2,500, R owners heirs of Peter Wyckoff ; Nicholas Schenck, H 42x33, C 25 years and good, V $850, B 40x56 36x46, A 113, V B $3,390, R Flatlands Neck ; John Schenck, H 28x32, C new, V $570, R Flatlands Neck, Nick. Schenk, owner; Folkert Sprong, H 14x18, C new, V $150, A 1, V B $25, R Flatlands Neck ; Peter Lake, H 27x30, C new, V $500 ; Elias Hubbart, H 45x32, C good, V $200, B 33x40, A 77, V B $1925 : James Ellsworth, H 34x26, C good, V $400 ; Dauiel Bremen, H 32x17}, V 200 : John Voorhees, H 36x32, C new, V $700, B 42x36, A 26, V B $572, R on road to Flatbush; Johannes Van Nuys, H 30x32, C mid- ling, V $350, B 40x52, A 85}, V B $1,870 ; Wilhelmus Van Nuys, H 33x30, C good, V $500, B 42x33, A 39, V B $897, R Idea Stryker owner, on road to Flatbush ; Michael Stryker, H 45x31, C good, V $550, R on road to Flatbush ; Ben. Ben- net, H 39x27, Cold, V $250, R heirs of Johannes Ditmars, owners ; Wm. Livingston, H 36x30, C good, V $600, A 102. V B $2,550, R owner Johannes E. Lott : Davee Stoothoof, A 6}, VB $180, R Mill lane near Bay and marsh; Joseph White, A &, VB $20, R Mill lane near Bay and marsh; Johannes J. Lott,

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

B 48x50, A 83, V B $2,075; Jeromas Lott, A 70, VB $1,750; Nicholas Schenck, Jr., A 30, V B $660, R Flatlands Neck ; Adrian Hageman, A 5, V B, $100, R house value $30 ; Cor- nelius Stoothoff, B 42x50, A 38, V B $855, R road to Flatbush ; Thomas Ellsworth, B 30x36, A 35, V B $7874, R road to Flat- bush ; Jeremiah Ellsworth, A 14, V B $315, R road to Flat- bush ; Wilhelmus Van Nuys. A 4, V B 150, R road to his own property ; Ben. Bennet, A 16, V B $280, R road to his own property ; Luke Kouwenhoven, Jr., A 50, V B $1,250.

Social Condition of the Early Inhabitants .- The early population of this town consisted of agricul- turalists and artisans, plain, thrifty and religions people. The open land of the town attracted settlers nearly as soon as Manhattan Island was permanently occupied, and large numbers of newly arrived immigrants for many years continued to make it a temporary abode. A great many families upon the Hudson and Mohawk and in New Jersey trace their descent through perina- nent or temporary residents of this township ; and Gov- ernor Stuyvesant speaks of this region as the only one which seemed to thrive under the severe trials of those times.

Their dwellings must have been very plain. Two of them survive after a lapse of more than two hundred years, and may serve as examples of the better and the more common sort ; the first is the house at Crook's Mill, and the second the humble cottage in the corner of Theo. Bergen's field, near John L. Ryder's residence. Our people were the people of Holland transferred to Long Island. The salt meadows, the bay, and the level lands suited them. On the marsh the ditches dug by their hands are not yet filled up, and their descendants still go to those marshes for salt hay. On the arable lands the " dikes" may yet be traced along the principal lines dividing farms, once a sort of fond remembrance of their fence against the North Sea. The tiles still remaining upon the chimney pieces, at Crook's Mill and at Peter Remsen's, show, as fishing and Bible scenes, in decidedly Hollandish character. There are, even now, probably fewer changes in manners and habits of thought here, than can be found in any other part of the country. We have an interior view of early Flat- lands given in Danker's and Stryker's Journal of 1679- 1680, published by the Long Island Historical Society. The picture is not flattered :

