• As explained above in this eseay.

s Liber 2 of Deods, 192-199, Sec. of state's off* Albany.

< Liber Two of Deeds p. 128.

lla

In December, 1661, John Richbell made his application to the Dutch Governor and Council for the grond-bref above alluded to. His memorial, dated the day before Christmas, 1661, is in these 'words:

John Richbells Petition to the

Dutch Government for a Patent. Amsterdam in New Netherland, 24 Dec, 1661.

To the Most Noble, Great, and Respectful Lords, the Directors-General and Council, in New Netherland, solicits most reverently John Richbell, that it may please your Honours to grant him letters patent for three Necks of Lands, the east Neck being named Mammoranock Neck, the western with the adjacent Land by some named Mr. Pells Land, promising that all persons who with the supplicants permission or order would settle there with him, shall be willing to solicit letters patent for such a parcel of land as they may intend to settle. In the meantime he supplicates that your Honours may be pleased to grant him letters patent for the whole tract, which he is willing to enforce and instruct them of your Honours Government and will, in similar manner, on terms and conditions as are allowed to other villages. Hoping for your assent he remains, respectfully,

John Richbell.'

This memorial was read and considered by director Stuyvesant and his Council on the 19th of January, 1662, and the applicant was requested to explain more fully the extent and meaning of his proposal. Richbell subsequently did so, and on the 6th of the succeeding May (1662) there was granted him the annexed "grond-bref" or ground-brief signed by Stuyvesant himself