The dispute between this town and Flatbush, respecting their bounds,
appears to have been of more importance than that with any other place,
excepting New-York.
At a Court of Sessions, held for the West Riding of Yorkshire, upon
Long-Island, the 18th of December, 1678, the following order was made:
“There being some difference between the townes of Flat Bush and
Breucklyn concerning their bounds, the which they are both willing
to refer to Captain Jaques Corteleou and Captain Richard Stillwell
to decide. The Court doth approve thereof, and order their Report
to be determinative.”
Messrs. Cortelyou and Stillwell complied with the requisition of
the above order as will appear by the following report: but
subsequent disputes shew that the same was not “determinative.”
“To the worshipfull Court of Sessions, now sitting at Gravesend,
June 21, 1683. These may certiffie that in obedience to an order
from said Court, and by consent of both towns of Breucklyn and
Flattbush, to runn the line betwixt the said townes which are we
underwritten have done and marked the trees betwixt towne and
towne, as wittnesse our hands the daye and yeare above written.
JACQUES CORTELYOU,
RICHARD STILLWELL.”
It appears by the following Certificate, that a subsequent survey was
made in 1684, of the division line between this town and Flatbush.
“To satisffie whom itt may concerne, that I being with Mr. Jacobus
Cortland, about the twentyeth day off November, 1684, imployed by
Breuckland and Fflackbush, to vew and run out the line betweene the
two towns to the south of the hills found that the line run
fformerly by Capts. Jacques Cortelyou and Mr. Stillwell, is right
and just, which wee both being agreed, gave in our approbation of
the same.
PHILIP WELLS, Surveyor.”
Staaten-Island, in the County of Richmond,} this 4th day of Aprill,
1687.”}
The above Certificate was recorded by order of several of the
inhabitants of Brooklyn.
At a Court of Sessions for Kings County, held the 4th day of October,
1687, the following proceeding was had:
“Complaint off Jan Oake, and Cornelis Barduff, authorised by the
inhabitants of Fflackbush being read against Pieter Cronwer,
concerning the building uppon the land in question, betwixt
Breucklyn and Fflackbush, Itt is ordered, that none off the partys
shall meddle themselves with the said land before the question off
the said land shall be finished.”
December 4, 1689. Jooris Bergen, Jan Dorlant and H. Claes Vechte,
Commissioners of this town, together with Jurrian Bries, Constable,
granted to Jeronimius Remsen, a piece of land lying at Bedford, in lieu
of a piece of land which they had formerly sold him, lying at the Port
or entrance, and which was claimed by the town of Flatbush.
At a town meeting, held in this town the 11th day of April, 1702, by
order of Justices Machiel Hanssen, and Cornelis Seberingh; it was
“Purposed to choise townsmen, in place off George Hanssen, Jacob
Hanssen, and Cornelis Van Duyn, by cause theire times being past the
29th off this instant. Resolved to prolong the old townsmen’s time to
the twenty-fifth off May next, by reason they are in action off lawe
with them off Fflackbush, to be tryed this May court.”
The differences between these two towns have been amicably settled, and
proper monuments placed on the boundary lines, to prevent, if possible,
all future disputes.