farm. He was proprietor of a brewery in Beverwyck, in 1661. Being a cousin of the Van Rensselaers he had considerable influence in the colony, where he was a magistrate to the time of his decease. He was one of the leaders in the settlement of Schenectady in 1661-2, and in the surrender of New Netherlands was especially sent for by Governor Nicoll to be consulted on Indian affairs and the interests of the country generally. He was highly respected by the governors of Canada, and the regard entertained for him by Monsieur de Tracy, viceroy of that country, will be best judged of by the following extract of a letter which that high personage addressed him, dated Quebec, 30th April, 1667. "If you find it agreeable to come hither this summer, as you have caused me to hope, you will be most welcome, and entertained to the utmost of my ability, as I have great esteem for you, though I have not a personal acquaintance with you. Believe this truth, and that I am, sir, your affectionate and assured servant. "TRACY.' "Having accepted this invitation, Mr. van Curler prepared for his journey. Gov. Nicoll furnished him with a letter to the viceroy. It bears date May 20th, 1667, and states that 'Mons'r Curler hath been importuned by divers of his friends at Quebec to give them a visit, and being ambitious to kiss your hands he hath entreated my pass and liberty to conduct a young gentleman, Mr. Fontaine, who unfortunately fell into the barbarous hands of his enemies, and by means of Mons'r Curler obtained his liberty. On the 4th July following, Jeremias van Rensselaer writing to Holland, announces that our cousin Arendt van Curler proceeds overland to Canada, having obtained leave from our general, and been invited thither by the viceroy, M. de Tracy. In an evil hour he embarked on board a frail canoe to cross Lake Champlain, and having been overtaken by a storm was drowned, I believe, near Split Rock. In his death this country experienced a public loss, and the French of Canada a warm and efficient friend.' "a Upon the 15th of January, A. D. 1676, the following letters of administration were granted unto Mr. William Beeckman of the estate of Juffrou Slagboom. "Edmund Andross, Esq., &c. "Whereas Juffrou Antonia Slagh boom, the widow and relict of Monsieur Aren it van Curler, late of Schanecktade near Albany, is lately dead, and in her last will and testament did nominate and appoint William Beeckman, sen., of this city to be her executor, and the said William Beeckman having made application unto me for letters of administration upon the estate of the deceased;" &c., &c. On the 10th of July, 1651, sixteen years prior to his death, Arendt van Corlear, transported Broncks' land to Jacob van Stoll, from whom it passed through several proprietors to Herman Smeeman. 22d of Oct. 1664. "Herman Smeeman of Comoonepan on the maine, sold to Samuel Edsall all that certain tract of land situated on the East river through Hell-gate, commonly called Broncks' land, containing 500 acres." This sale was confirmed to Edsall by royal patent the same year, NICOLLS' PATENT FOR BRONCK'S LAND. Richard Nicolls, Esq., governor general under his royal highness, James, Duke of York and Albany, of all his territories in America, To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. Whereas there was a patent or ground brief heretofore granted by the Dutch Gov. Will'm Kieft, unto Arent van Curler for a certaine tract or parcel of land formerly in the tenure or occupation of Jonas Broncks, commonly called by the Indians by the name of Ranachque, and by the English Broncks land, lying and being on the maine to the east and over against Harlem town, having a certain small creek or kill which runs between the north-west part of it and Little Barnes Island, near Hell-gate, and so goes into the East river and a greater creek or river which divides it from Manhattoes Islands, containing about 500 acres or 250 margon of land, and including all the push thereunto annexed or adjoining, which said patent or ground brief so granted as aforesaid, bearing date the A title of distinction for a lady among the Dutch. 20th day of October, 1644, was by the said Arent van Curler, upon the 10th day of July, 1651, transported and made over unto Jacob Jans Stoll, and upon the 19th day of December, 1662, conveyed by Matthews de Vos, as attorney of Geertruyt Andries, the widow of the said Jacob Jansen Stoll, unto Geertrieu Hendrick, formerly the widow of Andries Hoppen, and by her upon the same day, (with the approbation and consent of Dirck Girrits van Tright, then her husband,) made over to Harman Smeeman, who, upon the 22d day of October, 1664, sold and conveyed the same for a valuable consideration unto Samuel Edsall, late of this city, beaver maker, now for a confirmation unto him, the said Samuel Edsall, in his possession and enjoyment of the premises, Know ye that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given by his royal highness, I have ratified, confirmed, and granted unto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, all the aforesaid parcel of land and premises, with all the soil, woods, pastures, meadow ground, marshes, commonage, creeks, waters, lakes, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, within the limits before set forth, described, and all other profits, commodities and emoluments to the said parcel or part of land belonging or in anywise appertaining, to have and to hold the said parcel or part of land and premises unto the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, unto the proper use and behoof of the said Samuel Edsall, his heirs and assignees, forever, rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under the obedience of his royal highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York, on the island of Manhattoes, the day of in the 20th year of his majestie's reign, Anno Domini 166. RICHARD NICOLLS. The next possessor of Bronck's land was Captain Richard Morris, who must have purchased of Edsall, cir. 1670. Mr. Sparks says: "That there was a contract, dated the 10th of August, 1670, in which Richard is styled a merchant in New York, and Lewis, his brother, a merchant in Barbadoes." "It follows," (remarks Dunlap,) "that Richard was in Barbadoes in 1670, and contracted to come on to New York to purchase this grant of Morrisania for himself and brother, Lewis, who was to follow and settle on it; but that he did not come until the peace of 1674, when he found the son of his brother an orphan, took him under his protection, and built at Morrisania."b a Articles of agreement were entered into between the two brothers, that if either of them died without issue, the survivor, or issue of the survivor, if any, should take the estate. b Dunlap's Hist. of N. Y. vol. i. 272. |