mail: Bill Thayer Help Up Home This webpage reproduces an appendix in Dutch Explorers, Traders and Settlers in the Delaware Valley 1609‑1684 by Clinton Albert Weslager University of Pennsylvania Press Philadelphia 1961 The text is in the public domain. This page has been carefully proofread and I believe it to be free of errors. If you find a mistake though, please let me know! This site is not affiliated with the US Military Academy.

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 p257  Appendix A
Swanendael documents

Notification by Samuel Godyn, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, and Samuel Blommaert that they are sending two persons to New Netherland to inspect the country

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, the 13th of January 1629⁠1

President Godyn and Mr. Rensselaer notify the Chamber that their honors together with Mr. Blommaert by the ships now going to New Netherland send two persons, one named Gillis Houset, sailor, and the other Jacob Jansz Cuyper, with the intention in case they make favorable report to their honors, of planting a colony there in accordance with the conditions drawn up by the Assembly of the XIX.

 p258  Gillis Hossett's purchase of lands from the Indians for the Swanedael colony⁠1

June 1, 1629

In Ye Yeare Ao 1629 hath afsd. Gillis Housett by order and for Samuell Godyn (as per Octroy of ye Westindia Company Art XXVII of ye gifts and freedome obtained from them by the Patrons of ye Collonies) bought of ye Ciconicins in a full Councell gathered togather, where being prsentº ye undermentioned head officers or Patrons vizt Aixtamin, Oschoesien, Choqweke, Menatoch, Awijkapoon Mehatehan Nehatehan Atowesen Ackseso Maekemen Queskakons and Eesanques, as also all ye Generation both young and old Inhabitants, out of their Villages compassed within ye Zouth Corner of ye Baay of the Zouth river & they have actually sold to the aforesaid Gillis Housett in Manner and quality as abouesaid, ye Land now Called Swanendale or Swansdale in ye Length of [blank] from seashore of ye aforesaid Zouth Corner or Creek Called Hinloopen to ye Coming in or first narrow of ye Zouth river about 8 Large miles & of ye breath (Landwaes in) about ½ a mile goeing upwards till you [?] Come to A Certaine Lownesse or Valley whereby ye same Can bee Clearly separated, as it is done in this Caard [Map] by stips [dots] parked [encircled]⁠a and with a kind of reddnesse made there; It is easie to be deserned from ye other Land, said Commiss: Gillis Housett paying and satisfying them, afsd  p259 patrons for itt ye same day who have with a full satisfaction declared ye payment yrof [thereof] to bee good Merchandize, as Cloath axes edges [adzes] Corralls with severall more such like Mrchandize well worth Bevers — whereupon following the undermentioned Counsells being then present, their Sakmah or King under years⁠2 [the chief was still a minor] where they deputed queskakons & Eesanques to goe for ym [them] and in their behalf and appeare before ye Director Peter Minuitt both Director and Counseler of ye Isle ye Manhatans to the purpose, that they might there solemnly declare to be fully satisfied of this sale and due bills of sales, acquittances &ca. should be passed & made as was done by them upon ye first day of ye month called June Ao 1629 as abovesaid. [Signature missing, except for the letters Uerte]

1 This document may be found in vol. 15 of the Penn Mss, Papers Relating to the Three Lower Counties, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p15. It is an English translation of a missing Dutch document. Immediately above the translation appears the following statement: "A Caard of ye South river in New Netherland made upon a newer View of itt done in ye yeare of our Lord Anno 1629 by order of Samll Godi jnº by his Commiss. Gillis Housett in divers places amended and Corrected by Hendrick Gerratsen. Upon ye 28th Aprill." The map herein referred to was unfortunately not copied by the translator. "Hendrick Gerratsen" may be an erroneous form of the name of the Dutch cartographer, Hessel Gerritsz, who made maps for the East India Company. The above document was first published by A. R. Dunlap, "Dutch and Swedish Land Records Relating to Delaware," Del. History, 6, No. 1 (March, 1954), 27‑28; see Dunlap & Weslager, 1958, for a map reproduction which may be the map herein referred to.

2 Not without precedent among the eastern Algonkian. In 1635 Leonard Calvert sailed to Patowmeck Indian town, "where the Werowance being a child, Archihau his unckle (who governed him and his Countrie for him) gave all the company good wellcome, etc. (Narratives, Hall, pp71‑72).

Thayer's Note:

a My guess: pocked or pricked.

 p260  Registration by Samuel Godyn of the Colony of Swanendael on the bay of the South River

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, the 19th of June 1629⁠1

Mr. Samuel Godjin having heretofore caused it to be registered here that he intended to plant a colony in New Netherland and that to that end he had engaged two persons to go thither to inspect the situation of the country, declares now that he agrees to occupy in the capacity of patroon the bay of the South River, on the conditions ratified at the last session of the XIX, of which he also advised Director Pieter Minuict by the last ships and charged him to register the same there.

Registration by Albert Coenraets Burgh and others of a Colony on east side of the South Bay

Extract from the register of resolutions of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, the 1st of November, 1629⁠1

Mr. Albert Coenraets and Company declare themselves from now on as patroons of the east side of the South Bay, beginning at the mouth of the bay [and extending] to the narrows of the South River opposite the land which Gillis Houset bought for his masters, intending to send a colony thither at the first opportunity in accordance with the articles ratified by the Assembly of XIX.

 p262  First Combination of colonies in New Netherland and shares each partner is to have in them⁠1

Original draft of the first combination of the colonies and of what shares each one is to have in the others' colonies, the direction of each colony being reserved to the patroon by whom the colony was registered and in whose name it was bought of the owners according to the sealed instruments

Remarks on the colonies in New Netherland,
this first of February 1630

Participants in the said colonies

Hereof Mr. Coenradus is to have the management in his name.

Hereof Mr. Godijn is to have the management in his name.

[The above four patroons also planned colonies on the Connecticut River and at Fort Orange, near present Albany, with Blommaert the major share holder on the Connecticut and van Rensselaer the major owner at Albany. The Connecticut River colony was not established, but the latter became known as Rensselaerwyck.]

 p263  Agreement between the patroons, Samuel Godyn, Albert Coenraets Burgh, Samuel Blommaert, and Kiliaen van Rensselaer⁠1

October 1, 1630

In the name of the Lord, Amen. Whereas we, the underwritten, are inclined to plant some colonies in New Netherland as elsewhere within the limits of the charter of the West India Company according to the Freedoms and Exemptions granted by the Assembly of the XIX of the said Company to all participants, and for this purpose have already had several colonies registered.

First, along the bay of the South River with the land on the west side thereof, which has been bought for us from the natives by Gillis Houset.

Secondly, on the east side of the South Bay from the mouth of the bay to the narrows of the said South River.

[The document goes on to describe other colonies registered by the same individuals and outlines the basis on which they would share profits or losses; how they would take turns at presiding at their meetings; that the capitalization of their company would be twenty thousand guilders with each paying an equal share of five thousand guilders, etc. Other references in the agreement to the South River are given below.]

Whereas . . . we have agreed, without prejudice to our owner­ship, right and interest in the said colonies, that Samuel Godijn for himself, his heirs, successors and assigns, shall bear the title of patroon of the colony on the west side of the bay of the South River and give to the same and to the places within its jurisdiction such names as he shall see fit.

 p264  Albert Coenraets Burgh shall on the above conditions bear the title of patroon of the colony on the east side of the aforesaid bay of the South River.

[Here follow details about the other colonies.]