" Monday, Oct. 2d, 1679 .- We went after breakfast to the Bay. We did not find Jan Theunessen (Van Dyckhuysen) at home, but the father and mother (Elbert Elbertse Stoothoff and wife, whose daughter Jan married) bade us welcome and took us around into the orchards. We found the land in general not so good as at Najack (New Utrecht). Toward the sea is a piece of low flat land which is overflowed at every tide, while adjoining corn lands are dry and barren for the most part. Some of them were now entirely covered with clover in blossom, which we discovered in the atmosphere before we saw the fields. There is here a grist mill driven by the (tide) water which they dam up in the creek, and

NOTE .- Simon Voorhees and Abraham Terhune had houses of two stories, all the rest were of one story, and all built of wood. It is not known that a stone or brick house has ever been built in this township.

hereabouts they go mostly to shoot snipe and wild geese. Behind the village inland are their meadows, now arid."

"Tuesday, 3d .- Nothing but rain ; compelled to sit in the house, which was constantly filled with a multitude of god- less people. This Elbert Elbertse being the principal person of the place, and their Captain, and having a multitude of children of his own, there was a continual concourse at his house."

A week later our travelers were again at Capt. Elbert's in the Bay. They write :

" While we were sitting there, Domine Van Sauren came up, to whom the farmers called out as uncivilly and rudely as if he had been a boy. He had a chatting time with all of them. He spoke to us, but not a word about religion. Indeed, he sat prating and gossiping with the farmers, who talked foully and otherwise, not only without giving them a single word of reproof, but without speaking a word about Ged or spiritual matters. It was all about horses and cattle and swine and grain ; and then he went away."

The surrender of New Netherlands to the English, Aug. 27th, 1664, caused no material changes in the social affairs of Flatlands. The magistrates continued in office until the usual time of elections, when the newly elected took the oath of allegiance to his Majesty of England. The people continued to be free citizens, enjoying their lands and privileges as before; and the Dutch were to enjoy liberty of conscience in worship and church discipline, as well as their own customs con- cerning inheritances. The States-General gave Amers- foort, and some other towns near her, a sharp reproof for yielding too far to English blandishments about this time ; and threatened their "severest indignation and displeasure" if they did not remain firm in their Dutch allegiance. The rebuke was scarcely just to this town. The whole of Kings County was perfectly defenceless, though harrassed by daily threats of the English, and the men would not abandon their wives and children to defend those of New Amsterdam.

There was little to disturb the peaceful flow of events in this town for more than a hundred years be- fore the Revolution. There was, indeed, at one period, some excitement in regard to the settlement of the pastors Antonides and Freeman, over the joint Dutch churches of Kings County; but, finally, all parties became weary of the profitless quarrel and both were accepted by all the churches in a better spirit. In this town the ser- vices and care of the church, the interests of children in the schools, and the daily pursuits of a rural popula- tion, made up the history of the months and the years. Large and healthy families gladdened parents' hearts and furnished work for their hands. New men from the old families, and with the old names, took the places of those who were laid to rest "in de kerk," or in the burial-ground beside it. In all these years, the people of this town were loyal to the British crown, and con- tinued so, doubtless, to the outbreak of the Revolu- tionary War. They were not engaged in trade, were not excitable, were not ardent politicians or theorists, and were content with honest gains by the cultivation

FLATLANDS NECK.

of their fields. Two months after the Declaration of Independence they passed under the power of the British army, and so remained until the evacuation of New York.

Flatlands Neck .- It is proper, at this point of our sketch, to speak of that portion of the township of Flat- lands lying northward from Bedford Creek and bounded by Jamaica Bay, New Lots and Flatbush. At the time of the settlement of Achtervelt, the "westermost of the Three Flats of Long Island," the lands of " Van Twil- lers " and " Corlaer's Flats " were also put under culti- vation. It must, however, have been imperfect, as no concentration or settlement seems ever to have been formed in either locality. The Canarsie Indians were still numerous; and, with the exception of their maize lands and the flats above named, all that portion of the town lay in dense forests. The "Canarsie Woods " have been famous even to our day, and must have once contained an immense mass of heavy timber. The farmers of Amersfoort, coming with inereasing popu- lation to need more land, hired land of the Indians at Canarsie, until from twelve to twenty cultivated por- tions were under the management of the whites. But this temporary arrangement was likely to cause trouble, though we have no record of any. However, to put matters into a safe position, the Indian title was extin- guished and that fine portion of the town opened to the whites under the following contraet :

