1670. The inhabitants of this town desirous of enlarging the bounds of their common lands, and extinguishing the Indian claim to the same, applied to Governor Lovelace, and obtained from him the following permission to purchase of the Indians.
“L. S. Whereas the inhabitants of Breucklyn, in the west Riding of Yorkshire upon Long-Island, who were seated there in a township by the authority then in being, and having bin at considerable charges in clearing ffencing and manuring their land, as well as building ffor their conveniency, have requested my lycense for their further security to make purchase of the said land of some Indians who lay claim and interest therein; These are to certify all whom it may concerne, that I have and doe hereby give the said inhabitants lycense to purchase their land according to their request, the said Indians concerned appearing before me as in the law is required, and making their acknowledgments to be fully satisfied and payed for the same. Given under my hand and seal at ffort James, in New-Yorke, this ffirst day of May, in the 22nd yeare of his Majestyies reigne, Annoque Dom. 1670.
FFRANCIS LOVELACE.”
The purchase was accordingly made and the following is a copy of the deed from the Indians for the same.
“To all people to whom this present writing shall come, Peter, Elmohar, Job, Makaquiquos, and Shamese, late of Staten-Island send Greeting: Whereas, they the said Peter, Elmohar, Job, Makaquiquos, and Shamese, afore-mentioned, doe lay claime to the land now in the tenure and occupation of some of the inhabitants of Breucklyn, as well as other lands there adjascent as the true Indian owners and proprietors thereof, Know Yee, that for and in consideration of a certaine sum of wampum and diverse other goods, the which in the Schedule annext are exprest unto the said Sachems in hand payd by Monsieur Machiell Hainelle, Thomas Lambertse, John Lewis, and Peter Darmantier, on the behalf of themselves and the inhabitants of Breucklyn, the receipt whereof they doe hereby acknowledge, and themselves to be fully satisfyed and payed therefore; have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doe fully, freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain and sell, unto the said Monsieur Machiell Hainelle, Thomas Lambertse, John Lewis and Peter Darmantier, ffor and on behalf of themselves, and the inhabitants aforesaid, their heyrs and successors; all that parcell of land and tract of land, in and about Bedford, within the jurisdiction of Brucklyn, beginning ffrom Hendrick Van Aarnhems land by a swamp of water and stretching to the hills, then going along the hills to the port or entrance thereof,[5] and soe to Rockaway ffoot path as their purchase is more particularly sett fforth; To have and to hold all the said parcell and tract of land and premises within the limits before described unto the said Monsieur Machiell Hainelle, Thomas Lambertse, John Lewis, and Peter Darmantier, ffor and on the behalf of the inhabitants aforesaid, their heyres, and successors, to the proper use and behooff of the said inhabitants, their heyers and successors forever; In witness whereof the partyes to these presents have hereunto sett their hands and seales, this 14th day of May, in the 22nd yeare of his Majestyes reigne, Annoque Dom. 1670.
Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Mathias
Nicolls, R. Lough, Samuel
Davies, John Garland.
his marke
| The mark of ק Peter, | (L. S.) |
| The mark of o Elmohar, | (L. S.) |
| The mark of א Job, | (L. S.) |
| The mark of ? Makaquiquos, | (L. S.) |
| The mark of 7 Shamese, | (L. S.) |
“This Deed was acknowledged by the within written Sachems, before the Governor in the presence of us, the day and year within written.