Thus done and approved, after previous reading of the decisions, and in testimony of the truth four copies of like tenor have been made hereof, signed by each of us with his own hand, without guile or deceit, in Amsterdam, the 1st of October 1630: and was signed with the several hands, S. Godijn, S. blomaert, K V Rensselaer. Underneath was further written as follows: Whereas Mr Albertus Conradj had before this ceded me his half and his wife now in his honor's absence⁠2 neglects matters entirely, I have signed for one fourth, but with this understanding that if his honor on his return home thinks that he sees a thing to his detriment herein, I submit myself to the decision of the aforementioned three gentlemen; and was signed, J. de Laet.

[There then follows this note in the handwriting of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, dated 2d of March 1639 in Amsterdam.]

Inasmuch as three of the above mentioned four colonies have come to an end, to wit, the colony on the west side of the bay of the South River whereof Samuel Godijn was the patroon; also the colony on the east side of the aforesaid bay of which albertus Coenradus or Jehan de Laet was the patroon, both of which colonies have been sold and turned over to the West India Company; third, the colony on the Fresh River [Connecticut] and the island of St. Martijn of which Samuel blommaert was to be the patroon but  p265 which was not begun at all; there remains at present of the said four colonies only that on the North River, lying above and below Fort Orange now named Rensselaerswyck, of which Kiliaen van Rensselaer and his heirs are patroons, holding, with the purchased tenth share of the heirs of Samuel Godijn, deceased, five tenth shares or the exact half, Samuel Blommaert and adam bessels each one tenth share, Jehan de Laet and [Toussaint] Mussaert in place of Albertus Coenradj each one tenth share and Jacob and hendrick Trip together one tenth share.

1 VRB, pp171‑75.

2 Burgh's absence is explained in a statement signed by him August 4, 1647, ". . . about the year 1630 when I departed for Russia, since which time, or since my return when I found that my share had been ceded to Mr. Jehan delaet, I have not troubled myself further about it" (VRB, p725). Burgh was ambassador at the court of Muscovy 1631‑1632, (van Laer, p268, note 14).

 p266  Patent to Samuel Godyn for land on which Swanendael was intended to be laid out⁠1

July 11, 1630

We, Director and Council of New Netherland, residing on the Island of Manhattan at Fort Amsterdam, in the jurisdiction of Their High Mightinesses the Lords States-General of the United Netherlands and the Incorporated West-India Company, Department of Amsterdam, attest and declare herewith, that this day, as underwritten presented themselves and appeared before us Quesquaekous, Eesanques and Siconesius⁠2 and inhabitants of their village, situate on the Southhook of the Southriver-bay, who declare of their own accord and deliberately, by special authority of their superiors and with the consent of the community there that on the first day of the month of June of the last year 1629 and in consideration of a certain quantity of goods, which they acknowledge to have received and taken possession of to their fullest satisfaction before the passing hereof, they have transported, ceded, surrendered and conveyed as lawful true and free possession, as they herewith transport, cede, surrender and convey to and for the behoof of the Noble, Honorable Samuel Godyn (who is absent and for whom we ex officio, subject to the usual reservation accept it) to wit the land belonging to them, situate on the South side of the aforesaid bay, called by us the bay of the Southriver, running along the same from Cape Hinlopen to the mouth of the South river aforesaid for about eight great miles [Dutch miles equal to approximately thirty-two English miles] and inland half a mile in width, reaching to a certain low place or valley, by which valley these limits can be distinguished with sufficient clearness, with all the appurtenances, rights, privileges,  p267 which belong to them in their aforesaid quality, constituting and delegating the said Honorable Samuel Godyn in their stead and place as real and actual owner thereof and at the same time given full and irrevocable power, authority and special charge, that tamquam actor et procurator in rem suam ac propriam the aforesaid Noble Mr. Godyn or those, who hereafter may receive his property, may enter upon, peacefully settle, inhabit, use, keep, do with, trade and dispose of the said land, as his Honor would be allowed to do with his own hand, acquired honestly and by lawful titles without that they, the conveyors, shall have, reserve or keep in the least degree any particle or claim, right or privilege thereon, be it of owner­ship, authority or jurisdiction, but for the reasons as above they desist, give up, abandon and renounce herewith now and forever all the aforesaid, promising further not only to keep, fulfill and execute firmly inviolately and irrevocably until the day of judgment this their compact and what might hereafter be done on the authority thereof, but also to deliver the said tract of land and keep it free against everybody from claim, challenge and care, which anybody might intend to create; all in good faith and without deceit or fraud. In testimony whereof this has been attested with our usual signature and with our seal appended. Done on the Island of Manhattan, this 11th of July, 1630.

1 NYCD, 12:16‑17.

2 The phraseology would indicate that "Siconesius" was a third Indian, which is not the case. It was inserted as an appositive to identify the two chiefs but misconstrued by the scribe. see C. A. Weslager, "Indians of Lewes, Delaware," BASD, 4, Nos. 5 (January, 1949), 7. In the document dated July 15, 1630, which follows, the phraseology is correct. For a discussion of the relation­ship of the two documents, see A. R. Dunlap, "Dutch and Swedish Land Records," pp46‑47.

 p268  Patent to Messrs. Godyn and Blommaert for a tract of land on Delaware Bay⁠1

July 15, 1630

We, the Director and Council in New Netherland, residing on the Island of Manhattan and in Fort Amsterdam, under the authority of Their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands and of the Incorporated West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam hereby acknowledge and declare, that on this day, the date underwritten, came and appeared before us, in their proper persons, Queskakous and Eesanques Siconesius, and the inhabitants of their village, situate at the South cape of the Bay of the South River, and freely and voluntarily declared, by special authority of the rulers and consent of the Commonalty there, that they already, on the first day of the month of June of the past year, 1629, for and on account of certain parcels of cargoes, which they, previous to the passing hereof, acknowledged to have received and got into their hands and power, to their full satisfaction, have transported, ceded, given over and conveyed in just, true and free property, as they hereby transport, cede, give over and convey to, and for the behoof of, Messrs. Samuel Godin and Samuel Blommart absent; for whom We, by virtue of our office, under proper stipulation, do accept the same, namely: the Land to them belonging, situate on the South side of the aforesaid Bay, by us called The Bay of the South River, extending in length from C. Hinlopen off unto the mouth of the aforesaid South river, about eight leagues [groote mylen] and half a league in breadth, into the interior, extending to a certain marsh [leegte] or valley, through which these limits can be clearly enough distinguished. And that with all the action, right and jurisdiction to them in the aforesaid quality, therein appertaining, constituting and surrogating the said Messrs. Godin and Blommaert in their stead, state, real and actual possession thereof; and  p269 giving them, at the same time, full and irrevocable authority, power and special command, to hold in quiet possession, occupancy and use, tamquam Actores et Procuratores in rem propriam, the aforesaid land acquired by the above mentioned Messrs. Godin and Blommaert, or those who may hereafter obtain their interest; also to do, barter, and dispose thereof, as they may do with their own well and lawfully acquired lands. Without they, the Grantors, having, reserving, or retaining for the future, any, the smallest part, right, action, or authority, whether of property, command or jurisdiction therein; but now, hereby, forever and a day desisting, retiring from, abandoning and renouncing the same for the behoof aforesaid; promising further not only to observe, fulfill and hold fast, unbroken and irrevocable, this their conveyance and whatever may be done in virtue thereof, but, also, the said parcel of land to maintain against every one and to deliver free of controversies, gainsays and contradictions, by womsoever instituted against the same. All in good faith without guile or deceit. In Witness is this confirmed with our usual signature and with our seal dependant therefrom. Done on the aforesaid Island Manahatas, this fifteenth of July, XVI and thirty.

