HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 67

Hook and Koll’s Kyer Kill, so called (Graver’s Kill) ; and north, by the lands of said Cornelius Sebring,”1

amounting to one hundred acres, with the meadows thereto appertaining. A bond, executed on 20th of same mouth,2 binds Subering to maintain Peter Corssen, furnishing him with suitable board, clothing, etc., from which it may be inferred that Corssen’s wife was at this time dead, and that lie had no surviving children.

Along the shore, between the mouth of the Gowanus Creek and the place designated on Ratzer’s map as I. Seabring’s mill, and at about the junction of present Court and Sigourney streets, were a few sand-hills, known to the ancient Dutch as the Roode Hoogtjs, or “Red Heights.”

This Seabring mill was built prior to 1766, the mill-pond being formed by enclosing, with a lengthy dam, a small cove and creek near the head of Gowanus Bay. The mill itself was located on the northeast corner of the present Hicks and Huntington streets, the Seabring house being on the north line of the latter street, between Hicks and Columbia streets. These mills became known, later, as the “Luquer Mills.” One of the old mill-buildings, between Hicks and Columbia, Nelson and Luqueer streets, is still used as a white-lead factory, and the old dam extended from about the corner of Bush and Hicks to near the corner of Grinnell and Clinton streets.3 On the Lubbertse patent, also, on the north side of the present Ninth street, between Smith street and Gowanus Canal, was the mill and mill-pond, built originally by John Rapelje, after 1766, and better known as “Cole’s Mill.” The mill-pond was an artificial work, being excavated out of the marsh, on the side of Gowanus Kil, by negro labor. Jordan Cole's house was situated on Ninth street, between Gowanus Canal and Smith street, and to the east of the latter.

On Ratzer’s map may be seen, southerly from the Graver’s Kill, a canal, running from the East River to Gowanus Cove, and separating Red Hook from the mainland. This canal originated in the necessity which presented itself to the residents of the Gowanus district, of avoiding the difficult and dangerous navigation around

1 Kings County Conveyances, liber II. 16

2 lb., 164.

3 See map of property of Nicholas Luquer, sold at auction Feb., 1833. The mill. pond is there estimated as covering 20 acres, 1 rod, 10 poles.