Some of the tenants had leases with the Wappinger going back 30 years or more. 16

When the Wappinger returned from fighting for the Crown in the French and Indian War they were dismayed to discover that not only had their hunting grounds been disturbed, but that their land had also been claimed by Robinson, Morris and Philipse. Their consternation led Chief Nimham, representing the tribe, to file a claim against the landlords in 1762. 17

In 1763 tenants on Wappinger land who were forced to sign new leases with Robinson, Morris, and Philips, petitioned the King for assistance, complaining that the men had "Discouraged people from Building Houses and planting orchards" in addition to evicting tenants who had "good and warrantable title by Lease Deed." 18 Robinson in particular was targeted for his especially aggressive approach and his refusal to acknowledge the life-long leases already present. A clash was in the making between the tenants' belief in their right to the land because of land occupancy, labor, and existing Wappinger lease agreements, and the landlords view of ownership by title. 19

The 1765 Land Hearing for the Wappinger The increasing tensions motivated the New York Common Council in 1765 to finally grant a hearing to the Wappinger and aggrieved tenants. With the assistance of attorney and Wappinger tenant Samuel Munroe, Nimham presented his case to the Council detailing how Adolph Philipse had never purchased the land beyond the 15,000 acre holdings from Dorland and Sybrandt and that no Indian deed existed to legitimize the drastic 190,000 acre expansion of Philipse holdings by Governor Fletcher. As the case wrapped up, it was looking favorable for Nimham. However, in an 11th hour surprise, Beverly Robinson reached into his coat pocket and produced a deed dated August 13, 1702 which included language covering the whole 205,000 acre parcel and extended the Eastern border all the way to CT. 20 Nimham and Munroe were allowed to briefly inspect the document and just as Munroe "was about to point out some mark of Fraud attending it... one of the Gentlemen of Council took the Same from him, and turning himself to the Petitioners told them that they had best go Home about their Business..." 21.