was called by the Indians Aratkhook, or Akhgook, the Delaware term for snake, the reference no doubt being to the extremely sinuous course of the

its flow, which resembles the contortions of a snake when thrown upon a fire. In 1701, Robert Sanders 1 filed a petition

for a patent to a tract of land described as " beginning at a fall

(/.

<?.,

a stream of water) called Arackbook

and running thence

northerly on the east side of the Paltz creek

until it

comes

to a

place called Kackawawook, and from thence due east four miles into the woods, and from thence parallel to Paltz creek until a

due west line shall touch the aforesaid fall." He stated that he had held the land since June 4th, 1689 ; that all the Indians formerly owners were dead, and asked that a patent be issued to

himself,

son Thomas,

his

1 8th,

and Johannes Bush, William,

He renewed the petition, April

Sharpas, and Joseph Cleator.

1702, calling the tract Oghgotacton, and stated that his title

was derived from a loan which he had made to the Indian pro In prietor, who, as well as all his relations, were then dead. confirmation of his claim he presented the following paper

:

u

Whereas, Pungnanls is indebted to Robert Sanders the value of seventy pounds, and being ten years gone to the Ottowawas^ and his brother Corpowin^ now going to the war, desires that ye said Robert Sanders may keep the land of his brother, called Ogbotacton, till his brother pays him the said sum of seventy pounds, Robert Sanders comes to me to ask for leave to take this land from the said Corpowin, and I do give him authority to