116 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

the Director and Council, and the petition of Jacob Kip and Christina Cappoens was rejected.1

In June, 1661, the people of Breuckelen presented a petition to the Council, through their schepens, asking that,

“Whereas, it pleased your Honors to allow them, for purposes of pasturage for their cattle (which now, God be praised, are increased to a considerable number), the use of certain portions of the ‘valley’ (or meadow), situated near the corner of Fred. Lubbertsen's (land), at the Red Hook; also, a small valley (meadow) in the Walle-bocht, located in the woods between the mountain and the underwood (Kreupelbosch); besides a portion of the valley (meadow) beyond the 3d kil, towards the seaside, extending easterly towards the 4th kil, and westerly from the sea towards the woods,”

the aforesaid tracts may be granted to them in perpetuity. This petition was granted as soon as the land could be surveyed.2

The tithes of Breuckelen, Gowanus, and the Waal-bocht, for this year, were sold by the Director-General and Council to Messrs. Paulus Van der Beeck and Warnaer Wessels, and the people were forbidden to remove any thing from their farms until the tithes had been collected by these purchasers.

The year 1661 will also be ever memorable in the history of Breuckelen as having furnished to the good people their first schoolmaster. On the 4th of July, 1661, the following petition was presented

“To the Right Humble Director-General and Council of New Netherland: The Sebout and Schepens of the Court of Breuckelen respectfully represent that they found it necessary that a Court Messenger was required for the Schepens’ Chamber, to be occasionally employed in the Village of Breuckelen and all around where he may be needed, as well to serve summons, as also to conduct the service of the Church, and to sing on Sun. days; to take charge of the School, dig graves, etc., ring the Bell, and perform whatever else may be required: Therefore, the Petitioners, with your Honors, approbation, have thought proper to accept for so highly necessary an office a suitable person who is now come before them, one

1 N. Y. Col. MSS., ix. 547.

2 Ibid., 647, 648