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Translation

Patent to Wouter van Twiller for land on Manhattan Island

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We, director and council of New Netherland etc., testify and declare herewith, that, by virtue of the freedoms and exemptions granted to patroons, masters and private persons on the 7th of June 1629, we have granted, transferred, ceded, surrendered and conveyed as lawful, true and free possession, as we herewith transfer, cede, surrender and convey to and for the behoof of Wouter van Twiller, director general of New Netherland, a piece of land containing one hundred morgens, located near Sapokanickan, bounded on the north by the strand road and by Jan van Rotterdam and on the west by the plantations of the same and of Edwaert Fiscock and so far into the woods as to make one hundred morgens, provided that all such roads and footpaths, as are now running through said land, shall for ever remain there for the use of the inhabitants; under condition that he and his successors shall acknowledge said lords directors as his sovereign lords and patroons and after the expiration of ten years, beginning with the occupation and cultivation of the land he owns, pay a just tenth part of the produce, with which God shall bless it and from this time forth for the house and lot deliver yearly at Christmas to the director a brace of capons; constituting and substituting etc.

Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland.

References

Translation: Gehring, C. trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vols. GG, HH & II, Land Papers, 1630-1664 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1980).A complete copy of this publication is available on theĀ New Netherland Institute website.