In 1650 he was president of a body called the "nine men," representing the citizens at large; as such, he opposed the policy of Governor Stuyvesant with considerable effect, Stuyvesant retaliated by turning the "nine men" out of their pews in church, and tearing up the seats. Mr. Van Cortlandt became one of the most considerable men in the city of New York, or New Amsterdam, as it was then called, and acquired a large property, amongst which was a plot on the west side of Broadway 238 ft. front extending to the North River and adjacent to the present Courtlandt St."6 "In 1654 he was elected schepen

Autograph and Seals of Oloff Stevensen Van Cortlandt.

of the city, and in 1655 appointed Burgomaster, which office he filled uninterruptedly to the close of the Dutch government. His place of residence was in Brouwer straat (now Stone street). He had the character of being a worthy citizen, and a man most liberal in his charitfes."c Among the wealthy citizens of New Amsterdam in 1654, occurs the name of Oloff Stevens who contributed the sum of 150 guilders towards

a The record of the marriage of Burgomaster Van Cortlandt Is February 26, 1642. Oloff Stephensen of Wyck te Duurstede, (Wvk bie Duurstede, a village of the Netherlands, 13 miles south-east of Utrecht,) to Aimeken Lookermans of Turubout now in Belgium, 25 miles east of Antwerp. See atlas pub. by Laurie and Whittle, No. 53, Fleet St., Loudon, 12 May, 1794.

b Valentine's Hist, of the City of N. Y., Putnam's.