1 NYCD, 1:43. The date given on the previous page was July 11, 1630, whereas the above is dated July 15, 1630. The latter date is the one in the original (facsimile in Historical Society of Delaware). Note that Blommaert's name appears only in original dated July 15.

2 Bylvelt was a prominent member of Minuit's council; he was recalled to Holland with Minuit in 1652, before the expiration of his term (VRB, p295; cf. Chapter 7). Following that, he applied to van Rensselaer for the position of commis for the fur trade in Rensselaerswyck, stating, "for a considerable number of years has filled the office of commis of the honorable directors of the West India Company, had the management of furs and merchandise" (VRB, p234). He signed his letter Pieter Bijlvelt. Prior to his return to Holland he owned considerable livestock at Manhattan, which he sold to van Rensselaer (VRB, pp192, 225). He is referred to elsewhere as a skipper (see "Pieter Pietersz Billevelt," in de Rasière's letter, van Laer, p248).

3 Brower (Brouwer), another council member, was the same skipper mentioned in Chapter 2. He had made a number of voyages to New Netherland, having "long ranged these coasts as skipper and trader" (van  (p270) Laer, p262, note 13). The shipmasters present at the time business was transacted served the director as councillors; this was Brouwer's function in signing the above document. He lived in Hoorn (A. Eekhof, Jonas Michaëlius. Founder of the Church in New Netherland, A. W. Sijthoff's Publishing Co., Leyden, 1926, p49).

4 On August 13, 1630, he had also signed the certificate of purchase of land from the Indians on the west side of the Hudson, writing his name Jacob Elbertsz Wissinck. Other members of the council who signed this document were "Pieter Bijvelt, Ian Uanssenº Brouwer, Sijmon Dircks Pos, Reynier Harmensen, and Peter Minuit, Director" (VRB, pp166‑167).

5 His letter to van Rensselaer of September 16, 1630, which he signed sijmon dircxz pos, reports how Director Minuit and the secretary, Johan van Remunde, were embittered against each other (VRB, pp169‑170). Remunde had reported grievances, both true and false, concerning Minuit to the directors; he appears to have been a chronic troublemaker. He returned to Holland in 1632 with Minuit and other officials; see the note in the memorandum book of Arnoldus Buchelius reading: "Johan van Voorst coming hither from New Netherland was on arriving in England detained there for more than four months. . . . with the same ship came over also all the authorities, the governor, director, secretary, and minister, not being able to get along together" (van Laer, pp272‑273, note 17; p266, note 3). Minuit, like Bylvelt, had considerable livestock at Manhattan, including sheep, cows, mares, hogs, chickens, pigeons, etc., which he sold to van Twiller and van Rensselaer (VRB, pp223‑224).

6 Also referred to as Master Reyn Harmanssen, indicating he, too, was a skipper and ex officio member of the council (VRB, p160).

7 Lampo, an Englishman from Canterbury, was one of the earlier Verhulst colonists (van Laer, p90). He was appointed the first schout-fiscal (chief law officer and prosecutor, an ex officio member of the council who had no vote) and served under Minuit (van Laer, p265, note 20). He returned with Minuit to Holland in 1632 on the Eendracht (NYCD, 1:51). Lampo was succeeded by Coenraed Notelman, van Rensselaer's nephew, who had brought the papers ordering the recall of Minuit and the other officials.

 p271  Patent to Samuel Godyn and Samuel Blommaert of the east side of Delaware River (now in Cape May County, N. J.)⁠1

June 3, 1631

We, Director and Council of New-Netherland, residing on the Island at Fort Amsterdam, under the jurisdiction of Their Noble High Mightinesses, the Lords-States-General of the United New Netherlands and the Incorporated West-India Company, Department of Amsterdam, attest and declare herewith that today, date underwritten, appeared Peter Heyssen, skipper of the Ship Walvis at present lying in the Southriver, and Gillis Hosset, commissary on the same, who declare, that on the 5th day of May, last past, before them appeared personally Sawowouwe, Wuoyt, Pemhake, Mekowetick, Techepewoya, Mathamek, Sacook, Anehoopen, Janqueno and Pokakhake, lawful owners, proprietors and inhabitants of the east side of Goddyn's East Bay, called Cape de Maye, who for themselves in proportion of their own shares and for all the other owners in regard to their shares of the same land, declared of their own accord and deliberately in their said quality, to have transported, ceded and conveyed as lawful, unalienable and free property by virtue and title of sale and in consideration of a certain quantity of goods, which they, the conveyors, acknowledge in their said quality to have received and accepted before the passing of this contract, and they herewith transport, cede and convey, to and in behoof of the Noble Honorable Samuel Godyn and Samuel Blommaert (who are absent and for whom they had accepted the hereafter described land subject to the usual reservation) to wit: the eastside of Godyn's Bay or Cape de May, reaching 4 miles [Dutch miles] from the said Cape towards the bay and 4 miles along the coast southward and another 4 miles inland, being 16 square miles, with all interests, rights and privileges, which were vested in themselves in their aforesaid quality, constituting and delegating the  p272 aforesaid purchasers in their own stead and giving and surrendering at the same time to their Honors, full, absolute and irrevocable power, authority and special charge, that tamquam actores et procuratores in rem propriam the Noble Messrs. Godyn and Bloemmaert or those, who might hereafter receive their property, enter upon, possess in peace, inhabit, cultivate, keep, use, do with, trade and dispose of the aforedescribed land, as they would do with their own inherited lands and fiefs, without that they, the conveyors, shall have, reserve or keep in the least degree any particle of claim, right or privilege thereon be it of owner­ship, authority or jurisdiction, but for the behalf as aforesaid they herewith entirely and absolutely desist from, give up, abandon and renounce it now and forever, promising further not only to keep, fulfill and execute firmly, inviolately and irrevocably in infinitum this, their contract and what might be done hereafter on the authority thereof, but also to deliver the said tract of land and keep it free against everybody, from any claim, challenge or incumbrance which anybody might intend to create; as well as to have this sale and conveyance approved and confirmed by the remainder of the co-owners, for whom they are trustee; all this under the obligations required by law, in good faith, without evil intent or deceit. In testimony whereof this has been confirmed by our usual signature and our seal appended thereto. Done on the aforesaid Island of Manhattan at Fort Amsterdam, the 3rd of June Ao 1631.

 p273  Extract from letter Kiliaen van Rensselaer to Johannes de Laet⁠1

June 27, 1632

Mr. Johan de laedt, at Leyden

In Amsterdam, 27 June 1632

Your honor will doubtless have heard how our ship den walvis ["the Whale"] which together with the yacht Teencoorntgen ["Little Squirrel"] sailed from the Texel on the 24th of May, was on the 26th ditto for nearly two hours tossed about on the banks before Dunkirk, not without great danger of losing the ship and the goods, as most of the people had already left the ship and jumped into the shallops. Nevertheless, it pleased Almighty God to rescue the said ship from the said banks, but as it was very leaky and much damaged they stopped on the 28th at Portsmouth near the Isle of Wight to have her repaired there, the yacht Teencoorntgen being still with her. Meanwhile Guilliamme lefant, being dissatisfied with the command of David pietersen [David Pietersz de Vries] or according to my opinion rather because he was afraid left the ship and returned over land, to the disgust of the confraters, so that henrij de forest [Hendrik de Forest] will probably be useful to supply the place left vacant by Guilliamine Said Guilliamme made out that the leak was very large and irreparable, but from the letter of David pietersen to confrater Godyn, dated the 11th of June from Portsmouth, we understand that the same was nearly repaired and that he expected to go to sea at the first opportunity to complete his intended voyage in God's name, drawing on confrater Godyn for 60 pounds sterling on account of the expenses there.⁠2

It would be a pity if we missed the whale fishing again, as Director Minuijt, who has come here, assures us that there are quantities of whales in the South River and that the savages of  p274 those quarters wear on their heads mostly small feathers made of whalebone.⁠3 So much for matters with which the Company of ten is concerned.⁠4

[The remainder of letter does not relate to the South River.]

