This office, which, as shown before, combined the duties of a Sherifi' and an Attorney- General, was a most important one, and brought him into close connection with the other officers, and the tenants, of Rensselaerswyck ; the rights and interests of all parties being in many particulars subject to his official action. His first instructions from the Patroon were dated July 18, 1641, and his first account, still existing in the books of that colonic, begins on the 9th of September following.* The above mention of van der Donck as " the -Yoncker " is the earliest mention of that title as applied to him that I have found. As it is used in referring to a matter which occurred in 1645, it is clear that he was so called and known four years only after his arrival in America. The term is simply a corruption of " Jonkheer," son of a gentleman.^ It is of interest, for, from this title so given to him who became in the succeeding year, 1646, the Patroon of Colen-Donck, is derived the name which that Patroonship, in common parlance, ever afterwards bore, and which is to-day perpetuated in the corporate name of the beautiful city which is embraced within its limits -- Yonkers.

Van der Donck was the first lawyer in New Netherland, and of course in that part of it now New York. Lubbertus van Dincklagen, who was appointed Schout-Fiscaal and Vice Director of New Netherland, 5th May, 1645, also a doctor of civil and canon law, was the second, and Dirk {Richard) van Schelluyne, who was also the first notary, commissioned 8th May, 1650, was the third.