This pioneer knoll, today grass-grown and a pasture, gives evidence of its former occupancy. Depressions indicate the location of these log houses. At its most southerly point, a larger, longer depression surrounded by fragments of a stone foundation now covered by earth and sod, indicates the location of an old fort erected at a later date. About twenty yards east of this knoll is a large brook of the clearest spring water, while on its eastern slope is located the remnant of the spring which furnished them water. The accompanying maps and views show these points, and also show that these pioneers built their houses in the most approved manner of their day. The depressions indicative of their cellars are near each other on different sides, on the brow of the knoll. Between them is the slightly elevated rounded top of the knoll. Access to and communication with neighbors from houses thus located could have been easy, quick and continuous.
[DEEDS, LAND, PAPERS ETC.]
The following transcripts from the public records at Kingston, New York and Albany are of value as records of the life and the struggles of these early colonists. The deeds from the Indians covering a large acreage, extending in the Meckheckemeck valley from Naponeck nearly to the Delaware, was made to others besides those named in the Caudebec patent. This was a cause of differences between owners of adjoining patents and led to disturbances between the Indians and the pioneers.
(1) Deed of lands from the Indians.
(2) Petition: Jacob Caudebec and others to Col. Benjamin Fletcher, Governor, for patent for 1200 acres at Waghkomack, which was granted October 14th, 1695.
(3) Petition: dated May 14th, 1697, of Thomas Swartod and others to Governor Fletcher for protection of their patent lands, etc.
(4) Petition dated October 18th, 1699, of Bernard Swartwout and others to Governor Fletcher for protection in the peaceable enjoyment of their lands.
(5) Deed dated February 12th, 1725, Jacob Codebec to his three eldest sons of his seventh interest in the Caudebec patent.