The new Robinson leases were far less desirable than those the tenants had with the Wappinger. In a shrewd attempt to garner widespread tenant support and counter the harsh terms of Robinson's and Morris's leases, Nimham, representing the Wappinger, began offering leases to tenants with terms as generous as "2 peppercorns per annum to be paid on the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel for 999 years." 28 These attractive agreements became known as "Indian deeds" and did indeed garner popular tenant support. 29

Although tenants were happy to sign leases with the Wappinger, these agreements were not recognized by Robinson, Morris and Philipse, who continued to evict tenants who failed to sign new leases with them. In the fall of 1765 while meeting at a tavern in Patterson, NY, frustrated tenants nominated Irish emigrant William Prendergast of Pawling, NY to lead their revolt against the landlords. 30 Inspired to action after finding out that he was paying more in rent for his 120 acre farm than Roger Morris was paying to the Crown for his 60,000 acre estate, Prendergast became a fiery, outspoken champion of the average yeoman. 31

The situation soon turned ugly as mobs of land rioters began to evict, sometimes forcefully, new tenants that had signed revised leases with either Robinson, Morris, or Philips. In the spring of 1766 Prendergast led an angry group of approximately 200 men to New York City to free rioters that authorities had imprisoned. 32 Prendergast and the mob threatened to burn down New York City if the men were not released. 33 Governor Moore acquiesced to the rioter's demands to deescalate the situation, but because of landlord pressure, soon reneged on his word and proceeded to put a bounty on Prendergast's head and the rest of the rioters. 34 Prendergast was captured a few months later in July and on Aug. 6, 1766, was sentenced to: "...be hanged by the neck, and then shall be cut down alive, and his entrails and privy members shall be cut from his body, and shall be burned in his sight, and his head shall be cut off, and his body shall be divided in four parts, and shall be disposed of at the King's pleasure." 35