On the 23d day of April was agreed as follows, to wit .: Wametappack, Sachem of Canryssen, and Ramieracy, Minne- quahum, Camenuck, Panwangum, and Attewarum, lawful owners of Canaryssen, and the appendages thereunto apper- taining, have agreed and sold to the inhabitants of the Town of Amersfoort, a parcel of land lying on Long Island, by and in the vicinity of the Village of Amersfoort, beginning at the west side of the "Muskyttehool " at a certain marked tree, thence stretching. to where the end of the Flats comes by the two trees, situate on the north side of the said Flats to a cer- tain marked tree ; from thence to the Fresh Kill meadows, stopping at the path from the Great Flats to the Fresh Kill meadows and stretching in the Flats; with all meadows, kills and creeks therein contained, and that for the sum of one hundred fathom of white wampum, one coat, one pair of stockings, one pair shoes, four adzes, two cans of brandy, and one-half barrel of beer ; with conditions that the pur- chasers once for always a fence shall set at Canarissen for the protection of the Indian cultivation, which fence shall there- after by the Indians be maintained, and the land which becomes inclosed in fence shall by the Indian owners above mentioned all their lives to be used, to wit, by Wame- tappack, the Sachem, with his two brothers ; all done without fraud or deceit. The 6th day of April, old style.

This is the inark of WAME X TAPPACK, This is the mark of & MINNEQUAHEM.

Sachem.

This is the mark of S ATTEWARAM.

This is the inark of A ORAMGSY.

This is the inark of V" RAMMGERAEN.

This is the mark of E PANWANGUM.

This is the mark of V KAMENECK.

This is the mark of S WANACLYCK.

This done by me, the Constable, MINNIE JOHNNES.

The stipulated price was duly paid to the Indians on the day of sale, under the following valuations, viz .: wampum, 600 gl .; stockings, 6 gl .; coat, 60 gl .; shoes, 16 gl .; 4 adzes, 16 gl .; brandy, 8 gl .; beer, 15 gl .; total 721 ($418.40). The General Patent of the town, issued two years later by Gov. Nicolls (Oet. 4, 1667), includes the Neck, and thus gives a legal sanction to the title now acquired from the Indians. Most of the lands were the undivided property of the freeholders of the town ; though small portions, ineluding meadow lots, were in private hands. Nearly the whole of the neck was divided into lots of ten morgens, or 20 acres each, which were called " The New Lots of Flatlands." We have not ascertained precisely how these lots ran, except in a few instances. Stephen Sehenck, an early settler at Canarsie Point, purchased a series of these lots running across the Point, and the nearest to the Bay. The lines of property at Canarsie, and especially the farm-lines of the Vanderveers, and Remsens, at the Neck, still give elear indieations of this early division of the land into squares.

The equitable benefit to individuals to arise from these common lands when they became something more than pastures for young eattle, and especially when new residents settled in the town, beeamc at length a diffi- eult question. The only eseape was to divide the lands in severalty. Accordingly, on April 3d, 1705, a town meeting agreed to divide the common woodlands at Canarsie, and appointed Luykas Stevensen (Voorhees), Jan Terhunen, and Peter Nefius to carry out the man- agement. Gerrit Stoothoff, Justiee; Cornelis Van" Arsdalen and Jan Amerman, witnesses; Jan Stevensen (Voorhecs), constable. Nothing, however, came of this action, and the matter seems to have been left in abey- ance until some years later. December 25th, 1718, was issued the following advertisement:

