HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 23

step by step, upon the Dutch, until the latter were dispossessed of nearly all that territory, to which, by prior discovery, exploration, and occupation, they were so fairly entitled.

Amid the irregularities and dissensions which prevailed during Van Twiller’s administration, neither he nor his subordinate officials neglected the advantages which they enjoyed for advancing their private interests. In June, 1636, one of these officials, Jacob Van Corlaer, purchased from the Indians a flat of land called “Castateeuw, on Sewan-hackey, or Long Island, between the Bay of the North River and the East River,” which is the earliest recorded grant, to an individual, in the present County of Kings. On the same day, Andries Hudde and Wolfert Gerritsen purchased the flats next west to Van Corlaer's; and shortly after, the tempting level lands to the eastward of these were secured by the director himself.1 On these purchases, amounting to some 15,000 acres, and which apparently were made without the knowledge or consent of the Amsterdam Chamber, the fortunate owners immediately commenced agricultural improvements—from which, in time, sprang the flourishing village of “New Amersfoort” now Flatlands.

In the course of the same year (1636), William Adriaense BENNET and Jacques BENTYN purchased from the Indians a tract of 930 acres of land at “Gowanus,”2 upon which, at some time prior to the Indian war of 1642-45, a dwelling-house was erected—affording presumptive evidence, at least, that absolute occupation and agricultural improvement followed close upon its purchase.3 The occupation of this farm, over a portion of which the village of Gowanus subsequently extended—and which comprised that portion of the present city lying between Twenty-seventh street and the New

1. These “flats” were miniature prairies, devoid of trees, and having a dark-colored surface soil; and having undergone a certain rude culture by the Indians, were ready, without much previous toil, for the plough. On this account they were most sought for, and first purchased by the original settlers, who being natives of the low and level lands of Holland and Belgium, were inexperienced in the clearing of forests.

2.The name of Gowanus is a purely Indian one, which philologists have been unable to explain. It was applied to all the land fronting on Gowanus Bay, and traversed by the creek of the same name.

3. See description of the Bennet and Bentyn patent, in chapter on “Early Settlers and Patents.”