Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
Governor Hunter then ordered, that those who would not agree with or turn tenants to those Gentlemen of Albany, to whom he had sold the land for 1500 pistoles shou'd remove from their habitations and Improvements and that they should make two lists, one of those that wou'd agree, the other of those tliat wou'd not agree with the Gentlemen, and tliat he soon expected an order from England to transplant them to another place, but no sucli thing was perform- d.
They then most submissively remonstrated to tlie said Governor, how hard it wou'd be to leave and abandon tlieir houses lands and Improvements for nothing, besides that they were indebted for other necessarys, thereupon Governour Hunter answer'd, that he woud send 12 men to examine their works and improvements and give them money to pay their debts, but it was never Derform'd.
The Winter following they sent 3 men to New York to the Governour humbly beseeching him to grant tliera liberty to plough the lands or he wou'd other wise take care of them, but he answer'd, What is said, is said, meaning tlie Prohibition of plowing at Albany.
This was a thunder Clap in the ears of tlieir Wifes and Children and the lamentation of all t'le people increased to such a liight, and their necessitys grew so great, that they were forc'd for tlieir own preservation to transgress those orders and sew some Suiinner Corn and fruits or else they must have starv'd.
These Gentlemen have thrown one of tlieir women in prison at Albany, who stiU continues there as also a man for plowing