called by the Indians Paperinemen, as we find the Director General, ■\VilIiam Kieft. granting unto Matys (Mattliew) Janscn the isle of Paperinemen, iSth August, 1646.'' 1674, John Archer, lord of the manor of Fordham, laid claim to a neck of land called Humock Island, commonly called by the Indians Paperinemen, which he asserted he had by patent. But it would appear that governor Lovelace had already settled an individual by the name of Ven-elen upon the island to keep a ferry for the accomodation of passengers between the island and the Westchester shore. To satisfy Archer's claim, howe^•er, the secretary of the colony, Matthias Nicolls, agreed to pay a yearly rent for the same.

In 1692, His Excellency the Governor "out of great favour and good to the city of New York proposed the building of a bridge over the spiken devil ferry P^

The same }-ear at a meeting of the Mayor, Aldermen and Assistants, we find them petitioning the Governor : --

' ' That as Frederick Phillipse will undertake to build tiie bridge at the said place, for the conveniency of all travellers and droves of cattle at a moderate and reasonable toll ; they do therefore humbly pray, that if the said Phillipse will undertake, in one year's time, to build a good and convenient draw bridge for the passage of all travellers, droves of cattle and passage of carts and waggons, for the toll of one penny for ever>' neat cattle, and two pence for each man and horse, and 12 pence for each score of hogs and sheep, and sis pence for each cart and waggon that shall pass thereon, that he may have the preference of their majesties grant for the same by having a bridge built there.""