1 VRB, pp196‑197.

2 The voyage described in this letter is the one that brought de Vries to the destroyed Swanendael colony in 1632. In his journal, he relates how he ran aground on the Bree-Branck shoals off Dunkirk due to the carelessness of his mates.

3 Those whalebone decorations call to mind van der Donck's observations that the Indians "are all accustomed to wear a leathern girdle which is usually ornamented with pieces of whale's fins, whale bones or wampum." (Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc., 2nd Series, 1:194).

4 The "Company of ten" refers to the 10 co-patroons in the Swanendael project (cf. Chapter 4). When he wrote this letter, van Rensselaer should have had information that Swanendael was destroyed, and it is curious that he makes no reference to the massacre. It is also of interest that Minuit, who had been recalled by the Company, encouraged the patroons to persist in their whaling efforts in the Delaware River. Heyes reported that he had arrived too late for the whale season, which explains van Rensselaer's concern about missing the season for the "second time."

 p275  The Voyage with the First Settlers to Swanendael

Excerpt from Memorial presented by Kiliaen van Rensselaer to the Assembly of the Nineteen of the West India Company⁠1

November 25, 1633

In December 1630 they equipped a ship of about 150 lasts named de Walvis, ballasting it with all kinds of materials, such as lime, brick and tiles, also putting on board four large horses, twelve cows with calf, also several boats for whaling, all kinds of ammunition, provisions and merchandise and over 80 persons, costing all together, including the yacht de Salm of which mention will hereafter be made, over 50,000 guilders, which indeed is ten times more than the f5,600 with which in the beginning they received for their returns, upon which all their calumnies were founded.

With this ship and people, they, the remonstrants, took possession of, settled, and peopled the fertile and well wooded island of Tortuga, located on the northwestern side of Hispaniola [in the West Indies] pla­cing thereon over 25 able-bodied men, well fitted out . . . .

With this aforesaid ship de Walvis, they also in 1631 [on the same voyage] took possession of the bay of the South River in New Netherland, occupying the place of their colony with 28 persons engaged in whaling and farming, and made suitable fortifications, so that in July of the same year their cows calved and their lands were seeded and covered with a fine crop, until finally by the error of their commis all the people and the animals were lamentably killed, whereby they suffered incalculable damage etc. . . . for instance, during the two years when the late Mr. Godijn and his people were trading in Swanendael the Company received from the South River through their servants a no less quantity of skins than in former or later years, but he obtained his furs in addition to these by bartering with other tribes. This caused so much jealousy  p276 that the Company ordered their director to send a commis there, which was done⁠2 [with the result that the Company's servants] trading close by the people of Godijn deprived him in one year over 500 skins in Swanendael alone, for which the Company is justly bound to pay, since they had never obtained more than 20 to 30 skins a year in that region before this colony was started. It is maintained with insufferable impertinence that the Company has excluded all but themselves not only from the fur trade, but even from the whale fishery, etc.

1 VRB, pp241‑247.

2 This seems to mean that the Company sent their own commis to Swanendael when it was learned that the patroons' settlers were profitably engaged in the fur trade. The fact that the patroons had sent twenty-eight men but de Vries found the remains of thirty-two indicates that other individuals joined the original group. Whether these were Company employees is not known. Peter Lourenson deposed that he was en route to Swanendael in 1632 from Manhattan with five men and two horses "for the sd Companie" when, learning of the Indian massacre, he returned to Manhattan. This is further indication that the Company did not want to give the colonists free rein, especially in the Indian trade. In a letter to the States General, June, 1634, the patroons complained that the "Director in New Netherland was ordered to appoint commissaries and assistants in all the patroon­ships, to affix the placard and in no wise to suffer any of the Patroons to interfere in the fur trade. The Director had no sooner arrived in New Netherland [Kieft?] than he proceeded against the patroons pursuant to the orders given him" (NYCD, 1:85).

 p277  Excerpts from two letters written by Kiliaen van Rensselaer

To Johannes de Laet, July 21, 1634⁠1

I hope that all our shortages in Swanendael (which has too many rulers) will be made up by my colony.

To Jacob Albertsz Planck, May 24, 1635⁠2

I can nevertheless not refrain from notifying you by this speedily departing ship, which now sails so hurriedly, while at other times it has lain ready for six months, that the respective patroons of the colonies of Swanendael and Pavonia⁠3 have sold and transferred their colonies to the West India Company.

1 VRB, p313.

2 Ibid., p314. On the next page is the account of the transfer of the Swanendael colony to the West India Company.

3 Pavonia was the name of the colony owned by the patroon Michiael Pauw. It lay on the west side of the Hudson River from the Narrows to Hoboken, including Staten Island, which was bought for him by Minuit (Narratives, Jameson, p197).

 p278  Transfer of Swanendael by patroons to West India Company

February 7, 1635

Another Extract, or Authentic Copy, from a bundle of papers relating to New Netherland, beginning 7th February, 1635, and ending 2d June, 1653⁠1

Whereas, Directors of the General West India Company were commissioned on the 22nd August, 1634, by the Assembly of the XIX, to treat and transact with all the Patroons and colonists in New Netherland, for the purchase of the Patroon­ships, Colonies, dignities, houses, buildings, lands, merchandises, and all the rights, effects, appendages, and dependencies thereof, which they were in possession of there, Therefore the aforesaid commissioners, having reported, have, with the approbation of the Chamber at Amsterdam, dated 27th November, 1634, agreed and concluded with Samuel Bloemmaert, Kilian van Rensselaer, Jacques de la Miue, Hendrick Hamel, Nicholaus van Setterich, Johan van Harinckhouck, and the heirs of Samuel Godyn, deceased, each for their contingent, and they further representing Johan de Laet, (endehaer vorden sterk maeckende voor J. de L.,) that they conjointly, and each for himself in particular, for the behoof of the aforesaid company, shall surrender, as they do hereby, their two colonies, named Swanendael, in New Netherland, together with the jurisdictions, dignitaries, lands, rights, appendages, and dependencies thereunto belonging, which they there, by virtue of their two distinct sealed patents obtained before the Council of New Netherland, resident on the island Manhattes, dated the 15th July, 1630, and 3rd June, 1631, in pursuance of letters of conveyance passed by Queskakous and Ensanckes, Sickonesyns, and inhabitants of their villages, and the other by sawotbouc, Wiewyt, Pemhacky, and others appearing on the aforesaid date, both situate on the South River, as well on the south hook of the Bay, as on the east side of the said river, with all  p279 such houses, buildings, outhouses, as they or their servants may have purchased, erected, or brought there, none excepted to trade with there, together with their own free goods, without reserving therein any right of action, pla­cing such property from now henceforward in full possession of the aforesaid company, according to the aforesaid original letters, which they do hereby deliver over, consenting at all times to grant to the aforesaid Company, before the Director and Council of New Netherland, when required, further conveyance, acknowledgment, and discharge, and to give therefor suitable authority, without their being bound for any further indemnity.

