The following act was granted them : " The inhabitants of the village of Fordham are, by a majority of votes, to choose anumber of six persons of the best qualified inhabitants, and only those of the Re/.^rmed Christian religion, as magistrates of aforesaid village, and to present the aforesaid nomination, by the first opportunity, to the governor-general, from which he shall make the election. They are recommended to lake care that at least the half of the nominated are of the Dutch nation. Done in this village of New Harlem, 4th of October, 1673. " From the nomination of the inhabitants of Fordham, there are elected, by the governor, as magistrates of said village for the ensuing year,

" Johannes Verveelen, as schepen and secretaryj

^;' '! :. • HISTORY OF THE

" Michael Beistyeiisen, '' Valentyn Claessen.a- "Done at Fort William Hendricke, on the ISth Oct., 1673." The. following year, John Archer, Esq., laid claim to a neck of land called Huinock Island, commonly named Fapinniman^^ which he asserted he had by patent.

Upon the 25th of November, 1676, John Archer mortgaged the manor of Fordham to Qonielius Steinwyck, merchant of New

York. .:• :;^-:

This indenture, made the twenty-fourth day of November, in the 2d year of the reign of our sovereign lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and Anno Domini 16T6, between John Archer, owner and proprietor of the manor of Fordham, upon the main, near Spiting Devil, on the one part, and Cornelius Sleenwick, of the city of New York, merchant, on the other part, witnesseih, that the said John Archer, for, and in consideration of the sum of twenty-four thousand guilders seawant, or the value to him paid, secured to be paid at or before the ensealing and delivering of these presents by the said Cornelius Steenwick, whereof and wherewith he, the said John Archer, doth acknowledge and confess himself to be fully satisfied, and thereof doth clearly acquit and discharge the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs, executors, and administrators, hath allowed, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth fully, clearly and absolutely alien, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and assigns forever, all his right, title and interest in the town and manor aforesaid, together with all the messuages, tenements, buildings and fences thereupon, and all the land improved or other ways now in the tenure or occupation of him, the said John Archer, and others, his tenants or assigns, and also all and all manner of rents, duties and profits received or may be received, and payable for and in respect of every or any of the said barga ned premises, and also all and singular deeds, patents, evidences and writings, touching and concerning the same, and the privileges therein contained, to have and to hold the said manor of Fordham, with the messuages and all and singular other the premises by these presents granted or intended to be granted, bargained and sold, with their and every of their appurtenances, unt) the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him, the said Cornelius Steenwick, his heirs and assigns for ever, provided always, nevertheless, and upon the condition that if the said John Archer, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any of