During the Dutch re-occupation, in 1673-74, his government was suspended, and the inhabitants of Fordham nominated their own magistrates ; but on the return of the English, in the latter year, Archer resumed his sway. In 1679 he was sheriff of New York. At his death the manor was so heavily mortgaged to the wealthy Dutchman, Cornelis Steenwyck, that his heirs could not redeem it. By Steenwyck's will it was devised to the " Nether Dutch Reformed Congregation." in New York, for the support of their minister.

William Betts and George Tippett, his son-in-law, next purchased from Doughty (deed, July 6, 1668), about two thousand acres, extending across from the Hudson to the Bronx, south of an east and west line which went along the north side of " Van der Donck's planting-field." This line struck the Hudson about

3 Notwithstanding the patent for the Manor of Fordham recited that it was part of tlie land "granted in the Grand Patent to Hugh O'Nea'e Jlan-, his wife ; " also that " purchase was made thereof by John Archer from Elyas Doughty, who was invested in their interest, «* also of the Imhjan Proprirlort, ic," it is impossible, by any interpretation of the boundaries in the O'Xeale Patent to make them extend below the north line of the manor. There is no record of any deed from Doughty to Archer of land south of that line. The writer is of opinion that Archer, conniving with the Governor or Secretary Nicoll, advance<l this claim of title through Van der Donck's successors, in order to forestall claims to the tract which might have been otherwise established. Such claims were preferred early in the following century by Quimby against the Dutch Church, which then owued it, and about 1750 a brief on behalf of the church in an ejectment suit sets out with a recital of a copy of an utirecorded deed from Doughty to Archer, on which, however, counsel was not instructed to rely.