Likewise, they promise and deliver over, besides these, to the said company, all charters, maps, and papers, concerning the aforesaid colonies and affairs of New Netherland, as far as it remains with them, and moreover to let them remain to the company as their free property, without claiming thereupon any right, action, or pretension. And that for the sum of fifteen thousand, six hundred guilders to be paid — one third part six months after the aforesaid 27th November, 1634, to wit, on the 27th May, anno 1635, and fifteen months after that, to wit, on the 27th August, 1636, the second third part, and fifteen months afterwards, to wit, the 27th November, 1637, the last third part.

For which sum, the company shall deliver to each participant [partner] of the said colonie, according to their quota and rata, by the said comparants surrendered, its particular [special] obligation, without the one being for all that holden to wait on the other for his money.

It being well understood that they conjointly, for the good of the company, shall take care that no man, henceforward, shall claim anything on account of the aforesaid colonie under penalty according to law, as they hereby agree to.

It shall be lawful to the sellers, or any of them, for the sum to which their obligation amounts — to wit, each according to estimation, for the sum of nineteen hundred and fifty guilders, to purchase, or cause to be purchased, goods from the company, in conformity to the Octroy or amplification thereof, and to deduct in whole or in  p280 part, at the rate of 6 per cent per annum, from the time the bill is due according to the bargain to be made by them, or from the day that they shall notify the discount to the day of payment.

And all claims and accounts which the aforesaid sellers and the company, on account of the aforesaid Colonies, or other transactions in New Netherland, both as to receipts and expenses, with other outstanding odd accounts, without pretending any other claims or actions in the world, shall be included in this sale, and shall hereby remain discharged, and stand erased on the books.

Only that the aforesaid sellers or their assigns shall, moreover, be free and exempt from the duties on the cargo of timber which the ship West Friesland, whereof Jan Symonz is skipper, shall bring back on this voyage.

And that the lawsuit between the Patroons of Swanendael and the company, depending before the court of Amsterdam, is not included in this transaction, the parties on both sides, so far as concerns that, remain wholly free to pursue their right as they shall think proper.

And the aforesaid contracting parties shall observe, and allow each other peaceably and freely to enjoy the effect of this contract, under bond of law, namely, that those of the company shall pledge only the effects and goods of the company, moveable and immoveable, present and future, and the aforesaid sellers, their persons and goods in manner aforesaid, all without fraud or guile. In testimony whereof, two instruments only being made, are signed by the respective parties, in Amsterdam, this 7th February, 1635. Was subscribed, Albert Kounraetsburgh, Daniel van Libergen, Jean Raye, F. de Vries, Marcus van Valckenburgh, S. Bloemmaert, Henrick Hamel, N. van Setterich, J. van Harinckhouck; Hendrick Crip, for the heirs of Samuel Godyn; Jacques de la Miue, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, for his part in the Colonie of Swanendael aforesaid, and no more.

 p281  Additional excerpts from letters written by Kiliaen van Rensselaer pertaining to Swanendael

To Johannes de Laet, October 6, 1636⁠1

However, I fear that if we expand too much [at Rensselaerwyck] we may become the counterpart of Swanendael, as the large number often causes confusion and, one pulling this way and another that way, hinder one another and are in one another's way, so that I should conclude the fewer in number the better; but your honor must do as he pleases. When we got so many participants in Swanendael, then came our confusion.

To Toussaint Muyssart, May 7, 1640⁠2

There is, there should be and there must be but one head to rule the colony or we shall be in each other's way. Each one will think he knows what is best and meanwhile nothing but quarrelling can be expected, as in the colony of Swanendael, which was placed under a board of directors, this is proved by experience.

To Johannes de Laet, February 4, 1641⁠3

What difference can it make to me that others make a change herein, as for instance that Mr. Godyn, retaining but the bare name of patroon, permitted as many as ten people to share in the management, [of Swanendael] whereupon the business ran into great expense on account of the many directors, one wanting this and another something else, and had to be sold at a loss of f40,000? What difference does it make to me that the Hon. Coenradus also sold and ceded his colony with its appurtenances; or what difference can it make to me that Mr. blommart never began or developed his? Shall I, who have usually been vigilant and diligent in my management, be deprived of my powers, and do my partners who have either sold or not cared for their rights now want to enter upon mine?

1 VRB, p334‑335.

2 Ibid., p470.

3 Ibid., pp528‑29.

 p282  Important references to the Swanendael massacre

Before sailing out of the Texel [May 4, 1632] we understood that our little fort had been destroyed by the Indians, and the people killed — two and thirty men — who were outside the fort working the land.⁠1

. . . . .

An Indian remained on board of the yacht at night, whom we asked why they had slain our people, and how it happened. He then showed us the place where our people had set up a column, to which was fastened a piece of tin, whereon the arms of Holland were painted. One of their chiefs took this off for the purpose of making tobacco pipes, not knowing that he was doing amiss. Those in command at the house made such an ado about it, that the Indians, not knowing how it was, went away and slew the chief who had done it, and brought a token of the dead to the house to those in command, who told them that they wished they had not done it, that they should have brought him to them, as they wished to have forbidden him to do the like again. They then went away, and the friends of the murdered chief incited their friends — as they are a people like the Italians who are very revengeful — to set about the work of vengeance.⁠2

. . . . .

. . . and when we were erecting a colony in 1630 of South River at Swanendael, on the Hoeren creek, and all our people were murdered by the Indians, occasioned by some trifling quarrels of our commander, Gilles Osset, as I have narrated in the beginning of this my journal — it was then requested of the West India Company to be allowed to war against the Indians; but the Company did not permit it, and gave as a reason that we must live in good harmony with natives.⁠3

 p283  Consider once, sir, said I, what good it will do — knowing that we lost our settlements by mere jangling with the Indians at Swanendael, in the Hoeren Creek in 1630 when thirty-two of our men were murdered, etc.⁠4

As the Hollanders were the first discoverers of this river, they were also the first residents, settling themselves down in small numbers at the Hoerekil, and thereabouts, and at Santhoeck, [present New Castle] though the most people and the capital of the country were at the Manhatans, under the rule and authority of the West India Company. The Indians killed many of them because they did not live well with them, especially with their women, from which circumstances this kil derives its name [Hoerenkil].⁠5

. . . . .

The third set is at Roymont, a strong, rich and fit place for a Fort. Sir Walter Rawley left there thirty men, and four guns [an inaccurate claim] the Dutch seated there fifteen men and a Fort, both to plant in that rich five miles neck to Roymont river (which runneth down into Chisapoack Bay) choice Tobacco, and thereby to prejudice and undersell Virginia, as to keep up a fishing Stage for Whales these proved but Grampus, and they killing basely an Indian refusing quarter or ransome, were by the Indians killed and expelled twenty years since.⁠6

. . . . .

Two leagues from Cape Cornelius, where you enter on the west side, lies a certain creek, which might be taken for an ordinary river or stream, being navigable far up, and affording a beauti­ful roadstead for ships of all burdens. There is no other like it in the whole bay, for safety and convenience. The main channel for navigation  p284 runs close by it; this place we call the Hoere-kil. From whence the name is derived we do not know; it is certain that this place was taken and colonized by Netherlanders, years before any English or Swedes came there. The States' arms were also set up at this place in copper, but as they were thrown down by some mischievous savages, the commissary there very firmly insisted upon, and demanded, the head of the offender. The Indians not knowing otherwise brought a head, saying it was his; and the affair was supposed to be all settled, but some time afterwards, when our people were working unsuspectingly in their fields, the Indians came in the guise of friendship, and distributing themselves among the Dutch in proportionate numbers, surprised and murdered them. By this means the colony was again reduced to nothing; but it was nevertheless sealed with blood and dearly enough bought.⁠7

1 De Vries, Narratives, Myers, p9.

2 De Vries, Narratives, Myers, pp16‑17.

3 De Vries, Colls. N. Y. Hist. Soc., 2nd Series, 1:266.

4 Ibid., p268.

5 Journal of a Voyage to New York in 1679‑1680 (Danckers and Sluyter), Memoirs, Long Island Historical Society, 1 (1867) 240.

