reached a point at the southwest corner of 111th street and Fifth avenue, whence it ran on a direct line over the broad and level meadow-land known as Muscoota, to a little creek on the Conykeekst tract, on which the tiny hamlet of New Haerlem was later formed at 125th street, just west of First avenue. Its line was adopted as one,, of the village streets, and as such was long known as "the Indian trail" (see Map IV). Riker records the discovery, in 1855, at a point between 120th and 121st streets, on the same neck of land, of numerous

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UPPER MANHATTAN 73

shells, flakes, rejects, and weapons, demonstrating native occupancy. This occupied place (98) was doubtless a native site of some importance, since it was the nearest point of access by canoe to the wide territory of Ranachqua, or Morrisania, which could be reached on foot only by a long tramp via Kingsbridge. That territory was also a part of the Reckgawav^anc possessions, affording extensive hunting, fishing, and oystering facilities for the chieftaincy. But the situation of this station lacked the necessary shelter required for winter occupancy, and it was more likely a place of landing and trade, or perhaps a fishing-place. The broad tract of level land on which this station was situated, extending north of the waters of Rechewanis and lying east of the Indian trail, between 108th street and 123d street, was known to the natives as "Conykeekst." 11 The queer name may have been more correctly Quinnikeek. As in other situations, the name was probably applied equally to the local settlement (98) and to its vicinity. The tract was waterless, save for one small