"WHEREAS, There is a certain tract of land * * *

commonly called De Baye's Neck or Flatlands Neck, and was given *

* * as per grant of Richard Nicolls, Esq., * * * * Oct. 4th, 1667. * * and afterward

confirmed *

* by Thomas Dongan, Esq., Mar. 11th, 1685. *

* Therefore, wee William Gerretsen [Van Kouwenhoven], Lukas Stevense [Voorhees], survivors of the above named patentees, and Martin R. Schenck and Koert Voorhees, assignees of full shares of patentees, have mutually contracted and executed in writing * * *

for to Divide and Lay out the above said tract of Land * * * * on or near the 25th of March next ensuing, * * * * and the shares * shall be drawn by Lots in the presence of Joseph Hageman, Jeronymus Reisen, and Samuel Gerretsen, indifferent persons nomi- nated by us ; * * * and we forbid trespass."

One difficulty in pareelling out the common lands at the Neek to individual owners, arose from certain obli- gations touching inheritances, and the support of church and school, assumed by the early settlers. How impor- tant these were considered, and how necessary to be continued among the new comers, may be seen by the following action:

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

"Be it known by all persons that it is decreed by Patentees of the Town of Amersfoordt, and by Assignees of full rights of Patentees, that the under named persons will take their lots on the following conditions : 1. That none of them shall have power to sell their lots or any part of the same to any person without at the same time selling to the buyer the house-plot attached to the lot. 2. They shall be held in addi- tion to aid in maintaining the School, to help in the main- tainance of the Preacher or Preachers, and School Master, and of bringing of firewood to the Preacher and Schoolmas- ter, all as may be determined and enjoyed by the congrega- tion of the said Town, each person in proportion to his rights, and in proportion to his neighbors'; under the restriction that if any of the undernamed persons shall refuse or neglect to observe the above Articles or Conditions, and to keep the same, or to bind their assigns to their observance, they shall be deprived of their apportioned lot or lots, and the same shall become the property of the Town."

"Done at Amersfoordt, this 20th of April, A. D. 1719."

The persons named as receiving lots under the above conditions were: Jacobus Amerman, Johannes and Eva Van Seikelen, Josias Drake, Cornelis Van Arsdalen, Abraham Westervelt, Jan Lucassen (Voorhces), Anna Terhunen, Jan Van Nays, Jan Auken, Steven Schenck, Isaac Amerman, and the "Heirs of Kierstede."

In further preparation for the eventful casting of lots, it was agreed that the common woodland, "to wit: the Neck, Fresh Kills Point, and Kanarisse, shall be drawn in three parts," as above, and as appears on the follow- ing table. It was added: " The hereties their rights to have on the strip of land that lies in the rear of the Neck dwelling plots." The word Keuters here trans- lated heretics is differently rendered. HON. T. G. BER- GEN says: " The word Keuters in the original is by some translated ' Mechanics.' The word Ketter means ' heretic.' Keuter not found in the dictionary. Dr. STRONG (His- tory of Flatbush) translates the word 'Mechanics." We are not able to add anything to these authorities. It is certain that "The legal agents of all the patentees " would enforce whatever, in behalf of Church and School was " Determined and enjoyned by. the Congregation of the Town;" and if any would not accept their portion on the above terms, it seemed liberal in those times to assign them a place "On the strip of land in the rear of the neck dwelling plots." Keuters' Hook, or, if we follow this translation, Heretics' Corner, is now found in the north part of Flatlands, adjoining, and mostly in, New Lots.

The division and assignment, by lot, of the Neck lands to each individual having rights in the patent, took place as follows:

"May 4, 1719 .- A showing of the allotment of the divided land in the town of Amersfoordt, to wit .: the Fresh Kills Point, the Neck, and Kanarsingh; numbered and done by the undersigned-Joseph Hageman, Jeronymus Remsen, and Samuel Gerretsen-pursuant to the charge of Lucas Steven- sen, Martin R. Schenck, William Couwenhoven and Koert Voorhees, Patentees and assignees of full rights of Patentees, and each individual share in acres of the persons here under- named, as follows, to wit :"

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 19

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1114

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114