6 A Description of the Province of New Albion, 1648 edition, p24.

7 Representation of New Netherland (1650), Narratives, Jameson, pp313‑14.

 p285  Survivor (?) at Swanendael

In a "List of the men on the farms" in the colony of Rensselaerwyck, under date of July 20, 1632,⁠1 appears the following:

N. B. If the laborers of Bylevelt [who had returned to Holland from Manhattan after selling some of his livestock to van Rensselaer] should not be willing to serve me or not be satisfactory to me, you may engage theunis willemsen who was left over in Swanendael to serve out the rest of his term as farmer up the river.

 p286  Jacob Alricks' letters, relating to Swanendael (Hoerenkil), to the commissioners of the city's colony

August 13, 1657⁠1

. . . I have already stated that there is a very fine and excellent country called the Whorekill abounding very much in wild animals, birds, fish, etc., and the land is so good and fertile that the like is nowhere to be found. It lies at the entrance of the Bay, about two leagues up from Cape Hinlopen. I shall send a draft of it by the next opportunity. Please to keep it recommended; the place can be conveniently visited with a yacht of 8 or 10 lasts, but some people must be there for security. This can be regularly done, or set about in course of time, after numbers are sent and have arrived there, and more of the place is taken up.

October 10, 1658⁠2

. . . I have appointed Mr. Inojossa to go to the Manhattans; I shall, by this occasion, demand the original deeds of this Place [New Amstel] also, learn what is to be done for the purchase of the lands at the Whorekill . . . .

October 10, 1658⁠3

. . . The wise resolution which has been adopted to annex to this place the Whorekill and the country from Boomtiens hook [now Bombay Hook] to Cape Hinloopen is advantageous and excellent. It will be no sooner purchased than I shall hasten the conveyance, and take immediate possession of it; but send then in the spring or in the ships sailing in December, a good number of strong and hard working men. Should they not be forthcoming so speedily or promptly at the time they can be supplied by boys of 15, 16 or 17 years and over, bearing in mind, particularly that they be robust.  p287 Whatever is to be accomplished here must be expected from labor. I shall take care to build a redoubt or stronghold in the most favorable position . . . .

August 16, 1659⁠4

. . . The enlargement of this Colonie has been attended to according to order; besides that, a new fortification and settlement were made at the Whore or Sickoneysincks kill, which have been daily visited . . . .

1 NYCD, 2:19.

2 Ibid., p50.

3 Ibid., p51.

4 Ibid., p71.

 p288  Indian deed for land at the Hoerenkil

Contemporary English translation of missing original in the Dutch language⁠1

June 7, 1659

Wee Unther Written Owners of the Landes Lyinge between Boempies Hook and cape Hinlopen doe acknolidge this: Neckosmus or Teotacken Great Upperhed, Meoppitas & Meas Brothers Unto ye Sd Upperhed Kocketoteka Lyckewys Great Upperhed and Owner of the Hoerekil (Called in the Indian Lingo Siconece) & the Land thar aboud, Mocktowekon, Sawappone and Mettomemeckas his Neare Relations and also Upperhed Katenacku Esippens & Sappeton Sackemakers (the Land is Called Quistin) Pochocton Queogkamen and Hohatagkon also Upperheds (ther Land Lys Next Unto Boempies Hook — Mameckus & Honkarkus Upperheds of Tarackus ther Land is Called Peskamohot, Hemmagkomeck also Upperhed his Land is Called [K?]wickenesse — Matapagisckan his Land is Cald Seckatackomeck — Wee doe declare hereby In the Psence of a Great Quantite of Indians and the Following witnisses that we have Sold and Transported and Made over unto the Honorble Direct. Ginneral and Counsils of New Holland as beings fully empowered by the Reight Honorable West India Company off Amsterdam (and to all those that shall here after obtain ther Interests by Vertu here of) all the Above Mensioned Land, Viz: the Land between Cape Hinlopen and Boempies Hook Lyinge in the South River of New Holland, stritsing 2 or 3 days Walking up Into the Country or about therty Myls, Wee doe Transport the Said Parsell of Land fri and Without Incomberance and doe desist here by off ower Reights & Properties for Ever, Withoud Reservation off any Reight part Interest or Dominion thar in, Oblidging Ower Selfs to keep this ower Transport Irrevocable and to perform the Same Acordinge to Law Thar for provided, forthermore We doe promise When these Lands shall be possessed and Cultivated, then as well the Men  p289 as beast shall dwell and Live in Unity and peace; and Iff by axsident any dammith should happen; Such shall be Communicated Unto the Upperheds or Sackemakers And they Will take care that Reparation shall be Made, We the disposers off this Landes doe forthermore Own and Confes to have Received full Satisfaction for the Prmisses and Quarters here of this Whas Acted and dun in the Psence off the Interpeter, Sander Boyer Mr. Peter Alrich, Schipper Michiel Poulussen, Jan Broersen, Henrick van Bylevelt and Jacob Jacobsen as Witnesses Requyerd here unto Dated the Kill of Siconece Upon the South River in New Holland this 7 day of June 1659 (Whas Seingned)

 p290  Peter Cornelis Plockhoy's contract with the burgo­masters and city magistrates of the City of Amsterdam⁠1

June 9, 1662

Because we are at all times disposed to advance this city's Colony in New Netherland, therefore have we, with the knowledge and consent of the thirty-six Councillors, concluded to that end the following agreement with Pieter Cornelisz. Plockhoy of Zierikzee:

That he, Pieter Cornelisz. Plockhoy, undertakes to present to us, as soon as possible, the names of twenty-four men, who, with him, will make a Society of twenty-five persons who will agree to depart by the first ship or ships to the aforesaid colony of this city, to reside there and to work at farming, fishing, handicraft, etc., and to be as diligent as possible not only to live comfortably themselves, but also that provision may thereby be made for others to come.

The aforesaid Society of twenty-five male persons (more or less as they may increase or decrease) shall, for the common welfare and for each individually, take up as much land, provided it belongs to nobody else, at the Horekil [Swanendael] or another part of the Colony, as they are willing and able to cultivate and pasture. These lands, divided and undivided, shall be the property of the aforesaid Society and Colonists to use in whichever way seems best.

The aforesaid Colonists shall enact such rules and laws as they think proper for the peace, harmony, and welfare of the Society with the provisions that each person who feels an injustice can appeal to the higher Magistrates, here or there.

The aforesaid Society, and each member individually, shall be exempt from all tithes and taxes, however they may be named, for twenty years.

To the aforesaid twenty-five persons shall be paid in loan one hundred guilders to provide the needs of each individually, also to cover the cost of transportation (the wives and children being  p291 transported at the expense of this city according to the printed Conditions).

The aforesaid twenty-five Colonists shall bind themselves as a group to repay the aforesaid 2,500 guilders to this city, according to article 21 and 22 of the Conditions recently printed concerning this city's colony.

If one of the twenty-five aforesaid persons should decide to leave the Society and return to this country, he shall be free to do so, provided he takes only his own personal property and leaves to the Society the undivided land, cattle, and other common property, so the other Colonists can effect the aforesaid repayment. The transportation costs of such an individual shall be paid by the Society from the common treasury as a compensation to him for his labor.

And if any person should decide to move elsewhere at his own expense and retain or sell his share in the common stock, he shall be free to do so, provided he has someone to replace him, or he sells to someone whom the Society will approve and who will participate and help in common activities.

