| New Netherland series |
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| Exploration |
| Fortifications: |
| Settlements: |
| The Patroon System |
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| People of New Netherland |
| Flushing Remonstrance |
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Colen Donck (in English "Donck's Colony") was a 24,000-acre (97 km2)patroonship inNew Netherland along the southernHudson River in today'sBronx andYonkers established by Dutch-American lawyer and land developerAdriaen van der Donck.[1]
The land was granted van der Donck by controversial Director General ofNew NetherlandsWillem Kieft in 1646 in return for van der Donck's role as an interpreter and peacemaker in conflicts between Dutch colonists and Native Americans. TheWest India Company had purchased the land (then called "Kiskiskeck") from its Native American holders in 1639.[2]
Van der Donck's parcel began on the mainland directly to the north of the island (Manhattan), continued along the river for twelve miles, and carried eastward as far as the Bronx River, becoming much of what is today the Bronx and southwesternWestchester County.
He named his estate Colen Donck (or "Colendonck"; spellings vary, the latter being more consistent with Dutch construction) and built his house between current-day Van Cortlandt Lake and Broadway. He also built a saw mill on theNeperan River where it flows into the Hudson. He then built a grist mill to process the corn grown on what had been the old Indian corn grounds.[2] Van der Donck paid the Indian chief Tacharew, whose tribe used to live on the land, as a gesture of friendship. This area later became part ofVan Cortlandt Park. The estate was so large that locals referred to him as the Jonkheer ("young gentleman" or "squire"), the source of today's name "Yonkers". His political activities and trip to Holland, precluded his giving the patroonship the attention it needed.[2]
Records show Van der Donck to have been alive in August 1655. He is described as having died on Manhattan island in 1655 byWho's Who in America.[3] Records of the following January indicate there was a dispute between his relations over two bibles taken by Indians in the sacking of his home in the raids known as thePeach War, leaving the cause of his death unknown.
His widow remarried and moved to Maryland. Obtaining confirmation of title fromGovernor Richard Nicolls, she sold the land to her brother, Elias Doughty, who then began to sell off parcels. A portion later became part ofthe Manor of Fordham.[4] Northern section became theManor of Philipsburg.[5]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.40°52′48″N73°55′00″W / 40.880007°N 73.916615°W /40.880007; -73.916615