The tenants also had a house and lot each in the village, so that in 1668-- 69 a goodly number of Harlem people went to reside on Archer's property. The village was located very near the present settlement of King's Bridge near to the "fording-place" in Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and hence is derived the name of Fordham -- ford, a fording place ; ham, a mansion.* But Nicolls had granted the Harlem people four lots on the main-

' Biker's " Harlem," page 2C9. 2X. Y. Col. Docs., vol. xiii. 4-21.

3 Archer had years before bought from the Indians a large tract, now known as King's Bridge, Fordliani, Iligli Bridge and Belmont, and extendingas far north as Williiinis' Bridge. His nationality is disputed. Bolton says the family was of English origin. Riker says his name was Jan Arcer, <Ji<r« Xeuswys, and that he came from .Vnisterdani. .\t this time (lti68) he had lived in Westchester a dozen years, havins; married a woman from Cambridge in lfi.')9, and hence the Dutch Arcer or .-Varsen may have become anglicized into .\rcher. Kiker, who had access to the original record* of Harlem, saw his signature, and says it was invariably Jan .Vrcer. The author of this chapter has also seen it written the fame way. He was also called "Koop al,"" the Dutch for •' Buy all," and Riker suggests that he was a shrewd fellow and had an eye to business.

•• Bolton's "Westchester."

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTEE COUNTY.

land and Archer's cattle trespassed on the Harlem lands. The cattle were seized and a complaint made against Archer to the new Governor Lovelace. This was in 1668-69. Archer said he did not claim the lots but that he had purchased the lands adjoining from the Yonker Vander Do nek, and he was ordered to bring in his patent to show by what right he had the land where he had built.