The aforesaid Society and each member thereof shall further abide in all matters by the aforesaid printed laws, the interpretation of which remains the prerogative of the Burgo­masters of this city.

In testimony whereof, we — the Burgo­masters and Magistrates aforesaid — affix the seal of this city to these presents, the 9th of June, 1662.

Signed Wigbolt Slicher

Having a seal impressed in Green Wax

 p292  Excerpt from Kort Verhael van Niuew-Nederlants Gelgentheit — 1662⁠1

Two leagues from Cape Cornelius, or Cape Hinlopen, which runs in on the west side, lies a safe kill named the Hoeren Kill, which may well be called an ordinary, or lesser, river: for it is fully navigable far up, and a beauti­ful roadstead for ships of all burdens; there is no other to compare, in the entire bay, for usefulness and convenience. The direct channel for going up [the bay] runs here close by.

A reliable person who had been stationed in the fort there for several years, one after the other,⁠2 gave us an account of this Hoeren Kill about the month of June in the year 1662, having just come from there; how that it lay from the cape, going along the sea, a distance of about an hour and a half; and how that it was, in the vicinity of the fort, about 200 paces broad and from the mouth upward, for a distance of about half an hour, navigable and suitably⁠3 deep. The pilots speak of the water at the entrance as usually about six feet in depth. With canoes it is possible to go up for a distance of about two hours. Within lie two small islands, the first quite small, the second about a half hour in circumference, lying a distance of half an hour from one another and the latter a distance of about an  p293 hour from the mouth of the kill, both overgrown with beauti­ful grass, especially the latter. Around the aforesaid two small islands, in a muddy soil, grow the very finest oysters, the muddy soil beginning about the first little island; whereas before in the kill is sandy bottom, and also very deep, for which reason no oysters are, or grow, there.⁠4 In the neighborhood of the first little island the water is more than once as wide as mentioned earlier at and around the fort. The kill stretches a good way along the sea, and high-duneland lies between the kill and the sea, about 1200 paces in breadth. Close by the fort is a glorious fountain-head of fresh water.⁠5 A small rivulet taking its rise out of the land to the southeast, comes through dune-covered land, flowing down from an elevation into the estuary of the Hoeren Kill. And still nearer the fort, about a half hour away from the aforesaid little rivulet, another kill of about four hours in length comes out of the land through a valley, which, together with the kill, ends at and in the Hoeren Kill.

The land lying far and near around this Hoeren Kill was extolled and praised because of its excellence and fruitfulness before the very best of New Netherland. there are found also exceedingly beauti­ful, large and fruitful valleys, extending a good seven to eight  p294 leagues up the South Bay and River; and in addition everything about which, on behalf of New Netherland, justifiable praise can be given is to be found there.

The name of Hoeren Kill was reported to us to have originated from the liberality of the Indians (there in places by design)⁠6 in generously volunteering their wives or daughters to our Netherlanders at that place. It was otherwise, by David Pietersz de Vries, who first about the year 1630 tried to people it, named Swanendal.⁠7

1 Kort Verhael van Niew-Nederlants Gelgentheit (anonymous), Amsterdam, 1662, in which the above passage appears, pp10‑11, is one in a series of accounts containing glowing descriptions of New Netherland. Dunlap's translation above may be compared with an earlier, though incomplete, rendition in Samuel Smith's History of New Jersey, 2nd ed., Burlington, 1877, pp57‑58. Smith gives the date incorrectly as 1669, and for unknown reasons says the account is of Swedish origin. Harder recently advanced the theory (which agrees with the present authors' thinking) that the author of this anonymous work was Peter Cornelis Plockhoy (Harder, op. cit., p139). Murphy stated that the Kort Verhael was published by the burgo­masters of Amsterdam on the occasion of the transfer of the Delaware River territory to the City. He adds that it was intended to invite the attention of emigrants to the new acquisition, described in flattering terms at the expense of the Hudson River (Colls. N. Y. Hist. Soc., 2: Part 1, p259).

2 In the original, aen malkander.

3 The Dutch word is vry, which literally means "free" or "freely."

4 Natural and man-made changes in the configuration of the land have obliterated islands, but the possibility is that Canary Creek and Wolfes Creek formerly encircled land areas, making them "islands" in the strict meaning of "land surrounded by water." See D. G. Beers' Atlas, Philadelphia, 1868; also Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Cape Henlopen, and Fairmount quadrangle maps of U. S. Geologic Survey.

5 It cannot be said with certainty that the fort built in 1659, which is the one referred to above, was on the site of the earlier fort destroyed by Indians, but that possibility must not be overlooked. From a study of land patents the approximate location of the 1659 fort, referred to as "The Company's Fort," has been inferred (see David Marine, "Duke of York Patents on Pilottown Road," The Archaeolog (mimeographed), 7, No. 2 (September, 1955), 1‑4. "The fountainhead of fresh water" may have been an important consideration in selecting the site, and in this connection, a spring on Pilottown Road, known locally today as "The Fountain of Youth," is thus described: ". . . an ancient spring believed for more than 250 years to possess the virtue of restoring or preserving youth, especially if the water is drunk from that rarity, a right-handed conch shell" (Delaware — A Guide to the First State, Federal Writers Project, 1938, p206).

6 In the original: voornementlijk daer ter laetzen.

7 On p44 of Kort Verhael the name of the stream is mentioned again. A note in the margin may be translated as follows: "Otherwise named Sinkenesse (sic), or Swanen-dal." The document above, "Gillis Hossett's Purchase of Lands, etc.," June 1, 1629, gives the name Swanendale, an English translation of the Dutch form. At the time the document was written de Vries was not yet a co-patroon in Godyn's venture; therefore it is unlikely he had anything to do with selecting the name.

 p295  Philemon Lloyd's deposition — the burning of the Hoerenkil⁠1

April 6, 1728

The Deposition of Philemon Lloyd of Queen Ann's County in the Province of Maryland Esq. Deputy Secretary and keeper of the Land Records of the Province aforesaid Aged fifty five years or thereabouts being first Sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almight God. Saith.

That having carefully Examined and compared the Transcript hereunto Annexed with the record thereof in Lib. No. 17 folio 89 (one of the Land Record Books now in his Lordship's Land Office) he found the Same to be a true Copy therefrom. And further Saith that Some time in October One Thousand Seven hundred Twenty and Seven, being at the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Jenkins, widow and Relict of Francis Jenkins, late of Summerset County Esq. he was then Shewed his Lordship's Letters patent, Sealed with the Great Seale of this province, for Six hundred acres of Land called Pershore Granted unto the said Jenkins, as by the Transcript hereunto Annexed is Set forth; And that haveing Caused an Exact Copy to be taken thereof, he this Deponent did afterwards Deliver the Same to John Lawson, the present Register of the Land office, who Examined and compared it with the Record thereof which, as he told this Deponent, did Correspond Exactly with that Copy taken from the Letters Patent aforesaid. And further that in Conversation with the Said Elizabeth She told this Deponent, that her late husband (who was one of the Council of State within this Province to their late Majesties King William and Queen Ann, and heretofore Intermarried with the widow of a certain James Weedon,⁠2 his Lordship's Deputy Surveyor for Woster, now called Sussex, County upon Delaware) had frequently told her, That he dwelt for Some time under the Government of Maryland, at the place then called  p296 Whorekill; Now Lewis Town; But that afterward certain Soldiers by order from the Lord Baltemore, had burnt the Dutch out; And that her husband's house was burnt down at the Same time also.

