382 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

have the appearance of regularity. It lies to the east of Brooklyn Ferry, and is bounded by the Wallabout and the East River.”

This was evidently the Comfort and Joshua Sands estate, purchased by them, in 1784, from the Commissioners of Forfeiture—it having been the property of John Rapalje, the loyalist.1 The survey, to which reference is made, was by Casimer Theodore Goerck, in 1788, and a copy of his map is still in existence.2 John Jackson's Remsen estate was also included within the bounds of the prospective village. Our author then proceeds to say that

“The holders of this tract (i.e., Messrs. Sands and John Jackson—Ed.) appear to be desirous to encourage the undertaking, by their willingness to dispose of lots at a reasonable price. * * * This village, contemplatively a city, comprehends at present an extent of land within the following boundaries, viz.: Beginning at two rocks called 'The Brothers,' situated in the East River, from those to Brooklyn Square,3 through James street to Main and Road streets, to the seat formerly the residence of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, now Red Hook road,4 from thence across the Wallab out, then to the East River to the place of beginning. This tract of land is better situated than any other near New York for the counterpart of that city. It is certain that, on the southern side of Brooklyn Ferry (“the Heights.”—Ed.), the bills are so high, and such astonishing exertion is necessary to remove them, that Brooklyn Ferry can never extend any great distance upon that quarter, and all improvements must necessarily be made in Olympia. Add to this the want of disposition in the proprietors of that soil to sell any part of it.5 And, moreover, Olympia and Brooklyn Ferry must always continue to increase in a ratio with New York, unless some exertion of their own is made. But as that city can never extend further southward, but is continually progressing a contrary way, it is evident, if the former position be true, that Olympia must receive the whole progress which otherwise would be given to Brooklyn Ferry.

“Olympia is extremely well calculated for a city, on a point of land

1 Ante, pp. 78, 79, 812.

2 Ante, p. 79, note 2

3 The neighborhood of the old Dutch village of Breuckelen, ante, pp. 45, 96, etc.

4 Corner of Fulton avenue and Red Hook lane.

5 The owners of these lands on the Heights were mostly of old Dutch stock, the Hicks, Middaghs, Joralemon, Patchen, Bamper, Golden, and others, and were averse to change or improvement. The Hicks and Middagh estates were the first to follow the example of their Yankee neighbors on the other side of the Old Ferry road.