The Deponent further Saith, that being Some few days after in Lewis Town aforesaid, The most Interested Proprietors therein, as well as of the Lands adjacent thereunto Informed this Deponent, That they had knowledge of Coll. Jenkins' Letters Patent aforesaid, which by them was distinguisht by the Denomination of a Maryland right: And Confessed Likewise to this Deponent That the Said Lewis Town with the Greatest part of the adjacent Cultivated Land, were Included within the Limitts and Discription thereof, as Indeed it appeared very manifest to the Deponent; who (upon viewing the Scituation of the place; at the mouth of Deleware bay; open to the main Ocean; and near adjoyning to the South Cape thereof, called Cape Henlopen) discovered that the South west and by west lines in the Patent, from the Whorekill to Pagan Creek bounded by that Survey to the Landward; and Enclosed the whole Neck of land. So that all the other parts of the Survey, are Encompassed with water, vizt. on the Eastward by the Whorekill Creek on the Westward by Pagan Creek now called Broad Creek and on the Northward respecting both the Bay and the main Ocean.

And further Saith that a Certain Gideon Tilman an Inhabitant of Summerset County, told this Deponent, about the Same Time, and that his father [blank] Tilman, had been an Overseer to Coll. Francis Jenkins; and in that capacity lived upon and cultivated the aforesaid Tract of Land at the Whorekill called Pershore, And that he had heard his father often times Say, That the Soldiers Sent by the Lord Baltemore, to keep off the Dutch (who Some time before as this Deponent hath understood from History, had retaken New Yorke &c from the English) from Setleing there; Continued at the Whorekill aforesaid, for almost Three months; But that the poor Circumstances of the people; Incapable of furnishing them with Provisions; Together with the Great Severity of a Cold Season then come on; Oblidged the Said Soldiers to think of Leaveing the place. And upon New Orders Sent, as the said Tilman's father did Suppose,  p297 the Commanding officer Ordered all the Houses, not Excepting Coll. Jenkins, wherein the Said Tilman then Lived (for preventing the Dutch from Setleing there) to be burnt down which was done accordingly,⁠3 And the Soldiers Returned into Summerset County, about the Later End of December, but as to the particular year of our Lord, the Said Gideon could not Charge his memory, Tho he was well assured it was Something above fifty Years ago — And further this Deponent Saith not

Annapolis April sixth 1728

Phile Lloyd

Then Came before me the abovementioned Deponent and made Oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, to the truth of the Deposition above written and Signed by him, the following words in the transcript of the Patents, vizt the said sum for a fine, being first Interlined, In witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Caused the Great seal of this Province to be hereunto Affixed the Day and year above written.

[signature]

1 This document is No. 39 in the manuscripts collected by Dr. Hugh Hampton Young and presented to the Enoch Pratt Library, to whom the author acknowledges permission to reprint.

2 James Weedon was living at the Hoerenkil May 8, 1671, where he had a wife, one daughter, one son, and four servants (NYCD, 12:522).

3 The burning of the Hoerenkil by Lord Baltimore's soldiers occurred after the recapture of New Castle by the Dutch, August 8, 1673. Another reference to this incident occurs in Colve's placard dated January 14, 1674, reading in part: "As some English of Maryland have driven some of the subjects of this government out of their dwelling-houses in a very strange and cruel manner and have ruined the same by burning their houses, whereby several have doubtlessly been deprived of all their means of subsistence, therefore I consider it necessary to proclaim hereby, that all such exiles, Dutch as well as English, who may come here with certificates from Commander Alrigs [Peter Alricks], that they were among the sufferers shall be provided with means of support . . ." (NYCD, 12:511). It is not known how many dwelling houses were there when the settlement was burned, but in 1671 there were forty-seven residents, representing ten or eleven households (ibid., p522).

See also van Sweringen's deposition (ibid., 3:345), wherein he states the City of Amsterdam was about to quit the Hoerenkil when some Englishmen from Somerset County, Maryland began to trade with the Indians and "build and settle in that parte of the country." See also ibid., 12:497, 503.

During the burning of the homes the soldiers spared one "thatch barn," which caught fire three times but each time the fire went out. Evidently some of the survivors, including expectant mothers, sought shelter from the cold in this barn (see Leon de Valinger, Jr., "The Burning of the Whorekill, 1673," Penna. Magazine, 74, No. 4 [October, 1950], 476).

 p298  Patent of six-hundred acres at the Whorekill to Francis Jenkins — 1672⁠1

Caecilius &c Know ye that we for and in Consideration that Henry Smith of the County of Sommerset in our Said Province of Maryland Gent hath due unto him Six hundred acres of land within our Said Province part of a warrant for Two Thousand one hundred and ninety acres of Land to the said Smith Granted the Eighth day of May 1672 as appears upon record whose right Title and Interest of in an to the Same the Said Henry Smith hath assigned Sold and made over unto Francis Jenkins of our Said County of Sommerset in our Said province of Maryland Gent, And upon such Conditions and Termes as are Expected in our Conditions of plantations of our Said province of Maryland under our Greater Seale at Armes bearing date at London the 2 d of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Six hundred forty nine with Such alterations as in them is made by our Declaration bearing date the Two and Twentieth day of September Anno one Thousand Six hundred fifty eight and remaining upon record in our Said Province of Marylaand, Do Hereby Grant unto him the Said Francis Jenkins all that parcell of Land called Pershore, Scituate Lying and being on the west Side of a Creek known by the Name of Whorekill near the South Cape of Deleware bay bounded as followeth,

Beginning at a marked Cedar Standing in the Edge of the Branch of the Whorekill by a Spring thence running for breadth South west by South to the main branch of Pagan Creek to a marked white oake Standing by a marsh Side one hundred and Eighty perches thence bounding upon the Said Pagan Creek for Length North west by west five hundred thirty three and one-third perches to the mouth of the Said Creek — thence with a line drawn North East by North one hundred and Eighty perches to the Whorekill point of Land at the mouth of the Creek thence bounding upon the Said Whorekill running up the Said Creek South East by East five hundred thirty three and one-third perches to the first bounder  p299 Containing Six hundred acres more or Less. Together with all rights profitts and benefitts thereunto belonging Royall mines Excepted To have and to hold the Same unto him the Said Francis Jenkins his heirs and assigns forever To be Holden of us and our heirs as our Inanno of Worcester in ffree and Common Soccage by ffealty and for all manner of Services Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly unto us and our heirs at our Receipt at our City if St. Maries at the two most usuall ffeasts in the year, vizt. at the ffeast of Annunciation of the Blessed virgin Mary And at the ffeast of St. Michaell the Arch Angell by even and Equall portions of the rent of Twelve Shillings Sterling in Silver or Gold, And for a fine upon every Alienation of the Said Land or any part or parcell thereon one whole years rent in Silver or Gold or the full Value thereof in Such Commodities as we or our heirs or Such officer or officers appointed by us or our heirs from time to time to Collect and receive the Same Shall accept in discharge thereof at the Choice of us and our heirs or Such officer or officers as aforesaid Provided that if the Said Francis Jenkins his heirs or Assigns Shall not pay unto us or our heirs or Such officer or officers as aforesaid the said Same for a ffine before Such Alienation and enter the Said Alienation upon record either in the Provinciall Court or in the County Court where the Said parcell of Land Lyeth within one month next after Such alienation, the Said Alienation Shall be void and of none Effect Given at our City of St. Maries under the Great Seale of our Said province of Maryland the 41th Year of our Dominion over our Said province Annoq Domini 1672. Wittness our Dear Son Charles Calvert Esqour Capt. Generall and Chief Governour of our Said province of Maryland.

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